Eat The Rich

Marshall and Donovan and the intro from The Bad Guys, and the girls!!!

My car is dying/about to die and I didn't realize it until today, so I'm opening commissions again!

Basically, I changed my oil yesterday to discover a BUNCH of oil on the splash guard. Today, the "low oil" warning is back on, which tells me she's burning oil, leaking it, or a combo of both.

I got a physical copy so I could take notes in and once I’m done with the book (I had to stop to prioritize school for the semester) I’m going to write a review. It’s an incredible story and GDT’s movie honestly nailed the vibes in terms of adaptations. A stark contrast to Wuthering Heights.

SPEAKING OF. I’m glad we didn’t get Dev Patel (despite my and many others feeling that he would be a great Heathcliff bc Acting and Looks). I feel like Men of Color as problematic characters are scrutinized far more than white men, and casting Jacob Elordi vs Dev in an adaptation that can be considered “loose” at best worked in Emerald Fennel’s favor. Book Heathcliff is straight up a monster (caused by Trauma but a monster still), and Movie Heathcliff is def a Creep, and with the general lack of media literacy combined with the ever-growing parasocial connections viewers have with actors due to social media would be a powder keg, I fear.

Things I’ve noticed:

The show tends to lean on “Cheating” (the kids kissing someone other than their spouse) for some of the drama. I would’ve loved to see them have more integrity.

Adam literally cannot catch a break. I love how well-written his arc has been. I also called him not being straight LMAO. Peak Messy bisexual rep.

I’m on the Episode where Eric is in Nigeria and him pushing things with his family is driving me nuts! Like sweetie they aren’t telling you to stifle yourself for anything other than they care TTATT.

Otis and Maeve’s arc has been too drawn out: after the party they should have made the call to only stay friends (which supports my first point about the kissing thing). Issac is a great kid and has worked hard to earn Maeve’s trust back. Otis is incredibly selfish this season LOL.

Also the cast is a veritable goldmine of talent. Kate Bridgerton? The girl who plays Lily was one of my favorite parts of 2020’s Emma and she’s in “the other Bennet girl” and I’m SO HYPED for that. She’s so cute and has a great look for regency era pieces <3. Jason Issacs, Ncuti, The guy from Horrible Histories?? Like the cast is SO GOOD.

Hope is my least favorite villain - it stinks that her arc isn’t more nuanced. I interpret her as projecting her own anger and bitterness about not having children onto her work, but even then it seems like she takes joy in being cruel and it stinks that it seems like there’s nothing there besides “I come off as cool and progressive but actually I’m a huge conservative.” There’s so much there that could be explored and being almost done with the third season I feel like I’m not going to get it.

In contrast, seeing Mr. Groff get his redemption arc is so fascinating. Recognizing Adam’s trauma meant also recognizing Mr. Groff’s trauma, but seeing him reach out to Jean and apologize has been lovely.

Big picture wise, seeing a woman be a nuance-less villain and have it not be that she’s inherently sexual and grasping for control in similar ways to Groff, while giving Groff the chance to reflect on himself is a great way to compare and contrast the two. I don’t think we’ve gotten a picture of Hope’s experience at the school and the fact that we haven’t is disappointing.

I also deeply love Eric and his arc. I’ve got a bad feeling we’re about to see another “cheating” scandal on his trip and I’m tired of Adam getting hurt LOL. They’ve been good for each other in terms of navigating relationships.