Storm Grey Eyes

Makoto and Ryder arrive to Ryder's apartment after the gala and start playing video games. Ryder is shy to see Makoto without makeup.

Joel and Jude are preparing to leave the gala too. Joel is looking for Tsubaki, but can't find xir. Jude suggests that Tsubaki may have left with Hánsa. They ask the cloakroom about Tsubaki, who confirm that Tsubaki has indeed left without Joel. Joel doesn't seem too distraught about this, though. He suggests he and Jude go to a strip club.

Tsubaki and Hánsa arrive at Tsubaki's apartment building. Hánsa shyly asks if he can come in to say goodnight. Tsubaki allows this, and the two go in. As Tsubaki starts making them coffee, Hánsa offers to help. While Hánsa struggles to reach the mugs in the cupboard, Tsubaki steps close to him to get the mugs xirself. This brings their faces very close to each other and the tension thickens. Giving in, the two kiss and head to the bedroom.

Delano and Asahi, however, are still stuck at the gala venue as Lieselotte supervises the cleanup. Delano questions why he and Asahi are even here, since they can't help the staff or boss people around.

Prime, outside the gala venue, gets a text from Luke. Luke hacked into the security cameras of the gala venue and saw Delano kiss Maurice in the security cameras. Prime grins seeing this.

Nursimo and Niran also make it home. Niran invites Simo in, but Simo says that he won't be any good company right now. Niran replies that he won't mind, he just wants to spend time with him. Simo agrees to spend the night.

Makoto and Ryder are full in their gaming date. Ryder takes his mask off. Makoto asks if he's sure about being without a mask. Ryder says he is, because he'll need it off. He kisses Makoto and immediately panics about not having asked her. Makoto tells him he's fine and kisses him back. The two continue making out on the sofa.

Joel and Jude are having an afterparty at a strip club. They're having lapdances, although Jude's dancer is just sitting next to him. The two have a short conversation about hobbies. The conversation shifts to Tsubaki having ditched Joel. Joel, still, isn't disappointed about it and even says that he hopes that Tsubaki "is getting xir guts rearranged". Joel's dancer laughs at this unintentionally, but Joel gives her a tip for it. Joel admits that he's not very possessive of the girls he dates. They're allowed to see and sleep with other man as long as he's allowed to see and sleep with other women too. He also admits that he likes just talking to the dancers because it makes the lapdance more personal.

Maurice arrives home and sees Delano's furniture scattered in his apartment. He notes that Delano needs a new mattress on his bed.

In Mala's basement, Jaimal is practising his walk while Berwyn watches. Berwyn muses that Jaimal might be able to climb the stairs soon and that they want to see Hilda's face when she sees Jaimal again. Jaimal is surprised to hear that Hilda is still alive. Mala comes in with Jaimal's evening smoothie. The family talks more about Hilda, and Berwyn says that she used to look for Jaimal right after the accident. Jaimal seems devastated to hear this. Filled with determination, he heads to the stairs and starts climbing up. Slowly and arduously, Jaimal makes his way up the stairs, helped by Mala, who easily lifts him. Jaimal notes that he really needs to gain his weight back.

Jaimal and Mala make it up the stairs and Jaimal sits on the floor to catch his breath before he starts to look for Hilda. Hilda does appear into the hallway, but she seems scared to see Jaimal. She even growls at him. Jaimal lets her sniff his hand first, and Hilda seems to recognize his scent. Soon she's rubbing her face on Jaimal's hands and purring like a chainsaw. Jaimal tears up. After the emotions die down, Berwyn notes that Jaimal is back in the house. He can sleep in his and Mala's bed and even have a bath now!

After drinking his evening smoothie and brushing his teeth, Jaimal is laying his and Mala's bed. Mala cuddles to his side and tells him how much she missed him.

Delano, Asahi and Lieselotte finally arrive at Lieselotte's house after the gala. Delano lets Fang in and asks if she broke anything while he was away. Lieselotte hears this and asks if everything is alright. Delano says that Fang tends to get anxious when she's alone and Lieselotte seems surprised to hear this. Delano says he assumed that Lieselotte doesn't care about Fang, which Lieselotte seems hurt about. Her tone quickly turns threatening, while Delano just wants to go to sleep. Lieselotte asks why she's not enough for Delano and why Delano has to go to the Red Lights District. Delano freezes in shock.

The situation is diffused when Asahi comes in and asks Lieselotte where his cleanser is. Delano uses this to escape into his bedroom. He takes comfort in the fact that tomorrow he and Fang will be out of the house.

Lieselotte, meanwhile, gets a text from Prime, who sent her the same images from the security cameras that he received. Lieselotte is enraged, but seems to tame her rage into a cold smolder.

The next morning, Mala and Jaimal wake up in their bed together. They're both so comfortable that neither wants to move. Hilda comes in and begs for breakfast, which Mala gets up to give her. Left alone, Jaimal sits up and sees his mutated arm in the full body mirror in the bedroom. Jaimal stares at his reflection in stunned silence, running his fingers over the ruined tattoo on his bicep. Mala returns to the bedroom and sees this. She tells him that this arm saved his life. If Jaimal hadn't mutated right after the accident, he might have died. Jaimal says that he'll get used to the arm. It's just weird right now.

Makoto and Ryder wake up too and also don't want to get up. Ryder notes how early Makoto's alarm is. Makoto says that she's very busy. The two exchange a few kisses.

In Finland, we have this concept called "nostalgiapärinä". "Pärinä" is youth slang for an energy drink buzz. When you add the word for nostalgia in front of it, it means a good (or bad, depending) feeling you get from having nostalgia. Tähtikaaren taa is hugely nostalgic for me because it was one of the rare pop music albums we had in our house. I used to listen to it a lot as a kid, and a lot of the songs still hold up, even if are Incredibly Nineties lol.

As a child, Aikakone's lyrics attracted me a lot because their songs often have a kind of a scifi-ish or fantasy-ish theme to them, which made them so much more relatable for a child than straight-up love songs did. Of course the album does have love songs (one of the songs is literally titled "Love song"), but the scifi themed title track, Tähtikaaren taa, outshines them all.

4. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2

Another nostalgic album for me. When I was a teenager, I heard Vertigo on the radio and liked it a lot. My mother was surprised that I liked a band that had been active in her youth too, so she offered to buy me the whole album it's from (as a souvenir from a trip to Estonia too!). This was very unusual for her, because she often didn't want to buy albums because if there's only one song you like on it. This wasn't the case for me and Atomic Bomb, it's a no-skip album for me. All of the songs are really good and it ends with the perfect album-ending song Yahweh.

3. Veden äärelle by Sara

Choosing just one Sara album was very hard. My all time favourite Sara songs are Momentum and Sileä tie, but I had to choose an album that has neither of those songs, Veden äärelle. I touched on this during my Sara retrospective, but this was an important album for me when I was in upper secondary school. I had a very hard time, and the bright, airy sound of this album helped me through some very hard nights.

2. Epicloud by Devin Townsend

The first Devin Towsend album I ever listened to and it blew me AWAY, like Townsend's music often does. I've only recently started to appreciate the album as a whole outside True North, Where We Belong, Save Our Now, Hold On and Angel (which are my favourite songs from this album). Kingdom goes hard as hell, Lucky Animals is a fun bop and Grace is INCREDIBLE. I can't believe that I skipped those for over ten years.

Colours in the Sun by Voyager

Delano wakes up in a hospital right before Lieselotte barges into his room with a nurse and a wheelchair. The nurse deems Delano good enough to be discharged, so he's free to go. As Lieselotte is taking Delano out of the hospital, she says that she and Delano have to go clothes shopping because Delano's clothes are so worn and because he needs a suit for the upcoming charity gala where Delano is supposed to make his social debut as Lieselotte's husband (and which Delano is just learning about for the first time right now).

Lieselotte drives Delano to her house, chatting cheerfully, despite Delano barely responding to her. When they get to the house, Lieselotte says that there's someone who's eager to see him. Delano, expecting Fang, eagerly steps in. However, instead of Fang, Lieselotte calls for Adriano. Delano freezes immediately when he sees him, recognizing that they have the same eyes. Lieselotte tells Delano that Adriano is her and Delano's son. Delano, stunned, asks where Fang is. Lieselotte, astonished that he would care about her, tells him that she took her to an animal shelter. Delano isn't quite angry about it, but he's upset. Lieselotte tells him that she can have Fang brought to the house if she absolutely must. Delano tells him that he does absolutely need her. Lieselotte excuses herself to make some calls.

Adriano and Delano move to the kitchen to have sandwiches. The two bond over liking dogs, as Adriano reveals that he's always wanted a dog, but Lieselotte would only allow him a small breed dog.

Lieselotte appears into the kitchen, happy that the two are getting along already. She tells that Fang will be brought to the house tomorrow morning and starts making plans for keeping Fang outside as she strokes Delano's hair, unaware that Delano is frozen solid under her hands.

Delano asks if he has a room in the house. Lieselotte doesn't seem happy about the question, but tells him that there's a guest bedroom that she hasn't prepared for Delano, but where Delano can sleep. Delano goes to see the room, and Lieselotte brings his clothes there also, in a trash bag. Lieselotte starts to unpack his clothes, which takes such a long time that Delano asks how much of his clothes did she bring here. Lieselotte tells him that she brought all of them because Delano is going to live here now.

In Mala's basement, Mala brings Jaimal a smoothie. She asks if she can sit up by himself, which Jaimal can. However, the shifting draws Jaimal's attention to his mutated left arm and he finally has a good look at it for the first time after waking up. He's in shock at the sight of it. His left arm is now long enough to easily reach past his knee and it's much thicker than his right arm. His hand is big enough to easily cover both of Mala's hands. After Mala reassures him that the mutation is how he's still alive, Jaimal seems to calm down a little, although he's still shaken. Mala helps Jaimal drink his smoothie, and the couple chat about Aditi. As Mala cleans Jaimal's face, Jaimal sees the wedding ring on Mala's left hand. Jaimal doesn't seem to remember that they got married. Jaimal asks about the wedding ceremony and Mala tells him that they have a whole photo album full of photos from their wedding. Jaimal wants to see it, and Mala promises to bring it for Jaimal's next meal.

Beatrice and Qianfan bring the evidence of Lieselotte's side company disposing chemicals improperly and experimenting on spontaneous mutations to Jaqueline, who seems very happy about it. This will surely ruin Lieselotte's reputation in the top levels. However, this evidence doesn't help Delano. Beatrice promises that Orlando is heading to Lieselotte's house to help Delano, and Qianfan promises that they'll get Delano back to Jaqueline. Jaqueline muses that the Badawis don't even need the information about Zeus anymore since they found about the mutation drug. Beatrice confirms this, but says that they'll help Delano anyway because it's the right thing to do. Jaqueline appreciates this and tells Beatrice that she owes the Badawis a favor now. She tells her that if the Badawis need help with getting someone out of their way or hiding a body, she can help because she doesn't have the same strict honor code as the Badawis do.

Meanwhile, Angelo, Camila and Isabella are cooking, while Angelo seems a little absent. Camila asks what's on his mind, and Angelo asks what it means when someone calls you cute. Angelo ends up telling Camila and Isabella about the evening at the bar and how at the end of it, Whisper called Angelo cute, while drunk. Camila asks if Angelo likes Whisper, which Angelo isn't sure about, but would like to find out. Isabella suggests that Angelo could just ask Whisper what they meant by calling him cute because autistic people like herself and Whisper like direct and clear communication. Angelo seems dubious about it working, but says he'll think about it.

The next morning, Delano wakes up in Lieselotte's house, briefly confused before he remembers where he is. He wanders around Lieselotte's house, makes himself breakfast and finds his furniture in the garage. He also finds Lieselotte's yard, where he ends up standing there, watching the sky change color in the sunrise, where Lieselotte finds him. Delano says that he needs to call Tomo about his broken arm. Lieselotte tells him that she already did that the previous day while Delano was in the hospital. Lieselotte asks Delano about Fang (calling her "it"). Delano tells her how he met her when he was a young adult and Fang was an abandoned puppy.

At the time, Delano was in a gang and fought other people because he was constantly angry. One day, he found a pitbull puppy at a dumpster. He picks her up and takes her to an animal shelter. The shelter worker tells Delano that she doesn't have a microchip, so she doesn't have an owner. The worker also tells him that pitbulls are an unpopular breed so it's likely that no one will take her. Delano asks what will happen to her. The worker picks up that Delano might have some feelings towards the puppy and asks if he's interested in adopting. The worker gives Delano some pamphlets about owning and training a dog and promises to keep the puppy on hold on one condition: Delano would have to prove that he can take care of her. Delano accepts the deal. That was the incentive for Delano to get his shit together. He got an apartment and a job just so he could take care of Fang. Delano says that Fang saved his life.

In the present, Lieselotte finally understands why Delano loves Fang so much. But she also connects the dots that Delano met Fang around the same time she met Delano too. Delano says that that was a bad time for him because his mother's death and because of... Lieselotte interrupts Delano before he can finish the sentence.

They're interrupted by the doorbell. Fang has arrived. Fang and Delano both are very happy about the reunion. Delano takes Fang to the yard, where Fang is happy to run around. Adriano appears and greets Fang too, immediately falling in love with her.

After Fang and Adriano play fetch for a bit, Adriano asks Delano what he should call him. Delano tells him just his name is good, which Adriano seems relieved about. Adriano seems to want to tell Delano something, but Lieselotte interrupts them, telling Delano that they have an appointment at the tailor to get him measured for his suit.

At the tailor, Gina, the tailor, asks what color Delano would prefer for the suit. Lieselotte wants a dark cyan with a subtle shimmer, but Delano wants a more cyan-y dark seafoam green and a dark magenta for the tie. Lieselotte thinks that pink isn't manly, but Delano says that he likes it because Fang's collar is the same color.

As Delano and Lieselotte leave the tailor shop, Delano asks what the gala is for. Lieselotte tells him that it's a charity event for a homeless shelter and Delano and Adriano's social debut.

Back at Lieselotte's house, Delano goes to his room, but Fang seems reluctant to enter. Orlando is standing behind Delano and clears his throat. After the shock wears off, Delano recognizes Orlando as one of his clients. Orlando officially introduces himself as a Badawi Family member and tells him that he's here to help Delano. Orlando notices Delano's arm in a cast and asks what happened. After Delano tells him he got beaten, Orlando asks if the perpetrators were caught. Delano doesn't know, so Orlando says he'll look into it before he leaves.

Orlando reports back to Jaqueline that Delano seems scared and depressed to be in Lieselotte's house and that his arm is broken. Jaqueline says that it's not enough to move Delano and his stuff out of the house, because Lieselotte might just find Delano again and move him back. To make sure that Delano is completely safe from Lieselotte, they would have to make sure that Lieselotte won't go after him again. To do that, Jaqueline's Plan A is to ruin Lieselotte's reputation and businesses so no one will want to associate with her and she won't have the money to pay people to do her dirty work. Orlando suggests a restraining order. Jaqueline shrugs him off because she wants something bigger and worse for Lieselotte because she gentrifies the lower levels and tries to get sex work recriminalized. Orlando tells her that he understands her now, although he doesn't agree with her. Jaqueline asks about Delano's furniture. Orlando tells her that he met Delano's landlord who told him that his furniture had been moved out, so it's likely that they're all at Lieselotte's house, but he has an idea about them.

Lieselotte is cooking lunch. Delano appears and asks about the men who beat him. Lieselotte tells him that he doesn't have to worry about it. Delano says that the police might want to hear his testimony about it, but Lieselotte insists that he doesn't have to worry about it, pulling a knife out of a knife block. Delano folds and apologizes.

Maurice meets with Orlando as he's leaving the casino. He asks Orlando how Delano was at Lieselotte's house, if he's eaten, if he's scared and if Fang is with him. Orlando answers honestly. Orlando sees that Maurice cares about Delano and he offers to take Maurice along when he heads to Lieselotte's house again the next day. Maurice agrees. Daxton, who is escorting Orlando out, asks if he can come too. Orlando says no, Maurice says yes, causing instant friction between the two. Orlando compromises that Daxton can come along when they get Delano's furniture out.

At he hospital, Camila and Isabella visit Leonardo, Sofia and Lorenzo. Leonardo confesses that he's getting bored. He asks Camila how Beatrice is doing. Sofia agrees that she should be resting like the rest. Camila sighs that she doesn't have the right to tell Beatrice what to do. Leonardo asks Camila to tell Beatrice to call him. He could talk to her.

At Lieselotte's house, Lieselotte leaves for work. Delano goes to play fetch with Fang in the yard again. Adriano joins him and says that he has something to tell Delano. Adriano finally confesses that he's not actually Delano's son because Lieselotte adopted him when he was five.

At Mala's basement, Jaimal and Mala are looking through the photos from their wedding. Jaimal is sad that he can't remember it. He asks when he can come upstairs. Mala tells him that she has to decontaminate everything and make sure that no outsiders see him before they're ready. Jaimal also has to climb the stairs up. Jaimal says that he has to practice his walking in the meantime. Mala says she could install bars for Jaimal to lean on.

Back at Lieselotte's yard, Delano is reeling. Adriano tells him that his real name is Asahi. Asahi reveals that the first thing Lieselotte said to him was that his eyes were "just like his father's" and that Lieselotte wanted Asahi to be buff when he was younger, which he was unable to do because building muscle is hard for his body type. At least Lieselotte is supportive of Asahi's band. The mention of the band draws Delano out of his stupor and he asks what they play and seems interested in hearing their music.

Asahi says that Delano is taking the news surprisingly well. Delano says that it's a lot and that he's still processing, but he's a little relieved because he would feel bad about leaving his actual kid behind. Asahi seems understanding about it. The two agree to make the best of an awful situation in while Delano is stuck at the house, though.

Angelo struggles to type a message to Whisper. Qianfan steps in and offers to help him compose a message and sends it without asking. Whisper answers that they were drunk last night, but they do think that Angelo is cute and to "make of that what you will". Angelo is confused that the latter means. Qianfan (still on Angelo's phone) asks, and Whisper tells that Angelo can take it as flirting or ignore it if he wants. Angelo does want to get to know Whisper better, but his life is hectic right now. He figures that he can't ask Whisper to wait until his life calms down. Qianfan suggests that the two can hang out as friends first. Whisper was about to suggest that too.

Orlando then speaks up and asks Qianfan to come with him to Lieselotte's house to see Delano's furniture. They meet up with Maurice and head to the house.

Delano seems pleasantly surprised to see Maurice and hugs him tightly. Orlando sees this with a shrinking smile. Qianfan sees him stare at Delano and Maurice wistfully and asks if he really fell in love with a sex worker, someone who he's paid to spend time with. Orlando doesn't want to talk about it. Qianfan brings the group back on track and asks about Delano's furniture. Delano tells that Lieselotte brought everything here because she clearly wants Delano to live here permanently. The plan is to move Delano's stuff out little by little without Lieselotte noticing, which means that Delano has to stay at the house until everything is moved. On the bright side, it should take less than a week. Maurice promises to take Delano in until he can find a new apartment. For now, the group will take Delano's coffee maker, microwave and toaster and bring them to Maurice's apartment, and get Delano's bigger furniture with a car the next day. Delano says that Lieselotte will be out of the house for the gala, which is when they should move the furniture.

As Delano is seeing the group off at the front door, Asahi appears. Delano tells him that he's going to leave soon, which makes Asahi a little sad. Delano promises that they can still meet and talk even after Delano is out, which cheers him up.

Lieselotte, however, gets a notification from her home security system of unusual activity at her house. She sees security camera footage of Maurice, Orlando and Qianfan in her garage with Delano. She doesn't seem to think much of it, though.

At the Police Department, Yuuji and Whisper are starting their work day. Yuuji asks Whisper if they've talked to Angelo, which Whisper is flustered about. Yuuji clarifies if Whisper has talked to Angelo about the case. Yuuji asks Whisper if they want to talk about the whole flustered business, and Whisper confesses that they called Angelo cute by drunk accident. The two end up talking about the whole situation between Whisper and Angelo and the conclusion the two reached. Yuuji is happy for Whisper. He then asks if Angelo is going to join them in the investigation again. Whisper texts Angelo and asks.

The album immediately opens with the energetic title song, Powernerd. And it's an interesting sound! This is more hard rock than heavy metal from what I can hear. It's a fun banger.

By Knuckledragger, I figure that the vibe on this album is... a little more tangible than I've gotten used to from Townsend. Like, it's easier to listen to, you know? I don't know how to describe it. It's less Tool and more... I don't want to say "mainstream palatable", but it's the closest thing I can think of. It's still heavy metal/hard rock with screamed vocals and abrasive lyrics, but it's easier to grasp and comprehend than, say, Puzzle. It's an interesting direction from Townsend and I like it!

Gratitude brings it back to the traditional Townsend sound, though. It's big, it's epic, it blows you over like a strong gust of wind. Incredible track.

Jainism is another track that I want to highlight because it's easily the best song on the album and the reason why I've been so excited for this album. The sing-along-able chorus and thought-provoking lyrics are so good and the punchy "this is so much larger" line before the chorus is so headbangable. This song has been stuck in my head off-and-on for a couple of weeks now and I couldn't be happier. Jainism is easily one of the best metal songs of 2024, which is a feat because Gojira's Mea Culpa and Bloodywood and BABYMETAL's Bekhauf also came out this year.

Glacier is another incredible track that continues the traditional Townsend sound. I stand wildly corrected in assuming that this album would be all hard rock.

The closing track of the album, Ruby Quaker, is a fun romp about drinking coffee. I don't have much else to say about it, it's just so much fun with lighthearted lyrics.