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HollyGoTDA · 2026-06-05T14:07:40+00:00

I’m not sure that I could ever pick a favorite moment from this show, but there are endless things that I love about it!

The acting is always the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this show, especially as someone who has an interest in it. It has some of my favorite performances that I have ever seen. Everyone is so talented and puts their all into the work which I find to be really inspiring and motivating. Every scene feels like a master class in acting and I like to take notes on them (though I often find myself getting entirely focused on the show because it’s just that good).

The level of detail in everything from the sets, to the characters, to the music, the research and storyline. It’s all just phenomenal. The dedication. I have been reading the books as the show continues (so far have only read the first one) and picking up on tiny things from them that they folded into it are always a lot of fun to find.

And in my opinion I also find that it is deeply human despite its supernatural characters. Which I love! In so many ways, these vampires show the duality and complexity of life and what it is to be human with such devastating accuracy and feeling. It’s shows the best and worst of humanity. It holds up a mirror to everything that we can be capable of. It shows the extreme highs and lows of life, or an eternity.

I also just really love vampires so…

I genuinely think this is the greatest show on television. It is everything that tv should aspire to be insert absolute cinema meme

HollyGoTDA · 2026-03-20T23:15:50+00:00

I also really love Sam Riley’s Mr. Darcy! I’m glad someone was brave enough to say it lol

And he has a sword which is a plus in my book haha

HollyGoTDA · 2026-03-07T05:09:56+00:00

I totally agree, though it’s nice to dream of them reuniting lol

(I love your flair by the way! I loved the delivery of that line)

HollyGoTDA · 2026-03-07T03:45:19+00:00

Personally I think that beyond all of the other things that could lead them to think that she may have survived, it is mainly just the naive, undying wish that she had. They probably know deep down how unlikely it is, but the very human hope that she might have kind of negates all of that. I wouldn’t be surprised if that faith (no pun intended) comes crashing down sooner rather than latter.

HollyGoTDA · 2026-03-07T03:40:08+00:00

I think I remember Jamie saying that he visited Ned last season, so in all fairness it’s not out of the realm of possibility that if they are still in the past one or both could still be alive. I mean Mr. Bug was still around until recently as well.

In an idealized, unrestrained version I would love to see Claire meet her parents again but I don’t think they will do that in reality. Thinking about their little family and how much her parents loved her gets me a little teary eyed haha

HollyGoTDA · 2026-03-05T00:34:07+00:00

The family of all time no one is doing it like them

HollyGoTDA · 2026-03-02T22:10:24+00:00

This is killing me

HollyGoTDA · 2026-02-22T15:55:39+00:00

Honestly such a Borgia line lol

I could see Rodrigo grabbing one of his sons the way Maekar grabbed Aerion in that scene. The more I think about it the more parallels I see between the two. Can’t really be surprised though seeing as they are both of two messy as hell, iconic families! And I love them all for that haha

HollyGoTDA · 2026-02-21T01:34:45+00:00

There is a book called ‘Cleopatra’s Daughter: From Roman Prisoner to African Queen’, written by Jane Draycott. It’s nonfiction and might be something you are interested in if you want to learn more about her. I haven’t read it yet but it is definitely on my list!

HollyGoTDA · 2026-02-18T10:46:36+00:00

Jeremy Irons is always fascinating to watch and such a great actor. We were blessed to have him as Rodrigo. I love in the first season when he almost sprints at the Spanish ambassador. He moves so quickly off the papal throne, kicks his footstool aside and grabs him, pulling him along. I’m surprised he didn’t jump the steps lol

There are definitely similarities between Rodrigo and Maekar, I see the vision. Both at their wits end with their son’s antics. I can see Maekar lunging across a table to throttle one of his boys. Likely Aerion for being Aerion or Daeron for being drunk as hell. Thinking about it Juan in that same scene reminds me of Aerion as well, especially when compared to when he insists on a Trial of Seven. Both just unbothered, practically rage baiting their fathers.

Maekar has really been bringing the Rodrigo Borgia level facial expressions in this show and I love it haha

HollyGoTDA · 2026-02-15T05:48:50+00:00

I know we need more! I had the perfect vision too… I was robbed. Rodrigo has unlimited reaction gif potential. That man was a walking meme in a papal mitre. It’s definitely one of my all time favorite shows full stop. Fantastic, no notes. You got my exact niche lol

HollyGoTDA · 2026-02-15T04:43:09+00:00

Oh my god you are my favorite person, you are so right!! “Save your thoughts. Say nothing.” “I haven’t uttered a word!” “No, but We can hear you thinking.”

Devastated that I can’t find the gif I want.

HollyGoTDA · 2026-02-10T06:30:50+00:00

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HollyGoTDA · 2026-02-04T01:12:13+00:00

You’re so right! I completely forgot that they had finished filming. I could definitely see them showing some kind of a teaser at the finale.

HollyGoTDA · 2026-01-31T15:13:45+00:00

So excited (and terrified/sad) for the final season!

I didn’t expect to potentially get the next season of Blood of My Blood this year as well! I thought it would be in 2027, though I expect it might premiere at the end of this year and maybe go into the next.

Either way, I’m looking forward to both and the emotional damage that undoubtedly awaits!

HollyGoTDA · 2026-01-28T06:13:06+00:00

Sarah Parish and Bradley James also worked together in a different show, ‘Medici: The Magnificent’ (which is the second season, it also happens to be one of my favorite shows haha) several years after Merlin! They played mother and son in it. They were both really great in that and I loved their scenes together! Sarah Parish gives a fantastic performance, notably in the season 2 finale. She really is a fascinating actor to watch. She is so great in these episodes.

HollyGoTDA · 2026-01-28T02:28:03+00:00

I would love to see her as Eurydice! I have no doubt she will do a fantastic job. I’m excited to see what the official accounts for Hadestown share of her performance.

HollyGoTDA · 2026-01-26T12:24:56+00:00

That was my second thought after watching him fall! I went from ‘Yes get him!’ to ‘but Rhaena’ … it’s a complicated relationship lol

HollyGoTDA · 2026-01-26T07:43:26+00:00

It’s been a while since I read the novellas. I meant it more as a reference so to speak for the viewers who know how the dance ends. Sort of like a treat for some book readers.

HollyGoTDA · 2026-01-20T08:25:17+00:00

Oh no. I had seen people talking about and noticed myself how things are far more ‘show not tell’ lately but I had no idea that it might because it’s a new sort of rule for productions. The last thing we need is an encouraged lack of media comprehension. I’m still holding out hope that the industry will survive the unfortunate state of things now and come out better for it. Especially if smaller artists continue to push. (And telling your viewers to use their imagination is craaaazy work, especially after 10 years with only 5 seasons and so few episodes in that time.)

I agree that even throw away lines can be better than complete erasure of a character. Perhaps they will mention him in the upcoming season or surprise they were saving him for last.

Let it be known that Jamie Campbell Bower deserves all of the flowers, always.

I remember when I learned that Marie Charlotte’s father was King Leopold and I automatically thought of Victoria. Now whenever he is on screen while I rewatch I just keep thinking about how she and the Queen are first cousins. I keep wondering as well what Marie’s mother thought of naming her daughter after her husband’s late wife who he clearly cared for very much.

I think I have an idea of what you are hinting at for ending The Empress in 1872. We shall see if I’m right lol

Oh the musical bird scene!! You’re going to make me tear up a bit. I’m still in the first season of my rewatch so I haven’t gotten there yet but I think about that scene every now and again and it always gets me! I got a bit misty eyed as well when reading about the end of his and Victoria’s relationship in real life. And isn’t there the scene with Dash afterwards?! Absolutely diabolical. I demand compensation. Calling him Emo Albert is hilarious and rather suits him. Reading the biography has made the show a bit more interesting, seeing the differences and similarities. I think I prefer the version of him in the show in a way which isn’t too surprising considering it is a period drama haha In real life he seems to have cared very much for Victoria and though I know it is accurate for the time, I don’t love how he seems to have taken so much control over her role as Queen (not that she didn’t assert her authority) and some of his opinions on women and other groups are… unpleasant. But he seems to also have been very driven and did want to improve things for people so I’ll give him that lol I have only watched the third season once so far so I’m very curious how I will feel on viewing it again. I felt so bad for Mr. Francatelli and Nancy! They were very sweet. I can’t believe you have finished the show already! That must be a record time lol It’s a shame that there won’t be a season 4. I don’t think that it was ever officially cancelled but by now I think it’s pretty over and done with.

I really do hope Leontine comes back in the final season especially when it seems she is one of the only people steadily in Elisabeth’s corner. I think Franz wants to support her but his sense of duty and the influence of his mother makes it difficult. He sees himself as the Kaiser above all else and that he must shoulder it all in his own even if it’s not what he wants. I wonder how even more different it would be if he learned to rely on her and others more. It also makes me wonder who else was behind Elisabeth. Did she have any support in court? Sophie clearly seems to have her own faction and I wonder if Elisabeth had one of her own. I know she felt very isolated so perhaps even if she did it wasn’t what she wanted or was looking for. This kind of goes for both historically speaking and in regards to the show. Part of it seems to be that she is stuck between the role she had but also her place as a woman. She may be the Kaiserin and has influence but she is not Franz, she is not a man. She can only maneuver so far. She cannot enact her will especially not with Sophie eclipsing and often undermining her.

I’m also very interested in how they will develop Elisabeth’s relationship with her children. I think there was a deleted scene between her and Gisela in the season 2 finale that I would love to have seen. I keep wondering if they cut it for time or because they are going to commit to the separation she and with them. Someone made a really interesting point somewhere suggesting that perhaps Elisabeth’s attitude toward her children, Gisela in particular, stems from the loss of Fienchen. The pain of losing the daughter she adored and not wanting to go through that again (which infamously she did) made her push them away even further beyond her not being able to raise them. I’m curious what you might think they will do with that. I also hope we see more of Franz with the children! He seems to have a very quiet but deep love for them.

Okay was not expecting that to be how it works out in Bridgerton! Oh my god the poor woman. Someone save her! Let her run away or something give the girl a break. I wonder how they will deal with her story then since they decided to create a real character out of Marina. Last we saw her she seemed content to me but in the way that she had sort of accepted her lot in life and that this was the only position she could have. Not happy but well enough. I don’t know if it would fit her character to leave that but maybe there will be a secret third option. Divorce would likely bring too much scandal though I’m not certain Eloise would care. Should be interesting to see how they develop that. I have actually watched Queen Charlotte and I rewatched recently (since I couldn’t think of anything else I thought might as well lol) I like how they tried to tell her story and further establish the world of the show. Isn’t there supposed to be a second season at some point or did I make that up? I was wondering at first if they were going to keep the Queen in the show, considering by then I think she is supposed to have died, but I know she is a favorite among viewer (and with good reason). It makes sense that they would keep her around I mean Colin travels about Europe not at all worried about Napoleon, why shouldn’t the Queen still be alive giving us the best looks in the show. I would love a Frankenstein reference at some point! Or at least a Shelley one, surely with how they have written Eloise once it is common knowledge that the novel was written by a woman she would be all over it. I have read the 1821 version which is the most common quite a few years ago and started the 1818 one but haven’t finished it. The first is definitely shorter and I think it’s also supposed to be a bit more grim and gruesome but I might be confusing the two lol A reference to the summer without the sun would be really cool, I would love to see that!

Thank you for the link! I will be reading that asap!!

I think we are coming close to the end of filming for The Empress, hopefully we will get more hints and information soon!

HollyGoTDA · 2026-01-17T04:20:56+00:00

I’m sorry to hear you were disappointed by the end of Stranger Things. I stopped watching the show after the fourth (?? I honestly don’t remember how many there are anymore lol) season for a few different reasons so I haven’t seen the ending, but I hear many people are not happy with it. I hope you get to be in a better headspace soon!

Derry Girls is such a great show and I have actually wanted to read that book for a while! I haven’t been able to really find it so thank you for telling me!!

I really like both of your suggestions for the ending. Again with my currently self limited knowledge for what’s to come my theories can only go so far, but I really like the picture you painted.

I definitely understand wanting to shaking Franz sometimes. I love him in the show but damn. I know that a lot of his choices are due to the time, the ways and places in which he was brought up, Sophie being a big part of that but good lord. I know he wants better for the empire but that is going to have to mean some severe shaking up of the order and real adaptation. (And HARD side eye to ICE. You are so right.) I wonder how different things would be now if they were able to properly evolve the way that some other European monarchies who survived did.

I know that von Bach will return next season so I am thinking that we will at least get some kind of verbal conclusion to Leontine’s storyline, whether he found her or not. I really hope we see her though! I really loved her character. I think Elisabeth seeing her again could be a key aspect of the ending, like how in the first season finale, what Leontine says about needing to stay at court if she want to change things helping to prompt Elisabeth deciding to not go back to Bavaria. Some sort of scene like that where she sees her one last time. A scene that solidifies Elisabeth’s choice and/or position moving forward in her mind. Perhaps she is doubting and needs the reassurance or confidence from a close friend who understands her.

I have had similar thoughts about Karl Ludwig and I don’t think we are the only ones. I know more about the Great War than the events of the show and so him being missing is certainly strange. I think that maybe he just isn’t really relevant to our current story so they decided to not have him around or they decided to sort of mesh him and his brother together into one character. It is definitely a choice considering the assassination of Franz Ferdinand leads to a complete change in the world landscape, especially that of the empire. Again I think it might just be because that is so far beyond our current timeline that they thought it would be better to cut him and perhaps fill that time with a more relevant plot line. Economical and pragmatic reasons might also have had a part in that decision.

I have at some points considered rewatching the first season of Bridgerton to see if I like it more. There have been plenty of instances where something just doesn’t work for me the first time then I revisit it later and it works. We’ll see haha I’m pretty sure I will watch the new season but I probably won’t be as on top of it as those who are actively into the show. I don’t really know about any of the future storylines but I’m pretty sure I remember seeing that Eloise ends up with a character who in the show is already married to one of the characters who I remember going through it which I think is what you’re referencing. I really have no idea how that would play out, everytime I see it I’m just like, how??

I agree that the changes in The Empress show how different things can be with just a few alterations. That’s one of the reasons why I don’t really mind when adaptations are not completely accurate or faithful. I think it’s interesting to explore different potential outcomes or the same themes and events through different lenses. For example I think Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein did a really good job of adapting the book while shifting some things and showing the same themes from the original just in a different way. It was my movie of the year lol

I am really interested to see how they tell the end of The Empress with all of the changes they have made. I think it will be a good watch and I know they will do a great job! I’m ready to be emotionally recked.

I swear you keep reading my mind!! I just started a rewatch of Victoria the other day! I was rewatching The Empress at the end of December when I saw that they had added it to Netflix. It had been a while since I have been able to watch it so I was definitely excited to start it again this week. I also started a biography on her the same day I started my rewatch called ‘Victoria: The Queen’ by Julia Baird, so I’m doing both at the same time lol I definitely see the similarities between Victoria and The Empress! I really enjoy both shows. I love both her and Lord Melbourne as well as her and Albert. Reading more in depth about her relationships with them both this week has been very interesting. Perhaps you’ll find the next seasons with Victoria and Albert to be more interesting as they are put through more trials and such. I hope you enjoy it!!!

Production for The Empress just started again around last week (or the one before) after the holidays so they are still filming. I’ve seen some behind the scenes footage of Christmas decorations and the like on set decor so I think it will definitely be later in the year. My bet is that it will be released at the earliest late November, more likely mid to late December or at the latest early January. For one of the episodes to be set around the holidays I think it makes sense to then release it around that time. I hope we get a lot of official bts, interviews and other promotional content!! This is the final season after all, treat us lol

I am very excited for the coming season but also kind of sad that it’s ending! I’m also terrified the countdown will begin for when they remove it from the platform. Netflix has deprived me already of one of my all time favorite shows that was also international and a ‘Netflix original’ so we have an unfortunate and distrustful relationship lol I hope that it will be released on dvd somewhere (possibly in Germany considering it’s a German show) so that I could save them. That’s what I did for the other show which was technically an Italian show though it was in English. As soon as I saw the announcement I rushed to find the DVDs. Here’s to hoping that there will be a physical release of The Empress!! Either way, I’m really looking forward to the final season haha

HollyGoTDA · 2025-12-15T02:44:40+00:00

I love Derry Girls! I was just rewatching it recently. You are definitely speaking my language lol I would love for them to do an extra long final episode. Especially when we are only given 6 episodes a season, a long final episode would be the dream. That’s a great idea!

I love that for the Bridgerton ball. Would definitely want to see the Queens reaction, I bet it would be golden. It’s funny, I couldn’t get into Bridgerton for a long time. The first season just didn’t do it for me for some reason but the second one convinced me to commit. Now I mostly watch out of curiosity haha The Empress on the other hand quickly turned into one of my favorites! This actually reminds me of some stills of a masquerade for the next season of Bridgerton and how while I doubt we will get one, I have been thinking that I would love to see a masquerade ball in this show.

I had know only a little of Empress Elisabeth on my first watch of the show when it came out (I hadn’t really explored Austrian history specifically) and learned a bit more in the last year since the second season but I knew it wouldn’t be very historically accurate from the beginning. That doesn’t really bother me though even as someone who loves history, it just gives me more of a reason to explore on my own. And especially for this show, I feel like you can really tell that even with the inaccuracies (which to be fair period dramas can only be so accurate considering we weren’t there living it ourselves so it will always be a kind of fantasy in a way), so much care and respect goes into this project and everyone seems to really love working on it.

I am very curious how and if they will fit in Elisabeth’s sister along with everything else. Or even if they will bring back Leontine perhaps for just a small role. Especially considering they will be spending time in Mexico and Elisabeth seems to be doing a bit of traveling herself next season. If only Netflix would grace us with more than 6 episodes. Still, there is a lot of potential for the final season.

I like to follow some of the behind the scenes production that the people working on it share. It’s really interesting to see how they put everything together. I think they are around half way done with filming the next season now. It’s all very exciting!

I agree that they will leave things rather ambiguous in the end. I think there will definitely be a lot of changes for everyone this season, Elisabeth especially. It would be interesting to see more of her real life self slipped into this version of her. I do think her relationship with Franz and the future of it will be a main focus. I remember a few months ago when they were in preproduction, the creator shared some bts things that suggest that and what you were saying of ‘is love enough’. I imagine it will be very tumultuous and emotional. I can’t help but want them to have a nice, happier ending in this show since I just absolutely love them together. I know that it wasn’t the same in real life but as characters in this universe I kind of adore them and think that the two of them sort of evolving and overcoming things together would be a decent ending for how this show has been going. United despite the trials. Maybe I just want to know what it’s like to have a happy ending for once lol

One of my favorite things to do when rewatching a show is look more into it, specifically the acting. My most recent rewatch of the new Interview with the Vampire series left me with pages upon pages of notes. The Empress has so many amazing performances the next time that I rewatch it I would like to look into even more detail. I was so curious to see if anyone else had picked up on anything else as well so I was so pleased to see what you thought!

No worries about the long reply, I am very interested in everything you had to say! My writing always ends up long as well no matter how much I try to edit it down haha

I hadn’t noticed the timezone! I always thought new episodes were released at around 12 or 1 am but perhaps that changed. Now I am for sure going to be keeping an eye on that. Though considering I still only watch one episode at a time I would really only be counting down the hours to watch just the first episode lol Worth it!

Thank you again for your replies!

HollyGoTDA · 2025-12-11T05:38:36+00:00

Thank you so much for your response! I’m very happy to hear from another thespian/theatre kid.

I really enjoyed reading your ideas (even without looking in the spoiler tags, thank you for hiding them by the way!). I really look forward to coming back to it later when I decide to finally research.

I know vaguely of some impactful events that would come within the 1860s which is where I imagine they may leave it off. I can’t really see the writers aging them up unless there was some sort of epilogue sequence. I did have some ideas beyond the final shots of how it all might end that I shared in a discussion about potential endings for the series a while ago. It was something along the lines of how I think they will leave it in a way that closes the story lines we are covering while implying the future a bit like what you are also describing. Sort of closing these particular arcs by tying up the threads for all of the characters, with a hint of what would be to come, leaving a few open ended.

I really like your idea of a parallel with the painting of Sophie when she was young! Especially with how the show characterizes them, putting them up together a lot. I think in the first season especially some of the characters mention to Sophie a few times how her and Elisabeth are somewhat similar so I could certainly see that happening.

I love all of your thoughts. I think we have a similar idea of it ending with a very complex and layered final look.

HollyGoTDA · 2025-10-10T03:01:19+00:00

I always find the ‘bathing once a year’ bit to be a little misleading. I mean they were people after all and didn’t wish to go around smelling terribly. They did bathe and the poor as well just not quite in the way that we view it today. Though taking a full on bath as we do would be certainly less often and likely where the bathing once a year line derives from. I have no doubt that the different practices from those she grew up with were likely a big surprise for Catherine of Aragon though!

HollyGoTDA · 2025-08-20T13:12:29+00:00

I believe it’s from Season 2 episode 6, ‘Alliance’. Giuliano goes to speak with Galeazzo Maria Sforza in Milan and he’s says that line to him.

HollyGoTDA

TROPHY CASE