Civil War Blog Catastro-Party - Day Five

I am so sorry my days aren't actually lining up. I had to help my brother finish moving out of his apartment, and blogging was put on the back burner. *sad face*

Thanks for hanging in there with me guys! I did say this Party would officially last till the end of May ... so if there are still people wanting to join, feel free!! You can even sneak into June if you ask very nicely 8-)

Day Five: FREE DAY!!!

Today I get to post about anything Civil War related that I want.

I decided to post to post a little bit about Tony Stark and his relationship with Steve.

Tony and Steve are basically polar opposites. Where Steve is humble and sincere, Tony is prideful and slap-dash. Where Steve tries to be open and honest with people, Tony aggressively hides all his true feelings under sarcasm and jokes. Where Steve takes things from a moral standpoint, Tony takes things at the necessity standpoint. Where Steve is old-fashion, Tony is all about improvement and change.

In fact, the only things that Tony and Steve actually agree on are:

A.) Saving and protecting people is extremely important

B.) You have to do the right thing, even when it's hard.


Even so, the characters have very different ways of going about these things.


Tony's protection is all about keeping chaos out and order in. He often confuses protection with restraint. He doesn't like people getting hurt, so he gets paranoid and over-reacts. I think if he had to he would lock people up to keep them safe, especially if he thought that was the only way to keep them safe. He will often jump to a course of action without thinking, and then regret it later. He wants to save people so badly. He wants to keep all the bad out of the world. No more death, no more war, just safety and harmony. I honestly think Tony tries too hard to protect everyone from everything.

"I see a suit of armor around the world."

Steve's protection is a little different from Tony's. Steve classifies safety and protection with freedom and loyalty. He fights so that people can be free from chains. He fights for the rights of civilians, he fights for justice and the right to choose your own fate. Where Tony sees armor, Steve sees prison bars, and I think that is their biggest difference. Steve faces everything on a very emotional, almost Christian level. (This would make sense, since we all know he at least believes in God.) His idea of safety isn't about law and restriction, it isn't even about gun power. It's about being that one voice that says "No," until hundreds of others join with you. Safety is about people feeling free and happy, safety is about knowing you have control. Steve wants to save people as much as Tony does, but Steve is more of a soldier then a saviour. He will protect people from harm, but he isn't going to violate their decisions, their beliefs, or their freedom. Where Steve pulls someone from the water, Tony would go one step father and buy a life jacket for that person to wear as long as needed. Where Steve would pull civilians from a town full of explosives, Tony would try and make them all leave for good.

"This isn't freedom. This is fear."

From the beginning, Tony and Steve didn't get along. Tony saw a man that was way too good to be true. Steve saw a man who didn't care about anything but fame. The two clashed instantly. They didn't like each other. If you've ever been around someone that is just so good it seems fake, then you have an idea of what Tony saw in Steve right at first. And if you've ever been stuck in a room with a man who thinks he is the bees knees, you know what Steve thought Tony was too. It was like trying to force day and night to co-exist when they only thing they have in common is a ball of light that hangs in their sky. Even the source of the light differs from one to the next!

I like how Tony and Steve have progressed. It took them some time, but they both realized that first impressions aren't always right impressions. Tony saw Steve take a risk and dig into SHIELD to confirm if Fury was really being upfront. He saw that Steve wasn't just a soldier blindly following orders, but a leader and a warrior, ready to color outside the lines if needed. That spark of rebellion was what made Tony see Steve in a different sort of light. He started to see the good man inside the perfect model, a man that kept getting more and more clear during the battle of New York. In like manner, the impact Colson's death had on Tony also changed what Steve thought of him too, as did his stunt with the nuclear warhead and the wormhole in space. He realized how brave Tony really was. He saw he had been wrong. Tony proved he was ready to die to save everyone. - "Big man in a suit of armor, take that away and what are you?..." - A hero. He was still a hero. Both Tony and Steve saw that at the end of the day they wanted the same thing; to protect people from harm. I think it was that battle in New York that gave them the bond that would grow as they continued to work together. The fought side by side in a battle for humanity. They had each other's backs, they put their lives on the line together, and in so doing, they gained a certain respect and admiration for each other.

"There are really only two relationship's in Tony's life in which he is willing to assume a lower status. One's with Pepper, obviously, equal footing, and the other is with Cap." - Robert Downey Jr.

I love how Marvel has built and built on Steve and Tony's friendship. In Age of Ultron, Tony's reason for creating Ultron to keep the world safe was because he saw a vision of all the avengers, his FRIENDS, dead. Dead because of him. And who is just conscious enough to ask why he didn't do more? Steve.

The Avengers died... and it was his fault. Steve died, and it was his fault. The world burned, and Captain America blamed him. The vision as a whole had a huge impact on Tony, but I think the fact that Steve was the one still awake, Steve was the one he had to watch die, says a lot about the impact Captain Rogers had had on his life. I mean, Steve is a war hero and a soldier. He is also a man willing to die to save Tony. That makes him a little like Yinsen. A lot of his traits are like Yinsen's too, now that I think about it....

Obviously Steve's opinion matters a lot to Tony, probably a lot more than Steve realizes. It's amazing that someone he was so against in The Avengers, is now someone he can't bear to lose. Steve has come to mean so much to him, that the idea of dissapointing him, of losing him, breaks him. It is a funny thing that two people who were so staunchly opposite, are now more like two sides of the same coin.

I don't want you gone.

The beauty of Tony and Steve's friendship is that it shouldn't work but it does. It also is a interesting fact that they were both very alone, yet somehow brought together through the Avengers and the need to keep people safe. The Avengers was a kind of safe haven for both of them. Steve, who was thrown into a new world he barely understood, finally had a reason for being alive, he suddenly had purpose. Tony, who had spent so much of his life alone, suddenly had people who would have his back and fight with him, and both of them needed the Avengers so badly.

I cannot express how important this brother story is. Tony, the modernist, the  man constantly pushing for the next big change, for improvement and evolution. Steve, who holds on to the old world, the old values, who thinks tradition has a very important place in society. Two men who have such clashing views, who gradually come to see each other's values and the heart behind the suit. They are so different and so similar. They are both reckless, they both hold themselves accountable for every accident that happens on their watch. They both want to help make the world a better place. They want to save people. They care so much, and they fight so hard. They will give up everything for the ones they love.

"For as long as I can remember I just wanted to do what was right."

"I just finally know what I have to do. And I know, in my heart ,that it's right."

This brings me to the issue of family, and what it means in Tony's life.


As far as I can tell, Tony is in fact, very lonely. As Yinsen said in the first Iron Man, "You are a man with everything and nothing." At the start he had no family and very few friends. He also appears to have trust issues and a serious problem opening up to people.

Yeah?

Let's do a quick study on Tony's relationships so far.

First, there were his parents. Tony obviously loved his Mom, but he and his Dad were not close, to say the least. He describes Howard as "Cold and distant," and apparently, Howard never even said "I love you." (I wish Marvel would explain what happened to Howard, cause that doesn't sound like the Howard that Steve knew...) He lost both parents in a devastating car accident, leaving him with a suitcase full of regret, especially because he hadn't reconciled with his dad.

After this, there were three people Tony relied on. Rhodey, Pepper and Obediah.

Obediah had him captured and tortured, and later betrayed him again. He almost got Pepper killed, and he darn near almost killed Tony as well. He lied and used Tony for years. He was his father-figure and he turned on him. He said that he hated Tony, Tony was a burden, Tony was worthless. Tony was forced to kill him.

Then we have Pepper. Pepper, who he loves more than anything else. Pepper, who has stuck with him through the thick and the thin, but now apparently is gone? They are taking a break?? WHAT? What happened??

Rhodey has been there for Tony, even when Tony didn't really deserve it. He did have a few times where he had to go behind Tony's back to do what he thought was right, like in the second Iron Man, but in the end he always ends up on his friend's side.

Finally, we have the Avengers. Tony has never had so many friends, and they were more than just friends. They were his family. He trusted all of them with his life, he built a home around them, he became the big brother they all needed. All he wanted to do was keep everyone safe, keep his family safe.  He feels responsible for them because he is the reason they are even a thing. That's why he was so desperate to keep the Avengers together in Civil War. He didn't want to lose his family, and he definitely didn't want to put his friendship with Steve at risk. They were the building blocks of the Avengers team, the brains and the glue. Without Steve the whole thing threatened to collapse.

"Sometimes I want to punch you in your perfect teeth. But I don't want you gone. We need you, Cap."

Tony wanted to fix the problem. Throughout CACW, he tried to call a truce several times, tried to get Cap to back down, tried to keep him and his friends out of prison. He seemed willing to compromise if Steve would just talk with him. And when Tony saw that he was wrong about Bucky, he sneaks out to help Steve and try, once again, to mend fences. He comes as a friend, waving a white flag.

Tony was even willing to give Bucky a chance... until he sees the horrific footage of the Winter Soldier brutally murdering his parents.

All this time Tony has thought Howard and Maria died in an accident. It is clear he has regret and grief over it, it is continually brought up through all the Iron Man films, and some of the Avenger films. Now he sees that it wasn't an accident. They were murdered. There was a reason Tony had lost them, and that reason was the Winter Soldier, standing just a few feet away. Further more, Steve had known and never said anything! All the grief, the rage, the regret, the pain, it just came blowing up inside of him. Imagine if you saw your parents killed by your friend's old war buddy?? I dare you to keep a cool head after you see your father's face bashed in and your mother choked where she sat! Tony lost control, he got emotional and he went after the target.

Steve was desperate to protect Bucky. He gets in Tony's way, and the two of them have a giant fight. They were both very emotionally vulnerable. Steve had only just got Bucky back. For him it was only a few years since Bucky and the train, and his grief, his pain, and his fear of losing his friend again, was still open and raw. Tony had just seen his parents killed in a horrible way, and his own grief and pain emerged with a vengeance. He had never really faced it, and now it suffocated him. He lashes out.

"He's my friend!"

"So Was I."

This line makes me so sad. The trailer made it look like Tony was hurt and he still wanted Steve for a friend, but Steve had turned his back on him. In reality, "So Was I" was like Tony cutting Steve off. It was a harsh past tense; "We were friends, and you stabbed me in the back!" It was harsh and vulnerable and full of anger. It wasn't regret, it wasn't Tony wanting to mend fences and Steve was too stubborn. It was Tony breaking the ties between them. It was so depressing!!! Steve Rogers, the man Tony had slowly opened up to and grown close to, the man who has put such a huge emphasis on honesty and sharing information with your friends, had lied to him. Tony felt horribly betrayed.

They fight, and the more Steve tries to stop Tony, the angrier and more hurt Tony gets. He tells Steve to stand down... but of course, he doesn't.

The fight escalates until Steve has the upper-hand and literally beats Tony into the ground,  then drives his shield in Tony's arc reactor, immobilizing him.  Steve then helps Bucky to his feet. As he turns to leave, Tony yells at him that he doesn't deserve his shield... and Steve drops it.  He carries Bucky away from danger, leaving Tony alone.

Once the dust settled, I think both Steve and Tony realized they had gone too far. Steve sends Tony and apology letter, and tells him if ever needs anything, Steve will be there for him. It doesn't fix everything, and it doesn't change that Tony still feels very hurt and betrayed, but I think it went a long way to helping Tony feel a little less lost. It was step one of building back what they had lost. It left the door open for healing and starting over, and I completely trust Marvel to fix them. They both care for each other very much. Neither of them actually wanted to fight. Both regret what happened. They are brothers, if rather broken, betrayed brothers, and I truly believe they can come back from this. Deep down, they are still friends, and that will never change. If Steve needed help, Tony would be there in an instance and vise versa. They were both idiots. They were both stupid. They were both right and wrong, and they both did things they shouldn't have.

They're friends who ended up on opposites sides of the war.

Ultimately they want the same thing. They just have very different ways of going about it.

I think Tony and Steve have a complicated and amazing relationship. I think they will eventually recover from what happened, and their friendship will emerge even stronger than before. They are meant to fight side by side, and in the end they will always end up together.

Steve and Tony are precious human being's that deserve all the happiness in the world. Pass it on.

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella

Civil War Blog Catastro-Party - I know I'm late.

My best friend had her birthday this weekend, so I went to her house and we had a sleep-over with chocolate and tea. I had no time to blog, we were having too much fun. I think that is a reasonable excuse.

DAY FOUR: Today I am supposed to pick a character from the opposing team and discuss or defend him.

Okay. I was really, really tempted to rant about Bucky for twenty minutes straight, but I decided against that, since it will turn into a "BUCKY AND STEVE" post.

I decided to discuss Steve Rogers. This was his movie and I figure it's high time I let everyone know how much I love and respect this character.

Unlike most fans, I have loved Steve since Captain America: The First Avenger. Cap didn't have that big of a fan-base in the beginning. He had fans, sure, but a lot of people just thought he was boring and too good. They preferred Iron Man, Hawkeye, Black Widow, even Loki, over Steve. I was on this tiny island with a small group of supporters, waving my flag  like, "Yaaaaaaay, Steve!"

Of course, after Captain America: The Winter Soldier came out, Cap's popularity spiked drastically, and I am sure it was because of Bucky. I watched a ton of fans suddenly fall in love with him, and I sat in my corner like, "I was here way before all you all!"

There are still plenty of people who don't like Cap, and it makes me really sad. I love everything about Steve. I love that he was the adorable scrawny kid who wanted to fight for his country. I loved that he stood up for the little guy. I love that he always tries to do the right thing, even when its hard. I love that he is a decent guy with good morals and a good heart. I love that he believes in God.

"You just don't know when to give up do you?"

I love how adorable and awkward Steve is. Even though he is this big, well-known superhero, a massive part of him is still just that kid from Brooklyn who never really knew what he was doing. He is nervous and babbly around girls. He is goofy and unsure, even around his friends. He doesn't always know what to say or how to say it, and I don't think he even knows how he got to be 'Captain America,' The world's greatest hero. He basically just ran around blowing stuff up and getting these crazy ideas, hoping they would work. The biggest reason he succeeded at everything he did was because he was so young and reckless.... he didn't think before he acted, he was just like, "This dangerous thing, let's do it!!" (I actually think this is the main reason we won WWII. There was bunch of young American boys acting crazy and taking stupid risks.)

Steve is really stubborn, which is as much something I love about him as it is something I hate about him. He has serious trouble changing his opinion, and he sticks to his beliefs no matter what people say. This can either be a really good thing, or a really bad thing. The problem is, he doesn't leave much room for compromise. Once he sets his mind to a thing, he doesn't easily back down. This means he stands his ground when you need it the most... and sometimes he won't back down, even when he should.

"For as long as I can remember I just wanted to do what was right."

Steve comes at everything from a moral stand point which is something I greatly appreciate. Where Tony usually has to work to the moral high ground, Steve starts there. Where Tony is always growing to be the best person, Steve starts at the best he can be. He was a WWII soldier, which is not only amazing, but it also means he is a fighter through and through. He is incredibly brave, strong and determined. He is the protector, and he never hesitates to put his life on the line for others. Despite the fact that he is famous and often showered with praise, Steve is humble, honest, gentle and grounded.

The only thing that is slightly bothering about Steve, is that he is so adamant about following laws and orders, but when it comes to him and what he thinks is right, he will actively step outside the law to do his thing. For example, in the Avengers Tony is hacking into SHIELD's files because he doesn't trust them and he wants to be sure they're being upfront. Steve kind of berates Tony, telling him that they have orders and should follow them, but literally fifteen minutes later he is sneaking around the SHIELD base, investigating. He is literally doing the exact same thing he just finished telling Tony not to do.

Now, most of the time this side of Steve comes out when Bucky is brought into the equation. Whenever his best friend is hurt or in danger, all of Steve's perspective and cool-headed leadership flies out the window. In the Captain America: The First Avenger, he sneaks into a highly secure HYDRA base (against all orders and conversation to do otherwise) and punches his way through security to save his best friend. Sure, he saves a couple hundred other POW's in the process, but his whole reason for flying behind enemy lines and putting himself in terrible danger was because Bucky Barnes was in trouble. At the end of the movie, after Steve thinks Bucky is dead, his temper fires up again. He is ready to take down every HYDRA soldier himself if needed, and he doesn't plan to stop until they are all either dead or captured. His normal, steady self is completely lost because HYDRA hurt Bucky, HYDRA killed Bucky, therefore HYDRA must die.

THIS IS NOT MINE.

In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Steve is forced to work outside the law because let's face it, SHIELD was being retarded. Planes in the sky pinning down thousands of targets, set to kill? Really? Yeah, Steve. Stand up to those people!! I totally agreed with him on trying to stop all that from happening! However, once Steve realized Bucky was the Winter Soldier, he lost it. He was like, "Okay, SHIELD goes down, everything goes down, I am going to kill EVERYONE. You hurt my Bucky, no one gets to do that!!"

Once again with Bucky. I love Steve in that movie, I agree with Steve, I totally would have been there helping him every step of the way. But no one can argue that he was rather insane after he found out what happened to Bucky.

"Even when I had nothing, I had Bucky."

This brings me to Captain America: Civil War.  I honestly think that if Bucky had not been involved, Steve would have been far more willing to compromise and sign the accords. He wouldn't have liked it, he wouldn't have agreed with it, but I think he would have seen why it was necessary. His reluctance was understandable. No one wants the government telling them who they can and can't save.... especially when you are a superhero and you know you are capable of helping tons of people. It wasn't just that though. Steve didn't want to give up Bucky. If he signed the accords, the government got to decide what happened to his best friend and he couldn't let that happen. When Tony assured him Bucky would get medical and mental help instead of Prison time, Steve almost signed. Then he found out Wanda was already on house arrest because she was 'dangerous' and he flipped out again, like, "No, not Wanda!... That's it! I WILL NOT LET BUCKY BE LOCKED UP."

Steve was way more violent in Civil War. He was quicker to hit and blow things up, quicker to kill, quicker to break the law and put himself in danger. I think if Bucky had had a say in all of this before Steve landed them in a huge bowl of trouble, he might have actually landed on Tony's side. Bucky knows he is dangerous - he was in hiding because of it. At the end of the movie he even went back into Cryo willingly because he couldn't trust himself. So I think he would have agreed to a mental hospital and getting help if Steve had bothered to explain Tony's plan to him instead of dragging him out of every danger like a protective brother bear. (I love that they're bros! It makes me happy!! But Steeeeeeeve. Stahp.) This is why I was slightly more with Tony. He was a bit less wild. He was trying to keep everyone safe, and he tried (Repeatedly) to call a truce and stop the fight. It was Steve who wouldn't back down.

This in itself is actually a good quality as well. For Steve, friendship is obviously the most important thing, and that is incredible, I love that. I just think he went a bit too far.

Steve has all the qualities you would want in a friend, as well as a man. He is the sort of man I can see myself going out with. I think he is a good role model for all young men right now, especially boys entering their teen years. He can be a great influence in our society, just as Peggy can be a great influence on girls all over the world. (I might go into more detail with this in a later post. Peggy is so important.) I think it's really important that these sorts of characters exist, characters who are so good, and so decent.... it shows that there is more to life than just shallow opinions. You have to find something you are willing to die for and live for it every single stupid day. Morality is important. God is everything. A good heart in a horrible world isn't something to be ashamed of. These are all things that people need to be reminded of, and I think Steve is one of the best reminders so far. He makes mistakes, and he can be an idiot, but he is always doing what he believes to be right, and as far as his moral compass goes, he is definitely on the right path. I hope that people will see his movies and find the courage to be like him. It would do society a world of good.

Steve Rogers.

Do you adore Steve as much as I do?

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella

Civil War Blog Catastro-Party - Day Four - Postponed.

I'm going to do my next Blog Party post tomorrow. My best friend had her birthday this weekend, so I went to her house and we had a sleep-over with chocolate and tea. I had no time to blog, we were having too much fun. I think that is a reasonable excuse.

I'll be back tomorrow!!! There is a reason I gave myself all of May to finish. 8-)

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella

Civil War Blog Catastro-Party - Day Three

Day Three: Pick One supporting character from your team and talk about him.

"How was the Fun-V?"

James Rhodes // (Rhodey)

*Warning: This might turn into a "CW STIRRED UP ALL MY TONY & RHODEY FEELS"  fangirl post.

Why did I choose this particular character? Well, I've always liked Rhodey, especially when it comes to his relationship with Tony. But it has come to my attention that Rhodey get's Rhodey-hate and/or Rhodey-dislike

GUYS. Why??? What exactly is wrong with this character??

Rhodey is faithful, honest, gentle and calm. He's the sort of guy you would feel safe around, the sort that would be easy to befriend. He's a military man, which in itself is super freaking cool. He doesn't hesitate to put his life on the line to help his friends, and he is ready to defend what is right at all costs. He actually reminds me a lot of Sam (aka, The Falcon.) He has the strength of character and the ability to survive just about anything. He is basically the flip of Tony. Where Tony is spurratic, Rhodey is collected. Where Tony is irrational, Rhode is reasonable. He is a soldier, a fighter, and a friend. I like how he has progressed over the films, and I honestly wish we'd get a little more of him and his relationship with Tony than we have so far. 

I feel that we owe Rhodey a lot, because he was the only person besides Pepper who loved Tony when Tony wasn't very loveable. He was Tony's friend before Tony had his great character arc, back when he was still a playboy, a prig, and a huge brat. He was there for Tony, he believed in him, and he saw the best in him, even when Tony gave him every reason not to. He's always seen the good man behind the mask of arrogance, the potential and the heart behind all that attitude. He saw all of Tony. Not just his persona and fame, but all of him.

"You can be more, and you just don't see it." -James Rhode, IM1

I've always wondered how long Tony and Rhodey knew each other. I know they must have met at least a few years before the first Iron Man took place. I wonder if he stepped in after Howard's death, maybe as Tony's personal body guard? Whatever the length, it is clear at the start of Iron Man 1, that Tony and Rhodey are very close. Rhodey is very protective of Tony. He looks out for him and he takes a lot of heat for Tony's mistakes. He is constantly lying for him, covering for him and basically being a barrier between the law and Tony's disregard for the law. 

He is obviously comfortable around Tony. He isn't afraid to stand up to him and call him out on his bad behaviour. Of course most of the time Tony doesn't seem to care, but I think Rhodey is one of the few people whose opinion actually matters to him. He knows that at the end of the day, Rhodey has his back, so he takes the criticism lightly, knowing Rhodey isn't going anywhere. At the beginning, he sort of takes it for granted that Rhodey is always going to be there for him.

I know some fans seem to think Rhodey disregards a lot of Tony's problems and he is 'too hard' on him. They also think he takes orders over friendship. Well... I respectfully disagree.

Bros!

In the first Iron Man, Rhodey spends months looking for Tony after his capture. For all he knew his best friend was dead, but he never gave up on him. Did he think Tony was crazy for shutting down the weapons manufacturing? Yes, but everyone did! That was the biggest way Tony made his money, and a ton of people relied on his weapons, including the American Government. That being said, he didn't fight Tony on the issue. He let it slide, he told Tony to rest. He probably thought he had severe trauma and needed time to see things in a better light. Once Tony chose that path, however, he didn't make him feel stupid for it. Instead he calmly tried to keep an eye on Tony and make sure he didn't do anything stupid, like flying into a hot-zone and almost getting killed. In the end, he even supported him in his decision.

For the majority of the second Iron Man, Rhodey is standing up for Tony, sticking his neck out for Tony, and defending Tony. He is also genuinely worried about his condition with the arc reactor, and he tells Tony he doesn't have to fight this all alone. He doesn't have to go up against the bad guys alone, he doesn't need to deal with the fact that he's dying alone, he doesn't need to struggle with all this crap alone. Rhodey lets Tony know he is there for him, and he can come to him. Of course, Tony brushes him off... he always does. He also brushes of Rhodey's warning that the government wants to take all his suits, and if he doesn't do something to prove himself they are going to do just that. Then, not much later, Rhodey witnesses a very drunk Tony Stark making an oaf of himself, and he gets angry. They fight, Tony acts like an immature idiot, and Rhodey takes one of his suits. He delivers it to his superior officers.

Was he wrong? I think so, yeah. But he was under a lot of pressure to stop the crazy killer who was running around with Stark's technology, and the guy he had been defending had just shown him he was in no position to act like a responsible adult. You have to think of Rhodey's position. Tony was acting out a lot in that movie. He was dying and that meant he was taking stupid risks, doing stupid things, and being even more of a twerp than usual. He wouldn't listen to his friend and he wouldn't give him any concrete way to keep him out of trouble. Rhodey delivered one suit because otherwise the government was going to crash in and take all of them, and he didn't want that. He did what he had to do, not what he wanted to do. You can tell he doesn't like the situation, he is mad at himself, he's mad at Tony, and he is just done with everything. At the end of the movie, when Rhodey's suit is hacked and he is set on Tony, he spends the entire time warning him and trying to keep him safe. Once he gets control back, you can tell he is really sorry for what he's done, and he teams up with Tony to take down the weirdo killer.

"No, it's your fault, I just want to say I'm sorry!"

"Thank you. That's all I wanted to hear, partner."

In the third Iron Man it is clear he's worried about Tony and the fact he hasn't been sleeping. Tony won't address the situation, but you can tell Rhodey knows something is very wrong. He spends that whole movie feeding Stark Intel he isn't supposed to have, covering for him, and just being there for him. Also, there is his dopey smile when he realizes Tony is alive....

In fact the only time Rhodey actually gets mad at Tony, is if Tony is putting himself in danger, or if he is being so much less than he can be. Rhodey keeps Tony in line, but not in a bad way. I honestly think Tony needs that sort of person in his life, the kind that will stick with him through thick and thin, but is willing to put him in his place and knock sense into him when needed.

I'm not sure why Rhodey would get hate. He is numbered among the avengers now. He has done his fair share of protecting and serving. He is kind, generous, and honestly one of the best people you could meet. He's a very loyal and strong character. He takes things in stride, he does the right thing, he pulls all sorts of strings to help his friends, and he is an incredible brave person. I wish we had more of him.

Rhodey was the first friend Tony ever had. He was there when his parents died, when Jarvis died. He was found him when terrorists captured him, and he brought him home. He doesn't care that Tony pokes fun at him and calls him names. He laughs at his dumb jokes, even at a Senate committee hearing.

Rhodey’s was there when Obediah betrayed Tony. He was there for him when he thought he was dying. There for him after Ultron. He stood beside him, through all his dumb mistakes, all his stupid plans, because he cares so much about his friend, and he just wants him safe, and happy... And you can bet he was there through the Pepper break-up. He is sure as heck still there after it! He has always had Tony's back, and he always will!!

GUYS!

Seriously, Rhodey is always there, for Tony, for Pepper, for everyone!

I think Civil War hit me hard with Rhodey feels, cause I realized he is precious and needs protecting...

I LOVE JAMES RHODES OKAY?

That's all.


So. What do you think?

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella

Civil War Blog Catastro-Party Day Two!

Day Two: TAG!!!!  (Use the Tag for your team. It can be found HERE.)

When it comes right down to it, I am still #Teambros. So I am doing both tags because why not? It's my freaking Blog Party.

Team Iron Man:

1. What is your favorite Iron Man movie?

My favorite Iron Man movie is the first one. I love his character arc in that one. He's all sad and desperate to redeem himself... it make me sad for him. 

Little Twerp.

That being said, I really liked the third one too. I liked how it proved (once again) that Tony doesn't need his suits or technology to be a genius, and his electronics aren't what make him a hero. He is just as heroic, in fact even more so, without them. I also really liked how Tony was struggling with anxiety, guilt and fear in that one - again, with a solid character arc. He has a character arc in every movie! People wonder why I love this Avenger so much?? CAUSE HE IS ALWAYS GROWING AND GETTING BETTER.

2. When did you decide you loved Iron Man?

That bit in the first Iron Man movie when he is captured by the bad guys, and they tell he has to make a missile, and he says "I refuse." And he doesn't give in, even after they torture him!

3. Do you tend to agree with Iron Man's thinking/logic?

No. Tony always has the best intentions and I applaud him for that. He just wants to help people and keep everyone safe. But his thinking is often flawed. It makes me really nervous, to be honest. 

Tony Stark.

The thing is, Tony always tries to do the right thing. It just blows up in his face a lot.

4.) What is one thing about Tony that drives you insane?

His stupidity. Tony is a "My Way, No High Way," sort of guy. Even if something is dangerous and stupid, Tony is all, "I have to do this!" He is an idiot. In real life all his joking around to cover up pain would seriously drive me crazy, just because I would want to help him and he would just laugh stuff off. 

5.) Do you think you'd like Tony In real life?

Yeah, I think I would like Tony. We would have lots of differences in opinion, and I think a lot about Tony would make me a little crazy. But he's a nut, so I think I'd be his friend.

6.) Do you think you'd get along with Pepper Pots? What about Rhodey?

I'd get along with both of them. They're nice people. We could swap stories about the stupid things Tony does. It would be great.

7.) Would you like to live in Stark Tower?

I don't think so. It's a little too big and technical.

8.) Would you want to try out/own any of Iron Man's robots or fancy little gadgets?

Yeah I'd like to play with them... but robotics freak me out so I wouldn't want one to keep unless it was really simple. 

9.) What is your favorite Iron Man quote?

"I'm not crazy Pepper. I just finally know what I have to do. And I know in my heart, that its right."

"I saw young Americans killed by the very weapons I created to defend them and protect them."

Aaaaaaaw, little broken man! You're awesome, you know that right? *Aggressively hugs Tony Stark*

10.) If Tony as he is now volunteered to take you to dinner and a movie, would you accept his invitation? Not a date, just a night out cause he knows you are soooooo stressed.

Ehe. Uhm. I don't know. He would have to promise me no getting drunk. I think he would make me nervous, one on one like that. If it was me and a few of my sisters, sure. If it was just me... I don't know. I would like to say "I HAD DINNER WITH TONY STARK!" But it would make me really nervous. So yeah, probably not. 


Team Captain America:


1.) What is your favorite Captain America movie?

This was a close call... they are all kind of tied in my love for them.

I think it's Captain America: The First Avenger

Pretty much everything about that movie is awesome. Steve's growth, the plot, the grumpy General, Peggy, Bucky, the Howling Comandoes... I just really love that whole movie. It's one I can watch again and again and not get tired of it. 

Steve Rogers is still just a little boy that gets excited over shields. Pass it on.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a close second. That. Movie. *DIES*

2.) When did you decide you loved Captain America?

Uhm. From the very beginning?? Duh!

"Just give me a chance."

AAAAAAAAaaaw cute little scrawny kid, you're adorable!!!

3.) Do you tend to agree with Steve's thinking/logic?

Yeah. Steve is more old-fashioned. He is decent, honest and truthful. He has good morals and he sees the world more like I see it. We both believe in God, and we both think the government is way too insane. 

"SHIELD takes the world as is, not as we wish it to be, and it's time you got with that program, Captain."

"Don't hold your breath."

4.) What is one thing about Steve that drives you insane?

Steve is really stubborn, and usually I like that about him, but in Captain America: Civil War he should have taken ten minutes and tried to compromise. Cause that was annoying.

5.) What is your favorite Steve scene?

That whole scene when he is on the bridge with Bucky in CAWS. That was the bravest, stupidest thing Steve has ever done and I love him for it.

6.)  What is something about Steve that you really admire?

His determination to stand up for what's right when no one else will, and his courage to fight when the fight seems impossible to win, or when everyone else is telling him to stand down. 

7.) Do you think you would like Steve in real life?

Absolutely. He's a bit quiet, but I think we'd get along just fine.

8.) What do you think of Steve's motorcycle, and would you want a ride on it?

I LOVE HIS MOTORCYCLE AND YES I WANT TO RIDE IT!!!!

9.) What was an iconic "STEVE FREAKIN' ROGERS" moment for you?

I have lots. I love the scene in CAWS when Steve is in the elevator with all those people and he totally fights them off like a boss and then leaps out a (ten? Fifteen??) story window. I love the scene in CAFA, when he saves like, 200 POW's from the creepy HYDRA base. 

Probably the most iconic moment is when scrawny little Steve jumps on the grenade to save everybody, because I think that embodies who Steve is as a person. Always thinking of others before himself. Always willing to risk his life to keep everyone safe. 

10.) If Steve asked you on a date, would you accept?

Yes.

Alrighty! That's it for today!!!! Your thoughts??

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella

One, Two, Three, Four, I declare a Civil War!

Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Try to Keep Your Friends Safe.

It's Day One of the Blog Catastro-party.

In case you didn't know about this whole thing, the Rules and Themes are HERE. Knock yourselves out guys. THIS WILL BE FUN! 8-)

Day One: Pick a Side! 

"I'm doing what has to be done to save us from something worse."

I'm sort of Team Iron Man. Kind of. I didn't agree with him but... it's complicated.


I knew this would be hard but I didn't realize it would be darn near impossible once I saw the movie! Tony and Steve have always been tied for my Favorite Avenger, so picking one side over the other is like choosing one friend over the other. So not cool! I have been hardcore #teamgetalong since I found out that they would be fighting. However, for the sake of this party, I need to pick the side I most agree with.

But they were both equally right and wrong... and.... this was really hard!

After very deep thought and a conversation with a couple of my sisters, I have come to a sort of decision. This wasn't easy for me!! These are my boys and they're fighting and I have to choose between them?? WHY DID I DO THIS?? I have extremely mixed emotions!!! *headdesk*

HOW DO I CHOOSE?????????

The thing is, I don't completely agree with either Tony or Steve. 

Mhm.

Hear me out guys.

At the beginning of the Captain America: Civil War I was definitely more on Steve's side.  I wouldn't want to sign over my rights to the government anymore than he did. I don't like the government having that much control over my life, and if I was a superhero capable of helping people and making the world safer, I wouldn't want the government telling me to stay away when a bad situation arose. I wouldn't want to stand back and watch innocent lives get lost; not when I could help.  I also wouldn't want the government controlling who I fought. What if they sent me somewhere I didn't want to be sent? What if I had to bring in someone and I didn't feel it was just? No. I hate the idea of the government having that much say in what I do. Yes, Cap! Freedom of choice is important!! So important! I want to defend and protect, I don't want to wait for the stupid order! What if the bad guys are right there but I can't shoot or do anything to bring them in because the moronic government won't give me the green light? What if there is hostages or victims that need help but my hands are tied?? No! That sounds way too risky!!

"If I see a situation pointed South, I can't ignore it." -Steve Rogers.

Amen, Captain Rogers!

However.

Tony had a valid point. The government found the Avengers dangerous and reckless. They have no one to answer to, and Captain America was continually going into hot fight zones and what not, crossing into other countries and taking on battles where it really wasn't his right. His fights often caused accidents and serious repercussions. Buildings were blown up, lives were lost.... An American causing things like that could actually cause huge problems between countries, maybe even a war. The Government was ready and willing to stop the Avengers from doing more 'harm' - even if it meant locking them up in special prisons, forcing them into early retirement. The last thing Tony wanted was for all the Avengers to get torn apart and unable to do anything at all. They needed boundaries, but they also needed space to do their jobs. He felt they needed someone to answer to, and I think he was right to a point. Do I think the government should have complete control over what the Avengers do? No. But I do think there should be some sort of rule set up that the Avengers have to follow. They can get unpredictable... especially when it comes to their friends and family.

I honestly think I would be more with Natasha. I don't entirely agree with Tony, but her  idea to "Win Trust Back" and negotiate terms with the government so they could keep doing what they were doing without being fugitives was actually a really good point. There was no reason for the Avengers to be criminals. Who could they help if they were continually on the run from the law? Who could they help if they were behind bars? If there was a way to still do what they do but have the government on their side, it would be better for everyone.

"If we can't accept limitations, we're no better than the bad guys." -Tony Stark.

Tony also seemed very willing to negotiate the terms and try to make it so the Avengers could continue being the Avengers.  I honestly think he wanted to make sure whatever they agreed to wouldn't compromise their ability to protect people; maybe they could be like a special Task Force or whatever. I think his idea was that, if cops, marines, the navy seals, and even freaking soldiers in WW2 had to follow orders and rules, the Avengers should too. No higher power means  a lot of spur of the moment decisions and therefore too much room for mistakes

"This job... we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everyone." -Steve Rodgers.

In a war there is always casualties. Like Steve says, "You can't save everyone. But you can try." I think the government was wrong in making the Avengers the problems. Besides Ultron, none of the battles or catastrophes were actually their fault. They were just caught in the middle because they were trying to stop the bad guys. If they hadn't been there, everything would have been lost. They saved lives; they saved the world.  However, for some reason known only to themselves, the government decided this was all the hero's fault and unless they gave a show of good faith, they would be criminals. I'm not going to try and understand the politics of all this. Way too complicated. Maybe they had a bit of a point, but whatever the reasons, the Avengers do a lot more good then bad. So whatever happened with the government and signing shouldn't interfere with them going out and doing what has to be done.

Steve was right about needing freedom and as I said, at the beginning I was way more on his side because government = fishy. However, he went a bit insane. Once Bucky got involved, Steve's only goal was to get his friend safe.  It wasn't even about the Avengers signing over anymore. It was about Bucky not being a bad guy. Don't get me wrong, I loved that too! Yaaaas!!! Steve & Bucky!!! But I think if Bucky hadn't been involved Steve would have been more willing to sign. He just didn't want the government telling him to stand down. So instead of acting like a rational human and trying some sort of compromise, he ran around blowing things up, breaking the law and stubbornly refusing to listen to anyone who disagreed with him. This resulted in the government locking up all the Avengers that had sided with him, and gearing up to kill Bucky, and bring Steve in.

"I'm trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart." -Tony Stark.

At this point, Tony just wanted everyone safe. He even wanted to make sure Bucky wasn't badly treated or sent to prison. The poor guy was caught between a rock and a hard place. If someone didn't back down on something, all of the Avengers would be criminals and the government would put them in lock down. Maybe this seems impossible, but the Avengers have been brought in before. In CAWS, Steve, Natasha and Sam are all taken into custody. In Thor, God of Thunder, Thor is captured. In Iron Man 3, Tony is also captured. In CACW, Wanda and more than half the Avengers are restrained. So I think it could be done as long as it was like, two or three at a time.  Did Tony like the situation? No. He wasn't ready to let the government take complete control either. He even told Steve that the signing would be on their terms, and there would have to be a lot of negotiations and safeguards. Steve almost agreed too... until Bucky and Wanda came into the equation.

"What if this panel sends us somewhere we don't think we 

should go? What if there's somewhere we need to go and they won't let us?" - Steve Rogers.

I think both Tony and Steve had really valid points, which is why I think I would have been like Natasha. I may have sided with Tony, but if Steve needed my help, I would help him. Heck, TONY even helped him. Tony was the more rational person throughout the movie. Tony was the one who seemed more willing to change his opinions, he was the first to apologize and try to make things right. In the end, I was slightly, slightly more Team Tony, just because of the way he dealt with everything, especially when it spiraled out of control and he realized he had made some mistakes.

"Clearly I made a mistake. Sam, I was wrong [...] Cap is definitely off the reservation, 
but he's about to need all the help he can get. " -Tony Stark.

Steve was right about the risk of signing over the authority to the government. I think, however, that if it became an actual problem the Avengers could totally just unite and say NO. I don't think the law could do much against all the Avengers. They have something like eleven now... several with mind blowing abilities. Literally. What do you do against that? (Oh, and now the Winter Soldier is on their side too. So there's that.) If it got to a point where the government was too constricting, they could totally just break the law and do the right thing, and I don't think the government could do much about it, not against all of them.

I think at the end of the day I didn't fully agree with Tony's logic or his plan, and I didn't fully agree with Steve's stubborness; after all, how the Avengers instruct themselves was something that needed to be addressed. But I did feel a little more drawn toward how Tony handled the situation and the position he was in. It wasn't about what he believed. It was what he did throughout the film. Tony was the first one to try to compromise. Tony was the first one to try calling a truce. Tony was the first to try fixing his mistakes. He was the first to apologize, the first to accept there might be another way, the first to try and change his opinion. He went to help Steve. He snuck out from under the governments radar because his friend was in trouble and needed help. It wasn't that I agreed with Tony - because I didn't. It was more... I felt he didn't have much of a choice and he did the best he could. I really liked how he progressed and I liked his character arc.  He was the only Avenger (Besides Black Panther) who was brave enough to say he was wrong, and to try to mend fences before it was too late.

Tony was right. 

But also.

Steve was right.

At my heart I am still #teambros. In a real life crisis I would be that pathetic Avenger trying to bring Steve and Tony together and try to keep myself out of jail for life... because I like not being in jail. But I am also the type of person who would sign the Accords while thinking, "If this gets out of hand, I am so breaking the law and hiding out with Sam Wilson. Mhm. Stupid law. Stupid government. You know we could totally storm you right? Right. Better watch your back from now on. Also, I can't be tamed. If you try to stop me from doing the right thing... what did I do? Oh yeah, nothing you can prove!"

I think this was my deciding factor... I would sort of fall in line with Iron Man since I would sign the Accords with a hidden agenda. But no amount of ink could stop me from helping Steve, and I guess that puts me and Natasha on the same page.

BROS.

Anyway, it seems my original decision of #teamgetalong  / #teambros was actually the winner!

"I Don't Want You Gone."

"If you need me, I'll be there."

BROS.

BROS.

BROS.

That is all.

Your thoughts?

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella

*Aggressively Vents Way Too Much*

WE'RE GOING TO SEE CIVIL WAR TONIGHT GUYS!!

*hyperventilates*

I made a promise to me. No going on the internet today. I can't see any spoilers!!!

I'm really freaking out right now because I don't want to see my bros fighting!! It is so not cool! I don't want to see Broken Sad Bucky, Or Broken Sad Steve, Or Broken Sad Tony! I just dooooooon't. I want them to have shwarma and share goofy stories and be friends! WHY THIS WAR? WHAT IS THIS???

My feels tonight...

It will be really nice to go to a Marvel movie, to be honest. I trust Marvel. It can be a bit extreme with its shows and do stuff I don't necessarily like, but I do trust those writers. I really trust them with the Avengers movies. They never let me down, and I need that good storytelling right now. As far as it goes, I have had a really crappy week when it comes to my fandoms.  It has gotten so bad that I feel I have to warn all of my followers about a few things.

A.) I was reading an excellent series called The Raven Boys. It was by an author I really liked. It had amazing brother/friendship stories in it, a nice subtle romance that actually worked, a cute girl character, and a little hint of magic, just enough to make it feel a little like a fantasy. The books have been out for a while, but I was waiting to read them because I was afraid something horrible was going to happen in the last book. Like, the writer bowing to popular opinion and putting two characters together that are not supposed to be together. However, my friend kept saying the writer wouldn't do that. All the bros were just bros, it was obvious!! She was so sure, so finally I decided to give it a go. Maggie Stiefvater had written other books that were cute and good. She didn't seem like the weird type. I liked this writer. I had a wild hope she wouldn't betray me like Rick Riordan did.

I was wrong. In the last book Maggie Stiefvater decided it would be a great idea to make two of her bros gay. I didn't read this book. I was on book two and my sister called me and told me what happened in the last one. I sat there at the table and had a break down. I cried. I threw things. I fumed. I cried some more. The worst thing was, I loved that friendship story. The change was super unbelievable too, because for the other three books Adam was in love with a girl, and as for Ronan.... He was Catholic. He was a boxer. He was a protective brother bear. And he was the most manly man you would ever meet. He was hard to get close to, hard to understand. He was closed off an angry, but in the book I was reading I could see he was starting to open up. You saw more of his soft side. Especially when it came to Adam. I loved how fiercely protective he was of that boy. It was so sweet and awesome, and she ruined it!!!!

I felt sick and hollow, like I had lost something. I still feel sick whenever I think about it.

I feel a strong need to write an EPIC bro story now, emphasis on the brothers. I think others should do the same. *peers at Kat* We need to save friendship stories in general. I'm so tired of authors and their stupidity. If we want good stories we're gonna have to write them.

B.) A ton of my fandoms are crashing and burning around me. I haven't watched Supernatural since before Christmas, and I haven't been a real part of the Supernatural fandom for some time now, but after their latest plot development I will never watch it again. They actually introduced "God." And let's just say it was bad. it was really, really bad.

I really, really hate that show. HATE.

How did it get so bad?...

C.) Season Five of Grimm has been one wild train wreck. It is sad because I bet it would have been good if not for Nick & Adalind. See, there is one ship that the writers decided would be great fun to play with, and I hates it precious. It doesn't make sense, and I find it forced and rushed. These two characters were enemies for the first three and a half season. Enemies. They tried to kill each other and everything. Adalind used and manipulated Nick more times than I can count. She actively went after all of Nick's friends and his girlfriend, Juliette - (who was so precious by the way!!) just to hurt him. As for Nick, he attacked and threatened Adalind several times, kept her from her child (that was rough, even if it was needed) and full on hated the witch. For very good reasons! She was not a nice girl! She wouldn't leave him or his loved ones alone! They hated each other!! Now suddenly they like each other? They're in a relationship now??? WHAAAAAAT??

How does it make sense that the girl who hurt and traumatized Juliette, hurt Nick's partner, hurt Nick, hurt Nick's  fellow co-workers, tried to kill his aunt, disguised herself as Juliette and slept with him to steal his powers, and caused Juliette to become a wild, out of control monster, is now someone Nick trusts and loves?? IN LIKE FOUR MONTHS??? SO DUMB. So out of character!!!

On the upside, the real Juliette seems to be coming back to us. Hopefully Season 6 will fix all of that crap. I still like the characters enough to give it another chance. I just want them to go back to being the Grimm I loved. And I need Juliette and Nick need to be endgame.

D.) Don't read Seraphina. The cute sister story turns out to be a creepy love story in the second book. (this is going to be a thing. I just know it.)

E.) I love Doctor Who, but Moffat is turning it into the sort of show I would give up on if it was anything but Doctor Who. I love the Doctor so I stick with it, but if it was anything else I'd be out.  Moffat messes with things that were never supposed to be messed with. He's ruining everything I loved about that show, and I am honestly terrified the next Doctor will be female. In which case, I will bail and probably rant. True Whovians, we can't let this happen!!!

I was depressed this week. It is sad for me that so many of the things I used to love are dying. I curled up and drown my feels in Hawaii Five-0, and tried not to think about all the stories that had fallen apart. It is silly to get so upset over something like a story, but I am.

The thing is, I love being a fangirl. I love it. That is why it takes me so long to give up on a show/story. I love getting obsessed with shows, understanding references and wearing geeky shirts. I love being a part of this big geeky family that are all united by their love for a story. It is such fun! I noticed I do a thing though. If I lose a fandom, I go through mourning. I'm all forlorn and sad, and more often then not I try to find another fandom to join. In this case, I started Hawaii Five-0 and The Walking Dead.

I love H50. But I don't know what I think of TWD yet. It's really bloody. It has creepy zombies. It's weird. It's sad. It has some nice characters though. Characters that die. Well... some live. The really cool one is still alive in the latest season, and he is a big reason I'm watching it. I dunno. I have mixed emotions.

I'll keep you posted.

Hawaii Five-0 is really good though! You are safe with that one! And we get another season! Don't Jinx it!!

ACTUAL BROS.

Alrighty. Time for me to head off. Sorry this post is so random. I just felt the need to warn you all so you wouldn't have to suffer the same bitter disappointment I did.

I'm gonna hide in H50 and Marvel until stated otherwise. They're nice. The fandoms themselves are pretty nice too, which is a bonus. (Don't betray me writers. Please.)


Peace out y'all!

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella