Nicholas kollias and ani okeke ewo
June 2023 [Releases & Promotions]
2023.06.01 08:24 VincentArcher June 2023 [Releases & Promotions]
This post is aimed to help users find new litrpg content on a month-to-month basis by constructing a list of new releases. This post will be updated based on multiple sources, including posting in this thread. This post is not meant to replace those submissions but to make it easier for users to find them.
The title should bring you to the relevant Reddit posting (if any) for comments, while the link column should bring you to the relevant content.
Note: Some entries for May may have been noticed too late, in which case they are included on top for this month's list.
Here's what the new month brings you!
Note: Given the enormous content released, I am now using three categories: new ebooks, simultaneous ebooks+audiobooks and audio releases of previous ebooks.
Ebooks:
submitted by VincentArcher to litrpg [link] [comments]
The title should bring you to the relevant Reddit posting (if any) for comments, while the link column should bring you to the relevant content.
- Top comments should only be promotion. Any discussion about it should be in the comments below the promotion. If you notice an error, send me a direct message rather than post.
- When linking to an outside store use a plain link, affiliate links will be removed.
- Cross-promotions for progression fantasy without any gamelit elements are not included.
- Promoted Webseries are included only once every five months. If your Webseries does not include a significant number of chapters or pages at the time of promotion, I might delay inclusion until it does.
Note: Some entries for May may have been noticed too late, in which case they are included on top for this month's list.
Here's what the new month brings you!
Note: Given the enormous content released, I am now using three categories: new ebooks, simultaneous ebooks+audiobooks and audio releases of previous ebooks.
Ebooks:
| Title | Author | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Drive (Shoot #1) | Xander Boyce & Ryan DeBruyn | AMZ |
| Trials (Eternal Dominion #19) | Bern Dean | AMZ |
| Dawn of the Void #2 | Phil Tucker | AMZ |
| Fortress Assault (Bonded Summoner #2) | JJ Bookerson | AMZ |
| Nova Era (Magidex Academy #1) | Alix Roche | AMZ |
| Recursion (Temple of Lycauges #1) | Ann Yann | AMZ |
| The Labyrinth (Voice of the Gods #5) | S.D. McKittrick | AMZ |
| A Harsh Welcome (Systemic Lands #1) | Mister Vii | AMZ |
| Title | Author | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shattersoul (Ripple System #4) | Kyle Kirrin (Narrated by: Travis Baldree) | AMZ & AUD | 6/2 |
| Everyone's a Catgirl #1 | DoubleBlind | AMZ | 6/2 |
| The Raging (System Dilemma #2) | DoomApricot 1402 | AMZ | 6/2 |
| Ice Lord | Andrew G. Wood | AMZ | 6/2 |
| Safety in Numbers (Exiled Ascendants #1) | Ken Lange | AMZ | 6/6 |
| Reforged (Tower #2) | Seth Ring (Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin) | AMZ & AUD | 6/6 |
| Dungeon Delver (Victor of Tucson #2) | Plum Parrot (Narrated by: Robb Moreira) | AMZ & AUD | 6/6 |
| Empire of Cards (Convoker #1) | Andrew Karevik (Narrated by: Graham Halstead) | AUD | 6/6 |
| The Architects (A Student Wants to Live #2) | Boris Romanovsky (Narrated by: Nick Mondelli) | AUD | 6/6 |
| Monster Farmer #1 | DB King (Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin) | AMZ & AUD | 6/6 |
| Dungeon Delving For Loot and Levels #3 | M.E. Thorne (Narrated by: Katana Jones & Jonathan Waters) | AUD | 6/6 |
| A Wild Fey Has Appeared (Fantasia #1) | unice5656 (Narrated by: Diana Richardson) | AMZ & AUD | 6/6 |
| Star (Rise of the Last Star #4) | L.E. Miranda (Narrated by: Michael David Axtell) | AUD | 6/6 |
| The RPG Apocalypse #3 | Jeremy Chambless (Narrated by: Maks Daniels) | AUD | 6/6 |
| Collect the World #1 | Cameron Milan | AMZ | 6/7 |
| Primal Hunter #6 | Zogarth | AMZ | 6/9 |
| Traitor GIT (Traclaon Armageddon #2) | Alex Kozlowski (Narrated by: Peter Berkrot) | AMZ & AUD | 6/13 |
| All the Skills #2 | Honour Rae (Narrated by: Luke Daniels) | AMZ & AUD | 6/13 |
| Grand Skill (Salvos #6) | V.A. Lewis (Narrated by: Tess Irondale) | AUD | 6/13 |
| Reunion (Electrified #2) | J.D. Olson (Narrated by: Grace Rolek) | AUD | 6/13 |
| Apocalypse Comedy (Gravity and Divinity System #1) | Hunter Mythos (Narrated by: Zeno Robinson) | AUD | 6/13 |
| Making Friends (Apocalypse Parenting #2) | Erin Ampersand (Narrated by: Laurie Catherine Winkel) | AUD | 6/13 |
| Science (Erryn's World #4) | Cathfach (Narrated by: Peter Kenny) | AUD | 6/13 |
| War's Toll (Tower of Damnation #5) | Tristan H. Brown (Narrated by: Christopher Boucher) | AUD | 6/13 |
| The Portal of Altameda (Invasion #3) | Vasily Mahanenko | AMZ | 6/14 |
| Heroes of the Final Frontier: The World of Waldyra #5 | Dem Mikhailov | AMZ | 6/15 |
| The Merchant System #5 | Cobyboy | AMZ | 6/15 |
| Law of Consequences (Four Laws #8) | David Burke | AMZ | 6/19 |
| Origin (A Summoner Awakens #1) | Kerberos (Narrated by: Jeff Hays) | AMZ & AUD | 6/20 |
| Between a Rock and a Carapace (Chrysalis #4) | RinoZ | AMZ | 6/20 |
| Voidwalker (My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror #4) | Actus | AMZ | 6/20 |
| Horde (I Don't Want to be the Hive Queen #2) | ValetheHowl (Narrated by: Michael Braun) | AUD | 6/20 |
| Crab On! (Twelfth Cataclysm #3) | Valerios | AMZ | 6/20 |
| Dawn of the Void #1 | Phil Tucker (Narrated by: Tom Taylorson) | AUD | 6/20 |
| Solo Leveling #7 | Chugong (Narrated by: Ki Hong Lee) | AUD | 6/20 |
| Humble Beginnings (Village Manager #1) | Andrew Karevik (Narrated by: Stewart Crank) | AUD | 6/20 |
| Divine Invasion (Resonance Cycle #1) | Aaron Renfroe | AMZ | 6/20 |
| Condemned (Lord Valesvky: Last of the Line #2) | Vasily Mahanenko | AMZ | 6/21 |
| Island Blues (Foodstuffs #5) | Arthur Stone | AMZ | 6/21 |
| Axe Druid Omnibus | Christopher Johns | OMN | 6/21 |
| On a Throne of Lies (Bad Guys #10) | Eric Ugland | AMZ | 6/22 |
| Origins (Rekindle Project #1) | Aqib Ali | AMZ | 6/23 |
| Chaos' Game #1 | Alexey Svadkovsky | AMZ | 6/26 |
| Death: Genesis #3 | Nicholas Searcy (Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer) | AMZ & AUD | 6/27 |
| Falling with Folded Wings #3 | Plum Parrot (Narrated by: Christian J. Gilliland) | AMZ & AUD | 6/27 |
| Of Slicing Men (Good Guys #14) | Eric Ugland (Narrated by: Neil Hellegers) | AUD | 6/27 |
| Age of Steel (Rise of Mankind #4) | Jez Cajiao (Narrated by: Neil Hellegers) | AUD | 6/27 |
| System Error | Aaron Shih | AMZ | 6/27 |
| Tree of Aeons #2 | Spaizzzer | AMZ | 6/28 |
| Hack, Slash and Burn #3 | Todd Herzman | AMZ | 6/30 |
2023.05.31 23:30 InternetTraumatized Hieromartyr Philósophos of St. Petersburg (May 31)
(from oca.org)
The Hieromartyr Archpriest Philósophos N. Ornatsky was born on May 21, 1860 in the churchyard of Novaya Yerga, Cherepovets County, Novgorod Governorate, into the family of a village priest. One of his brothers was married to the niece of Saint John of Kronstadt. Philósophos studied first in Kirillov Theological School, and then in the Novgorod Theological Seminary. In 1885 he graduated from the St. Petersburg Theological Academy with the degree of Candidate. In the summer of 1885, Philósophos married Elena Zaozerskaya, the daughter of the former subdeacon of Metropolitan Isidore, and soon he was ordained to the priesthood.
Initially, the young priest served as rector in the church of the orphanage of the Prince of Oldenburg, where he had once taught the Law of God (catechism). From 1892 to 1912, he served as the rector of the church at the Expedition for the Procurement of State Papers. For twenty-six years he was the chairman of the Society for the Dissemination of Religious and Moral Education in the Spirit of the Orthodox Church, successfully counteracting anti-church movements.
In 1893, Father Ornatsky was elected as a member of the St. Petersburg City Duma from the clergy and held this office until 1917. He took part in the establishment of shelters in the city: orphanages and almshouses. Through his efforts in St. Petersburg and the surrounding area, twelve churches were built, the largest of which was the church of the Resurrection of Christ at the Varshavsky railway station. In addition, we should also mention the churches of Saints Peter and Paul in Lesnoy, Saint Sergius of Radonezh on Novosivkovskaya Street, Saint Seraphim of Sarov behind the Narva outpost, the church of the Forerunner on the Vyborg side, Saint Gerasimos church, and Saint Isidore of Yuriev church.
The Saint lived quite modestly, though his was a large family (he had ten children). The whole array of public titles and offices which he held for the glory of God, did not bring in any means of subsistence. As Chairman of the Temple Building Committees, large sums of money passed through his hands, yet he was obliged to give private lessons in order to feed his family.
Father Ornatsky was also the editor and censor of such metropolitan spiritual magazines as "St. Petersburg Spiritual Herald" (published from 1894), "The Christian's Rest" (1901), and "Orthodox-Russian Word" (1902).
Father Philósophos was one of the closest companions of the Hieromartyr Metropolitan Benjamin (Kazansky), of Petrograd and Gdovsk, who, when he was a student of the Theological Academy, was actively engaged in preaching activities in the working neighborhoods of St. Petersburg. Bonds of spiritual friendship also sprang up between him and His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon.
For almost twenty years, Father Philósophos was the spiritual son of Saint John of Kronstadt, who often visited him at home and blessed all his undertakings for the good of the Church. The holy pastor entrusted Father Philósophos with being an intermediary in his correspondence with Saint Theophánēs, the Recluse of Vysha.
In 1913, the Archpriest was appointed to the post of rector of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. During the First World War, Father Philósophos gave up his apartment to be used as an infirmary for wounded soldiers, and he and his family moved to a small state-owned room. Repeatedly, he went to the areas of hostilities, accompanying the transports with needed supplies for the soldiers, and trying with all his might to inspire and support the defenders of Russia.
His son Nicholas (born in 1886) was a military doctor who was part of the Ninth Russian Army; another son, Boris (born in 1887), was a staff captain of the 23rd Artillery Brigade, who graduated from the Konstantinov Artillery School, and fought heroically on the Austro-Hungarian front. Father Ornatsky's gift of preaching attracted those who were seeking the words of life, and he repeatedly urged his flock not to accept the corrupting ideas of Bolshevism. Knowing that Orthodoxy is at the heart of Russian life, Batiushka urged the intelligentsia to realize this. He never tired of repeating: "Our intellectuals have to become Russian."
During the Revolution, he saw his wife's sister's husband, Peter Skipetrov (+ January 20) shot before his eyes. At the funeral service, Father Philósophos gave a sermon, fearlessly denouncing the Bolsheviks. He repeatedly called upon his flock to surround the churches and to protect the shrines of their land. In January 1918, when Father Peter Skipetrov was killed at the Lavra, Father Philósophos organized a defense of the shrines of Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra, organizing Cross Processions to it from all the churches of the capital.
On August 9, 1918, he was arrested, along with his two eldest sons, Nicholas and Boris. At the time of his arrest he was absolutely impassive and calm. Parishioners gathered by the thousands and walked along Nevsky Prospekt, demanding the release of their shepherd. The Chekists received the delegation of believers, promising to do what they asked. But on the same night (July 20, 1918), Father Philósophos was transported to prison in the city of Kronstadt. Around October 30, 1918, thirty-two men were brought from different prisons, all officers of the Imperial Army, who were being taken to be shot. Some were young, and others were older. One said he was a Colonel of the Guards. He told their escorts, "You will all perish, perhaps in twenty years, but you will perish like dogs. Russia will be Russia again, but you will perish." Their escorts said nothing. As they were being led to the place of execution, Father Philósophos read aloud the prayer for the departure of the soul over his two sons and the rest of the convicts.
Some say the place of execution was in Kronstadt, while others say it was not far from the Gulf of Finland, between Ligovo and Oranienbaum. The bodies of those who were shot were dumped into the bay. Father Ornatsky's body did not sink, but was tossed onto the shore by the waves near Oranienbaum. There it was buried secretly by the inhabitants.
These Saints were canonized as New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia at the Jubilee Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in August 2000 for general Church veneration.
Saint Philósophos is also commemorated on July 20, and on the Third Sunday after Pentecost (Movable Feast: Synaxis of the Saints of St. Petersburg.
Troparion — Tone 4
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, you became a successor to their throne. Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; vy teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood. Hieromartyr Philosophus, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
submitted by InternetTraumatized to Christianity [link] [comments]
The Hieromartyr Archpriest Philósophos N. Ornatsky was born on May 21, 1860 in the churchyard of Novaya Yerga, Cherepovets County, Novgorod Governorate, into the family of a village priest. One of his brothers was married to the niece of Saint John of Kronstadt. Philósophos studied first in Kirillov Theological School, and then in the Novgorod Theological Seminary. In 1885 he graduated from the St. Petersburg Theological Academy with the degree of Candidate. In the summer of 1885, Philósophos married Elena Zaozerskaya, the daughter of the former subdeacon of Metropolitan Isidore, and soon he was ordained to the priesthood.
Initially, the young priest served as rector in the church of the orphanage of the Prince of Oldenburg, where he had once taught the Law of God (catechism). From 1892 to 1912, he served as the rector of the church at the Expedition for the Procurement of State Papers. For twenty-six years he was the chairman of the Society for the Dissemination of Religious and Moral Education in the Spirit of the Orthodox Church, successfully counteracting anti-church movements.
In 1893, Father Ornatsky was elected as a member of the St. Petersburg City Duma from the clergy and held this office until 1917. He took part in the establishment of shelters in the city: orphanages and almshouses. Through his efforts in St. Petersburg and the surrounding area, twelve churches were built, the largest of which was the church of the Resurrection of Christ at the Varshavsky railway station. In addition, we should also mention the churches of Saints Peter and Paul in Lesnoy, Saint Sergius of Radonezh on Novosivkovskaya Street, Saint Seraphim of Sarov behind the Narva outpost, the church of the Forerunner on the Vyborg side, Saint Gerasimos church, and Saint Isidore of Yuriev church.
The Saint lived quite modestly, though his was a large family (he had ten children). The whole array of public titles and offices which he held for the glory of God, did not bring in any means of subsistence. As Chairman of the Temple Building Committees, large sums of money passed through his hands, yet he was obliged to give private lessons in order to feed his family.
Father Ornatsky was also the editor and censor of such metropolitan spiritual magazines as "St. Petersburg Spiritual Herald" (published from 1894), "The Christian's Rest" (1901), and "Orthodox-Russian Word" (1902).
Father Philósophos was one of the closest companions of the Hieromartyr Metropolitan Benjamin (Kazansky), of Petrograd and Gdovsk, who, when he was a student of the Theological Academy, was actively engaged in preaching activities in the working neighborhoods of St. Petersburg. Bonds of spiritual friendship also sprang up between him and His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon.
For almost twenty years, Father Philósophos was the spiritual son of Saint John of Kronstadt, who often visited him at home and blessed all his undertakings for the good of the Church. The holy pastor entrusted Father Philósophos with being an intermediary in his correspondence with Saint Theophánēs, the Recluse of Vysha.
In 1913, the Archpriest was appointed to the post of rector of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. During the First World War, Father Philósophos gave up his apartment to be used as an infirmary for wounded soldiers, and he and his family moved to a small state-owned room. Repeatedly, he went to the areas of hostilities, accompanying the transports with needed supplies for the soldiers, and trying with all his might to inspire and support the defenders of Russia.
His son Nicholas (born in 1886) was a military doctor who was part of the Ninth Russian Army; another son, Boris (born in 1887), was a staff captain of the 23rd Artillery Brigade, who graduated from the Konstantinov Artillery School, and fought heroically on the Austro-Hungarian front. Father Ornatsky's gift of preaching attracted those who were seeking the words of life, and he repeatedly urged his flock not to accept the corrupting ideas of Bolshevism. Knowing that Orthodoxy is at the heart of Russian life, Batiushka urged the intelligentsia to realize this. He never tired of repeating: "Our intellectuals have to become Russian."
During the Revolution, he saw his wife's sister's husband, Peter Skipetrov (+ January 20) shot before his eyes. At the funeral service, Father Philósophos gave a sermon, fearlessly denouncing the Bolsheviks. He repeatedly called upon his flock to surround the churches and to protect the shrines of their land. In January 1918, when Father Peter Skipetrov was killed at the Lavra, Father Philósophos organized a defense of the shrines of Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra, organizing Cross Processions to it from all the churches of the capital.
On August 9, 1918, he was arrested, along with his two eldest sons, Nicholas and Boris. At the time of his arrest he was absolutely impassive and calm. Parishioners gathered by the thousands and walked along Nevsky Prospekt, demanding the release of their shepherd. The Chekists received the delegation of believers, promising to do what they asked. But on the same night (July 20, 1918), Father Philósophos was transported to prison in the city of Kronstadt. Around October 30, 1918, thirty-two men were brought from different prisons, all officers of the Imperial Army, who were being taken to be shot. Some were young, and others were older. One said he was a Colonel of the Guards. He told their escorts, "You will all perish, perhaps in twenty years, but you will perish like dogs. Russia will be Russia again, but you will perish." Their escorts said nothing. As they were being led to the place of execution, Father Philósophos read aloud the prayer for the departure of the soul over his two sons and the rest of the convicts.
Some say the place of execution was in Kronstadt, while others say it was not far from the Gulf of Finland, between Ligovo and Oranienbaum. The bodies of those who were shot were dumped into the bay. Father Ornatsky's body did not sink, but was tossed onto the shore by the waves near Oranienbaum. There it was buried secretly by the inhabitants.
These Saints were canonized as New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia at the Jubilee Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in August 2000 for general Church veneration.
Saint Philósophos is also commemorated on July 20, and on the Third Sunday after Pentecost (Movable Feast: Synaxis of the Saints of St. Petersburg.
By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, you became a successor to their throne. Through the practice of virtue, you found the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; vy teaching the word of truth without error, you defended the Faith, even to the shedding of your blood. Hieromartyr Philosophus, entreat Christ God to save our souls.
2023.05.31 20:17 bby_bambao Baby name list I've been compiling since I was 16... thoughts? Recommendations?
I've been collecting baby names that I love for the past ten years! Here they are. Which ones are your favorites, and are there any that you would never consider using? I'm just curious to know what you all think! Also, if you can think of any names that you think would fit in with my list please let me know, my husband and I are thinking about trying for a baby soon so I'm looking for more options :) I would love to add some unique Victorian era names.
Girl Names
Lola
Daphne
Vera
Juliet
Rose
Jane
Josephine
Matilda
Genevieve
Clara
Clementine
Persimmon
Collette or Linette
Blythe
Thomasin
Boy Names
Jamie
Robin
Earnest/Ernest
Gilbert
Virgil
Lennox
Ellis
Theodore
Dmitry
Nicholas
Sterling
Silas
submitted by bby_bambao to namenerds [link] [comments]
Girl Names
Lola
Daphne
Vera
Juliet
Rose
Jane
Josephine
Matilda
Genevieve
Clara
Clementine
Persimmon
Collette or Linette
Blythe
Thomasin
Boy Names
Jamie
Robin
Earnest/Ernest
Gilbert
Virgil
Lennox
Ellis
Theodore
Dmitry
Nicholas
Sterling
Silas
2023.05.31 08:58 Jaahreal Goofy Things
 | submitted by Jaahreal to homestuck [link] [comments] |
2023.05.31 08:40 SomeMockodile Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse World Premiere and reactions
With Midnight hitting at 12 pm EST, the world premiere of Across the Spiderverse has arrived, and reviews from Across the Spiderverse ae beginning to pour in as well. Some early reactions from audience members online have begun to appear:
“Spider-Man: #AcrossTheSpiderVerse is so f\**ing good, I want to refrain my children from ever seeing any other entity of the character because they pale by comparison. This is MY Spider-Man. This is what we've long deserved. It's better than the first, and I LOVED the first.”* ~ Clayton Davis, Variety
“SPIDER-MAN: #AcrossTheSpiderVerse is very much a Part 1, but when it's this great of a first part who cares?! Perfect in every aspect, with a metatextual element that interrogates the very nature of the Spider-Man mythos. A new high for Hollywood animation AND superhero films.” ~ James Preston Poole, Discussing Film
“It’s amazing. Even better than the first. It took 5 years to make and it shows. Absolute piece of art. And that’s all I’m gonna say. Surprises await you.”~ Patton Oswalt, Actor“
Absolutely bonkers how good Across the Spiderverse is! The animation team is too powerful and they must be stopped. I’m going to have a six pack on my face from alternately grinning like an idiot and staring in slack-jawed amazement.” Dan Casey, Nerdist“
Right when you thought EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE peaked with multiverse stories, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, swung in to take the Miles Morales’ story and the animation medium to the next level. It’s a transcendent work of art that should be held as 2023’s first Best Picture. Believe the hype. See it on the biggest screen possible. Lo and behold the artistry and rich storytelling about identity unlike any Spider-Man story done before. Yes, bolder than its predecessor. I—ooof. I need to see it again immediately.” ~ Rendy Jones of VanityFair and Ebert Voices
“Every once in a while, an animated film pushes the medium to new frontiers. Into the Spiderverse was one of those movies. #AcrossTheSpiderVerse takes it several steps further! Just, wow!” ~ Nicholas Spake, Watch Mojo
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is EVERYTHING I wanted it to be and more. The animation is the best I’ve ever seen in any film ever. The story is phenomenal. The future is so bright for this franchise. 10/10. Go see it right away. You will love every moment.” ~Jack “CouRage” Dunlop, Co-owner of 100Thieves
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of the most visually stunning movies ever, regardless of format, style, live-action, or animation. It outdoes the first film and gives us one of the finest examples of film in recent memory. It’s about as perfect as it gets.” ~Hunter Bolding, MPA certified press
“#AcrossTheSpiderVerse take the saying “Every Frame’s a Painting” to an entirely new level. Your eyes dance around the screen in awe as the film brings arthouse animation to the mainstream. You’re so captivated by the dazzle and heart that you forget the film’s 2+ hours runtime” ~Robert Butler III, Geeks of Color
Edit: More rolling in.
"There’s never been a SPIDER-MAN movie quite like ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE! What an incredible, exhilarating, ingenious cinematic triumph & a landmark achievement in groundbreaking animation! So much heart & humor too! An epic winner! Can’t wait to see it again!" ~Scott Mantz, Film Critic
"Across The Spider-Verse is a masterpiece." ~Stephen Amell, actor
"And just like that #AcrossTheSpiderVerse just skyrocketed to one of the best comic book movies in the last 5 years. The animation was a thing of pure beauty. A visual rollercoaster for my eyeballs. This felt like the truest Spider-Man movie ever. Take notes, Marvel." ~Emmanuel Noisette, Film Critic
"Still catching my breath from #AcrossTheSpiderVerse*. Absolutely blew me away. Not just a powerful restatement of everything that made the first film special, it expands the Spider-mythology for a story that’s both bigger and deeper. The wait until the next part will be agonizing!*" ~Zaki Hasan, Journalist
"After the hype for Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse, I couldn’t imagine how it could meet the glory of the first film. Trust me, it does. Gorgeous art design. Heart wrenching turns. A powerful tale for ANYONE who has ever felt like a mistake. See it this weekend! In a movie landscape clogged with multiverse fiction, Across the Spiderverse accomplishes the difficult task of establishing easy-to-understand architecture and holding variants’ actions accountable. I’ve been dying for the MCU to at least TRY to do this. This movie fixes it all. " ~Erik Voss, DeepDiveNR
"We’re going to look back at #AcrossTheSpiderVerse as the film that revolutionized animation. It is such a technical achievement and I’ve never seen a more beautiful looking movie. The way the incorporated all of the different types of art styles together was amazing. We thought the first movie blew away animation and this one is 10x the animation of the first one…" ~Matt Ramos, Actor
"#AcrossTheSpiderVerse is so absurdly good. A ton of fun, and \gorgeous.* I want to go back and just stare at almost every frame. Really, don’t temper your expectations - you’re gonna love it as much as people say. I was specifically looking forward to #AcrossTheSpiderVerse partly because I was told there was a lot more Spider-Gwen (a personal fave). Tried to keep my hopes in check just to be safe, but guys. We get SO MUCH. Hailee Steinfeld remains a heroic casting & she really gets to flex*" ~Andi Ortiz, The Wrap
"Wow! Even for a Part One, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE exceeded all of my expectations. More emotional & thrilling than the first with a vibing soundtrack & dazzling animation. Oscar Isaac is the voice MVP. A highly ambitious but satisfying set up for what’s to come." ~Matt Neglia, Owner of Next Best Picture
"There aren't enough words to describe how much I LOVED #AcrosstheSpiderVerse! The animation, the art direction, the music, the performances, the story. 10/10. WHERE IS THE 3D VERSION?!" ~Adam Hlaváč, Creator of Heroes Reforged
"#AcrossTheSpiderVerse is spectacular! The animation is a visual delight and more impressive from one scene to the next. What is really great is how dramatic and emotional the story becomes for Miles and Gwen. It’s an excellent sequel." Leo Brady, film critic
"Believe the hype! #SpiderMan #AcrossTheSpiderVerse is even better than I expected. Every character, action scene, and conversation are executed so well incredibly well. I can’t wait to watch this again. Get ready to be in awe of this movie." ~Wendy Lee Szany, Film Critic
"WOW! #AcrossTheSpiderVerse was incredible! A heart racing & emotional addition to the Spider-Verse franchise. Spider-Gwen and Spider-Punk were among the many standouts, but Miles is the anchor. The visuals were phenomenal. SO many twists, turns, and surprises. I loved it!" ~Duane Miller, creator of Cinemaniaworld, film critic
"SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE can be described with one word—masterpiece. From the first beautifully animated frame, it’s a masterclass on believable characters and worlds. The gap between this and other superhero films is wide." ~Sheraz Farooqi, Film Critic
"#AcrossTheSpiderVerse is incredible. Visually, emotionally, it’s bigger and more intense than the first movie, but that mirrors how Miles is growing up and dealing with more complex problems and emotions. Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen is the stand-out. It’s her movie as much as Miles. The critic in me wants to point out that in some respects #SpiderVerse is half a movie (it’s not a spoiler, we all know there’s another one). But as a Spider-Man and animation fan I was too busy muttering “holy shit” to myself on a loop for two and a half hours to really care." ~Alex Zalben, The Decider
"I can't quite sing the praises of #AcrossTheSpiderVerse as the greatest thing ever because it is currently incomplete. It is, however, well on its way to being half of the greatest achievement in animation since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. #AcrossTheSpiderVerse builds on the first movie in brilliant ways, it finds new emotional stakes for Miles that make sense and fleshes out Gwen brilliantly. Does it have a million Easter eggs and references? Yes, and I don't care. It's about the characters." ~Dirk Libbey, Cinemablend
"'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is a practically perfect movie. Its color palette and blending of different animation styles is a treasure trove for the eyes, making it one of the most visually innovative films in years.There are dozens of cameos and easter eggs for superhero fans to obsess over for weeks to come. The #SpiderVerse story masterfully balances heart, humor, and action throughout its 2h20m runtime.Audiences will adore several characters, both old and new, with Miles Morales remaining an absolute star. Other standouts include performances from Oscar Isaac, Daniel Kaluuya, and Luna Lauren Velez." ~PopCrave
"#SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse isn’t just a masterpiece, isn’t just THE definitive Spider-Man film…it’s one of the greatest movies I’ve ever seen. I’m still picking my jaw off the f\**ing floor from this REMARKABLE work of art. Truly at a loss for words.*" ~Griffin Schiller, creator of FilmSpeak
"#SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse is not just the BEST Spider-Man film of all time, it’s not just the BEST COMIC BOOK FILM of all time, it’s not just the greatest sequel ever made, it’s bar none one of the best films I’ve ever watched. More than a masterpiece. This is everything. The feeling this film gave me brought back the feeling of when I watched my first movie.. every core memory of Toy Story being watched for the very first time. I’m in tears #spiderverse" ~Zach Pope, Critic
submitted by SomeMockodile to boxoffice [link] [comments]
“Spider-Man: #AcrossTheSpiderVerse is so f\**ing good, I want to refrain my children from ever seeing any other entity of the character because they pale by comparison. This is MY Spider-Man. This is what we've long deserved. It's better than the first, and I LOVED the first.”* ~ Clayton Davis, Variety
“SPIDER-MAN: #AcrossTheSpiderVerse is very much a Part 1, but when it's this great of a first part who cares?! Perfect in every aspect, with a metatextual element that interrogates the very nature of the Spider-Man mythos. A new high for Hollywood animation AND superhero films.” ~ James Preston Poole, Discussing Film
“It’s amazing. Even better than the first. It took 5 years to make and it shows. Absolute piece of art. And that’s all I’m gonna say. Surprises await you.”~ Patton Oswalt, Actor“
Absolutely bonkers how good Across the Spiderverse is! The animation team is too powerful and they must be stopped. I’m going to have a six pack on my face from alternately grinning like an idiot and staring in slack-jawed amazement.” Dan Casey, Nerdist“
Right when you thought EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE peaked with multiverse stories, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, swung in to take the Miles Morales’ story and the animation medium to the next level. It’s a transcendent work of art that should be held as 2023’s first Best Picture. Believe the hype. See it on the biggest screen possible. Lo and behold the artistry and rich storytelling about identity unlike any Spider-Man story done before. Yes, bolder than its predecessor. I—ooof. I need to see it again immediately.” ~ Rendy Jones of VanityFair and Ebert Voices
“Every once in a while, an animated film pushes the medium to new frontiers. Into the Spiderverse was one of those movies. #AcrossTheSpiderVerse takes it several steps further! Just, wow!” ~ Nicholas Spake, Watch Mojo
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is EVERYTHING I wanted it to be and more. The animation is the best I’ve ever seen in any film ever. The story is phenomenal. The future is so bright for this franchise. 10/10. Go see it right away. You will love every moment.” ~Jack “CouRage” Dunlop, Co-owner of 100Thieves
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of the most visually stunning movies ever, regardless of format, style, live-action, or animation. It outdoes the first film and gives us one of the finest examples of film in recent memory. It’s about as perfect as it gets.” ~Hunter Bolding, MPA certified press
“#AcrossTheSpiderVerse take the saying “Every Frame’s a Painting” to an entirely new level. Your eyes dance around the screen in awe as the film brings arthouse animation to the mainstream. You’re so captivated by the dazzle and heart that you forget the film’s 2+ hours runtime” ~Robert Butler III, Geeks of Color
Edit: More rolling in.
"There’s never been a SPIDER-MAN movie quite like ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE! What an incredible, exhilarating, ingenious cinematic triumph & a landmark achievement in groundbreaking animation! So much heart & humor too! An epic winner! Can’t wait to see it again!" ~Scott Mantz, Film Critic
"Across The Spider-Verse is a masterpiece." ~Stephen Amell, actor
"And just like that #AcrossTheSpiderVerse just skyrocketed to one of the best comic book movies in the last 5 years. The animation was a thing of pure beauty. A visual rollercoaster for my eyeballs. This felt like the truest Spider-Man movie ever. Take notes, Marvel." ~Emmanuel Noisette, Film Critic
"Still catching my breath from #AcrossTheSpiderVerse*. Absolutely blew me away. Not just a powerful restatement of everything that made the first film special, it expands the Spider-mythology for a story that’s both bigger and deeper. The wait until the next part will be agonizing!*" ~Zaki Hasan, Journalist
"After the hype for Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse, I couldn’t imagine how it could meet the glory of the first film. Trust me, it does. Gorgeous art design. Heart wrenching turns. A powerful tale for ANYONE who has ever felt like a mistake. See it this weekend! In a movie landscape clogged with multiverse fiction, Across the Spiderverse accomplishes the difficult task of establishing easy-to-understand architecture and holding variants’ actions accountable. I’ve been dying for the MCU to at least TRY to do this. This movie fixes it all. " ~Erik Voss, DeepDiveNR
"We’re going to look back at #AcrossTheSpiderVerse as the film that revolutionized animation. It is such a technical achievement and I’ve never seen a more beautiful looking movie. The way the incorporated all of the different types of art styles together was amazing. We thought the first movie blew away animation and this one is 10x the animation of the first one…" ~Matt Ramos, Actor
"#AcrossTheSpiderVerse is so absurdly good. A ton of fun, and \gorgeous.* I want to go back and just stare at almost every frame. Really, don’t temper your expectations - you’re gonna love it as much as people say. I was specifically looking forward to #AcrossTheSpiderVerse partly because I was told there was a lot more Spider-Gwen (a personal fave). Tried to keep my hopes in check just to be safe, but guys. We get SO MUCH. Hailee Steinfeld remains a heroic casting & she really gets to flex*" ~Andi Ortiz, The Wrap
"Wow! Even for a Part One, SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE exceeded all of my expectations. More emotional & thrilling than the first with a vibing soundtrack & dazzling animation. Oscar Isaac is the voice MVP. A highly ambitious but satisfying set up for what’s to come." ~Matt Neglia, Owner of Next Best Picture
"There aren't enough words to describe how much I LOVED #AcrosstheSpiderVerse! The animation, the art direction, the music, the performances, the story. 10/10. WHERE IS THE 3D VERSION?!" ~Adam Hlaváč, Creator of Heroes Reforged
"#AcrossTheSpiderVerse is spectacular! The animation is a visual delight and more impressive from one scene to the next. What is really great is how dramatic and emotional the story becomes for Miles and Gwen. It’s an excellent sequel." Leo Brady, film critic
"Believe the hype! #SpiderMan #AcrossTheSpiderVerse is even better than I expected. Every character, action scene, and conversation are executed so well incredibly well. I can’t wait to watch this again. Get ready to be in awe of this movie." ~Wendy Lee Szany, Film Critic
"WOW! #AcrossTheSpiderVerse was incredible! A heart racing & emotional addition to the Spider-Verse franchise. Spider-Gwen and Spider-Punk were among the many standouts, but Miles is the anchor. The visuals were phenomenal. SO many twists, turns, and surprises. I loved it!" ~Duane Miller, creator of Cinemaniaworld, film critic
"SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE can be described with one word—masterpiece. From the first beautifully animated frame, it’s a masterclass on believable characters and worlds. The gap between this and other superhero films is wide." ~Sheraz Farooqi, Film Critic
"#AcrossTheSpiderVerse is incredible. Visually, emotionally, it’s bigger and more intense than the first movie, but that mirrors how Miles is growing up and dealing with more complex problems and emotions. Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen is the stand-out. It’s her movie as much as Miles. The critic in me wants to point out that in some respects #SpiderVerse is half a movie (it’s not a spoiler, we all know there’s another one). But as a Spider-Man and animation fan I was too busy muttering “holy shit” to myself on a loop for two and a half hours to really care." ~Alex Zalben, The Decider
"I can't quite sing the praises of #AcrossTheSpiderVerse as the greatest thing ever because it is currently incomplete. It is, however, well on its way to being half of the greatest achievement in animation since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. #AcrossTheSpiderVerse builds on the first movie in brilliant ways, it finds new emotional stakes for Miles that make sense and fleshes out Gwen brilliantly. Does it have a million Easter eggs and references? Yes, and I don't care. It's about the characters." ~Dirk Libbey, Cinemablend
"'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is a practically perfect movie. Its color palette and blending of different animation styles is a treasure trove for the eyes, making it one of the most visually innovative films in years.There are dozens of cameos and easter eggs for superhero fans to obsess over for weeks to come. The #SpiderVerse story masterfully balances heart, humor, and action throughout its 2h20m runtime.Audiences will adore several characters, both old and new, with Miles Morales remaining an absolute star. Other standouts include performances from Oscar Isaac, Daniel Kaluuya, and Luna Lauren Velez." ~PopCrave
"#SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse isn’t just a masterpiece, isn’t just THE definitive Spider-Man film…it’s one of the greatest movies I’ve ever seen. I’m still picking my jaw off the f\**ing floor from this REMARKABLE work of art. Truly at a loss for words.*" ~Griffin Schiller, creator of FilmSpeak
"#SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse is not just the BEST Spider-Man film of all time, it’s not just the BEST COMIC BOOK FILM of all time, it’s not just the greatest sequel ever made, it’s bar none one of the best films I’ve ever watched. More than a masterpiece. This is everything. The feeling this film gave me brought back the feeling of when I watched my first movie.. every core memory of Toy Story being watched for the very first time. I’m in tears #spiderverse" ~Zach Pope, Critic
2023.05.31 08:24 everykissbeginswK E85 ready - or is it?
Stupid question - how to know if my car is tuned for flex fuel?
Im not super knowledgable on tuning. I live in UT, where there is only 1 source that sells flex fuel. My COBB ap v3 shows 2 maps, both say map nicholas 91 fuel. I have a AEROMOTIUVE fuel pressure regulator & am on aftermartket lines & rails, 1000cc injectors. When I bought the car the ad said literally "e85 ready" w all the listed stuffs.
How do I know if im tuned for e85/flex … and of not what do I need to get?
I just want to know How I can do this, if I SHOULD do this, and IF i do, do it w/o blowing up a motor. Any help?
submitted by everykissbeginswK to subaru [link] [comments]
Im not super knowledgable on tuning. I live in UT, where there is only 1 source that sells flex fuel. My COBB ap v3 shows 2 maps, both say map nicholas 91 fuel. I have a AEROMOTIUVE fuel pressure regulator & am on aftermartket lines & rails, 1000cc injectors. When I bought the car the ad said literally "e85 ready" w all the listed stuffs.
How do I know if im tuned for e85/flex … and of not what do I need to get?
I just want to know How I can do this, if I SHOULD do this, and IF i do, do it w/o blowing up a motor. Any help?
2023.05.31 02:35 ZeroCentsMade …And Now, In Color – Doctor Who Classic: Season 7 Review
This post is part of a series of reviews. To see them all, click here.
I usually don't make too much reference to my own review scores in the body of these season reviews because, well, those scores are ultimately a very subjective number that I've shoved at the end of a lot of text, but well, I gave the four stories of this season a seven, two eights and a nine. And I think the only major argument I would receive on those scores is that I was too hard on the seven.
And this is strange right? This was, after all, the season that took away the show's primary plot device in the TARDIS. In last season's review I spoke fondly of the experimental nature of that season concluding with the line "Doctor Who is whatever you want it to be". And yet here we are taking away much of that flexibility and achieving positive results. So what went right?
Well, the shortening of the season probably helped. Due to a 25 episode season which was mostly made up of 3 7-part stories Script Editor Terrance Dicks only needed to find four story ideas to approve. That's a lot less room for something bad or even mediocre to slip through the cracks than in previous seasons, which all had between seven and ten stories in them. And of course you can't overlook the fact that sometimes, in creative endeavors, limitations produce positive results. For all that I do love Doctor Who's more experimental seasons, the fact is that this season showed there was a lot to gain by limiting the show to a single time and place.
For one thing it effectively got rid of the need for the initial phase of any Doctor Who story where The Doctor is mistaken for an intruder and locked up in prison. Now admittedly, this is hardly as frequent an occurrence as some make it sound, but still, the ability to never have to have the Doctor explain who he is and where he comes from is an advantage that the UNIT era has.
Similarly, the setup for the season gives a natural way for the show to fill time – by advancing the side plot of the Doctor trying to advance the TARDIS. Throughout this season we see him trying to find ways to make the machine work…and inevitably failing. That being said, it does have a pretty big influence on the plots of both Spearhead from Space and Inferno, and provides some amusing moments throughout the season.
But honestly, a Season as good as this can't be explained. It just happens. Like, from a production standpoint this was the final season that really looked like the black and white era, with the shift in producers happening mid-season. This means that, while Barry Letts was producer from Silurians on, he only worked on one story from beginning to end, naturally being Inferno. Everything else was commissioned and at least partially produced by Derrick Sherwin. And you wouldn't think that the chaos that naturally comes with a shift in producers mid-season would lead to such a great season. But it does, because a season like this just happens.
Season 7 was, of course, the season that saw several major shifts occur. We've already touched on the UNIT era and the Doctor's exile on earth, but obviously this was a profound change. On one hand, this limited the show to settings in (essentially) present-day Earth. On the other hand…the Doctor has an army now. And sure, he might not like that he has an army, and might chafe up against the military mindset frequently, but he still has an army that he can call in if he ever needs it. That's a pretty big change in the structure of a show where, previously, if the Doctor needed an army he had to find it and convince it that he knew what he was talking about.
There's the shift to color, which shouldn't be understated in the effect it has on the end-product. Now from a historical perspective I do think it's important to remember that most people watching the show in 1970, were not watching in color. But I am watching the show in color and you probably are too, so the shift to color has an impact on how we all view the show.
From a viewing perspective it is, of course, somewhat easier to get immersed in a color program. The flipside of that is that the detail is much easier to spot in color, so the effects can look a bit more fake. Like the Silurians look a lot more artificial than the Sensorites, but I don't think that's because the quality of the costumes is lower, but rather because color allows us to see the material used in these costumes much easier. Also, black and white lends itself naturally to the darker and more foreboding atmosphere that Doctor Who likes. Still, the shift to color is a net positive on the show. It's just a shift that naturally changes the perception the audience has of the show and show handles that transition pretty well.
But the biggest thing that changes this season is that we have a new lead. In season 7, Jon Pertwee's Doctor is in many ways a return to the pricklier more uptight 1st Doctor, but with a greater flair for the dramatic. The 3rd Doctor has been described as the James Bond Doctor, but honestly that flavor of the show isn't well-established at this part. He's not really using a lot of gadgets, or delivering one-liners, and he barely engages in any Venusian Aikido (and calls it Venusian Karate when he does). Instead we have a Doctor who just does not want to be here. He's stuck on Earth, stuck in one place in one time. Forget about traveling through time and space, he doesn't even get to leave England this season. Which, naturally, makes him irritable.
Oh and he's stuck working with the military. The 2nd Doctor seemed to enjoy working with Lethbridge-Stewart and company in The Invasion but he also got the hell out of dodge as soon as the problem in that story was resolved. The Doctor, in any incarnation, does not like to be constrained by other people's rules. So having to deal with the military on a day in and day out basis doesn't exactly do wonders for the 3rd Doctor's disposition.
It sometimes makes him irritable to the point of cruelty. In my review of Inferno I mentioned how I didn't like how the Doctor treated the Brigadier at the end of that story. But honestly, there's a pattern of behavior here that extends beyond any one scene. When he first meets Ralph Cornish in The Ambassadors of Death he almost instantly declares the man an idiot. Cornish is an intelligent man who is in many ways philosophically aligned with the Doctor. The 3rd Doctor, especially in Season 7, has a tendency to be aggressively arrogant towards anyone who doesn't instantly and automatically agree with him, and it can make him a frustrating character at times. On the other hand, like the 1st Doctor, this also means he gets a lot of great snarky put-downs. What I think is important is that, while I don't always enjoy this side of his character, I do think it makes sense, especially in Season 7 where he can barely get the TARDIS console to do anything.
The season ends with the Doctor witnessing the destruction of a parallel Earth, something which will have ramifications for the character going forwards. It's a traumatic moment, both for character and audience, as characters that both have learned to care about are sent spiraling into a struggle for survival, and not even their own.
This season also introduced Elizabeth "Liz" Shaw, our brand new companion. Since Liz's tenure is actually over, I'm going to be writing about her character a lot in my next post, so here I'll focus on her relationship with the Doctor. Unlike with prior companion Zoe, Liz is keenly aware that the Doctor's intelligence and scientific knowledge are far greater than her own, but she's humble enough that the two get along well regardless. Liz, like the Doctor, doesn't like to be constrained by military rules, but she does seem to come around to the value of UNIT as an organization. Mostly this means that she's able to back up the Doctor's intelligence with her own – by which I mean she generally understands what he's trying to do and is able to help – and back up his snark with her own.
Stuck managing these two brilliant but prickly minds is the Brigadier. The Brig comes off as a very sympathetic figure in this season, mostly because he takes a lot of mistreatment from the Doctor, and to a lesser extent Liz, and handles it with grace and the occasional dry comment. For a military man who, when he took the job at UNIT must have expected to get his own way with the people underneath him the vast majority of the time, this is pretty impressive honestly.
The rest of UNIT are basically a bunch of interchangeable soldiers. Occasionally one will get a name or some sort of characterization but you'll forget them pretty soon after they're off the screen. Even Sergeant Benton, who was first introduced in The Invasion and will be a mainstay through the UNIT era, doesn't really get much to distinguish himself in his one and a half stories. He's just a charming, likable bloke. The lack of individuals within UNIT is, I would argue, a weakness of this season (and to a lesser extent the UNIT era as a whole), but not so much that it seriously detracts from any of the stories, even if it does leave UNIT feeling a bit faceless when looking at the season as a whole.
Now we've already talked about how changes in the production of the show affected the visuals, but I do want to touch on the music as well. The first two stories of this season, Spearhead from Space and The Silurians both used music composed around the actual episodes, as opposed to the prior method of composing a limited number of tracks and/or pulling stock music from the BBC's library and using that as incidental music.
The funny thing is, I actually prefer the music from the other two stories of this season, that went back to the prior method, although they were the last to do so. Now part of this is that I just prefer those tracks as music, compared to the first two stories. There's some weird instrumentation in those stories that works some of the time, but other times is just odd in a very distracting way. However, I also think that a lot of the music in Spearhead and Silurians is a bit too on the nose, like it's trying too hard to accent the beats that are happening on screen.
I said in my review for Spearhead that overall I preferred it to the incidental music from Season 6, but on further reflection, I don't think that's actually the case. The show still sounds good for the most part, even in those earlier episodes, and the music will mostly settle down in the next season, but it does bear mentioning that the show's music this season could be a bit off-putting at times.
On the whole, I've found a lot more to criticize in this season than I thought I would. There are a lot of little things that aren't quite working for me. The Doctor's personality comes on a little strong, UNIT can feel like this big faceless organization, I wish they'd found more for Liz to do, and the music has overall gone down in quality after Season 6 sounded excellent.
But all of those things come with positives. I still do enjoy the 3rd Doctor quite a bit, and I was always going to have a tough time adjusting from whoever followed Patrick Troughton's Doctor. UNIT might feel at times like a big faceless organization, but the charming personality of the Brigadier and to a lesser extent Benton, help alleviate that. Liz is great when she's given a chance to shine. And the music is still good for the most part.
But talking about all of that stuff is missing the point. This season has four stories and they're all somewhere between good and great. And that's just absurd.
Season 7 ends on its best effort, the haunting tale of a world's destruction, and the triumph at being able to prevent that destruction from happening again. A great story all around.
Worst Story: Spearhead from Space
"Worst" is relative here, although I am a bit lower on Spearhead than most. It's main failing is that while it does a great job at introducing its cast and UNIT, the actual plot is a bit basic even though there was arguably room to spice it up a bit, and the pacing is a bit awkward. This is still a good story though, but since Season 7 has no bad stories, this had to go here.
Most Important: Spearhead from Space
And no, we're not done with Spearhead just yet. This was an obvious choice, since this was the story that introduced the 3rd Doctor and Liz, as well as reintroducing the Brigadier and UNIT. The fact that it's the first Auton/Nestene story is just a tiny bit of extra significance.
Funniest Story: Spearhead from Space
OK, this is the last time I'll be talking about Spearhead here, I promise. Season 7 doesn't really have a ton of comedy, but Spearhead does manage a fair amount in its first two parts, mostly down to the 3rd Doctor settling in after his regeneration.
Scariest Story: Inferno
Look, having just four stories kind of limits the pool for these awards OK? I considered going with Ambassadors of Death because the titular Ambassadors, while ultimately benevolent, are decidedly creepy as they walk around deliberately in their spacesuits. However, nothing beats the sheer horror of Inferno's sixth episode as we prepare for an entire world to be consumed by lava. It's really just down to that episode, although the Primords are fairly creepy, but that's enough.
Season Rankings
These are based on weighted averages that take into account the length of each story. Take this ranking with a grain of salt however as doubtless as I work my way through the show, my standards will change for what each rating means, if they haven't already
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Season Information
- Airdates: 3rd January - 20th June 1970
- Doctor: 3rd (Jon Pertwee)
- Companion: Liz (Caroline John)
- UNIT: The Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney), Sgt. Benton (John Levene, S07E18-25)
- Producers: Derrick Sherwin (S07E01-04), Barry Letts (S07E05-25)
- Script Editor: Terrance Dicks
Review
Let's start here: this was an absurdly good season.I usually don't make too much reference to my own review scores in the body of these season reviews because, well, those scores are ultimately a very subjective number that I've shoved at the end of a lot of text, but well, I gave the four stories of this season a seven, two eights and a nine. And I think the only major argument I would receive on those scores is that I was too hard on the seven.
And this is strange right? This was, after all, the season that took away the show's primary plot device in the TARDIS. In last season's review I spoke fondly of the experimental nature of that season concluding with the line "Doctor Who is whatever you want it to be". And yet here we are taking away much of that flexibility and achieving positive results. So what went right?
Well, the shortening of the season probably helped. Due to a 25 episode season which was mostly made up of 3 7-part stories Script Editor Terrance Dicks only needed to find four story ideas to approve. That's a lot less room for something bad or even mediocre to slip through the cracks than in previous seasons, which all had between seven and ten stories in them. And of course you can't overlook the fact that sometimes, in creative endeavors, limitations produce positive results. For all that I do love Doctor Who's more experimental seasons, the fact is that this season showed there was a lot to gain by limiting the show to a single time and place.
For one thing it effectively got rid of the need for the initial phase of any Doctor Who story where The Doctor is mistaken for an intruder and locked up in prison. Now admittedly, this is hardly as frequent an occurrence as some make it sound, but still, the ability to never have to have the Doctor explain who he is and where he comes from is an advantage that the UNIT era has.
Similarly, the setup for the season gives a natural way for the show to fill time – by advancing the side plot of the Doctor trying to advance the TARDIS. Throughout this season we see him trying to find ways to make the machine work…and inevitably failing. That being said, it does have a pretty big influence on the plots of both Spearhead from Space and Inferno, and provides some amusing moments throughout the season.
But honestly, a Season as good as this can't be explained. It just happens. Like, from a production standpoint this was the final season that really looked like the black and white era, with the shift in producers happening mid-season. This means that, while Barry Letts was producer from Silurians on, he only worked on one story from beginning to end, naturally being Inferno. Everything else was commissioned and at least partially produced by Derrick Sherwin. And you wouldn't think that the chaos that naturally comes with a shift in producers mid-season would lead to such a great season. But it does, because a season like this just happens.
Season 7 was, of course, the season that saw several major shifts occur. We've already touched on the UNIT era and the Doctor's exile on earth, but obviously this was a profound change. On one hand, this limited the show to settings in (essentially) present-day Earth. On the other hand…the Doctor has an army now. And sure, he might not like that he has an army, and might chafe up against the military mindset frequently, but he still has an army that he can call in if he ever needs it. That's a pretty big change in the structure of a show where, previously, if the Doctor needed an army he had to find it and convince it that he knew what he was talking about.
There's the shift to color, which shouldn't be understated in the effect it has on the end-product. Now from a historical perspective I do think it's important to remember that most people watching the show in 1970, were not watching in color. But I am watching the show in color and you probably are too, so the shift to color has an impact on how we all view the show.
From a viewing perspective it is, of course, somewhat easier to get immersed in a color program. The flipside of that is that the detail is much easier to spot in color, so the effects can look a bit more fake. Like the Silurians look a lot more artificial than the Sensorites, but I don't think that's because the quality of the costumes is lower, but rather because color allows us to see the material used in these costumes much easier. Also, black and white lends itself naturally to the darker and more foreboding atmosphere that Doctor Who likes. Still, the shift to color is a net positive on the show. It's just a shift that naturally changes the perception the audience has of the show and show handles that transition pretty well.
But the biggest thing that changes this season is that we have a new lead. In season 7, Jon Pertwee's Doctor is in many ways a return to the pricklier more uptight 1st Doctor, but with a greater flair for the dramatic. The 3rd Doctor has been described as the James Bond Doctor, but honestly that flavor of the show isn't well-established at this part. He's not really using a lot of gadgets, or delivering one-liners, and he barely engages in any Venusian Aikido (and calls it Venusian Karate when he does). Instead we have a Doctor who just does not want to be here. He's stuck on Earth, stuck in one place in one time. Forget about traveling through time and space, he doesn't even get to leave England this season. Which, naturally, makes him irritable.
Oh and he's stuck working with the military. The 2nd Doctor seemed to enjoy working with Lethbridge-Stewart and company in The Invasion but he also got the hell out of dodge as soon as the problem in that story was resolved. The Doctor, in any incarnation, does not like to be constrained by other people's rules. So having to deal with the military on a day in and day out basis doesn't exactly do wonders for the 3rd Doctor's disposition.
It sometimes makes him irritable to the point of cruelty. In my review of Inferno I mentioned how I didn't like how the Doctor treated the Brigadier at the end of that story. But honestly, there's a pattern of behavior here that extends beyond any one scene. When he first meets Ralph Cornish in The Ambassadors of Death he almost instantly declares the man an idiot. Cornish is an intelligent man who is in many ways philosophically aligned with the Doctor. The 3rd Doctor, especially in Season 7, has a tendency to be aggressively arrogant towards anyone who doesn't instantly and automatically agree with him, and it can make him a frustrating character at times. On the other hand, like the 1st Doctor, this also means he gets a lot of great snarky put-downs. What I think is important is that, while I don't always enjoy this side of his character, I do think it makes sense, especially in Season 7 where he can barely get the TARDIS console to do anything.
The season ends with the Doctor witnessing the destruction of a parallel Earth, something which will have ramifications for the character going forwards. It's a traumatic moment, both for character and audience, as characters that both have learned to care about are sent spiraling into a struggle for survival, and not even their own.
This season also introduced Elizabeth "Liz" Shaw, our brand new companion. Since Liz's tenure is actually over, I'm going to be writing about her character a lot in my next post, so here I'll focus on her relationship with the Doctor. Unlike with prior companion Zoe, Liz is keenly aware that the Doctor's intelligence and scientific knowledge are far greater than her own, but she's humble enough that the two get along well regardless. Liz, like the Doctor, doesn't like to be constrained by military rules, but she does seem to come around to the value of UNIT as an organization. Mostly this means that she's able to back up the Doctor's intelligence with her own – by which I mean she generally understands what he's trying to do and is able to help – and back up his snark with her own.
Stuck managing these two brilliant but prickly minds is the Brigadier. The Brig comes off as a very sympathetic figure in this season, mostly because he takes a lot of mistreatment from the Doctor, and to a lesser extent Liz, and handles it with grace and the occasional dry comment. For a military man who, when he took the job at UNIT must have expected to get his own way with the people underneath him the vast majority of the time, this is pretty impressive honestly.
The rest of UNIT are basically a bunch of interchangeable soldiers. Occasionally one will get a name or some sort of characterization but you'll forget them pretty soon after they're off the screen. Even Sergeant Benton, who was first introduced in The Invasion and will be a mainstay through the UNIT era, doesn't really get much to distinguish himself in his one and a half stories. He's just a charming, likable bloke. The lack of individuals within UNIT is, I would argue, a weakness of this season (and to a lesser extent the UNIT era as a whole), but not so much that it seriously detracts from any of the stories, even if it does leave UNIT feeling a bit faceless when looking at the season as a whole.
Now we've already talked about how changes in the production of the show affected the visuals, but I do want to touch on the music as well. The first two stories of this season, Spearhead from Space and The Silurians both used music composed around the actual episodes, as opposed to the prior method of composing a limited number of tracks and/or pulling stock music from the BBC's library and using that as incidental music.
The funny thing is, I actually prefer the music from the other two stories of this season, that went back to the prior method, although they were the last to do so. Now part of this is that I just prefer those tracks as music, compared to the first two stories. There's some weird instrumentation in those stories that works some of the time, but other times is just odd in a very distracting way. However, I also think that a lot of the music in Spearhead and Silurians is a bit too on the nose, like it's trying too hard to accent the beats that are happening on screen.
I said in my review for Spearhead that overall I preferred it to the incidental music from Season 6, but on further reflection, I don't think that's actually the case. The show still sounds good for the most part, even in those earlier episodes, and the music will mostly settle down in the next season, but it does bear mentioning that the show's music this season could be a bit off-putting at times.
On the whole, I've found a lot more to criticize in this season than I thought I would. There are a lot of little things that aren't quite working for me. The Doctor's personality comes on a little strong, UNIT can feel like this big faceless organization, I wish they'd found more for Liz to do, and the music has overall gone down in quality after Season 6 sounded excellent.
But all of those things come with positives. I still do enjoy the 3rd Doctor quite a bit, and I was always going to have a tough time adjusting from whoever followed Patrick Troughton's Doctor. UNIT might feel at times like a big faceless organization, but the charming personality of the Brigadier and to a lesser extent Benton, help alleviate that. Liz is great when she's given a chance to shine. And the music is still good for the most part.
But talking about all of that stuff is missing the point. This season has four stories and they're all somewhere between good and great. And that's just absurd.
Awards
Best Story: InfernoSeason 7 ends on its best effort, the haunting tale of a world's destruction, and the triumph at being able to prevent that destruction from happening again. A great story all around.
Worst Story: Spearhead from Space
"Worst" is relative here, although I am a bit lower on Spearhead than most. It's main failing is that while it does a great job at introducing its cast and UNIT, the actual plot is a bit basic even though there was arguably room to spice it up a bit, and the pacing is a bit awkward. This is still a good story though, but since Season 7 has no bad stories, this had to go here.
Most Important: Spearhead from Space
And no, we're not done with Spearhead just yet. This was an obvious choice, since this was the story that introduced the 3rd Doctor and Liz, as well as reintroducing the Brigadier and UNIT. The fact that it's the first Auton/Nestene story is just a tiny bit of extra significance.
Funniest Story: Spearhead from Space
OK, this is the last time I'll be talking about Spearhead here, I promise. Season 7 doesn't really have a ton of comedy, but Spearhead does manage a fair amount in its first two parts, mostly down to the 3rd Doctor settling in after his regeneration.
Scariest Story: Inferno
Look, having just four stories kind of limits the pool for these awards OK? I considered going with Ambassadors of Death because the titular Ambassadors, while ultimately benevolent, are decidedly creepy as they walk around deliberately in their spacesuits. However, nothing beats the sheer horror of Inferno's sixth episode as we prepare for an entire world to be consumed by lava. It's really just down to that episode, although the Primords are fairly creepy, but that's enough.
Rankings
Story Rankings- Inferno (9/10)
- The Ambassadors of Death (8/10)
- Doctor Who and the Silurians (8/10)
- Spearhead from Space (7/10)
Season Rankings
These are based on weighted averages that take into account the length of each story. Take this ranking with a grain of salt however as doubtless as I work my way through the show, my standards will change for what each rating means, if they haven't already
- Season 7 (8.1/10)
- Season 4 (7.0/10)
- Season 6 (6.3/10)
- Season 1 (6.2/10)
- Season 3 (6.0/10)
- Season 5 (6.0/10)
- Season 2 (5.8/10)
2023.05.31 02:18 Meatrition Greek + Mexican Zero seed oils — new seed oil free restaurant named Ziki Kitchen
 | ZIKI© CARES ABOUT YOU NO SEED OILS NO VEGETABLE OILS NO SOY GRASSFED BUTTER PASTURE RAISED EGGS ANIMAL-BASED GHEE LOCALLY SOURCED ORGANICS submitted by Meatrition to StopEatingSeedOils [link] [comments] Food is the world's most important category. If you were to regress every other category, we would still survive. If cars disappeared tomorrow — we would ride horses, as we once did. If bridges disappeared tomorrow — we would sail boats. However, if food were to disappear tomorrow, we would become extinct within days. Before extinction, comes the stage of endangered species. The current food system is regressing, and wrapped in false virtue. ZIKI believes that the greatest way to protect and advance our health as humans, resides within our food system. ZIKI has chosen to base itself in the philosophy of scaling the most pure, natural, and most earthly ingredients — in order to move us forward. YOU ARE BEING POISONED Many restaurants and grocery stores are poisoning you with toxic ingredients that your body simply cannot process. This includes things like seed oils, vegetable oils, soy, palm, artificial, and preservatives. This results in inflammation, illness, depression, hormonal imbalance, weight volatility, and many more. Certain disease exists today which once did not, and we believe much of it has to do with your diet. We are prioritizing your health at our expense — while they are prioritizing saving money at the expense of your health. OUR INGREDIENTS — BACK TO THE BASICS We do not cook with ANY seed oils, canola oils, vegetable oils, and we are completely soy-free. OUR OILS — Grass-fed butter is our primary cooking ingredient, followed by extra virgin olive oil. That’s it. Zero Acre oil is what we fry our items in. Animal fat is full of nutrients and omega fatty acids, especially when the animal was pasture raised. All fats have some level of Trans Fats, but natural Trans Fats are much healthier for people than manmade vegetable oil trans fats. One example, is that we use animal-based ghee in our dessert, instead of vegetable ghee — despite it being 253% more expensive. OUR VEGGIES — Local. No hexane ripening, no preservatives, and nothing artificial. Sustainably and regeneratively grown so it is not destroying the surrounding environment. You would be amazed at how much the environment suffers with certain farm practices that do not follow sustainable or regenerative. Our veggies are healthier, and taste better (so much better). OUR EGGS — Regenerative. We only use pasture-raised, and free range. The chickens are on a varied diet consisting of the entire natural biome (insects, grains, seeds, and other microorganisms, vegetable scraps, and supplemented minerals). These chickens are not being force fed. They are steroid-free and stress-hormone free. Happier and healthier chickens are better chickens. OUR DAIRY — Yogurt is the foundation of our famous Tzatziki sauces. We use goat milk, rather than traditional cow milk. "Compared to cow's milk, goat's milk has higher amounts of vitamin A, riboflavin, calcium, potassium, and niacin," Stefanski says. It's also easier to digest because of the small fat globules and slightly lower lactose content." OUR HONEY — Raw + Unfiltered. Better for the bees, better for the environment and better for you, honey. SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIERS & FARM RELATIONSHIPS Texas grown. Our partnering farms practice everything from low till operations to avoid soil erosion, to cover-cropping to protect soil health. They produce goods without sulfites, nitrates, benzoic, propionic, and sorbic acids. In an effort to maximize nutritional value, they focus on wholesome variety diets for their feed and treat their animals humanely. Within every market, we will strive to prop up our local community by sourcing the greatest ingredients from the best farms. OUR FUTURE As we continue to grow and expand into new cities — food integrity will always stand at the front of our operation. We seek to scale truth. Nicholas Nanakos CEO & Founder ZIKI© |
2023.05.30 19:09 freener118 Nick Hyams is my homie. All my homies love Nicholas hyman 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Fuck this crybaby ass. shame on you for giving baby grandpa gru any of your time or money
submitted by freener118 to NoJumper [link] [comments]
2023.05.30 17:49 Anakin_Solo553 A Plague Tale fanfiction (chapter 2)
Sequel to chapter 1 (link: https://www.reddit.com/APlagueTale/comments/11emqh8/a_plague_tale_family_fanfiction/)
Chapter XVI of A Plague Tale: Innocence, chapter II of this fanfiction.
Bordeaux, Kingdom of France. January 1349 AD.
The first thing both Amicia and Mélie noticed when they approached the city with the boys, was that the change of atmosphere. Back in autumn last year, the two girls infiltrated the Inquisition-occupied city with their own purposes; Mélie was searching for her brother Arthur, back then held captive after helping the de Rune siblings escape the British camp, while Amicia was searching for the local university in order to steal the Sanguinis Itinera, on the way rescuing and befriending Rodric.
Back then, the Inquisition was evacuating the town due to the outbreak of the Bite, forcing citizens out of their homes, while slaughtering the sick. Now, the whole city seemed to be like a ghost town. It was dreadfully silent, only the wind howling as snow flew and fell. As if the town was abandoned, but Amicia knew that the now deserted streets swarmed with the troops of Grand Vitalis Bénévent. As if that wasn’t enough, a sickly yellow fog hung on the air.
“It’s so huge! How are we going to find mommy?” Hugo, whose hand Amicia held, spoke. His eyes were wide as he watched the huge city walls.
“We’ll get her out of there, Hugo.” Amicia assured her brother.
“Right, that’s enough hanging around, let’s do this.” Mélie told everyone. Before the others could answer back, she ran forward, forcing Amicia, Hugo, Lucas, Arthur and Rodric catch up with her.
“We need to catch up with her before she gets into trouble.” Arthur panted with concern, holding his newly-acquired sword.
“We got the kid and the rats. We’re invincible!” Rodric told him.
“Rodric, he’s only five years old.” Amicia chastised the teen blacksmith. They found Mélie quick, standing at the side door both she and Amicia used when infiltrating the town. However, both the girls were devastated when they saw the door being blocked by a rat’s nest.
“Oh shit!” Mélie cursed.
“Mélie, what’s the matter?” Lucas asked.
“Those fucking rats blocked the safest entrance!” the girl complained, on the verge of going hysterical.
“They didn’t mean it, Mélie.” Hugo innocently told her. “They…”
“We don’t have a choice,” the girl cut him off. “We have to use the great door, but watch out.”
“Is she angry with me?” Hugo asked Amicia with fear. Although he tried to whisper, everyone, including the twins, heard him.
“No, she’s just… tired.” Arthur immediately excused his sister. “Isn’t that right, Mélie? You do know that it is not Hugo’s fault?”
As if remembering, Mélie began calming down. “Yes, yes,” she muttered, some guilt in her voice. “I’m sorry, Hugo.”
“It’s okay.”
“It’s just, I am craving for blood of those bastards,” the girl explained. “I just hate them all. I want them dead.”
She charged first and ran down the side passageway. She almost reached the great door when suddenly, she knelt and began sneaking.
“Watch out.” She whispered.
Leaving the safer side door, the rest of the six stealthily crawled towards to the Great Door, which was obviously guarded, by a trio of guards. To make it worse, two of them were heavily armed, fully clad in armour like their now dead, superior, Chevalier Nicholas.
“Eh, do you think it’s already started?” the less-armoured spearman asked.
“I hope so,” one of the heavy troopers answered, holding a torch. “Because there’s more and more of them now.”
“Vitalis knows what he’s doing.” The third guard added.
“Three,” Rodric whispered. “It’s risky.”
“We’re better off using the back door.” Mélie whispered as both she and Arthur donned their cowls to hide their faces.
“Chances are it’s locked.” Amicia argued. “They’re going…”
Both the children and the guards heard the ringing of the nearby bells, high as a thunder, filling the streets of the town. The guards looked into the direction of the town’s centre. Mélie immediately decided to use the opportunity of the three adults being distracted.
“Time to make our move!” she whispered. “Arthur, follow me!”
“Mélie!” Amicia called out as the twins crossed the street and reached the back door.
“Have faith,” one of the guards spoke while Mélie was lockpicking the door. “In the meantime, we have a job to do.”
“Right, I’m going back,” one of the guards in heavy armour told his two comrades. Wishing his comrades to be careful, the heavy guard left and began patrolling the street.
“Oh shit…” Rodric whispered.
“They’ll be seen,” Hugo whimpered in fear. Mélie, meanwhile, managed to finally unlock the door, but by doing so, she caused the noise, attracting the attention of the patrol.
“Hey!” he shouted. The twins instantly dashed through the doorway. “Stop!” the guard demanded as he followed after them.
“I’m going to help him, stay here.” The other guard told the spearman, who was left with a spear in one hand and a torch in the other.
“I hope they make it,” Rodric whispered.
“They know the town, they’ll lead them a dance.” Amicia assured him. “Come on, we have to take advantage. That’s one for you, Rodric.”
“You’re finished.” Rodric sneered at the guard before sneaking up behind him and knocking out the soldier. With the threat now gone, Amicia, Hugo and Lucas joined up with him.
“Well, done.” Lucas praised.
“He won’t be waking up anytime soon, trust me.” Rodric told him, before observing the city. “It’s changed a lot since last time.”
Amicia looked around. Indeed, the buildings were either collapsed, or filled with rat nests. The ground was split in open places, making impassable chasms. On every building, every door and window was blocked by wooden blocks with white crosses painted on them, signifying the presence of the plague. Suddenly, bells were heard thundering once again and the children looked up. The local cathedral in the town square was seen from afar. Amicia suddenly felt Hugo tense and shiver.
“The bells! The cathedral, Amicia! That’s where Vitalis is!” Hugo told his sister.
“Which means, mother is too.”
“That bastard’s gonna get a surprise.” Rodric added.
“First we have to find Arthur and Mélie.” Lucas told him.
“I agree.” Amicia said.
The four ran through the empty and ruined streets before they heard voices and hid. Peeking from their hiding places, the four saw a heavy patrol with a torch.
“I’m gutted I won’t see the Conjuration up close.” One of the soldiers spoke.
“The important thing is that the Grand Inquisitor gets rid of the bite.”
“Yeah, well, let’s pray he does.”
Suddenly, the ground began shaking below four children.
“It’s the rats,” Hugo told his sister and her friends. “They are here, beneath us.”
“So they’re the ones who destroyed everything,” Rodric guessed. “Look at the ground.”
“It’s the Macula.” Lucas stated nodding. Indeed, a small rat nest was on the ground, but a planted torch above it prevented the rats from re-entering the atmosphere. Remembering the tactic they used against Nicholas, Amicia extinguished the torch, and after that, Hugo instantly drew the re-emerged rats onto the patrol. With the soldiers devoured alive, the four passed with any obstacles as Hugo had control over the vermin.
“Wow…” Rodric only said, his jaw collapsing from the shock. As they passed, another patrol was heard nearby.
“No one’s seen Nicholas since the assault on the kid’s hideout.”
“Vitalis didn’t sent anyone looking for him? Strange.”
“The chevalier has always been his protégé.”
“Vitalis has changed since the Carrier arrived”
“Perhaps he’s gone and found himself a new protégé.”
Peeking, Amicia saw that this time, some of the guards had lights and shields. Amicia grabbed her sling and threw rocks at the lights.
“What was that? Intruders!” the shouts immediately filled the estate. Lucas then quickly extinguished the fires keeping the rats at bay before Hugo mentally ordered the horde to attack the guards. The four continued their journey, taking down the patrols on their way. They recently a couple of soldiers who were deeply disturbed by the recent actions of the Grand Inquisitor.
“I wish I was strong like that.” Hugo mumbled after seeing Rodric knocking out another guard, breaking the soldier’s neck.
“I could say the same.” Lucas agreed, while quickly looking at Amicia.
“Mate, you have an army of rats.” Rodric told him.
“Rodric…”
“I’ll take care of the gates,” he said before turning to them. Using all his strength, the large boy lifted the portcullis, allowing Lucas, Hugo and Amicia to crawl under. Rodric released the portcullis and quickly joined them. The four arrived to a yard with a well and broken carts while rats swarmed around. One of the houses was on fire.
“Guys!”
Turning left, they saw Arthur and Mélie, safe and sound, standing tall on the other side of a chasm, waving at them.
“Arthur! Mélie!” Lucas shouted in delight.
“You’re alive!” Amicia happily said. “Listen, Vitalis is at the cathedral!”
“That’s all very well, but a whole battalion is coming this way!” Mélie warned them. “You need to get out of here.”
“Take the stairs!” Arthur pointed at the house with a staircase. “The house has an exit on the other side!”
“Em… the one that’s on fire?” Rodric asked, pointing at the burning building.
“We can’t go back,” Amicia told him before turning to the twins. “Go! We’ll meet you on the other side!”
“Be careful.” Mélie warned them. The four were about to reach the door of the house when the nearby gates opened and more heavy knights appeared. Their weapons were lit with fire, just like the sword Nicholas used.
“Rodric, Lucas, take cover.” Amicia told the two boys. “We’ll take care of them.”
The two boys obeyed reluctantly, while both Amicia and Hugo prepared to fight the knights. Gathering the remaining Extinguis she had, Amicia and Hugo began playing cat and mouse with the guards, dodging their attacks as they passed the rats without obstacles, before Amicia threw the Extinguis at their weapons, leaving them with no fire to protect themselves from the rats that Hugo charged at them. Lucas stared at Amicia with awe while Rodric broke down the door.
Coughing and gasping for breath, the four kids ran through the flaming corridors, desperate to escape the burning house as quick as possible. They tried to cover themselves from the surrounding fire.
“Amicia! We’ll be burnt alive!” Hugo panicked.
“Nothing will happen to you, I promise.” Amicia told him, using Lucas’ fresh Extinguis to put out any fire on their way. “Rodric, are you with us?”
“To hell and back.” The boy answered.
“The ceiling is going to cave in!” Hugo cried.
“Calm down,” his sister cooed him.
“Hugo, you beat the captain of the Inquisition,” Rodric tried to rise the little boy’s morals. “You’re a tough guy! Tougher than I am!”
“Really?”
“I never lie.” Rodric told him. The four finally reached the exit and Lucas opened the door, ensuring that everyone left. Once they were finally outside, the kids heard voices nearby once again.
“Only two catches so far, pretty claim for a day of miracles.”
“You were told that intruders would be tried on spot. This place is quarantined and under the jurisdiction of the Inquisition!”
Amicia, Hugo, Lucas and Rodric hid and saw two swordsmen standing at a cart. Two people, obviously civilians, were standing on their knees in front of the two guards.
“But we’re not sick! Look at us!” one of the civilians argued.
“We only wanted to get our belongings back!” the other one added.
“What do we do now?” Lucas asked.
“Hang on, I’m thinking.” Amicia answered as she approached the four adults closer. Taking out two stones, Amicia took a deep breath before swiftly shooting at the guards, killing the first one and instantly the second one before he could react. The four kids then left their hiding places and approached the captives.
“Oh, thank you,” they said. “Thank you! Lord bless you!”
The two then ran off to a street, only for the kids to gasp in horror when whistles were heard and the two runners were impaled with arrows. Amicia looked up and saw a squad of archers standing on the nearby aqueduct, observing the whole street.
“The archers shoot on sight,” Lucas told them. “We’re stuck here!”
“Rodric?” Hugo asked. Everyone turned and saw the tall boy looking around in a daze.
“I know this street,” he muttered. Before he could add more, he ran off to an alley.
“Rodric wait!” Amicia yelled as the three ran after him. Barely catching up, the three found Rodric frozen at the ruins of what seemed to be a workshop.
“What is it, Rodric?” Lucas asked before it finally got to him. “Oh no.”
“What is it?” Hugo asked.
“It can’t be…” Rodric muttered as he collapsed onto his knees, grabbing his head. His voice was full of sadness and loss. Amicia finally understood, it was the forge where Rodric and his now dead father worked as blacksmiths before the Inquisition, or at least, what’s left of it.
“Did they burn your house down?” Hugo asked.
“It was my father’s forge…” Rodric stammered. “Where I grew up… it’s where…”
“I know how you feel.” Amicia told him, placing her left hand on his right shoulder. “But you’re still alive. And your roots, they can never take that away from you.”
“Amicia is right.” Lucas added. “I was an orphan long before we all met, but Laurentius, my mentor, was also like a father to me, and the rats took him away from me, while destroying our farm. But I’m alive, and I can use the Laurentius’ teachings for good.”
“You’re right,” the teenage blacksmith answered as he stood up. “I know who I am. Come on, we have to save your mother.”
“You’ll see! Mommy is lovely!” Hugo proudly told him.
“We’ll go together, and find another castle.” Amicia added.
“Fine by me.” Rodric answered. Looking at the forge once again, Rodric joined his friends as they returned to cart. The archers were still there, overlooking the street. An idea came to the kids; the cart was large enough to protect them from the archers, but there were no horses to pull it. It had to be pushed, but under the aim of the archers.
“The cart!” Amicia told him. “Rodric, Lucas! If we push it to the portcullis, it will give us cover! Hugo will be protected behind it… Hey!”
Rodric suddenly shoved her away from the back of the cart, back to Hugo and Lucas.
“Leave it, Amicia.” Rodric told her.
“What are you doing?” Lucas asked.
“Stay back with Hugo! I’M pushing!” Rodric ordered.
“Rodric, let us help!” Amicia begged.
“I’ll be fine.” Rodric assured her. “If you want to help, keep an eye out for the guards!”
Amicia turned to Lucas. “Keep Hugo close.” The young alchemist nodded and grabbed Hugo’s hand. “Alright, let’s do this.”
Grunting, Rodric pushed the cart, covering Amicia, Hugo and Lucas. They were instantly spotted by the archers.
“Intruders! Stop them! Shoot them! Fire!”
“Hide, Rodric!” Hugo begged.
“Don’t worry about me, kid,” the young blacksmith answered. Suddenly, one of the archers was hit by something and he fell from the aqueduct.
“What was that?! How’s shooting at us?!” one of the archers shouted. Just then, another archer was hit in the head and he collapsed. The other archers instantly stopped aiming at Rodric and the cart, instead searching for the unseen shooter.
“There! On the rooftops!”
Amicia looked up and saw Arthur shooting stones from his sling, killing a third archer. The archers, all of them, aimed there arrows at him, but suddenly a fourth archer was hit. This distracted the archers, allowing Arthur to change position.
“There’s another one!” one of the archers pointed at one of the towers with the portcullis. Indeed, they saw a glimpse of Mélie with a sling, hiding from the archers, covering Arthur.
“Soldiers! Soldiers ahead!” Hugo cried, pointing ahead. Amicia saw swordsmen, wearing only breaches, no armour, but armed with swords, charging at them.
“Amicia! They’re all yours!” Rodric said, barely dodging an incoming arrow. The archer reached for another arrow when he was shot by Arthur. Amicia took out her sling and began shooting at the incoming troops while Lucas held Hugo close to him.
“Amicia! They almost hit him!” Hugo cried, looking at Rodric with fear.
“Rodric, leave the cart!” Amicia begged.
“No!” the boy refused. “W need it, to reach the portcullis!”
Killing the last soldier, Amicia hoped that the coast was clear for now in their way, while the twins were taking down the archers. Suddenly, Hugo cried.
“Amicia, they’re behind us!”
The girl turned around and cursed when she saw more swordsmen charging at the kids from behind. She prepared to shoot at them too.
“Bastards! You bastards!” Amicia yelled at them with hatred as she killed a few more soldiers.
“We’ve reached the portcullis!” Rodric yelled. “Come quick!”
“Lucas, take Hugo!” Amicia ordered him.
“Amicia!” both Hugo and Lucas called. Amicia reached for another stone, only to discover that she was out of ammunition. The swordsman almost got her when suddenly he was hit by a flying rock in the head. Amicia looked up and saw Mélie nodding at her. Amicia genuinely nodded back.
Rodric hid behind the cart when the few remaining archers fired at him. He quickly ran to the portcullis and raised it up. Thankfully, the kids were out of the archers’ firing rage and so Amicia, Lucas and Hugo quickly crawled.
“Come on! Come on, quick!” Mélie called. Rodric grunted as he was barely holding the portcullis. He was barely crushed by it when he let it go. He collapsed right beside the others. The four kids were finally reunited with Arthur and Mélie.
“Thank you,” Amicia told them. “Thank you for covering us.”
“That…” Rodric panted as he was lying exhausted. “That was close…”
“Oh my God, Rodric,” Mélie gasped as she approached him. She began touching him all over the face. Suddenly, Mélie’s hand smacked across the boy’s face, his head turning with the force of the hit. Amicia, Hugo, Lucas and Arthur were stunned. Ignoring their looks, Mélie raged.
“You stupid fucking idiot!” the auburn girl shouted. “How could you be so foolish in putting your life at risk when we need you the most?!”
“Mélie…”
“Don’t fucking Mélie me!” Mélie continued raging. “We are going to face one of the most dangerous people in the Church, and we will need your help! I’ve almost lost Arthur back at the chateau, and I cannot lose you, or any of you!”
The others were even more stunned when Mélie pulled Rodric into a hug. Everyone knew that Mélie usually kept herself quite distant from the others, except for her brother, and so they were very surprised when she decided to display concern and affection for everyone. Rodric hugged her back as Mélie began sobbing.
“It’s okay,” he cooed. “I’m alive.”
“Um, Mélie…” Lucas spoke up. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have a journey ahead.”
Mélie looked up, brushing her tears away. “Right, yes.” She looked down at Rodric. “Get your ass off, you self-killer. One more suicide attempt, and I’ll make you pay.” Mélie returned to her usual attitude. Reunited, the six kids resumed their journey, arriving to an alley filled with rats. Amicia was caring Hugo for a while.
“I CAN’T TAKE ANYMORE OF THESE BLOODY RATS!” Mélie ranted, throwing a stone at them. “Bastards!”
She was immediately approached by Arthur and Rodric as they tried to comfort her. Amicia, meanwhile, whispered to Hugo and he nodded before being put down onto the ground.
“They’re going to get us through.” Hugo told Mélie.
“Oh really? How?”
“Like this.” Hugo reached out his hand and the rats immediately dispersed, giving the kids a free passage.
“Wow… it’s really happening!” a surprised Arthur exclaimed.
“Hugo,” Mélie turned to the little boy. “Tell me you’re going to help us kill those bastards…”
“Mélie!” both Amicia and Arthur snapped at the girl.
“We’ve got no chance without your brother, Amicia,” Mélie told her. “you get that, right?”
“I will help you. And you’re going to save mommy.” Hugo told her.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” Mélie smirked.
“Shh, quiet!” Lucas hissed as he kneeled. The others did the same. The six were hiding behind the columns of what seemed to be a market place, which was located at the town square. The cathedral was across the square in front of them. Finally! However, the whole square was filled with guards, who were also armed with torches as they passed through the small hordes of rats. Additionally, piles of human corpses were around the square, with the stone ground drenched in blood.
“It’s a bloody mess.” Mélie muttered.
Keeping Hugo close, Amicia and the others made their plan to attack. Grabbing their slings, the girls prepared to shoot, Lucas prepared his alchemical mixtures, while the older boys prepared for encountering the soldiers in combat, with Arthur drawing out his sword.
On the count of three, they began their attack. Mélie fired at one of the two archers, while Amicia fired at the soldiers, aiming either at their heads or their torches. Those who were better armoured were knocked out by Rodric from behind, covering Arthur as his sword clashed with the enemy blades. Despite barely knowing sword fighting, Arthur has managed to show potential in it. After some time of attempted strikes and defensive blocks, he managed to kill some of the guards, stabbing them. Hugo unleashed the rats at those who had no fire to protect themselves.
Victorious once again, the six approached the centre of the town square when Arthur noticed a manuscript among the belongings of one of the soldiers. He took a quick look.
“Hm. An Inquisition manual.”
“Seriously? There is a manual for this kind of shit?” Mélie incredulously asked.
“It was written before Vitalis.”
“Then let’s hope that they won’t be writing a second volume.”
Amicia noticed that suddenly, Hugo grabbed for his head. Another seizure.
“Hugo?”
“Amicia.” Hugo’s voice was filled with dread. “Vitalis, he’s going to do something very bad... I can feel it.”
“Bad? Like what?” a concerned Lucas asked.
“Excuse me,” Mélie interfered. “But whatever he’s up to, we’re here to kill him, right?”
“He’s about to start…” Hugo whispered.
“Let’s go, Hugo, mommy’s in there!” Amicia told him and the two went on, being followed by their four friends. Just when they reached the base of the staircase, the cathedral’s gates opened and more Inquisitors came out.
“They were waiting for us!” Rodric yelled.
“So, I hear some children are asking for punishment?” one of the spearmen asked.
“You’ll die if you come down!” Amicia threatened them.
“That doesn’t matter!” another trooper yelled. “We’re ready to die! Are you?”
“Amicia,” Hugo whispered, pulling the fabric of her clothes. “There are rats down there.”
“So tell them to come out, go on!”
“The Lord will strike you down!” one of the guards yelled when the ground began to shake as rats swarmed out into the surface, devouring the guards.
“Serves the bastards right!” Mélie muttered in pride as the slaughter continued.
“Incredible…” Lucas stammered. “Such power…”
“Right, that’s the last of the guards.” Arthur told everyone. “Let’s go inside!”
The six quickly ascended up the stairs, reaching the entrance gates of the cathedral. Mélie was the last one as she turned back at the rats below.
“Some family…” she muttered thoughtfully before catching up with the rest. Once inside, the six children quickly closed the gates before taking a better look at the congregation hall. What they saw horrified them. The whole hall and the cathedral was turned into one massive rat nest. Massive amounts of gnawed corpses of parishioners were within the hall.
“This will get you nowhere!” a feminine voice yelled.
The de Rune siblings looked up and were excited to see their mother, Béatrice de Rune, locked up in a cage hanging from above. Beside the cage stood the Grand Inquisitor himself; Vitalis Bénévent. He was a frail, old man with white hair, wrinkly skin, sharp chin and a thin face. He was wearing a white cassock robe with a black and gold stole over his neck.
“You don’t want to understand Béatrice!” he yelled at the injured and sick woman.
“Mommy!” Hugo cried for his mother, drawing the attention of the two adults.
“Hugo! Amicia!” Béatrice cried.
“Mother!” Amicia cried back.
“My child,” the Grand Inquisitor addressed the boy.
“My God,” Mélie gasped in horror. “Did Vitalis do this?”
“He sacrificed them.” Lucas stated.
“He’s passed the Threshold!” Béatrice yelled. “Get out of here!”
“Oh, for pity’s sake,” Vitalis Bénévent muttered before gesturing for the guard above to raise the cage with the Lady de Rune.
“Hugo, are you ready?” Amicia asked her brother.
“Yes, the rats are here.” Hugo answered, taking Amicia’s hand.
“Then let’s go. Stay close to me.”
“We’re coming too.” Arthur told them as he drew his sword out once again. The six youngsters began approaching the mad Inquisitor, who began gloating about his power while Hugo summoned the rats from the underground.
“Let her go, Vitalis!” Amicia demanded. “This is your last chance!”
“Well, well!” he answered instead.
“Hugo! Your power… you have to be careful!” Béatrice warned her son.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.” The boy assured her.
“Yes! He’s a very gifted student!” Bénévent told her. “Too bad he’s forgotten who taught him everything he knows!”
“Shut up, you old bastard!” Rodric yelled. “We’re here to kill you, not listen to your speeches!”
“And yet look at you,” Vitalis Bénévent gloated. “walking towards me like lost sheep to their shepherd! The Saint!”
“Enough Vitalis!” Amicia demanded as they were closing in. “You are alone! Give us back our mother or…”
“Or what, exactly? I still have things to teach the Carrier and his friends.” Bénévent mockingly asked before laughing, his grey eye on the left being very well seen. “You’re so touching… thank you… Thank you for your candour…”
He then gave a gesture and suddenly, braziers with fire fall onto the floor, drawing the rats away, when more screeching was heard behind Vitalis.
“Do you hear them?” Vitalis asked. “The Angels… The Angels of the New World!”
Amicia, Hugo, Lucas, Arthur, Mélie and Rodric shrieked in horror when hordes of hairless rats appeared, charging at them.
“Get back! Get back!” Arthur ordered.
“The light…” Lucas was stunned. “They…”
“I saw it, come on!” Amicia called him and Lucas followed her. They barely escaped the new threat as the hairless rats devoured the benches and the parishioners on their way.
“Stay here.” Amicia told her friends.
“No,” Mélie objected. “We can help!”
“It’s our blood, Mélie.” Amicia interjected. Taking out the Extinguis, Amicia and Hugo charged. A battle began as Amicia doused out the braziers before Hugo can charge his rats against the Vitalis’ rats. To make matters even more disturbing, the Angel rats began forming twisters, forcing Hugo to form his own rat twisters to block them, inflicting pain on Vitalis. The twins, Lucas, Rodric and Béatrice de Rune watched in horror and tension as slowly, but surely, the de Rune siblings pushed closer and closer to the insane Grand Inquisitor.
Seeing that the siblings were close enough, Vitalis Bénévent raised his hands and his rats began gathering around him.
“Arrgh! You have come to challenge me!” he yelled. “Me! Vitalis Bénévent! Carrier of the Prima Macula! Crowned by blood!”
“Hugo is the true Carrier of the Prima Macula!” Amicia shouted. “You’re just an usurper!”
“Look at yourself Vitalis! You have abandoned your followers!” Béatrice mocked him.
“Watch, Béatrice! Witness the end of what remains your lineage!” Vitalis declared. “The old world must die for the new one to be born! That is why the rats devour it!”
Hugo spoke up. “You know nothing! But the Macula knows everything about you! It’s playing with you!”
“The world you are about to create is the world of chaos!” Béatrice added before turning to her children. “Amicia, he must not abuse his power!”
“We’re going to get you out of here!” Mélie promised her and she and Rodric ran off to free her.
“Hugo,” Vitalis Bénévent called out to the boy. “You feel it too, don’t you? But it scares you… the true power… the gift of Self!”
Amicia!” Hugo cried in fear as the madman covered himself with his rats like an armour.
“I am Unity!” the madman continued to rant. “I am the Blood of bloods… that connects all people! Die! Become one again!”
Amicia watched in horror as Vitalis piled up the rats and began bringing them crashing down on her like a giant’s arm.. The girl barely managed to dodge and not end up killed.
“Move Amicia!” Hugo cried to his sister.
“And my servants shall rise toward the firmament…”
“Run away!” Hugo warned Amicia as another pile was directed at her.
“My Angels,” Vitalis muttered. “I know you’re hungry. Soon, you shall eat.”
“Hugo, now!” Amicia yelled and Hugo sent a rat twister straight at the pile of the hairless rats, causing them to disperse, and revealing Bénévent.
“No!” the madman cried. “My angels! Come back! Come back to me! I need you!”
“He’s helpless, Amicia” Arthur yelled and Amicia instantly hit him with a sling. However, he didn’t die yet, but released a scream full of pain.
“He’s in pain, Amicia!” Hugo cried. “The Macula doesn’t like it!”
“Come to me!” Vitalis called out his rats, gathering them again. “Come feed… the first blood… In certitude and peace… Renewal! No matter where you go… They will find you!”
Covering himself with his rats, Vitalis once again attempted to crush the girl with the piles, while summoning fresh hordes beneath her feet. However, once again, he was out of rats to kill Amicia, which allowed Hugo to attack him with his twisters. Amicia hit him with her sling the second time, but Vitalis was still alive.
“Arrgh!” he screamed in pain, more vicious and mad than ever. “How… How dare you?! This is your last affront! I sacrificed my flesh to become the crucible where everything unites… You cannot kill… that which has been sublimated!”
“The Macula, Amicia! I can hear it screaming in his blood!”
Amicia began dodging the madman’s attacks once again, though this time it was even more tougher than before Hugo launched another attack.
“Take that!” Hugo yelled, dispersing the hairless rats once again. Grabbing the last stone in her bag, Amicia shot and after the third blow, Vitalis collapses and his horde dispersed in defeat. The six children approached him with caution and fear. Rodric held the injured Lady de Rune, while Hugo was held by Amicia in a tight embrace. The boy panted as Amicia soothed him.
With his head bleeding as he died, Vitalis Bénévent looked over at Hugo, who looked back at him with neither fear nor pity. As he released his last breath, the world was now ridden from the mad Grand Inquisitor Vitalis Bénévent once and for all.
submitted by Anakin_Solo553 to APlagueTale [link] [comments]
Chapter XVI of A Plague Tale: Innocence, chapter II of this fanfiction.
Bordeaux, Kingdom of France. January 1349 AD.
The first thing both Amicia and Mélie noticed when they approached the city with the boys, was that the change of atmosphere. Back in autumn last year, the two girls infiltrated the Inquisition-occupied city with their own purposes; Mélie was searching for her brother Arthur, back then held captive after helping the de Rune siblings escape the British camp, while Amicia was searching for the local university in order to steal the Sanguinis Itinera, on the way rescuing and befriending Rodric.
Back then, the Inquisition was evacuating the town due to the outbreak of the Bite, forcing citizens out of their homes, while slaughtering the sick. Now, the whole city seemed to be like a ghost town. It was dreadfully silent, only the wind howling as snow flew and fell. As if the town was abandoned, but Amicia knew that the now deserted streets swarmed with the troops of Grand Vitalis Bénévent. As if that wasn’t enough, a sickly yellow fog hung on the air.
“It’s so huge! How are we going to find mommy?” Hugo, whose hand Amicia held, spoke. His eyes were wide as he watched the huge city walls.
“We’ll get her out of there, Hugo.” Amicia assured her brother.
“Right, that’s enough hanging around, let’s do this.” Mélie told everyone. Before the others could answer back, she ran forward, forcing Amicia, Hugo, Lucas, Arthur and Rodric catch up with her.
“We need to catch up with her before she gets into trouble.” Arthur panted with concern, holding his newly-acquired sword.
“We got the kid and the rats. We’re invincible!” Rodric told him.
“Rodric, he’s only five years old.” Amicia chastised the teen blacksmith. They found Mélie quick, standing at the side door both she and Amicia used when infiltrating the town. However, both the girls were devastated when they saw the door being blocked by a rat’s nest.
“Oh shit!” Mélie cursed.
“Mélie, what’s the matter?” Lucas asked.
“Those fucking rats blocked the safest entrance!” the girl complained, on the verge of going hysterical.
“They didn’t mean it, Mélie.” Hugo innocently told her. “They…”
“We don’t have a choice,” the girl cut him off. “We have to use the great door, but watch out.”
“Is she angry with me?” Hugo asked Amicia with fear. Although he tried to whisper, everyone, including the twins, heard him.
“No, she’s just… tired.” Arthur immediately excused his sister. “Isn’t that right, Mélie? You do know that it is not Hugo’s fault?”
As if remembering, Mélie began calming down. “Yes, yes,” she muttered, some guilt in her voice. “I’m sorry, Hugo.”
“It’s okay.”
“It’s just, I am craving for blood of those bastards,” the girl explained. “I just hate them all. I want them dead.”
She charged first and ran down the side passageway. She almost reached the great door when suddenly, she knelt and began sneaking.
“Watch out.” She whispered.
Leaving the safer side door, the rest of the six stealthily crawled towards to the Great Door, which was obviously guarded, by a trio of guards. To make it worse, two of them were heavily armed, fully clad in armour like their now dead, superior, Chevalier Nicholas.
“Eh, do you think it’s already started?” the less-armoured spearman asked.
“I hope so,” one of the heavy troopers answered, holding a torch. “Because there’s more and more of them now.”
“Vitalis knows what he’s doing.” The third guard added.
“Three,” Rodric whispered. “It’s risky.”
“We’re better off using the back door.” Mélie whispered as both she and Arthur donned their cowls to hide their faces.
“Chances are it’s locked.” Amicia argued. “They’re going…”
Both the children and the guards heard the ringing of the nearby bells, high as a thunder, filling the streets of the town. The guards looked into the direction of the town’s centre. Mélie immediately decided to use the opportunity of the three adults being distracted.
“Time to make our move!” she whispered. “Arthur, follow me!”
“Mélie!” Amicia called out as the twins crossed the street and reached the back door.
“Have faith,” one of the guards spoke while Mélie was lockpicking the door. “In the meantime, we have a job to do.”
“Right, I’m going back,” one of the guards in heavy armour told his two comrades. Wishing his comrades to be careful, the heavy guard left and began patrolling the street.
“Oh shit…” Rodric whispered.
“They’ll be seen,” Hugo whimpered in fear. Mélie, meanwhile, managed to finally unlock the door, but by doing so, she caused the noise, attracting the attention of the patrol.
“Hey!” he shouted. The twins instantly dashed through the doorway. “Stop!” the guard demanded as he followed after them.
“I’m going to help him, stay here.” The other guard told the spearman, who was left with a spear in one hand and a torch in the other.
“I hope they make it,” Rodric whispered.
“They know the town, they’ll lead them a dance.” Amicia assured him. “Come on, we have to take advantage. That’s one for you, Rodric.”
“You’re finished.” Rodric sneered at the guard before sneaking up behind him and knocking out the soldier. With the threat now gone, Amicia, Hugo and Lucas joined up with him.
“Well, done.” Lucas praised.
“He won’t be waking up anytime soon, trust me.” Rodric told him, before observing the city. “It’s changed a lot since last time.”
Amicia looked around. Indeed, the buildings were either collapsed, or filled with rat nests. The ground was split in open places, making impassable chasms. On every building, every door and window was blocked by wooden blocks with white crosses painted on them, signifying the presence of the plague. Suddenly, bells were heard thundering once again and the children looked up. The local cathedral in the town square was seen from afar. Amicia suddenly felt Hugo tense and shiver.
“The bells! The cathedral, Amicia! That’s where Vitalis is!” Hugo told his sister.
“Which means, mother is too.”
“That bastard’s gonna get a surprise.” Rodric added.
“First we have to find Arthur and Mélie.” Lucas told him.
“I agree.” Amicia said.
The four ran through the empty and ruined streets before they heard voices and hid. Peeking from their hiding places, the four saw a heavy patrol with a torch.
“I’m gutted I won’t see the Conjuration up close.” One of the soldiers spoke.
“The important thing is that the Grand Inquisitor gets rid of the bite.”
“Yeah, well, let’s pray he does.”
Suddenly, the ground began shaking below four children.
“It’s the rats,” Hugo told his sister and her friends. “They are here, beneath us.”
“So they’re the ones who destroyed everything,” Rodric guessed. “Look at the ground.”
“It’s the Macula.” Lucas stated nodding. Indeed, a small rat nest was on the ground, but a planted torch above it prevented the rats from re-entering the atmosphere. Remembering the tactic they used against Nicholas, Amicia extinguished the torch, and after that, Hugo instantly drew the re-emerged rats onto the patrol. With the soldiers devoured alive, the four passed with any obstacles as Hugo had control over the vermin.
“Wow…” Rodric only said, his jaw collapsing from the shock. As they passed, another patrol was heard nearby.
“No one’s seen Nicholas since the assault on the kid’s hideout.”
“Vitalis didn’t sent anyone looking for him? Strange.”
“The chevalier has always been his protégé.”
“Vitalis has changed since the Carrier arrived”
“Perhaps he’s gone and found himself a new protégé.”
Peeking, Amicia saw that this time, some of the guards had lights and shields. Amicia grabbed her sling and threw rocks at the lights.
“What was that? Intruders!” the shouts immediately filled the estate. Lucas then quickly extinguished the fires keeping the rats at bay before Hugo mentally ordered the horde to attack the guards. The four continued their journey, taking down the patrols on their way. They recently a couple of soldiers who were deeply disturbed by the recent actions of the Grand Inquisitor.
“I wish I was strong like that.” Hugo mumbled after seeing Rodric knocking out another guard, breaking the soldier’s neck.
“I could say the same.” Lucas agreed, while quickly looking at Amicia.
“Mate, you have an army of rats.” Rodric told him.
“Rodric…”
“I’ll take care of the gates,” he said before turning to them. Using all his strength, the large boy lifted the portcullis, allowing Lucas, Hugo and Amicia to crawl under. Rodric released the portcullis and quickly joined them. The four arrived to a yard with a well and broken carts while rats swarmed around. One of the houses was on fire.
“Guys!”
Turning left, they saw Arthur and Mélie, safe and sound, standing tall on the other side of a chasm, waving at them.
“Arthur! Mélie!” Lucas shouted in delight.
“You’re alive!” Amicia happily said. “Listen, Vitalis is at the cathedral!”
“That’s all very well, but a whole battalion is coming this way!” Mélie warned them. “You need to get out of here.”
“Take the stairs!” Arthur pointed at the house with a staircase. “The house has an exit on the other side!”
“Em… the one that’s on fire?” Rodric asked, pointing at the burning building.
“We can’t go back,” Amicia told him before turning to the twins. “Go! We’ll meet you on the other side!”
“Be careful.” Mélie warned them. The four were about to reach the door of the house when the nearby gates opened and more heavy knights appeared. Their weapons were lit with fire, just like the sword Nicholas used.
“Rodric, Lucas, take cover.” Amicia told the two boys. “We’ll take care of them.”
The two boys obeyed reluctantly, while both Amicia and Hugo prepared to fight the knights. Gathering the remaining Extinguis she had, Amicia and Hugo began playing cat and mouse with the guards, dodging their attacks as they passed the rats without obstacles, before Amicia threw the Extinguis at their weapons, leaving them with no fire to protect themselves from the rats that Hugo charged at them. Lucas stared at Amicia with awe while Rodric broke down the door.
Coughing and gasping for breath, the four kids ran through the flaming corridors, desperate to escape the burning house as quick as possible. They tried to cover themselves from the surrounding fire.
“Amicia! We’ll be burnt alive!” Hugo panicked.
“Nothing will happen to you, I promise.” Amicia told him, using Lucas’ fresh Extinguis to put out any fire on their way. “Rodric, are you with us?”
“To hell and back.” The boy answered.
“The ceiling is going to cave in!” Hugo cried.
“Calm down,” his sister cooed him.
“Hugo, you beat the captain of the Inquisition,” Rodric tried to rise the little boy’s morals. “You’re a tough guy! Tougher than I am!”
“Really?”
“I never lie.” Rodric told him. The four finally reached the exit and Lucas opened the door, ensuring that everyone left. Once they were finally outside, the kids heard voices nearby once again.
“Only two catches so far, pretty claim for a day of miracles.”
“You were told that intruders would be tried on spot. This place is quarantined and under the jurisdiction of the Inquisition!”
Amicia, Hugo, Lucas and Rodric hid and saw two swordsmen standing at a cart. Two people, obviously civilians, were standing on their knees in front of the two guards.
“But we’re not sick! Look at us!” one of the civilians argued.
“We only wanted to get our belongings back!” the other one added.
“What do we do now?” Lucas asked.
“Hang on, I’m thinking.” Amicia answered as she approached the four adults closer. Taking out two stones, Amicia took a deep breath before swiftly shooting at the guards, killing the first one and instantly the second one before he could react. The four kids then left their hiding places and approached the captives.
“Oh, thank you,” they said. “Thank you! Lord bless you!”
The two then ran off to a street, only for the kids to gasp in horror when whistles were heard and the two runners were impaled with arrows. Amicia looked up and saw a squad of archers standing on the nearby aqueduct, observing the whole street.
“The archers shoot on sight,” Lucas told them. “We’re stuck here!”
“Rodric?” Hugo asked. Everyone turned and saw the tall boy looking around in a daze.
“I know this street,” he muttered. Before he could add more, he ran off to an alley.
“Rodric wait!” Amicia yelled as the three ran after him. Barely catching up, the three found Rodric frozen at the ruins of what seemed to be a workshop.
“What is it, Rodric?” Lucas asked before it finally got to him. “Oh no.”
“What is it?” Hugo asked.
“It can’t be…” Rodric muttered as he collapsed onto his knees, grabbing his head. His voice was full of sadness and loss. Amicia finally understood, it was the forge where Rodric and his now dead father worked as blacksmiths before the Inquisition, or at least, what’s left of it.
“Did they burn your house down?” Hugo asked.
“It was my father’s forge…” Rodric stammered. “Where I grew up… it’s where…”
“I know how you feel.” Amicia told him, placing her left hand on his right shoulder. “But you’re still alive. And your roots, they can never take that away from you.”
“Amicia is right.” Lucas added. “I was an orphan long before we all met, but Laurentius, my mentor, was also like a father to me, and the rats took him away from me, while destroying our farm. But I’m alive, and I can use the Laurentius’ teachings for good.”
“You’re right,” the teenage blacksmith answered as he stood up. “I know who I am. Come on, we have to save your mother.”
“You’ll see! Mommy is lovely!” Hugo proudly told him.
“We’ll go together, and find another castle.” Amicia added.
“Fine by me.” Rodric answered. Looking at the forge once again, Rodric joined his friends as they returned to cart. The archers were still there, overlooking the street. An idea came to the kids; the cart was large enough to protect them from the archers, but there were no horses to pull it. It had to be pushed, but under the aim of the archers.
“The cart!” Amicia told him. “Rodric, Lucas! If we push it to the portcullis, it will give us cover! Hugo will be protected behind it… Hey!”
Rodric suddenly shoved her away from the back of the cart, back to Hugo and Lucas.
“Leave it, Amicia.” Rodric told her.
“What are you doing?” Lucas asked.
“Stay back with Hugo! I’M pushing!” Rodric ordered.
“Rodric, let us help!” Amicia begged.
“I’ll be fine.” Rodric assured her. “If you want to help, keep an eye out for the guards!”
Amicia turned to Lucas. “Keep Hugo close.” The young alchemist nodded and grabbed Hugo’s hand. “Alright, let’s do this.”
Grunting, Rodric pushed the cart, covering Amicia, Hugo and Lucas. They were instantly spotted by the archers.
“Intruders! Stop them! Shoot them! Fire!”
“Hide, Rodric!” Hugo begged.
“Don’t worry about me, kid,” the young blacksmith answered. Suddenly, one of the archers was hit by something and he fell from the aqueduct.
“What was that?! How’s shooting at us?!” one of the archers shouted. Just then, another archer was hit in the head and he collapsed. The other archers instantly stopped aiming at Rodric and the cart, instead searching for the unseen shooter.
“There! On the rooftops!”
Amicia looked up and saw Arthur shooting stones from his sling, killing a third archer. The archers, all of them, aimed there arrows at him, but suddenly a fourth archer was hit. This distracted the archers, allowing Arthur to change position.
“There’s another one!” one of the archers pointed at one of the towers with the portcullis. Indeed, they saw a glimpse of Mélie with a sling, hiding from the archers, covering Arthur.
“Soldiers! Soldiers ahead!” Hugo cried, pointing ahead. Amicia saw swordsmen, wearing only breaches, no armour, but armed with swords, charging at them.
“Amicia! They’re all yours!” Rodric said, barely dodging an incoming arrow. The archer reached for another arrow when he was shot by Arthur. Amicia took out her sling and began shooting at the incoming troops while Lucas held Hugo close to him.
“Amicia! They almost hit him!” Hugo cried, looking at Rodric with fear.
“Rodric, leave the cart!” Amicia begged.
“No!” the boy refused. “W need it, to reach the portcullis!”
Killing the last soldier, Amicia hoped that the coast was clear for now in their way, while the twins were taking down the archers. Suddenly, Hugo cried.
“Amicia, they’re behind us!”
The girl turned around and cursed when she saw more swordsmen charging at the kids from behind. She prepared to shoot at them too.
“Bastards! You bastards!” Amicia yelled at them with hatred as she killed a few more soldiers.
“We’ve reached the portcullis!” Rodric yelled. “Come quick!”
“Lucas, take Hugo!” Amicia ordered him.
“Amicia!” both Hugo and Lucas called. Amicia reached for another stone, only to discover that she was out of ammunition. The swordsman almost got her when suddenly he was hit by a flying rock in the head. Amicia looked up and saw Mélie nodding at her. Amicia genuinely nodded back.
Rodric hid behind the cart when the few remaining archers fired at him. He quickly ran to the portcullis and raised it up. Thankfully, the kids were out of the archers’ firing rage and so Amicia, Lucas and Hugo quickly crawled.
“Come on! Come on, quick!” Mélie called. Rodric grunted as he was barely holding the portcullis. He was barely crushed by it when he let it go. He collapsed right beside the others. The four kids were finally reunited with Arthur and Mélie.
“Thank you,” Amicia told them. “Thank you for covering us.”
“That…” Rodric panted as he was lying exhausted. “That was close…”
“Oh my God, Rodric,” Mélie gasped as she approached him. She began touching him all over the face. Suddenly, Mélie’s hand smacked across the boy’s face, his head turning with the force of the hit. Amicia, Hugo, Lucas and Arthur were stunned. Ignoring their looks, Mélie raged.
“You stupid fucking idiot!” the auburn girl shouted. “How could you be so foolish in putting your life at risk when we need you the most?!”
“Mélie…”
“Don’t fucking Mélie me!” Mélie continued raging. “We are going to face one of the most dangerous people in the Church, and we will need your help! I’ve almost lost Arthur back at the chateau, and I cannot lose you, or any of you!”
The others were even more stunned when Mélie pulled Rodric into a hug. Everyone knew that Mélie usually kept herself quite distant from the others, except for her brother, and so they were very surprised when she decided to display concern and affection for everyone. Rodric hugged her back as Mélie began sobbing.
“It’s okay,” he cooed. “I’m alive.”
“Um, Mélie…” Lucas spoke up. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have a journey ahead.”
Mélie looked up, brushing her tears away. “Right, yes.” She looked down at Rodric. “Get your ass off, you self-killer. One more suicide attempt, and I’ll make you pay.” Mélie returned to her usual attitude. Reunited, the six kids resumed their journey, arriving to an alley filled with rats. Amicia was caring Hugo for a while.
“I CAN’T TAKE ANYMORE OF THESE BLOODY RATS!” Mélie ranted, throwing a stone at them. “Bastards!”
She was immediately approached by Arthur and Rodric as they tried to comfort her. Amicia, meanwhile, whispered to Hugo and he nodded before being put down onto the ground.
“They’re going to get us through.” Hugo told Mélie.
“Oh really? How?”
“Like this.” Hugo reached out his hand and the rats immediately dispersed, giving the kids a free passage.
“Wow… it’s really happening!” a surprised Arthur exclaimed.
“Hugo,” Mélie turned to the little boy. “Tell me you’re going to help us kill those bastards…”
“Mélie!” both Amicia and Arthur snapped at the girl.
“We’ve got no chance without your brother, Amicia,” Mélie told her. “you get that, right?”
“I will help you. And you’re going to save mommy.” Hugo told her.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” Mélie smirked.
“Shh, quiet!” Lucas hissed as he kneeled. The others did the same. The six were hiding behind the columns of what seemed to be a market place, which was located at the town square. The cathedral was across the square in front of them. Finally! However, the whole square was filled with guards, who were also armed with torches as they passed through the small hordes of rats. Additionally, piles of human corpses were around the square, with the stone ground drenched in blood.
“It’s a bloody mess.” Mélie muttered.
Keeping Hugo close, Amicia and the others made their plan to attack. Grabbing their slings, the girls prepared to shoot, Lucas prepared his alchemical mixtures, while the older boys prepared for encountering the soldiers in combat, with Arthur drawing out his sword.
On the count of three, they began their attack. Mélie fired at one of the two archers, while Amicia fired at the soldiers, aiming either at their heads or their torches. Those who were better armoured were knocked out by Rodric from behind, covering Arthur as his sword clashed with the enemy blades. Despite barely knowing sword fighting, Arthur has managed to show potential in it. After some time of attempted strikes and defensive blocks, he managed to kill some of the guards, stabbing them. Hugo unleashed the rats at those who had no fire to protect themselves.
Victorious once again, the six approached the centre of the town square when Arthur noticed a manuscript among the belongings of one of the soldiers. He took a quick look.
“Hm. An Inquisition manual.”
“Seriously? There is a manual for this kind of shit?” Mélie incredulously asked.
“It was written before Vitalis.”
“Then let’s hope that they won’t be writing a second volume.”
Amicia noticed that suddenly, Hugo grabbed for his head. Another seizure.
“Hugo?”
“Amicia.” Hugo’s voice was filled with dread. “Vitalis, he’s going to do something very bad... I can feel it.”
“Bad? Like what?” a concerned Lucas asked.
“Excuse me,” Mélie interfered. “But whatever he’s up to, we’re here to kill him, right?”
“He’s about to start…” Hugo whispered.
“Let’s go, Hugo, mommy’s in there!” Amicia told him and the two went on, being followed by their four friends. Just when they reached the base of the staircase, the cathedral’s gates opened and more Inquisitors came out.
“They were waiting for us!” Rodric yelled.
“So, I hear some children are asking for punishment?” one of the spearmen asked.
“You’ll die if you come down!” Amicia threatened them.
“That doesn’t matter!” another trooper yelled. “We’re ready to die! Are you?”
“Amicia,” Hugo whispered, pulling the fabric of her clothes. “There are rats down there.”
“So tell them to come out, go on!”
“The Lord will strike you down!” one of the guards yelled when the ground began to shake as rats swarmed out into the surface, devouring the guards.
“Serves the bastards right!” Mélie muttered in pride as the slaughter continued.
“Incredible…” Lucas stammered. “Such power…”
“Right, that’s the last of the guards.” Arthur told everyone. “Let’s go inside!”
The six quickly ascended up the stairs, reaching the entrance gates of the cathedral. Mélie was the last one as she turned back at the rats below.
“Some family…” she muttered thoughtfully before catching up with the rest. Once inside, the six children quickly closed the gates before taking a better look at the congregation hall. What they saw horrified them. The whole hall and the cathedral was turned into one massive rat nest. Massive amounts of gnawed corpses of parishioners were within the hall.
“This will get you nowhere!” a feminine voice yelled.
The de Rune siblings looked up and were excited to see their mother, Béatrice de Rune, locked up in a cage hanging from above. Beside the cage stood the Grand Inquisitor himself; Vitalis Bénévent. He was a frail, old man with white hair, wrinkly skin, sharp chin and a thin face. He was wearing a white cassock robe with a black and gold stole over his neck.
“You don’t want to understand Béatrice!” he yelled at the injured and sick woman.
“Mommy!” Hugo cried for his mother, drawing the attention of the two adults.
“Hugo! Amicia!” Béatrice cried.
“Mother!” Amicia cried back.
“My child,” the Grand Inquisitor addressed the boy.
“My God,” Mélie gasped in horror. “Did Vitalis do this?”
“He sacrificed them.” Lucas stated.
“He’s passed the Threshold!” Béatrice yelled. “Get out of here!”
“Oh, for pity’s sake,” Vitalis Bénévent muttered before gesturing for the guard above to raise the cage with the Lady de Rune.
“Hugo, are you ready?” Amicia asked her brother.
“Yes, the rats are here.” Hugo answered, taking Amicia’s hand.
“Then let’s go. Stay close to me.”
“We’re coming too.” Arthur told them as he drew his sword out once again. The six youngsters began approaching the mad Inquisitor, who began gloating about his power while Hugo summoned the rats from the underground.
“Let her go, Vitalis!” Amicia demanded. “This is your last chance!”
“Well, well!” he answered instead.
“Hugo! Your power… you have to be careful!” Béatrice warned her son.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.” The boy assured her.
“Yes! He’s a very gifted student!” Bénévent told her. “Too bad he’s forgotten who taught him everything he knows!”
“Shut up, you old bastard!” Rodric yelled. “We’re here to kill you, not listen to your speeches!”
“And yet look at you,” Vitalis Bénévent gloated. “walking towards me like lost sheep to their shepherd! The Saint!”
“Enough Vitalis!” Amicia demanded as they were closing in. “You are alone! Give us back our mother or…”
“Or what, exactly? I still have things to teach the Carrier and his friends.” Bénévent mockingly asked before laughing, his grey eye on the left being very well seen. “You’re so touching… thank you… Thank you for your candour…”
He then gave a gesture and suddenly, braziers with fire fall onto the floor, drawing the rats away, when more screeching was heard behind Vitalis.
“Do you hear them?” Vitalis asked. “The Angels… The Angels of the New World!”
Amicia, Hugo, Lucas, Arthur, Mélie and Rodric shrieked in horror when hordes of hairless rats appeared, charging at them.
“Get back! Get back!” Arthur ordered.
“The light…” Lucas was stunned. “They…”
“I saw it, come on!” Amicia called him and Lucas followed her. They barely escaped the new threat as the hairless rats devoured the benches and the parishioners on their way.
“Stay here.” Amicia told her friends.
“No,” Mélie objected. “We can help!”
“It’s our blood, Mélie.” Amicia interjected. Taking out the Extinguis, Amicia and Hugo charged. A battle began as Amicia doused out the braziers before Hugo can charge his rats against the Vitalis’ rats. To make matters even more disturbing, the Angel rats began forming twisters, forcing Hugo to form his own rat twisters to block them, inflicting pain on Vitalis. The twins, Lucas, Rodric and Béatrice de Rune watched in horror and tension as slowly, but surely, the de Rune siblings pushed closer and closer to the insane Grand Inquisitor.
Seeing that the siblings were close enough, Vitalis Bénévent raised his hands and his rats began gathering around him.
“Arrgh! You have come to challenge me!” he yelled. “Me! Vitalis Bénévent! Carrier of the Prima Macula! Crowned by blood!”
“Hugo is the true Carrier of the Prima Macula!” Amicia shouted. “You’re just an usurper!”
“Look at yourself Vitalis! You have abandoned your followers!” Béatrice mocked him.
“Watch, Béatrice! Witness the end of what remains your lineage!” Vitalis declared. “The old world must die for the new one to be born! That is why the rats devour it!”
Hugo spoke up. “You know nothing! But the Macula knows everything about you! It’s playing with you!”
“The world you are about to create is the world of chaos!” Béatrice added before turning to her children. “Amicia, he must not abuse his power!”
“We’re going to get you out of here!” Mélie promised her and she and Rodric ran off to free her.
“Hugo,” Vitalis Bénévent called out to the boy. “You feel it too, don’t you? But it scares you… the true power… the gift of Self!”
Amicia!” Hugo cried in fear as the madman covered himself with his rats like an armour.
“I am Unity!” the madman continued to rant. “I am the Blood of bloods… that connects all people! Die! Become one again!”
Amicia watched in horror as Vitalis piled up the rats and began bringing them crashing down on her like a giant’s arm.. The girl barely managed to dodge and not end up killed.
“Move Amicia!” Hugo cried to his sister.
“And my servants shall rise toward the firmament…”
“Run away!” Hugo warned Amicia as another pile was directed at her.
“My Angels,” Vitalis muttered. “I know you’re hungry. Soon, you shall eat.”
“Hugo, now!” Amicia yelled and Hugo sent a rat twister straight at the pile of the hairless rats, causing them to disperse, and revealing Bénévent.
“No!” the madman cried. “My angels! Come back! Come back to me! I need you!”
“He’s helpless, Amicia” Arthur yelled and Amicia instantly hit him with a sling. However, he didn’t die yet, but released a scream full of pain.
“He’s in pain, Amicia!” Hugo cried. “The Macula doesn’t like it!”
“Come to me!” Vitalis called out his rats, gathering them again. “Come feed… the first blood… In certitude and peace… Renewal! No matter where you go… They will find you!”
Covering himself with his rats, Vitalis once again attempted to crush the girl with the piles, while summoning fresh hordes beneath her feet. However, once again, he was out of rats to kill Amicia, which allowed Hugo to attack him with his twisters. Amicia hit him with her sling the second time, but Vitalis was still alive.
“Arrgh!” he screamed in pain, more vicious and mad than ever. “How… How dare you?! This is your last affront! I sacrificed my flesh to become the crucible where everything unites… You cannot kill… that which has been sublimated!”
“The Macula, Amicia! I can hear it screaming in his blood!”
Amicia began dodging the madman’s attacks once again, though this time it was even more tougher than before Hugo launched another attack.
“Take that!” Hugo yelled, dispersing the hairless rats once again. Grabbing the last stone in her bag, Amicia shot and after the third blow, Vitalis collapses and his horde dispersed in defeat. The six children approached him with caution and fear. Rodric held the injured Lady de Rune, while Hugo was held by Amicia in a tight embrace. The boy panted as Amicia soothed him.
With his head bleeding as he died, Vitalis Bénévent looked over at Hugo, who looked back at him with neither fear nor pity. As he released his last breath, the world was now ridden from the mad Grand Inquisitor Vitalis Bénévent once and for all.
2023.05.30 05:10 Naitsabes_123 What pairs of "2 DIFFERENT actors" have portrayed characters who are twin-siblings? Google isn't helping at all!
Every time I clearly use the right words to specify what I mean by two different actors who played a pair of twins, Google always gives me the complete opposite of what I was searching for, being results of twins played by the same actor instead! 🤦♂️
So far, Nicholas Bechtel & Malachi Bartonare (from Stuck in the Middle) are literally the only pair of different actors who I already know that they played twin-siblings without using the exact same actor for both individual characters! Well, and then there's also the Royer Twins (Benjamin & Matthew) in Sam & Cat and Best Friends Whenever, and the Allan Twins (Ella & Mia) in The Really Loud House, but that's really not saying much at all, even after already acknowledging 3 different pairs of different actors who played twin-siblings on TV!
Man, I really didn't wanna have to share this curiosity upon Reddit instead, but Google's complexity & helplessness left me no other choice whatsoever! So if anyone knows about any other specific examples of "two different actors who portrayed one pair of twin-siblings", please be sure to provide them here, as help would be very much appreciated, thanks in advance.
submitted by Naitsabes_123 to NoStupidQuestions [link] [comments]
So far, Nicholas Bechtel & Malachi Bartonare (from Stuck in the Middle) are literally the only pair of different actors who I already know that they played twin-siblings without using the exact same actor for both individual characters! Well, and then there's also the Royer Twins (Benjamin & Matthew) in Sam & Cat and Best Friends Whenever, and the Allan Twins (Ella & Mia) in The Really Loud House, but that's really not saying much at all, even after already acknowledging 3 different pairs of different actors who played twin-siblings on TV!
Man, I really didn't wanna have to share this curiosity upon Reddit instead, but Google's complexity & helplessness left me no other choice whatsoever! So if anyone knows about any other specific examples of "two different actors who portrayed one pair of twin-siblings", please be sure to provide them here, as help would be very much appreciated, thanks in advance.
2023.05.29 23:03 polyphanes PSA: The Kybalion is not a Hermetic text.
The Kybalion is not a Hermetic text, despite its frequent claiming to be one. It is rather a text representative of New Thought, a New Age movement that arose in the early 1900s. For more information on the history and development of The Kybalion, as well as its connections (or lack thereof) to Hermeticism, please take a look at these articles/podcasts:
If it comes across like people hate or dislike The Kybalion in this subreddit, it's for the principal reason that it, as a text, does not belong in collections of Hermetica because it's fundamentally off-topic for this subreddit. That's why the sidebar for the subreddit says:
On the other hand, when it comes to studying Hermeticism, the basics are the fundamentals, and the fundamentals to Hermeticism lie in the classical texts that we can all historically and substantiatively agree are Hermetic. For that reason, it's encouraged to at least familiarize themselves with the classical texts first. For the cheap-and-quick start TL;DR, I would recommend getting these two books first:
However, if you can, I'd also recommend getting:
For scholarly and secondary work, I'd also recommend:
submitted by polyphanes to Hermeticism [link] [comments]
- http://www.jwmt.org/v3n24/chapel.html
- https://whatmagicisthis.com/2021/08/07/the-kybalion-with-nicholas-chapel/
- https://themodernhermeticist.com/2021/12/26/is-the-kybalion-really-hermetic/
If it comes across like people hate or dislike The Kybalion in this subreddit, it's for the principal reason that it, as a text, does not belong in collections of Hermetica because it's fundamentally off-topic for this subreddit. That's why the sidebar for the subreddit says:
This subreddit is not for pseudo-Hermetic, Christian Hermetic, Kybalion-related, or Hermetic Kabbalistic content.There are plenty of other subreddits to discuss Kybalion-related stuff specifically or New Thought and New Age-related stuff more generally, including /Kybalion, /Hermetics, or /Esotericism.
On the other hand, when it comes to studying Hermeticism, the basics are the fundamentals, and the fundamentals to Hermeticism lie in the classical texts that we can all historically and substantiatively agree are Hermetic. For that reason, it's encouraged to at least familiarize themselves with the classical texts first. For the cheap-and-quick start TL;DR, I would recommend getting these two books first:
- Clement Salaman et al., "Way of Hermes" (contains the Corpus Hermeticum and the Definitions)
- Clement Salaman, "Asclepius" (contains the Asclepius)
However, if you can, I'd also recommend getting:
- Brian Copenhaver, "Hermetica" (Corpus Hermeticum and Asclepius)
- M. David Litwa, "Hermetica II" (Stobaean Fragments and many other smaller texts)
- A translation of the Nag Hammadi Codices, either the one edited by Meyer or by Robinson
- Hans D. Betz, "The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation"
- Marvin Meyer, "Ancient Christian Magic"
For scholarly and secondary work, I'd also recommend:
- Garth Fowden, "The Egyptian Hermes"
- Christian Bull, "The Tradition of Hermes Trismegistus"
- Kevin van Bladel, "The Arabic Hermes"
- Anything by Wouter J. Hanegraaff, but especially "Hermetic Spirituality and the Historical Imagination"
2023.05.29 15:00 Then_Marionberry_259 MAY 29, 2023 NCX.V NORTHISLE ANNOUNCES EQUITY COMPENSATION GRANT
 | https://preview.redd.it/pg6a9ixiqr2b1.png?width=3500&format=png&auto=webp&s=1ebaaca9f623f086123e8056c86f80a92e9a2494 submitted by Then_Marionberry_259 to Treaty_Creek [link] [comments] Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. (TSX-V: NCX) (“Northisle” or the “Company”) today announced that Northisle’s Board of Directors has approved of the issuance of 403,500 stock options (the “Options”) pursuant to the Company’s incentive stock option plan. The Options provide for the purchase of an aggregate of 403,500 Common Shares at an exercise price of $0.18 per share, which is the closing price for the Company’s shares on the TSX-V as of May 26, 2023. The options have a 5 year term and vest one third per year commencing on May 26, 2023. In addition, the Board of Directors has approved the issuance of 381,500 restricted share units (the “RSUs”), pursuant to the Company’s Share Unit Plan as approved at the Company’s 2021 Annual General Meeting. The RSUs will vest one third per year commencing on May 26, 2024. The Company uses equity compensation in order to attract and retain skilled and experienced executives and directors while reducing the impact on cash resources. Combined with the Company’s LTIP issuance in November 2022, the company has issued a total of 3,176,800 Options, 828,800 RSUs and 571,200 deferred share units (“DSUs”) to directors, officers, employees and consultants for its 2022 performance compensation program. Further terms of the Options, DSUs and RSUs can be found in the Company’s Stock Option Plan and Share Unit Plan as filed on SEDAR. About Northisle Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. is a Vancouver-based company whose mission is to become Canada’s leading sustainable mineral resource company for the future. Northisle owns the North Island Project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold porphyry deposits in Canada. The North Island Project is located near Port Hardy, British Columbia on a more than 34,000-hectare block of mineral titles 100% owned by Northisle stretching 50 kilometres northwest from the now closed Island Copper Mine operated by BHP Billiton. Northisle completed an updated preliminary economic assessment for the North Island Project in 2021 and is now focused on advancement of the project through a prefeasibility study while continuing exploration within this highly prospective land package. For more information on Northisle please visit the Company’s website at www.northisle.ca Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities law. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the results of the company’s executive appointments as well as any other future plans, objectives or expectations of Northisle. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, Northisle’s ability to implement its business strategies; risks associated with mineral exploration and production; risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; stakeholder engagement; marketing and transportation costs; loss of markets; volatility of commodity prices; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; industry and government regulation; changes in legislation, income tax and regulatory matters; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations; and other risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the expectations of management of Northisle as of the date of this news release, and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Northisle does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230528005025/en/ On behalf of Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. Nicholas Van Dyk, CFA Chief Financial Officer Tel: (604) 638-2515 Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) www.northisle.ca https://preview.redd.it/6rx81ucjqr2b1.png?width=4000&format=png&auto=webp&s=1222977c2efcf1de75b5676dc8a7797359de9ae5
|
2023.05.29 13:44 WhoaEazzzyTurbo Was Succession A Good Show?
Was Succession A Good Show?
{edited}
What was the best part of the HBO / HBOMAX / MAX series “Succession”? It ended. This drama I gave the benefit of the doubt for four seasons ended, and I would like to thank Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Nicholas Braun, Mathew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck for disappointing me with 4 seasons of terrible acting, stuttering dialog which made nails screeching down a chalkboard sound like a toned symphony, unnecessary, annoying banter which did absolute shit for the plot, bumbling kiss ass characters who somehow climb the corporate ladder within Waystar-Royco regardless of their ineptitude, low IQ score, blubbering stuttering, and an obvious black hole where any semblance of an education one would need to have resided in order for any of them to do the job they were expected to perform.
The only actor who played his part well? Brian Cox. The rest of the actors were so sorely miscast, I'm pretty sure the only bit part they'll ever get on a a program again will be that of the assistant to the key grip.
The indecisive dialog of the HBO / HBOMAX / MAX program “Succession” was, at best, annoying, at worst unbearable to view. The amount of nonsensical bickering between the cast on screen made it almost…almost tolerable to follow on mute.
From episode 1 season 1, "Succession" was a terrible diahrea-inducing shit show. Why did I follow it? I was pulling for it. It's taught me a lesson, though. Give a new program 2 episodes. If they suck, turn it off. The ending was the last straw. The cast spends the first 90 minutes coming together and bonding, in the very last minutes, the sister has a nervous breakdown and screws up a multi-billion dollar deal, fucks her family's legacy, shits on her father's life's work and leaves her brothers hanging out to dry. None of which, mind you, would happen in the real corporate world (the business the writers, actors, and directors sought so adamantly try to portray as realistic with over the top corporate lingo they struggled so hard to pull off yet sounded like 3 buffoons trying to our corporate-leet-speak each other).
The best part of the entire secession run was the intro music. After that, it was just one big clusterfuck of actors vomiting ridiculous dialog I between credits. Succession was the worst cable TV series / show in HBO history, if not cable TV history.
submitted by WhoaEazzzyTurbo to hbo [link] [comments]
{edited}
What was the best part of the HBO / HBOMAX / MAX series “Succession”? It ended. This drama I gave the benefit of the doubt for four seasons ended, and I would like to thank Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Nicholas Braun, Mathew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck for disappointing me with 4 seasons of terrible acting, stuttering dialog which made nails screeching down a chalkboard sound like a toned symphony, unnecessary, annoying banter which did absolute shit for the plot, bumbling kiss ass characters who somehow climb the corporate ladder within Waystar-Royco regardless of their ineptitude, low IQ score, blubbering stuttering, and an obvious black hole where any semblance of an education one would need to have resided in order for any of them to do the job they were expected to perform.
The only actor who played his part well? Brian Cox. The rest of the actors were so sorely miscast, I'm pretty sure the only bit part they'll ever get on a a program again will be that of the assistant to the key grip.
The indecisive dialog of the HBO / HBOMAX / MAX program “Succession” was, at best, annoying, at worst unbearable to view. The amount of nonsensical bickering between the cast on screen made it almost…almost tolerable to follow on mute.
From episode 1 season 1, "Succession" was a terrible diahrea-inducing shit show. Why did I follow it? I was pulling for it. It's taught me a lesson, though. Give a new program 2 episodes. If they suck, turn it off. The ending was the last straw. The cast spends the first 90 minutes coming together and bonding, in the very last minutes, the sister has a nervous breakdown and screws up a multi-billion dollar deal, fucks her family's legacy, shits on her father's life's work and leaves her brothers hanging out to dry. None of which, mind you, would happen in the real corporate world (the business the writers, actors, and directors sought so adamantly try to portray as realistic with over the top corporate lingo they struggled so hard to pull off yet sounded like 3 buffoons trying to our corporate-leet-speak each other).
The best part of the entire secession run was the intro music. After that, it was just one big clusterfuck of actors vomiting ridiculous dialog I between credits. Succession was the worst cable TV series / show in HBO history, if not cable TV history.
2023.05.29 09:25 vbnvhgjhgj MXDWN’s 2023 Mid-Year Box Office Check Up
2023 feels like the first “post-covid” year for the movie industry, with productions now entirely back in swing (except with the writers’ strike, more on that here) and theaters back to entire operation with big movies dropping seemingly every other weekend. As we reach the halfway point of the year, it’s time to sit down and review the box office for 2023 so far and see what’s been working with audiences and what’s been flopping. We used the website The Numbers for this article but also cross-referenced it with Box Office Mojo for additional information and insight.
So to start, let’s talk about the winners so far and why they’re winning. As of May 20th, 2023, the 5 highest-grossing films are 5. John Wick: Chapter 4, 4. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, 3. Avatar: The Way of Water, 2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, and the absolute juggernaut of the year for sure, 1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie. If you want to make the list exclusively of films released in 2023, drop Avatar: The Way of Water from the list and add Creed III in the number 5 slot.
The main takeaway from this top five list is that all of these movies are a part of some pre-existing IP, with 4 out of 5 being sequels. This trend extends when you look further down the top-grossing list, with 12 of the top 25 films being sequels. This is similar to 2022, however, that year, all of the top 10 films were sequels, whereas 2023 had only 8 out of 10. The two non-sequel films on the 2023 top 10 list are the Blumhouse/Atomic Monster horror flick M3GAN at #9 and the surprise Paramount mid-budget success, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves at #10.
This becomes more interesting as you venture into the 25 highest-grossing films, with films like Cocaine Bear, AIR, and 80 for Brady making some decent box office splashes as original movies. The most interesting top 25 winners have got to be #13 and #17 on the list, A Man Called Otto, the comedy where Tom Hanks plays a cranky old Scrooge of a man who meets a nice family, and The Jesus Revolution, a Lionsgate production about a 1970’s Christian revival movement? Both of these movies have passed $50 million, yet no one has talked about them meaningfully. Unlike Evil Dead Rise, another surprise winner in the top 25, widely praised and celebrated for its box office success, Otto and Jesus have seemingly sneaked onto the list without anyone noticing. A Man Called Otto has even surpassed $100 million when looking at its international box office being a huge success in countries like the UK, Australia, and Mexico.
With international box office in mind, it should be noted that the recently released Fast X has recently surpassed $250 million internationally, passing up John Wick: Chapter 4 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, but still being short when compared to the other heavy hitters this year. This is a huge thanks to China, whose $77 million box office for Fast X has surpassed the Domestic’s $67 million. China has not been a huge factor for most of the other flicks in the top ten, aside from the MCU films like Guardians Vol 3 and Ant-Man 3, which is rather unusual since China usually carries many major blockbusters into the top 10 list. The significant contributors to 2023’s box office are England and Mexico, who have been integral to the success of many heavy hitters.
Speaking of heavy hitters, The Super Mario Bros Movie is the feature to talk about when it comes to box office success in 2023. Not only has the animated children’s film made by Illumination proven that it has legs, being at the box office for nearly two months straight, but it has also been making a ton of cash. As of now, the movie has grossed over a billion dollars, is the 3rd highest-grossing animated film of all time (just surpassing Disney’s Incredibles 2 but behind Frozen and Frozen II), and has the 14th highest-grossing domestic box office of all time (21st internationally, still behind 2017’s Beauty and The Beast). This is a huge success for not only Universal and Illumination but also films based on video games which have had a lot of success lately, with Mario’s old rival Sonic making waves with his last two films, as well as Uncharted making a surprising $400 million at the box office last year.
Enough talk about winners; let’s talk about losers, which there are not a lot as of May. At number #22 on the box office list is the Adam Driver-led dinosaur, sci-fi, action thriller 65. It barely made its $45 million budget through its rather underwhelming $56 million worldwide box office. A recent release that also fell flat was double Nicholas (Cage and Holt) film Renfield, which made a measly $24 million worldwide while having a budget of $86 million. With recent flops in mind, Sony’s Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World also rang hollow, with audiences only making about $5 million worldwide behind a budget of $32 million.
Two of the most notable flops of 2023 so far are from two very different studios, Warner Bros Discovery and A24. The DCEU has had a rough time making cultural and financial waves over the last few years. Shazam: Fury of the Gods is a prime example, with abysmal critical reviews and barely surpassing its production budget of $125 million. When considering if a movie is financially successful, a film needs to surpass its budget and marketing cost, which can sometimes be as high if not half as high as its production budget. So Shazam 2’s performance will be considered a flop by the studio.
Conversely, we have A24, a champion in low-budget investment into extensive box-office technique, but unfortunately, we fell short this year. A24’s most notable film so far, Beau is Afraid, has done rather poor numbers, especially compared to its director, Ari Aster’s, previous works, Hereditary and Midsommar. With a production budget of $35 million, the film has only grossed about $9 million, which is a massive loss for Aster and A24.
So what is there to take from all these numbers and rankings? Well, IP films seem to stay as the top dogs at the box office. However, many small to mid-budget films can hold their own and be successful, mainly if they feature well-known stars like Tom Hanks or Matt Damon. Horror is still intense, with Evil Dead Rise, M3GAN, and Scream VI making over $100 million each. Comic book movies might be losing their grip at the top with the underperformance of Shazam: Fury of the Gods and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is not considered a flop but definitely wasn’t the slam dunk Marvel/Disney probably wanted it to be.
The last thought to share has to be that Disney might be in trouble. Sure, Guardians Vol 3 and Ant-Man 3 are in the top 3 box-office-wise, but they still are not making the huge gains that Disney has been used to. With the second half of the year in mind, they do have The Little Mermaid remake, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and The Marvels, which might make up for the lost ground; there’s still a fear that this might be the first year in a while where Disney is not the defacto king of the box office. This year could be the shift where other studios can creep in and take the crown, but we’ll have to see how the rest of the year shakes out.
With the rest of 2023 in mind, here are some notable films that could have huge returns at the box office. Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, is the highly anticipated sequel to the revered animated film from 2018. Warner Bros hopes to reset its DC film universe and box office uncertainty with The Flash featuring two Ezra Millers and the return of Michael Keaton as Batman. Paramount is gearing Tom Cruise back up in another big action flick with Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, a franchise that has grown increasingly successful with each entry. The last two films to mention as potential box office smashes would have either Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Dune: Part Two. Both are sequels to successful Warner Bros. films, which could lead to a big payout for the studio. 2018’s Aquaman raked in a surprising billion, so there is potential for the sequel to follow up, if not surpass, its predecessor, as do many superhero films. Meanwhile, Dune made a respectable $391 million, which did help convince Warner Bros to greenlight the sequel, so there’s faith that this could be profitable for them.
2023 has been an exciting year for the box office, with much potential coming down the pipeline. We’ve had a lot of interesting and exciting surprises so far, and some of the most significant moves haven’t even come out yet. This could be the year that Disney loses the crown, the end of the superhero reign, and/or the return of the mid-budget success story. Any of these could be accurate, but all we can do now is sit back, enjoy some movies, and see how it shakes out by the end of the year.
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So to start, let’s talk about the winners so far and why they’re winning. As of May 20th, 2023, the 5 highest-grossing films are 5. John Wick: Chapter 4, 4. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, 3. Avatar: The Way of Water, 2. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, and the absolute juggernaut of the year for sure, 1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie. If you want to make the list exclusively of films released in 2023, drop Avatar: The Way of Water from the list and add Creed III in the number 5 slot.
The main takeaway from this top five list is that all of these movies are a part of some pre-existing IP, with 4 out of 5 being sequels. This trend extends when you look further down the top-grossing list, with 12 of the top 25 films being sequels. This is similar to 2022, however, that year, all of the top 10 films were sequels, whereas 2023 had only 8 out of 10. The two non-sequel films on the 2023 top 10 list are the Blumhouse/Atomic Monster horror flick M3GAN at #9 and the surprise Paramount mid-budget success, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves at #10.
This becomes more interesting as you venture into the 25 highest-grossing films, with films like Cocaine Bear, AIR, and 80 for Brady making some decent box office splashes as original movies. The most interesting top 25 winners have got to be #13 and #17 on the list, A Man Called Otto, the comedy where Tom Hanks plays a cranky old Scrooge of a man who meets a nice family, and The Jesus Revolution, a Lionsgate production about a 1970’s Christian revival movement? Both of these movies have passed $50 million, yet no one has talked about them meaningfully. Unlike Evil Dead Rise, another surprise winner in the top 25, widely praised and celebrated for its box office success, Otto and Jesus have seemingly sneaked onto the list without anyone noticing. A Man Called Otto has even surpassed $100 million when looking at its international box office being a huge success in countries like the UK, Australia, and Mexico.
With international box office in mind, it should be noted that the recently released Fast X has recently surpassed $250 million internationally, passing up John Wick: Chapter 4 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, but still being short when compared to the other heavy hitters this year. This is a huge thanks to China, whose $77 million box office for Fast X has surpassed the Domestic’s $67 million. China has not been a huge factor for most of the other flicks in the top ten, aside from the MCU films like Guardians Vol 3 and Ant-Man 3, which is rather unusual since China usually carries many major blockbusters into the top 10 list. The significant contributors to 2023’s box office are England and Mexico, who have been integral to the success of many heavy hitters.
Speaking of heavy hitters, The Super Mario Bros Movie is the feature to talk about when it comes to box office success in 2023. Not only has the animated children’s film made by Illumination proven that it has legs, being at the box office for nearly two months straight, but it has also been making a ton of cash. As of now, the movie has grossed over a billion dollars, is the 3rd highest-grossing animated film of all time (just surpassing Disney’s Incredibles 2 but behind Frozen and Frozen II), and has the 14th highest-grossing domestic box office of all time (21st internationally, still behind 2017’s Beauty and The Beast). This is a huge success for not only Universal and Illumination but also films based on video games which have had a lot of success lately, with Mario’s old rival Sonic making waves with his last two films, as well as Uncharted making a surprising $400 million at the box office last year.
Enough talk about winners; let’s talk about losers, which there are not a lot as of May. At number #22 on the box office list is the Adam Driver-led dinosaur, sci-fi, action thriller 65. It barely made its $45 million budget through its rather underwhelming $56 million worldwide box office. A recent release that also fell flat was double Nicholas (Cage and Holt) film Renfield, which made a measly $24 million worldwide while having a budget of $86 million. With recent flops in mind, Sony’s Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World also rang hollow, with audiences only making about $5 million worldwide behind a budget of $32 million.
Two of the most notable flops of 2023 so far are from two very different studios, Warner Bros Discovery and A24. The DCEU has had a rough time making cultural and financial waves over the last few years. Shazam: Fury of the Gods is a prime example, with abysmal critical reviews and barely surpassing its production budget of $125 million. When considering if a movie is financially successful, a film needs to surpass its budget and marketing cost, which can sometimes be as high if not half as high as its production budget. So Shazam 2’s performance will be considered a flop by the studio.
Conversely, we have A24, a champion in low-budget investment into extensive box-office technique, but unfortunately, we fell short this year. A24’s most notable film so far, Beau is Afraid, has done rather poor numbers, especially compared to its director, Ari Aster’s, previous works, Hereditary and Midsommar. With a production budget of $35 million, the film has only grossed about $9 million, which is a massive loss for Aster and A24.
So what is there to take from all these numbers and rankings? Well, IP films seem to stay as the top dogs at the box office. However, many small to mid-budget films can hold their own and be successful, mainly if they feature well-known stars like Tom Hanks or Matt Damon. Horror is still intense, with Evil Dead Rise, M3GAN, and Scream VI making over $100 million each. Comic book movies might be losing their grip at the top with the underperformance of Shazam: Fury of the Gods and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is not considered a flop but definitely wasn’t the slam dunk Marvel/Disney probably wanted it to be.
The last thought to share has to be that Disney might be in trouble. Sure, Guardians Vol 3 and Ant-Man 3 are in the top 3 box-office-wise, but they still are not making the huge gains that Disney has been used to. With the second half of the year in mind, they do have The Little Mermaid remake, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and The Marvels, which might make up for the lost ground; there’s still a fear that this might be the first year in a while where Disney is not the defacto king of the box office. This year could be the shift where other studios can creep in and take the crown, but we’ll have to see how the rest of the year shakes out.
With the rest of 2023 in mind, here are some notable films that could have huge returns at the box office. Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, is the highly anticipated sequel to the revered animated film from 2018. Warner Bros hopes to reset its DC film universe and box office uncertainty with The Flash featuring two Ezra Millers and the return of Michael Keaton as Batman. Paramount is gearing Tom Cruise back up in another big action flick with Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, a franchise that has grown increasingly successful with each entry. The last two films to mention as potential box office smashes would have either Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Dune: Part Two. Both are sequels to successful Warner Bros. films, which could lead to a big payout for the studio. 2018’s Aquaman raked in a surprising billion, so there is potential for the sequel to follow up, if not surpass, its predecessor, as do many superhero films. Meanwhile, Dune made a respectable $391 million, which did help convince Warner Bros to greenlight the sequel, so there’s faith that this could be profitable for them.
2023 has been an exciting year for the box office, with much potential coming down the pipeline. We’ve had a lot of interesting and exciting surprises so far, and some of the most significant moves haven’t even come out yet. This could be the year that Disney loses the crown, the end of the superhero reign, and/or the return of the mid-budget success story. Any of these could be accurate, but all we can do now is sit back, enjoy some movies, and see how it shakes out by the end of the year.
2023.05.29 05:27 nicholas_cage55 Game is broken im jailor its day time but there are still jail bars on my screen
 | submitted by nicholas_cage55 to TownOfSalem2 [link] [comments] |
2023.05.29 02:05 ZeroCentsMade Through the Looking Glass, and What the Doctor Found, and Lost, There – Inferno Review
This post is part of a series of reviews. To see them all, click here.
Inferno starts like a very typical story of this era. The Doctor's been acting as observer at some sort of drilling operation, and is using their nuclear reactor to power his attempts to get the TARDIS working again, when some murders happen and the Brigadier joins the Doctor to investigate. As it so happens, the drilling operation has unleashed some sort of primeval forces turning people who come into contact with some green goop into monsters. Meanwhile the director of the project is a pain in the ass, and…oh god this is basically just a worse Fury from the Deep.
But then…well you know what happens. The Doctor's experiments with the TARDIS console send him sideways through time, he goes to a parallel world where the UK is a fascist state and all of a sudden things get really, really good.
I don't want to sound like before the parallel universe stuff gets introduced Inferno was shaping up to be a bad story. Rather, up to that point, it was following the "base under siege" playbook to a letter, and by this point I've grown somewhat tired of the tropes of that formula. Fortunately, we're going to be moving away from the format for some time, and in the meantime Inferno uses the familiarity of the format to its advantage.
By taking the Doctor into an alternate universe, we get to see what a worst case scenario of one of these stories looks like. A version of events where things don't just work out, but continually get worse and worse until an entire world is consumed by lava. It's all deeply tragic.
But here's the rub. If you're an American sci-fi fan like me, you're probably familiar with the Star Trek episode "Mirror, Mirror" a great episode that does something very similar by sending Captain Kirk to an alternate universe where the crew of the Enterprise are all evil. But Inferno's alternate universe characters aren't evil counterparts. Instead what it does, and I think I prefer this approach, is that it imagines what its characters would be if they lived in this alternate world.
Taking the Brigadier, or to give his rank in the alternate universe, the Brigade Leader, as an example. At first glance he seems very different from his main universe counterpart. He's a bully, and an eager servant of a fascist state. There's no way our Brigadier would be like that. But imagine if Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart had grown up in this world.
See, the main characteristic that defines the Brigadier is his sense of duty. His duty to UNIT, and in a wider sense to the world. He can even be a bit of a bully, as we see in this story when the Brigadier gets Benton to physically drag Stahlman away from his work. Given Stahlman's behavoir he was right to do so mind, and generally his more aggressive and blustery tendencies are constrained by his strong moral sense. But imagine for a second if he existed in a world that did not allow him to succeed with that moral sense intact. What you're left with is the Brigade Leader.
Of course, the Brigade Leader has a bit of a breakdown as he comes to accept that his world is doomed. This story has what is probably Nicholas Courtney's best performance on Doctor Who as in episodes 5 and 6 we see the Brigade Leader slowly lose control. The Brigade Leader tries to take control anyway he can, at one point actually pulling the trigger on Sutton…but he's used up all the bullets in his gun. What this is, is the bottom being pulled out from under a man. The thing, the supposed "republic" that he has devoted his life to is about to die, like the rest of his world, and he just can't deal with the scope of that. His final act is trying to force the Doctor to take the parallel universe characters to his universe, something which the Doctor says will unravel time and space in all universes.
Thing is, the differences between the two Lethbridge-Stewarts is probably the most extreme. Consider the difference between our familiar Liz Shaw, and her counterpart Section Leader Elizabeth Shaw. Initially, she seems remarkably different. She's a soldier, not a scientist. Like the Brigade Leader she is a servant of that aforementioned fascist state, and puts the Doctor through a pretty harsh interrogation.
And yet, think about Liz as we know her. She's intelligent, sardonic, and skeptical. All of those personality traits are preserved with the Section Leader. And as we learn later, she did consider a path of the scientist, but in this world a military role must have seemed more attractive. And yet, like Liz, she doesn't consider herself a simple cog in the military machine. Just as Liz is willing to defy the Brigadier when she thinks it appropriate, we see early on that Elizabeth is willing to challenge the Brigade Leader when she feels it appropriate.
After it becomes clear that the alternate Earth cannot be saved, Elizabeth seems to manage to deal with the horror of what's happening better than most, possibly because she has her rationalist attitude and scientific understanding to help her accept it. And unlike the Brigade Leader she seems to understand the value in fighting for the greater good of saving the Doctor's world.
Other characters are a bit more similar in both universes, which makes sense from a writing perspective, given that we know so much less about them. The exception is Benton, who is Lethbridge-Stewart's loyal man in both universes, which naturally leads to a lot of differences between how the two characters come across.
Otherwise though, we should talk about the couple of Petra Williams and Greg Sutton. In both universes Petra is Stahlman's loyal assistant, though in the alternate universe she seems to have achieved a Doctorate she didn't in the main one. Crucially though, she's loyal, but not to a fault. In our universe when things start going south she recognizes the trouble and instantly starts teaming up with Sutton to try to fix the problems, whatever Stahlman thinks. She's a bit less quick to work with Sutton in the alternate universe, but that's mostly because the alternate England's government is so restrictive that she seems to feel more compelled to play by the rules. She still is willing to stick her neck out, especially for Greg Sutton.
And Sutton is basically the same character in both universes. Mind you, he gets off to a pretty rough start, both for me and Petra when he's incredibly patronizing towards her. I think what bothers me about this sexism versus any other we see on the show, is that, typically on Doctor Who of this era sexism is portrayed as an understandable character flaw. Like the Brig can occasionally be a bit sexist, but we're meant to understand that those instances are failings on his part and he's a better person than that. But with Sutton it feels like we're supposed to like him for his witty jokes about Petra being a secretary.
Anyway, once we get past that false start we understand a few things about Sutton. First, he knows what he's talking about. He's brought in as a consultant due to his experience with oil rigs, and while this is not a traditional drilling operation, he still knows enough to know when things are going wrong and often what should be done. Second, he's not afraid to speak his mind, in either universe. This is especially notable in the parallel Earth where it's made very clear that speaking his mind is likely going to get him executed at some point. Third, he is very easily annoyed, which definitely makes point two more apparent.
And yes, Petra and Greg get together in the main universe and were clearly on their way there in the parallel world if not for…you know…the world being consumed by lava. Their relationship mostly works for me, with Greg, especially in the parallel universe trying to bring out her individuality and Petra balancing her feelings with Greg with her loyalty to Stahlman.
And speaking of whom…it's time to talk about Stahlman. Now, if you've been reading along these reviews you're well aware of my frustrations with the obstructive base commander archetype that pervades this era of the Classic Series. You'll most recently have read me complaining about these characters with Dr. Lawrence in Doctor Who and the Silurians being the most recent example. If you haven't been reading along with these reviews…well I've grown increasingly frustrated with the obstructive base commander archetype that pervades this era of the Classic Series. I wouldn't mind it so much except it's a character type that shows up multiple times a season during this period and they seem to get increasingly more frustrating. And Stahlman is a textbook example of this archetype.
I think Stahlman works really well in this story.
Now, to be clear he's still incredibly frustrating to deal with. And in the first two episodes, before the alternate universe stuff gets added in, he's every bit as aggravating as any other iteration of this character type. But, just like Inferno uses our familiarity with the base under siege format to its advantage, by giving us a familiar setting to show two versions of, it does much the same with Stahlman.
The contrast with Stahlman between the two universes has nothing to do with his personality. He's exactly the same obstinate self-important pain in everyone's collective ass in both worlds. Rather, it's his ability to do what he wants to. On the alternate Earth, when Sir Keith Gold goes off to whatever the alternate Earth's equivalent of the ministry is, he dies, and it's heavily implied, though never stated, that Stahlman arranged for his death. In our universe…Stahlman blackmails Sir Keith's driver to drive him on a route away from the complex. Moreover, Sir Keith actually manages to talk the driver out of it. In the alternate universe, a tinpot dictator like Stahlman is able to do basically whatever he wants to get his project working. In our world, he is still constrained to some extent. This matters in the end as Sutton and the Doctor are able to convince the technicians to shut down the drill in a way they weren't in the alternate world.
Mind you I do have a criticism of Stahlman…I don't get his motivation. Now with all past obstructionist base commanders I've at least understood why they behave in the way that they do. For instance Fury From the Deep's Chief Robson, probably Stahlman's closest analogue, doesn't want to stop the working of his oil rigs because he has a perfect record of never shutting down to maintain. This makes him a painfully annoying character to deal with, but it makes sense. Stahlman though…
The drilling operation of Inferno is Stahlman's baby – he's been working on it in one form or another for eleven years. He believes that there are pockets of energy-rich gas accessible just beneath the Earth's crust. Why he believes this is never stated, but we can assume he did some sort of surveying work before setting up this operation. The thing he absolutely doesn't want to get done is slow down. If anyone ever slows down or, heaven forbid, temporarily stops the drilling he throws a fit. But why though? Nobody, not even the Doctor before he makes his little trip to the alternate world, ever suggests permanently stopping the drilling. Just paying attention to danger signs and proceeding more cautiously. This isn't just irrational behavior from a man too invested in his own ego, that I could at least understand.
Now eventually, in both universes, Stahlman is infected by the green goop that turns people into monsters. Because he got very little of it on him the process is a lot slower, and it's implied that it makes Stahlman more irrational and wanting to speed up even more, as he starts pushing past safety margins. The thing is, there is no discernible change in his personality after he gets infected. It probably would have been better if Stahlman had been a reasonable person, if overambitious and slightly egotistical, before he was infected and his infection had caused him to start acting more irrationally and accelerate the drilling. It would have made his character more bearable as well, though admittedly I think that aspect works somewhat in this story.
We haven't yet talked about the main universe versions of Liz and the Brig. There's not a huge amount to say about either. Liz does show some of her intelligence at times, as well as the close professional and personal relationship she's developed with the Doctor. However, a lot of the time Liz is in the background in this one, in contrast to her alternate universe counterpart. You might think that, with the Doctor missing this would be Liz's time to shine but the truth is we see very little of what is happening in the main universe while the Doctor is away, and what we do see has Liz mostly acting as the Doctor's doctor.
The Brigadier similarly doesn't get a tremendous amount to do, aside from be annoyed at Stahlman (and everybody's annoyed at Stahlman). He does end up showing a lot of grace at the end of the story, but we'll get to that when we talk about the Doctor. The Brig's tendencies to butt heads with Stahlman are, interestingly enough, somewhat reminiscent of his more acrimonious interactions with the Doctor, since the 3rd Doctor can be quite obstinate and self-important in his own right, but that's about all I have to say about the Brig.
And yes, it's time to talk about the Doctor. He ends up getting put through the ringer in this one. The Doctor was already in an ill mood before being sent to a parallel fascist Britain – dealing with Stahlman on a daily basis will do that to a person. And then well…there's the interrogation and implied, though never shown, torture. And in spite of that, the Doctor gets invested in this new world. Maybe it's just that he's that good of a person. Maybe he can tell that these people are closer to the versions he knows than it initially appears. Whatever happens, he cares about what happens next.
What happens next is, of course, the destruction of their entire world. It's obviously horrifying. There's nothing that can be done. The portion of the story that has the Doctor in the parallel world is four episodes – episodes 3-6 – and episodes five and six occur after the point of no return. And the Doctor has to work with these people, people he knows will die, must die. I'm sitting here, trying to find the words to describe the mix of terror, futility and somberness that those two episodes convey, and I cannot find the words. It's brilliant television, and it is utterly devastating.
So naturally when the Doctor returns to the main universe, he's a little unbalanced. First he spends a few hours passed out, just managing to mumble some key information for Liz to pass on. However when he wakes up, he unfortunately makes the call to destroy the console that controls the drill with a wrench. Was it the right approach? Absolutely not, but it absolutely makes sense, given what the Doctor's been through.
On the other hand, I did not care for how this story ended. The Doctor, thinking he's got the TARDIS console working again, gives a tender, and quite sweet, goodbye to Liz and then…hits the Brig with a barrage of insults. Maybe this would feel more earned if the Brigadier and the Doctor's relationship were more difficult, but the truth is, outside of The Silurians they've managed to get along reasonably well, albeit with some friction. Hell, even if The Silurians had lead to more prolonged animosity between the two it might feel earned, but the fact is they seemed to patch things up during The Ambassadors of Death. As such the Doctor just comes off as kind of an asshole.
Now, it's commonly believed that the parallel universe plot was a late addition in order to fill out 7 episodes, but this appears to be incorrect, as the original outline included the parallel universe plot. The origin of this claim comes from Terrance Dicks, who must have misremembered. On the other hand, the monsters (called Primords in the credits but nowhere in the story proper) were a late addition to the script. They were not in early drafts, but Producer Barry Letts and Script Editor Terrance Dicks felt the story needed some kind of monster.
I'm kind of two minds about the addition of the Primords. On one hand, objectively, they are given basically no explanation. Why does the green goop flowing out of one of the output pipes cause people to turn into heat-loving monsters? No clue. On the other hand, I have difficulty imagining the story working as well as it does without some sort of active threat, especially at it's seven episodes long. Episode 6 in particular basically relies on the Primords to form some form of barrier against what would otherwise have been a fairly straightforward task.
Still, I will say that the Primords look really good in this story. In fact everything looks good. The Primords themselves have distinctive green skin and seem to grow extra hair. But also, there's just a number of alterations to the appearance various cast members (to account for alternate universe versions) that all look good. The one exception is Elizabeth Shaw's wig which is so obviously a wig, but everyone else looks great.
Inferno is an excellent story. Its unique premise takes what initially feels like a very familiar setting and turns it into something special. The destruction of the alternate Earth is genuinely one of the most horrifying things that Doctor Who has ever shown, even if just in part. And that makes the relief at managing to save the main Earth all the more potent.
Score: 9/10
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Serial Information
- Episodes: Season 7, Episodes 19-25
- Airdates: 9th May - 20th June 1970
- Doctor: 3rd
- Companion: Liz
- UNIT: The Brigadier, Sgt. Benton
- Writer: Don Houghton
- Directors: Douglas Camfield, Barry Letts (Uncredited)
- Producer: Barry Letts
- Script Editor: Terrance Dicks
Review
Proper little bureaucrat, aren't you? Can't shoot me unless you've filled out all the forms, is that it? – The Doctor, to the Brigade LeaderInferno starts like a very typical story of this era. The Doctor's been acting as observer at some sort of drilling operation, and is using their nuclear reactor to power his attempts to get the TARDIS working again, when some murders happen and the Brigadier joins the Doctor to investigate. As it so happens, the drilling operation has unleashed some sort of primeval forces turning people who come into contact with some green goop into monsters. Meanwhile the director of the project is a pain in the ass, and…oh god this is basically just a worse Fury from the Deep.
But then…well you know what happens. The Doctor's experiments with the TARDIS console send him sideways through time, he goes to a parallel world where the UK is a fascist state and all of a sudden things get really, really good.
I don't want to sound like before the parallel universe stuff gets introduced Inferno was shaping up to be a bad story. Rather, up to that point, it was following the "base under siege" playbook to a letter, and by this point I've grown somewhat tired of the tropes of that formula. Fortunately, we're going to be moving away from the format for some time, and in the meantime Inferno uses the familiarity of the format to its advantage.
By taking the Doctor into an alternate universe, we get to see what a worst case scenario of one of these stories looks like. A version of events where things don't just work out, but continually get worse and worse until an entire world is consumed by lava. It's all deeply tragic.
But here's the rub. If you're an American sci-fi fan like me, you're probably familiar with the Star Trek episode "Mirror, Mirror" a great episode that does something very similar by sending Captain Kirk to an alternate universe where the crew of the Enterprise are all evil. But Inferno's alternate universe characters aren't evil counterparts. Instead what it does, and I think I prefer this approach, is that it imagines what its characters would be if they lived in this alternate world.
Taking the Brigadier, or to give his rank in the alternate universe, the Brigade Leader, as an example. At first glance he seems very different from his main universe counterpart. He's a bully, and an eager servant of a fascist state. There's no way our Brigadier would be like that. But imagine if Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart had grown up in this world.
See, the main characteristic that defines the Brigadier is his sense of duty. His duty to UNIT, and in a wider sense to the world. He can even be a bit of a bully, as we see in this story when the Brigadier gets Benton to physically drag Stahlman away from his work. Given Stahlman's behavoir he was right to do so mind, and generally his more aggressive and blustery tendencies are constrained by his strong moral sense. But imagine for a second if he existed in a world that did not allow him to succeed with that moral sense intact. What you're left with is the Brigade Leader.
Of course, the Brigade Leader has a bit of a breakdown as he comes to accept that his world is doomed. This story has what is probably Nicholas Courtney's best performance on Doctor Who as in episodes 5 and 6 we see the Brigade Leader slowly lose control. The Brigade Leader tries to take control anyway he can, at one point actually pulling the trigger on Sutton…but he's used up all the bullets in his gun. What this is, is the bottom being pulled out from under a man. The thing, the supposed "republic" that he has devoted his life to is about to die, like the rest of his world, and he just can't deal with the scope of that. His final act is trying to force the Doctor to take the parallel universe characters to his universe, something which the Doctor says will unravel time and space in all universes.
Thing is, the differences between the two Lethbridge-Stewarts is probably the most extreme. Consider the difference between our familiar Liz Shaw, and her counterpart Section Leader Elizabeth Shaw. Initially, she seems remarkably different. She's a soldier, not a scientist. Like the Brigade Leader she is a servant of that aforementioned fascist state, and puts the Doctor through a pretty harsh interrogation.
And yet, think about Liz as we know her. She's intelligent, sardonic, and skeptical. All of those personality traits are preserved with the Section Leader. And as we learn later, she did consider a path of the scientist, but in this world a military role must have seemed more attractive. And yet, like Liz, she doesn't consider herself a simple cog in the military machine. Just as Liz is willing to defy the Brigadier when she thinks it appropriate, we see early on that Elizabeth is willing to challenge the Brigade Leader when she feels it appropriate.
After it becomes clear that the alternate Earth cannot be saved, Elizabeth seems to manage to deal with the horror of what's happening better than most, possibly because she has her rationalist attitude and scientific understanding to help her accept it. And unlike the Brigade Leader she seems to understand the value in fighting for the greater good of saving the Doctor's world.
Other characters are a bit more similar in both universes, which makes sense from a writing perspective, given that we know so much less about them. The exception is Benton, who is Lethbridge-Stewart's loyal man in both universes, which naturally leads to a lot of differences between how the two characters come across.
Otherwise though, we should talk about the couple of Petra Williams and Greg Sutton. In both universes Petra is Stahlman's loyal assistant, though in the alternate universe she seems to have achieved a Doctorate she didn't in the main one. Crucially though, she's loyal, but not to a fault. In our universe when things start going south she recognizes the trouble and instantly starts teaming up with Sutton to try to fix the problems, whatever Stahlman thinks. She's a bit less quick to work with Sutton in the alternate universe, but that's mostly because the alternate England's government is so restrictive that she seems to feel more compelled to play by the rules. She still is willing to stick her neck out, especially for Greg Sutton.
And Sutton is basically the same character in both universes. Mind you, he gets off to a pretty rough start, both for me and Petra when he's incredibly patronizing towards her. I think what bothers me about this sexism versus any other we see on the show, is that, typically on Doctor Who of this era sexism is portrayed as an understandable character flaw. Like the Brig can occasionally be a bit sexist, but we're meant to understand that those instances are failings on his part and he's a better person than that. But with Sutton it feels like we're supposed to like him for his witty jokes about Petra being a secretary.
Anyway, once we get past that false start we understand a few things about Sutton. First, he knows what he's talking about. He's brought in as a consultant due to his experience with oil rigs, and while this is not a traditional drilling operation, he still knows enough to know when things are going wrong and often what should be done. Second, he's not afraid to speak his mind, in either universe. This is especially notable in the parallel Earth where it's made very clear that speaking his mind is likely going to get him executed at some point. Third, he is very easily annoyed, which definitely makes point two more apparent.
And yes, Petra and Greg get together in the main universe and were clearly on their way there in the parallel world if not for…you know…the world being consumed by lava. Their relationship mostly works for me, with Greg, especially in the parallel universe trying to bring out her individuality and Petra balancing her feelings with Greg with her loyalty to Stahlman.
And speaking of whom…it's time to talk about Stahlman. Now, if you've been reading along these reviews you're well aware of my frustrations with the obstructive base commander archetype that pervades this era of the Classic Series. You'll most recently have read me complaining about these characters with Dr. Lawrence in Doctor Who and the Silurians being the most recent example. If you haven't been reading along with these reviews…well I've grown increasingly frustrated with the obstructive base commander archetype that pervades this era of the Classic Series. I wouldn't mind it so much except it's a character type that shows up multiple times a season during this period and they seem to get increasingly more frustrating. And Stahlman is a textbook example of this archetype.
I think Stahlman works really well in this story.
Now, to be clear he's still incredibly frustrating to deal with. And in the first two episodes, before the alternate universe stuff gets added in, he's every bit as aggravating as any other iteration of this character type. But, just like Inferno uses our familiarity with the base under siege format to its advantage, by giving us a familiar setting to show two versions of, it does much the same with Stahlman.
The contrast with Stahlman between the two universes has nothing to do with his personality. He's exactly the same obstinate self-important pain in everyone's collective ass in both worlds. Rather, it's his ability to do what he wants to. On the alternate Earth, when Sir Keith Gold goes off to whatever the alternate Earth's equivalent of the ministry is, he dies, and it's heavily implied, though never stated, that Stahlman arranged for his death. In our universe…Stahlman blackmails Sir Keith's driver to drive him on a route away from the complex. Moreover, Sir Keith actually manages to talk the driver out of it. In the alternate universe, a tinpot dictator like Stahlman is able to do basically whatever he wants to get his project working. In our world, he is still constrained to some extent. This matters in the end as Sutton and the Doctor are able to convince the technicians to shut down the drill in a way they weren't in the alternate world.
Mind you I do have a criticism of Stahlman…I don't get his motivation. Now with all past obstructionist base commanders I've at least understood why they behave in the way that they do. For instance Fury From the Deep's Chief Robson, probably Stahlman's closest analogue, doesn't want to stop the working of his oil rigs because he has a perfect record of never shutting down to maintain. This makes him a painfully annoying character to deal with, but it makes sense. Stahlman though…
The drilling operation of Inferno is Stahlman's baby – he's been working on it in one form or another for eleven years. He believes that there are pockets of energy-rich gas accessible just beneath the Earth's crust. Why he believes this is never stated, but we can assume he did some sort of surveying work before setting up this operation. The thing he absolutely doesn't want to get done is slow down. If anyone ever slows down or, heaven forbid, temporarily stops the drilling he throws a fit. But why though? Nobody, not even the Doctor before he makes his little trip to the alternate world, ever suggests permanently stopping the drilling. Just paying attention to danger signs and proceeding more cautiously. This isn't just irrational behavior from a man too invested in his own ego, that I could at least understand.
Now eventually, in both universes, Stahlman is infected by the green goop that turns people into monsters. Because he got very little of it on him the process is a lot slower, and it's implied that it makes Stahlman more irrational and wanting to speed up even more, as he starts pushing past safety margins. The thing is, there is no discernible change in his personality after he gets infected. It probably would have been better if Stahlman had been a reasonable person, if overambitious and slightly egotistical, before he was infected and his infection had caused him to start acting more irrationally and accelerate the drilling. It would have made his character more bearable as well, though admittedly I think that aspect works somewhat in this story.
We haven't yet talked about the main universe versions of Liz and the Brig. There's not a huge amount to say about either. Liz does show some of her intelligence at times, as well as the close professional and personal relationship she's developed with the Doctor. However, a lot of the time Liz is in the background in this one, in contrast to her alternate universe counterpart. You might think that, with the Doctor missing this would be Liz's time to shine but the truth is we see very little of what is happening in the main universe while the Doctor is away, and what we do see has Liz mostly acting as the Doctor's doctor.
The Brigadier similarly doesn't get a tremendous amount to do, aside from be annoyed at Stahlman (and everybody's annoyed at Stahlman). He does end up showing a lot of grace at the end of the story, but we'll get to that when we talk about the Doctor. The Brig's tendencies to butt heads with Stahlman are, interestingly enough, somewhat reminiscent of his more acrimonious interactions with the Doctor, since the 3rd Doctor can be quite obstinate and self-important in his own right, but that's about all I have to say about the Brig.
And yes, it's time to talk about the Doctor. He ends up getting put through the ringer in this one. The Doctor was already in an ill mood before being sent to a parallel fascist Britain – dealing with Stahlman on a daily basis will do that to a person. And then well…there's the interrogation and implied, though never shown, torture. And in spite of that, the Doctor gets invested in this new world. Maybe it's just that he's that good of a person. Maybe he can tell that these people are closer to the versions he knows than it initially appears. Whatever happens, he cares about what happens next.
What happens next is, of course, the destruction of their entire world. It's obviously horrifying. There's nothing that can be done. The portion of the story that has the Doctor in the parallel world is four episodes – episodes 3-6 – and episodes five and six occur after the point of no return. And the Doctor has to work with these people, people he knows will die, must die. I'm sitting here, trying to find the words to describe the mix of terror, futility and somberness that those two episodes convey, and I cannot find the words. It's brilliant television, and it is utterly devastating.
So naturally when the Doctor returns to the main universe, he's a little unbalanced. First he spends a few hours passed out, just managing to mumble some key information for Liz to pass on. However when he wakes up, he unfortunately makes the call to destroy the console that controls the drill with a wrench. Was it the right approach? Absolutely not, but it absolutely makes sense, given what the Doctor's been through.
On the other hand, I did not care for how this story ended. The Doctor, thinking he's got the TARDIS console working again, gives a tender, and quite sweet, goodbye to Liz and then…hits the Brig with a barrage of insults. Maybe this would feel more earned if the Brigadier and the Doctor's relationship were more difficult, but the truth is, outside of The Silurians they've managed to get along reasonably well, albeit with some friction. Hell, even if The Silurians had lead to more prolonged animosity between the two it might feel earned, but the fact is they seemed to patch things up during The Ambassadors of Death. As such the Doctor just comes off as kind of an asshole.
Now, it's commonly believed that the parallel universe plot was a late addition in order to fill out 7 episodes, but this appears to be incorrect, as the original outline included the parallel universe plot. The origin of this claim comes from Terrance Dicks, who must have misremembered. On the other hand, the monsters (called Primords in the credits but nowhere in the story proper) were a late addition to the script. They were not in early drafts, but Producer Barry Letts and Script Editor Terrance Dicks felt the story needed some kind of monster.
I'm kind of two minds about the addition of the Primords. On one hand, objectively, they are given basically no explanation. Why does the green goop flowing out of one of the output pipes cause people to turn into heat-loving monsters? No clue. On the other hand, I have difficulty imagining the story working as well as it does without some sort of active threat, especially at it's seven episodes long. Episode 6 in particular basically relies on the Primords to form some form of barrier against what would otherwise have been a fairly straightforward task.
Still, I will say that the Primords look really good in this story. In fact everything looks good. The Primords themselves have distinctive green skin and seem to grow extra hair. But also, there's just a number of alterations to the appearance various cast members (to account for alternate universe versions) that all look good. The one exception is Elizabeth Shaw's wig which is so obviously a wig, but everyone else looks great.
Inferno is an excellent story. Its unique premise takes what initially feels like a very familiar setting and turns it into something special. The destruction of the alternate Earth is genuinely one of the most horrifying things that Doctor Who has ever shown, even if just in part. And that makes the relief at managing to save the main Earth all the more potent.
Score: 9/10
Stray Observations
- This was the first story that Barry Letts commissioned as producer. All prior stories in Season 7 were commissioned by previous producer Derrick Sherwin before his departure.
- Sheila Dunn, Director Douglas Camfield's wife, played Petra, but she wasn't the original choice. Originally, Camfield wanted to cast Kate O'Mara, who Doctor Who fans will remember better as 80's villain The Rani.
- Caroline John preferred playing the "evil" version of Liz over the original.
- There's a famous story that Nicholas Courtney liked to tell. When he shot the scene of Brigade Leader Lethbridge-Stewart swiveling around in his chair to reveal his eyepatch, he swiveled around to see that the entire cast and crew were also wearing eypatches.
- This was the final story to use the original TARDIS console prop. It was falling apart at this point, and after this story the decision was made that it would have to be retired. A new one was of course constructed for the next time they would need it.
- This was both Nicholas Courtney and Caroline John's favorite story.
- Director Douglas Camfield had a hard time of it on this serial. He got into arguments with both Jon Pertwee and Caroline John. This escalated until he collapsed, whereupon his wife (who, remember was playing Petra) revealed he'd been working while suffering from a heart murmur, causing Barry Letts to take if off the serial. Because Camfield had completed most of the prep work, Letts decided that he would direct the final five episodes himself, though Camfield received the sole director's credit for all seven.
- This story has a bespoke title sequence, the last of the Classic Series. It features shots of lava, with the story title and writer's name coming into focus in white text. It's a really good one, nice way for this particular little quirk of the early Classic Series that goes back to The War Machines to come to an end. I particularly like how the spiral at the end of the 3rd Doctor title seems to transition into the lava, I'm sure it wasn't planned, but it's a really cool effect nonetheless. The volcano footage had been used previously in Doctor Who, in The Enemy of the World.
- In this story the Doctor uses the Sonic Screwdriver as, as he likes to put it, a "door handle". More specifically, he uses it to open the gate the hut he's running his experiments out of.
- According to the Doctor something similar to the events of this story happened at Krakatoa, though it would seem that no Primords were created in that instance.
- In episode 2, the Doctor performs a kind of nerve pinch he calls Venusian…Karate. This was, of course, eventually changed to Venusian Aikido, in order to use a more defensive martial art.
- Okay, I get why the Doctor was shot off into the parallel universe, but why Bessie?
- The Section Leader version of Shaw is initially shot from the back so that we don't recognize her. It helps that her hair is a different color.
- When the Doctor claims he doesn't exist in the parallel universe, the Brigade Leader responds with "then you won't feel the bullets when we shoot you."
- The technicians at the parallel universe facility all wear name tags on their uniforms, which is useful to the audience when they all start turning into monsters, but makes you wonder why they're there in the first place. It does make a bit more sense than when a similar thing was done in The Power of the Daleks.
- To indicate a change in dimension we use a rather odd whirring sound effect combined with a light show that looks a bit like a sped up disco ball. It does the job.
- One of the more surprisingly effective moments in this story is when, in episode 5, we see Platoon Underleader Benton drilling his men. By this point in the story we know that the alternate Earth is doomed, and therefore Benton there's no point.
- Alternate Benton getting turned into a Primord is actually kind of fitting when you remember that John Levene started out by playing monsters, including a Yeti back in The Web of Fear
- It takes nearly 20 minutes in episode 5 for use to go to the main universe. Even then it's just to check in on Sir Keith, and after that scene we never go to that universe again until the next episode.
- A lot of the dialogue in episode 7 is repeated dialogue from bits set in the alternate universe, which makes sense when you remember that the alternate universe was supposedly running slightly ahead of the main one.
2023.05.28 19:22 IrinaSophia Sunday Of The Fathers Of The First Ecumenical Council
On the seventh Sunday of Pascha, we commemorate the holy God-bearing Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.
The Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council has been celebrated by the Church of Christ from ancient times. The Lord Jesus Christ left the Church a great promise, “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18). Although the Church of Christ on earth will pass through difficult struggles with the Enemy of salvation, it will emerge victorious. The holy martyrs bore witness to the truth of the Savior’s words, enduring suffering and death for confessing Christ, but the persecutor’s sword is shattered by the Cross of Christ.
Persecution of Christians ceased during the fourth century, but heresies arose within the Church itself. One of the most pernicious of these heresies was Arianism. Arius, a priest of Alexandria, was a man of immense pride and ambition. In denying the divine nature of Jesus Christ and His equality with God the Father, Arius falsely taught that the Savior is not consubstantial with the Father, but is only a created being.
A local Council, convened with Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria presiding, condemned the false teachings of Arius. However, Arius would not submit to the authority of the Church. He wrote to many bishops, denouncing the decrees of the local Council. He spread his false teaching throughout the East, receiving support from certain Eastern bishops.
Investigating these dissentions, the holy emperor Constantine (May 21) consulted Bishop Hosius of Cordova (Aug. 27), who assured him that the heresy of Arius was directed against the most fundamental dogma of Christ’s Church, and so he decided to convene an Ecumenical Council. In the year 325, 318 bishops representing Christian Churches from various lands gathered together at Nicea.
Among the assembled bishops were many confessors who had suffered during the persecutions, and who bore the marks of torture upon their bodies. Also participating in the Council were several great luminaries of the Church: Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia (December 6 and May 9), Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Tremithos (December 12), and others venerated by the Church as holy Fathers.
With Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria came his deacon, Athanasius [who later became Patriarch of Alexandria (May 2 and January 18)]. He is called “the Great,” for he was a zealous champion for the purity of Orthodoxy. In the Sixth Ode of the Canon for today’s Feast, he is referred to as “the thirteenth Apostle.”
The emperor Constantine presided over the sessions of the Council. In his speech, responding to the welcome by Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, he said, “God has helped me cast down the impious might of the persecutors, but more distressful for me than any blood spilled in battle is for a soldier, is the internal strife in the Church of God, for it is more ruinous.”
Arius, with seventeen bishops among his supporters, remained arrogant, but his teaching was repudiated and he was excommunicated from the Church. In his speech, the holy deacon Athanasius conclusively refuted the blasphemous opinions of Arius. The heresiarch Arius is depicted in iconography sitting on Satan’s knees, or in the mouth of the Beast of the Deep (Rev. 13).
The Fathers of the Council declined to accept a Symbol of Faith (Creed) proposed by the Arians. Instead, they affirmed the Orthodox Symbol of Faith. Saint Constantine asked the Council to insert into the text of the Symbol of Faith the word “consubstantial,” which he had heard in the speeches of the bishops. The Fathers of the Council unanimously accepted this suggestion.
In the Nicean Creed, the holy Fathers set forth and confirmed the Apostolic teachings about Christ’s divine nature. The heresy of Arius was exposed and repudiated as an error of haughty reason. After resolving this chief dogmatic question, the Council also issued Twelve Canons on questions of churchly administration and discipline. Also decided was the date for the celebration of Holy Pascha. By decision of the Council, Holy Pascha should not be celebrated by Christians on the same day with the Jewish Passover, but on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the vernal equinox (which occured on March 22 in 325).
The First Ecumenical Council is also commemorated on May 29.
(from oca.org)
submitted by IrinaSophia to OrthodoxChristianity [link] [comments]
The Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council has been celebrated by the Church of Christ from ancient times. The Lord Jesus Christ left the Church a great promise, “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18). Although the Church of Christ on earth will pass through difficult struggles with the Enemy of salvation, it will emerge victorious. The holy martyrs bore witness to the truth of the Savior’s words, enduring suffering and death for confessing Christ, but the persecutor’s sword is shattered by the Cross of Christ.
Persecution of Christians ceased during the fourth century, but heresies arose within the Church itself. One of the most pernicious of these heresies was Arianism. Arius, a priest of Alexandria, was a man of immense pride and ambition. In denying the divine nature of Jesus Christ and His equality with God the Father, Arius falsely taught that the Savior is not consubstantial with the Father, but is only a created being.
A local Council, convened with Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria presiding, condemned the false teachings of Arius. However, Arius would not submit to the authority of the Church. He wrote to many bishops, denouncing the decrees of the local Council. He spread his false teaching throughout the East, receiving support from certain Eastern bishops.
Investigating these dissentions, the holy emperor Constantine (May 21) consulted Bishop Hosius of Cordova (Aug. 27), who assured him that the heresy of Arius was directed against the most fundamental dogma of Christ’s Church, and so he decided to convene an Ecumenical Council. In the year 325, 318 bishops representing Christian Churches from various lands gathered together at Nicea.
Among the assembled bishops were many confessors who had suffered during the persecutions, and who bore the marks of torture upon their bodies. Also participating in the Council were several great luminaries of the Church: Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia (December 6 and May 9), Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Tremithos (December 12), and others venerated by the Church as holy Fathers.
With Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria came his deacon, Athanasius [who later became Patriarch of Alexandria (May 2 and January 18)]. He is called “the Great,” for he was a zealous champion for the purity of Orthodoxy. In the Sixth Ode of the Canon for today’s Feast, he is referred to as “the thirteenth Apostle.”
The emperor Constantine presided over the sessions of the Council. In his speech, responding to the welcome by Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, he said, “God has helped me cast down the impious might of the persecutors, but more distressful for me than any blood spilled in battle is for a soldier, is the internal strife in the Church of God, for it is more ruinous.”
Arius, with seventeen bishops among his supporters, remained arrogant, but his teaching was repudiated and he was excommunicated from the Church. In his speech, the holy deacon Athanasius conclusively refuted the blasphemous opinions of Arius. The heresiarch Arius is depicted in iconography sitting on Satan’s knees, or in the mouth of the Beast of the Deep (Rev. 13).
The Fathers of the Council declined to accept a Symbol of Faith (Creed) proposed by the Arians. Instead, they affirmed the Orthodox Symbol of Faith. Saint Constantine asked the Council to insert into the text of the Symbol of Faith the word “consubstantial,” which he had heard in the speeches of the bishops. The Fathers of the Council unanimously accepted this suggestion.
In the Nicean Creed, the holy Fathers set forth and confirmed the Apostolic teachings about Christ’s divine nature. The heresy of Arius was exposed and repudiated as an error of haughty reason. After resolving this chief dogmatic question, the Council also issued Twelve Canons on questions of churchly administration and discipline. Also decided was the date for the celebration of Holy Pascha. By decision of the Council, Holy Pascha should not be celebrated by Christians on the same day with the Jewish Passover, but on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the vernal equinox (which occured on March 22 in 325).
The First Ecumenical Council is also commemorated on May 29.
(from oca.org)
2023.05.28 18:04 u-and-whose-army If we bring in two rookies we will have 12 players 25 and under. Looking forward, who stays and who goes?
Players 25 and under next season: Franz, Paolo, Fultz, Suggs, Cole, Bol, WCJ, Houstan, Okeke, and Goga.
Add pick 6 and pick 11 in the mix, that's 12 players. This list does not include some of the older potential role players like Mo Wagner, Gary Harris, JI.
I don't really think this is sustainable, and I think our roster will see a bunch of changes in the next couple of seasons.
Here is how I view our roster, let me know how you view it.
Tier 1, Untouchables: Franz, Paolo
Self explanatory. I think they are the cornerstones of the franchise going forward.
Tier 2, Key Pieces: WCJ
I think WCJ is a still a pretty underrated center. Still on a good contract. Can play PF or C for us for years to come.
Tier 3, Important but not that important: Fultz, Suggs, Cole
This will probably be a point of contention. I think they are all very solid players in different ways, but I am not completely sold on any of them being vital to our backcourt. All of them are missing a little something to their game and need some development.
I personally love Fultz and was hesitant to put him in this tier. He is Tier 2.5 to me. But I think if we had the chance to land a higher caliber PG, or highly touted PG prospect, it would be a no brainer. I feel similarly about Suggs. If either of them can shoot league average from 3 on decent volume next year, they are worth a bag.
I think all of their roles are "in jeopardy" to some degree. Our picks could come in and make an immediate impact. Fultz not as much as Cole and Suggs. I could see a lot guard minutes going to a rookie who can actually shoot the ball.
Tier 4, Keep if cheap: Bol, Okeke, Houstan, Goga
Bol needs to develop a ton. Okeke didn't get a fair shake last year. And Houstan is still young and developing. I think Houstan can grow into a very reliable bench shooter for us.
Tier 5, Time to move on: No one yet
Interested in hearing how you think we go about retaining/moving all these young players.
submitted by u-and-whose-army to OrlandoMagic [link] [comments]
Add pick 6 and pick 11 in the mix, that's 12 players. This list does not include some of the older potential role players like Mo Wagner, Gary Harris, JI.
I don't really think this is sustainable, and I think our roster will see a bunch of changes in the next couple of seasons.
Here is how I view our roster, let me know how you view it.
Tier 1, Untouchables: Franz, Paolo
Self explanatory. I think they are the cornerstones of the franchise going forward.
Tier 2, Key Pieces: WCJ
I think WCJ is a still a pretty underrated center. Still on a good contract. Can play PF or C for us for years to come.
Tier 3, Important but not that important: Fultz, Suggs, Cole
This will probably be a point of contention. I think they are all very solid players in different ways, but I am not completely sold on any of them being vital to our backcourt. All of them are missing a little something to their game and need some development.
I personally love Fultz and was hesitant to put him in this tier. He is Tier 2.5 to me. But I think if we had the chance to land a higher caliber PG, or highly touted PG prospect, it would be a no brainer. I feel similarly about Suggs. If either of them can shoot league average from 3 on decent volume next year, they are worth a bag.
I think all of their roles are "in jeopardy" to some degree. Our picks could come in and make an immediate impact. Fultz not as much as Cole and Suggs. I could see a lot guard minutes going to a rookie who can actually shoot the ball.
Tier 4, Keep if cheap: Bol, Okeke, Houstan, Goga
Bol needs to develop a ton. Okeke didn't get a fair shake last year. And Houstan is still young and developing. I think Houstan can grow into a very reliable bench shooter for us.
Tier 5, Time to move on: No one yet
Interested in hearing how you think we go about retaining/moving all these young players.
2023.05.27 20:07 OtherwiseAd8874 Anyone went to Rays in NYC for a watch party?
Nicholas Braun (co-)owns a bar in Manhattan and they do Succession watch parties on Sundays from what I understand? Anyone ever went there? What are the vibes like? Do they put on subtitles (non-native speaker here)?
Apparently, Nick made an appearance last week. Thinking of going there for the series finale and wondering when I should get there to secure a seat.
Any information is helpful. Thank you.
submitted by OtherwiseAd8874 to SuccessionTV [link] [comments]
Apparently, Nick made an appearance last week. Thinking of going there for the series finale and wondering when I should get there to secure a seat.
Any information is helpful. Thank you.
2023.05.27 02:50 Money-Investigator45 (SLIGHTLY EDITED VERSION) I want to create a Yu Yu Hakusho X High School DXD crossover fanfiction, but I am not good at writing stories on my own. Anyone willing to aid me?
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12769860/1/Yu-Yu-Hakusho-x-Highschool-DxD-Challenge
I had my own crossover challenge, but it disappeared. With that being said I am surprised that this one is still standing.
There are some YYH/DXD crossovers here and there, but they don't have much staying power.
Heck, I even commissioned artworks based on this particular idea. (Well, it was technically based on an already existing fanfiction, but that fanfiction is pretty much dead)
https://www.deviantart.com/sinraipaleodemon1/art/DXD-Hakusho-Yusuke-vs-Sairaorg-New-Rivalry-839111669
https://www.deviantart.com/sinraipaleodemon1/art/DXD-Hakusho-Yusuke-vs-Vali-New-Rivalry-841435202
Well, these are some of my ideas. Not sure if I am breaking any rules doing this, but I am willing to give this a try. I would like to know your thoughts :D
submitted by Money-Investigator45 to HighschoolDxD [link] [comments]
I had my own crossover challenge, but it disappeared. With that being said I am surprised that this one is still standing.
There are some YYH/DXD crossovers here and there, but they don't have much staying power.
- One thing I love about this crossover challenge is that the writer took some inspiration from A Devil's Diamond. Something I fully agree with. Because of Mugiwara's stories, I have been a fan of buddy/buddy fics where the protagonists of both respective series impact the story instead of always just one. Not to mention the fact that Yusuke and Kuwabara remind me of Josuke and Okuyasu.
- I am more so someone who aids and supports stories by sending notes and making artworks to promote them.
Heck, I even commissioned artworks based on this particular idea. (Well, it was technically based on an already existing fanfiction, but that fanfiction is pretty much dead)
https://www.deviantart.com/sinraipaleodemon1/art/DXD-Hakusho-Yusuke-vs-Sairaorg-New-Rivalry-839111669
https://www.deviantart.com/sinraipaleodemon1/art/DXD-Hakusho-Yusuke-vs-Vali-New-Rivalry-841435202
- In case anyone asks, no I would not cuck or replace Issei. Honestly, on top of being a fellow troublemaker, Yusuke is pretty perverted himself, so I think he can get along with Issei in that regard. Additionally, while I still think Yusuke should stay with Keiko and Issei with Rias, if there are any other females that Yusuke could be with (if he has a harem), it would be Akeno and Botan. Botan because of their already established chemistry and Akeno because of their daddy issues and their heritage.
- If there thing I would love to be emphasized more, its the Mazoku. That power is something that could/should be utilized a lot more. For Yusuke, it could create an issue for the other factions like it did for Spirit World. Plus, he could work on utilizing the Mazoku transformation he used against Yomi.
- In chapter 174 of the YYH manga, it was stated that Spirit World is not Heaven. It is simply a place the soul goes to when it leaves the physical body. This may help a bit for anyone who is intending to seperate/differentiate between Spirit World and Heaven, since both relate to the afterlife. Speaking of which, I can see Koenma and Michael getting along very well. Maybe even have the Spirit World becoming a faction with Koenma as its leader.
- I have read the DXD manga/anime (well at least most of the anime anyway) as well as the YYH manga/anime, but I am not too familiar with the DXD Light Novels. I mainly read the wiki to get information on that point in the story.
- In YYH's epilogue, Yusuke makes a living by setting up a noodle shop. Humble as it is, its a bit underwhelming. Considering his love for wrestling and combat, I think it would be cool if he, along with his friends, had their own funded show in the Underworld.
- Sacred Energy. In some translations, its called Holy Chi. The highest level of energy a being can harness in YYH. Considering that Touki/Aura exists in the DXD verse and Heaven exists, it could be made into an even more important power (especially considering that Sensui likes to view himself as an angel or holy figure).
- Considering the hardships and risks Yusuke has faced (the Spirit Wave Orb being a prime example), I can see him giving courage to the other characters. Especially Issei,
- Yusuke may need to be aged up a bit to be proportionate to Issei. Yusuke starts off as 14 in the earlier parts of the series while Issei starts off as 17.
- Both series have quite the number jokes and funny moments. That's something they can share.
- I can see Azrael being another father figure to Yusuke alongside Raizen (not to mention the fact that both Azrael and Raizen value the balance of creation). Considering how Azrael emphasizes getting stronger and manning up, he'd be perfect. Not to mention that he's pretty quippy/clever witted himself. Yusuke already has Genkai as a mother figure, but it wouldn't hurt to add another father figure to help him grow. Considering their similar backgrounds, I can see Azrael and Raizen being friends or getting along.
Well, these are some of my ideas. Not sure if I am breaking any rules doing this, but I am willing to give this a try. I would like to know your thoughts :D
2023.05.27 01:15 Drunkplane747 Small Business Looking for Charity
Hello all, I’m Nicholas I’m a professionally storyteller (games master) at a new hobby store in Fairfax, Virginia.
The purpose of the store is to provide a safe, inclusive space for tabletop gamers, LARPers, and other geeks and nerds to find a community in and to have their favorite games and titles run for them. “The at-home experience done professionally”.
The day this is posted will mark the first full week of the business being open, and we need help from anyone who is willing to lend it. The store was meant to be open 3 months ago, but due to expounding material cost, incompetent contractors, and draconian fire codes the store was delayed from opening which has drained the budget of the store.
We at the Dragons Concord are asking for charity, as at the current rate the store will default on its debts by the end of June. We are doing everything in our power to prevent this of course, but any generosity that can be given will be welcomed a thousand times over.
Thank you for everything, Nicholas
https://www.gofundme.com/f/OpenDragonsConcord?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
submitted by Drunkplane747 to GoFundUsOfficial [link] [comments]
The purpose of the store is to provide a safe, inclusive space for tabletop gamers, LARPers, and other geeks and nerds to find a community in and to have their favorite games and titles run for them. “The at-home experience done professionally”.
The day this is posted will mark the first full week of the business being open, and we need help from anyone who is willing to lend it. The store was meant to be open 3 months ago, but due to expounding material cost, incompetent contractors, and draconian fire codes the store was delayed from opening which has drained the budget of the store.
We at the Dragons Concord are asking for charity, as at the current rate the store will default on its debts by the end of June. We are doing everything in our power to prevent this of course, but any generosity that can be given will be welcomed a thousand times over.
Thank you for everything, Nicholas
https://www.gofundme.com/f/OpenDragonsConcord?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet