#*mythoughts

[delayedgrief]

When Tommy calls Eddie the competition I immediately clocked it as a further connection to the Abby x Buck relationship. And here's why -

In a way, Abby's mom was the competition in her relationship with Buck. Canceling dates and things like that. Which is completely fair, don't get me wrong but there was a point Buck thought about leaving because of it.

We know that Buck does the same thing with Eddie. He delayed going to Tommy's place because of the Kim situation. The difference here is that Eddie is not Buck's responsibility. He's a grown ass man and I can see how frustrating that would be for Tommy.

How many dates were put off because of Eddie's drama? How many times was Buck not fully there because Eddie was texting him?

I hope Tommy is able to voice these things one day. I'm not convinced it was because Tommy thought Buck was in love with Eddie. I think it's deeper than that.

[inhonoredglory]

Every Doctor is legit smiling and being content with their death but David Tennant? Never.

As Ten, he was so afraid. As Fourteen, he’s still got that haunting, sad look in eyes.

(prediction time) I know they’ll be sentimental about this regeneration. He’s saying a proper farewell and he’ll likely say something powerful and meaningful about being kind and accepting of all people and not letting hate guide your actions (I was just watching Twelve regenerate and I don’t think RTD is gonna miss this opportunity to have the David Tennant drop some wisdom this time too).

And he’ll probably say softly at the end, “Allons-y” (“let’s go”). And then take a deep breath and go. 😭

[manesalex]

Okay, remember that scene at the drive in? Remember Michael saying Alex keeps walking away and Alex replying that Michael keeps giving him reasons too?

Just a mess of Malex thoughts under the cut.

I think that’s what we’re addressing here. Alex spent last season working on his tendency to walk away. He spent last season growing. Michael spent last season stalled. Stuck in place.

I think this season is going to be really painful for us because I do think it will be a lot of Michael trying to push Alex away. And Alex just continuing to be there. Just understanding and supporting. No matter the relationships they’re in. I hope we’ll eventually see Michael stop trying to push Alex away. I hope we’ll see him stop trying to hurt Alex to make him leave. Because maybe that’s how he feels like he has control within their relationship. Just spitballing there.

Side note, this pattern started well before Alex. Michael has been expecting everyone to leave him since Max and Isobel did. Maybe since he woke up from out of the pod. He’s pretty much said as much. It’s not about Alex, not really. His abandonment issues stem from far before he ever met Alex. Alex was just the first person who gave him hope it could change.

Also, I just want to point out that Alex is actually giving Michael the space he keeps asking for. Michael keeps coming to him to tell him to leave him alone... Alex is just being supportive at a distance. Not walking away, but being there when Michael needs him. I think it means something that Michael keeps coming to him to tell him to leave him alone.

My idealistic side says we’re in for a lot of pain, but also a lot of growth this season.

[sasakisniko]

6. + Malex (DONT recall if that’s the name) + Caryl

Favorite features... Okay. And, yes, you got the ship name right, Iman! Thanks for the ask!

For Malex?

Physically, Michael's favorite feature of Alex's is his ass. No, his hands. No, his lips. 😂 I think, for Michael, it's always changing. Or maybe, when I write Michael, he's always a complete thirsty disaster, which is where I relate to him most. I feel like his favorite physical thing about Alex is whatever he has his hands or mouth on at the moment.

Otherwise, really, it's Alex's kindness and understanding. He's not used to someone just choosing him always and understanding him, so he forgets it sometimes and misunderstands Alex sometimes, but he fell in love with the boy who gave him a home and peace and quiet. And he's been in love ever since.

For Alex? Physically, he has a thing for Michael's hair. He always wants to get his hands in those curls.

But it's also Michael's capacity for love. I think it scares him sometimes because Alex has never known love from the people who are supposed to love him. But he loves Michael's heart.

For Caryl?

Daryl has always loved Carol's eyes. They're so beautiful and open and he can read her just by looking into them. But he also loves how nurturing she can be. She's a fierce fighter and that brings him comfort, but he's never had someone care about him like she does. Someone who makes sure he eats and has a safe place to go.

Carol has always loved Daryl's hands. He's so strong and such a capable fighter, but he's always so gentle when he touches her. And, outside of the physical, she loves how gentle and caring he can be. She knows he's not used to it, to being able to be gentle and caring, and she loves how much he becomes more confident in himself as he grows more used to being able to care for others and being appreciated for it.

[inhonoredglory]

ROTT: hot takes 🔥 (spoilers)

I wrote the following last Thursday, before my fandom life was waylaid by birthday shindigs for my sister and a weekend of migraines and nausea/fainting because of the COVID vaccine. I feel so out of touch w/ fandom but here’s my late but initial thoughts to ROTT if anyone’s interested LOL

––––––

DAMN SON.

DAMN.

I saw Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans last night. Before I launch into the fandom again, I’mma share my unfiltered thoughts.

ThAT oPEnING. HOLY SHIT. It was exhilarating. Seeing all of Tales of Arcadia rush past me in 3 minutes was awesomesauuuuuce.

but guYS GUYS lemme tell you the

✨✨ABSOLUTE✨✨

✨✨✨UTTER✨✨✨

✨✨✨✨✨HIGHLIGHT✨✨✨✨✨

✨✨✨✨✨✨of MY LIFE✨✨✨✨

////oh gODS////

hearing Douxie say in that deep, grave, convicted, voice:

❝ ｂｕｔ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｃａｎ　ｔａｋｅ　ｍｅ ❞

DOUXIE MY SELFLESS WIZARD BEAN. LIGHT OF MY LIFE. I’M DECEASED.

Because it’s scenes like this which convince me they KNOW that Selflessness Is His Thing. And that means so freaking much to me OH MY LORD.

Act 1 of ROTT was an absolute delight, let’s just say.

Men in Black!Krel

Nari!Douxie (i cANNot beLIEve THIs is a THING im in tears)

THE BARBARA/JIM REUNION!!!!!

A FREAKING STRICKLAKE ENGAGEMENT!!!!! Jim/Strickler relationship growth arc 😭😭😭

Y’ALL WE GOT JLAIRE SITTING ON A FLIPPIN’ RED ASS BED. This is the closest we’re gonna get to sex in a kid’s show.

NOT COUNTING OFC THE INSTA-STAJA-FAM CONCEPTION

should I be scared that GDT is reading the totally wack corners of mpreg AO3??!! 👀👀👀dude, like DUDE. that happened.

ELI GLOWUP !!!!! damn son u hot

also aja is such a Queen in this whole thing omg

I obvs can’t go scene by scene through this thing but––

Douxie and Nari in P A I N during the spellbreaking scene. that hurt my soul oh lordy. there must be art made

OK but then after this SHIT GETS VERY REAL. There’s a lot of Character Thematics/Arcs and Real Narrative shit I can get down into and stuff I want to think about because yEAH... wow, this movie Went There. And Back Again. (lOLJSKGSg)

I appreciate the deaths. I really do. But Strickler was a shock. Jim holding onto his mom and crying, overwhelmed with guilt, was the most Jim thing. The boy puts so much agony on himself. It’s his undoing. gAH POOR JIM.

CAN WE MAKE A NOTE THAT JIM’S RIBS WERE BROKEN/HURT throughout this entire thing??? 😭😭😭 HMmm? HMMMM!!! LOOK AT THE ANGST

Claire shadow-porting an eNTiRE TITAN. This girl is OFF THE CHARTS SJGHSBKGJMNFSBG

Nari’s death was emotional. Wow. She was being a Hero. Not running, like she said. That was a Power Growth and beautifully scored. Not to mention archie trapped forever?!!! Nooooo?!!!

They really want to take everything away from Douxie don’t they.

Jim getting Excalibur and leveling up with Akiridian armor was pRETTY SWEET. Especially ✨together✨. And everyone saying the Destiny speech. *tissues*

Act 3 finale babbaaayyyy.

CHILDREN OF THE SUN REDUX OMSKGJSGGMN HELL YEAHHHH

Jim realizing the amulet didn’t make. him a hero, HE DID. And that’s why the amulet chose him.

y’all I sobbed for tobes. that was powerful, painful, and moving. and y’know it was almost like this whole movie was an apology for treating toby like a comedic sidekick––and giving him the trollhunter mantle in the end.

like THEY VALIDATED JIM AND TOBY’s FRIENDSHIP and that cANnNOt be underestimated. Because friendship is almost ALWAYS knocked down the ladder of importance in the pantheon of human relationships, and ROTT said NO. Jim loves Toby so much that he’d change his own history and the history of the ENTIRE WORLD in order to get him back.

like, Jim, our sacrificial Hero. Deciding to truly be Atlas and take all the weight of What Could Have Been on his shoulders, because he cannot stand the losses that happened under his leadership.

this kiss tho. the absolute ANGUISH in the way jim presses himself to her face. gOD. THE PAIN. THE LOVE. THE “I LOVE YOU”

––––

The whole time travel twist tho. I’m kinda... not here for it?? Time travel is tricky to pull off and yeah, I think I’m in the camp that everyone’s character arcs (except Jim’s) have been retconned. It’s sad because people get connected to one another by the shared pains, joy, and experiences that brought them together, and now they’ve lost that.

But thematically and more importantly, why can’t the acceptance of death be validated? Sure, so many people dying was painful, but Let. It. Be. Painful. That’s life. TOA hasn’t shied away from dark things before. Toby and Strickler and Nomura and Nari (even Archie and Charlemagne) gave their lives; Toby became a Hero in the truest sense of the word. Let him do that, let that choice be his. In fact, it says a lot thematically about Jim’s hero complex that he cannot accept other people making heroic choices with tragic consequences. That it’s all on him. But with this ending, they do make it clear Jim’s need to be a hero is a driving obsession, and I appreciate the strength of his conviction on that identity for himself.

But the thing about retconning the anguish is that it’s telling us that bad consequences, tragedy, and loss are unacceptable in life. That just because Jim and his friends need 10 years of therapy, he should try to erase all that pain and give himself and his friends a “normal” life. No. Depression, loss, hurt... these help make us who we are; growth is about accepting them and using that pain to become better people, not invalidating them from our past.

*grumbles*

let’s be real tho: that ending was meta. it was like they were telling us fans that now WE can go create the Trollhunters we wanted to see, and fix all the things we thought went wrong. I think someone’s been reading a bunch of Trollhunter AU fics, no?

tl;dr ROTT creates more questions than it does answers and we need another show LMAO

[inhonoredglory]

i dont think you ever received my last ask a while back, but now i gotta know what ur favorite duos are! (platonic or romantic!) - armin anon

o h mygod forgive me dear armin nonnie!!! the last weeks of school threw me off and then the trollhunters trailer hit and I got distracted. but I hope you’re still out there hearing my answer. I really have fun chatting with you, so thanks for this second question!

My favorite duos, oh gosh. I could even talk about my favorite trios, the character relationships in SNK are so well developed and rich.

Erwin and Levi

My top duo is of course Erwin and Levi. (My summer project is to make a receipts AMV of all the wonderful things Isayama and others have said about the pair.) Their closeness is something else, built on such mutuality, maturity, and love. Erwin looks like a devil to everyone but Levi, who sees his innocent humanity; Levi looks cold and unemotional to everyone but Erwin, who sees his compassionate nature. Erwin changed Levi’s worldview––allowing him to see beyond his own small world to a bigger one, where freedom was possible. Levi saw the darkest side of Erwin’s heart, and still trusted him implicitly, believing in him and selflessly giving up his own need for Erwin to stay in his life in order to give him peace and redemption instead. And as Isayama said,

“Levi had always seen Erwin’s goal of doing things for humanity’s future as an unimaginably altruistic act, and made it his life’s mission to reach the same heights.”

And with that final act of letting Erwin die, Levi did just that––become selfless in the hardest way possible. To let go of the person that gave your life meaning, because in death was healing, in death was innocence, in death was love.

Are they romantic or platonic? To me, love is beyond those labels. People can be romantic with each other and not really have real love. People can have real, dedicated love and never ever kiss or want to. Levi and Erwin share an undeniable soulmate bond, and while there is definite signs of romantic Eruri (Isayama hinting Levi’s type isn’t women, but tall people; Erwin getting flirty in supplemental short stories), to me the important part is that they are each other’s special person and that’s why I adore them so much.

(Artist: rozavay)

Jean and Armin

Because Jean and Armin were two of my first faves from the show, I naturally gravitated to the pair. What I adore about them is how much each one of them defends the other, desperately rushing to each other’s aid on the battlefield and trusting one another. Going through the manga, I found a really touching moment when Armin was fixing a prisoner's gag (the man who had sexually harassed him) and getting visibly disturbed. Jean felt that, and intercepted the moment, getting Armin out of that situation. Jean’s actually really good at detecting people’s emotions, so it was beautiful to see him sensitive and caring with Armin.

I don’t see them as romantic, but I enjoy some good Jearmin just the same, and there’s something to be said for Jean’s canonical jealousy of Armin spending so much time with Eren. Armin’s just that good a catch LOL.

Jean and Marco

Marco changed Jean’s life, gave him a reason to be more than himself. He believed in Jean, trusted him, and encouraged him. I find it incredibly moving that Jean keeps coming back to Marco to remind himself why he chose the life he did.

I totally got on board the ship with this amazing fic about the two of them: To Everything There Is A Season by flecksofpoppy

Canonically, I don’t believe it’s romantic, but they share the deep, beautiful bond of one person owing their entire life’s purpose and sense of meaning from the other.

(Artist: kaa05n2)

Bertholdt and Reiner (+Titan Trio)

Since Bertholdt was my bean in season 2, I really felt drawn to his relationship with Reiner. My sister loved Reiner too, so this duo was a good one for us both to enjoy. Bertholdt was always so insecure in himself, afraid to do or say anything in the big scary, foreign world he was dropped into as a child warrior. He relied on Reiner, and yet so often he couldn’t access him emotionally, since he was dealing with their tragic lives in his own way. He had to grow to be Reiner’s anchor, while still awash himself. They fought for each other more than for their homeland, fought for the things they both came to care about growing up on Paradis, and they were inseparable. Bertholdt risked his mission to see if Reiner was okay in the Return to Shigonshina arc, and he drew strength from Reiner’s trust in him to make his own choices and act on his own in that battle as well. As much as it pains me to see him fulfill his character growth in such a dark way, I still have a spot in my heart for him and his friendship with Reiner.

Levi and Furlan (+Underground Trio)

I got hit in the face with this relationship after I read the No Regrets manga, which shows so much more than the anime version regarding the equality in trust between Levi and Furlan. In the manga, Levi didn’t have subordinates (denying the term for them), he had friends who he had made his family. Levi bet all their lives on Furlan’s plan, and when he went on his first mission, he had such a falling out with him because Levi wanted to protect him and Isabel. Furlan was so grieved by the darkness in both Levi and Isabel’s hearts and put everything on the line because he believed he needed to get them out of the darkness of the underground. Their relationship is a beautiful insight into Levi’s early years and his inherent compassion and deep care for others.

^ The Levi Ackerman actually stopping to hearken to the command of someone else (who’s not Erwin lol), trusting in Furlan’s bigger plans with this stranger than just merely kicking him out, like Levi wanted to do.

Armin and Eren (+Shigonshina Trio)

The entire rooftop sequence and serumbowl shows how much Eren (and Mikasa) care and love Armin. In a way, Eren and Armin are the mirror for Levi and Erwin, with Erwin’s bigger dreams of the world outside the walls turning Levi’s motivations, built on tragedy, into something positive and forward-looking. Likewise, Eren’s darker need for anger and revenge is turned into something good and innocent when he shares in Armin’s dream. Armin’s hope makes Eren feel confident. He believes in him even when Armin doesn’t believe in himself. And of course, that painful way Armin tells him, “I’d never lie to you, would I?” because he knows Eren would never let him go through with his selfless mission if he’d known what he meant to do. To Eren, Armin is a better person than he’d ever be.

Now why couldn’t we have just ended the whole show right here lol?

Ymir and Historia

One of the few explicitly canon romantic couples in SNK! Their story is tragic, beautiful, and inspiring. Each one of them telling the other to be free of society’s expectations of them, to stop living for other people and to live for themselves––together. The change in Ymir, going from someone selfish to someone who would die for Historia’s happiness, is a gut-wrenching thing to watch. Their shared arc is complex, messy, and struck through by the goodness of a young girl who found the humanity in someone who never thought themselves worthy of love.

aaa I think that covers my favorite duos in SNK!

[inhonoredglory]

something i feel is dismissed a lot or not talked abt as often is armin and mikasas relationship - i really loved their dynamic in the manga. especially the cut scene of mikasa responding to one of armins more morbid plans with “i didnt raise him like that” (i wont say anything about near the end of the series, i dont know how far youve read but like in my last ask i have many opinions) i really wish we had gotten a full conversation between them when armin killed the woman :( - armin anon

Gosh, you’re so right about Armin and Mikasa. I LOVED so many of their little moments that were completely absent(!!!) from the anime. The moment you’re talking about, of course:

First off, I get a lot of feelings for Jean still cognizant of the horrible experience Armin’s been through, and imagining it’s the reason for Armin’s morbid plan. Then Eren’s quick defense of Armin’s intellect is precious to see. And finally, Mikasa, the protective older sibling puzzled at Armin’s behavior. Because all three of them have true things to say about Armin at this point. Armin’s trying to deal with the torture happening in the other room and the realization that they’re facing much more human threats than the titans ever were. He’s going to a dark place in his mind, using his skills towards something far too cunning for his age. Mikasa’s comment really enlightens how she thinks of Armin, with an affection and love for a younger sibling.

And we see a parallel in the way Armin looks up to her and values her opinion on matters. One of my favorite underrated moments between them is Chapter 57’s conversation among the 104th about Levi’s actions towards Historia. It’s sad that most of the 104th couldn’t read Levi the way we can, since I’m convinced Levi’s physicality with Historia was a desperate plea to get her to help him (as I’ve gone in depth with in a post). While the rest of the 104th start to believe Levi is making the SC into a gang of thugs, Armin stands up for the Captain. I don’t know if Armin knows exactly the psychology of what’s going on, but he nonetheless believes what Eren believes about Levi’s actions: “We don’t have a choice. If we fail here, humanity’s just going to be eaten by titans.”

So Armin stands up for Levi and then asks Mikasa for backup. Because he knows she’s perceptive and smart about things, and she doesn’t place her faith in people easily, but when she does, it’s for good reason. Mikasa is able to bring the rest of the 104th to Levi’s side, fulfilling Armin’s faith in her.

I do desperately wish we got to see the conversation Mikasa had with Armin after Armin killed the MP. But based on scenes like the one above, I feel like she must have shared with him the necessity of what they're doing, and basically reminding him of the things Armin already believed. But above all, giving him physical comfort and understanding. It's rare to see Mikasa do this, so it's especially heartwarming to see her act this way with Armin.

In the Return to Shigonshina arc, there's so many examples of Mikasa's absolute trust and faith in Armin. She puts all their lives in his hands, encouraging him to lead the 104th and trusting in his ideas. The same ideas that saved Mikasa and Eren's lives time and time again in the past. In a lot of ways, Mikasa is the Levi to Armin's Erwin (being the strength to his mind), in a different way that Eren is the Levi to Armin's Erwin (being the one inspired by Armin's ideals and vision). She has enough faith in Armin to trust Eren to his plans when the 104th split up to fight Reiner and Bertolt, but she also has the sense of mind to save Armin when Armin's plans fall through. That's how she attached Bertolt and stopped Armin from going after him.

But of course the biggest moment for Armin and Mikasa is the rooftop serumbowl. We can so clearly see and feel Mikasa’s powerful love for Armin, the deathly stare in her eyes when she realized Levi was going to give the serum to Erwin. Her glare is palpable and terrifying and even Levi is afraid of the passion behind those eyes.

The Shigonshina trio love each other so much, and we see so much of their trust and love in the RTS arc. Thanks again for the ask! I'd love to hear more of your opinions and thoughts; it's fun to analyze the manga because there's so many little details that enrich the story.

[manesalex]

Hi! Can you make a similar post about your assessment on 2x8 like you did with 2x7? Especially on the Forlex/M!luca stuff? Only if it's not too much trouble.

Okay, Nonnie, sorry this took so long to get to. It took me a while to work up to watching the episode.

So, ngl, the M!luca stuff in the episode was a mess. It was all over the place and it was a lot of “tell” with no “show”, so I’m just going to go with what I saw. As for the F0rlex stuff, I’ll explain what I think they’re doing with that too!

Sidenote: my Maribel shipping has returned and I hate myself a little bit for it. I am trash.

Let’s start with M!luca.

The first scene between them involves Maria showing Michael her powers. He’s visibly upset when she shows him what she can do and he demands she wear the necklace. It’s gross and controlling and not in any way romantic. While he does bring up the neurodegeneration, it’s not clear that that’s his primary concern, though it is his stated concern. I think he still wants a perfectly “normal” relationship and he’s trying to force it.

The M!luca scene feels like both are forcing themselves to play a part. They have opposing goals and, rather than communicate and come to some agreement, they part with Michael demanding Maria do one thing and Maria determined to do the opposite thing behind his back.

Compare this to Isobel and Maria’s conversation about Maria’s powers. There’s a give and take there. There’s actual healthy communication between two people who supposedly hate each other. Isobel gives Maria a reason why wearing the necklace might be a good thing (Noah’s mind control). Maria responds with reasons it’s important to her that she learn more about her powers. Isobel understands that. Maria asks for help. Isobel points out her concerns about the neurodegeneration. Maria shoots those concerns down and offers to help Isobel in return if Isobel helps her. Isobel agrees.

We later see Michael ask Liz to look into research to undo what was done to Maria’s family. No further experimentation. Just make her “normal” again. Turn her into the girlfriend Michael wants. Not “can we find a way to stop the neurodegeneration while she remains herself and has access to these powers”. Instead, it’s “change her against her will”. Again, gross.

Now, in the last M!luca scene, Michael seems to have changed his mind. I say “seems” because we never actually see what causes his change of heart. There is no onscreen character or relationship development. Nor do we see Michael speak to Liz about stopping her experimentation. Are these cut scenes? Are we meant to assume he did and he had some miracle growth offscreen? Possibly. Who knows with this show’s writing. But, if we are, they deemed this relationship to be so unimportant that we don’t need to see how Michael and Maria reached this point of agreement. It’s already done by the time we see Michael again. So, either all of this was unimportant enough to happen offscreen or he’s lying and playing the good boyfriend, telling Maria what she wants to hear while continuing to make decisions for her behind her back. Maybe he knows that, if she’s working with Isobel behind his back, he’s going to lose this thing he’s desperately clinging to for a sense of normality if he doesn’t pretend to be okay.

Either way, there’s no actual communication that shows them reaching an agreement. This is not a healthy relationship. This is two people playing parts and lying to each other about their truths.

Also, I have to point out that, if my speculation is right, they begin the episode with Michael demanding Maria do something and Maria planning on doing the opposite behind his back and end the episode with Maria doing what she wants publicly, while Michael is working against her behind her back.

Okay. Now for F0rlex.

Again, not gonna lie, I love them. I don’t see them as long term though. I see Forrest as a catalyst for Alex’s character growth.

Also, before I begin, I need to point out that this relationship is Alex genuinely trying to move on. He’s given up hope for a future where he and Michael are together. So he’s pursuing other relationships because he can’t have what he truly wants. Alex is well aware of what he truly wants and he was finally done running from it. But, now that he’s done running, he can’t have it, so... Time for something new. Time to try to get over Michael. That’s where Alex is at.

I doubt this is going to be Alex seeing how he actually deserves to be treated in a relationship (but, oh, how I would kill for that). Forrest treats him with respect. He listens to Alex, he doesn’t get upset about Alex not being ready for what he wants. He just, essentially says, “Your boundaries and mine make us incompatible right now. Call me if that changes.” No pushing Alex for something he’s not ready for, no taking whatever little thing he can get. Plus he compliments and appreciates Alex for how wonderful he is.

So, yeah, I’d love it if this relationship could teach Alex how to have a healthy relationship and show him how he deserves to be treated. However, I do not hold out hope that Michael will be shown as needing to grow to have a healthy relationship. Not in these ways, anyway.

Instead, my guess is this will be about Alex growing for Michael (sidenote: I love Malex, but I hate it). It’ll be Alex learning how to communicate more clearly and learning to be more open about his sexuality. It’ll be about getting him to the point he needs to be at to have a public relationship with Michael and communicate his feelings to Michael.

Either way, F0rlex is very clearly not going to last, so, if you’re worried about Malex, I wouldn’t worry about this ship. It’ll be something that helps Alex grow and it’ll hopefully be the kick in the ass Michael needs to realize he could actually lose Alex to someone else. And that Alex could be happy with someone else (maybe not on the cosmic level, but still happy) while Michael’s busy pretending.