MPL Ep 61 - High-Res Artwork + Discussion

I love how he calls her a hamster

Happy weekend everyone! Not sure how much this will make sense, I’m kinda writing it with one eye closed right now cause I’m so tired. (Thanks kids). Hope you’re still with me by the end... So le’s go back to the beginning of the episode. I’m just sitting here looking at the opening with Poppy and it blows my mind the talent people possess creating art like this. Her expression, subtle and slight as it is, instantly sets the mood. Also have I mentioned before how much I love her outfit? Bears repeating. Just saying. Micro thing here, but I love how she holds her phone. It’s always the same way and it’s fascinating to me for some reason. And my curiosity went zapping up with that, ‘But I’m gonna get yelled at. I just *know* it.’ I shouldn’t have laughed but I did! Because who didn’t picture Tora standing here with his arms crossed giving her the 3rd degree being on Ares Street alone and Poppy all rolling her eyes and being snarky back. Haha! But her not knowing if anyone’s going to be there....is this the gaming hall she’s referring to? How does she know about that? What have we missed between them? Questions questions... 🤔 Aaaannnnnnd queue me being a rage monster because some arsehole doesn’t know how to not be a dick, and has entered the game. Just the ‘cutiepie’ remark made my blood boil. If that alone didn’t scream creep his choice of shirt sure did. Honestly, instant rage with shit like this, like most woman I’d hazard a guess. The instant gaslighting...!! Talk about triggers for her with all she’s been through with Julri. But her freeze response with the taser, absolutely understandable! She’s most definitely NOT a coward. Her stepping out from the alley with him, to the open with the guys... that took some serious courage! Poor Poppy literally trapped between two dangerous scenarios, knowing to a certain extent one is probably slightly less dangerous - slightly - than the other. Anyone else hope Tora gives her some kind of self defence lessons in the future? We saw the flashback with her dad and boxing, but I’d still like to see him give her some pointers. Hell, happily take some myself! LOL. ‘Not that sweet, sweet unguarded face!’ And there goes any last bits of rage I felt because I was full blown laughing at that! Girls running full on towards him and it’s his unguarded expression she notices. We’re all you Poppy, just enjoying the Tora moments while we can. Ha! ‘Just grab the mofo and run.’ Excuse me, but I’m being slain with her thoughts in this episode and I’ll lie down and take it willingly! Much needed levity to what she was encountering in the alley. Ahhh back to Ben! He grows on me more and more each time I read him. And I don’t know whether to laugh at him calling Club Miracle his mums ‘office building’ or wince at his little bit of denial. I’ll go with laughing now cause he’s a teenager. Haha. Just a sec, I just need to fall at Candy’s feet and worship her in all her glory! She is STUNNING here, absolutely killing it with that gorgeous detailed robe! Totally dignified while Ben is literally sprawled humiliatingly across the pavement. As a clumsy person myself I cackled at that! Seriously Candy...Wow!! And the back story into them trying to flog the brooch, is amazing! We all definitely didn’t see it this way at the end of season 2. I absolutely thought they were in so much trouble, Candy looked terrified. So now finding out they were putting on an act...serious kudos and praise and genuine AWE at your twists and turns with this story, Lily! I 💯 fell down the rabbit hole with this one. But the truth is just as sinister beneath it all. Is this a side thing for Scharch or is this part of Martin’s side business? And props to candy for knowing he’s someone to stay away from, not just because he’s part of Balthuman clan. Excited to see more of her in the comic, which I presume we will, and to see that cliffhanger mystery resolved. Stop! Hold on! I just need to take a minute or ten to appreciate the picture of Poppy gripping Tora’s hand as strongly as he has hers! Just that simple act of him going from her wrist to her hand had me going all starry eyed. The fact she says her fingers ‘instinctively’ wrapped around his made my heart thump. She genuinely does feel safe around him doesn’t she, and that makes me so happy! And it amazes me how gentle he is with her too. What a contrast that small seeming part, with a whole lot of meaning, is, against the sun going down and Ares Street coming to life. And there goes my mind being blown again, like it does at least 3 times an episode! Haha. The ‘atmosphere’ around them with the chaos of Ares Street was palpable. Like I could imagine the thumping of the music, the sounds of anger and violence in the fights, the discomfort of being around so much negativity. Poppy’s expression was everything I was feeling for her. Especially as she recounted how it had felt like that when she first met Tora. The shroud surrounding him back then. Not that I think it’s completely gone now, that’d be naive of me. But she notices the difference and I hope one day she knows it was because of her. I don’t want Poppy to save him. But this first huge crucial step of being friends is going to be the support he needs as he, I hope!, eventually comes out of hell. Oh Poppy, friends definitely exists in his world, but only for the very very lucky! And Quincey and Gyu. Ha! The way this episode glided through how one part of season 1’s ending really went, and ended up with Ares Street waking up was stunning. The visuals gave me tingles, the art work and ‘mood’ breathtaking! I mean, that image of Tora there cross armed at the end was rawr! F**king A, I can’t think straight when I look at that! My brains all mush. I want to put it down to being totally exhausted, but that man is just...f**k! Lily, you ma’am are flawless! I’m not wording properly again, please excuse me I need to find a freezer to crawl into. I’m signing off because that’s broken me. But I’m very excited to recap next weeks episode! How do you all survive the week between drops? For me, it’s copious amounts of fan fiction. 😏

JaxStarGazer