Warzone #374
TOP THREE MOMENTS:
(Three moments of the show that stood out to you and why.)
- Mister Sunshine playing both sides of the table in the "Sprinkle A Little Sunshine" segments - I think we're really starting to see the more manipulative and sinister side of him come out as the weeks pass, and this did a great job of furthering that.
- "In Hell It's Hot" did a lot of really fun exposition, and gave Tombstone/Ezra a legitimate reason for still being around. I did wonder if Tombstone would REALLY stay dead, given how popular the character is and how much fun Connor seems to have handling him.
- Cade's defiance in "Misfire" was fun too - seeing him defy Gravediggers expectation that seeing his dead brother would cause him to collapse, when all it really did was fire him up more was a nice little point in the plot, and only serves to strengthen Cade as a character.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
- Does Graves really see himself as a Godly man, or is this all an act. Surely his dabbling in illegal club activities would suggest the latter?
- How does Nero have eyes EVERYWHERE!?
- Who are we going to see next in the Stories From The Civil War series?
- Bronco put it best: "Vengeance for what, Ruby?" - what does The Night want from Narcissa?
- Why did Destructo not show when the crowd were chanting his name?
MY FAVOURITE PROMO OF THE WEEK:
Broccoli - simply for knocking the dominoes over in the most effective and efficient way from the promos I managed to read this week. He picked a theme that fit both characters really well.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Klaus:
It felt like Klaus seemed to be EVERYWHERE in this show, even though he didn't actually appear in a lot of segs. I really enjoyed how his presence seemed to hang over proceedings.
- Whilst Klaus was not present in "Origins I", it was really interesting to find out that George Cade and Zephyr are brothers. We've heard Zephyr's name a few times now, and we finally meet him in seg. It explains why George took Michaela to the circus in the first place, which ties up that question, but now I'm left with many more - mostly about what happened to Zephyr, how Klaus was involved, and how did we get to where we are now?
- Cirque du Soleil might be my favourite Klaus seg yet. Truly the definition of Chaotic Neutral, Klaus seems to turn down both the Seekers and Preservationists in one swoop, and in a way that has the circus look strong. But yet again there are more questions posed by this - will there be a renegade third faction in this war, or will it remain the circus and the circus only who occupy this grey space? How will the leaders of each faction take this - and will this mean both Attano and Redgrave are gunning for him at the PPV, even more than they gun for each other as members of the opposing war teams?
Drewitt:
Drewitt is a man possessed in Infliction. I mentioned it last week but it's so out of character to see him this ANGRY and VENGEFUL that I think there must be something deeper. Something that happened either behind that door or since he got out. Something that has made him so much angrier than Grimskull is, despite their linked experience.
TOP THREE MOMENTS:
(Three moments of the show that stood out to you and why.)
- i enjoyed the segment and klaus and his circus basically giving a fuck you to both sides of the war and choosing themselves essentially. i didnt really expect that to happen even tho i shouldnt of really put it past klaus. definitely interested now to see what the immediate effect of doing that might be tho, seeing as he basically gave a middle finger to both sides. very bold decision, but surely he has a secondary plan now?
- the segment of a brand new tombstone was pretty cool as well. im not sure if hes BRAND new but hes working to get back his ferryman title so thats something. i figured that he would be back with that the already dead nickname but i honestly didnt think it would be soon. i wonder if he’ll carrying himself any differently once he touches back down. cant wait to see what happens next with that.
- tbh im very intrigued with the night. this week with the smoke coming up through the ring and the post and shit and his booming voice echoing throughout olympus as he says vengeance, im moved by that i gotta admit. it really has me bought into the character and now i wanna just know what exactly he wants.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
why does the night want vengeance?
is tombstone getting back his ferryman title as simple as ousting gravedigger?
what more is there to know about klaus, zephyr, and george cade?
what is neros motivation or purpose?
MY FAVOURITE PROMO OF THE WEEK:
threads of judgement was a cool read this week for sure. i thought it was a perfectly executed idea, it made a ton of sense and it was really within the character of ezekiel graves.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
not surprised at all to see sunshine playing both sides here. i was wondering how might he fit into this equation/dynamic of anton and capt arcadia because he was a getting a little toooo quiet. i would assume that his endgame in doing this is silencing both capt arcadia and anton for both shedding light on his shady past and trying to bring him down because of it. interested to see what happens next week with sunshine being in the back of both their minds at this point. its been all very intriguing so far.
TOP THREE MOMENTS:
- In Hell It's Hot is immediately my first pick for top moment. I was wondering if Tombstone was gone for good after getting his brain matter plastered all over the ring, but I'm ecstatic to see that isn't the case. I have to wonder what we'll be seeing from this iteration of Tombstone going forwards. From what I can tell he sure can't die and it looks like Gravedigger has his own Drewitt to be infuriated about. Also love the new poser for him.
- The next one has to be Zephyr because this is a huge segment, right? George Cade's brother was Zephyr and now I have to wonder just what happened to him between then and now. It was also a bit of a treat to see that Ajax and Damien have been part of the circus for many years. Really lets us see just how ingrained they are in the 'family' the circus provides.
- I was originally going to give this to Helpers but I think it'd be nice to shine some light on Night Terrors, II. The Night has been shown to be insanely enigmatic so far and I'm all for it. I like the mystery and the intrigue going on here so I really wonder what we're going to learn next week, if at all, about Night's motivations for vengeance.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
- Vengeance for what, Night?
- What happened to Zephyr?
- What is Sunshine's end goal here?
- What's next for Tombstone?
MY FAVOURITE PROMO OF THE WEEK:
Definitely going with Broccoli here. Fantastic RP with a really strong concept behind it that I think Mel put together beautifully. Definitely a promo to learn from, I think.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Jackson Cade: I got to kick my own ass again! But jokes aside, I loved the Cade segment. I think it's nice to see him being hopeful, even in the face of someone like Gravedigger who's been given so much power here as the Valkyrie. I'm interested to see the developments next week and to see who's got momentum going into the PPV.
Ajax: I talk a bit about him earlier, but loved Ajax's use in his segments this week. We haven't seen a lot of Ajax and Damien getting their hands dirty so this was a treat for me.
TOP THREE MOMENTS:
- In Hell It's Hot. What a fucking segment this was! I absolutely loved everything about this. Tombstone denouncing the name of Ezra was such a badass moment. We've seen the "supernatural phenom" that was Tombstone before, but I think we're in for the "badass" era of Tombstone, and I can't say I'm not excited for that. A part of me is glad that this character isn't done. I've always been a huge Tombstone fan.
- Helpers. Felix Foley in classic Felix Foley fashion. I love the thought of Felix being a beacon of light in a dark world for children who have lost their parents to the war.
- Front Row Seat. I liked this segment. It's a classic move for someone to come out and want a closer look at another match. That bit of nostalgia packed with the sheer arrogance from Jasper as he comes out to sit on the ramp was just a really nice touch.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
- This one still remains, what does The Night want with Narcy? What would he be seeking vengeance for?
- What does Tombstone's return to Arcadia look like?
- Where was Destructo when the crowd was chanting his name?
- Does his betrayal mean Klaus isn't choosing the side of Preservationists?
- What's at play for Mr. Sunshine?
MY FAVOURITE PROMO OF THE WEEK:
Broccoli. Mel's on a fucking tear to start the year, holy.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
So it looks like Klaus chose to betray Jasper this week. The betrayal itself makes you wonder what Klaus may have planned? Is he considered a Seeker now? WIll he choose his own way? I'm not sure how that plays into the whole civil war arc now. Either way, looks like we got ourselves a three way dance at Thunderstrike. I imagine there's still a lot to unfold before we get there though..
TOP THREE MOMENTS:
(Three moments of the show that stood out to you and why.)
- Helpers – These “Stories from the Civil War” are going to becoming a key part of my reading for this season. I really love how this portrayed Felix here, and how his past as children’s entertainer is a benefit to him. Proof positive that he’s not a bad apple. This gave me the warm and fuzzies (as much as you could get in a tragedy).
- Origins, I – As Harold’s handler I have to say this line hurt, “Mister Cade,” the young girl questions as they walk. “Are you sure my daddy won’t find me?” But just the reveal that Zephyr was George’s brother got me. It makes me wonder who (if they had any idea of the familial relationship between the two) would lay a finger on Zephyr or if Zeus had Zephyr killed because he couldn’t go through with ending Micheala and made the arrangements with Klaus after the fact, Colour me intrigued.
- In Hell It’s Hot – First off, I love the new look for Ezra. Plus, the reveal that with his immortality he shouldn’t have been ferried makes me believe that Igor has gone into business for himself against the wishes of the Reaper. I cannot wait to see what hell Tombstone raises when Gravedigger and Igor realize that Ezra’s place isn’t on the other side so he cannot be ferried.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
(What questions has the show left you with?)
What is Ezra’s next move?
What’s going to happen in the next chapter of Origins?
What does George know about his brother’s demise?
Did Harold know about the Zephyr and George Cade familial connection?
MY FAVOURITE PROMO OF THE WEEK:
(Which promo was your favourite of the week?)
Sorrow – I have to give this to my opponent for this week. Dawson is always good at bring emotions to the point. I’ve read his stuff where he’s captured my feelings of being a big brother and just my emotions in general. Recently I’ve been struggling and to say it’s felt like I’ve been drowning is an understatement. This all felt very real to me and hit right at home with its metaphor and it told the parallel story of Harold and Jackson at Red Snow very well.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
(How did you like your characters portrayal and what are your thoughts on your current storyline? What, if any, improvements could be made?)
Harold – Just Damn, Klaus Way isn’t picking any sides going into this upcoming triple threat. Harold left laying along with Jasper Redgrave, Klaus showing that he’s in this for himself. Which isn’t surprising, it is a situation I feel Harold would’ve called himself and I think is attempting to articulate to the rest of the Seekers. I cannot wait until this all comes to a head.
Nox – Just how fucking evil is Nox, mocking Felix with this line, “Poor Felix,” he grunts. “There’s no rest for the wicked, is there?” Then to call out the fact that DB wouldn’t be showing to prevent the beating just man... I cannot wait to see how this all develops further, does Destructo actually pick up this mantel and accept the call to be a hero or does he live to see himself become a villain too?
TOP THREE MOMENTS:
1. In Hell it's Hot takes the top spot for me. In case the image leading up to the segment wasn't enough of a giveaway, we're seeing the return of Tombstone and I couldn't be more excited! He's coming to take back his title of Ferryman from Igor and Gravedigger and I can't wait to see it unfold!
2. Cirque du Soleil takes this spot. It's one thing to have Klaus seemingly choose a side by attacking both Cade and Attano. However, for him to betray my expectations and attack Jasper too and choose the title over sides in the war? Definitely living up to that Wild Card moniker and going into battle for himself. This will probably have massive repercussions for him later on down the road, but for now, he definitely looks like a champion.
3. Helpers. God damn man, I feel bad for Jade here. We're seeing a lot of kids go through the horrors of war and suffer through things no child should go through. While it's comforting to see Foley offer... well, comfort to the kid, I can't help but shed a tear at this seg. What a beautifully tragic seg, man.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
Where was Destructo and why didn't he come out to save Felix when the crowd was chanting his name? Does he not care about being seen as a hero that much, or was there something more nefarious done to him by the likes of the Corporation?
George and Zephyr were brothers? That's quite a surprising revelation, although it raises questions about why their relationship seemed so strained. And Zee raises a good point about him keeping Michaela safe. If a member of the family can't be trusted to keep someone safe, who can?
MY FAVOURITE PROMO OF THE WEEK:
I'm giving this to Broccoli by Felix Foley. I always admire Mel and how he can make amazing promos out of the most unassuming of things. Like a box as Neville Sheldon and now broccoli as the Puppet Master. I liked how he tried to eat the vegetable near the end of the segment before spitting it back out in disgust. Found that to be a funny moment that really stood out to me when reading it. Fun piece overall that doesn't make me want to eat my greens.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
While it's nice to see Night show up in person for this segment, I have to wonder just what sort of vengeance involves Narcissa. Other than that, I love the mind games on display by the Enigma. Some real scary shit that reminds me of Calypso's pre debut segments with the Queen. I'm curious if things will go the same way with him and Zeus joining forces down the road like things did with her. I'm definitely interested in seeing where that ends up going in the future.
TOP THREE MOMENTS:
(Three moments of the show that stood out to you and why.)
- Helpers. I'm definetly loving the little moments of outside Olympus and how the Arcadian people are dealing with the Civil War. Felix being the first person we see helping others is a great touch and the little interaction he has with the orphaned Jade and just doing what he does best and helping a sad child was chefs kiss and a brilliant way to bring back that innocent hero back to Felix after months of darkness being around him.
- The Zephyr history reveal. The unveil of the moment George took Michaela to the Circus and why was brilliant. The little moments of Michaela being terrified of her dad, George trying to protect her the best he can by giving her to someone he can trust in family was great. The little tidbits of both Ajax and Damien being there for at least a decade or so prior was great . It'll be interesting to see how Klaus gets introduced in this origin as well, because unless there's a swerve here and we see Way blatantly having killed Zephyr and managing to hide it from everyone, we're getting hints that Harold may well be the villain here and I'm definetly in to see more.
- The Night. He's being portrayed amazing so far, slowly stalking and haunting Narcissa almost like a ghost of vengeance and even though there's no why for his targeting Hera (although there's at least half a dozen plausible answers), he's absolutely succeeded in being a terrifying force for anyone he looks upon and I'm definetly looking forward to more coming soon.
BURNING QUESTIONS:
- What will we see next in the origin tale? Will we see Klaus's interactions with Zephyr and the relationship between the two that made him the next in line to run the circus as it was?
- Can EMM and Gemini even hope to talk to their former allies or was that time trapped in certain death created a rabid dog in War?
- What exactly is the Night getting vengeance against Narcissa for?
- What exactly will Ezra's return to Arcadia be and how will Gravedigger and Igor react when they realise he's functionally immortal because of their actions?
MY FAVOURITE PROMO OF THE WEEK:
I didn't get a chance to read much last week but I'm giving it up for my opponent here. The Perfect Mould was a amazing angle on everything that happened, repositioning Maxwell's death as a calculated move brought out things that I hadn't even thought of but made perfect sense from a certain point of view. Great promo and absolutely deserving of the victory there.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Well if Felix didn't realise Destructo's changed for the worse, the beatdown without salvation certainly should make him realise it. I love how the crowd still unquestionably believe in the jaded former hero, and I'm very intrigued to see the fallout of what happens next whether it's interactions between the Corporation and Destructo, Felix wanting answers or even an attempt to repay the favor and leave Destructo getting beaten down.