tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.comments2023-07-16T22:32:18.940+09:30cellar door. we might as well be a symphony.cathy leaveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105494192400149730noreply@blogger.comBlogger646125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-67992867946618041482022-11-20T16:57:41.023+10:302022-11-20T16:57:41.023+10:30It's an interesting point you make about the p...It's an interesting point you make about the possible asexual reading – it’s a possibility, but maybe, considering how much physical abuse Kate has suffered, it would be impossible to disentangle that trauma from how she reacts to physical intimacy (noteworthy that when she does have sex with Ivan, it’s blessedly off-screen). <br /><br />If you’re reading the reactions to her character at the time (which, as I’ve said, were often frustrating to me, and sometimes I still stumble over people whose opinions I otherwise respect expressing their hatred for Kate and I still don’t get it), it’s maybe important to keep in mind the context. I remember that Bomb Girls was released at a point in time where a lot of people felt let down by other shows with queer characters, and there was definitely a feeling that these stories weren’t necessarily safe with the writers who created them (Skins especially, gosh). Or maybe a more generous read would be that some fans wanted Betty to be happy a lot more quickly than the show was allowing her to be. It would be an incredibly cynical read of everything that happens between Kate and Betty to think that it was anything but a slow-burn love story, and I’ve not once felt that anyone who was part of the team there had the intention to be cynical (even though what happens with Vera in the film is cruel). <br />cathy leaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06105494192400149730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-78611202049151101512022-11-20T16:57:11.913+10:302022-11-20T16:57:11.913+10:30One day I’ll go back and watch the whole show agai...One day I’ll go back and watch the whole show again, but I haven’t yet so this response is based on what I remember. The main reason why I’ve never read Kate as straight is because of different her relationship to Betty is to every other friendship she builds on the show. She is new to all of it – it’s obvious that’s she’s never had any kind of relationship before that was outside of her father’s world. Every interaction with Betty is full of intimacy and trust. One of the first thing they do together is dance – and I think Kate knows about Betty fairly early on, and understands more about her than she ever voices. I’ve been wondering about what kind of preacher her father was, if he would have raved against homosexuality (I’m not sure if historically, that would have been something that a religious extremist would have thought to rave against in the 1940s), if Kate would have learned early on that being gay is a sin or if the concept of being gay just didn’t exist in her world. Her father seems to resent any kind of desire she expresses, regardless of who it is directed towards. I think what Kate has been taught is a very narrow understanding of what kind of life is acceptable for her to lead, and pretty much everything she does on the show transgresses this understanding – running away, working a man’s job, reclaiming music. I don’t think that she would even have the concept of thinking of herself as “straight” in the sense that we mean it today, where it exists in relation to being queer. Kate’s binary is her dad’s version of her future and a very hazy idea of what she wants for herself, that grows and grows as the series progresses. <br />I’m trying to find the right words to articulate this, but in a way Kate can’t be the straight girl who inadvertently flirts, because she approaches every new experience that she has with complete emotional authenticity (until she panics, and everything with Ivan happens). She’s not trying to mislead Betty to assure her support, she’s not flirting as a thrill, or because it makes her feel wanted. When she sings to Betty, it’s because she is expressing genuine feelings that she has in that moment in a medium that she has just reclaimed (and we know how difficult that is for her) – and the scene is downright romantic! Especially in the context of how Kate is only finding a language to express romantic feelings. What she has with Gladys is a friendship (even if Gladys is closer with Betty than with her), and I think it’s pretty clear on the show that there is a difference between the closeness she has with Betty and the easy rapport she forms with Gladys, and even Leon (there’s no subtext there, no physical affection). It’s a disservice to her as a character to read all of her previous interaction with Betty from the perspective of the non-reciprocated kiss. Betty doesn’t ask for her consent, it’s in a public place, and I think it comes a little bit out of nowhere for Kate – transgressing a boundary, if you will. She’s not there yet. And part of learning about the world is unfortunately also finding out that her dad isn’t the only one with really strict ideas about the kind of life that a woman should lead – her whole relationship with Ivan is out of panic, and she never ever seems as comfortable or as intimate with him as she is with Betty. <br />cathy leaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06105494192400149730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-58450473389085408032022-11-19T10:09:14.890+10:302022-11-19T10:09:14.890+10:30Thank you so much for your thoughtful response and...Thank you so much for your thoughtful response and being willing to discuss this after so many years. I'm quite late to the party, but I find their relationship so, so satisfying (especially pre-kiss). I've always found it easy to see Kate as not straight, but the more I've read others' reviews and thoughts, the more I can also see her as a straight girl who just unknowingly flirts with other women--someone who is lonely and desires a best friend but nothing more. Seeing so many LGBT reviewers express anger and frustration at Kate, and not like her character (seeing her as the straight girl leading Betty on) really makes me sad. Would you be willing to explain just why you see Kate as not straight, from the very beginning of the series? Obviously you and others have made great points above, but I'd like to hear your thoughts specifically.<br /><br />I've watched that first kiss scene over and over, and I just can't tell if Kate reciprocates for a second, as many seem to see. Betty certainly comes on strong. And yes--Betty is so easy to love. :)<br /><br />As someone who has lots of experience with asexuality and the split attraction model, I sometimes wonder too if Kate could be asexual and romantically attracted to women. Just my thought, since I see so much of myself in her. Of course her sexuality could also be repressed, which is probably statistically more likely.<br /><br /><br />Yes, that slow buildup was so great! I would have liked to see how the writers/producers would have handled it in later seasons.ehullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09337762746093452338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-90657169692345990982022-11-19T10:03:53.810+10:302022-11-19T10:03:53.810+10:30Thank you so much for such a thoughtful response a...Thank you so much for such a thoughtful response and being willing to discuss this so many years later. I dearly wish there had been more seasons. I found it quite easy to see Kate as not straight, too, but as I read others' reviews and thoughts, I could also see her as just a straight woman who unknowingly flirts with other women but doesn't want anything sexual with them--someone who is lonely, searching for a best friend but nothing more. However, I don't think her romantic inclinations toward women can be denied. Yet, I still find myself wondering, sometimes, if she really is just straight and confused (because of her upbringing). Would you be willing to detail why you see Kate, from the beginning of the series, as not straight? Obviously you and others have made great points above, but I'd like to hear your specific thoughts as to why she's not just a flirty straight woman. :)<br /><br />I've watched that first kiss over and over, and I still have trouble seeing that Kate reciprocates, as some have said she does. Betty does seem to come on quite strong. <br /><br />I will say that seeing so many LGBT reviewers call Kate straight and get so upset at her and the storyline makes me sad.<br /><br />As someone who has a lot of experience with asexuality and the split attraction model, I can't help wondering if Kate is asexual but romantically attracted to women. Just my thoughts, since I see so much of myself in her. Of course, she could be very sexually repressed, too, and the odds of that are likely better.<br /><br />Yes, that slow journey was so wonderful! I would have loved to have seen it continue, and discover where it ended up.<br /><br />ehullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09337762746093452338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-7658676620202219082022-11-16T15:40:11.060+10:302022-11-16T15:40:11.060+10:30Hi there; I don't know if you're still int...Hi there; I don't know if you're still interested in Bomb Girls and/or willing to discuss it (particularly Kate and Betty), but I just discovered the show a few years ago and I am absolutely fascinated by Kate, and her and Betty's relationship. However, I find myself torn between viewing her as a possibly-not-straight character, as you all have so eloquently elaborated on, and as entirely straight (which is more annoying, to me, considering her actions toward Betty). I really relate to Kate and see a lot of myself in her, including realizing, slowly, that I'm not straight. I would love to hear your interpretation and analysis of Kate as a character (and Kate and Betty's relationship) from the beginning. What conclusions(s) have you come to, and why? Would you be willing to discuss this?<br /><br />I've really enjoyed your great analysis, and thank you!ehullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09337762746093452338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-30592099927640403502022-01-12T15:20:31.833+10:302022-01-12T15:20:31.833+10:30Oh yes, I completely forgot about that, even thoug...Oh yes, I completely forgot about that, even though all the pelts are right there. Maybe too distracted by Kirsten becoming an actual sharp-shooter! <br />And <i>Yellowjackets</i> is very good, I highly recommend. cathy leaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06105494192400149730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-87005609517001035502022-01-12T14:58:57.862+10:302022-01-12T14:58:57.862+10:30Wonderful review! I think Jeevan did learn to shoo...Wonderful review! I think Jeevan did learn to shoot since he shot the wolf's "whole family," according to Kirsten in episode 3 or so (and she ends up using one of the pelts around her neck and shoulders when she first meets Sarah) which makes sense that there's only one wolf that attacks him in ep. 9 instead of the pack.<br /><br />I've yet to watch Yellowjackets but I've definitely added it to my TBR. Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01310389186653478517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-22986757048224621802022-01-01T16:02:29.399+10:302022-01-01T16:02:29.399+10:30It's extremely in character: both making bad d...It's extremely in character: both making bad decisions for sort of understandable reasons and then beating himself up about it. Kinda his whole deal really. cathy leaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06105494192400149730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-21269265483174779032021-12-31T22:15:02.165+10:302021-12-31T22:15:02.165+10:30So Holden lets two men responsible for millions of...So Holden lets two men responsible for millions of deaths get away because he doesn't want his main squeeze to feel bad? The writers had better kill off Marcos quick, because any subsequent deaths are on Holden's ever-dithering head. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-68425325595120412362019-08-16T18:57:32.216+09:302019-08-16T18:57:32.216+09:30Good Post . FPÖ, TTIP, CETA und coGood Post . <a href="https://www.elstel.org/aktionen/FPOE.html.de" rel="nofollow">FPÖ, TTIP, CETA und co</a>Elstelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08036491775830824447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-44935307887981832272018-03-15T19:21:04.842+10:302018-03-15T19:21:04.842+10:30Thanks for your notes. I really enjoyed reading th...Thanks for your notes. I really enjoyed reading them. The Southern Reach Trilogy was so interesting to read but at the same time a bit confusing. <br />I don't remember the book here but I like your interpretation of what the Science and Seance Brigade was doing at the lighthouse. However, how did they know that there was "something" in the lens at the lighthouse and what kind of experiments did they do? It would be great if Jeff VanderMeer would write another book with the story around it :-)Andréhttp://www.breforth.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-56960839649331325362017-02-13T05:10:51.892+10:302017-02-13T05:10:51.892+10:30This is soooo nice!!This is soooo nice!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459006800575110568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-78150150238030148442016-02-26T17:04:36.566+10:302016-02-26T17:04:36.566+10:30"Was nützt die Liebe in Gedanken?""Was nützt die Liebe in Gedanken?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-50109050462169221832016-02-26T13:28:00.827+10:302016-02-26T13:28:00.827+10:30Saint-Exupéry, Antoine de (1900-1944), französisch...Saint-Exupéry, Antoine de (1900-1944), französischer Schriftsteller und Pilot: „Liebe besteht nicht darin, einander anzustarren, sondern in die gleiche Richtung zu blicken.“ Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-17776105445155687142015-12-28T10:44:05.156+10:302015-12-28T10:44:05.156+10:30Hi there! Just wanted to thank you for all your co...Hi there! Just wanted to thank you for all your comments. I will respond in more detail later (have been busy over the Christmas break unfortunately) but I always love going back to the show in this way!cathy leaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06105494192400149730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-73644975357091034882015-12-28T10:18:05.588+10:302015-12-28T10:18:05.588+10:30I think it kind of goes without even needing to be...I think it kind of goes without even needing to be said, but I preferred your version!! ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-1278344597159138222015-12-26T07:24:42.442+10:302015-12-26T07:24:42.442+10:30Maybe she was running from everything and just try...Maybe she was running from everything and just trying to find a place or person where she fit in, properly, which ended up being Rueben. As you said, she was out of place at home and with her group of friends in gen 1, so maybe it took her longer to feel "at home" as such, in her heart (now I'm just being soppy lol)<br /><br />The question of can you be friends with a boy without fucking, well that just makes me think of the one friend she did fit in with before, Chris, and who she then witnessed dying. As much as she loved Sid, I think she always knew he wasn't "right" and that's why she knew it was a problem even when he thought they were ok again.<br /><br />I also think maybe, and as you said we all have our own interpretations and that's good to discuss, when she said they had travelled until there was nowhere left to travel, maybe she meant it more of their relationship, it had travelled it's path, rather than travelling distance of the country, maybe it was easier for her to phrase it that way. Maybe she tried all she could until she knew "forever" wasnt gonna work, even as much as she may have wanted it to. <br /><br />I'm glad her story ended (on screen anyway) with hope. I think Cassie could be the perfect person to take care of someone, she of all people would know how important it is to be cared for, since she never was, and I think she'd know from that the right ways to do that. What she missed out on, I hope she can regain by giving that to someone else. And not a Sid, but someone who will appreciate it and love her regardless, as children tend to do. Ok, I write too much sorry! Hannah with hearts!!<br /><br />ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-69827004461564153502015-12-26T06:39:45.963+10:302015-12-26T06:39:45.963+10:30All I have to say is "it happened, but it nev...All I have to say is "it happened, but it never happened." <br /><br />I have to borrow from evil Foster and erase it from my memory. I'll still watch it again but ugh.ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-49479463719597499722015-12-26T04:39:00.936+10:302015-12-26T04:39:00.936+10:30I meant to say in the last one, at least Naomi did...I meant to say in the last one, at least Naomi didn't drop the baby like Chris did lol. <br /><br />I always loved the Naomily ending (of this season) but now I'm wondering if it was worth all of this, I mean I cry everytime Emily cries, which is pretty much all of this season. Sad.<br /><br />Freddie's death never bothered me, I mean Naomi was kind of right lol, but I always just saw it as a storyline that hadn't been done yet (murder, not death) on the show, and yes shock value certainly. <br /><br />You've got a very good point about these awful therapists not being the most helpful in a teenage show. I mean sure you get those, but there are also some great ones out there, they could have at least showed one. We can't all rely on our taxi driver to care more.<br /><br />I've been thinking since reading Effy's episode, oh actually Freddie's (?) And that wqs a genuine mix up by me right here, which proves your point. Anyway, I've been wondering whether and how to say it. Mental illness can be something which is hidden for so long and can shape the person, even in some of the ways here, though having said that, I do agree it doesn't quite seem the case here. It seems more something they just decided to throw in last minute. I mean, people can become very good at hiding, but Effy was just a bit too strong and defined, to be hiding it for that long. Like with Cassie, she hid it and she hid it well but as the viewer we saw it, and we literelly saw her switch the happy act on and off. Effy's just came out of nowhere. Anyway, sorry to go on!ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-64507191158824979132015-12-26T03:23:37.706+10:302015-12-26T03:23:37.706+10:30Naomily totally breaking my heart, so so painful t...Naomily totally breaking my heart, so so painful to watch.<br /><br />I never realised until now, the credit due to JJ in telling Emily that he and Lara are not her and Naomi. Completely agree Emily was projecting and it was cruel. I like how you pointed out how when he acted on advice it all went wrong, but it was when he was just being himself that Lara liked him (when he flirted with old ladies!) it's a good lesson. ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-42491268759026516512015-12-25T18:32:55.285+10:302015-12-25T18:32:55.285+10:30Let's just pretend the next episode never happ...Let's just pretend the next episode never happened (or mattered anyway) and Naomily leaving the love ball to applause was the finale! I like that much better! I generally do tend to actually think that anyway...ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-9292469211765975622015-12-25T17:47:54.980+10:302015-12-25T17:47:54.980+10:30Firstly, I totally want to write Hannah's name...Firstly, I totally want to write Hannah's names in hearts too (I still use Cassie words all these years later, I never used to say totally before her!)<br /><br />Ok, my take on the Harriet/Cassie scene. Again, I hate saying this, but I used to cut and have some eating issues, I have at times stopped those behaviours when dating because I felt I had love instead, therefore didn't need those ways to cope anymore. Needless to say, that doesn't work, or only as long as the "love" is ok. So maybe Cassie was trying to convince herself she's in love now so doesn't need those things, but then she's clever enough to know that won't work in the long run. And Harriet is saying that the bad things will happen whether you starve or cut, or whether you don't, and doing those things won't actually make any difference, so find healthier ways to cope (like disco lol) I mean this is just what I got from this. Now I forget the question asked, but I guess again with mental illness, like this was all too obvious in my mind but completely confused you. I wish I didn't have to understand so well. ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-81663180769357154972015-12-25T17:13:24.899+10:302015-12-25T17:13:24.899+10:30Hi again, I just noticed (may have half noticed be...Hi again, I just noticed (may have half noticed before, not sure) Effy saying love is good for nothing, then later saying it made her go mad and in the end got Freddie killed so yeah...<br /><br />Also, the art project you called it, the literal art piece and her project of sorting Sid's "soap opera" made me think of her other project, the whole list dare, which even Freddie said started the whole triangle trouble. Gosh and as you said, landed her in the same soap opera...this show freaks me out sometimes, in a good way!!<br /><br />Just want to say something regarding the comments about them kind of ignoring Cassie's issues. I hate to say it, but when you have those issues for so long, people can kind of get into "oh not this again" thinking. Or they just "forget" I'm Cassie in this case, sadly. But I do understand people have their own problems and it must be hard to understand mental illness if you someone hasn't experienced. It's hard enough even when I have! It's sad, I think so many people just slip through the cracks/radar? What's the right word? For so many reasons, it's hard to see, it's hard to tell people, just, hard to know what to do really. So people often do nothing. I see I'm like 6 years too late here but maybe that helps?!ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-59365710923709563552015-12-25T16:36:01.920+10:302015-12-25T16:36:01.920+10:30Do you know what, you really hit the nail on the h...Do you know what, you really hit the nail on the head with these. I'm not gonna say anymore than this, I can't add much more than you've wrote, but your descriptions/observations are making me emotional. I never even realised "the last sheet of his life..." this show, it is just too good. And you're amazing! Thank you again, I'll try not bother you too much though!ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904411846518028465.post-7747419382063315942015-12-25T16:19:25.675+10:302015-12-25T16:19:25.675+10:30(3)S&M - (for the band name lol) Happy holiday...(3)S&M - (for the band name lol) Happy holidays btw!!ohwowlovelyhttps://www.tumblr.com/blog/dippyworld483noreply@blogger.com