Dear Hollywood: Stop Using Diversity as a Shield

Y'all. *rubs temples*

Let me start by saying I don't even like cartoons that much anymore; I prefer my media live action. So how ironic is it that a cartoon is my last straw?

I first started watching The Dragon Prince some time during 2020, which worked in my favor seeing as there was about a three-year gap between Seasons 3 and 4, and Season 4 finally dropped on Netflix this month.

Some spoilers to follow.

Black Girl Dangereuse: Dangerous Liaisons (2022)

Colette Dalal Tchantcho as Ondine de Valmont

Starz is on fire this year, y'all. On fire.

So Dangerous Liaisons premiered last night to a fairly lukewarm response, and to be honest...I don't care. I'm gonna keep watching; it's already been renewed for a season 2. These period pieces from Starz aren't for everybody, and if Starz wasn't trying so hard to appeal to anyone other than period piece enthusiasts, Becoming Elizabeth would still be alive. Furthermore, brown people are finally becoming the new normal in period pieces, and right on time. Because despite being an enthusiast, I don't watch any new period pieces that don't feature melanin.

Spoilers to follow.

Rahima of The Serpent Queen

Samantha Morton as Catherine de' Medici and Sennia Nanua as Rahima

Previously: Becoming Elizabeth vs The Serpent Queen

I KNOW. I'll finish Elizaveta when I have the mental bandwidth.

But in the meantime, I've been watching various shows for inspiration and now that the first season of The Serpent Queen has concluded (yes, we're getting a season 2), I have a lot of thoughts and feelings.

Needless to say, there will be some spoilers.

Some Thoughts on Rings of Power

Sophia Nomvete as Princess Disa...because

***Needless to say, spoilers***

Story-wise, Amazon's Rings of Power fell horribly flat, and we should be allowed to say that.

Am I Tolkien purist? Gods, no. Tolkien's writing style typically puts me to sleep. Did I watch religiously every week? Of course. I am a fantasy fan, after all, and production-wise, ROP is gorgeous. Granted, some of the elves looked like Reagan supporters, but still...in terms of costumes, set design, special effects, and soundtrack, ROP knocked it out of the park.

Yet once again, as is the case with so many shows right now, fans were screwed over when it came to plot and dialogue.

Random Rant: I Caved and Watched Vampire Academy

Sisi Stringer as Rose Hathaway

Yes, I know I'm supposed to be finishing up my Bridgerton fic, but 2022 is shaping up to be the Year of Goth Shit. And speaking of Bridgerton....

Does anybody else remember back in the ancient days before social media whenever a new band was trying to appeal to the masses, they would all claim Nirvana and the Beatles were their inspiration? And then when we'd listen to their music, the first thing we'd notice was how they'd sound nothing like Nirvana or the Beatles?

When she was first trying to promote Vampire Academy, co-creator Julie Plec described it as "Bridgerton with vampires". And before you ask me why a show like Bridgerton would even need vampires, let me say I've seen five episodes so far and I'm not getting "Bridgerton". An admittedly diverse cast with royals and nobles does not automatically equal "Bridgerton". As much I respect Shondaland and watch everything they touch, they weren't the first to do it, and they won't be the last.

"Ustinya"

 

I plugged this a while back on here, but I wanted to let people know it's now on the Middle Child Press Ko-Fi page with my other original fiction. Reminder: "Ustinya" was a writing challenge I submitted to Vocal Media. It was originally meant to be just a prologue, but since it was kind of long, I've broken it up into three smaller chapters for easier navigation. It's still completely free to read, and I gave it a new cover. Enjoy!

Random Rant: Becoming Elizabeth vs. The Serpent Queen

L to R: Becoming Elizabeth and The Serpent Queen

I hate to admit that I'm a fan of Starz's period dramas...but let's be real. Is it really a surprise* to anyone?

Still, it's hard to admit out loud. The White Queen was interesting enough to pull me into franchise. The White Princess was not. The Spanish Princess was a series of missed opportunities, even though it was granted a rare second season. Becoming Elizabeth was a minor redemption of sorts, maybe even a course correction, but the newest addition, The Serpent Queen, is poised to outshine them all.

Only one episode is out, and I already read a review saying it has a similar vibe to Becoming Elizabeth, to which all I can say is, "OMG...no."

Random Gush: The Sandman

This isn't as late as it seems; I actually gushed about it on my Instagram already (I just forgot to do the same here).

I actually read The Sandman comics decades ago. The whole experience was life-changing. Neil Gaiman instantly became one of my favorite writers and 'til today I hold him in the highest regards.

At the time, I felt the same as other fans (and critics) did, that this masterpiece was unfilmable (and in my humble opinion, uncastable), so I was fine with not seeing it become a film or a show.

When Netflix first announced the adaptation, I was filled with dread, despite confirmation that Gaiman himself would be involved in every step of the way. I simply believed the comics wouldn't translate. Yes, we have all sorts of incredible special effects now, but surely we all know adapting a story for the screen goes far beyond that.

As Netflix began to announce the actors' names--Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death--I grew increasingly more intrigued. Suddenly, it felt like this might actually work out after all.

Persephone (2022)

Hey, goth girls.

Sorry, I've been gone so long. In addition to looking for a new day job, I've been publishing original fiction. So when you have a moment, please check out my latest novella, Persephone. It's the first book in a new series.

Blurb:

Born to the most infamous family of vampire hunters, Persephone Carrow is sent back to her small Texas hometown to face down a familiar evil. But after her hellish experience growing up there, she makes up her mind not to fulfill her calling.

After all, why risk your life for people who've always looked down on you?

Once again, thank you all for your support. Hope you like it!

The Girl

Previously: Veta's Echo

A/N ~ There's nothing quite like being free of writer's block!

Dearest Reader,

What a night!

Miss Cordelia Patridge, unsung debutante of last season, committed the ultimate coup by enjoying the only two dances of a certain Russian Count. A vision in Imperial Russian blue, her beauty rivaled that of the famed Widow Mironova herself.

Speechless and besotted, the Count's gaze never left her face as they glided across the dance floor, utterly wrapped up in themselves. The Count remained a proper gentleman, of course, limiting their dances to only two, but it was clear to anyone with eyes that he longed for more.

Could a new love match possibly be on the horizon? Or is this perhaps a mere shadow of a love already in existence?

Veta's Echo

Previously: The Widow Mironova

Adrik Mironov was neither surprised nor upset that Elizabeth had changed her mind about that ball. He was looking forward to a night out as well as time away from her.

Iakov could tell, and knew better than to mention the Dowager Countess.

That being said, he was not looking forward to a night and would've been grateful to have the Dowager as a buffer. Having Adrik's undivided attention was becoming...unsettling.

"Stop tugging at your collar," the Count chided him softly.

Iakov shifted in his seat as the carriage rolled towards Trowbridge House, pulling his coat down a little. "English clothing is so uncomfortable," he complained.

"Or the tailor got your measurements wrong," Adrik casually shrugged. "Do you remember those girls who came to visit when we first arrived? One was the daughter of a baroness?"

"Vaguely," Iakov grumbled, staring out the window and watching as evening fell. "What of it?"

"If we see them tonight, dance with them both," Adrik nodded calmly, paternally. "You already have a passing familiarity with them, so it won't be too awkward for you."

"And you?" Iakov pointedly blinked. "Who will you dance with tonight?"

"You're the heir," Adrik raised an eyebrow. "You're younger, you have a fresher face. No one will be looking at me tonight."

He couldn't be more wrong, of course, for no sooner did the men step foot into Lady Trowbridge's mansion, a horde of ladies immediately descended, with even the spinsters and widows coming off the metaphorical bench to join the fray.