Something I Have Realized The Last Few Years That Has Made It So Much Easier To Have Fun Consuming Media:

On Aziraphale and Crowley in the Final Scene

Season Two Spoilers Below

Alright, I’m gonna go on the defensive for Aziraphale.

Crowley is 100% justified to feel the way he does. He put himself in a vulnerable position, and was rejected. He wanted to be Aziraphale’s first choice for once, and yet again was denied it. More than that, Aziraphale wanted him to change (even though I think Aziraphale thinks he’s saving Crowley) so that they could be together.

But I don’t think Crowley realizes just how deep a hold Heaven has on Aziraphale. He knows and straight up says that both sides are toxic, but he doesn’t seem to get how hard it can be to leave a toxic relationship. I also don’t think he understands how Aziraphale’s faith in the righteousness of God is a part of his character.

Plus, Aziraphale finally feels validated in the eyes of Heaven, something he’s always wanted.

I cried so hard when Aziraphale got into that elevator because I was thinking of all the times I stayed with a toxic friend group, or with my abusive ex.

It hurts so badly to watch a character I love make a mistake that I’ve made.

Season 2 Spoilers:

The only way for this to be fixed is for Aziraphale to be put in one last, very dramatic “Crowley and/or Humanity vs Heaven” situation.

And he chooses Crowley. He chooses their side. Bonus points if he does it instinctively.

Maybe we bring it around to the “I’ve never killed anything” bit from season one.

Neil and fic writers feel free to use this. Just give me credit. 😂

And when this happens, it’s gonna feel so good.

And it better end in their garden in the South Downs.

Regeneration and Character Arcs:

It’s a popular fan theory that Ten is a regeneration made for Rose. I have mixed feelings about the idea that he’s ’incomplete’ without her.

There’s also something kind of sweet about Nine wanting to become the pretty boy he thinks she likes or (if allowing himself to be self-loathing) deserves. It’s only sweet because he literally has to change.

The Stone Rose novel confirms that Ten’s accent in-universe specifically came from Rose. It’s a less extreme version of him being made entirely for her. Plus, it’s a cool sci-fi exploration of how humans pick up accents after long, continuous exposure. A very alien way to retain a quirk of human nature.

There’s something nearly Shakespearean and so acutely human about Ten’s arc. He loves, loses, grieves, heals, and makes new connections. He moves from ‘I exist for Rose’ to ‘I miss Rose and wish I could exist with her but I’m also allowing myself to care about these other people.’ Then he loses them. It drives him to unthinkable darkness, and by the time he claws his way into the light, it is time for him to die.

Is that arc any more impactful if he’s literally created for someone?

I don’t know.

On the Nina and Maggie Parallels

Good Omens Season 2 Spoilers Below:

I love Nina and Maggie, and love everything they say in their final scene. But they got one thing wrong.

Yes Aziraphale does believe in magic. That he can fix a system beyond repair. But he’s nothing like Maggie aside from aesthetic. He does not show his emotions, not really. Not when it counts. Maggie tackles emotional issues head on while Aziraphale is the literal embodiment of repression.

Crowley isn’t an exact parallel to Nina, because he’s never actually opened himself up. Despite all of the atrocities he’s seen, he’s still got a bit of hope and optimism.

For all of his hard edges, Crowley believes in magic too. He believes in love confessions in the rain, in looking into someone’s eyes and knowing it’s meant to be. That “one good kiss” means happily ever after.

I think the best way to fight this AI shit is just to support actual creators. The cat's out of the bag with AI; our data's going to be taken and used without our consent whether we like it or not, so maybe we should put efforts into holding up those who create their own stuff. Comment/interact on people's writings and art. Make it worth them posting; make it clear that what the people are interested in isn't generated stuff, but things that people have actually done themselves. It's a drop in the ocean, but showing creators that it's them that deserve the support at least serves to cut off a tiny bit of oxygen to these AI hogs - and make a difference to creatives who are trying against hope to share with a community.

The second story in my “Domestic Burlesque” series is complete! Please check it out and let me know what you think!

No, I didn’t want Midge and Lenny together. I give them an HEA in fanfic, because it’s nice to imagine a world where they can make it work.

My problem isn’t that Susie didn’t tell Midge. I don’t mind character flaws, it’s just that the ones they chose came out of nowhere. The gambling thing hadn’t been mentioned since early season 4, and the Susie’s whole ‘we’re not friends’ thing stopped in Season 2. Even all of that aside, it’s the fact that the writing for that plotline (and by extension the characters) give Midge so little agency in her life. Midge’s entire arc has been about her finding her path and becoming independent. Susie has been saying from the beginning that Midge needs to learn the ways of the world, and their relationship is central to the show. I think it would’ve made for a stronger arc if Susie had told Midge what happened (opening herself to Midge) and the two of them figuring it out together.

I didn’t want Midge in a series of brief, failed marriages. I didn’t want her in love with Joel 15 years on because I do actually like their friendship. I wanted to see Midge be given the agency she deserves.

Season 5 Episode 6 spoilers below:

Gotta love how Joel went behind Midge’s back to solve the problem with the mobsters. He could’ve shown her the book or went back to her to raise his concerns again now that he had tangible proof. But no. It’s Joel, so he has to lie and go behind her back about stuff that pertains to her own life. This man has learned absolutely nothing.

Also hate that he’s trading pictures of her in prison. He specifically asks for the panty pose picture which is so gross. He got mad at someone for having it in S3 but whatever.

I almost rage-quit when Midge said she was still in love with Joel. I still hate her romance plots this season. Gordon is gross. The stalker guy is gross. Joel still sucks. The guy literally blamed Midge for Mei leaving and ending the pregnancy. Yeah Midge was probably still a little jealous since Joel was such a huge part of her life, but there’s a lot of concern for her children driving it as well. “I don’t want them calling you mom.” Is a line that especially has a lot of insecurity behind it.

I guess the rest of the episode was okay. Unsurprisingly, Alex Borstein was great, but I am totally on Midge’s side in regards to her fight with Susie. Susie should’ve told Midge the truth.

I almost cried at the ending.

I miss Lenny. But that’s why we have fanfic.

Also, I know it was a joke, but Midge says she and Susie had sex in Pensacola and refers to their fight as a “break-up”…so…I want to see that story.

uh...yeah cause it's stealing from real actual humans who are good at it

Let me just remind you guys that...

AI fanfiction is not fanfiction

Several million real ass human occupations paying 3 crisp dollars and a pat on the ass to experience literal sisyphean torture and live in a cardboard box and you spent several small countries in money to build a robot that can shit out badly written books that nobody has the money to buy, the time to read, or the learned intellectual capacity to analyze critique and learn from

The next person who tells me to save time with an AI crapbasket is getting a Canon LS-100TS 10 digit calculator shoved up their ass