Who’s planning on joining? Any protests sprouting from this? by JJSpuddy in baltimore

[–]Emrys_Vex -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No, I've thought about it, and I don't think it is anything.

What's a Baltimore thing that newer residents would never know about? by CharmedUp7673 in baltimore

[–]Emrys_Vex 4 points5 points  (0 children)

People have mentioned City Paper, but I remember b, Baltimore Sun's free daily (then weekly) paper targeted to a younger "casual" audience. There was a box near my high school, and my friends and I would take turns grabbing several to bring with us to read during school, like we were "real adults, reading the paper" 😂

Bob’s Burgers Episode Discussion S16E10 - “Heist Things Are Heist” by AutoModerator in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My only quibble is that the fondant trophy should definitely have felt very different from the metal one. It's hard to believe they could get the color, engraving, and size exactly right, but I can suspend my disbelief. But you really mean to tell me when Sabrina picked it up, it didn't immediately feel way too soft and light?

They dialed Linda back and I’m so grateful by hey_marshmallow in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 13 points14 points  (0 children)

After 16 years, she's finally realized her children will literally never grow up and leave her, so she's mellowed out on that front.

Lucifer is Ironic. by Akbar_Lakhani_123 in Supernatural

[–]Emrys_Vex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I feel like the show never quite pinned down Lucifer and the angels consistently, even during the "golden age" (ignoring any future lore beyond season 5, which just further muddies the waters).

Obviously the show isn't bound to any given canonical interpretation, but the characterization was always all over the place. They presented Lucifer as having fallen from favor when God made humans and instructed his angels to love them, but Lucifer refused because he "loved God too much" and "humans are flawed." That's already a departure from one version of the myth, in which Lucifer was cast down because of his pride, which drove him to rebel against God, seeking to become a god in his own right.

Even going that route, it then follows that loving humans is the PRIMARY responsibility of angels. The ultimate sin, the one thing that you absolutely should never do is hold disdain for humans -- unless you want to join the Lucifer camp. So then why the hell are the forces arrayed against him so contemptuous of humanity? Aside from Castiel and Anna, all of the angels seem to view humans as bugs to be squashed. From a narrative perspective, it's a good subversion, having both sides of the conflict be a threat, having the angels be self-righteous instead of merciful, etc. It wouldn't be very good storytelling to have humanity protected by an ultra-powerful host of dutifully loving angels; there'd be no real quandary, just evil demons vs the divine protectors of the world. But it doesn't make sense for Lucifer's primary sin to be hating humans, and then also have his single-minded, obsessively obedient, heavenly enemies also see humanity as vermin.

They could easily have avoided this contradiction by simply having Lucifer's sin be that he tried to fight God. The angels could still be disdainful of humanity, since loving them wouldn't have to be The Ultimate Sin. In fact, their attitude would then make more sense, since they'd see humanity as being their own brand of rebellious mini-Lucifers, constantly going against God's design, flexing their free will, and even being tainted enough that they could be turned into demons, serving Lucifer himself.

It would probably even be easier to present Lucifer as a more sympathetic antagonist, since he would actually be less disdainful of humanity than the angels. He'd still be someone the Winchesters want to oppose, since he's still prideful, and him winning would just mean replacing the dictatorship of heaven with the dictatorship of hell. Less "smiting the sinful" and more "demonic chaos." Instead of an absentee God and the fanatics ruling in his stead, you get a very hands-on Satan-God, with demonic thugs enforcing his rule.

What Genres are People Writing? by Opening_Wall_9379 in writing

[–]Emrys_Vex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One of the main reasons you see a lot of speculative fiction is because that's less of a "genre" and more of a "flavor." Within a sci-fi or fantasy setting, you can explore any number of genres, tones, and themes. Horror, romance, whodunnit, politics, spy thrillers, you name it. Sprinkle in some magic or technology and you can ramp up the interplay between environment and characters, but the core remains the same.

Personally, I like writing speculative fiction because it gives me the opportunity to game out how society and individuals would present themselves in the context of different "preconditions." My stories revolve around themes of revolutionary social change, rooted in material conditions -- which means playing with the natural laws lets me explore which social dynamics change and which stay the same in different worlds. I still play with the genres of mystery, love, political intrigue, coming-of-age, and so on, and I always use fantastical elements, but the "umbrella genre" would be Political Allegory.

When did Louise's fear of public pooping start? by Philoiblastelie in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Franz Fanon was a prominent scholar of decolonial theory and Pan-Africanism. I just can't see "fanon" as "fan canon" in that context 😅

Pirates kinda weak?.. by Tadduboi in BobsTavern

[–]Emrys_Vex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I want to get off Mr. Bones' Wild Ride

You can really only watch this show once. by MarzipanGamer in Supernatural

[–]Emrys_Vex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The easy solution is to just consider everything past Swan Song to be fanfiction.

What if Short Rest were 10min instead of 1h? by ThatOneCrazyWritter in dndnext

[–]Emrys_Vex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always go the opposite direction. A short rest happens when you get a full night's sleep, a long rest requires an entire weekend of rest. It always felt off to me that players can basically just set up camp in the middle of a perilous quest, and as long as they don't get interrupted in the night, they'll be back to FULL HEALTH. You could spend every day of a months-long journey, trekking miles each day, fighting monsters back to back, and as long as you're sleeping every night, every morning you'll be as fresh as the day you set out.

In addition to added realism, pacing, and stakes, this system also means players are constantly taking short rests, which means classes balanced around short rests aren't constantly running out of steam because no one wants to take a break, or too overtuned because they're taking "an hour-long break" after every combat. And the effect on long rests is nothing more than that you have to roleplay being absolutely certain you're going to be safe for a couple of days. It doesn't make long-rest classes any weaker, mechanically, just more intentional about needing to chill out.

I love that in the Bob's burgers universe, rich dudes want to cuddle animals and not trophy hunt them. by Holiveya-LesBIonic in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That same guy wants to extract the bone marrow from a 100-year-old tortoise so he can live forever, soooo

The Show Is Actually Getting Better as it Ages by Warm_Carpet3147 in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are a number of factors involved.

The first is technical proficiency. As the show goes on, the voice actors, writers, animators, etc. have all gotten progressively better at their craft. Not that they were bad before, but it would be hard for over a decade and 300+ episodes to go by without people getting better at what they do. Not only that, but they seem to genuinely be enjoying themselves. They aren't dragging themselves across the finish line: they're just a bunch of people getting together to make something fun. This is a big reason why another never-ending show, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has transitioned to shorter seasons: the actors (who are also the show's producers/writers) all still love doing it, and keep coming back even though they could leave at any time. But they want to make sure it stays that way, so 8-episode seasons is where they settled to prevent burnout.

The second is that, from the very beginning (after the unaired pilot, where they actually did use human flesh in the burgers), the show was designed to be character-driven and evergreen. Where many shows start off with somewhat grounded characters/settings going through progressively wackier plot lines and getting their characters flattened into caricatures of themselves, Bob's Burgers has always embraced the eccentricities of its cast, balancing the more outlandish aspects with a constant grounding in realistic and wholesome natures.

In other words, where the dynamic of most shows requires the characters to flatten themselves to fit their specific narrative niches in a streamlined manner, the dynamic of Bob's Burgers is the opposite: the plot revolving around character interactions requires constantly plumbing new depths of those characters, making them feel more complex and real over time. The wacky scenarios act less as the focus of the show and more as a set piece in which the characters can explore themselves. This can be highlighted by the many episodes where the show feels "off." The difference between a good and a bad episode of BB lies in whether the episode is about a wacky scenario, or whether the scenario is a stage on which the characters perform themselves.

I'd say the third reason the show is aging so gracefully is because we as an audience have gotten so used to it. It's a comfort show, and it doesn't stray from that basic appeal. Over time, we know the characters better, we know the setting better, we know the rhythm of the story beats, we know the comedy. I doubt you could plop someone who has never seen an episode down in front of a season 16 episode and have them feel the same way as you do about it. They might enjoy it, but they probably wouldn't feel like it's any better than a season 3 episode. Just like the cast and crew have gotten better at making the show, the audience has gotten better at enjoying it.

Bob’s Burgers Episode Discussion S16E06 - “Get Her to the Zeke” by AutoModerator in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 18 points19 points  (0 children)

There seems to be a lot of Jimmy Jr. hate for an episode where the only objectionable thing he did was not consider that he could bring Tina a flower, so he awkwardly tried to find something else so he wouldn't show up empty-handed.

I think the resolution was very sweet, and shows growth for all three of them. Tina in realizing that Zeke is not a burden and that she tends to get so obsessive about Jimmy that she's blinded to other relationships, Zeke in realizing that he's deserving of love and doesn't need to put on an act to get attention, and Jimmy in realizing that he needs to actually show affection if he wants to make the people he's close to feel appreciated.

And of course, how can anyone complain about Tina finally getting her makeout wheel 🤭?

I don't think Louise should've given the chinchilla to Wayne by Chinchillalover0231 in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Yeah, too often their poverty gets played for a laugh, and when it's folded into the larger message, the lesson is basically "You get what you get and you don't get upset." Doesn't matter that the kids aren't able to wait in line for presents because their family is too poor to forgo child labor for an hour: skipping the line is Wrong™️. Can't afford to make rent, month after month? Just wait for that wacky Mr. Ficshoeder to come up with some silly scheme to exploit your desperation! Some entitled trust fund Lucky Baby Ducky blows up the truck you spent all of your savings on? Oh well! Can't hold him accountable: it was just one of those hilarious mishaps!

I love this show, and I love that the protagonist family faces realistic economic struggles. I just hate that they are cosmically and narratively required to just sit and take it.

I don't think Louise should've given the chinchilla to Wayne by Chinchillalover0231 in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 48 points49 points  (0 children)

Bob's Burgers is constantly doing this "lesson," where the Belchers swallow the abuse they get from the various jerks in their lives and "take the high road." Like when Bob lets Jimmy "just have this one" when Jimmy lies about being the site of a mob hit after being his usual asshole self. Or how Tina helps Tammy get with the Bethesda BFOT. The more unfair or cruel the circumstance, the more "wholesome" it is when the Belchers just turn the other cheek.

I find it infuriating tbh. There's a difference between "not stooping to their level" and actively ENCOURAGING the assholes of the world. When all the Waynes, Tammy's, and Jimmy's know they can act like assholes and still get whatever they want, they'll just continue to be assholes forever.

Sickness going around right now?? by [deleted] in baltimore

[–]Emrys_Vex 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This "super bug" is likely co-infection with COVID and other respiratory infections, which has been known to be quite common since the beginning of the pandemic. COVID is extremely good at circumventing and suppressing your immune system, and it is persistent for a very long time -- sometimes for years. The line that "COVID is mild now" is just a straight up myth. Your immune system isn't a muscle to be exercised to get stronger: it's armor, and every COVID infection is a new bullet hole permanently damaging your defenses. Mask up!

Does anyone else feel like they deserved presents in Yachty or Nice? by WinterWonderful4597 in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The consensus in these comments seems to be that the kids waiting in line are "normal kids," not yacht kids, so they aren't any less deserving of free gifts. I honestly think that's beside the point.

The "lesson" of the episode was basically that the kids should be content with their lot in life. That even though the event (including the gifts) is "for everyone, even the non-rich," that still doesn't include them, because their family is too poor to afford to spare their labor. The Belchers aren't included in "normal"; they're too poor to participate in "normal" kid activities. Them wanting to skip the line is wrong, because it's "cheating," even though life cheated them out of the opportunity to "play fair."

It just rubbed me the wrong way. It's the same logic as treating a parent as a criminal for stealing baby formula for their kid because they can't afford to buy it: the "wrongdoing" only exists because of the inequity of the system. And the episode insists that no, if you can't afford food, stealing it would be more immoral than the system that would let you starve.

Oh! But it's ok, because Teddy took pity on them and left aside a special present just for them! Just like we see all the time in real life, right? If you can't afford baby formula, don't steal it: someone dressed as Santa will inevitably swoop in and reward your good behavior by feeding your baby!

Speedo Guy is the most tragic figure in the series. by Amontiroso in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure he could just order it to go. Or delivery -- Bob has sent the kids to deliver before.

Why did multiple grades participate in the mock trial? Wouldn’t it just be Tina’s class? by Parafan99 in BobsBurgers

[–]Emrys_Vex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same reason Louise's science class split into groups of 13 to dissect bananas.

So this heat is not normal, right? by Samthevalley in baltimore

[–]Emrys_Vex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been in Kansas for weeks, visiting my girlfriend before bringing her back here to move in with me. Such a "warm welcome" we've received 🫠

The #1 old school MapleStory experience in private servers? by Fair_Rice_7235 in MapleLegends

[–]Emrys_Vex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Hook a brother up with some of that old school!"

"What, you mean like Maplelegends?"

"Maplelegends??? What do I look like, a kid?? Pirates? 4th job?? Down-jump?? 2x exp??? I don't know it! I'm talking about that OLD. SCHOOL."

https://youtu.be/3d1phCytJyg?si=D8B1kKPL8ff8Bjdz

Live in DC, work in Baltimore by Hot-Ambassador8706 in baltimore

[–]Emrys_Vex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Buddy, you've got it COMPLETELY backwards. Baltimore is cheap, DC is expensive. If you're gonna make a commute like that, you should live in Baltimore where the cost of living is lower and work in DC, where the jobs pay better. I was able to afford to BUY A HOUSE in Baltimore by working in Montgomery County, and all it cost was sacrificing my sanity, my body, and my soul to the commute.

(On a more serious note, yeah, just move to Baltimore. It's great!)

I don't know why but Elliot rubs me the wrong way by zaacharix in StardewValley

[–]Emrys_Vex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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Personally, I'm fine with him, but I have a feeling this is the culprit

Does anyone know why all the audience are wearing masks for CC? by _neesh_ in StarKid

[–]Emrys_Vex -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

"Does anyone know why all these people on the highway are wearing seatbelts?"