sāsan

So here you go, with commentary.

It start's with Alex being cheeky. He's getting prices to eat (this is the same episode as the key lime pie-eating). And Greg really doesn't like being called "Daddy", at least not like this.

Alex has a low key way of being obnoxiously bratty, which comes out even more in the series with social distancing, where he can get away with it more. He doesn't get away with it this time, though, because Greg responds with upping the stakes.

There are several small moments I really like with this interaction, and this is one of them. The look on Alex face.

Again this is one of those times when, from what we as viewers can see through the tv, Alex really doesn't want to do this. He's hesitating for a second, just a beat, his embarrasement shining through in his downward glance and fidgety hands, his way of drawing a big breath before he gets up.

I mean just look at him. Not for analysing, just for the joy of it.

And then it gets worse when he doesn't know where to put his hand.

Or rather he puts in on Gregs thigh, gets embarassed, fiddles around, and eventually puts it under Gregs jacket, as if that's any better or less intimate. It's adorable.

And Gregs refusal to make it any easier, his complete lack of impatience or any impulse to guide him or accomodate the situation. His very deliberate steady gaze, leaned back posture - "you put yourself in this situation, you solve it".

And then - all the fiddling over, the embarrasment moved aside, the audience for a second no longer important. Complete presence and focus and stillness from Alex, and sincere obedience.

"Come on here and say it" - there's a lot of things that could have been done with that cue. It could have been ignored, laughed away, or if acted upon it could have been frivolous, insincere, an obvious jest.

Alex leans into his embarrasment, as he's so very good at, but he also leans into his obedience and submission, which he is also so very very good at. And Greg leans into demanding that obedience, with a quiet and still warmth and joy.

In the background noices we hear Kerry Godliman going "that's so weird, that's so weird", and afterwards Jessica Knappet makes a scrunched up face of confused disdain. And I guess there's a line there, between us weirdos who doesn't think this is weird but do think it's powerful and beautiful, and what I guess is the majority of people (but maybe not the majority of Taskmaster-fans) who doesn't really know what they're seeing but do know it makes them uncomfortable. And since comedy very much is about building a tension in the audience and then releasing them from it, it works perfectly for everyone.

And then Alex very hastily does something that I can only describe as scuttling over to his own chair, and that might be even better than the rest of it.

Because if we ever wonder if Alex did indeed found that embarrassing for real, we only have to look at the haste with which he flees to the relative safety of his own little chair.

And as a bonus, Gregs eyebrows when he does it.

The obsession for Epic continues with Odysseus and Athena

Main Characters: England, France

Minor Characters: America, Canada

Pages: 12

Artist: Iraya

Vibes: sad

CW: death

Summary: A powerful spirit grants France one wish - mortality.

France finally has an ally against Germany, who isolated the country diplomatically since 1871.

Russia found another ally (and atm-)against Germany who just kind of let Russia alone to deal with their economic stuggles in 1887.

But for Ivan and Francis ? They finally reunites as allies.

Francis can finally bitch to someone about Germany and Prussia and just have a nation friend in general.

Ivan too, but it's also the occasion for him to act on his crush. After all, Francis finally found himself in a stable regime. Surely, he has the time for relationships now.

I can't help but imagining Francis making sure that Gilbert and/or Ludwig see how close he and Ivan are now. You know, for petty reason.

Them badmouthing the other two for fun. Them keeping each other company. Ivan probably getting jealous when the Entente Cordiale happens (he can't have Francis for himself now 😔).

I didn't presuppose any particular situation, I just wanted to see such a heart-wrenching and tragic image, and it also happened to echo the other one (rusfra).

Breaking news they are in love and stupid

more sillies under the cut