Just Another Fan

A side blog for my reviews and random thoughts.

[lysa-linden-blog]

random angsty thought

content warning: witnessing a loved one’s death.

imagine because accused of causing the event that broke your heart for the first time in your existence. imagine because accused of killing the first person who ever believed in you, when watching your master die in front of you is a memory that’s still haunting your dreams.

OH MONKEY ;______________________;

[lysa-linden-blog]

more tripkey headcanon

Because they just won’t get out of my braaaaaaain

Once they start dating, Monkey becomes more and more koala-like when they’re sleeping. They might start the evening lightly snuggling, but by the time they’ve been asleep for a few hours Monkey engulfs her with all four of his limbs, tucking his face into the hollow between her neck and shoulder, breathing her in.

He’s also a Verious Serious hair nuzzler. Running his hands over her buzzed hair, rubbing his cheeks on it, planting kisses on whatever part of her head is most convenient. Tripitaka, however, has to be strategic about when she plays with his hair, because he can get VERY distracted VERY quickly, starting to melt under her hands, especially when she starts scratching his scalp or lightly tugging on the roots.

[The rest is NSFW] For their first sexual encounters, Monkey always makes sure that Tripitaka has at least 2-3 orgasms before he has one, or that if there isn’t enough time for all that, she always gets first priority and he’ll just wait until next time.

She assumes he just wants to show her the ropes, so to speak, but when she tries to implement a 1-for-1 system he gets confused and seems a little hurt. “What, am I boring you? You just want to get it over with faster?” She finally convinces him that no, that’s not it, she just enjoys seeing him that way, too. Then proceeds to be more bold than she’s been before and pins him down and starts trying to figure out his sensitive spots, and by the time she’s done he’s COMPLETELY onboard with the new plan and is kind of a quivering mess.

Tripitaka decides to take matters into her own hands, and becomes all Scholarly and Studious™ about sex, scouring through bookshops in the villages they travel through, quizzing Pigsy and Monkey and anyone else she thinks will answer her questions. She finds herself getting less shy about it as time goes on, which is a little confusing for her but also a nice feeling? And sometimes she comes to conclusions that are SO WRONG which leads to situations like Monkey having to dunk himself buck naked into an ice cold river thanks to a “stimulating salve” she buys from a merchant. Other times, it leads to her using a pair of earrings as nipple clamps and Monkey spends most of that evening in a blissed-out haze.

[lysa-linden-blog]

The New Legends of Monkey

This post is mostly going to consist of my ramblings about why I think Monkey is the beautiful submissive I’m not even sure I’m worthy of having on my screen.

There’ll be some other random observations or TripKey squealing scattered throughout. (Preface almost everything I write here with “I think.” I’m sure there are lots of other wonderful interpretations of the characterization and there’s totally space for all of us! 😄 AKA, I realize this is all a little far-fetched, but it just makes me so happy I’m okay with my headcanon being different from the average.)

I... cannot believe how long this got. 

I think Monkey resists learning the gods language because he thinks he'll fail at it and disappoint his Master. He wants to prove himself with his physical skill, which is what he DOES feel confident in. (If he can be strong enough, fast enough, skilled enough --> then his Master will be pleased with him). He thinks of himself as a warrior and doesn't seem to believe he can be more than that, not really.

Monkey shows off the Master's form when fighting the demon in front of everyone, thinking he’ll impress his Master and the audience. The "I think we can all agree it was perfect" is arrogance, but also him WAITING to receive some kind of approval, because he can't understand why they're not happy with him. (He's such a good student who learned the technique perfectly even though he wasn't included in the lesson! Isn't that a good thing? Also he really felt kind of left out that he didn't get to be a part of the lesson but whatever, he's not pouting YOU'RE POUTING)

Davari is the one who gets in his head and convinces him that he's supposed to be a master. (I thought this was interesting, because at first it seems like a very arrogant move to ask if he's supposed to be a Master, but in reality he didn't arrive at that conclusion on his own.) And even when he's asking the Master if that's the plan, he starts to doubt and feel unsure of himself: "*Isn't* it?" Uuugh, the expression on his face when he says that!! The tiny cracks of vulnerability in his face just kill me, because it’s like his mask is so close to cracking in that moment.

Monkey decides that he doesn't belong because he's failed. ("Why did you bring me here to join the gods? You knew I would fail.") This feels like an important character point for him: he's not okay with failing. Somewhere along the way he developed the idea that he's not allowed to.

Davari convinces him to steal the crown, that he should be a king. Monkey trusts Davari, the only person who around here appreciates Monkey for what he is, so why wouldn't he take Davari's ideas to heart?

Yet as soon as his Master is hurt, he wants to stay and make things how they were (to do what he thinks his Master wants).

I think his Master had a point, that he wasn't able to give Monkey the guidance he needed. Monkey clearly WANTS to have a purpose, he wants to be good and have approval, but he struggles. He struggles with:

his own defensiveness (when Pigsy tries to tell him it wasn't a good idea to invite the tree pirates along)

his embarassment (when Tripitaka says she can read the language and he gets snippy, when he's finally forced to reveal he can't)

his NEED to impress others/gain their approval.

It makes him resistant to trying things he's not good at, it makes him lie or omit the truth to protect himself and his image (his attempt to try to keep affection, not be rejected).

His Master tells him to scatter the scrolls, and he does that rather than stay and defend himself (fulfilling the Master's wishes).

He resists joining Tripitaka at first, but can't help himself -- he comes to "save" her from Sandy. His mission/purpose is determined by someone other than himself.

I think that moment when they discuss how she controls the crown is really interesting, because there's never a second where it seems like she will FORCE him to go along, yet that's the first place HIS mind goes (and maybe there's a little part of him longs to be controlled????).

ALSO, how she uses the Sutra to connect with him when he's too deep in his mind, so the Sutra isn't just something to cause him awful pain. It's a link with his mind. (I am 1,000% fervently imagining ways in which this could feature in their sex life omgggggggggg what if the crown is like their version of a collar in this universe I CANNOT EVEN)

He loves his "tribe" because they make him feel wanted, and he's excited to make them happy, to bring them along and give them what they want - the chance to fight with him. So when Tripitaka confronts him, he's frustrated that she can't understand why he needs this, why she's treating him as if he's done something awful when his tribespeople are so happy with him. He WANTS to make everyone happy, but he can't.

I also think it's pertinent that he verbally attacks/questions the Scholar, which in a way could be him struggling with his grief over his Master. In both cases, it's men who've been killed who determine his path: the Master tasked him with hiding the scrolls, and now the Scholar has tasked him with reclaiming them. In some ways he wants to live up to their expectations, but he's also angry at them: partly that they can't be HERE with him, helping him and giving him the guidance he needs, and also for expecting more of him than he thinks he's capable of. I really feel like Monkey's outer shell is a veneer of confidence that's covering some deep-rooted insecurities. He's still very emotionally immature, and doesn't completely understand how to manage himself. He's terrified of failure, but because of that he's stagnant in some ways, resistant to pushing himself in new directions or taking emotional risks.

"Master. Forgive me." 1x06

"He used me." / "I was betrayed. The demon made a fool... OF ME!" You can see how hurt Monkey is, finding out he was used by someone he thought was his friend. I wonder if there are situations when he wants to be USEFUL rather than used -- to make people he loves and trusts proud of him, to stand by people who he knows will do the RIGHT THING with his strength. (Like his comment when Tripitaka doesn't bathe with them, "it's about doing the right thing," the way he points at her like he's acknowledging her moral fortitude - I love that!)

"Monkey, please, trust me. We have to go. Monkey! Leave it, Monkey, fight him another day." And it takes him a minute, for Tripitaka's voice to penetrate, but Monkey goes.

Sooooo the narrative wants us to lay the responsibility for the world being plunged into darkness on Monkey's shoulders, and I'm just... not seeing it. I mean, yes, he tried to steal the crown, but what does that have to do with Davari killing the Master? Just because Monkey happened to be distracting the Master when Davari decided to attack?

I think one way or another Davari was going to kill the Master, and one way or another he was going to get Monkey out of the picture. I mean... I don't know, yes, Monkey's behavior was impulsive, but stealing a crown IS NOT an automatic prelude to plunging the world into darkness. It's not as if he were warned "TOUCH THE CROWN AND CAUSE 500 YEARS OF MISERY." He had no idea what would result from his actions and had no way of knowing what was coming. It wasn't as if he was intentionally ignoring dire warnings.

It seems like when someone is in a solid leadership position that Monkey doesn't have a problem falling into line. Like when Gwen is leading them out of the kin forest, you don't see him vying to try and compete with her for the leadership position, he follows her because the rest of them have decided to trust her, and since he trusts his team, he goes along.

Or, when Tripitaka leaves them, and he tries to get Sandy and Pigsy to go along with his angry-reactionary-not-well-thought-out-plan, and starts getting angry with Pigsy. BUT as soon as Sandy comes up with a completely logical alternative, Monkey has no issue going along with it. Later on, he more than happy to go along with Pigsy's "tethered goat" idea.

"When I first came out of the rock, I didn't know what to expect. I thought, perhaps, a little more fanfare. But there was nothing. No gods, no welcoming ceremony... nothing. Just you. An insiginificant human. No, that... [sighs]. That's not what I mean, okay? This isn't coming out right. When my Master died, I thought I would never again have the chance to be a part of something that mattered. Until I met you." [he reaches out to touch her tentatively] "Don't die." [pats her awkwardly]

PLEASE EXCUSE ME WHILE I HAPPYSIGH FOREVER

When Tripitaka realizes that Gwen died for her she goes to reach for her necklace. It's like her safety talisman, when she feels insecure she reaches for it.

"Forget about Tripitaka. Forget about the scrolls." So when he feels abandoned (Tripitaka secrety leaving them in the night), he shuts down and doesn't want to show even an ounce of how he's being affected by that feeling of abandonment/betrayal.

I also think it's cute how quickly he picks up the spitting gesture from the family. I think Monkey is much more absorbent/open to influence than he initially seems.

Two gods have died for Tripitaka: Gwen, who took on her poison, and the god they sacrificed to the abyss to try and motivate her to translate.

When Monkey asks Pigsy about whether he still trusts Tripitaka -- here we are again, Monkey, struggling with trust, and seeking out someone else's opinion to help guide him, since he's confused about his own feelings/what to believe. (Also, even when he's not sure if he trusts Tripitaka, he's STILL very concerned that the plan doesn't have a specific step dedicated to rescuing her because it’s IMPORTANT for REASONS which MONKEY CANNOT REALLY EXPLAIN WHAT THEY ARE OKAY BUT THERE ARE REASONS.)

In the last episode, we see signs of Monkey's affection for everyone in their group -- he's worried about rescuing Tripitaka when they infiltrate the banquet; he adjusts Pigsy's scarf right before he goes on stage; he says "good of you to make an appearance" when he and Sandy are fighting side by side, although when she says, "you missed me, didn't you?" he deflects by saying "I'm not so sure about that." Monkey, my beautiful baby, just beginning to feel safe enough to show tiny slivers of the massive amounts of love you have stored up inside of you, just waiting for the right people to come along!

Pigsy has to physically restrain Monkey from becoming physically violent more than once (when Raxion talks about executing him, when Davari is activating the immortality spell). When if Monkey needs that? Some kind of physical touch to ground him, bring him back from the edge? It also seems like Tripitaka's voice has this effect.

[lysa-linden-blog]

Killjoys 2x01

 KILLJOYS HAS RETURNED, LIFE ONCE AGAIN HAS MEANING :DDDDD

These three have wormed their way so deep into my heart. During the early episodes of season one, I wasn’t completely sure how D’avin was going to fit into the amazing dynamic that Dutch and Johnny have, but now I can’t imagine them as anything but a trio.

Thoughts:

D’avin humming to himself as he’s being brainwashed :(((

Clara (and Alice) are coming back, right?? RIGHT?? Lucy completely voiced my feelings on this one: why don’t we get to keep her? I’m not sure how it is that the actress Stephanie Leonidas always picks these roles, but I loved her in Mirrormask, I loved her in Defiance (though I didn’t always love that show), and I loved her here. Plus: you know Lucy and Alice are totally going to have playdates and it’s going to be awesome.

Pree and Johnny bickering was everything I’ve ever wanted from those two being undercover. Pree rhymes when he’s nervous! I LOVE HIM SO.

I love how D’avin immediately owned up to lying Khlyen, and how Dutch knew all along and she left because the rest of them needed it from her. UGH THESE THREE JUST SLOWLY CRUSHING MY HEART INTO TINY JOYFUL PIECES.

The lowest point of this episode for me was Fancy :((( I just want more for him, I guess. It would be really nice if he could have brainwashing-recovery storyline like D’avin did, but I have a sinking feeling that he’s just going to end up being killed.

In conclusion: the team is reunited and it feels so good. Time to go take back Old Town!

[lysa-linden-blog]

slowly making my way back

Got out of the habit of writing reviews after multiple character deaths broke my heart: Sleepy Hollow, Legends of Tomorrow, Person of Interest. But now Killjoys and Dark Matters are back (two of my favorite shows atm), and I started watching Wynonna Earp and Carmilla not too long ago, so I want to try to get back into the habit of writing here more.

[lysa-linden-blog]

raliaisel reblogged your post:supergirl 1x16

ME TOO!!!How about Jonvers as a shipname?

Works for me! I’ll start using it on my new posts :)

[lysa-linden-blog]

supergirl 1x16

OF COURSE THE ONLY THAT WOULD MAKE HANK REVEAL HIMSELF IS IF ALEX IS IN DANGER

OF COURSE HE WOULD STAY IN THAT CAGE 1,000 YEARS

OF COURSE SHE HAS TO REACH OUT HER HAND TO TOUCH THE GLASS

AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH MY LITTLE SHIPPER HEART HAS JUST SHATTERED INTO A MILLION OVERWHELMED, TREMBLING PIECES

[lysa-linden-blog]

quantico 1x13

Natalie :((((((((((

[lysa-linden-blog]

sleepy hollow 3x14

I made the mistake of reading other people’s reviews before writing my own and everything I felt was already expressed so well, so I’ll keep it short and sweet: delightful. I love watching Abbie and Sophie hang out, having each other’s back, a nice and easy dynamic that I think could develop into a great friendship over time. (I am always here for women being friends, always. And I’m also shipping some Abbie/Crane/Sophie on the side, I love a good OT3.)

And the symbol, the symbol that saved her, the symbol that soothes her when she’s frightened. The symbol that allows Crane to find her, that allows them to amp up the connection they’ve been feeling since the moment they met, that takes that amorphous sensation and solidifies it. I can only IMAGINE what the experience of psychically connecting with Abbie was like for Crane (intense, overwhelming, so incredibly right). Luckily I’ve got a good imagination, yes, yes I do. (◠‿◠)

[lysa-linden-blog]

legends of tomorrow 1x08

Leonard as law enforcement (in that hat, nnngh) is working for me on so many levels. If only he and Ray had been able to “shack up” (and of course Leonard said that with the bitterest little twist in his voice, I love it). I could totally go for a suburban AU where Leonard’s a hardboiled detective and Ray is a homemaker who regularly blows things up in their garage with his “hobbies” and bakes tuna surprise every Friday.

I wish the canon were brave enough give us some Hawk/Canary, they had those great flirtatious fight scenes and as cute as the nurse is, I’d love a relationship. (OT3 with reincarnated Carter? I’d for go it.)

[lysa-linden-blog]

shadowhunters 1x09

Alec: [snapping at Magnus] Me: THIS IS WORSE THAN WATCHING A PUPPY CRY :(((((

Magnus: [stealing Alec’s stele] Me: OH GOD YOU KNOW ALEC’S GOING TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS AND IT’S GONNA BE SO ANGSTY WHEN HE DOES  (╯︵╰,)

Alec: [tells Magnus he’s getting married] Me: OH MY GOD MAGNUS’S FACE, HIS FACE WHEN HE UNDERSTANDS, THIS IS WHERE SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS AND ALL JOY GO TO DIE 

[lysa-linden-blog]

legends of tomorrow 1x07

Ray: ....blah blah blah, sexless, blah blah blah.... Leonard: Not an accurate description of your behavior in my dreams last night.

Ray and Kendra: [having a tender “I’m not dead after all” moment] Leonard: Excuse me while I unapologetically interrupt this ridiculousness.

In conclusion: I think jealous!Leonard is my favorite Leonard of all.

[lysa-linden-blog]

jane the virgin 2x14

Wow, it just got so real between Alba and Xiomara. God, how much do I love that this show is addressing the negative power of the way women are shamed for their sexuality, and how that shaming affects not just one generation, but multiple generations? How in this case it shaped not only Alba’s life, but Xiomara’s and Jane’s, as well, because it shaped Alba’s ability to accept her daughter’s and granddaughter’s sexuality. That’s the power of social messages: not only to influence how we judge ourselves, but also how we judge the people that we love the most. I love that Xiomara gets to have such a real moment where we see the raw, painful truth of that, that she gets to assert and own her enjoyment of sexuality. And it’s so important that they address it, precisely because of the premise of this show.

On other topics, I’m enjoying Petra and Jane slowly growing to like each other despite their best efforts, and I like that Petra didn’t get back together with Rafael even though I’m sure it was tempting. I love how we saw Jane’s fantasies of the “what if”s -- you can feel how compelling these fantasies are for Jane, how desperately she wishes everyone could get along and love each other -- and how Petra throws a glass of cold water all over those gorgeous fantasies. And was it just me, or was the narrator especially adorable this episode?

I find myself hesitant to get too comfortable with Michael and Jane, because I can’t help feeling like Jane/Rafael is endgame. They’re plenty adorable, though, and I like how they’re starting to explore the ways in which they can come back together and bring their wiser selves in to make a better relationship than the one they had before.

In conclusion, no one should ever trust Rogelio de la Vega with state’s secrets, but that doesn’t mean I love him any less.

[lysa-linden-blog]

supergirl 1x15

Alex and Hank in skintight black clothing sparring with emotions. WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS TO ME? Like how do I go on calmly watching the rest of this episode? I’ve become total shipper trash and I blame it 1,000% on this canon that makes her connection with Hank so much more interesting than this hate-hate (as opposed to love-hate) thing they want to try to sell me with Max.

[lysa-linden-blog]

shadowhunters 1x08

Public Service Announcement:

I want Magnus hitting on

sweaty, shirtless Alec

FOREVER

[lysa-linden-blog]

rosewood 1x11

Villa: “Nevermind, I gotta go. (to her boyfriend) I'll call you. (to Rosie) Don't follow me. (to Kat's ex-husband) Do better.”

Annalise Villa, everyone, neatly handling three men in less than thirty seconds. This woman is my hero.

[lysa-linden-blog]

sleepy hollow 3x13

The canon is seriously pushing my buttons lately with how attuned Crane is to Abbie's "needs" and the fact that he's straight up using that word. CRANE WANTS TO TAKE CARE OF HER NEEDS YESPLEASETHANKYOU. Also all the domestic scenes lately are so, so adorable and give me such happy feels.

"The Jersey Devil has come to Sleepy Hollow." lololololol how do you say that with a straight face, Tom Mison? HOW?

"I went in first last time." Fair's fair.

Joe, Joe, Joe, you should know better than to buy Jenny a whole new house without consulting her first. Come on.

Is it just me or was there something kind of bumbling about how the plot progressed this episode? For example: they decide to go to this guy's laboratorium without ANY weapons specifically designed to fight him and without backup, thus getting their asses totally kicked.

"Crane, stay with me." My fave phrase this season. <3

Oooooooh god, Crane weakly whispering Abbie’s name is killing me quite softly.

I love the face she makes at him after he says "Now who's a subpar alchemist?" in his best bratty voice.

"I need your help, Crane." AUUUUUUUUGH THAT MUST HAVE BEEN SO HARD FOR ABBIE TO SAY BUT SHE'S REACHING OUT TO CRANE BECAUSE SHE'S FINALLY READY TO ADMIT SHE NEEDS HIM AND I'M JUST OVER HERE DYING SLOWLY.

The problem with this whole hourglass thing is that there's really been no buildup to this moment at all, so it felt very sudden and not all that meaningful.