#full stake development full stack languages

Aw man, how unfortunate what’s happened to Clark. I feel soooooooo bad. I mean he was just humble div 3 agent, doing his job, gaslighting marginalized individuals, participating in a genocide. How cruel of those bad bad mutants to injure him so badly. He was only actively about to kill David. What could he possibly have done to deserve any of this?

In other words, the Clark propaganda is not working on me this time. At all.

Maybe don’t participate in a genocide? Idk :/

I normally hate when people type in the passive aggressive way I have been for the past few paragraphs, but goddamn, Clark deserves it.

He’s not quite as damaged... but he’s kind’ve like old David here, from the over-medicated living with Amy timeline. Again, not quite as damaged as that though.

Clark considers mutants a “threat to democracy.” 🙄 “Moral panic” I guess?

“The second I walk outta this room, i’m going to war.” There’s that word again. Clark could just... not, and they’d probably have more time to figure out how to safely eradicate Farouk. But because he doesn’t and David busies himself with peace treaties, Farouk escapes and continues to be a problem for the next year. Clark has a family. A husband and child who love him to death. And he chooses war over them. This pattern will repeat in other character. Technically this isn’t even the start of it.

Suit change, new cane, same Clark. This really doesn’t change anything, does it? He could go through the rest of the series in the suit he wore before and it wouldn’t make difference. The valiant hero dressing for an expected victory over their long time (relatively) rival, only to be stopped immediately by an unforeseen development. This pattern will repeat... tragically.

Considering Farouk!David woulda just dusted them, it’s probably nice for his friends to see the real him is much less violent. He just stacks em like a Jenga Tower, no need for anything more.

Also, Wilhelm scream from one of the soldiers.

He’s also talking strangely. In an almost too calm voice. Measured. He talks like this a few other times, but I think those times have sadder context. Maybe they reflect on this moment. He talks like how he talked when Farouk was mind-melded with him, but his intentions aren’t evil this time around. I guess this is just his “fully in control” voice.

Clark’s literally shaking where he stands.

The zoom in to Clark’s blind eye is reminiscent to previous zoom in’s to Walter’s foggy eye. I guess Clark has taken on the role of Walter, artificially. Makes sense since he’s now the main D3 representative/antagonist like Walter was before.

“I don’t care if you save me, or the world, if you don’t save yourself.” David will eventually choose himself over the world, and Syd. And Syd will hunt him for it. Goes to show how much things change in s2.

“You know the most dangerous thing about schizophrenia?”

“You’re not-“

“The most dangerous thing is believing... you don’t have it! That’s the trick, the mind killer, your disease convinces you you don’t have it. So, for example, one day in the hospital you meet a girl and she has some friends, and they tell you you’re not sick. You have superpowers. And more than anything you wanna believe it because that means you’re not crazy! That means you can fall in love and live happily ever after. But you know if you believe it, if you surrender to the hope and you’re wrong, then... you’re never coming back.”

“I’m here. I’m real. The power is real. You gotta accept it, otherwise we can’t move on.”

“I was in Clockworks for six years. Drugged, doing nothing. Contributing nothing. And now, finally I can be useful! I can help! Don’t you get it? I am so sick of myself. This only works if it’s not about me.”

“David...”

So... that’s a lot. David believes being crazy means he’s not allowed to fall in love, or be happy. He said the same sentiment to Amy before Clockworks. This whole season and this episode especially push David into his full “I’m not insane, I won’t believe you if you tell me otherwise” mindset. At the very least that’s the stakes we’re playing with. If David fully gives into the hope, even for a moment, he believes there’s no possibility for recovery. No possibility for love or happiness. Why even try after that? It’s life or death for him. “If the choice is between life and death, I choose life.”

I know this is all already known and talked about and circulated 100’s of times over in various fan circles, but it’s probably the most important line for David’s character (the speech, not the Farouk quote). It’s very ableist, yes, but at least in the moment it’s coming from someone who’s just being too hard on themselves, and not ya know, being actively validated by the show.

2 episodes ago David talked about being worried about an “invincible” feeling. The dangers of mania.

We also know from that episode that David is more at peace in a calm, responsibilityless setting (with Syd) than he is out in the real world. David’s gonna take on a ton of responsibility, some of it’s gonna draw him away from Syd. At multiple moments throughout the show David has known his own mental health better than any of the others, and even warned them about potentially dangerous slopes he could fall down without their help. Despite this, David is pushed further down a path he tells them is dangerous and is still blamed for what happens in the end. I feel like Oliver’s line from ep4 is relevant here again, “We are the root of all our problems. Our anger, our confusion, our fear of things we don’t understand.” Everyone wants David to be something other than... David. A hero, a god, there projected image of a perfect partner. Not just... David.

Man, the more I realize about David’s self-awareness in s1 the madder I am at Syd for saying all that ableist stuff to him in s2 as if he wasn’t already down on himself 24/7. “It never occurred to you that you’re the problem not the solution?” It’s occurred to him like 5 times by now and has been shut down by you at least 3 of those times. I don’t understand.

What’s strange is... to my recollection David doesn’t believe he’s invincible at the end of s2. Or that he’s not sick.

“Saint David.”

“I’m not saying that. I make mistakes.”

“Say you’re gonna let them kill me if I don’t let them turn me into something different. Something easy. Something clean.” He sounds sinister here, but it is an indication that he knows he’s not perfect. In fact it sounds like he’s trying to appeal to Chap 1 Syd’s mentality. Your disorder is what “makes you you.”

So what’s the message here?

“We can’t just kill people. Or is that who we are now?”

“That’s who they are.”

The justification for killing here is that they’ll kill them if they don’t. Div 3 will kill Summerland if Summerland doesn’t kill Div 3, is what I meant. David has a similar justification for killing Shadow King in s2. Well, he has a LOT of justifications for it, but that’s one of them. Syd doesn’t hear it then either. She does attempt to kill David herself though. I don’t quite understand where the line is.

“He was gonna kill you, twice.”

“With that kind of thinking wars would never end.”

So... he shoulda just talked to The Shadow King when they were both powerless? Talking is what ultimately ends their fight in s3... hmm...

Cary is more humane to their POW than Melanie and Ptonomy are.

The show doesn’t necessarily say it was Cary’s fault for leaving Kerry. Either way though, Kerry needs some space.

Melanie calls David a “world breaker” and outright says now that he knows that’s what he is, div 3 doesn’t stand a chance. I suppose... knowing that... is why they so readily team with Farouk. They stood no chance otherwise. Even then, at least hide him away till after the intervention.

David’s floating meditation pose is seen more in s2 and A LOT more in s3.

He puts the onus of ending the war on Div 3. As if to say, “If things get violent again, it’ll be on you, not us.”

People keep talking about “gods” “waking up” and “realizing they don’t have to listen to us/them anymore.”

When Clark says it David’s first response is, “Isn’t that the history of the world?” But it’s a red herring (or something else) cause he follows it up with, “People of different nations, different languages, learning to live together?”

Clark is afraid if mutants gain power they won’t show humans mercy or equality. This is a common belief among fascist. The “they’ll treat us like we treat them” argument. Only it’s rarely self-aware, and it isn’t here either. Clark genuinely believes he’s not doing anything wrong. It’s all somehow in “self defense.”

Ah, so Farouk and Syd are connected psychically. He entered her mind whenever she entered David’s. He psychically affects her at multiple points throughout the series.

Syd here is convinced to help The Shadow King by The Shadow King. And while he’s wearing a mask at that. Yeah yeah, this pattern will repeat. But still, Syd gives in relatively quickly here. Perhaps she just... doesn’t fully trust Summerlands capabilities? They are legitimately trying to get rid of Farouk, but Farouk has proven time and time again how dangerous he is. Or maybe the “unmake soup” thing is just that convincing to Syd.

Clark’s still standoffish, but he’s slowly becoming more cooperative.

Syd rolled a 4 on that hero speech. She needed at least a 7.

I legitimately NEVER noticed before that Syd secretly turns on the lab camera feed for Clark to watch. They weren’t trying to show him that.

David gets a chance to look back at his whole life and recontextualize everything.

David straight up halts Farouk’s theme. If Clockworks Podcast is right and he can hear that whenever Farouk shows up, this would be evidence of it. Alternatively, he was halting Farouk, and the music halting was for the audience. A fun subversion of expectations.

David describes him and Farouk as, “The Sun and Moon.”

Division 3 sees it. The monster they saw on infrared. Clearly a separate entity from David Haller. Clearly of a different disposition than David Haller as David Haller has acted very differently and non-hostile compared to when they saw him roaming those HQ halls. The monster and David are not the same. They see who their real enemy is now.

It seems evident there was no chance of David beating Farouk on his own here. I wonder why? Was it true? Is Farouk just too ingrained in his mind? Cary said he was like a, “Computer virus. Learning his systems, bypassing his defenses.” Maybe Syd remembered that, and that’s why she believed Farouk. Cause Cary had already said something similar before.

Clark could've escaped, but he stayed, then tried to help fight Farouk.

I feel really sad Oliver got possessed. It never occurred to me before he could even tell Melanie he remembered her. Melanie’ll just go on thinking he never remembered her for a year.

And thus it’s established. There are “good mutants” and there are “bad mutants.”

No one checks on Ptonomy :(

The Lenny that’s talking to Oliver here is still just Farouk.

The boys' classmate, Beverly (Sophia Lillis, 37), adds a feminine presence to the group, who proudly call themselves the Losers' Club. Although ostensibly an unlikely addition, Beverly’s bad reputation and rough home life find her fitting in just fine with the fellow misfits. As local kids continue to go missing, Bill convinces his friends to help investigate his brother's disappearance. Their explorations of Derry's history - and its sewers - lead them to discover an ancient, shape-shifting monster that often takes the form of an evil clown named Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard, Hemlock Grove).

While the novel takes place in the '50s and '80s, the film is updated to be set during the summer of 1989 (ergo, the forthcoming second film installment will take place in the present day). It's not quite as in-your-face about the period as Stranger Things; it resembles more of a realistic, lived-in time than a pastiche of nostalgic references - although there are a few of those too. The soundtrack is full of 1980s needle drops, but composer Benjamin Wallfisch (Hidden Figures) provides a modern, orchestral score rather than '80s-style synth music.

IT features impressive character development despite the ensemble cast; a cornerstone of the source material. Each of the kids, as well as the talented child actors behind them, is given the opportunity to shine. They all have individual personalities, yet their friendship seems natural. Although Beverly is mostly depicted as a tough chick, similar to her characterization in the book, the writers struggle to subvert the damsel-in-distress trope. Beyond that, it's difficult to find any complaints on a character level.

Skarsgard's portrayal of Pennywise is a far cry from Tim Curry's memorable scenery chewing in the 1990 made-for-TV adaptation - and that's a good thing. His voice may take a little getting used to, but Skarsgard makes the role his own. He’s creepy from the start, yet it's believable that he could lure a naive kid into a false sense of security. His take on the character is reminiscent of Robert Englund's iconic portrayal of Freddy Krueger in the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, before he became a parody of himself in sequels. He's imposing and scary, regardless of stature, but enjoys toying with his victims for his own amusement.

There's no shortage of scares in IT, but the stakes never feel quite as high as they should. There’s little build up behind the horror set pieces, causing many of them to lack an impact. IT is likely to haunt audiences who don't regularly watch horror movies, but the recent Annabelle: Creation offered more effective suspense and jump scares. IT plays out more like a haunted house; an exciting experience with calculated scares but no real danger. Levity also works against the horror aspects. The humor provides a welcome relief early on, resulting in more than a few laugh-out-loud lines, but it sometimes comes at the expense of the tension later in the film.

Where the film really succeeds is in its portrayal of adolescence, capturing the awkward pubescent years of growing up, including friendly teasing, gawking at girls, bullying, and potty humor. In that regard, the picture often elicits an energy akin to classic 1980s coming-of-age movies. The Spielbergian, child-centric adventure nearly resembles a horror movie for kids - which is not a derogatory remark - though it earns its R rating for violence, language, and bloodshed.

The 135 minutes fly by, thanks to expert pacing by Muschietti and writers Cary Joji Fukunaga (Beasts of No Nation), Chase Palmer, and Gary Dauberman (Annabelle: Creation). It plays like a roller coaster ride; a series of exciting spikes between character moments. Certain developments come off as a tad rushed, as is often the case when condensing a novel into a feature film, but even if you disregard the source material, it feels as though some scenes were left on the cutting room floor.

The odds were stacked against Muschietti. Not only was he tackling an influential novel that already has a beloved adaptation, but he also came aboard the project when the previous filmmaker (Fukunaga) left due to creative differences. All signs pointed to failure, yet the resourceful filmmaker miraculously made it work. Muschietti’s confidence in the material translates to his visual style, working with cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung (Oldboy, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) to strike a balance between the idyllic and ominous locales.

Frigga’s face was masked with indifference as the captain of the guard spoke.

“We do not need a shield around the city. It will make us appear weak and fearful. Besides, what Lady Y/N is proposing seems to be made of light, something I do not think will be strong enough to hold off the Fire Giants.”

You spoke up, “if we do not create some sort of defense, our only hope will be based on the soldiers who will be confined to the ground and to a few speeders. We simply do not have enough to send to Muspelheim and to defend the city at the same time. And what about our outlying towns, Captain? If we pull everyone to the palace or send them all to another realm, who will defend the people?”

“Each town has their own defenders,” he parried.

“But not as trained as the royal guard; they will all perish. If we can create a shield large enough to protect the palace, then we can share the magic with the towns and outlying villages. Then the individual warriors have a better chance of survival. It is not weakness. It is a good offense.”

The Captain had never been a friendly comrade at war counsels. He kept any snide comments to himself as Frigga considered the proposals. Theoric stood at the captain’s side. He opened his mouth to speak, but you nodded your head. Leaping into trouble with the captain and the queen would not go well for him. You turned your attention back to Frigga as she took a breath.

“Lady Y/N has made some valid points. We cannot become complicit in our battle honor. The Fire Giants have tactics we have not seen for generations. She is studied in military history as well as magic, Captain. Lady Y/N, will you be able to construct such a field without the help of the guards?”

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Then it is settled. Lady Y/N and I will work with the others of our craft, and Captain you will ready your troops for battle. Odin Allfather should return from the front soon and I will tell him the plans.” She stood, and everyone stood with her. “To your tasks.” She met you at the door as everyone dispersed, followed by other members of the counsel practiced in magic. “Thank you for your inspired proposal. I am glad to see you are doing well, Y/N. How is your strength?”

“Returning slowly, but I should be fully recovered after a sleep or two. I believe I have a text that will help us.” You caught Theoric’s eye as he walked past you. “Lieutenant Theoric, a moment please.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“My queen, this man brought me a book some time ago with ancient spells long forgotten. If you should thank anyone for the proposal, it should be the lieutenant.”

Frigga nodded as Theoric bent at the waist. “Indeed, thank you, sir. We will keep you updated as the shield develops so you can relay it to the Captain.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Theoric saluted as she left. You stayed behind and beamed at him.

“She likes you. I told her about the book earlier and she wanted to thank you in public. It is full of ways that we can defend Asgard and her allies. I’ll see you at dinner.” You turned to walk away, but Theoric caught your hand.

“Y/N, if I could see you a little sooner than that, I would appreciate it. I have a few questions… about the book… among other things. Could we meet in the library before then?”

You felt your cheeks flush. “Yes. I’ll wait for you in the stacks.”

“Till then, my lady,” he leaned down and kissed your hand. Then he spun on his heel and left with a warm grin.

Loki stepped into time with you as you headed for Frigga’s hall.

“You two are getting serious. I hope you can see that he is using you.”

“No, he isn’t,” you scoffed, “he had no way of knowing I could get your mother to do that.”

“I doubt it. You are her chief student, the best. He would have to be a simpleton not to see that.” Loki stopped and gripped your arm. “I do not trust his motives. I’ve seen the way he gapes at you when you are not looking. Like a hungry snake at a mouse.”

“Have you been spying on him?” you asked, pulling your arm from his grasp.

“Not yet, but I am strongly considering it.”

“Please don’t. He is a soldier, an honorable one.” You sighed, “I have not been blinded, Loki. I appreciate what you are trying to do, but you do not have to watch out for me anymore.” You leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I am happy. Remember your promise. Do not interfere.”

You walked away from him, leaving him standing alone in the passage. He muttered under his breath, “I’m sorry, Y/N. I cannot.”

Loki headed after Theoric. He disguised himself as a warrior from a different division, one that he hoped Theoric would not recognize. Loki couldn’t help but notice how Theoric smiled at every young woman he passed, beaming when they giggled. He wanted to fight Theoric when he ran his fingers up a young maid’s arm but held back. Theoric was going somewhere for a reason, and Loki was intent to find out just how treacherous he was. Once, Theoric turned and looked behind him. Loki continued walking and changed his illusion around the corner again to continue following him.

Theoric would his way down to the base of the palace. Once people flow ceased, Loki kept a distance between them, shifting into himself for the quiet without armor rattling. He watched from an alcove as Theoric waved his arm and the bare wall revealed a door similar to the ones on the upper floors. Loki picked up a few words, enough to recognize a simple distortion spell. Theoric walked through, and the door vanished behind him.

Loki was torn. Was this all a trap? If he should follow Theoric, he could be caught. If he stayed, Theoric might have transported somewhere else in the palace and he would be stuck staring at a blank wall for hours. He decided to wait.

The wall revealed the door once again within an hour. Theoric emerged, carrying a charm on a string and a small box. His bliss smile sent acid through Loki’s veins. Loki clenched his fists, ready to confront him. Then he saw the details of the charm.

It was the emblem of Muspelheim. An iridescent flame that glowed as if lit from within. It started off blue, but as the door vanished, the flame changed to orange, then to red as the wall reverted.

Theoric held it in his palm and muttered words in a language Loki didn’t recognize. The spell rose and fell in the air in a way that was seriously more complex than concealing the door. When he was done, Theoric tied the string around his neck, now simply wearing his family crest. Loki ran down the hall as Theoric moved to leave.

You ran your fingers over the spines, watching the gold letters and embellishments disappear under your fingers and then reappear as you continued moving. Although as a rule, the library was quiet, today the silence would be stifling to anyone else. Not you. You thrived in the silence. It gave you a clear mind. When mixed with the aged smell of parchment and vellum, you felt stronger than Thor.

You didn’t look up from the shelves when you heard boots behind you. “So what did you want to talk to me about, Theor…”

“Tell me more about the book he gave you.” Loki stayed at the edge of the row, standing as if ready for battle. He glanced behind him and you noticed he was out of breath.

“He found a copy of the Ara Notoria, a text that has not been seen in centuries. I’ve been translating the spells since he arrived; they are powerful and wonderful. Loki…”

“You can read it?” Loki stepped closer. His eyes glowed with a mixture of anger and worry, a glow you learned when you were teenagers. “Has he asked you about any of them?”

“Yes, a few. But he is not skilled in magic. He cannot even pronounce the words. Why are you asking me all of this, Loki?”

“He is not the man you think he is.”

“I think he is the man I love, the man who loves me. Why are you still trying to sabotage my relationships? You swore you would stop.”

Loki stepped closer and placed his large hands on your shoulders. “This isn’t that. He is dangerous. Theoric has been sneaking around the palace to the deepest reserves. He vanishes without a trace…”

“Sounds like what you do occasionally.”

“Theoric is planning something.”

“You are correct, your highness.” Theoric walked down the row to meet you. Loki stepped away, but not by much. “I have been sneaking around, but not for the reason you think, Loki.” He sighed and smiled at you. “I had hoped to do this a bit more publicly, but seeing that my honor is at stake…”

Theoric sank to one knee and took your hands in his. “Y/N, years ago you entranced me with your wit and your strength. When you showed me your favorite place, this library, I did not understand how someone could love dusty pages. Then I began to read. I found strategy, wisdom, worlds that I would have never seen without you. When we reunited, I was a lost man. The knowledge I gained from the books were not enough until you showed me the way they connected.” Theoric shifted and chuffed, “if I am honest, I missed some of your lessons because I was distracted by the aura that surrounds you in sunlight. Or the way library dust dances when you are with me. If I die tonight, I hope to keep those memories with me to Valhalla. But if I survive, I hope that my future could be filled with similar memories.”

He pulled out a golden band set with a ruby and pearls.

“Y/N of Asgard, will you give me the great honor of being my wife?”

Part 5: A Simple Answer 

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