Love Religiously

badassery if you ask me

Barbara Gordon in Batman (2016)

🎨 Jorge Jimenez

Young Royals Parallels #4 - Kan vi snacka?

welcome to a series where I analyse the living daylights out of this show

Now, unless Netflix has done my (pitifully monolingual) self a disservice, this translates to “Can we talk?”.  And boy, can we talk. There’s been a bit of discussion already about how Simon and Wilhelm’s relationship is so refreshing to watch because of the healthy level of communication between the two. This is excellent writing by an excellent team throughout the entire series, creating a story arc that is realistic and nuanced, with miscommunication not employed for cheap drama. However, I want to talk specifically about the two times Wilhelm uses the exact words “Kan vi snacka?”. Stay with me -

–

The first time we see this play out it’s over text in episode 3, as Wilhelm wants to chat to Simon about their slumber party plans after parent’s lunch:

These three words precede the honest conversation about how Wille has heard August’s plans to stay at school over the weekend and, to keep their little burgeoning I-want-to-hang-out-with-you situation a secret, asks Simon if he can stay at his place instead. First off, this is a brilliant example of not taking the obvious story route, where Wille and Simon stay at school unaware August is there, and August finds out about them that way, potentially using this information in a blackmail fashion - as is seen all too often; the weaponisation of queer relationships in this way. (Keep in mind at this moment the audience is unaware of the events that will follow to close out episode 3, so for most of us I’d bet that stereotypical setup was the prevalent expectation.)

However, what makes this scene so intriguing is when you realise where they are - at the windowsill where their first kiss took place in episode 2. We actually get almost the exact same sequence in both scenes (though the frame is tighter in episode 2 - greater level of intimacy/secrecy?) of Wilhelm alone at the window, and Simon walking into frame to meet him.

(episode 2)

(episode 3)

Most significantly for this parallel though, is that this is the first place Wilhelm tried (and failed spectacularly) to articulate anything of significance to Simon. “I’m not… sorry. I’m not… Wait!” is all we get out of Wilhelm in that scene. He’s trying so hard to tell Simon something, using his words, and he just… can’t. He resorts to carefully kissing Simon back in that moment (which is definitely appropriate and what the situation called for, I’m not trying to say the episode 2 scene was wrong in any way, it was simply not a conversation). It’s also important to note the words we do get out of him aren’t in support of pursuing Simon at all, it seems to be a defense of compulsory heteronormativity. 

The contrast between these two interactions at the windowsill is astronomical. By the time we get to the end of episode 3, Wilhelm’s had some time to think, time to process, time to work out what he wants, time to be okay with his wanting. We’re getting full sentences from him! About his regard for Simon (and Simon’s family) and wanting to be involved with the people closest to him! He’s communicating his wants and needs! Which signifies he’s now comfortable with what he wants, and what he wants is hang time with his wittle cwush Simon. Ugh I just love how it’s the same place, it’s brilliant.

–

Now onto the second time we hear the words, this time actually spoken, in episode 5. This is the scene directly after August reveals to Wilhelm that Simon’s the one that provided the drugs. Wilhelm asks Simon to chat; to tell him about Alexander being caught, to ask him about the pills. (Side note: I love this brilliant moment from Omar here, look at how fast Simon’s smile falls away when he gets a good look at Wille’s face. He’s all dimpled ‘my boy wants me’, and then 0.2 seconds later is a furrowed brow and ‘oh no, my boy needs me’.)

This conversation is another example of how this show did not take the easy way out in terms of a plot complication device formed from miscommunication. As soon as we hear August tell Wille about Simon’s role in their illicit activities, an audience raised on stereotypical (generally US) teen dramas would be thinking that Wille’s going to be annoyed with Simon immediately, perhaps take action to spite him, or blow up at him publicly. Or alternatively that this will fester as an unresolved issue and be brought up as an argument later in their relationship. The show does neither of these things, it says to us “Can we talk?” and proceeds to smash all of our expectations to smithereens.

Wilhelm asks point blank what’s happened. Simon is open and completely honest, hard as that must have been. Wilhelm relays exactly the conversation that happened in the little Society meeting. From there the conversation devolves into a… heated discussion - there’s tension, they don’t agree. This is one of the first times, in a conversation between only the two of them, that their class divide hovers like an elephant in the room (as opposed to earlier on, when it’s been other people - August, etc. - pointing out their differences in station). I may be mistaken, but I also believe this is the first time Simon calls Wille ‘Prince’ to his face; which is big, huge, in the narrative of their relationship. Wilhelm was not, in his mind, Simon’s ‘Prince’ before now. Wilhelm likes Simon’s socialist talk in theory, but in this scene he butts up against the fact that he isn’t completely separated from the vaguely anti-monarchist rhetoric of Simon’s. Simon doesn’t dislike the monarchy but likes Wilhelm, Simon dislikes the monarchy and likes Wilhelm. There’s a distinct difference, as with Erik’s death, Wilhelm is now the sole future of the monarchy. What a cross to bear.

And once again, look at where Wilhelm takes him to have this conversation; remember the “Simon. Don’t you know how to read sheet music?” scene? The conversation in episode 5 takes place in the school music room, which we first became acquainted with when Simon tried to talk about their kiss at the beginning of episode 3.

(episode 3)

(episode 5)

We can draw similar parallels here as above - in episode 3, Wilhelm is not really talking to Simon yet. It’s “Because I did say, you know, that I’m not…”, compared to the more developed, mature and nuanced conversation happening in episode 5.

However, the biggest difference here is Simon’s response to a disagreement with Wilhelm. In episode 3, Wille asks if they can forget about the kiss, and Simon nods. He says yes, he says that he gets it. When Wilhelm asks if he’s sure, he says “That’s fine.” (spoiler alert, it’s not fine). At this point the stakes are lower, Simon’s not sure Wilhelm’s in this, he’s not sure what he can ask for. He obviously does not understand in the slightest and is not okay with how Wilhelm is brushing him off, but he says it’s fine and walks away from the conversation.

Contrast this with Simon’s position in the conversation in episode 5, where he stands his ground. He knows now that Wilhelm wants this, wants him. He questions Wilhelm’s assumptions. When Wille talks about his family’s reputation, Simon asks but what about him and his family? Simon’s under the assumption there’s the start of an “us”, that they’re on the same rung of the ladder, and rightfully questions when Wilhelm makes statements contrary to what Simon believed was a shared understanding of their situation. Simon walks out of this conversation too, mind. (Foreshadowing his leaving the relationship stranded?) But we have growth! Development! Communication!

–

So basically, our two “Kan vi snacka?” moments are two (of many) building blocks laying the open and honest communication foundation for Simon and Wilhelm in their relationship. The two scenes they parallel back to are where Wilhelm begins “I’m not…” and then finishes “…not like that, you know?”, and to have him then open up to Simon in the way that we have seen is such good character development; similarly, to have Simon now stating his reality, his significance, his wants and needs when faced with Wilhelm’s frustration and anxiety is such good character development.

(Someone please work out how to bottle the creative genius of this show, we could make millions.)

I’m going to do it. I’m going to do it. This is it, I’m gonna do it. Presenting: THE EXPLAINING REALM OF THE ELDERLINGS TO RAZZ PROJECT SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO READ THE BOOKS BUT THEY CAN STILL ENJOY MY SHITPOSTING ABOUT IT

PART ONE: ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE PART ONE-A: CAST OF CHARACTERS THE FARSEERS (The royal family of the Six Duchies, every member of this clan is a hot mess. I will also be including Farseers-by-marriage in this category). Nameless/Fitz/Fitzchivalry: The POV character, King-in-Waiting Chivalry’s bastard whose name is literally “Chivarly’s Bastard.” Prince Chivalry: Fitz’s father who never has an on-screen appearance. He was first in line to the throne but abdicates when Fitz shows up. Prince Verity: Chiv’s younger brother, the Nice Uncle who becomes the new King-in-Waiting. Honest as his name and good at sports. Prince Regal: Chivalry and Verity’s younger half-brother, the Mean Uncle. Vain and power hungry and has like negative three redeeming qualities. King Shrewd: Current king, kind of getting on in years but not yet totally decrepit. He’s an ends-justify-the-means guy but not in an evil way. Chade: King Shrewd’s older half-brother on the wrong side of the sheets. An assassin. Lives in the walls. Has a weasel. August: Fourth? In line for the throne, he’s someone’s cousin, I forget whose, but he can do the Skill, so he’s here. Queen Constance: Chivalry and Verity’s mom. Shrewd’s arranged-marriage wife. Dead. Queen Desire: Regal’s mom. Shrewd’s midlife crisis trophy wife. Suffers from what we will discreetly call “substance abuse disorder.” Is a Mythic Bitch. Patience: Chivalry’s wife. Has ADHD. Can’t have children. Weird, but nice. (Kettricken is grouped with Rurisk so he doesn’t get lonely). CASTLE AND STABLE FOLK (and Molly) Burrich: Fitz’s pseudo-father and keeper. Stablemaster of Buckkeep, former right hand man to Chivalry. Was an adventurer like you until he took a pig to the knee. Cobb: Burrich’s apprentice. That’s kind of it, but he’s worth mentioning. Hands: A stablehand and Fitz’s friend. Likes redheads. Claims to have fucked a million women. Hasn’t. Lacy: Patience’s serving woman and bestie. Makes lace, nods indulgently and will stab you. The Fool: Albino freak-child who serves as King Shrewd’s jester. People are kind of afraid of him. Sometimes appears to yell word-salad at Fitz or walk his dog for him. Galen: Potions, er, Skill-master. Walks around the keep sneering at people. Supposed to teach people how to Skill, but isn’t good at it. Skill Students: Will not become important until next book. Molly Nosebleed: A pugnacious street girl who lives in Buckkeep Town. Fitz hangs out with her when he can. MOUNTAIN FOLK Rurisk: Prince of the Mountain Kingdom. Took an arrow to the chest and kept on truckin’. Used to be friends with Chivalry, is a pretty stand up guy. Hope nothing happens to him. Kettricken: Rurisk’s younger sister, betrothed to Verity (and later married) late in the book. Picture Gwendolyn Christie. Now give her a sword and a sense of duty that’ll blow you into next Tuesday. Jonqui: Kettricken’s aunt. No nonsense. Thinks Fitz is cute. PETS Nosy: Hound dog puppy. Bonded to Fitz. Smithy: I think Smithy’s like a French Bulldog or something? Fitz calls him a “terrier” but he’s not a ratting breed, he’s kind of muscly… anyway, bonded to Fitz. Sooty: Fitz’s horse. Best mare, perfect cinnamon roll and can do no wrong. Vixen: Burrich’s dog and Nosy’s mother. Good dog. Slink: A weasel belonging to Chade. MAGICS (I know magic is not a character, but they do have to be explained somewhere) The Wit: The ability to “bond” with certain animals and speak with them, as well as sense life force and to do a kind of mental shove at people. You tend to act a little like the animal you’ve bonded to. Witted people are considered gross and animalistic and are run out of town or put to death. The Skill: Telepathy. Considered the “birthright” of the Farseers. Most people can sense it at least a little, but it takes inborn talent and a lot of careful training to do anything useful with it. Skilling apparently feels awesome but if you give in to the temptation to fully open yourself to it you can get sucked out of your own  brain. and… fuck I think that’s it, I intended this to be quick and simple but nothing is fucking simple in this series. I’m gonna go take a nap.

Need help with artifacts? Here are some guides for beginners:

I made these and posted them on the Hoyo lab forums for Genshin, but thought the info wouldnt hurt to share here either.

These guides are aimed towards people who are beginners/ dont know how artifacts work, so more experienced players will probs find not much of use here lol.

Ask questions if you dont understand anything, I'm here to spread knowledge :))

It's a bit unrealistic that every kpop idol is gay don't you think

being straight is unrealistic

HEY ! YOU!

Reblog if you think trans women are real women , and trans men are real men .

I'm trying to prove something to my transphobic father .

actual dart king jimin

“That’s not love” she tells me. “You don’t have to beg for someone to stay. You don’t have to beg for someone to live with you. You don’t beg for them to commit to you and you don’t have to beg for a title. When it’s love, you don’t even think about those things. They happen naturally. This boy is the epitome of everything that love is not. And what a heartbreaking yet wonderful experience to have at a young age, for it opens up more room for the right sort of love to appear”

— my mothers pep talks (ms, 2019)

Jimin:

Also Jimin:

ARMY: