HELLA STRUDEL

I actually do not give an actual fuck about (most of) the perceived inaccuracies and adaptive flourishes of Nolan's Odyssey and I think that some of you need to understand that stories can be good even if they are changed to fit a different thematic structure. I simply do not care about perceived mischaracterizations of one of history's oldest blorbos: Idgaf that it didn't include the Nobody detail when Odysseus' connection to the gods is tenuous and his sponsor god/the personification of his guilt wears the face of an innocent murdered as a result of his violations. His defining character traits are established much differently, and in my opinion, serve the medium far better. I think that some of you need to stop the rehash and enjoy a piece of art that claims inspiration, not accuracy.

my mom is in fact aware that dandelions exist. she temporarily forgot the name and there was some miscommunication.

the truth is actually weirder

she’s aware dandelions look like this

she is familiar with this flower. she knows the name of this flower. she declines to believe, however, that these are also dandelions

she does not believe these are the same plant. I tried to explain, and she thought I was either misinformed or lying. so I asked her what exactly did she think the yellow ones were called?

gosh I enjoy this website

Stuff they changed that annoyed me:

- Odysseus doesn't feign madness, instead honorably follows Melenaus because he fears Agamemnon's reaction if he doesn't

- Odysseus is more honorable than he is smart, what's that stupid fucking Thing with warning the prey. Idiot (I know it ties into the overall characterization and final message, but ugh. This is ODYSSEUS)

- Doesn't even eat any of the Cyclops' sheep, the Cyclop just starts eating people willy nilly. Okay then. Kinda following that:

- His men dying is truly more whims of the immortals instead of Odysseus' decisions. Sigh.

-Sinon's change of narrative is kind of ambivalent, at least it's interesting I guess, but again. It's Sinon!

- Melantho being Like That... is not innovative at all and very much follows the misogyny of the original. Found it tiring and boring.

Stuff I liked:

- Penelope... of course they went with that casting. And I think that's fully correct, don't know what people's deal is.

- The colors are actually fine? Have you been to the Mediterranean? It looks like that when you walk around there.

- Being inside the horse felt more believable than it ever did in any book version I ever read

- The opening of the gates was also pretty realistic. It's a stealth AND speed mission and it's a close call. It has to be.

- Agamemnon being so fucking unlikeable. They put him into historical and political context pretty well. This is HIS war and he was willing to sacrifice all these people including his daughter.

- Zendaya as Athena/ Cassandra. I mean... it's Zendaya. But I really liked this version, because it focuses on her canonical horror of what she has unleashed upon Troy.

- I liked that it assumed you are here because you like the Myths and know something about it. Little references everywhere, doesn't bother immediately explaining everything

- Callipso as an ambivalent yet sympathetic character, but also the horror of her. She decides what's good for you and you WILL like it.

- Speaking of horror: Great body horror with Circe. That transformation is PAINFUL. Same with the the depiction of Hades

- How the men stop listening to Odysseus and start following Eurylochos

- Tom Holland in that wonderful outfit. The one when he does paperwork at night. That's the guy the internet fell in love with, very Umbrella reminiscent

- Pretty great depiction of the classic kind of PTSD as it was first constructed by western psychiatry. The wounds you afflict yourself with by being a war criminal

- And finally: Taking responsibility even for stuff you're not actually responsible for is a kind of hubris. Important message to myself and many people I know, actually.