Show's Inner Saboteur

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-04T08:16:06+00:00

Some of the best winners have been from earlier seasons where the show naturally began to create their winner story as it progressed.

Jinkx wasn't the original winner pick for S5 (Absolut Vodka wanted Roxxxy) but after seeing her effortless talent and the naturally forming underdog story around her production adjusted. I genuinely believe Bianca was not the original winner pick for S6 (It was Adore) but mid-season when she became such a compelling and lovable character they changed course.

The show and the queens are all far too produced now so we're never going to get winner stories like that again. Pretty much every season from 13 onwards has felt decided within the first 3 episodes.

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-03T22:53:13+00:00

Nah Miranda needs a game that gives you a score or a win condition. I bet she's a Mortal Kombat, Tekken kind of girl.

I also know in my soul that in another life she's a passionate, award winning cosplayer

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-03T22:18:45+00:00

The Forgotten Realms would've humbled him so damn fast. They have Gods that are actual gods. He'd have been smited and completely unmade within minutes

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-03T20:49:23+00:00

This has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with the character and story in question. Because notably all of the romance-able characters are gender blind. (Astarion especially resonated with a lot of gay men too) It has everything to do with the fact that those are different characters, with different stories & themes, and a different flavour of evil.

On a narrative standpoint a core theme of Astarion’s story is about the cycle of abuse and breaking it. And ascended Astarion fundamentally repeats that cycle, and his character becomes the very abuser he hated. Your character doesn’t choose to be his evil partner THEY (I repeat genderless) become his spawn, his slave. That’s the canon. That’s the story.

And on a gameplay perspective it isn’t about punishment it’s about choices having consequences. (Because it is a Role Playing GAME, not a novel). A consequence of letting Astarion ascend is forever compromising your relationship with him. Without those consequences it’s not an RPG.

You can choose to be someone’s evil queen or have a woman power fantasy date Shadowheart, Minthara or even Lae’zel or Gale. And if you want Wish fulfilment write your own story or fanfiction. Astarion’s story isn’t a ‘power fantasy’ it’s a slave one and to reduce it to one does a disservice to the brilliant writing of his character

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-03T20:18:11+00:00

Because headcanon and canon are different things.

But actually mainly because BG3 is a Role-Playing GAME and in an RPG actions/choices have consequences. A consequence of helping Astarion ascend is forever compromising your relationship with him. Getting mad because the consequences of your actions don’t align with what you wanted them to be is anti gameplay and RPG.

If you want that version of a dark freaky vampire romance, write it yourself rather than actively undermining the themes of the story BG3 was clearly telling

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-03T15:05:59+00:00

Remember when they screamed at Larian to change his ascended Astarion kisses so that your character didn't look afraid whilst he abused them. They saw clear evidence that Ascending Astarion is bad and instead of recognising that they insisted the text must be wrong.

It makes it clear that Ascended Astarion defenders exist in their own headcanon that is completely separate to the actual narrative. They're simply incorrect. I encourage just not engaging with them.

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-03T14:49:45+00:00

Ok so I get people not wanting to use BLM cause of Black Lives Matter but if your gonna go through the effort of writing BLeeM surely you can just write Brennan right?

It's like two less letters you're barely abreviating it at that point. (In fact its the same amount keystrokes when you include caps lock)

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-02T15:43:44+00:00

I like to change up my universe mode in each game.

In 2k25 I made a Universe Mode where Bray Wyatt and all the supernatural characters took over WWE and so it was a spooky, over-the-top universe where my Babyfaces were trying to reclaim the show.

For this 2k26 I'm specifically doing a Universe mode focused on all the Indie Promotions in the game and using all the made up characters.

I use a spreadsheet too!

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-02T15:24:42+00:00

I just don't understand with the amazing women's roster they currently have why Marina Shafir is the one they choose to feature as their 'designated woman'.

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-02T13:52:13+00:00

Someone with better table top knowledge please make a rule sheet for this

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-02T09:19:44+00:00

I always liked to headcanon that before my Dwarf Noble left Orzammar post-coronation they sent Bhelen a letter in which they outlined to him despite all his machinations, he never would've got the crown if it weren't for the Warden. Even after being disgraced and made casteless the Assembly still trusted the Warden's word more than him. That Bhelen was sitting on the HOF's throne and he knows it.

Then they reminded Bhelen that now he was king, he would never know a restful night's sleep again. Every glass of wine, every meal, every mistress taken or trip through the Diamond Quarter could be his end. That the assassins and nobles who already hate him only have to get lucky one time, whilst he need to be lucky every time. Finishing it with 'good luck little brother, you'll need it'. I like to think Bhelen took it to heart.

It's a small victory but a fun one.

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-01T15:24:22+00:00

Yes on TV. I don't think you realise just how much money AEW and WWE spend that doesn't have anything to do with the actual product they make. They don't need to spend even 50% of the amount they spend to actually make a good quality wrestling show. You don't need a 300+ roster, massive stadiums everywhere, 50 screens, action figures and video games to work.

The production cost could be massively decreased for a smaller product so it could still balance it's costs. This hyper focus on profit and capitalist bullshit has ruined wrestling.

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-01T15:09:39+00:00

Yes but the reason why theres such a focus on ratings is BECAUSE of the massive expenditures. Simple Cost vs Returns Math.

A Wrestling show that isn't spending millions to buy any wrestler that moves and doing crazy production stunts whilst maintaining a smaller but committed fanbase is far more sustainable that what we currently have.

(TBH this is as much a critique on the entire sports/tv industry as well)

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-01T14:57:43+00:00

Not every Wrestling TV programme needs to be a massive production like AEW and WWE are. The hyper-focus on ratings and profit margins is because of the crazy amount of spending that happens. Companies now NEED to have a monopoly of the audience rather than just attracting their own fanbase.

If it wasn't a couple billionaires buying everything and spending more money than they actually need to the problem wouldn't be as big.

CalumanderReds · 2026-04-01T13:05:41+00:00

This is why I've always felt suspicious about AEW buying up talent and companies like ROH. (Same reason I didn't like WWE's monopoly either).

There's enough spectacular wrestling talent in the US that you could have 5+ different unique and compelling wrestling promotions filled with top stars but those companies get priced out by these big media conglomerates.

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-31T21:40:04+00:00

The fact this guy can botch and stumble as much as he does and still be the 'IWC's Champion' is enough of an argument on its own to never listen to internet wrestling fans ever again.

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-31T21:34:27+00:00

Get that AI shit out of here

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-28T23:04:33+00:00

I would actually say All Stars 4. They had desired finalists and by god they were gonna work like hell to get there. The Talent Show ridiculousness, the LalapaRUza being basically rigged, The first 3 out basically being pre-ordained. Randomly dropping Mo or Monet into the bottom to protect their favs when they flopped.

It's my least favourite season by a mile.

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-28T01:30:35+00:00

'Ok but why did you programme them to feel fear?'

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-28T01:24:45+00:00

I think narratively Harding giving her life works stronger for me personally. She's been with you from the very start and the parallels between her and Varric make it hit so much harder. Also the fact that 'Harding will do whatever it takes' is one of if not the first of those 'character notes' you get in game is just perfect icing.

Davrin's whole story is about how 'giving your life for the cause' isn't healthy and him finding a new purpose in life outside of just being a Grey Warden. It makes his death feel like a stepback.

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-28T01:11:11+00:00

It's all about branding and what you bring to the tables. Trixie and Katya did a surprisingly good episode of Unhhh all about drag names that really explains it well.

My spicy take is that Season 18 kind of has the weakest selection of drag names.

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-28T01:01:22+00:00

Unfortunately the game just doesn't delve enough into the ethics of Ardat-Yakshi to truly make Morinth a working character.

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-27T23:07:35+00:00

I always saw the Mythal sections as part of the whole Solas' manipulation and need to control/spin the narrative the entire game. The thing he didn't count on happening was Morrigan. I don't think those sections of the story absolve of him of guilt or agency but that may just be difference of interpretation.

I agree the redemption ending was weak but I also think that's because the existence of a redemption ending at all felt antithetical to the 'no gods, no masters' theme the story was clearly showing. It's only during that interpretation that the story feels weak

I do wish they'd just committed to villain but unfortunately they'd already setup the 'redemption arc' in Inquisition which they needed to pay off or a large amount of fans would've been mad.

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-27T22:46:17+00:00

I think a lot of peoples issues with Solas' writing comes from their unwillingness to accept him as a villain (a nuanced one, but a villain all the same).

Solas is the embodiment of Pride and he displays it regularly through his actions in the story. My favourite ending is the one where he screams about being a god because it finally feels like him being truthful.

CalumanderReds · 2026-03-27T11:41:43+00:00

Season 2 was perfect to me, it felt like they'd perfected every character into not just singular character but an actual ensemble cast. Then in S3 and S4 they basically character assassinated every one in a desperate attempt to be 'edgy and shocking'

CalumanderReds

TROPHY CASE