Gertrude

I don't think she's that good of an actress, sadly.

I know. I remember hearing Ghislane Maxwell was desperately trying to find some hair dye in prison because she had a tv interview or something. I would love to see Donny after a few months in prison. No bronzer, no hair dye, no hairspray, no lifts. Maybe a nice case of lice going around so he needs to shave his head. Perhaps a prison tattoo. I know that if he does get jail time, he'll be pampered like the little shit he is, but let a girl dream.

Oh. My bad then.

The process starts in October, but won't reach full implementation until July next year as I understand it. (link)

Been seeing that brought up a lot recently (obviously). In regards to Trump, the law would not go into effect until July 2024 I believe. I mean, obviously it's a shitty law, but this case will hopefully be unaffected.

Fani sounded pissed as she was reading the charges. Cool.

Ooh, I think they did a good job on the physical casting there.

Who knows. I do think this is kind of their 'mystery box' for this season. We see distinguishing details about people but not their faces. I feel like they want us to keep second guessing who is going to end up being the darkfriend. Like we're supposed to think it's Masema cause he's so severe but surprise! I think the pics we've seen of Suroth and the 'Dark One' walking together and the distinctive nails means that's the gimme, but we've got a generic Tinker, Sheinaran, Aes Sedai and I think Whitecloak (going off what others have picked up). ooOOoooohh who's the bad guy?

Oh yes, the hoop skirts - how could I forget? Yeah, the women are always described in very European fashions.

I know there are Japanese influences, I just didn't picture it this way. I think the sketch actually gives me Ebou Dar vibes - where ever it is that the women wear colored petticoats and pin up their skirt. It seems more informal and ... I don't know, jaunty? The slashed sleeves described in the books always brought to mind the fashions of Europe around 1500 and I guess I didn't think too much of it beyond that. The sleeves are very distinctive and kind of overrode everything else. I guess it's mainly that throwing me off to be honest. Maybe I thought they wore kimono style coats or robes when they were casual. As you say, the Japanese influences are more associated with the men and military. But overall, I am open to their interpretations. One of the things that I liked about Jordan was his mashing of cultural influences together. I don't think he always pulled it off, but it always got my imagination going.

I agree I don't like that the pacifiers are a thing. There is a still with (I think) a man with a nose ring and a plate hanging down over his mouth. That might be what they are? It sure doesn't look like it, but it would be an interesting choice for all da'covale. I really want to see it in action because right now, It's not working for me. (edit: I read the article instead of just looking at the pictures and yeah, it's a pacifier. ugh) I actually do like the collar on the damane. I suspect the leash would be very impractical for the actors and I am not fussed about that. I think the collar and bracer are more impactful visually and the collar actually gives me the impression of harnessing an animal. *shrug* I think it's fine. I'm not vibing with Moiraine's Cairhien look though. I like the costume itself, it's just doesn't feel like her or the city. The silhouette of the sketch is really fun and I could see it on some other cultures, but not Cairhien IMO. Oh well.

I think the meeting between Siuan and Rand is in Cairhien. You can see the rising sun in the background, even thought the white screen has very Tar Valon vibes. Perhaps Siuan is taking Logain on a sort of 'shame' tour to show off the power of the Aes Sedai? I dunno. Just before we see the Aiel fighting the Children, we see Aviendha pulling up her veil.

I might have been one of those you remember advocating for the DR hunt including all five. I understood why they thought they had to do it (ar Amazon thought they had to do it). I can't remember exactly how I felt about it at the time, but overall it was fine, even if I didn't think it was necessary. They had to tear down some Rand stuff to hide it and I wasn't a fan of that, but overall to me it's not worth arguing about because I can see both sides, so why spend the time arguing about it? I also wasn't a fan of the ending, but Karaddin explains it pretty well. I think she's right in that we won't keep escalating the power structure each season, and in fact I think they will dial it down in the form of Nyneave's block. I could be wrong and I will revisit that when needed. I still don't think they told a good story during that part of the show and again - I see both sides of the argument and don't think it's worth further discussion.

But mostly everyone is in agreement over the two changes you mention, but not everyone agrees that the casting was a poor decision

The longer this series goes without airing the second season, the less my interest for it grows. I was pretty underwhelmed by the end of it, but thought it had potential and was excited to see if it found it's footing. I'm just about over it now, though. I've been hearing speculation that it will air in the fall and that Amazon wants to perhaps alternate releases of WOT and RoP so that they have a big fantasy show in the fall each year for consistency. I say fuck that and I won't be interested in watching either, thanks.

This is exactly how I feel. They are good and enjoyable to watch, but I haven't been grabbed yet.

Well, just seeing naked bodies is titillating enough for most. It's not like I expect them to go out of their way to make it sexy with perfect lighting and angles, etc. That is not the purpose of the sex scenes. The quick and easy flash of skin - yeah, that's the intentionally titillating part and why they like to go there in this franchise.

Ah, glad to see that. It was a good decision.

I'm guessing doggie style is because you can see both actor's faces, so is just easier. The sex scenes are not meant to be sexy.

Yeah, the tourney was violent by any standard. Like I said though, it does a lot of work through symbolism. It showcases Daemon's violence as well as showing the stupidity of it all as we watch Aemma in her own fight to the death. And yes, that was very traumatizing, and I am glad they went there. Women face death just like the men, they just don't get to wear cool armor and have cheering crowds adore them.

Well, Viserys was given the choice of losing his wife or losing his wife and child, so I don't think he did anything wrong, just had a really hard choice to make. (well, he could have actually told her instead of letting her figure it out in terror, so maybe point conceded) Also, I think the violence of the tourney worked really well juxtaposed to the birthing bed. Highlighted the differences between the battles both sexes have to face as well as showing the needless violence of the tourney for entertainment.

My first thought was that by buzzing his hair, it makes the red less obvious, but it's still kind of obvious, so .... *shrug* Am I the only one who is not particularly a fan of the art style of the Origins? The substance is fine, but the art style is not my cup of tea.

Nah. 8:00 - 3:30 was the standard I remember as well. If you don't count the lunch break (1/2 hour) then you're at 7 hours and that sounds about right.

I'm kind of in the middle. I like RP, but right now I feel I'm really rusty with it. Looking at another of Relic's games on our discord, I can take a guess at which game he only spoke a handful of times I think our groups got sorted pretty well by player type.

What? You complain all the time! :p OK, mostly it's about us doing too much damage and not the setting. But we're having a blast and Relic is doing great.