The Queens Gambit - Blog Posts
All the old Thomas Brodie-Sangster fans are slowly emerging from the depths of hell as The Queen's Gambit is becoming more and more popular
Chess isn’t always competitive. Chess can also be… beautiful. It was the board I noticed first. It’s an entire world of just 64 squares. I feel safe in it. I can control it. I can dominate it. And it’s predictable, so if I get hurt, I only have myself to blame. Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon in THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT (2020)
"I Would Say It Is Much Easier To Play Chess Without The Burden Of An Adam's Apple."
Okay but the way Beth just fucking LIGHTS up when she hears all her boys??? I could died a thousand deaths and nothing would be as perfect as her reaction to the support of her disfunctional family.
Idk how relevant is this but something about Seulgi’s orange hair look reminded me of the queen’s gambit. So I made a moodboard, yeah. Have fun
TOP 10 TV SHOWS I WATCHED IN 2020
1. Dear White People
This show goes on the top tier of my favorite shows ever. It’s been around since 2017 (after the eponymous movie of 2014) but only this year I finally got the chance to watch it. Truly one of the best written shows I’ve ever seen, with such compelling characters and story. While I love to watch series with hard hitting social topics, it’s usually very emotionally exhausting for me. However, DWP manages to balance the gravity of its plot with a bright outlook. Besides, I always love to see different characters’ perspectives so the format of DWP is extremely engaging.
2. Grand Army
Grand Army is not your typical teen drama. It’s very raw and real. Five protagonists pull you into the story, and whether you hate them or love them, they don’t let you go. All characters feel like actual people you could know in real life. The show talks about racism, terrorism, sexual assault, white feminism, poverty, homophobia, bullying and more. I also love the way the show uses phones and social media, which you rarely get to see in teen shows. It doesn’t feel glossy or over dramatic. It does get graphic and dark, but it makes you care about the fate of its characters. Here, we also get to see five different perspectives. That and the rawness reminded me of SKAM, although GA is way less cheerful. It could also be compared to Euphoria with it’s portrayal of real issues, but I feel like GA hits the spot much better (and has more diversity).
Finding out that the creator is racist, upon finishing the binge, left me shocked and quite conflicted. I hope they will change the showrunner for season 2 (if it gets renewed).
3. The Great
I’m not much of a period drama fan but this one’s no typical historical shows. It plays around historical figures, but you shouldn’t take that too seriously, just like the show itself. It’s a great (haha get it) fun to watch. The combination of comedy with the actual life or death peril creates a unique experience. Each episode the tables turn, you feel both, betrayed and enticed. Not to mention, Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult’s chemistry and performances are phenomenal. Overall, it feels like a strawberry blew up in your mouth (take it however you want).
4. Dickinson
Dickinson is similar to The Great in a sense of historical accuracy. And I’m grateful for it, because seeing the 19th century nobility twerking at a party was something that brought me an immense amount of joy. Of course, you get to see Emily Dickinson’s poetic and original inner world, which is handled quite creatively.
5. The Queen’s Gambit
This is just a very well written, portrayed and produced story. Even if you feel like it wouldn’t be your cup of tea (I mean a period piece about chess? Come on), chances are once you put the show, you won’t be able to stop. It’s a limited series with a star struck cast which pretty much reads like a prolonged film. It’s also pretty suitable to watch with your family, if usually you struggle to find a common interest.
6. Julie and the Phantoms
This show certainly exceeded everyone’s expectations. It may seem like a typical kids show, but it’s smart, deep and entertaining. The music is incredible and it’s impossible not to fall in love with characters. Also, here’s the proof that your show doesn’t need to have graphic scenes and oversexualized underaged characters to be good.
7. Saved By the Bell: the reboot
So I didn’t watch the original show, but the reboot caught my attention mostly because of Josie Totah, and because the vibe of the show just felt like something I would like. And I was absolutely right. Perhaps it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (and what is?) but to me it’s hilarious. A sort of heart-warming witty little show with gen z humor and interesting diverse characters. Definitely my new comfort show. And Lexi’s my queen.
8. Outer Banks
Released during self-isolation it became a way for the viewers to live vicariously through the risky outdoor adventures. Perhaps, that’s why it’s such a hit and a bit overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked (why do you think it’s on this list). It’s not an outstanding show, might be cheesy and raise some questions (like how can they all be teenagers looking like that?) but it’s entertaining and engaging, and sometimes that’s all you need.
9. I am not okay with this
Let’s take a moment of silence for this amazing show being cancelled. Do you like Teotfw or Stranger Things, or better yet both? This show’s for you! It’s unique, dynamic, feels like you’re reading a comic book. Has a certain mystery to it and its own distinct voice. It also feels retro and nostalgic, even though it’s set in modern day.
10. Love, Victor [SPOILERS]
There’s a lot of things I wish I could change about the show to make it better: For starters, more representation. I mean you’re making a show, not exclusively, but primarily for the lgbtq+ community and you only have two main gay characters? What’s that about? There are so many possibilities to make other characters not straight. E.g. Mia and Lake could be couple goals, Pilar being bi, Andrew – definite bi energy. Secondly, the cheating trope is so exhausting and overdone in gay storylines. It doesn’t add drama, it just makes the couple and the characters hard to root for. Also, making the love interest so obvious was so underwhelming after everything we went through in Love, Simon. I was kind of hoping for a surprise love interest until the end.
Regardless of all that, no matter how far from teenage reality this show is, it was cute. And even though I rooted for the secondary characters way more than the main one, I’m still excited to see what they come up with for S2.
@mylordcheezer has technically given me permission to rant, so here it is.
1. James and Sirius would so watch h2o because it’s almost like their animagus, as in they turn into mermaids and they have to hide it. Also, the fact that’s they would be outcast by society if they revealed their secret would remind them of Remus (also Emma Cleo and Ricky go a bit loopy on full moons and they have to hide from the moon and other people, almost like the shrieking shack). Mostly they would watch it just for funsies tho
2. (Kinda spoilers for s1 young royals) Regulus would relate to Wilhelm, they both grew up as the “spare” but then when their older brothers left/died, they suddenly became the important one. They also both had to hide their queerness. Also, regulus would totally learn Swedish and become fluent in it. (Also, he always has captions on because he can’t hear it if the captions aren’t on. I’m totally not saying that because it’s how I watch stuff)
3. I fully believe that James would have read the heartstopper comics before the show came out, and Sirius would be a “heartstopper is cringe” girlie, until James forced him to watch it. Then he would be OBSESSED. I’m talking, reading all the comics, buying them, watching the show on repeat, starting a whole fan account, the whole lot. Also, he’d tease James about the fact that hes nick and regulus is Charlie.
4. Evan and barty would binge heartbreak high in one night, idk why they would like it so much, it just gives off their vibes. Bartys favourite character would be Harper and evans would be ca$h
5. Dorcas would LOVE the chilling adventures of Sabrina because like, it’s witchy and stuff, idk it just gives off her vibes, she would laugh about how wrong they were about witchcraft though. And gossip girl, I actually haven’t watched it so I don’t really know, but my friend said it kinda gave of dorcas vibes and I can see it so yah
6. Omg lily and Mary just give off Gilmore girl vibes. Mary would love Lorelei and lily would love sookie, like so much. They would both be like, edward Cullen level obsessed. And gossip girl, they’d watch that because dorcas put them onto it and they’d have weekly picnics to discuss it.
7. I feel like lily would just relate to Anne, like, I don’t really have a reason behind this one, lily just gives cottagecore girlie vibes
8. Pandora would watch the good place because it’s kinda like upbeat but also really dark and twisted, which is kinda like her. Like I see pandora as being really light and kinda loopy and stuff but she has really dark interests.
9. Pandora and regulus would so watch umbrella academy together, again, it’s kinda dark and a bit out there so obviously they’d both love it. Regulus would relate to viktor, because they both feel out of place in their families. Pandora would try to guess what’s gonna happen next and she’d be eerily right every time.
10. Peter and Sirius’s friendship is silly and I see it as childish in the best way possible, so they’d watch teen titans religiously. Sirius would LOVE starfire (idk why but I just think he would) and Peter would be obsessed with beast boy or robin.
11. Remus would watch shadow and bone for the six of crows parts. He wouldn’t be obsessed with the shadow and bone parts, but with six of crows? YES. He obviously would have read the books (the shadow and bone trilogy and the six of crows duology). He would relate so much to kaz, because they both feel like they aren’t deserving of love and that they shouldn’t love someone because it makes them vulnerable. Also, they both grew up kinda having to fend for themselves. Ok so derry girls, I think he’d just watch it for fun, it would be something he can watch to take his mind off things. I also think that Erin, Orla, Michelle and Clare would remind him of the marauders
12. Marlene would watch atypical for Casey, like Casey would be the reason she watched the show. And I also think she’d just watch kinda shitty shows just because she can. Like Kath and Kim (which is the best show ever made). She would love Kath and Sharon, just because they’re icons. That’s it really
13. James and regulus would watch the end of the f***ing world and I am not okay with this because James would want to watch something with his boyfriend, and even though he’s not as interested in the supernatural/dark sides of the shows, he sees how happy it makes regulus, and that makes it all worth it. Honestly, he’d spend the whole time looking at regulus
14. Regulus and Remus’ friendship gives me life, so naturally I have to have a show that they watch together, which is the queens gambit. Tbh I haven’t watched it, but I just feel like they would both like it.
15. I KNOW THIS IS A NEW ONE BUT I HAD TO ADD IT. Sirius would watch young royals so he could have something to talk about with regulus.
Ok that’s the end of my rambles, that was really great because none of my friends care about the marauders, so dumping my thoughts on random internet people is my next best option. Enjoy 😉.
Tv shows I think people from the marauders era would watch:
James and Sirius: H2o (and they’d fucking love very minute of it)
Regulus: Young Royals
Sirius and James (yes again, because I can): heartstopper
Evan and Barty: Heartbreak high (the new one)
Dorcas: the chilling adventures of Sabrina/gossip girl
Lily and Mary: Gilmore girls/ gossip girl (they’d talk about it with dorcas)
Lily: Anne with an E
Pandora: the good place
Pandora and regulus: umbrella academy
Peter and Sirius: teen titans go
Remus: shadow and bone (he’s obviously read the books first tho)/ derry girls
Marlene: atypical/sex education/ Kath and Kim
James and regulus: the end of the f***ing world/I am not ok with this
Regulus and Remus: the queens gambit
I HAVE REALLY DETAILED EXPLANATIONS TO ALL OF THESE BUT THEYRE REALLY LONG AND RAMBLY SO IM LEAVING THEM OUT
a little beth harmon!
-Madem kapitalizmin kölesi oldun, niye Rusça dersi alıyorsun?
+Dostoyevski'yi kendi dilinde okumak için
|| The Queens Gambit
I have been learning Russian for two and a half months ("I wanna read Dostoyevsky in the original" - the queen's gambit) and it's such a simple language, apart from the pronouns.
Pronouns are horrible in Russian :(
Stay yourself, stay curious
An Introduction
Hello, this is sort of a basic introduction of me, and what this blog will upload. Obviously I will branch out further with time, as I change as a person, yet currently I would like to grab the right blogger's attention -
I am pearl, I am a very curious academic person and always open to learning new things. I want to start uploading on Tumblr to discuss my Interests with like minded people - I don't have many friends in my day to day life, and even fewer that I share my academic Interests with, so I'd be thrilled for people to interact with my blog.
She / Her | Queer | Marxist | Academic
Interests;
Literature; More specifically, Classics and Gothic. I find stories that examine the human condition to be very interesting! If you have suggestions for novels, I encourage you to leave me some.
Art; I sketch almost daily. I love the romantic period and Oil paintings in general..
Tv; I like philosophical movies and ones about girlhood. Also dark academia.
Favorites;
Artist; Lana del Rey
Novel; The Secret History
Movie; Heathers (1989)
I intend to upload my daily observations, opinions of Novels and other media, Communist content, and thoughts about my Academic interests - Classical literature and the Torah. This'll be my corner and if you'd like, you're welcome to stay.
Stay yourself, stay curious
The Queen’s Gambit (but Makoto is the Queen ofc) My entry for Makoto Week Day 4 - Strategy!
I absolutely love chess themes and I think the poster fit Makoto SO MUCH I had to do this little crossover ^^ Version with the title under the cut!
Im watching the queens gambit rn and istg one of the subplots has to be that Beth gets lung cancer or smth bc all of those old ass chess men are always smoking
If you see this you’re legally obligated to reblog and tag with the book you’re currently reading
TV Series I’ve Watched in January-February 2022
Squid Game (2021)
- A thrilling story of hundreds of debtors forced to play a killing game - Realistic conditions of lives - Questions the entire morality of human race - Horrific, gruesome and violent - Very thought-provoking
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)
- An immortal goblin looking for his bride to end his cursed life - The concept of soulmates and re-birth - Great original sound tracks - (I ship the second lead couple more) - Highly dramatic, but the story kinda repeats
Maid (2021)
- A mother works hard for a better life for herself and her daughter - Breaking from an abusive relationship - Most realistic characters and plot - Heartwarming and heartbreaking
Bad and Crazy (2021)
- A corrupt cop builds a split personality with a sense of justice - Deals with corruption, drug abuse and mental health issues - The definition of bromance - Action packed and thrilling
Prison Playbook (2017)
- Captivating satirical stories of inmates behind bar - One of the best characterizations ever - Deals with various relationships like romance, sibling, friendship - Laugh out loud and ugly crying at once - An optimistic view on life
The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
- A chess prodigy goes through the struggle of addiction - A dark academic aesthetic vibe throughout the series - Love the character development - Will make you want to play chess
oh to be a young woman in the 1960s with stylish outfits and a smashing red bob absolutely obliterating men and their egos in a board game
[ID: Three vibrant gifs of Beth Harmon from The Queen’s Gambit as she plays chess. 1: Beth and Mr. Shaibel sit in the basement together with a chess set in front of them; Beth moves a black pawn. In the center of the gif is the outline of the piece in a pink and yellow gradient with the word “pawn” overlaid on top in an italicized serif font. Text in a smaller sans-serif font underneath reads, “Beginnings, defense.”
2: Beth takes a black piece with her knight and then moves to strike the clock beside her. The word “knight” is overlaid over the outline of a knight piece and the words, “Grace, battle” are written underneath. 3: Beth moves her queen to the side in her game against Borgov; over the outline of the queen piece, text reads, “queen,” and underneath: “Power, independence.” End ID.]
THE EVOLUTION OF BETH HARMON, TOLD WITH CHESS PIECES
The moves they applaud the loudest are the ones you make rather quickly.
THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT: AN ANALYSIS
Winning moves by Beth Harmon, featuring: Townes v Harmon, Harmon v Beltik, Harmon v Giev, Harmon v Puzzle, Harmon v Borgov
She is an orphan. A survivor. She is like us, losing is not an option for her.
THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT
Ok, another hot take about The Queen's Gambit:
It's a known trope in movies or series with a male protagonist to put his love interests into the stereotypical, exaggerated categories of a 'mother', often represented by a dutiful wife, a 'slut', who is attractive and independent, and a 'virgin', who often isn't an actual virgin, but represents childlike innocence and is sexually unavailable. A combination of all three is then found in The One, a perfect, albeit unrealistic, woman.
In 'The Queen's Gambit', where Beth assumes the role of the leading man as I discussed earlier, Harry, Benny, and Townes assume the three female roles for Beth on a very surface level. These characters are men, yet exhibit the typical characteristics. However, they still have enough complexity to escape the confines of the trope, still drawing interesting contrasts between each of them without falling into banality.
Harry, the 'mother' or dutiful wife, as Beth's love interests is more of a steady companion than a riveting affair, he wants to nurture her, help. He doesn't say as much as he would like to, is submissive and rather quiet, almost boring, but loves her and worries about her. He worries about her too much to look at her destroying herself. He believes himself to be too weak, is too passive to fight. Now, as 'dutiful wife' he would just bear it until she herself decides to ditch him, but it's not what Harry started as, it's not his full character. In his first game with Beth he showed himself as a stereotypical male baffoon, which, when he chooses to leave her later, despite still having feeling for her, an act as similar to a divorce as giving up a game, proves rather to be an exaggerated display of his inherent pride. It's not cowardice, it becomes a virtue when he realizes the truth that Beth doesn't love him romantically and that he has no future in professional chess playing. To take a step back from this, defeated in what he cared about most, and still go forward his own way with a job and studies is a form of gentle bravery and keeping face. He is proud enough to not let himself be ridiculed, is proud of his life choices. It's obvious when he talks with Beth in the school parking lot. He cannot be reduced just to his role in Beth's life.
Then Benny, as the 'slut', has a long history of affairs. He is shown at first as cocky, overconfident and fully aware of the effect he has on people. Women warn Beth about him, but she cannot resist him. His role is exactly the role of the 'slut' in a male-led movie, where the main character falls for a dangerous skillful seductress. And just like it often goes, the main character is the one to become the 'slut's' weakness. Benny lets Beth have him eventually, when she dominates over him in chess and matches him in her cockiness. It's her conquest. It would be the moment in which the slut turns into a repenting converted sinner, having been defeated at her own game. Except Beth's triumph is short-lived, because Benny has more to him than just being her conquest. It doesn't change his values, his core personality. Chess are the most important to him. It's a shock to see him as unapologetic as he was before and a difficult realization for Beth that her conquest didn't force Benny into submission. This would still fall into 'slut's' behavior if not for the fact that Benny just genuinely wants Beth to succeed beyond winning (with) him. He genuinely cares about her and has feelings for her that don't disappear even when she decides to leave him. He's in love, but it doesn't turn him into somebody he's not. When he calls her later it's clear he has sensitivity and vulnerability to him, but it's not a dramatic change, it must have been something he already had, and that's why Cleo, even though she must have been infatuated with him and rejected, cannot hate him. He's sympathetic despite his flaws.
And Townes. The 'virgin'. He's charming and treats Beth with unusual respect, compared to other men, when they first meet. He seems perfect with how he doesn’t impose himself on her, how he is friendly, but keeps distance that makes her feel comfortable. He seems honest, innocent, Beth idealizes him. This by itself doesn't make him the 'virgin' for Beth, but combined with his status of being in a relationship with a man does (it's heavily, but tastefully implied). He breaks out of the mold the easiest, because of his behavior in the hotel room and his conversation with Beth in the last episode. He isn't as pure as he initially seemed, weirdly attracted to Beth in a way that made him keep the truth about his relationship from her in a situation that could have turned more erotic if he hasn't been caught. He lead her on, confused with his feelings that he later identified as fondness for a beautiful talented friend. Losing her trust and a chance for friendship hurt him, but he only has himself to blame. He's flawed. Him calling other men he knew cared about Beth for help was his way of redeeming himself.
Now, combining their strengths would make an ideal man, so only together they become what Beth needs, as shown in the last episode with them providing support. The polyamorous side of me ships Beth in this polycule. Yet, for a monogamist, neither of these men is a suitable partner for life due to their various shortcomings and that's why Beth can only have them as friends. The trope is subverted one last time with how she never finds The One, but accepts herself as a full independent individual.