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Everything is terrible so I'm going to rewatch A God Walks into Abar and try to livetweet all the romance beats in the episode.
So let's call this #WatchRom
So let's call this #WatchRom
This is episode 8 of Watchmen s1. IT IS A SPOILER. So if you haven't watched this show yet, mute the hashtag now.
#WatchRom
#WatchRom
So what I find amazing about this episode is that they stop and smell the romance. This show is NOT a romance, but by God they wrote one in an hour's time.
I don't know what I would call this structure. I know it has a name bc it's been used before in like Momento. #WatchRom
I don't know what I would call this structure. I know it has a name bc it's been used before in like Momento. #WatchRom
And the most twisty is that you don't see the hero's face. For all you hands lovers out there, THIS IS THE EPISODE.
This episode puts Prince Meghan and Harry to shame on hands being a love language.
It's formal, flirtatious, nervous, open. IT'S ALL THE THINGS. #WatchRom
This episode puts Prince Meghan and Harry to shame on hands being a love language.
It's formal, flirtatious, nervous, open. IT'S ALL THE THINGS. #WatchRom
I'm also doing this thread bc I am so going to make a class out of it. I've peed on it and now you can't do it without everyone knowing you stole the idea from me. TM
Anyway, let's begin #WatchRom
Anyway, let's begin #WatchRom
This has a romance opening all over it. A mystery man in a nice suit puts on a mask. #WatchRom
You now know he's good looking in that bc a random man gives him a Not Bad approval as he walks by. #WatchRom
There is only a slight hesitation to his step when he sees the heroine. He picks up drinks from the bar.
This is when the hand porn begins.
There is only a slight hesitation to his step when he sees the heroine. He picks up drinks from the bar.
This is when the hand porn begins.
That is a confident pick up of glasses. Just waiting for him. Two glasses to be exact. He hasn't talked to a single other person. #WatchRom
The heroine is tired and here comes a cis het man to hit on her. #WatchRom
You have recently seen this Black woman look on Kamala Harris. She is not in the mood. #WatchRom
A full shot of the hero. He is tall, dark and handsome.
The important point. He doesn't sit down when she makes eye contact. #WatchRom
The important point. He doesn't sit down when she makes eye contact. #WatchRom
He makes an offer. "If I can guess why you are drinking alone, can I sit down?"
Heroine is TIREDT, TIREDT, and she already knows there's no way he can guess it right.
He does. He gets to sit. #WatchRom
Heroine is TIREDT, TIREDT, and she already knows there's no way he can guess it right.
He does. He gets to sit. #WatchRom
I love this moment bc even though we have spent 8 episodes with these people, especially her, we are almost getting reintroduced.
You absolutely know something about her bc she keeps her word. Begrudgingly but she keeps it. #WatchRom
You absolutely know something about her bc she keeps her word. Begrudgingly but she keeps it. #WatchRom
Here comes the intrigue. She is beginning to be charmed.
But watch his hands. Just the way he moves over his beer then settles in. He's got her and HE knows it. #WatchRom
But watch his hands. Just the way he moves over his beer then settles in. He's got her and HE knows it. #WatchRom
She asks, amused, where he's been after abandoning humanity.
He pulls his hands from the table. #WatchRom
He pulls his hands from the table. #WatchRom
She is hitting him with wit and sarcasm like jabs and fakes and he's just answering with straight facts.
lolol Opposites attract, y'all. #WatchRom
lolol Opposites attract, y'all. #WatchRom
"The entire process is complete in approximately 90 secs."
"Typical."
"I'm sorry?"
"A man creating life in under two minutes."
*Hands crossed over each other* "Oh, a sex joke."
Then...he taps the table with a few fingers. "That's funny."
"Thank you."
#WatchRom
"Typical."
"I'm sorry?"
"A man creating life in under two minutes."
*Hands crossed over each other* "Oh, a sex joke."
Then...he taps the table with a few fingers. "That's funny."
"Thank you."
#WatchRom
The banter becomes a volley. The banter volleys because will he gets her sarcasm now or will it keep going over his head?
BETTER YET, when will she get he's being serious?
#WatchRom
BETTER YET, when will she get he's being serious?
#WatchRom
Another aside, what makes this episode a masterclass is that damn near every question you've had lingering is answered.
It's exposition and it should work. It's the dumpiest of infodump.
#WatchRom
It's exposition and it should work. It's the dumpiest of infodump.
#WatchRom
*shouldn't
But it does bc the hero is being honest to a fault to her every question. He's being honest bc he's there to woe the woman he loves. #WatchRom
#SWOONBITCHES
#SWOONBITCHES
Again, his hands become more subdued when he talks about things that hurt.
And she's just poking away bc for *her* this is still a man in the bar trying to pick her up for a date.
And for her, this is interesting, intriguing nonetheless. #WatchRom
And she's just poking away bc for *her* this is still a man in the bar trying to pick her up for a date.
And for her, this is interesting, intriguing nonetheless. #WatchRom
What's being missed if you're not paying attention is that he's being vulnerable with her, as though he knows he can be. (In his case, he can.)
THIS is the foundation of romance. Those vulnerable moments. They are being packed in here, but they are happening. #WatchRom
THIS is the foundation of romance. Those vulnerable moments. They are being packed in here, but they are happening. #WatchRom
THIS is why I'm like you can deconstruct this episode to teach romance.
She lets him sit down bc he knows it's her parents's death anniversary.
She lets him stay bc he's being vulnerable. Even tho she's tired, tired. #WatchRom
She lets him sit down bc he knows it's her parents's death anniversary.
She lets him stay bc he's being vulnerable. Even tho she's tired, tired. #WatchRom
"In 1936, parents do not talk to their children about sex. There, in the darkness of a closet, I have no idea what I am seeing or hearing. But whatever these two are doing to each other, it is overwhelmingly joyful.
This is the first time I know love." #WatchRom
This is the first time I know love." #WatchRom
"What you witnessed was a good thing. A beautiful thing. We were creating life."
#WatchRom
We always want to know how, or even seed in how, a character's idea of love is formed. This is it. This is an important moment for the hero.
#WatchRom
We always want to know how, or even seed in how, a character's idea of love is formed. This is it. This is an important moment for the hero.
She doesn't believe it all. She believes he's telling her some of it. All wrapped in poetic, fanciful words. But she's impressed. Though it's clear she's this side of weird. #WatchRom
Oh. OH.
"If you went through all this trouble of creating Adam and Eve, why did you leave?"
"To me you."
"Come on, man."
#WatchRom
"If you went through all this trouble of creating Adam and Eve, why did you leave?"
"To me you."
"Come on, man."
#WatchRom
"I love you."
"We just met. When the fuck did you fall in love with me?"
There is a debate about a moment. What was the moment you fell in love with me?
Take note of this. #WatchRom
"We just met. When the fuck did you fall in love with me?"
There is a debate about a moment. What was the moment you fell in love with me?
Take note of this. #WatchRom
These beats are fast and furious.
And maybe I should explain what *I* think are beats.
Beats are smaller than turning points, but I still think of them as shifts. They are the shuffles instead of the long strides. #WatchRom
And maybe I should explain what *I* think are beats.
Beats are smaller than turning points, but I still think of them as shifts. They are the shuffles instead of the long strides. #WatchRom
Given we know she is married to him, at some point she goes from "I know why a random person would consider killing you" to "I will kill for you."
What are the little shifts to get her there? #WatchRom
What are the little shifts to get her there? #WatchRom
I'm not saying my definition is the only one. This is the way I understand them.
And actually, here's a book about romance beats: https://amzn.to/3jaGY6I
Anyway, if you ever wondered why a romance wasn't satisfying I would bet the farm ...
And actually, here's a book about romance beats: https://amzn.to/3jaGY6I
Anyway, if you ever wondered why a romance wasn't satisfying I would bet the farm ...
There are romance beats missing from it.
And the best example is always you haven't seen a movie in a while but you remember it being incredibly romantic. Then you rewatch it and are go WTF?
You have likely filled in the missing beats in your memory. #WatchRom
And the best example is always you haven't seen a movie in a while but you remember it being incredibly romantic. Then you rewatch it and are go WTF?
You have likely filled in the missing beats in your memory. #WatchRom
Since I'm at a natural commercial break in this thread: If you appreciate me breaking down this episode on Twitter, you can buy me a ko-fi: http://ko-fi.com/melissab
I currently have a goal to pay down my PG&E
I currently have a goal to pay down my PG&E
Back to the beats:
"I thought Dr. Manhattan glows?"
Him, sounding flirtatious and with his hands crossed but his fingers rub against each other. "I could if I wanted to."
#WatchRom
"I thought Dr. Manhattan glows?"
Him, sounding flirtatious and with his hands crossed but his fingers rub against each other. "I could if I wanted to."
#WatchRom
She tells him why they will never fall in love. #WatchRom
"Well, you know everything that's going to happen. Am I having dinner with you tomorrow night?"
Fingers, once again confident, he points to the side. "Yes."
#WatchRom
Like for real. This is next level hand porn.
Fingers, once again confident, he points to the side. "Yes."
#WatchRom
Like for real. This is next level hand porn.
And finally we are seeing the arc of the relationship.
Bc this show is different, she's showing him dead bodies. #WatchRom
Bc this show is different, she's showing him dead bodies. #WatchRom
Regina King is such an incredible actor. The simple way she walks over to the next body.
But this is a moment in the romance where I want what you want. I want you say what you need and if I can give it to you, I will.
#WatchRom
But this is a moment in the romance where I want what you want. I want you say what you need and if I can give it to you, I will.
#WatchRom
They are so soft in this new exploration, this exchange.
And it is such a stark thing while they stand in a morgue. #WatchRom
And it is such a stark thing while they stand in a morgue. #WatchRom
This is such a first date. Where do you see us going if it works out right?
This is also a moment when it's not a romance.
#WatchRom
This is also a moment when it's not a romance.
#WatchRom
"Your favorite song is about to play on the jukebox."
His finger lifts then he points. "Right now." #WatchRom
His finger lifts then he points. "Right now." #WatchRom
Her response, "I have never even heard this song before."
Fucking brilliant.
If you're going to write a romance btwn an Earthling and a man who created his own Adam and Eve, who doesn't know time, her favorite song when you first meet is something she's never heard. #WatchRom
Fucking brilliant.
If you're going to write a romance btwn an Earthling and a man who created his own Adam and Eve, who doesn't know time, her favorite song when you first meet is something she's never heard. #WatchRom
Like, y'all! Step up your fucking romance game. #WatchRom
I think what makes this such a good romance arc is that there's the fix point in the now story that's the touchstone. It's the bar. Then we're going forward.
She's fighting their HFN. They will get an HEA, dammit.
How many times has she bit her tongue? #WatchRom
She's fighting their HFN. They will get an HEA, dammit.
How many times has she bit her tongue? #WatchRom
How many times has he simply refused to lie to her and just give her honesty?
This, as much as fate has designed, is what stands in the way of their HEA.
#WatchRom
This, as much as fate has designed, is what stands in the way of their HEA.
#WatchRom
"I'm sorry."
"Do you need me to say it?"
His hands are clenched, holding his knees together. "Yes."
"Leave."
#WatchRom
"Do you need me to say it?"
His hands are clenched, holding his knees together. "Yes."
"Leave."
#WatchRom
It's not a romance but it so echoes a romance bc the fear, the biggest fear is that we are right about how things are going to go to shit.
The character won't trust, can't trust bc XYZ. #WatchRom
The character won't trust, can't trust bc XYZ. #WatchRom
We've hit the point where they take a romance break.
But *gestures to thread* they packed in a shitton before they wandered away. #WatchRom
But *gestures to thread* they packed in a shitton before they wandered away. #WatchRom
He visits the "friend" who tried to kill him.
"What's her name?"
"Angela."
"Love."
#WatchRom
The person in love, when they are serious, tells a friend.
"What's her name?"
"Angela."
"Love."
#WatchRom
The person in love, when they are serious, tells a friend.
"You laugh now."
Oh. Oh. This is so a beat. The character shows a part of themselves not even the people who know them have seen.
#WatchRom
Oh. Oh. This is so a beat. The character shows a part of themselves not even the people who know them have seen.
#WatchRom
The not so subtle getting of the engagement ring. Also, with the help of a friend. #WatchRom
Before she makes huge decisions, she talks to him about them. Her eyes so filled with love. So are his. He is trusting of her with this ring. #WatchRom
But this is so not the normal arc of romance.
Most important he's always loved her, but when is the moment he falls?
But this is so not the normal arc of romance.
Most important he's always loved her, but when is the moment he falls?
I will be honest. I don't know what the egg beer thing means. lol But we are back in the bar and he's back to trying to convince her to go out with him tomorrow night.
Her answer remains no even tho she is all in based on her actions. #WatchRom
Her answer remains no even tho she is all in based on her actions. #WatchRom
It really is the stark I'm just amusing myself by talking to you in the bar vs. I am so damn in love with you scenes that closes the arc. #WatchRom
The only other thing from here on out is the Moment.
The moment, he figures out he's in love with her. He's always loved her.
I won't spoil it. But it's the bookend and truly the end of the romance. #WatchRom
The moment, he figures out he's in love with her. He's always loved her.
I won't spoil it. But it's the bookend and truly the end of the romance. #WatchRom
So watch this epi. Re-watch it. Study it. The epi shows you how to write a romance.
And it's not even a romance.
Thank you for reading this thread. If you learned something you can buy me a ko-fi: http://ko-fi.com/melissab
And it's not even a romance.
Thank you for reading this thread. If you learned something you can buy me a ko-fi: http://ko-fi.com/melissab
