Barbie and Conflict Resolution - or Lack Thereof - SPOILERS!

I've seen an interesting critique of the Barbie movie, which is that there is no proper resolution to the conflicts brought up, but I feel that is the resolution to them.

Barbie chooses to go to the Real World. Barbie Land has now been touched by the Real World, and in the Real World things just happen and then end. Usually in less than fantastical ways and there usually isn't any proper conclusion to anything. Life just continues and goes on.

I think Barbie fits into this narrative, especially since the start of the series is fantastical. The ending, then, is just the more realistic narrative that life goes on, as do the struggles towards equality and equity.

I think you can also view it from the lens of how a child would approach this narrative. Barbie is a doll that is played with by children. The stories a child tells start and end abruptly, and usually with conclusions that may not make sense or may not be the most amazingly well written narrative climax.

So this approach to the ending and to the conflicts and resolutions work for me due to how this movie does blur the 4th wall like that and how it works within the idea of Barbie as a toy and the narrative that is told. Will that sit well with everyone? No, and I think that is okay too. I actually love all of the(good faith) dialogue that exists around the Barbie movie - critiques and all, because they all get me thinking and open up some great conversations.

About Good Omens 2: SPOILERS!

1. I liked it far more than Season 1. I liked Season 1 well enough to check out Season 2, but Season 2 is just 😍.

2. I feel like I am kinda stuck in the middle of everyone's takes on the relationship this season. I view them as queerplatonic, that is their relationship to me. I think that there were romantic aspects to their interactions this season, but that doesn't negate a queerplatonic reading. I also think they felt even more like a pair in an actual queerplatonic *relationship*, with the relationship (partnership) being the key element here, than in Season 1. This makes sense, since this season focuses much more clearly on them as a pair.

3. That being said, the kiss doesn't feel romantic to me. It feels desperate, but I think it is a desperation that stems from Crowley's desire to continue to have Aziraphale in his life. He craves the intimacy that they have and he tries to keep Aziraphale with him, because that's how it is suppose to work in the human romance movies. Big, dramatic kiss, vavoom, the other person stays and it all works out. Of course, it didn't quite work out that way.

4. I still think the kiss is steeped in Crowley's love for Aziraphale: which is based in romantic desire and a general desire for the intimacy and connection that they have with each other though, and I don't think that negates a queerplatonic reading of them.

5. I love how this season really hits home the fact that angels and demons don't understand humans. Aziraphale and Crowley understand them more than any other angel or demon, this is especially true for Crowley, but he is still a demon, and there is still a level of disconnect. Specifically in regards to romance and the way humans understand and express love, specifically romantic based feelings and emotions. I'm aroace and that is honestly a struggle for me too, and the parallels with Nina and Maggie illustrate how humans do struggle with these things too.

6. I don't get interpretations that they are still, some how, 'just friends,' that the series or ship is still, some how, 'queerbait,' (⁉) or any hate, etc. being thrown at the real life people involved with the series. Though I'm also not here for fans who push aside queerplatonic readings of them or don't leave space in the fandom for those interpretations or readings of them, especially since QPR dynamics can be so varied and diverse.

7. I likely won't be saying anything more on this. I made another, longer post, reiterating some of the above and talking about some other things (which I'll link to in the comments), but that's about it. I love the series, but I feel like the fandom is a bit too much for me, lol. I'll definitely engage in any discussions and the like. But I'm not here for anything messy.