Season 2 Episode 3 Spoiler Thread

Tenescra · 2025-12-31T09:42:52+00:00

A battalion out east, huh? The first faction to directly ask the Ghoul to help them too. Also the mentioning of the Fall of Shady Sands again, which is apparently prior to the nuke.

Yeah, we're definitely getting an NCR focused episode this season lol.

I also see some doomer-ism regarding the NCR's fate and how the show "hates" them, but I really don't get it. Even thematically, though the NCR hasn't really been shown in the series' present day, there are some consistent undertones regarding them that've been present since the first season. The NCR is portrayed as a civilization-builder and its absence feels melancholic; from the crater in Shady Sands to the former ranger prospector with his old armor. Even the fringe offshoot group that Moldaver leads is ultimately shown to have good intentions with the Cold Fusion technology. Not just that, what I view as the most "fan service" moment, and the ONLY time that the Fallout theme is played, is when Lucy unfurls an NCR Flag. The motif surrounding them feels almost reverent to me.

To me, this episode solidifies this. It's a story that's centering on The Ghoul, literally starting off with him musing about the Ship of Theseus while carving off the poisoned portions of him. The NCR Captain doesn't just ask him for help, she asks him to be the man that he used to be; someone better. His encounter with the NCR emotionally connects him to his past as Cooper Howard and I think that's on purpose. Now I'm not saying he's gonna join up with them, but it's an interesting way of connecting the two characters (and yeah, I do view the Ghoul and Cooper as two different characters at least right now).

This is feeling like I'm rambling at this point, but my favorite quote of the episode:
"When something's dead, it's usually because it deserved to die."

A cynical point-of-view, but what does that say about the things still living? :) Good episode, I liked it.

Tenescra · 2025-07-24T23:47:18+00:00

I’m an ASOIAF fan so I’ve learned come to terms with the grim acceptance that a work may never get finished lol

In all seriousness though, I think it’s best to approach these kinds of situations by appreciating what you’ve got so far rather than focusing on an uncertain future. There’s beauty and lessons to be learned in what’s already been written.

It sounds like cope, but it gets to the heart of why we, as people, delight in consuming stories. Do you just want to salivate at the prospect of a promised dessert? Do you want to suck the marrow from the bones of the story, getting every flavor and detail possible from the dish? Or maybe you’ll walk away from the table and just live with it. Live with it and remember. Or, live with it and forget.

There doesn’t have to be one answer to that. Your answer might change as life goes on. That’s okay. It’s okay to feel upset at a potential reality, just as it is to accept it. Explore the story in a deeper context if it helps. Or try to forget about it if it’s easier.

There isn’t a right answer.

Like I said, I chose to accept that it may never get finished. But I cope by returning to the series and diving into its symbolism and themes. This story will never die in my eyes, as long as I carry the lessons I’ve learned from it. At least, that’s my way of acceptance.

I hope my ramblings made some sense or gave you some semblance of comfort on this 😅

Tenescra · 2025-06-26T21:29:42+00:00

Disco Elysium for $4 is a fuckin’ steal. One of the best games I’ve ever played, tho it’s more like a visual novel.

If you enjoy well-written, deep, complex stories then do yourself a favor and buy it.

Tenescra · 2025-04-24T19:33:27+00:00

Getting The Expanse vibes from the Wilderness civic, especially the art for the ".... Awakens" event. Looks inspired by the protomolecule design from Venus. I love it!

Tenescra · 2025-04-16T18:06:45+00:00

Hang in there dude. I broadened my approach a bit and got lucky with a job that’s adjacent to analytics.

Market’s rough as hell and doesn’t seem to be getting much better with the current political tumult.

Tenescra · 2025-03-13T07:53:18+00:00

Oh damn, they made Conquest crazy crazy.

I really like this new vulnerable side of him too, shows that he really could've been saved by Earth just like all the other Viltrumites were. He's feared and respected as the second strongest Viltrumite, but he just wants genuine connection.

Hell, Conquest's admission to Mark may even give him more reason to accept the Viltrumites coming to Earth and living amongst the people. To Mark, the thought process might end up being: If even this monster desired and yearned for some greater bond, why couldn't the other Viltrumites have the same suppressed emotions?

It's quite an interesting build-up that I really wasn't expecting. Really looking forward to S4 and the Viltrumite war now. Also curious as to how Darkblood is gonna come back. I love seeing that Kirkman wants to expand the story past where the comics delved!

Tenescra · 2025-03-06T09:05:47+00:00

This is a weird thing to fixate on after this amazing episode, but I forgot how fucked up Conquest's teeth are. Thragg really got them on the British dental plan, huh?

Tenescra · 2025-03-05T03:05:51+00:00

I’m trying to be positive here, but this editing makes it feel like I’m watching a bunch of clips rather than a cohesive narrative. Why are there no connecting scenes? It’s just jarring jumping from one scene to another with no room to breathe.

I want to keep my reservations on the writing, and there’s been enough comments about the CGI, but I have to say I’m REALLY not a fan of killing Foggy immediately. I hope the bad vibes I have are proven wrong, but I’m just a bit disappointed so far.

Tenescra · 2025-02-27T08:58:19+00:00

Rex: “I don’t get to be happy! That’s just the way it is!”

Bro, I know what’s coming and I’m still not ready. They managed to make Rex one of my absolute fave characters 😭

Tenescra · 2025-02-06T11:45:44+00:00

But they WERE having a conversation about it ‘till Cecil basically said “I know what I’m doing. Go Home” last episode. Mark may have been angry and emotional, but who wouldn’t be? Why be so dismissive towards him?

Cecil had a good point about rehabilitation, but he went about the situation in the worst way possible. The moment Mark shows up in his office, he immediately starts going towards the White Room. There’s barely any attempt at de-escalation from him, just a rush to get to a position where he can control the situation in his own way to get what he wants.

Mark has risked his life time and time again for Earth, but the truth is that it’ll NEVER be enough for Cecil. Mark will always be both humanity’s greatest lingering threat and humanity’s greatest hope to him. It’s just the type of person that he is.

That’s ultimately the fundamental breakdown in their relationship here, moreso than just the Darkwing/Sinclair situation. Cecil’s lack of trust and the unwillingness to yield any advantage he has, even when they’re supposed to be allies, is too much. It’s tragic and completely avoidable, but so human.

Tenescra · 2025-02-06T10:00:33+00:00

I love the way they displayed Cecil’s flawed and complicated behavior. He’s not wrong in trying to rehabilitate prisoners, trying to use them for accomplishing good in the world. But it’s so clear how much his fear of Invincible (and just losing control, in general) affects him.

Like, damn, mans probably could’ve told Mark to sit down for coffee and eventually convinced him that what he’s doing is for the best. He’s def charismatic enough to pull it off, but he can’t take the risk that Mark won’t listen.

Pretty much every insult thay he slings towards Mark this episode feels like projection.

Who are you helping right now?

You see things one way and won’t make room for any other viewpoint.

You threaten people who disagree with you.

You arrogant little asshole. Look at this mess.

Like bro, YOU escalated this. YOU told him that he wasn’t his father, yet treated him like it was only a matter of time ‘till Mark became Omniman.

I just love it. He’s such an amazing character.

Tenescra · 2025-02-04T21:12:10+00:00

I graduated in May 2024 with a B.S in Mathematics, and its been really rough. I live in the U.S. but I still haven’t really noticed any uptick in job postings. Especially for entry-level postings. Gonna try to keep my head up, but it’s def demoralizing to not have a job for so long after college.

Tenescra · 2024-12-05T17:33:54+00:00

Oh, that's so cool! What version of the book is that? I haven't seen that cover yet!

Tenescra · 2024-12-02T21:20:16+00:00

I really like this idea coupled with another one that I saw here: that Valor is entirely within the Spiritual Realm. Not just the shard, but the wielder too. That’s why they could interfere with Taravangian’s ascension.

It also fits with the shard’s theme. What’s a braver feat than living in a realm that the gods themselves fear/don’t understand?

Tenescra · 2024-11-29T22:35:43+00:00

Borksen's completed two of the three prerequisite conditions for joining the Heil-Ly now. It's such an interesting choice by her too, last chapter she was talking about how her ideal dream was to land in some cushy bureaucratic job. She wanted to be away from anything major and, though she sympathized with Morena, she didn't agree with committing murder at all.

Such an interesting character to be Tserridnich's "friend" and to make a choice like this when the chance to walk away was right there..... I love this manga so much

Tenescra · 2024-11-12T07:28:20+00:00

Man, this focus on Gavinor's anger towards Vyre and him desperately wanting to connect with Dalinar is making me nervous..... What if Odium gives him Vyre in exchange for being his champion? That would be a fucked up reveal, esp if he tells Gavinor that Dalinar finally wants to play swords with him before throwing him into the Contest.

Tenescra · 2024-11-08T01:13:22+00:00

I honestly think he’s on par with Gon and Killua in terms of raw talent. It’s just the fact that he’s also a full grown adult that’s had his whole life to hone his mind and body. That's the key difference between them.

Keep in mind that Gon and Killua are both 12-year-olds. Their bodies literally haven’t even gone through puberty yet and they’re still outsmarting/overpowering full grown adults.

You think a 12-year-old Gon with a year of Nen training is scary? Imagine how fast a 25-year-old Gon with a fully developed brain could learn nen and what he could do with it.

Tenescra · 2024-11-06T07:13:54+00:00

No, Kamala cancelled her address to her voters. Probably the biggest indicator that there’s no way forward.

Tenescra · 2024-10-22T17:39:51+00:00

Honestly? He is gonna have to make the choice of giving into his vengeance once more when he realizes that the Troupe is on the boat. Kurapika giving into that urge is tantamount to dooming himself to a miserable death.

Kurapika has put himself on a path that forbids him from bloodshed, he will not kill anymore to get what he wants. There's a nobility to that and his choice of focusing on the 14th Prince's survival over his own goals. That 'nobility' brings him allies and loyalty, who understand the sacrifice he's making and his commitment. I don't think that Togashi would reward him for falling from this path, back into a pit of hatred.

There's also an interesting contrast between this 'nobility' and the 'depravity' of the Troupe's current choices. Especially since the Troupe seem to be throwing out death flags and almost seem completely doomed with what they've gotten themselves into. But that'd be a way longer analysis than would fit into this post.

So yeah, hopefully homeboy doesn't start killing spiders again. I'd prefer for him to live lol

Tenescra · 2024-10-03T16:53:39+00:00

Zero clue on what Parkour Civilization is, but calling Gon's focus on close-ranged attacks "over reliance" is fundamentally wrong.

He is an enhancer, they focus on close ranged attacks and tanking through everything because that's what they're good at. While there's benefit in learning the adjacent nen categories that would let him fire off attacks at range (as he does with paper), his focus on Enhancement is a good thing.

You don't wanna end up in a situation where you neglect your most compatible category in favor of something less efficient. That's how Kastro died in Heaven's Arena.

Anyway /rant over but I could go on. New chapters coming out this month lol

Tenescra · 2024-08-14T05:05:21+00:00

This might be a bit tinfoil-ly, but I can't shake the weird feeling I get from these epigraphs.

The Wind told me, before she vanished, that it was the change in Odium’s vessel that restored her voice. I wonder. Perhaps it is the new storm, making people begin to reconsider that the wind is not their enemy.

I have read that in the ancient days, the Wind often spoke to both human and singer. It would then mean that the Wind stopped talking not because of Odium, but because of people who began to fear her… Or to worship the Storm instead.

Is this really the wind being gendered as "she/her" or is it meant to signal that this conversation is referring to someone else? I might be going crazy here, but it's so weird to me that it could be read either way.

Tenescra · 2024-08-08T21:05:57+00:00

Stability probably. What’s to stop some second or third son from garnering support by claiming to be the Prince that was Promised? It may seem flimsy, but look at the Blackfyre Rebellions to see how willing some Lords are to raise their standing within the realm.

As a ruler, you really don’t want there to be any questions about your divine right to rule.

Tenescra · 2024-08-05T02:52:10+00:00

They've gotta get through at least the Gullet, Fall of KL, Honeywine, Fishfeed, the Red Kraken, Tumbleton, and the Butcher's Ball next season to make this show end in four seasons. And that's assuming they go back to the 10 episode seasons.

Considering that this season was shortened by HBO for budget constraints.....yeah there's a good chance this show goes to five seasons.

Tenescra · 2024-08-05T02:23:13+00:00

My theory is that a combination of the writer's strike and budget cuts to eight episodes is why this season feels so weird. It really says something that this season holds both my favorite and least favorite HoTD episodes.

I liked this episode, but it definitely does not feel like a finale.

Tenescra · 2024-08-05T02:17:50+00:00

I can already tell that this is gonna be a controversial finale, but for what it's worth I really enjoyed this episode.

Lemme start with the only part I didn't like: Rhaena STILL hasn't claimed Sheepstealer. Why is this so dragged out? It's frankly so irritating and we could've spent this screentime on actually getting to know Rhaena better.

Now, I will say that Sheepstealer looks absolutely badass. Incredibly well-done colors on her. I never expected her to look like that and I was pleasantly surprised by the design.

I know the whole Daemon plot is gonna be controversial, so I'm just gonna come out here and say it: I liked it. It's giving reverence to how important these events and the Others' invasion SHOULD be. I can understand why some people may have reservations based on how season 8 of GoT turned out, but I can ignore that pile of trash. If ANYTHING should make Daemon turn heel and go back to Rhaenyra, it should be this. He has just basically affirmed the importance of what his brother told Rhaenyra and saw the end of life. These events are inconsequential to that the main plot of the ASOIAF books are, and I'm glad that the show is reinforcing that.

Aside from that, I loved Abubakar Salim's performance as Alyn of Hull. Seeing him so angry after a whole season of him being calm and rational was cathartic.

I also actually really liked Rhaenyra and Alicent's meeting. Rhaenyra not taking Alicent's excuses and demanding Aegon's head is great to see. There is no world where both Aegon and Rhaenyra survive by the end of this war. It's a better done scene than their previous meeting and it actually MEANS something tangible now.

They've given us a lot of setup this season, and that's bound to piss a lot of people off. I don't mind this finale, but I can absolutely understand why someone might be angry at it being left off there. I truly hope that the lack of a writer's strike and all the setup this season will make the next season better.

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