"oh why don't pjo fans know that Apollo told Jason Leo was alive" probably because most pjo fans refuse to read ToA and actually only nitpick what they want to assume is canon. they'll bitch over Jason's death but refuse to acknowledge Lavinia, or Shelper, or crest, or Lester's growth, or megs trauma, or any of the actual things that stick out when you read the series!
The reason why I personally don’t like the first two episodes as much as the book, is because in the show Ilya is deliberately colder than his book counterpart. Like, when Shane and Ilya decide to meet at Shane’s place after the 2011 All Stars Games and have to cancel the plan because of the snowstorm, Ilya ghosts Shane. Then the show pushes up the timeline of their first time and that happens right before the 2014 Winter Olympics where yet again Ilya ghost him.
In the book, this is not the case. Ilya and Shane actually do meet up at a hotel after 2011 All Stars Games, as per their plan. They already have their first time in that year itself. So during 2014 Winter Olympics when Ilya ghost Shane, it doesn’t sting as much as it did in the show. Sorry, but I am disappointed that the show deliberately leaned into Ilya’s fuck boy image more and had him ghost Shane not once but twice and the second time is right after taking Shane’s virginity (including the two years of texting and flirting). That’s not #MyIlya. And then the show doesn’t even acknowledge all that later on in the story. The rest of the narrative from episode 4 onwards is the same as the book. I think Rachel said this in an interview, that Jacob moved up the timeline of Hollanov’s first time because he didn’t want everything in the first episode. But still for me, it’s does not make sense narrative wise. But whatever
there's being 'a regular fucked up piece of shit antisemite' and then there's being 'a fucked up piece of shit antisemite who hacks elmo' and while both are trash the second is definitely a new kind of trash
also wait why the fuck is jonathan reid, a highly reclaimed surgeon with expertise in blood transfusions, drinking blood from rats. SEWER rats. in the middle of an EPIDEMIC
Why this format? Well, it came at a recommendation that I pair 60 and D.C. al Coda together. I checked how long 60 was, it's an hour 35 like the S4 Finale (The Order, episode 40).
So yeah! That set of notes will go up.. eventually! I'm very afraid of what will happen. It's only been a few months since I started Malevolent and. Good golly. It's been a fucking journey. But I know Malevolent: Threshold exists! So that's sick as fuck! Though I imagine I may take a little bit to process whatever ending Malevolent has before diving into that.
I'm rambling, onto the notes!
58. SENIOR CARE?? OH KAAYYNE I FOUND SOMETHING FOR YOU. Carcosa was fucked last time he visited. Now it's being rebuilt. That crazy bastard did it, he found a use for Wasps! Arthur's worried that John won't remember him, even though he said he would. That it'll be Addison Part 2. Arthur points out that it's an awfully Human thing to rebuild a city even though everyone was killed horribly. PARDON? LARSON'S BITCHASS IS ALIVE? I'LL KILL YOU PERSOANLLY. Well, he's wearing a collar so I'm sure he'll behave. Lillith being Helpful and suggesting that Arthur treat the King, well, like a King. Just in case. This certainly doesn't Sound like John. He is simply the King in Yellow. Though he feels both Yellow's anger and John's love. He felt when Arthur arrived in the Dreamlands. Yellow was especially vicious while ruling. Hence the Dog. Oh yeah, Larson has eyes but they're not his. John brought Yellow humanity and warmth. They eventually found common ground. I like the King's voice. The fear of everything ending was what united them. That's one way to do it! They learned the value of a life! This is why they're rebuilding Carcosa! He's proud of them! But husband is technically gone. FUCK, HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO GET MARRIED LIKE THIS? Lillith would like Arthur to ask if Hastur's body is laying around. Aww, John was happy to be a passenger! NO. NO HE IS NOT DEAD. NOT MY BOY. YORICK. FUCK. NO. THIS IS A CRIME. FUUCK. Augh. Well, the King says Lillith can have Hastur's body. He disagrees with the notion of being what he once was (a murderous tyrant). Ah, of course he could hear Lillith. They both agree that Arthur is the special one! Asking how they know Kayne will show up?
"He can't resist you."
Thank you King, for interrupting their bickering. To be fair, I wouldn't like to know that I'm bait for a god beyond my comprehension, either. Arthur will distract Kayne, put the Lighter in his pocket, and Lillith will kill him. That's too straightforward for that fucker. King isn't sure if that's the best idea. Anyways, he doesn't plan to come along since there is nothing he can do to help. Arthur's weakness: Faroe. Kayne is going to be pissed, and he's not above using her against him. They say he needs to let her go, but how does he go about doing that? Survey says: no fucking clue mate. I don't blame you for being fucked up about this, Arthur. He's also not thrilled about losing John. The King certainly isn't going to pretend that he is John. Ranting about how beings such as the King and Lillith don't understand his human feelings. I don't think they can fathom your pain. He's always known Faroe would be his last thought. He promised that he wouldn't forget her. Who else is to remember her? He wandered his way to the piano. He'll play Faroe's song for Lillith. She says it isn't a song for a child. Too dark and mysterious. That's crazy. Challenges him to write a song Faroe would enjoy.
God. He did. It was overlaid with his memories of her. I don't need dry eyes where I'm going. Fuck. Lillith says she understands. Caught off guard when he says he's glad that she left the Nail for him to pick up. He thanked her for helping with the song. He called it: Faroe's Light. Throw a spear through my heart while you're at it. The King couldn't resist Arthur's piano and was already there. Let's get Lillith a body. Pleasantly surprised by Arthur being the bigger man by willingly walking beside Larson. He even said Larson shouldn't be tortured. This made the King.. annoyed. Larson, of course, isn't thrilled. He wants to die. I forgot that he isn't aware that Arthur's blind. Fascinating, we get Larson's perspective of Yellow. He found Yellow to be weak. He wanted to take over New York, and then Arkham? There's power there? Asking how Arthur managed to do that Thing he did with John. Arthur says he just treated him as a friend. Says Arthur really is blind if he thinks John is actually gone. Larson wants Arthur to ask the King to kill him. He says it's not his decision. Talking to the King about how it is Complicated that his husband isn't the same as he was. The King does deserve to have his life and be whole again. But you understand that Arthur was very attached to his husband, yes? He's not good at letting go, you know this. He's come around, since this isn't about his feelings. It is the King's life. The King's journey. John is dead. But now Arthur wants to air out something he wanted to say to John. When did my vision grow blurry. FUCK. He said "I love you too." It is the King's decision to be who he is. And he respects that. Very good, Arthur!
Larson brought Hastur's body and promptly caved its head in. Solution? Just have Lillith inhabit Larson instead! The King disagrees. He doesn't think Larson deserves death. Arthur comes to the Grand Realization that the King was punishing himself. I bet that's coming from Yellow's side of things. Lillith will take Larson's body, then Arthur can pursue the King. The transfer worked and HE HAS HIS VISION BACK! Wait, I don't think you can gaze upon your husband. That's generally unsafe for most mortals. Anyways, Lillith with a Southern accent is funny. She briefly shifted into herself! She agrees that they're allies. Trust is very important when you have to prevent the end of existence!
"Howdy there, howdy there!" You are a delight.
Local Man Regains Sight, Immediately Trips Over Rocks. So the King has more than five fingers, his hands are Big, his face is?? Arthur, are you sure it's safe to gaze upon him? Apparently so. The cloak isn't a cloak, that's just part of his body. The King can still hear John and Yellow's voices. That's just having a very Loud conscience, my friend. The King isn't used to feeling this much doubt. Don't worry, Arthur's never been certain about anything ever! Very subtly referencing the fact that the audience makes the decisions, Mr. Harlan.
"What is my experience in wanting bread?" I know it's meaningful, but it's funny without context. John and Yellow were not just halves. When they fractured, they became their own.
"Don't force yourself to be something you are not." God. I'm very proud of him. Both of them, really. All of them. Thank you for loving and supporting your Eldritch Husband, Arthur. najshrhejtifkejshwhebdWJUEJRJFKFJRJEJJE JFUGURO JOHN JOHN YOU FUCKING SOFTIE GET MARRIED RIGHT THIS INSTANT OF COURSE YOU CAN BE HIS EYES AGAIN YESSSS MY DARLING JOHN DOE
"I felt more whole being in your eyes than I ever have in this body." THOSE ARE WEDDING VOWS GOOD SIR. YESYEYEEYSY THEY'RE TOGETHER AGAIN THANK YOU LILLITH FOR MAKING ARHTUR CONSUME A ROCK. NOW LET'S GO SAVE THE FUCKING WORLD!!!!
THE KING WILL HELP HOWVER HE XAN BUT YEAH THIS EPISODE WAS FUCKING NUTS. I LOVE THIS PODCAST!!!! ++$+((_+_+$(3384728(S
59. Oh I love Malevol- IS THAT RYAN REYNOLDS?! We're in Larson's mansion. Lillith will need to stay out of sight when she attacks. Kayne doesn't need to behave with logic. He appears human simply because he can. The Lighter will make Kayne vulnerable to Lillith's attacks. The only reason she didn't have Arthur use the Lighter back in England was due to Extreme Rage. I understand Arthur's doubts about it being easy to just slip the Lighter into Kayne's pocket. You have to get close without getting hit or being seen as suspicious. They agree Lillith is lying about something, they just don't know what. Might be about her reasons for wanting Kayne dead. It may make the Manager the most powerful Nyalarthotep. It may let him kill Azathoth, as he wanted to before. He might be manipulating them. But I'd hope his only goal is to stop Kayne from ending reality itself. They consider telling Lillith that it might be better to trap Kayne. The riskier option is to delay putting the Lighter on Kayne. It comes down to "how much do you trust Lillith?" They have to choose a side. Use the Manager and Lillith's plan, or make up their own. I know you guys love improv, but this is about the end of existence. Arthur is reasonably paranoid. I don't blame you for constantly wondering if someone has bad intentions. He wants to have faith in humanity. Lillith has shown some humanity herself. Mercy, defensiveness, letting Arthur hold onto Faroe. They will tell Lillith about their theories and hope she will disprove them. Arthur has a Bag. OH NO. They tried to leave the bathroom and the door's locked. Now all the light is gone. They used the lamp they got from the Trader, and it projected a window onto the wall. Shows a version of Arthur walking fast through Arkham. 18 YEAR OLD FAROE WAS FOLLOWING HIM?? MY BABY! NO. SOME FUCKING BITCH SHOT HER. DHE TOOK THE BULLET TO PROTECT ARTHUR. The window disappeared after that. They aren't in the bathroom anymore, they're in a tunnel. It opens to a THERE'S THE MAN OF THE HOUR. IT'S BEEN SOME TIME SINCE I HEARD YOUR MANIC LAUGHTER. HE KNOWS ABOUT THE FUCKING LIGHTER. He heard Arthur's rant about trusting humanity. Shit. Asking if Arthur will jump into the abyss. Kayne claims he'll catch him. Gave them to option to "let go or hold on." Arthur chose to jump, he landed in the swamp. Kayne mentioning Arthur's character arc.
"I am not my daughter, kitten!" PARDON??
Kayne claims he doesn't have everything yet. Lillith has been fucking with him. Kayne casually killing Antoine and Sir Vale.
"Are we going with Lilson or Willith?" -Kayne, about to show Arthur his life if he had never met John. WELL THAT'S PAINFUL. Christmas: Arthur, 10 year old Faroe, Oscar, Noel, Daniel, Marie. But it's just an illusion. Also, John says Kayne is all shadow. Kayne's plan is to kill Azathoth and replace him to reshape reality. Claims his odds are better than a coin flip. Received a Coin. Kayne's hiding his face for some reason. The last two things he needs to do: find the Obelisk, kill the Manager.
Trade deal: tell me where the Manager is, and I'll give you a world where everyone you love is alive and together. Arthur disagrees. Blatantly tells Kayne "no."
Everything from 40:02 on is fucking legendary. You go, Arthur!!
"And sweetie.. you really need to put some rails on that ego." -ARTHUR. THAT'S INSANELY HOT OF YOU, SIR. HOWEVER, THERE ARE DISCONCERTING SOUNDS IN THE BACKGROUND. I'M AFRAID. His response was "Wonderful!" Before warping them back to the Still Locked Bathroom. THE TUB IS RUNNING. FAROE'S IN IT. Arthur, you do need to let go. ARTHUR YOU VET OUT THAT TUB THIS INSTANT. FUCK. HE WAS GOING TO DROWN. Apparently he heard her say "Not now. It has to be colder." Whatever the fuck that means. Lillith's doing? The Lighter is not lighting, that is a fucking Problem. Noel? IT'S HIM!! Says he's at the Threshold. Kayne took Arthur and John to an opera house. Living room set with plenty of blood. Wants Arthur to think about the Deal. IT WAS A PLOY TO TRY GETTING ARTHUR THINKING ABOUT WHERE THE MANAGER WAS. WHEN HE FIGURED THAT OUT KAYNE PUT HIS FILTHY FUCKING FINGERS THROUGH THE BACK OF ARTHUR'S HEAD. FUCK. HE KNOWS ABOUT THE MANAGER. Kayne was hiding his face because he's challenging the Cheshire Cat to see who can smile wider. YEAAHHH I KNEW YOU GOT THAT LIGHTER INTO HOS POCKET! FUCK EYAH! DNRM GET HIS ASS LILLITH!! SHE EXPLODED HIM WITH THE HELP OF THE LIGHTER. WHY IS THERE STILL AN EPISODE AFTER THIS. WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING TO HAPPEN. He's not dead. They didn't put the Lighter in his pocket. Oh. Oh no. It was the Coin. He disguised the coin. I think this is what shock feels like. Freezing. Holy fucking shit. We're fucked. We're so, so fucked.
"You're like catnip to me!" -Nyanlathotep (I stole this joke from elsewhere).
He left all three of them alive on the ice outside of the mansion. Lillith and Arthur will now blow up at each other. Calling Lillith a villain. She says killing his parents was a mercy, since she picked Arthur as her favorite. If she hadn't killed his parents, Kayne would've gotten to them. How to get to the Waylay? Drown yourself in the frozen water! That's what Faroe meant when she said it wasn't cold enough.
New plan: Lillith will wait at the Obelisk, the Manager will activate it to lure Kayne. Lillith will trap Kayne so that the Manager isn't the last living Nyalarthotep, and at some point, Arthur will get that goddamned Lighter onto Kayne's person.
"Goodbye daddy." FAROE MY BABY GIRL DBTITTJJFJRRKEK
AND THAT MARKS THE 6TH FUCKING TIME THAT ARTHUR HAS DIED. GOOD LORD.
Okay so this episode was an Experience. The fucking dread I felt when it was revealed that he used the wrong Lighter is indescribable and immeasurable. I couldn't even find the will to scream. That was just. Soul crushing. Also, the comments mentioned "Benevolent", which I have seen is a non-canon Special. I'll have to look into that. Kayne referenced it when he was on the stage. Well! Two episodes to go.
I think the most impressive is Arthur's death count. I mean holy shit man, most podcast protagonists die like, once! How did you manage 6?? Fuck, it might even be 7 by now??
1. Arthur fucked up the words in John's Eldritch book, the Manager revived them. (Pre Episode 1)
2. Arthur's shot on the Boat by Caldwell, revived by the Wraith. (Episode 9)
3. Arthur bleeds out heavily after being stabbed in the stomach by the Invisible Creature. Kayne said he was dead, but then there's no blatant method of revival. Probably Kayne, though. This is why I'm iffy about counting it. (Episode 27 for the event, 28 for when Kayne claims he's dead)
4. Arthur is stabbed many times by the Witch, revived with the Talisman. (Episode 43)
5. He just gets fucking obliterated by Kayne. He isn't revived by the Dark World, but he's living enough to cross it so. It counts! (Episodes 52/53)
6. Arthur dies by leaving the Dark World without a body, reborn from the Dreamlands tree. (Episodes 56/57)
7. Arthur drowns in a frozen lake. (Episode 59)
I'm fairly confident that's every time he's died. It's quite impressive!
