gdp's Comments

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'The Legend of Korra': S04E13 - The Last Stand

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:36:48 +0000

PERFECT.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'The Legend of Korra': S04E13 - The Last Stand

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:36:35 +0000

I did not know that English wasn't their first language, so I apologize for mocking the handmaiden/feudal lord part of the comment. You're right, it probably did make more sense in their first language. The rest of it, though, about Makorra not being a heteronormative relationship (specifically calling it a "queer" one) while simultaneously referring to Korrasami as heteronormative still stands. That part is still hilarious.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'The Legend of Korra': S04E13 - The Last Stand

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:29:41 +0000

I recapped every episode of this show for a website I freelance for and I remember seeing the spoilers popping up on my dash before I got a chance to watch it (I couldn't watch it live and had to wait until later). And I remember seeing the gif of them holding hands and thinking "oh people are just putting their tin hats on and taking it to be more than it is." Then I actually watched it and realized that no, it was real. The thing I remember most is that I kept shouting, "This doesn't happen! This never happens! HOW IS THIS HAPPENING?!" over and over and over because are you KIDDING me? A CHILDREN'S show on NICKELODEON of all places ends with two bisexual women of color holding hands and looking into each other's eyes in a perfect mimicry of a het couple's wedding pose just moments before, all while a romantic score swells in the background? Hell, I looked back on my notes on earlier episodes and found one that just said, "You know if Asami was a dude, that would be a romantic shippy thing, but nooooo can't have the queers up in our kid's show now can we?" When I watched your video (which I have like three times because it always puts a smile on my face), my favorite part of your reaction is the whispered, awed, "you can't undo that." Because you're right. They can't. Society can't. America can't. No matter how hard they try, bigots can not erase the fact that kids who never get to see themselves be the heroes for one bright shining moment got to look into the TV and see their reflection there. Hell, I bet a lot of them couldn't even put their finger on *why*, just that somehow, seeing that ending stirred something in their hearts that Knew even before they did. I did want to finish up by giving you a laugh. After it aired, there was a butthurt Makorra shipper who -- and I wish I were kidding, but I'm not -- complained that "Korrasami is more heteronormative because it exhibits falsely a very feminine girl (Asami) being a handmaiden of Korra (who is treated as the male/masculine/feudal lord of the relationship.) Also, Makorra is NOT a heteronormative relationship. It is a queer and different heterosexual relationship. They are not entirely similar nor opposites. They are always helping each other." IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2K15 SOMEONE ACTUALLY SAID THOSE WORDS IN THAT ORDER. Petition for "so who's the 'man'/'woman' in the relationship" to become "so who's the feudal lord in the relationship?"

Mark Watches : Mark Does Stuff Tour Changes / Mark's LIFE Changes!

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 18:30:50 +0000

I'm really sorry to hear you're having a hard time lately, Mark. If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know. I'm glad you'll be able to be with your brother. Having someone you know and love to experience something as life-changing as moving cross-country is certainly helpful. Hopefully you two will be able to work through that part of it together. And congratulations to your sister-in-law. That's quite an accomplishment. Your community loves and supports you. Please take care of yourself first and foremost. I know I speak for most (if not all) of us when I say that we want good things for you and your family. If you need editing on your book, I'm sure the old team would be happy to get back together and help you out. We love you, Mark. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Six

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 17:09:55 +0000

My theory is that it has to do with Halperin and Weston, but then again who knows. We have very few facts. 1) It started at midnight. 2) It only affected people who died in 2009. 3) It's not a virus, because being bitten doesn't "turn" you, so whatever it is isn't communicable. 4) ???? I like the idea of not knowing, though. I like having my theory, but I wouldn't necessarily want it confirmed. One of the reasons why ItF is such a fun fandom for me is that right now it's fairly sandboxy. There are a lot of things we don't know much about, and that leads to fun speculation and discussions.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Six

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 17:07:37 +0000

Lrnu, gung'f jung V jnf chyyvat gung vasb sebz.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Six

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 17:06:53 +0000

http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/in-the-flesh/33169/sa... There you go!

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Six

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 16:34:31 +0000

I also adore Kieren and Jem's relationship as always, but I'm unbelievably fond of the fact that he is the first person she lets herself completely breakdown in front of. And he doesn't judge her for it (he certainly could, given his outburst at Gary over the lunch table about the HVF killing rabids), he just wraps her in a hug and promises to support her and get help. BLESS. And Simon! SIMON! Who I honestly don't know if he knew himself what he was going to do in that graveyard until he did it, but in the end, his statement to Kieren at the bungalow proves true: "There's what I believe, and then there's you." And then he agrees to stick around in Roarton, where all the ULA knows where he is WHICH PUTS HIM IN HUGE DANGER AS A TRAITOR, simply because that's where Kieren is. And where Kieren goes, so goes Simon. And Kieren! KIEREN WALKER. The development at the wake: "Amy once asked me how far I'd have to go to take it all off...I'm good here." It doesn't discount the value in getting out if that's what one needs to survive, but Kieren has decided he doesn't. He wants to stay with his family and he wants to help things change in Roarton and he accepts himself, finally!, as who he is. No make up, no contacts, just Kieren Walker as he really is. I can't even begin with the final scene of Amy being exhumed, but I will say that I asked for post-S2 fic focusing on that for Yuletide this year, so if I get it, I will be sure to come back and share the link with the class. BECAUSE I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED. In conclusion, friendly reminder to let BBC3 know that you want to #SaveInTheFlesh!

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Six

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 16:28:19 +0000

Okay, so, lots of things to talk about, but my absolute favorite thing is this: Amy was the First, not Kieren. We're used to shows and books where the main character is the Chosen One or whatever, and they're made "special" by some force exterior to themselves. ItF twists that. Kieren walker is not special. Kieren Walker is important and there is a big difference between the two. Kieren is not special because of some mystical construct. He is important because of who he is as a person, who he loves, and who loves him. That's what makes him important. His worth comes from himself and those important to him, not the universe playing magic tricks. I LOVE THAT SO MUCH. And at the same time, I love that Amy is the First, because while I have theories about Halperin and Weston maybe being behind the Rising in the first place (how convenient that they could suddenly make tons of cash by "saving" the world with their wonder drug), I also love the idea that Amy Dyer's first death was so unfair and she so desperately wanted to be alive that magic happened and brought her and everyone else who died in 2009 back to life. There's some kind of fucked up poetry to that and I love it.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In The Flesh': Series Two, Episode Five

Tue, 2 Dec 2014 16:13:40 +0000

I don't think it's an accident that the experiments the doctors do on Simon to try to "cure" him involve electric shocks. The parallel to ways queer people have been "treated" by doctors in the past is pretty clear. But putting that aside...the awful thing is that some GOOD comes out of what they do. They're able to create a drug that allows PDS patients to regain control of their bodies and interact with the world in a positive way. It reminds me of just how many medical advancements have been made by doctors experimenting on minorities and other "undesirables" in history, be that black men, prisoners, people held in camps by the Nazis... It's disgusting how many things we take for granted that are the direct product of inhumane torture and abuse. Amy's day trip with Phillip is so painful because it reminds me of 1x02 when she is talking to Kieren about how she died. "I felt like I'd been benched before I even got to play the game." And here she uses that metaphor again: "If you win, then the game is over." "Yeah, but if it doesn't end, then what's the point of playing it?" I ask you is there anything worse than Simon sitting alone and abandoned underneath that anti-PDS graffiti? Well yes lots of things but WOW NO ONE ASKED FOR THIS PAIN. Also, A+ representation of panic attacks when he finds out he has to kill Kieren. "There's what I believe...and then there's you." O RLY SIMON? WELL PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In The Flesh': Series Two, Episode Four

Mon, 1 Dec 2014 22:47:00 +0000

So, I posted this comment at work, and there was a second part but when I refreshed to add it, the page came up blocked by our office internet. SO. I'll just add what I can remember wanting to say, now that I'm home. Specifically, there were two things I wanted to touch on as far as why I feel like Phillip's arc works as well as it does in this episode. I think it would be pretty gross if he only did what he did because of his attraction to Amy, but it's a whole mess of reasons: becoming the object of Maxine's oppression, his long-standing relationship with his neighbors, the Lonsdales, his own mother, and his affection for Amy. It's a whole mess of reasons and so it's not "I'm going to out myself as a patron of the brothel in order to win you over," it's "I'm going to do this because it's the right thing and I've finally grown a backbone." The second thing that I think is important is that when he's confessing his love for Amy, it's made clear that he wasn't frequenting the brothel because he fetishized PDS. His affection for her is not because she's PDS, it's because she's Amy Dyer. I couldn't get on board if he only liked her for that. That would be gross fetishization. But I can get on board with him liking her, all of her, the silly fake-drunk Amy and the used to eat people to survive Amy and everything in between. Oh, and I wanted to have a Moment about the conversation at the bungalow: "Because there's what I believe...and then there's you. Okay? Okay?" SLAY ME. BURY ME A THOUSAND FEET DOWN LEST MY BODY RISE FROM ITS GRAVE AND HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE EXISTING IN A WORLD WHERE SOMETHING THAT COMPLEX IS GIVEN TO THE MAIN CHARACTER'S RELATIONSHIP AND IT'S TWO MEN. SLAY. ME. NOW. What world did Dominic Mitchell wake up in because I want to go there and have all the complex, beautifully written TV shows at my viewing pleasure.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In The Flesh': Series Two, Episode Four

Mon, 1 Dec 2014 16:19:48 +0000

The lunch scene, oh my God. It goes from hilariously awkward ("I liked the way he gave back...") to unbelievably devastatingly awkward in half a second flat. And how great is Kieren's speech? How great is him owning his life during the Rising? For so long he's tried to ignore that part of his past and here he lays it out: "When I was alive, everything was just different levels of fear. [...] And then there was this hunger, and I could not WAIT to get started." SHIVERS, EVERY TIME I WATCH IT. HOW IS LUKE NEWBERRY EVEN REAL. HOW DOES HE NOT HAVE EVERY AWARD EVER. Can we take a second to discuss the fact that Simon "I am a Disciple of the First Risen and I do not fear the Living" Monroe goes from, "It's okay, it's fine, it's not a big deal," to "IS THAT YOUR DAD? SHIT!!!" at the mere sight of Steve Walker because that's Kieren's dad and Simon likes Kieren a lot and wants his family to like him. BLESS. I share the general annoyance as far as not telling Amy is concerned, though. The look on her face when she sees them kissing seems to be more disappointment than betrayal, so I am kind of inclined to believe Simon's whole "I show her love because I do love her, just not like that" and "when Amy gets an idea in her head, there's no stopping her" thing, BUT I also think that before pursuing Kieren, he should've had a discussion with her about it. :-/ BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE SCENE AT THE PHONE BOX WITH PHILLIP AND AMY. Because I think that's my favorite Amy scene of all time. "What's worse than a zombie?" "A DRUNK ZOMBIE!!!! :D" [...] "How can you be drunk?" "Muscle memory? The power of suggestion? *covers bottle opening with her thumb and tips it back, pretending to drink*" AMY DYER FOR PRESIDENT OF MY HEART AND SOUL. I love her so much. And as wary as I am of Phillip, I like their gentle teasing post-coital. "I'm awake, you don't have to gnaw your arm off." "I thought I'd leave that to you." HA. CUTE. Basically what I'm saying is I like Amy and I want her to be happy and I am 100% cool with that being whoever she chooses as long as they consent in return.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Three

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 19:40:44 +0000

Lrnu. Xvrera Jnyxre whfg...qrfgeblf fgrerbglcrf nobhg ovfrkhnyf va trareny naq cnegvphyneyl nobhg ov zra. XVRERA JNYXRE VF FB VZCBEGNAG V PNA ABG FGERFF GUVF RABHTU.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Three

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 17:03:51 +0000

This is...a possible spoilery thing so I'm going to put it in rot13, but it's not spoilery at all, just it's information that came from interviews, not the actual show, so JUST IN CASE, rot13. Qbzvavp Zvgpuryy unf fnvq va vagreivrjf gung Fvzba vf tnl naq Xvrera vf ov. Fb Fvzba'f abg na rknzcyr bs n purngvat ovfrkhny, orpnhfr ur'f abg bar gb ortva jvgu. Anyway. Fuck Gary. Fuck him so hard. Can we take a second though to appreciate something here? When Amir realized that Freddie had forgotten his medicine, he could've grabbed a weapon. He could've bought into all the anti-PDS rhetoric and seized the opportunity to get rid of his romantic rival. He didn't. He grabbed Freddie's medicine instead. And then he stood between Gary's gun and Kieren and Freddie to give it to him. AMIR IS GREAT. I LOVE AMIR. Dear Gary: get your filthy mitts off Jem. Fuck you.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Two

Thu, 27 Nov 2014 17:42:11 +0000

Yeah, he has a fiancee named Vicky in S1. That's why he locked Dean up in the cage after he got bit. It's one of two plot holes I can think of in this show (the other is spoilery, so I shan't say more). I don't think they ever defined anyone's ages...some of the scenes at the legion with Rick seem to place Rick, Kieren, Phillip, and Gary at around the same age, but...IDK, maybe it's the beard that makes him look older but Gary has always seemed at least late twenties/possibly early thirties to me, so the age distance between him and Jem is...uncomfortable. Not to mention that she's extremely vulnerable right now and he damn well knows it, so it's just...very predatory. Fuck Gary. IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE, and I will probably talk about that later towards the end of the season, I just don't want to be spoilery here so I'll be vague but yes, my favorite thing about Simon and Kieren is that Kieren just DOES NOT BUY SIMON'S BULLSHIT. Like, there's a self-importance to Simon, and I think he needs that after his first life so far be it from me to take it from him, but because he is a disciple he's kind of on this pedestal and in walks Kieren like, "pfft. get down from there, you silly git, you're ridiculous."

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode Two

Thu, 27 Nov 2014 16:13:02 +0000

I really love the conversation between Simon and Kieren at the fence. It starts off light hearted and you can see why people would follow Simon. He's charming, without seeming like he's trying too hard. "I've been known to part the waters. Granted, it was a paddling pool at the time, but baby steps." And once you're drawn into that charm, he comes out with the more serious stuff until you're hanging on his every word. No wonder the Prophet sent him. He's charismatic. But can we take a second to appreciate the fact that In the Flesh created a dark, broody character type like something out of every supernatural romance ever (Angel, I am LOOKING AT YOU, SIR) and they put him the most hideous jumpers and oversized wooly coats because the very image of Simon standing there all I AM DARK AND MYSTERIOUS in that hideous jumper cracks me up every time. WHAT EVEN ARE YOU, SIMON MONROE. It's been said before but can we just take a moment to appreciate that though PDS functions as a metaphor for ableism, it does not replace it, and we have ACTUAL MENTALLY ILL CHARACTERS ON OUR SCREENS AT THE SAME TIME. We have Simon and Kieren who both have depression and Jem who has PTSD. I LOVE THAT A LOT. Not their suffering, of course, because I love them and want good things for them, but I love that actual mental illness doesn't disappear into the metaphor. I feel bad for Charlotte. It's a no-win scenario, really, so I don't think anyone is "right" or "wrong" here, but I do feel bad for her that she lost her dad twice. That's got to be painful. In conclusion, FUCK GARY. I see you, with your pervy eyes when Jem kissed you on the cheek. Is it just me or does he feel like a predator in this episode? Like...Jem is an adult, and I respect that, but she's CLEARLY vulnerable, and younger than he is, and it just...feels so skeevy to me. MITTS OFF, MATE.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode One

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:40:23 +0000

If it helps at all, Kevin Sutton (the actor who plays him) is a very nice person IRL. He's always interacting with fans on Twitter and generally being a good person. So if you think he's cute, it's probably adorable Kevin Sutton shining through. :)

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In the Flesh': Series Two, Episode One

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:38:11 +0000

I'll start by saying that I share your concerns about the casting of Maxine Martin. In fact, if there is any way this show fails to live up to the standards it's set for itself, it's in the nearly complete absence of people of color. There are two in series one, Kieren's last victim and her mother, and then in series two there's Maxine Martin who is already set up as a villain. In a show that does SO WELL at representing virtually everything else, it stands out. Moving on. I think the Victus party is meant to be a parallel to the UKIP party, which for anyone who doesn't know is a political party in Britain who believes in "Britain for the British" meaning that all immigrants should go back to their countries of origin and only people with British ancestry should be allowed to live in the country. So basically white people only. The terrifying thing is that they actually have some traction in some places, like the American Tea Party movement. Amy is my absolute favorite and I love how she just comes waltzing in all smiles and LOVE YOURSELF and YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THE LABEL THEY GAVE YOU and WEDDING'S OFF, I'M MARRYING THIS GUY NOW and just...being such a delight. And the fact that she walks into a pub where Gary fucking Kendall (fuck Gary) is having a pint after what he did to her, and she has no make up on, and neither does her companion, and she has the bravery to do that is just...I don't know that I could do that. How hilarious is that scene where Simon and Kieren first meet before Amy shows up. "Excuse me, you're sitting on my grave." "Oh, is this you? Sorry!" EXCUSE ME WHILE I LAUGH MY ASS OFF AT THE ABSURDITY. V'yy nyfb arire trg bire ubj jura Fvzba gheaf nebhaq naq fgnegf dhbgvat cbrgel, Xvrera znxrf guvf snpr yvxr BU AB UR'F UBG. I love Steve in the beginning of the episode, where he starts talking too much and then he's like "EXCUSE ME I AM NOT BOTTLING UP MY FEELINGS AND AM INSTEAD EXPRESSING MY EMOTIONS IN AN HONEST FASHION" and it's just...oh my god STEVE WALKER, EVERYBODY. I'm still sad about Ken. Sigh.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In The Flesh': Series One, Episode Three

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 03:01:11 +0000

Ugh, same. When I came out to my mom she literally just said, "No you're not," and that was that. I think that's why I feel so strongly about the Macys.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'In The Flesh': Series One, Episode Three

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 19:37:37 +0000

Agreed. I honestly think...like, Bill has this idea in his head of who Rick is. It doesn't match the reality at ALL, but I think he has these parameters of "my son is a God-fearing Christian man of duty. My son is a heterosexual guy who supports the same footie club as me. My son enjoys shooting things and is a hypermasculine army guy." And Before, when Rick displayed small "flaws" in that image (befriending and defending Kieren, accepting non-platonic gifts from him, etc etc), they were juuuuust teeny enough for Bill to think that Rick just needed re-directing, so he banned Kieren from the house and pushed Rick to sign up for the army. But when Rick shows up again as PDS and takes off that armor to show his dad who he is, it's like...it's like Bill looks at him and says, "this person doesn't match the image I have in my head of who my son is. Therefore, he's literally not my son. LITERALLY." And proceeds accordingly. Like, it's this level of disconnect from reality that lets him delude himself into genuinely believing that the person in front of him is not Rick because "of course he isn't! Rick would never be a PDS sufferer! Rick would never choose not to shoot when he has a gun in his hands! Rick would never want to kiss boys! That's simply not who Rick IS! NO IDEA WHO THIS GUY IS, BUT HE AIN'T MY SON." Ugh. I hate Bill Macy so much. Very few actors are capable of making me hate a character so intensely that if I ever saw that actor in real life, I'd walk away because just seeing their face triggers some kind of fiery hate response in my gut, but CONGRATULATIONS, THIS GUY DID IT.