Riley Castle Writes

Everyone's well within their right to be disappointed by a lot of what has been teased from this new version. But here's some positives I can point out, from my end, that I'm looking forward to!

I'm definitely still seated for the upcoming show, but managing my expectations with everything that has been teased. The more information we've gotten, I can't deny that my enthusiasm over a novel-accurate adaptation has lowered and lowered.

I don't expect anything faithful to the novel now, but that doesn't mean I'm not curious and interested to see what new directions this iteration of the story will take, and it's taking bolder swings than the 2013 version (giving Kimberly Pierce grace for this though - we've already heard her film was really affected by reshoots and studio mandates) for sure, and I respect that. From the info provided, it really does not sound like a straight retelling anymore, and that's an exciting thing!

Summer's Carrie:

"With a present-day setting, Summer H. Howell is our new Carrie White. She’s spent her life hidden away at home with her mother, Margaret (Flana-fam regular Samantha Sloyan). Not even the state knew the two existed until the sudden death of Carrie’s father, Ralph, forces a spotlight onto their household and prompts the teenager to enter public school for the very first time."

This is already a great way to set Summer's Carrie apart and give her a fresh flavor from the other three screen adaptations. By having her introduced to public school for the first time, I can already feel myself wincing for her. I recently checked out some clips from her other projects, and I'm a lot more interested to see her act this role out.

Bullying Scandal:

I'm so interested to see how much further the locker room bullying incident will spread and be utilized through this version. Carrie 2013 had the seeds of social media bullying and brought it around in a neat way into the prom scene, but didn't get to fully flesh out this concept. Now with TikTok, memes, and internet culture, this new Carrie has a perfect target on her back to be an online scapegoat.

Chris and Carrie:

This image in particular really excites me, because they're already promising something I hoped for in the 2013 version, which ultimately both scenes got cut - scenes and direct interactions between Carrie and Chris!

I do really miss dark-haired Chris. I'm so thankful for Portia's Chris Hargensen lol.

The two characters don't exactly have lengthy or meaningful interactions with each other in the novel either, but the 2002 version had this really great moment between them that I appreciated, and it's made me crave it in every version ever since.

Telekinesis:

“Stephen King also talks about the ‘TK gene’ [for telekinesis] and the science behind Carrie’s abilities,” Flanagan says. “Something that the De Palma adaptation ignored was Carrie’s place in the larger universe, that she’s part of a sorority of very gifted women and just doesn’t know it. The book absolutely points at that, but that was something we could pick up and run with.”

This bit is really fascinating to me, and I'm eager to see how they've explored and expanded on this from the novel. Also, that little clip they previewed of Carrie's powers manifesting and affecting the mailboxes is VERY cute and fun.

Overall, I'm curious to watch it! I'm happy the conversation around Carrie can still be kept alive, and hopefully can extend even further after this show. I'm sad we probably won't ever get the faithful screen adaptation we wanted, but it just means we can continue to imagine it ourselves! And I do have a lot of fun interpreting the material myself.

And if I could I'd bring them all down to their knees I'd make them sorry forever for teasing Carrie, Carrie, Carrie

Carrie mentioned on the feed today, I see...

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I got asked this question every single day on this blog. and my answer will always stay the same: as long as it's fiction and as long as you're not hurting anybody in real life, NOTHING you put in fanfics can EVER be wrong.

you cannot apply real-world moral compass on FICTION.

YOU as the writer have complete and total right/freedom to write WHATEVER YOU WANT. HOWEVER YOU WANT.

that's the whole point of fanfics: authors have the power, control and freedom to create their own world. no matter how messed up or disgusting or morally wrong it is, FICTION WILL ALWAYS STAY FICTION. a person's real-life moral compass can never ever be judged by what type of fiction they create and/or consume.

fanfic is creative writing and creative writing is a form of art. and the thing about art is that it doesn't have to always be rainbow and sunshine. it can be macabre and dark and brutal and ugly. and it's still a work of art that is just as valid and valuable.

YOU as the writer have all the power, rights and freedom to literally write WHATEVER YOU WANT. HOWEVER YOU WANT.

I am a stranger. people on the internet are strangers. YOU as a fanfic writer write FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR OWN ENJOYMENT. you do NOT need my opinion or permission when it comes to YOUR OWN HOBBY AND FREEDOM.

you do not need anybody's opinion or permission when it comes to YOUR OWN HOBBY AND FREEDOM.

"is it wrong to write xyz in fanfic" ask yourself if you are hurting anybody in real life by doing so or not. if the answer is no, then it is never ever wrong.

write whatever you want. however you want. no matter how messed up or disgusting or morally wrong it is. as long as it's fiction and as long as no one in real life is being harmed, it literally is never ever wrong.

"to become the new flesh, you first have to kill the old flesh / but don't be afraid. don't be afraid to let your body die" (cronenberg, 1983)

A king or queen? I am loyal and bound to every word. I am theirs to use as they see fit. They may command me into any position they wish. They may tire of the responsibilities and the weight of the crown, and it is my job to lessen any burden they have. Whether it is riding off to war or bending at the knee in a more intimate setting, I am happy to serve.

A princess? I am happy to take the lead once I am given permission to do so. I am also content on sticking to my knightly duties and longing from afar. I would hope that if the princess is to be married off, I am to go with her as a part of the entourage of servants that tend to her every need. I wish to be her personal guard, her confidant, and if I may be so lucky, her lover. I intend to spoil her in every which way, as a princess deserves.

A prince? I am more likely to be rolling my eyes beneath my visor with every demand. I oft dislike the bratty demeanor. If he is to take up the crown and be king, I shall challenge him in my own ways. If he is able to command me well and tame me, so to speak, only then will I accept his rule. I have no intent on handling princes with delicacy. Expect the cold bite of metal upon your skin if you wish for my touch. But if that sort of treatment is what you wish, I will deprave you of it. Show me you are worthy to command me.

A priest or sister? You know of my sins. Of my desires. I dare not speak of what happens behind closed doors where it is only us and the lord. I trust you will not speak of them either, despite breaking the initial vows you made.

A fellow knight? Wonderful. I enjoy a good spar. Let me see sparks fly between our blades. I want our shirts to be soaked in sweat, to see bruises when we are done. To laugh with an arm over your shoulders. I can trust that our relationship will not change after exchanging blows when we need to let out the pent up aggression. You are a dear friend, a comrade of mine.

A squire? A trusted one. But not in the way one would trust a fellow man, but that of a tool. You are entrusted to my armor and taking care of me. I do not have any words to say, but you are content with me never looking in your direction. Why else would you still be attending to me?

A maid? I have far too much respect for the services you provide. Whatever services you offer, I must return. What we do likely must be done in cramped spaces with hushed voices, but I am happy to oblige. You help wash the blood off after all.