Daily Sexy Musing: Party Time

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Who doesn’t enjoy a good party? Even if you don’t consider yourself a social person by nature, there’s no denying that a fun, festive gathering has a way of boosting everyone’s spirit. Why else would New Years, Mardi Gras, and bachelor/bachelorette parties be so popular?

I say that as someone who, at one point, was not a party person. In my defense, I was a socially-awkward teenager with a terrible acne problem and no dancing skills. For me, going to a party was like going to the dentist. I only went because I had to. I couldn’t enjoy it. I could only endure it. Over time, that changed.

Between college breaking me out of my shell and several weddings that helped me refine my partying skills, I came to appreciate what a good party brings to the table. I also came to appreciate the unique sex appeal it can create. I’m not just talking about bachelor/bachelorette parties either. Even a casual gathering can take on a uniquely intimate feel.

A good party will get people moving, draw people together, and maybe even get some sexy sparks flying. It’s one of those primal forces that brings people together. While there is real science behind they psychology good party, you don’t need to know the particulars to have fun. For this Daily Sexy Musing, I’m just going to focus on the fun stuff and all the sexy undertones that come with it.

There’s loud music playing.

There’s alcohol available at every turn.

There’s bodies moving, closely and intimately.

There’s a mood in the air, growing more intense with every passing second.

I feel it. I know you feel it too. There’s no rhyme or reason to it. We just stop trying to put what we feel into words and let our bodies do the talking. It’s exhilarating, but honest. I can say so much to myself and others, just by being in the middle of such controlled chaos. For once, I understand what I need and want. The only question is who shares those feelings with me?

In the midst of revelry and inhibition, I forget why there’s a party in the first place. I sense others have since forgotten as well. Time, space, and memory quickly lose meaning. All that we know is in the present. All that we want and seek is nearby. We need only embrace it.

I abandon my restraint and cut loose.

I move erratically and intimately around a sea of total strangers.

I tell the world that I’m having fun and I don’t care who knows it.

It’s not my true self, nor is it a lie either. In this festive moment, I am who I’ve always been, but at my most free. I wear every passion on my sleeve. I don’t hesitate to reach out and share myself with others. I am what I need to be, for myself and others. Whoever shares that need is welcome to join me.

In the spirit of the party, I am my greatest champion.

In the heat of the moment, I am as open as I’ll ever be.

In the ambiance that surrounds us, I am what I hope to be.

This is the best possible moment for you to approach me. Within this feeling lays the greatest opportunity to make that intimate connection. Through the noise, the music, the cheering, and the festivities, I give myself to the world. I am ready and eager to love. That, more than anything, is worth celebrating.

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Jack Fisher’s Weekly Quick Pick Comic: Meet The Skrulls #1

Every Wednesday is basically a holy day for comic book fans, minus the prayers, confessions, or itchy formal clothes. Like gifts from Heaven, a new batch of comics is bestowed upon this incredibly flawed world and, if only briefly, everything feels a little more awesome.

This week’s comics arrive under unique circumstances with the release of the “Captain Marvel” movie. Any new entry from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is bound to gain more attention, albeit for the wrong reasons, at times. However, in spite of and because of such circumstances, some comics stand out more than others.

In terms of comics that feel perfectly timed and beautifully relevant, “Meet The Skrulls #1” really raises the bar. It’s not a comic about superheroes or mundane family drama, either. It’s one of those books with a unique, but intriguing concept that involves shape-shifting aliens, teen melodrama, and catching politicians in compromising positions. That made it an easy choice for my weekly comic quick pick.

It may sound like a strange collection of plots, but that’s exactly what “Meet The Skrulls #1” delivers. It’s the first issue of a mini-series by Robbie Thompson and Niko Henrichon and it chronicles the mission of the Warner family. Part of that mission just happens to involve being a typical suburban family.

It almost seems too ideal for any mission involving the skrulls. The father, Carl, works at Stark Industries and has a front-row seat to Iron Man’s high-tech antics. The mother, Gloria, works for a congresswoman and specializes in making her opponents miserable. Their two daughters, Madison and Alice, are teenage girls attending high school, which gives them more incentive than most to hasten an alien invasion.

The concept is great, but not just because it involves shape-shifting aliens and teenage melodrama. “Meet The Skrulls #1” provides a rare, but meaningful opportunity to tell a story from the perspective of the villains. Throughout much of Marvel’s history, Skrulls have always either been outright villains or generally antagonistic to everyone on Earth and not just their heroes.

That behavior isn’t entirely contrived, though. The Skrulls are, by their nature, a very warlike race. Their society, their culture, and their very biology is driven by war, infiltration, and subversion. More than one major Marvel event has been built around it and it’s very possible they’ll bring major complications to the MCU.

However, this collection of Skrulls aren’t just some military unit with the same depth as the henchmen of a James Bond villain. The Warners are an actual family. The parents show concern for their children. The children find ways to frustrate their parents. They deal with personal, professional, and identity issues. It utilizes sentiments that resonates with everyone, regardless of whether they’re a shape-shifting alien.

Meet The Skrulls #1” does plenty to introduce the Warners and explain their mission. Compared to other Skrull missions, it doesn’t vary that much in terms of goals. They still seek to invade and take over Earth, but not just because the cries of tortured humans makes them happy. They’re actually trying to create a new home for themselves and the Warners, in many ways, are the first to experience that home.

That home is already subject to many challenges. While the Warners are carrying out their mission, there’s a looming threat that promises to undermine that mission and rip apart their family. The identity and extent of that threat is only hinted at, but it certainly raises the stakes for the family. It’s not just about completing a mission. Now, it’s about protecting one another.

They’re still not heroes, but they’re not entirely villains. Sure, they want to invade Earth and take it over, but they also want to build a home for themselves. They want to create a better life for their people and their children. Even though it puts them at odds with the Avengers and everyone else on Earth, their goals feel relatable and relevant.

On top of that, the teenage melodrama with Madison and Alice provides more complications, but in a good way. They’re still part of the mission, but they’re hardly on the same page. One is all too happy to manipulate humans to her own advantage. The other feels a kinship with them that worries her family.

There are so many conflicts brewing and “Meet The Skrulls #1” cultivates them without resorting to standard superhero spectacles. That, alone, makes this comic feel like a breath of fresh air. Not every comic book has to follow a superhero as they fight monsters and get caught up in terrible love triangles. There is room for new perspectives and new insights.

Thompson and Henrichon set up a lot, in terms of plot and potential. There’s only so much they’ll be able to realize in a five-issue mini-series, but that’s exactly what makes “Meet The Skrulls #1” so enjoyable. Every moment counts and with Skrulls about to have their big breakout on the big screen, the timing couldn’t be better.

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What Will The Currency Of The Future Be?

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Most people don’t think about what gives their money value. There’s just a general understanding that it’s vital for basic economic activity. Whether it involves simple bartering or complex cryptocurrencies, the assumptions are the same. Money is a measure of value and exchanging it is how we ascribe value to basic goods and services.

There are all sorts of economic and financial complexities that determine how money works. Rather than bemoan the issue, knowing I am not the least bit qualified to do so, I’d like to focus on the nature of money in the future. Having already given plenty of thought to advanced artificial intelligence, human enhancement, and intimacy, I think it makes sense to contemplate how it all affects our ideas about money.

By that, I’m not referring to current trends in digital currency and older trends within modern banking systems. I’m talking about what money will be in a future where people, resources, and our entire understanding of economics has rendered the existing system obsolete. If you don’t think that’ll ever happen, then I only request that you give some added scrutiny to the concept of money.

I often find myself scrutinizing it whenever I watch a bit too much sci-fi. Some of my favorite sci-fi movies and TV shows of all time don’t give much thought to money. In “Back To The Future II,” a world of flying cars and cheap fusion power still had money. Things were just exceedingly expensive due to inflation. A Pepsi cost around $50.

While inflation is a real force that was certainly present in the non-movie version 2015, it’s somewhat strange that it would get that excessive in a world where fusion power plants could fit into cars made in the mid-1980s. In the real world, advanced technology tends to counter inflation. Logistically, better technology means more efficiency. More efficiency means cheaper goods. Cheaper goods mean lower prices.

We can certainly forgive movies like “Back To The Future II” for failing to understand the economics of money. In addition, the technology of that world wasn’t so advanced that it undercut the foundations of society. However, the money systems in galaxy-spanning space operas can’t make those excuses.

Star Wars” still used some form of currency. It was necessary for Han Solo to pay his debts and for Luke to enlist his services to Alderaan. Other space-faring epics like “Mass Effect” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” have a form of currency that allows characters to be greedy and ruthless. Whether they’re called credits or units, the principles are the same.

There’s this vague concept of money. Everyone agrees that it has value, but there’s little information about why it has value. That’s not entirely flawed. It’s just no different than traditional fiat money, which nearly every modern society utilizes to some extent in the real world. The money isn’t backed by anything. People just collectively agree it’s worth what it says its worth.

Now, I’m not one of those conspiracy theorists who claim this form of money is part of a global conspiracy theory run by lizard people who may or may not have murdered John F. Kennedy. I don’t know enough about economics or finance to make sense of our current monetary system. All I know is that we have a system of money that works within the constraints of our current society.

Whatever you think of that system, there’s still a larger question worth asking. What will money look like in the future when some of those constraints disappear? To some extent, our current system requires that people be frail, products be flawed, and resources be scarce. Through certain advances, some of which may occur in the next 50 years, those limits may disappear.

What happens to money when we perfect advanced energy generation that makes electricity cheap, abundant, and clean?

What happens to money when people begin upgrading their bodies with advanced biotechnology and cybernetic implants?

What happens to money when nanotechnology advances to a point where the production and assembly of every conceivable good is dirt cheap?

What happens to money when advanced artificial intelligence gets to a point where it gets so intelligent that it can solve every conceivable problem and manage every conceivable issue perfectly?

What happens to money when our civilization gets to a point where we can just upload our minds into a perfect simulation where all our wants and needs are met on a whim? Regardless of whether you think we’re already in a simulation, the question surrounding money and what form it takes remains.

While it’s impossible to predict the cumulative impact of technology, especially the kind that subverts modern economic forces, I believe there will be some sort of currency in the future. Even if we perfect nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and teleportation, I think it’s reasonable to conclude that we’ll need some system for exchanging goods, services, and overall value.

I also don’t think it’s reasonable to assume that our current fiat money would work. Just putting images on paper and using it as a token may not be practical in a society of advanced AI and immortal humans. These days, most of our money exists only as code in a computer and not as piles of paper or gold. I think for any form of money to work in a society of such technology, it needs to be backed by something.

Some sci-fi stories explore that concept. The movie, “In Time,” wasn’t that good, but the idea was intriguing. In that world, everybody is immortal and never ages past 25, but the system is such that the currency is measured in time. In a sense, a dollar is backed by a year of life as a healthy 25-year-old. For most people, that has plenty of value.

The rest of the movie is awful and I don’t recommend it, but it presents a novel, albeit dystopian concept. For that economic system to work, there has to be some sort of tyrannical power structure that has the ability to snuff someone’s life out the second they can’t pay. Even corrupt insurance companies aren’t that bad.

Then, there’s the Netflix series, “Altered Carbon,” which I highly recommend. That world also has a problem with massive wealth disparity, but not in the sense that rich people horde money in giant vaults. In this world, technology has advanced to the point where people can transfer their consciousness to different bodies the same way most people transfer files between computers.

In that world, the most precious assets are the best bodies. Being able to live in the body of Brad Pitt is inherently more valuable than living in the body of Danny DeVito. Much of society, from prisoners to billionaires, is divided by who has access to those bodies. In the story, the super-rich Bancroft family have that access and that’s what makes them so rich.

That kind of wealth may not show up as numbers on a balance sheet, but the value is there. Being able to produce, inhabit, and live within strong, beautiful bodies provides a powerful basis for any currency. Talk to anyone who has dealt with the effects of aging, which is pretty much everyone over the age of 25. Most would gladly pay a premium to live in a stronger, fitter body.

While “Altered Carbon” doesn’t get into the specifics of that system, the principle holds true. In a future where people aren’t bound by the limitations of biology or the human body, the greatest asset they can possess is a medium with which to experience life. A better medium means better experiences. Some companies today are already seeking to provide those experiences. Technology will simply change the methods.

Whether we end up in a simulated utopia or not, the experiences a currency affords us is what will give it value. Even though worlds like that of “Star Trek” present a world where money doesn’t exist, there is still plenty of value ascribed to life experiences. You may not be able to print that on a piece of paper or send that in a wire transfer, but that is still recognized as valuable.

I could still be wrong. Remember, I’m not an expert in money, nor can I predict the trends that future advances in technology will incur. Whatever form it takes, though, I expect that the overall goal will still be the same. We use money to pursue better, more rewarding life experiences. However we go about pursuing is, and always has been to some extent, the only true universal currency.

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Daily Sexy Musing: Friends And Benefits

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I’ve always found the concept of friends with benefits to be a complicated way of confronting a simple situation. People get horny. Not everyone has romantic chemistry, but they still have sexual chemistry. Even as a romance fan, I don’t deny that. For some, it is possible to want to have sex with someone, but not be in love with them.

Sex and intimacy are basic human needs. I feel like friends with benefits is a byproduct of a modern world where people are free to be individuals, but aren’t always equipped to navigate the emotional landscape around them. Our culture places a high value on true love and monogamy, but is less inclined these to get in the way of people pursuing other sexual arrangements.

In some cases, it triggers a moral panic that terrifies parents and frustrates teachers. In others, it inspires a couple of sub-par romantic movies. This erratic approach to the concept of friends with benefits makes it difficult to explore. It can ruin friendships forever or blossom into a romance that lasts a lifetime. The outcome varies wildly from couple to couple.

Erratic or not, there’s still a unique sex appeal that emerges through friends with benefits. Even if you subtract the romance, it still has more depth than a one-night stand or a drunken hook-up. I believe that depth can have greater meaning beyond the sex itself. This Daily Sexy Musing is my way of delving into that meaning. Enjoy!

You are my friend.

You are my lover.

You aren’t my soul mate.

You aren’t my true love.

Even so, I come to you when I need an intimate embrace. You are there for me, just as I am there for you. There’s no elaborate display or romantic gesture. There’s just two people, coming together and seeking relief. It’s a beautiful thing, but only to a point. There is purpose, but with limited potential.

There’s a time for friends and there’s a time for love. With us, we can only have one, but not the other. A friend will listen and console you. There is love, but not the kind that fosters romance. To be with someone is not the same as just being around them. I can’t be with you, but I can be there for you.

Being there means giving a part of ourselves.

Being there means offering comfort.

Being there means being close without being in love.

It’s in those moments when a friend can offer more without being a lover. They can touch you, hold you, and caress you until that primal need is filled. It’s so simple and basic, intimate touch coupled with a sweet release. It gives us moments of bliss mixed with moments of contentment. We may not have love, but we still have each other.

For now, that’s all we need. It’s the most we can offer. It doesn’t fulfill every desire, but it’s enough to keep our hearts intact. We can still find love, even if it’s not with each other. That time will come. We’ll both be ready for it. Until then, this will do.

We are still friends.

We are still lovers.

We cherish the benefits.

We cherish each other.

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Jack Fisher’s Sexy Sunday Thoughts: Sexy Games Edition

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When most people think of games, they probably don’t think of something overtly sexual. They usually think of something simple like a card game, a video game, a board game, or something of that nature. These days, when someone asks if you want to play a game, it’s usually in a casual, non-sexy sort of context.

Like many activities, though, it can take on a very sexual connotation. You actually don’t need to do much to make a certain game sexy. If you’re playing a card game, you can just turn it into strip poker. If you’re playing a board game, make the loser have to strip. If you’re playing a Street Fighter or Super Smash Brothers tournament, make the loser of every match take something off.

Yes, I understand a lot of the sexiness comes from stripping. I’m not saying that’s the only way to make a game sexy. It’s just the easiest. You can easily mix it up in other ways. I won’t get into details. I just encourage everyone to exercise the dirtiest, naughtiest parts of your imagination. You’ll come up with something eventually. As long as it involves lots of nudity and basic sex acts, you’ll find a way to make it sexy.

The world is a stressful, chaotic place. We all need to unwind. Games, be they sexy or unsexy, are a great way to relax. When you make them sexy, though, they become more than just a tool of relaxation. They become a fun, novel way of sharing intimacy. That’s exactly what this week’s edition of my Sexy Sunday Thoughts celebrates. I hope it inspires plenty of sexy gaming of all kinds. Enjoy!


“What exactly was the first person who shaved their pubic hair thinking?”


“Morning wood is nature’s way of letting men know the best way to start their day.”


“The truth will set you free, but lying will get you laid more often.”


“No matter how wealthy you are, you’ll never feel as rich as those who experience multiple orgasms.”


“Is it ironic that the sexiest clothes are the ones that make other people want to take them off?”


“When you think about it, marriage is just the bureaucracy for permitting state-approved orgasms.”


“The integrity of a man is directly proportional to how honest he is about the size of his penis.”


As I said before, there are many games that lovers can play to spice things up. You don’t even have to venture into the kinkier parts of the internet to find them. There’s a time to be serious with your relationship and there’s a time to have fun. No matter your age, sexuality, or kink, a good relationship is one that leaves plenty of room for fun. Games, especially the sexy kind, can only help.

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“Role Reversal” A Sexy Short Story

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The following is a sexy short story that I wrote after hearing how some couples engaged in sexy role playing. There are a great many ways to spice up a relationship, no matter what stage it’s at. Role playing is one of the easiest and most flexible. This story should get that point across. Enjoy!

“You looking for a good time, hot stuff? Because I’m all about good times…for a price!”

Gloria “Glory” Pyre chuckled to herself, but tried to take the kinky sight before her seriously. That wasn’t easy because her husband, Brett Pyre, didn’t usually wear a black leather jacket, skin-tight pants, undersized shirts, and enough of hair-care products to open his own salon. He hadn’t worn something that elaborate since their wedding day and even then, he didn’t go so overboard with the aftershave.

She still humored him, though. Pretending to be shy and reserved, she opened the door to the hotel room they’d rented and welcomed him.

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Steadman,” she said.

“That’s Studman, ma’am,” he said boldly.

“Right…Mr. Studman,” Glory said, still trying not to laugh. “Please…won’t you come in?”

“That depends. Are you the same Glory who reserved a full hour of my valuable time?”

“Yes, I am,” she said, “and if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to not waste a second of it.”

She made it sound like a business arrangement, which was part of the gimmick. Brett, still carrying himself as though he were the hottest thing with two balls in a dick, entered the room, but not before putting the “do not disturb” sign on the door knob.

Glory knew the ritual well. She had gone through it herself many times before. In another life – one that had only ended a few years ago, no less – she had been a high-end escort. She used to be the one to arrive at fancy hotels, wearing elegant dresses and revealing thong underwear, to greet horny clients. She once considered herself as one of the best in the business, having served a diverse range of clients, many of which had deep pockets.

It started as a side-gig that helped pay off her student loan debt, but it turned into something so much more. Glory had always been a sexual person, by nature. However, it was only when she turned it into a marketable skill that she uncovered the breadth of her sexuality. Her time as an escort allowed her to explore sex in a way she never could’ve experienced in her personal life. It came to become one of the most meaningful things she’d ever done.

Part of what made that time in her life so meaningful was standing right before her. The man she’d married had once been a regular client, but not a traditional one, to say the least. In fact, a big part of why she fell in love with him came from her work as an escort and the work he’d done, as well.

“Right down to business,” he said in a low, manly tone of voice, “I like that.”

“My time is precious. I like to make it matter,” Glory replied in a flirtatious tone, “which is why I made it a point to hire the best.”

“Well, you have an eye for quality,” Brett said playfully, “although I have to say…you’re a lot more attractive than most of my clients.”

“Oh I’m sure you say that to all the women who enlist your services.”

“I mean it. I mean, look at you! You’re young, beautiful, and have enough money to afford my time. Why would someone like you need to hire a guy like me?”

He briefly broke character. Those were the words of her husband and not the role he was playing. They were also the words of an aspiring therapist who’d expanded his own skills, thanks to her. How that played out was a big reason why they fell in love, but Glory couldn’t focus on that now. They still had a role to play.

Brett tried to make up for it by snaking his arms around her waist, slipping a hand into the back pocket of her jeans. It maintained the mood, but highlighted and important detail of their elaborate act. However, it was one that Glory had already contemplated long before she pitched the idea.

“It’s funny. Questions like that usually have lousy answers,” she said, taking on a more serious demeanor. “I get it. I’m beautiful. Men and women have been telling me that since I started filling out bras in middle school.”

“And you fill them out well,” Brett commented while admiring the cleavage that her halter top did little to hide.

“That made hooking up so easy,” Glory went on. “I could walk into a room, pick any guy I wanted, and get him in bed by the end of the day…so long as he was straight.”

“You make that sound like a problem.”

“It wasn’t for a long time. I slept with a lot of men. I had a lot of great sex. The problem was…well, it’s more an issue of quality rather than quantity.”

She finally embraced her role a bit. She moved in closer to the handsome man before her, snaking an arm around his neck while trailing her hand over his chest. Even through that fancy shirt he wore, she could feel the toned muscles of his upper body. She already knew those features well, but Glory had felt manly muscles during her time as an escort. What set Brett apart played a big role in them falling in love.

“You see…when a man is with a beautiful woman, they tend to get overly excited,” she said.

“Trust me, I don’t have that problem,” Brett said confidently. “I wouldn’t be Mr. Studman if I didn’t have the stamina.”

“That’s not entirely what I was referring to. Being beautiful has many perks, but when so many men want to sleep with you, they tend to treat it as some sort of fleeting moment…one they have to maximize to the greatest extent. While I can’t honestly blame them, it often leaves me unfulfilled.”

Her tone took on a more sensual undertone. It blurred the line between Gloria and Glory, which happened a lot with her sex life. She had always been a very sexual person, by nature. Sometimes, her persona as an escort did not complement her persona as a horny woman. She did not intend for that to be the case for tonight.

“Ah…I see what you’re getting at,” Brett said.

“I doubt you can understand it, though,” Glory said. “All my life, I’ve been the judge and the prize…sifting through parades of would-be lovers, hoping to find one who can please me. For once, I want to try things from the other side. I want to be the one desperate for sex, seeking the company of a professional whore to satisfy my most basic needs.”

“So you called me…Mr. Studman.”

“Yes,” she affirmed. “I called you, the most expensive gigolo in the tristate area. I’m hoping you’re worth the premium!”

Glory was already getting excited. She actually felt nervous. She hadn’t felt nervous in a sexual situation since high school. She was so used to being the one with all the leverage. For once, that wasn’t the case. It was jarring, but also thrilling in a strange sort of way.

Still in Brett’s muscular arms, she pawed his chest to communicate her desire. There was nothing theatrical about it. There was just the overt gesture of a very horny woman who just wanted sex. She’d been on the other end of that dynamic more times than she could count. She was ready to experience things from the other side.

Brett, having gone to great lengths to prepare for his role, continued to do his part. He settled into a more serious demeanor, taking on the kind of business-like poise that she often did when she served a client. It was unusual, but it still turned her on.

“I see,” Brett said, still speaking in the tone of Mr. Studman. “Well, we gigolos pride ourselves on proving our value. I intend to make this little transaction every bit as successful.”

“Great!” Glory said, sounding like a giddy school girl. “In that case, shall we get down to business?”

“Lead the way, ma’am.”

With growing excitement, she led her handsome “gigolo” from the foyer to the king sized bed in middle of the hotel room. Along the way, she placed an envelope full of money – it was actually monopoly money, but it was close enough – and made sure he saw the full amount. As any competent escort knew, the amount of money in the envelope determined the type of services rendered.

“Here’s what I want,” Glory said, sitting down at the foot of the bed with Brett, “nothing fancy or elaborate…just a good, thorough fuck.”

“Sounds simple enough for Mr. Studman,” Brett said confidently.

“I don’t want it rushed or messy, either. This isn’t my senior prom. This isn’t my honeymoon. I just want a good, professional fuck by someone who knows his way around the female body.”

“That, I can do. I’ve plenty of experience with both!”

“It’s not just experience that matters, here. I’ve been with men who’ve slept with dozens of women, but don’t know the difference between a clitoris and a hangnail. I’ve also been with men who have next to no experience, but still find a way to get me off because they actually put in the effort. What I want…what I need, tonight…is someone who can do both.”

It sounded like she was the one breaking character now. Some of her own issues – many of which pre-dated her time as an escort and her relationship with Brett – echoed through her voice. They sounded like the musings of a woman who could get as much sex as she wanted because of her beauty, but struggled to find true satisfaction.

Brett must have sensed that sentiment in her because he took on a more serious demeanor. That fake bravado he’d shown as Mr. Studman faded. Suddenly, he became more professional. However, he did not have the look of a licensed therapist or her loving husband. He had the look of a skilled gigolo.

“It’s funny. I’ve known many women who’ve told me their wants and needs,” Brett said, gently stroking the side of her face. “Most of them struggle to know the difference between the two.”

“Am I one of them?” Glory asked, already sounding desperate with desire.

“No. You’re not.”

Upon saying those words, he broke their intimate embrace and got up from the bed. Glory remained sitting, watching with curiosity and anticipation as her husband-turned-gigolo stood before her.

Then, like the star attraction at a male strip club, he seductively slipped out of his leather jacket and took off the tight-fitting shirt that barely contained his masculine features. Even in the bland lighting of the hotel room, the sight of his chiseled upper body triggered all sorts of arousing feelings within her. The way he carried himself, knowing he had the features that got a woman’s juices flowing, made Glory gaze up at him with a mix of awe and hunger.

“I’ve got the skills and tools to give you want you want and need,” he told her, “and I’m going to give it to you. You have my word.”

At that moment, the line between her husband and the role he played blurred. She’d heard that tone and that claim before, mostly because she’d said the same thing to her clients as well. He’d been one of them, but the circumstances had been unusual, to say the least. That ended up working out for them, though, and not just because they went onto get married.

“Well,” Glory said, already enchanted by his overt sex appeal, “what are you waiting for, Mr. Studman? Show me how a professional fucks!”

With a coy grin and a determined glint in his eye, Brett provided the service she’d solicited. Unlike her many other sexual encounters, she had no doubts about how it would play out. She was going to get fucked and she was going to get fucked by real stud.

He quickly demonstrated his keen understanding of arousing a woman, leaning in and kissing her hungrily on the lips, allowing her to explore the sinews of his upper body. He must have slathered himself with two bottles of baby oil because his skin was so smooth. It gave him the feel and scent of something polished and refined, which boded well for the fucking they were about to do.

As she pawed his upper body, Brett loosened her clothes. Glory was used to wearing something fancy and sexy during her hotel encounters. Instead, she’d worn the same attire she used to go shopping, which consisted of a T-shirt, jeans, and sandals. It was strange wearing something that wasn’t overly seductive, for once, but that only gave her more incentive to get it off.

“Let’s get you out of these dirty clothes,” Brett whispered into her ear with his deep, masculine tone.

Her inner thighs got 10 degrees hotter on the spot. He couldn’t remove her shirt and jeans fast enough. Once in her bra and panties, he crawled onto the bed with her, taking her by the waist and guiding her to the center.

From there, he lavished her with intimate kissing, touching, and fondling, the likes of which showed both a fondness and an understanding of the female body. It didn’t just heighten her physical arousal. It sent her into a state of pure sexual arousal. She didn’t need to think dirty thoughts or imagine the things that turned her on. Brett, being the professional stud, did that all by himself.

“Oohhh Mr. Studman!” she purred. “You’re making me…so hot and wet.”

“Then, I’m doing my job,” Brett quipped with a grin.

Not losing focus for an instant, he finished stripping her naked. While kissing her neck, he reached behind her back and unclasped her bra. He didn’t fumble awkwardly like so many men. He also didn’t get overly-distracted at the sight of her large, well-shaped breasts. He still admired them, as any straight man would.

“Such nice, natural breasts,” he commented.

“How do you know they’re natural?” she teased.

“Trust me. I know.”

Glory snickered and purred some more as Brett buried his face in her ample cleavage. She didn’t doubt he knew real breasts from fake breasts and not just because he married her. He’d seen and felt more breasts than most men, even those who considered themselves unapologetic pussy hounds. His reasons for knowing, however, were less crude and indirectly related to how they came together.

As he shoved his face between her breasts, he skillfully slipped his hands down to her waist, gasped the sides of her panties, and slid them down her legs. They had since become wet with arousal. Glory couldn’t remember the last time she got so horny that she soaked her panties. Already, their elaborate role reversal was paying off.

“You weren’t kidding,” Brett said upon tossing her panties aside. “You are one wet, horny woman.”

“Like I said…I want this. I need this,” Glory said intently.

“Then, I’ll skip the part where I sweet-talk you into a frenzy and employ my more intimate talents.”

She already knew what that entailed. That didn’t matter. She was still more excited than she’d been since their honeymoon.

He gave her breasts one final squeeze and her lips one final kiss before rising into an upright position. Hovering over her, he looked like a titan of masculinity hovering over her. Glory was so used to being the center of the sexual universe during intimate moments, especially those occurring in hotel rooms. It was pretty jarring to be on the other side…jarring, but exciting.

Still carrying himself with the poise of a professional gigolo, he grabbed her by the thighs and pushed her legs apart, exposing her dripping-wet pussy to him. She then watched as he licked his lips, eying her inner thighs as though they were his favorite treat. Then, without hesitation or intimidation, he buried himself in her womanhood and began giving her oral sex.

“Ohhh fuck!” Glory gasped. “My pussy…your lips…ooh it feels so good!”

Brett responded with a simple grunt. That was all he needed to say. He was a professional. He knew how to eat a woman out. Like a skilled surgeon, he performed his task to perfection.

It was like getting a perfect massage from the inside out. Glory closed her eyes, grasped her breasts as she often did in blissful states, and arched her back as Brett stimulated her most intimate areas to the utmost. Once again, his knowledge and respect for female anatomy was uncanny. He knew the difference between a clit and a G-spot. He knew where all the right nerves were, including the ones that were hard to reach. He didn’t just get most of them. He got all of them.

It sent her to the brink of orgasm faster than sex act that didn’t involve an overpriced vibrator. She would’ve preferred to test her husband/gigolo’s skills, but the blissful results made that impossible.

“Oh Mr. Studman! I…I’m coming!” she gasped.

“Already?” he said, looking up from her snatch briefly. “We’re off to a good start!”

He remained intently focused as he pumped his fingers into her folds, applying extra pressure to her clit. That got her over the edge with ease. There was no need to fake it or pretend it was more intense than it was. She was having an orgasm…a real, intense orgasm.

With theatrics befitting of a former escort, Glory curled her toes and threw her head back as the ripples of pleasure shot up through her body. Brett kept his hands on her thighs, maintaining his grip on her as she soaked in the ecstasy. She made it a point to be extra vocal, letting out the kind of orgasmic moan that echoed throughout the hotel suite and informed her husband that he was playing his role perfectly.

“You’re very loud when you climax. Is that normal?” he teased, leaning in and caressing her face as she bathed in pleasure.

“That…depends,” Glory said breathlessly.

“On what?”

“On just how dedicated…my lover happens to be.”

As her inner muscles continued throbbing from her release, she opened her eyes and cast her love/gigolo a sexy grin. He smiled back, looking bolder and more determined than ever. Knowing Brett, an overachiever and a show-off, she was already excited by the prospects.

While she caught her breath from her first orgasm, he rose up briefly and took off his pants. In doing so, he revealed a fully-erect penis that must have felt very uncomfortable in those tight pants of his. Even though Glory had seen her husband’s dick, as well as many other dicks during her escorting days, she still marveled at the sight.

“Mr. Studman…so big and hard,” she said, her gaze narrowing on his manly flesh.

“What can I say? Stripping a beautiful woman naked and eating her pussy out makes me horny,” Brett said playfully.

“Spoken like someone who enjoys his work,” she pointed out.

“Part of becoming a pro is enjoying the process. Now, lie back while I demonstrate the extent of my professionalism!”

Just like that – that manly gaze, that confident demeanor, and that beautiful manly body that was now fully exposed – Glory was horny again. She didn’t care that her pussy was still tender after such a quality orgasm. She wanted sex. Moreover, she wanted the sex that only Brett, aka Mr. Studman, could give her.

“Please, Mr. Studman…take me,” Glory told him as she laid back and spread her legs.

“Don’t worry,” he told her. “From here on out, you’re getting everything you want and need. I’ll make sure of it!”

From there, a potent mix of intense horniness and determined desire took over. Brett, still focused and dedicated to his role as a gigolo, got on top of her and grabbed hold of her hips. Glory instinctively hooked her legs around his waist, grabbing onto his shoulder and neck as she braced herself for the coming feeling.

Brett didn’t make her wait a nanosecond longer than she had to. As soon as he aligned his body with hers, he thrust his hips forward, driving his rigid flesh up into her vagina. As soon as his flesh filled her, he began moving their bodies in a smooth, sensual rhythm. A steady surge of raw sexual sensations followed, sending Glory into a sexual frenzy.

“Ohhh fuck yes!” she cried out. “That’s it! This is what I want!”

“And need,” he whispered in a voice so manly she almost came on the spot.

There was nothing fancy or novel about the act. It was sex, her and her husband, humping in a simple missionary position the likes of which they’d done many times before. The act, however, didn’t do justice to the feeling.

As she buried her face in her husband’s neck, listening to him grunt and moan with each hump, Glory soaked in the unique feeling that accompanied the intimate sensations. Having had more sex than most, both in her personal life and during her time as an escort, she was familiar with the many forms that feeling took.

Sometimes, it was just two horny people fucking each other, looking to get off and enjoy themselves. She’d done plenty of that.

Sometimes, it was two people in love wanting to express that love in an intimate, affectionate way. She’d done plenty of that too, especially after she married Brett.

Most of the time, though, sex was a mixed bag. There were times when men just laid her down and fucked her like a pussy with limbs. There were times when men were genuinely considerate, wanting to make love to her and please her as though she were some sort of sex goddess. Both kinds of sex could be enjoyable, but it was rare for it to find a perfect balance between the two.

Then, she met Brett. He understood that balance as much as her. He loved it as much as she did. In that moment, him acting like a professional gigolo and her acting like some horny woman who just wanted to get laid, the power of that balance was on full display.

“Yes! Oohhh Mr. Studman…so good! That feels…so good!” Glory moaned from her intimate daze.

“Oh God…you’re a pro too!” Brett said with a grunt.

As their bodies rocked to the rhythm of his humping motions, he kissed her passionately on the lips. It broke character for a moment, the love of her husband mixing into the sex with a highly-skilled stud. It intensified that uniquely balanced feeling, filling her with a perfect blend of love and lust.

Brett made the most of that feeling, using it to complement his role as a professional gigolo. Using the king-sized bed to their full advantage, he fucked her as thoroughly as any man could fuck a beautiful woman, be it a wife or a whore. He set the tone and pace of the sex, shifting and guiding their bodies through a succession of positions. Again, they kept things simple. She didn’t have to test her flexibility or endurance. She just hung on and enjoyed the ride.

They kept things simple at first, alternating between various forms of missionary. Then, he turned her over a few times and did her doggy style, getting her on her hands and knees for a while. He also bent her over the edge of the bed at one point, daring to have a little fun with their sex. As any successful escort knew, part of being professional was daring to play around at times.

Brett didn’t do all the work, though. On a few times, Glory found herself on top, riding his cock while used those powerful arms of his to supplement her movements. That didn’t just mix things up, sexually. It gave her a chance to really express the desires she’d hoped to explore in their roles. By being the horny client for once, she could be a little reckless with her passions. It was so freeing, being able to ditch the script she’d so often followed with sex.

“Again!” she cried out. “I’m coming again! Oohhh Mr. Studman!”

That became a common refrain throughout the act. Glory had hoped to enjoy multiple orgasms from their kinky little scenario, but she exceeded her own expectations. She hadn’t had so many orgasms in such rapid succession since her best friend’s bachelorette party and that involved vibrators. The fact that Brett – the man she married, who just happened to be very good at playing the role of a gigolo – gave her such pleasure made it all the more meaningful.

Like a true professional and a dedicated husband, he kept fucking her at a steady pace that allowed him to draw it out. That wasn’t just for her pleasure. That was what escorts did in order to maximize the satisfaction of the client. Glory thought she understood that. Now, she appreciated it even more.

“Mr. Studman…what a man! What a stud!” she moaned in her daze.

“You ready…for this stud…to top you off?” he said, his every word echoing with labored grunts.

“Yes!” Glory said without hesitation. “Please…give it to me.”

It must have sounded so daunting. By now, they had worked up quite a sweat. Their naked skin glistened under the light, the sheets beneath them wrinkled and tattered. It must have been strenuous to Brett to hold back for so long. Even though he was capable of popping multiple loads during a single sex act, he held back for her. That was what a professional did. For the final round of their sexy role playing, though, she needed both the stud and her husband.

For the final push, he led her back to the center of the bed. There, he once again demonstrated his masculine strength, lifting her up in his arms and holding her in an upright position. She eagerly went along with it, hooking her legs around his waist and digging the balls of her feet into her lower back. With his knees propped up on the bed and his hands firmly gripping her butt, he steadily bounced her up and down the length of his cock. That position didn’t just help him penetrate her depths at just the right angle. It allowed their eyes to meet for that final moment.

“My stud…my wonderful, handsome stud,” Glory said as he gazed back at her.

“My beautiful, wonderful wife,” Brett said.

Again, he broke character. She was beyond caring at that point, though. Thanks to his uncanny strength and his dedication to satisfying her to the utmost, Brett rocked their bodies in heavy fervor of humping. He was careful and thorough, working his manhood inside her at just the right pace to ensure they climaxed at the same time.

She had no idea how he knew. Glory used to joke with her friends and fellow escorts that simultaneous orgasms were as big a myth as the G-spot. Brett proved her wrong, time and again. At the moment they finally climaxed together, she’d never been so grateful to be so wrong about something sexual.

“Ohhhh fuck yes!” they both cried out, almost in perfect harmony.

It would’ve been funny if it didn’t feel so damn good. When it hit, Brett squeezed her ass firmly and buried his face in her breasts, gasping as he released a thick load of his cum into her pussy. At the same time, Glory dug her nails into his shoulders and threw her head back in an act of ecstasy. That extra hot feeling of his juices mixing with hers helped supplement the feeling, providing that special bit of intimacy that she could only share with her husband.

Glory wasn’t sure if what they’d just done counted as irony or kink. A former escort playing the part of a client might have been a simple role reversal on paper, but something about it conjured a unique feeling that encapsulated how far she’d come and how lucky she was to have found a lover like Brett.

“Another…satisfied customer,” he said breathlessly, his head still resting on her breasts.

“Satisfied indeed, Mr. Studman,” Glory said with a grin.

“You can…call me Brett, now.”

“I know. Mr. Studman just sounds better right now.”

He looked up from her breasts and smiled back. They then shared a loving kiss, having broken from their roles and returned to just being a happily married couple.

Their naked bodies finally parted. Still naked and sweaty, they laid back on the bed together, catching their breath and soaking in the afterglow. Glory remained curled up to her husband, his arm still lovingly draped around her. Given their respective backgrounds, she and Brett had come up with all sorts of ways to spice up their sex life. After what they just did, she could safely say she’d found her favorite type of role playing.

“God, I love you,” Glory said.

“I know. I love you too, Gloria,” said Brett.

“I got to say, it’s pretty strange…being on this side of the escorting equation.”

“That, it is,” he admitted. “Then again, we didn’t exactly tweak too many kinks.”

“I know. I mean between a former escort turned therapist and an actor who hired me to research a part…I’d say the details are plenty strange.”

“Guess we just found a way to make those strange kinks work for us.”

“That, we did…Mr. Studman.”

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The Secular Theology of “Lucifer” (The TV Show)

lucifer

What happens when you die?

Does our consciousness live on in some form?

Is there a way in which people who escaped punishment in life ultimately face it in death?

These are distressing, but profound questions that form the backbone of nearly every major religion. From the major Abrahamic faiths to the lore of ancient civilizations, there are many ways to approach this question. We all contemplate our mortality at some point and wonder/dread what will happen after our mortal bodies fail us.

Even some non-believers have mused about it at some point. Whereas religion tends to speculate wildly on the possibilities, an secular view of the afterlife isn’t too different from how it views deities. In the same way there’s no evidence for any gods or supernatural forces, there’s no evidence that consciousness exists outside the human brain.

That’s what makes the recently-canceled, but saved by Netflix show, “Lucifer,” such a compelling contributor to this age-old question. Beyond Tom Ellis flexing his uncanny charm, the show achieves something remarkable in how it approaches gods, angels, demons, and the afterlife. I would even go so far as to say that it crafts a theology that affirms secular values over those of any religion.

By that, I don’t mean that “Lucifer” glorifies atheism or non-religious worldviews. If anything, one the show’s common themes is that glorifying any worldview is pointless. It’s surprisingly balanced in how it portrays religious and non-religious characters. The show contains respectable believers like Father Frank Lawrence and deplorable non-believers like Jimmy Barnes.

When it comes to addressing those age-old questions about deities, the afterlife, and morality, though, the show crafts a mythos that doesn’t play favorites. In the world of “Lucifer,” it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Christian, Muslim, Scientologist, Buddhist, or Pastafarian. Your life and your afterlife are subject to the same standards.

To understand those standards, it’s necessary to understand the influences of the show. Before Tom Ellis put on an Armani suit, the story of Lucifer Morningstar emerged in a the critically-acclaimed graphic novel, “The Sandman.” Even if you’re not a comic book fan, I highly recommend this book. There’s a good reason why it’s in Entertainment Weekly’s 100 best reads from 1983 to 2008.

While there are many differences between this comic and the TV show, the core tenants are the same. Lucifer Morningstar once ruled Hell, but decided to abandon that role and set up shop in the mortal world. Much like Tom Ellis’ character in the show, this version of Lucifer resents the stereotypes and misunderstandings surrounding him.

He’s not the source of all evil. He’s not the Lord of Lies, either. In fact, Lucifer has his own personal code of conduct and chief among that code is not lying. It goes beyond just telling the truth, though. Lucifer doesn’t sugarcoat anything, nor does he tell only part of the story. He tells the truth in the clearest, harshest way possible.

The show captures many of these elements. In the first episode when he meets Detective Chole Decker, he says outright who he is and isn’t coy about it. While she doesn’t believe he’s the actual devil, he sets a similar tone in how wields the truth. He’s not afraid to shove it in peoples’ faces and let horrifying realizations do the rest.

That emphasis on hard truth, both in the show and the comics, closely mirrors a secular approach to reality. It doesn’t matter how strongly you believe or don’t believe in something. The truth doesn’t change. People can spend their entire lives avoiding it, making excuses or crafting elaborate mythologies.

Whether someone identifies as atheist or agnostic, the premise is the same. If there’s no verifiable evidence, then you can’t say something is true. That leaves a lot of uncertainty about the nature of life, the afterlife, and everything in between. For many people, that’s just untenable and that leads to all sorts of contemplation and speculations.

It only gets worse when there’s considerable evidence to the contrary, which those who cross Lucifer often learn the hard way. While the comics touch on this to a limited extent, the show is much more overt. It often occurs when Lucifer flashes his true form to others. Most of the time, their reaction is one of unmitigated horror and understandably so.

These people, whether they’re cold-blooded killers or schoolyard bullies, just got a massive dose of exceedingly heavy truth. They just learned that the devil is real. Hell is real. Angels, demons, and deities are real. That also means it’s very likely that there’s some form of life after death. For those who have done bad things, that’s a genuinely terrifying prospect.

The details of that terror are explored throughout the show, especially in the first and second season. It’s here where the show distances itself from the fire and brimstone of the Abrahamic faiths. It even differs considerably from the hellish visions of Eastern religious tradition. To some extent, it takes the ethical concepts of secular humanism and crafts a prison around it.

That prison doesn’t involve pitchforks, fire, or monsters who chew on the souls of history’s greatest traitors. In the divine world of “Lucifer,” Hell is dark domain in which the souls of sinful mortals are punished for the misdeeds they committed in life. How that punishment plays out varies from soul to soul.

In the first season, Malcolm Graham spends a brief time in Hell, relatively speaking. He describes it as a place that takes everything someone loves and uses it to torment them. In his case, he freely admits that he loves life. As such, he is starved and isolated so that he cannot experience it or its many joys. It’s an extreme form of solitary confinement, which is very much a form of torture.

On top of that, time flows differently in Hell. Even though Malcolm wasn’t there for very long, he conceded that 30 seconds felt like 30 years. That doesn’t necessarily mean it moves slower, though. Time is simply a tool with which to ensure the effectiveness of the punishment. Lucifer, himself, finds this out in Season 2, Episode 13, “A Good Day To Die.”

For him, time becomes an endless loop of sorts. In that domain, he continually relieves the moment he kills his brother Uriel, one of the few acts in which Lucifer feels genuine regret. It keeps on happening again and again, evoking the same anguish. It’s like the movie “Groundhog Day,” but one in which people constantly relieve the worst day of their life.

These kinds of punishments are certainly worthy of Hell. They’re harsh in that they’re customized torture that’s specific for every damned soul. It’s a lot more flexible than the elaborate Hellscape described in “Dante’s Inferno.” However, there’s one important aspect to this punishment that puts it into a unique context.

The specifics are revealed in Season 3, Episode 7, “Off The Record.” Lucifer reveals to Reese Getty that the devil isn’t the one who decides which souls end up in Hell. No deity decides that, either. Ultimately, it’s the individual who makes that decision, albeit indirectly.

When humans transgress in the world of “Lucifer,” there’s no cosmic judge keeping track of their misdeeds. What sends them to Hell is the weight of their own guilt. Even when they pretend they don’t feel it, like Malcolm Graham, it’s still there. They’re just ignoring it or avoiding it. When they die, though, it ultimately comes back to weigh them down.

This means that punishment in Hell isn’t technically eternal, which I’ve noted is critical if the concept is to have any meaning whatsoever. Lucifer even says in the same episode that there’s no demon army guarding the gates of Hell. The doors are opened and unlocked. Those damned souls are free to leave, but they never do. It’s their own choices, guilt, and regret that keeps them damned.

That means the deeds that send people to hell are subjective and contextual. It’s an outright rejection of the universal morality that many religious traditions favor and an affirmation of the more nuanced ethics espoused by secular humanism. Both the morality and the theology of “Lucifer” depends heavily on the situation, intent, and consequences of someone’s action.

In the world of “Lucifer,” a priest and a porn star can both go to Heaven. It’s strongly implied that Father Frank Lawrence went to Heaven after his heroic actions in “A Priest Walks Into A Bar.” It’s also implied in “City Of Angels?” that there’s a distinct lack of porn stars in Hell due to all the good works and joy they bring to people in life.

At its core, “Lucifer” frames damnation as an underlying consequence of individual actions. Everything begins and ends with the individual. What they do, why they do it, and the consequences they incur are primary criteria for how souls spend their afterlife. In both the comics and the TV show, Lucifer is a champion of individual choices and all the implications that come with it.

This emphasis on the individual effectively tempers the influence of any deity or supernatural force. Even though gods and angels exist in the world of “Lucifer,” they don’t make choices for anybody. Granted, they can have major influences, as shown in episodes like “Once Upon A Time.” At the end of the day, it’s still the individual who is ultimately responsible.

This secular approach to theology works because individual actions are the only deeds we can truly quantify. It creates criteria under which neither atheists nor believers have any clear advantages. How they live their lives and how they go about making choices is what determines whether they face punishment after death.

It still has some problems that the show has yet to address. It doesn’t indicate how Hell handles people who are incapable of feeling guilt or otherwise mentally ill. It also doesn’t reveal how Heaven differs from Hell, although Lucifer implied to Father Frank that it’s more boring than Hell. Hopefully, that’s just one of many other themes that get touched on in Season 4.

Whatever the flaws, the unique take on theology and morality give “Lucifer” a special appeal for both believers and non-believers. It presents a world where those profound questions I asked earlier have answers. No one religion got it right and atheists aren’t at a disadvantage for not believing. That may not sit well with some, but it affirms a brand of secular justice that judges every individual by the choices they make.

More than anything else, Lucifer Morningstar is a champion of deep desires and hard truths. He opposes anyone who tries to dictate someone’s decision or fate, be they a devil or a deity. People who do bad things are ultimately punished, but not by him. In the end, he really doesn’t have to. An individual is more than capable of creating their own personal Hell.

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Second “Dark Phoenix” Trailer: Reaction And (High) Hopes

It’s been a long wait since the first trailer for “Dark Phoenix.” In that time, there have been plenty of distractions and upheavals, from who would host the Oscars to trolls attacking the “Captain Marvel” movie for asinine reasons. Plenty still find excuses to whine about this movie, also for asinine reasons. Finally, despite all that proverbial noise, we get a second trailer and it was so worth the wait.

There are a lot of things that a quality story about the Phoenix Saga needs to capture all the right feelings. This one checked nearly every box, more so than the first.

It had drama.

It had devastating emotional upheaval.

It had elements of cosmic influence.

It had inner turmoil.

It had heartfelt sorrow.

It had despair.

It had desperate people trying desperately to save someone they loved.

Even if you haven’t read the originals story, these are all important components for a powerful story. It’s part of the reason why the Phoenix Saga is often identified as the greatest X-men story ever told. Unlike previous attempts, this movie is making that story front and center.

That, more than anything, should give me and other X-men fans hope that this one will be done right. I’ve seen more than a few people whine about how similar this movie is to “X-men: The Last Stand.” I don’t blame those people for seeing this as a bad thing, given how poorly that movie handled the Phoenix plot.

Nuff said!

However, this trailer does much more than the first one to set itself apart. Yes, Jean is still wearing a large red overcoat instead of her iconic Phoenix attire, complete with the waist sash, but attire was not the reason why the previous attempt to tell that story failed.

As I’ve noted before, the most critical part of telling any story about the Phoenix Saga is capturing the right emotions with the characters. With all due respect to Famke Jansen, Sophie Turner shows more emotional range in this trailer than Ms. Janssen did over the entire course of “X-men: The Last Stand.” Moreover, it highlights the emotional impact that her growing powers have on everyone Jean loves.

That impact includes a heavy loss, as evidenced by the funeral scene. It also shows in how both Jean’s friends and enemies react to handling her. Some, even those who think themselves her friend, think she’s beyond saving. Others, namely Cyclops, are still determined to save her.

Not ignoring the fact that Cyclops is actually playing a major role here instead of getting killed off in the first 10 minutes of the movie, thereby worsening the worst love triangle of all time, this trailer leaves one other important element unspoiled and up in the air.

We know there will be death and loss in this movie, as is often the case in any X-men story involving the Phoenix Force. I even uncovered some critical hints during my trip to New York Comic Con last year. There’s still one burning question that will likely determine how this movie is received.

What is the ultimate fate of Jean Grey?

This is one instance where the answer could take us down many paths. If Jean Grey ultimately dies, as happened in the original story, it would be keeping in the spirit of loss and sacrifice. It’s difficult to pull off, but given how bland, cowardly, and unceremonious her fate was in “X-men: The Last Stand,” it wouldn’t be that hard to improve upon.

If she lives, though, which actually was the initial ending to the story in the comics, it would require a very different recourse compared to the previous movie. That may ultimately be the best way to silence those who keep bemoaning how much this movie resembles “X-men: The Last Stand.” However, getting Jean to a place where she could survive, even after losing control, would be a difficult task.

Whatever the outcome, the stage is set. “Dark Phoenix” is coming and will likely be the swan song of this era of X-men movies. With Disney about to take over Fox and set to bring the X-men into the MCU, it would be perfectly fitting if this movie ended on a high note. We saw how powerful that kind of story can be with “Logan.” After seeing this trailer, I believe this movie has that potential, but with more cosmic flare.

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Jack Fisher’s Weekly Quick Pick Comic: Captain Marvel: Braver & Mightier #1

Every week, a new collection of comics enters this world and makes it a just little more bearable. In these times of internet trolls, political divide, and terrible movie remakes, few things are as relaxing and rewarding as enjoying a good comic on a Wednesday morning. Once again, I’m here to single out one particular comic that helps make a good morning turn into a great day.

This week, along with a sizable chunk of 2019 thus far, is another great week to be a fan of all things Carol “Captain Marvel” Danvers. With her big debut movie coming out in just over a week, she’s about to achieve a rare status among comic book superheroes. That makes a comic like “Captain Marvel: Braver and Mightier #1” that much more special.

This comic isn’t actually part of Captain Marvel’s other ongoing series by Kelly Thompson, which I also highly recommend. This comic is a simple one-shot with a simple story that, in 23 short pages, highlights why Captain Marvel is a character deserving of the superhero A-list.

If you’re looking for a plot with some big, elaborate twist, you’re looking for too much here and you’re looking in the wrong place. If you’re just looking for a nice, simple summation of who Carol Danvers is and why she’s such a great hero, you’ll get everything you need and then some.

Writer, Jody Houser, puts Carol in a fairly simple setting. A fleet of mysterious aliens are threatening to invade Earth. It’s the sort of thing that happens at least once a week in the Marvel universe. It happens so often that it really doesn’t warrant assembling the Avengers. This sort of thing is right up Carol’s alley.

While this is going on, another smaller story unfolds back on Earth. At the Air and Space Museum back on the ground, Carol is being honored with her own little day of celebration. Having come from the United States Air Force and from NASA, it makes perfect sense that they would single her out as their preferred hero. Captain America already has the 4th of July and Tony Stark has a big enough ego.

As part of this celebration, some people in the press are looking for a chance to interview her. Among that press pool are a couple of local high school students who only got to attend because they’re local. They’re not exactly professional reports. They even admit that. However, they still have a chance to talk to Captain Marvel and they want to make the most of it.

They won’t get to ask her many questions. In fact, they need to figure out just one. All the while, they find out along with the rest of the world that Captain Marvel is fighting aliens on the same day when she’s supposed to be celebrated. It feels exactly like the sort of thing she would do, but these two plots complement each other in a way that really works in the end.

Without spoiling too much, Ms. Houser uses “Captain Marvel: Braver and Mightier #1” to demonstrate an issue that affects Captain Marvel more than most superheroes. As someone who is part human and part alien, she is often torn between worlds. Her desire to fly higher, further, and faster isn’t just about ambition. It reflects how her alien side often clashes with her human side.

Throughout her history, especially since she took the title of Captain Marvel in 2012, she often finds herself divided between confronting alien threats in Marvel’s vast cosmic landscape and defending the Earth with her fellow Avengers. As a result, it’s sometimes hard for her to relate to the people on Earth, as well as the aliens not trying to kill her.

Being able to relate to the people they’re saving is an important component for any hero, regardless of their origins or heritage. Superman is an alien and Wonder Woman is a demigod, but they still have strong connections to the world they protect. “Captain Marvel: Braver and Mightier #1” helps remind Carol of that connection.

In the end, Ms. Houser’s story and Simone Buonfantino’s artwork work together perfectly to demonstrate how far Carol Danvers has come and how much further she is poised to soar. It acknowledges the challenges she faced in the past and even noted some of her failures. However, Carol takes the good with the bad. That’s not just the mindset of a good superhero. That’s the mentality of a mature, understanding person.

The simplicity and humanity of “Captain Marvel: Braver and Mightier #1” makes it an excellent entry point for those curious about Captain Marvel beyond her upcoming movie. Again, it’s not too dense in terms of plot, but doesn’t need to be in order to work. It’s a good time to be a fan of all things Carol Danvers and this comic can only make those good times even greater.

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Why The Outrage Over Brie Larson And “Captain Marvel” Is Misguided (And Counterproductive)

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Celebrities sometimes say dumb things. I doubt most people would contest that. Sometimes, celebrities say things that aren’t dumb, but badly taken out of context. I imagine most people would agree with that too. However, in an era where outrage is a national pastime and social media makes it way too easy to blow things out of proportion, it’s easy for a celebrity to cause controversy for all the wrong reasons.

Brie Larson, whose star is set to rise considerably with the release of “Captain Marvel,” is learning this the hard way and a large consortium of angry people on the internet are intent on making it harder. What should’ve been a culmination of a young woman’s career and a female hero’s ascension to the superhero A-list is now mired in the ugliest kind of gender politics.

The origin of that controversy actually had nothing to do with Ms. Larson’s role on “Captain Marvel.” Back in June 2018, she made some overly political comments while accepting the Crystal Award for Excellence in Film. While celebrities making political statements is nothing new, Ms. Larson’s statement was hardly extreme.

It wasn’t some radical feminist tirade.

It wasn’t some angry rant about the outcome of 2016 Presidential Election.

It wasn’t even some act of elaborate virtue signaling by some smug celebrity.

All Ms. Larson did was advocate for greater diversity among film critics. She didn’t just make such a statement on a whim, either. She did so in response to a study published by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism that revealed a significant lack of representation in the industry of film criticism.

That’s not an unreasonable concern. The western world is becoming more diverse and the success of movies like “Black Panther” and “Crazy Rich Asians” shows that there’s a market for such diverse tastes. Advocating for greater representation in the field of film criticism makes a lot of sense.

Unfortunately, that’s not the message that some people gleamed from Ms. Larson’s comments. All they heard was that she doesn’t want to hear from white men anymore. They somehow got the impression that Brie Larson resents white men and her movies, including “Captain Marvel,” aren’t made for them. They’re not even welcome in the conversation.

Who these people are and the politics they represent is difficult to discern. I don’t think it’s accurate to call them conservative, liberal, feminist, anti-feminist, leftist, or any other political label. Outrage culture rarely gets that specific, but given the heated politics surrounding movies like “Ghostbusters” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” it’s a frustratingly familiar narrative.

While I can understand some of the outrage surrounding “Ghostbusters” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” in this case I don’t think it’s justified. That’s not just because I’m a big fan of Marvel Comics, superhero movies, and all things Captain Marvel. It’s because the actual substance of Ms. Larson’s words don’t warrant the controversy she has generated.

For specific reference, here’s what she actually said during her speech in June 2018. Read it very slowly and try to understand the context of her statement.

“I don’t want to hear what a white man has to say about ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’ I want to hear what a woman of color, a biracial woman has to say about the film. I want to hear what teenagers think about the film. If you make a movie that is a love letter to women of color, there is a chance that a woman of color does not have access to review and critique your film. Do not say the talent is not there, because it is.”

Remember, she said these words after learning how little diversity there was among movie critics. Unlike most people, she was actually in a position to do something about it. Being an Oscar winning actress who was poised to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, her words carry more weight than most.

Even so, those words were construed as racist and sexist, two exceedingly loaded terms that bring out the worst in people, especially on the internet. Never mind the fact that she made clear in her original speech that she did not hate white men. Never mind the fact that she has since clarified her words. She is still being attacked as some angry radical feminist who hates men, especially those who are white.

It would be one thing if she had said outright that white men should be banned from criticizing certain movies. Many celebrities, including a few still relevant today, have said far worse. However, that’s not what Ms. Larson said. She never, at any point, advocated disparaging white men. She didn’t even say that people who hate her movies are racist and sexist, something the “Star Wars” crowd is painfully familiar with.

Again, all Ms. Larson spoke out against was a lack of diversity among film critics. That part is worth emphasizing because it renders the outrage surrounding her statement as utterly absurd. It also makes the targeted attack on the fan reviews for “Captain Marvel” both asinine and misguided.

Even though the movie isn’t out yet, the movie is being targeted with negative comments on Rotten Tomatoes. Since it has only screened for a handful of audiences, it’s unlikely that any of these people actually saw the movie or were inclined to see it in the first place. Some are even claiming that this has already impacted the projected box office for the movie.

Whether that impact manifests remains to be seen, but it’s worth noting that when “Black Panther” was targeted with similar attacks, it failed miserably. At the moment, early reactions to “Captain Marvelhave been glowing so the chances of these attacks hurting the box office are probably minor at best. If the pre-ticket sales are any indication, the movie will likely turn a hefty profit for Marvel and their Disney overlords.

Even if there were an impact, it would be for all the wrong reasons. It would send the message that there’s a large contingent of people who are willing to work together to tank a movie because of comments a celebrity said that had nothing to do with that movie and weren’t the least bit controversial, when taken in context.

In this case, it was simply twisting someone’s comments to make them sseem like they said things that they never said or even implied. Then, those who bought into that narrative simply use that as an excuse to disparage a movie that they haven’t seen. That’s not just absurd, even by the skewed standards of outrage culture. It sends the worst possible message from those who think they’re protecting their favorite movie genre.

It tells the world that they don’t care what a celebrity actually says. They actively look for an excuse to hate someone who doesn’t completely buy into their preferred status quo. It would be one thing if that status quo was just and reasonable, but that’s not the case here.

All Ms. Larson did was advocate for more diversity among film critics. If that is somehow too extreme, then the problem isn’t with her or celebrities like her. It’s with those determined to hate her. There are a lot of issues in the world of celebrities and movies that warrant outrage, but advocating for more diversity in film criticism isn’t one of them.

I can already hear some people typing angry comments stating that if she had said those same words, but changed the demographic to something other than white men, then it would be an issue. However, the fact remains that this isn’t what she said.

It also doesn’t help that Brie Larson identifies as a feminist and that term has become incredibly loaded in recent years. However, she has never embraced the kind of radical rhetoric that other, less likable celebrities have espoused. Until she does, those determined to identify her and “Captain Marvel” as racist, sexist propaganda are only doing themselves and their politics a disservice.

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Filed under Celebrities and Celebrity Culture, extremism, gender issues, Marvel, media issues, men's issues, movies, outrage culture, political correctness, superhero movies