Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

It's an hour of silence as we examine the Inhuman king BLACK BOLT! Just kidding, you know neither of us can shut up for that long… listen now!

• Intro
  • Get in those questions for 150th AMA
  • Go back & listen to episode 68 on Medusa for better understanding of the dynamic
• Background (1:44)
  • Black Bolt (Blackagar Boltagon) created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #45 (Dec. 1965)
  • Black Bolt is the Inhuman king - exposed to Terrigen Mists as an embryo, his voice has the ability to create massive, destructive waves of energy - he was placed in a soundproof chamber and taught to control his voice, even while sleeping
  • Reenters Inhuman society at nineteen, and his brother Maximus makes a deal with the Kree to take over - Black Bolt shouts at the Kree ship, which crashes on the Inhuman parliament, killing his parents - the sound also drives Maximus mad, and he swears revenge on Black Bolt
  • He ends up engaged to his distant cousin Medusa, who would visit him in confinement, and they fell in love
  • He and Medusa oversee the assimilation of Inhumans into the larger world, and engage with many heroes and villains in the universe
  • Had a child with Medusa, in defiance of the Genetic Council, who believed his bloodline was too dangerous to continue - he gave up his crown to be with his son
  • Regained the crown and helped the Inhumans resettle on the Blue Area of the Moon
  • Was a member of the Illuminati, a secret group of highly intelligent & powerful individuals that attempted to manipulate events from behind the scenes - came to the forefront in World War Hulk when they exiled Hulk from the planet, and he came back seeking revenge (later revealed that this was actually a Skrull imposter, and the real Black Bolt had been kidnapped some time before)
  • Played a major role in Infinity, as he was the one who discovered Thanos' plan to kill his son Thane
  • Inhumans vs. X-Men - Black Bolt's use of his sonic scream on Cyclops is what kicked off the major war (it was actually a mental projection of Cyclops created by Emma Frost, as Scott had died due to exposure to the Terrigen Mists)
  • Death of the Inhumans - has his throat slit by Vox, but still able to use his scream to escape imprisonment and joined the Royal Family in attacking the Kree - this permanently damaged his voice, however

• Issues - Theme is communication (6:00)
  • Black Bolt. Blackagar Boltagon. From the first time I read the classic Lee/Kirby Fantastic Four run, he has always fascinated me. The basic building block of social interaction among humans -- and insofar as we know -- Inhumans, is speech. From a philosophical standpoint, there is no organized society without verbal communication. It's everything. It is the singular most important element that serves to bring people together to work as one for a common purpose. So you take a person who -- it's not like he's unable to speak through deafness from birth restricting his ability to absorb what speech should sound like, or throat cancer or an injury to the larynx or something similar preventing his vocal cords from functioning properly. He is fully capable of exercising that most basic tenement of social interaction, but if he utters even the slightest whisper, even by accident, if he coughs or sneezes, he can destroy everything and everyone around him. There's no established canon limit on what the power of his voice can actually accomplish, but everyone pretty much understands even the slightest sound from him is potentially catastrophic. As if going through life from birth having to engage in so much rigorous physical and psychological training to never utter a sound -- not even accidentally in your sleep -- wouldn't create enough issues for you, let's add onto that: you're the king of an entire race of people, entrusted with all of the responsibilities of governing and the expectations of leadership that entails. Oh, and you accidentally killed the primary support system you had in your parents when you found your brother forging a pact with the aliens who were directly responsible for your powers and understandably lashed out. Ho -- lee -- crap. How the man didn't become a gibbering wreck with a death wish as soon as he was old enough to fully grasp all this is the stuff of miracles. I think the fact that Black Bolt even functions at all, much less as well as he does given the circumstances, is a testament to just how well the guy's got it all together.
  • Let's just try to run down what I'm sure is not a complete list of this man's issues:
  • 1) Severe isolation. Your terrigenesis turned you into a potential weapon of mass destruction on a civilization-ending scale. You spent most of your life from that point on having to be in complete isolation from others and undergoing rigorous physical and psychological training to never utter the slightest of sounds with your voice, even by accident. Just communicating yourself, your feelings, your wants, and your needs to other people is a grueling exercise at best. You have to constantly make yourself understood to others in a way that they typically don't. Think of all the things this implies.
  • 2) Crippling guilt at the very real consequences your powers have brought. You don't have to imagine what will happen if you slip up. You know full well. You killed your parents with your voice. You didn't mean to, it was an accident, but it happened. You have a family, you have a wife, you have people that you care about who absolutely will be reduced to a fine pink mist by a weapon that is of your person, your very essence of being, that you have almost no control over. That is a gorgon that will haunt your soul forever. (15:32)
  • 3) Overwhelming responsibility. You are not just trying to function as a part of a society you can't realistically fit into. You are its king. Every one of your people looks to you for leadership, and you have to run your society and make your wishes known without being able to easily communicate them. When you have to have a conversation with other people where you don't know what you're going to have to communicate in advance, you are fully reliant on others that you have to place your trust in to communicate for you. With all of the lack of nuance that implies. You don't just not have a physical voice, you don't have a metaphorical one either. It's Medusa, or Professor X, or someone else you have a psychic connection with acting on your behalf. That's terrifying on a deep personal level. (26:29)
  • Like I said, the fact that this man functions at all is a great credit to his incredible mental fortitude.
• Break (35:25)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Frigay the 13th, and Al Ewing
• Treatment (37:27)
  • In-universe - Bring him to pocket universe that neutralizes Black Bolt's voice to allow him to speak in his own words
  • Out of universe - What does a therapist do with a patient that is mute by choice?
    • The real-world parallels, we talked about before. Deaf, hard of hearing, and mute people. Stroke victims. People with throat cancer or something else that necessitates an electronic voicebox. Hell, I'll even go so far as people residing in a country where they don't speak the prevailing language, and are reliant upon interpreters to perform basic interactions with others. It can be a constant, nonstop, terrifying journey through life when you just can't communicate with others on your own. And like I said, I plead ignorance, but I assume noncommunicative people need psychological counseling. I just have no idea how that's done, when verbal communication is such a vital part of the process. (43:41)
• Skit (feat. Anna from Freudian Sips) (50:14)
  • DOC: Hello Black Bolt, I'm Dr. Issues. And hello again Medusa, thanks for joining us to interpret. Normally I don't do this, but given the… unique communication barriers here, it's helpful to have someone here.
  • MEDUSA: Of course, Doctor, good to see you again as well. Black Bolt and I appreciate you taking the time to speak to us.
  • D: Please understand, no offense, but this is not meant to be a couples' session. As an interpreter, your role is to make sure that Black Bolt's statements are provided as clear as possible. Therefore, I will be speaking and looking at him directly while you assist us. If there is anything that needs clarification, please let me know.
  • M: *slightly irritated, but polite* Yes, of course, Doctor. *pause* Black Bolt says thank you.
  • D: Great. Now, what can I help you with today?
  • M: Black Bolt says he wants to make strides with the world at large…without disrupting his personal life.
  • D: That sounds reasonable, albeit a bit vague. I'm aware that you have a large role in your kingdom. Is there a particular aspect of your job that you're struggling with?
  • M: Black Bolt says that he detests the notion that society can't fix it's own ills. *pause* My apologies, he says that he wants… others to have more participation and involvement… so he doesn't have to carry most of the burden… himself.
  • D: That makes sense. I emphasize appropriate delegation all of the time. Is there something that prevents you from having the kind of balance you envision?
  • M: He says there are… too many functions to go through on a daily basis… that are set to the royal family by default. Tradition weighs us all down. *aside* Especially his wife.
  • D: Well, based on what I know, although there is still a right to confidentiality for the details, I can say that dovetails well with your personal relationships.
  • M: Black Bolt says that he…is thankful…someone finally understands…wait, I'm sorry, I need to start over. Black Bolt says he is thankful I finally understand him better now.
  • D: Huh?
  • M: Black Bolt wants to focus on… the loss of his free time. He is draining himself to serve… the people and serve his family.
  • D: Oh…that took a bit of a turn. I'm sorry that things have been such a struggle. What are your coping mechanisms for recovery?
  • M: Black Bolt says he enjoys time for…literature, and…taking walks with me.
  • D: Aww, that's so kind…but he's shooting you a glare right now. What's up?
  • M: He says that is not quite what he meant. He…likes…walking…alone…thinking about me. I apologize, he's going so fast now, it's hard to keep up.
  • D: You seem very angry. Do we need to take a break?
  • M: I'm just fine, doctor.
  • D: I meant Black Bolt. Like I said, please just tell me what he is saying.
  • M: Black Bolt says that…THINGS…aren't the way they are supposed to be right now. This is…slightly frustrating…If I weren't his queen I would be…somewhere less pleasant at the moment.
  • D: Are you…are you censoring him? I would strongly advise you not to do that for the sake of any hope of progress.
  • M: We apologize…as in, the royal we, because I have done nothing wrong…Black Bolt wishes to have an independent…NO.
  • D: An independent what?
  • M: An independent…point of view on how his emotions can be controlled OH MY!
  • D: Well, I recognize what THAT finger means. It's obvious there's a breakdown here. Perhaps we all could use a time out.
  • M: No, let's continue speaking. *clearly directed at Black Bolt* After all, it's good to get things off one's chest, right dear?
  • BLACK BOLT: *snort* *gust of wind, small amounts of damage*
  • D: No words necessary. And I DO mean that literally. Let's try this one more time
  • M: Black Bolt says-
  • D: *interrupting* Nope. No way. I see where this is going. I was a fool to think this wasn't a couples' session. No interpreter. Black Bolt…sir. I have no problem with you as a patient. But I also realize that I have put you in the most awkward situation imaginable. I'm sorry. We have to find another way to do this. I know you can write. Maybe secure email and text instead? Less hassle this way.
  • M: Black Bolt says he…wants to keep trying…wait…keep trying how? I don't know how that works.
  • D: What is it?
  • M: So, this is me talking…he wants to make sure that you know I mean well, but tell you how I felt after my last session with you. But, I don't want to make it about me. That's not the point.
  • D: So he's asking you something. That's fine. Ultimately, it's up to you.
  • M: Black Bolt says this interaction is a microcosm of how he feels every day. Bottled up, locking away a part of him that no one ever gets to know because it's too dangerous. He…has to be a statesman as well as a man of action, without a proper outlet. He…oh.
  • D: What?
  • M: He wonders if that's what childhood was supposed to be.
  • D: I don't have an answer for that. Your experience is so beyond what I could imagine. To have someone be your voice from day one, always refied, monitored, scrutinized, manipulated, and yet bearing witness to the multitude of variance that humans and Inhumans have likely described, knowing full well that would never be your lot in anything that goes on. That's strength…but also the potential for agony. You're quite the being, Black Bolt. The definition of life's beautiful struggle, and I thank you for what you endure.
  • M: Black Bolt says…wait…he…Doctor I can't…I won't interpret what he is saying.
  • D: Um…did I do something to offend him?
  • M: No, please understand, what is about to happen is in a perverse way the highest honor he can bestow upon you, and we have means to make amends.
  • D: I have no clue what you're talking about.
  • M: I'll let him explain for himself.
  • D: For hims… WAIT WHAT?
  • BB: *whisper* thank you *explosion sound effect*
  • D: I truly appreciate the definition of peace and quiet, now more than ever.
• Ending (57:15)
  • Recommended reading: Original Inhumans introduction in Fantastic Four - the Lee/Kirby stories are the best; also the Paul Jenkins/Jae Lee Inhumans run
  • Next episodes: Echo, 150th Episode Special, 4 from Umbrella Academy
  • Plugs for social

References:

• The Menagerie (Star Trek: The Original Series) - Anthony (44:32)

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Log in as we dissect CYBORG! What upgrades can Doc offer him that he can't download himself? Listen now to find out!

• Intro
  • Reminder to send questions for AMA 150
• Background (1:34)
  • Cyborg (Victor Stone) created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez in DC Comics Presents #26 (Oct 1980)
  • Victor Stone is the son of two scientists, who use him as a test subject for intelligence experiments - he resents this, and falls in with a dangerous crowd as a way to rebel
  • One of the experiments brings a hostile creature from another dimension into his parents laboratory - the creature kills his mother and gravely injures Victor before his father can return it to its home dimension and close the portal
  • His father then uses bleeding edge experimental technology to save him, at the cost of the majority of his body now being robotic - when Victor awakens, he lashes out at his father, revealing he'd rather be dead than experimented on again without his consent
  • He joins the Teen Titans as a way to find others with common experiences
  • He then merged with an alien artificial intelligence named Technis, which helped him restore his mind, although it turned his body into an entirely cybernetic being named Cyberion, and he had to stay on the Technis planet in order to survive - this experience left him distant from humanity, and when he returned, he assimilated all the technology he could find until he was the size of the moon - he was attacked by the Justice League and the other Titans - Beast Boy was able to reach Victor's humanity and got him to upload his consciousness to another suit, rendering Technis inoperable
  • Gets dismantled during Infinite Crisis, and it takes almost a year to put him back together
  • New 52 - the explosion in his father's office is now related to a Mother Box, and Silas uses the technology to save Victor's life - he now can access the New Gods library and discovers Darkseid is invading Earth in search of the Anti-Life Equation - joins the fight with the Justice League to battle the invaders, and becomes a founding member of the team
  • After the Crime Syndicate (an evil mirror version of the Justice League) invades, Cyborg is taken over by Grid (Earth-3's Cyborg), which expelled all his organic material - Hal Jordan used the Lantern ring to suspend him until Silas could operate on him and revive him again

• Issues - Theme is tinkering
  • Adjustments to prosthetics
  • Considers acceptance of his form to be equivalent to stagnation (18:59)
  • Relationship with Silas has improved, but still has deep-seated trust issues (28:55)
• Break (38:41)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Not If I Reboot You First, and Phillip Kennedy Johnson
• Treatment (40:43)
  • In-universe - Learn coding to speak his language - has he ever "gone gold"?
  • Out of universe - Multi-amputee with family issues (44:40)
• Skit (feat. Karrington from Real Dudes Podcast) (51:17)
  • DOC: Hello Victor, I'm Dr. Issues.
  • VICTOR: Hey Doc. Let's do this. I'm all in.
  • D: *pause* Ooooookaaaay? *excited* OK!
  • V: Here's a list of the last 3 angry outbursts I've had within the past month. I've also included my vitals, my calorie count, and I have a full database of the last 30 years of psychotherapeutic and psychotropic recommendations by the American Psychiatric Association for diagnoses in the DSM and the ICD 10, 11, and 12.
  • D: There is no ICD 12 yet.
  • V: I have my ways.
  • D: But you don't even know what you're diagn
  • V: *interrupting* I have taken the MMPI Inventory and the standard deviation of error after multiple runs is within an acceptable range for any PhD, PsyD, MD, or DO with an acceptable clinical certification. I also cross-referenced any abnormal responses with screening exams for Depression, ADHD, psychosis, addiction, and monitored all of my hormonal levels to make sure there were no underlying physiological causes.
  • D: You don't need to screen yourself for addictions unless someone else
  • V: *interrupting, but actually excited* The Titans say I am addicted to tech. But they don't live with it like I do. I'm showing them that I am in full control of myself, and thanks to this research I've found a way to use Monte Carlo simulations for how likely I am to have any emotional response at any moment. I never thought about the human brain like this before. I can modify my eye to be a functional MRI device…if I could just find the proper shielding against my own body.
  • D: That is dangerous and NOT fully diagnostic yet. I love the enthusiasm but…how do I put this? BACK OFF, CAN'T YA?!
  • V: Hmmm? *confused* I thought my gruntwork would make this easy for you. I am willing to undergo pharmacogenetic testing for the best medication. Isn't this what you do?
  • D: *flustered* NO! Yes, well…it's complicated.
  • V: I know, right? If it took me a few all-nighters to get the reams of data necessary for an introductory session, I can't imagine what you have to do for multiple patients every day of the week!
  • D: You want to know what I do? Honestly?
  • V: Yeah! I'll admit, I thought this was all psychobabble nonsense, but there is some real rigor behind neuroscience.
  • D: I talk to people, and they talk back to me. I make suggestions based on that information, along with the biological and social components, and repeat that process with the patient's input.
  • V: *sound of fuse blowing* That DOES sound like psychobabble nonsense. I mean, I can get you a copy of my last schematic
  • D: PLEASE tone it down. I'm begging at this point. Look, I'm impressed by your efforts, but it's clear to me that you have no other format for viewing yourself. You're incredibly smart. You're laser focused - no pun intended. You realize that others think SOMETHING is up, and you double down on what you know. You're isolating yourself and you don't even know it.
  • V: The hell I am! I've been a key component in some of the most important events in human history...UNIVERSE history. You don't know me.
  • D: There's that anger that you mentioned.
  • V: So my cortisol level-
  • D: Nope…don't care.
  • V: Say whaaaaaaaaat?!
  • D: Dude…just talk to me. How are you? How are those you care about? What's your favorite food?
  • V: This isn't a date.
  • D: Not like that, but it IS a human interaction of getting to know one another. Please, just stick to the basics.
  • V: Nah man, if you don't recognize I'm Linux all the wa-
  • D: SAY SOMETHING NOT RELATED TO RESEARCH OR TECH. NOW.
  • V: *sound of short circuiting* Sorry, doc, gotta reboot a few things
  • D: Ohhhhhhh No, you're not avoiding this. I realize this is all a smokescreen now. Ever heard the phrase, 'if you can't dazzle them with your brilliance, then baffle them with your bullshit? Well, sir, you have managed to create the ultimate bullshit brilliance hybrid I can fathom. Drop it.
  • V: Well, damn. You cut real deep with that, man. I'm not sure this will work out.
  • D: Why not? Are you willing to do something that doesn't have a treasure trove of data to mine? Actually, I think it's the opposite; you get the chance to look at your own personal black box that's been hardcoded into your psyche. The more you're willing to let go, the greater the likelihood of a new finding.
  • V: *pause* You really want to do this without downloading the latest…
  • D: *interrupting* Don't care unless you talk about your father.
  • V: Weeeeeeell…I'm sure you can google his name…ha ah haha *nervous laugh* *cough* Maaaaaaan, just let it go, will you? That's the problem with practitioners of soft sciences. They fall back on outdated formatting. Are you Freud 2.0 or something?
  • D: Only if you're Cyborg plus.
  • V: I don't understand. I was expecting you to say "Cyborg 2022" or something.
  • D: No, I mean, there's nothing wrong with being…comfortable. I apologize for my frustration. You dig technology. Sweet. It's vital for you. But what else makes you who you are? You don't have to answer that for me just
  • V: *interrupting* Just myself. Yeah. My dad was the same way. Just colder. At least I'm around people that can make me feel good once in a while. That's a nice situation, ya know? Not trying to rain on their parades. I can't sit around watching TV or doing endless workouts or some such. I like making a difference. But I can always be better. I'm not sure anyone understands that.
  • D: That was the best thing you've said this entire time. It seemed really tough. It gets easier over time.
  • V: You're opening my mind, Doc.
  • D: Thanks, I
  • V: Yeah, I should have been downloading Beck and Ellis instead of just philosophical stoics when I was younger. I can do a PubMed search with the proper tags as soon as I leave
  • D: *dramatic cough* AHEM
  • V: Orrrrrrr I could just…journal for 5 minutes tonight?
  • D: You're catching on. I'll see you next session. I trust that you've already logged it on your calendar.
  • V: *confident/satisfied* Booyah.
• Ending (57:43)
  • Thanks Karrington - Real Dudes Podcast
  • Recommended reading: Blackest Night, JLA/Titans
  • Next episodes: Black Bolt, Echo, 150th Episode Special
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Hamilton: What'd I Miss - Anthony (5:08)

Apple Podcasts: here

Google Play: here

Stitcher: here

TuneIn: here

iHeartRadio: here

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Things get chaotic as we discuss HAVOK! Is this Summers brother as… difficult as Scott? Tune in to find out!

• Intro
  • AMA for 150
• Background (1:57)
  • Havok (Alex Summers) created by Arnold Drake and Don Heck in The X-Men #54 (March 1969)
  • Alex Summers is the younger Summers son - he and his older brother Scott were in a plane crash piloted by their father Christopher - the boys survived the crash, though Scott was in a coma for a while
  • Raised in an orphanage before being adopted by a family whose son died in a car crash - he was kidnapped by the same person responsible for the young boy's death, but Alex's powers of plasma blasts manifested and he burned the boy - Mr. Sinister discovered Alex and put a psi-block on him to help him control his powers
  • Later captured by Larry Trask & the sentinels - given the code name Havok, as he had difficulty controlling his powers
  • Joined the X-Men and began an on-again/off-again relationship with Polaris - they later quit to focus on their relationship
  • Alex learned that his father was Corsair of the Starjammers
  • Had a brief relationship with Madelyne Pryor, Scott's ex-wife, while she was working as the Goblin Queen, and she manipulated him to help her take over the world, until she discovered she was a clone of Jean Grey and killed herself #BecauseComics
  • Joined X-Factor, a government sponsored mutant group, and eventually led the team for a while - he left after Multiple Man's death at the hands of the Legacy Virus
  • For a time, Alex was sent to an alternate universe, where he discovered that universe's version was married to Madelyne and had a child named Scott - Alex served as a father figure for a while until he was returned to his reality
  • Returned in a coma - fell in love with his nurse, Annie, but he still had feelings for Polaris, and they got engaged - Alex left her at the altar because of his lingering feelings for Annie, and Polaris tried to kill her before being stopped by Juggernaut and Alex
  • Joined his father and learned he had a younger brother, Vulcan, who is head of the Shi'ar Empire - Vulcan kills Corsair, and Havok battles Vulcan but is defeated
  • Later serves as head of the Avengers Unity Squad after Avengers vs X-Men, since Captain America wants a mutant to lead the team after Xavier's death at the hands of Scott
  • During AXIS, his morality is inverted, and he reconciles with Scott, but remains corrupted after the spell is reversed
  • He is currently living on Krakoa with all mutants, spending time with his family in the Summer House on the Moon

• Issues - Theme: instability befitting his name (7:24)
  • Nature of relationship with Scott - "Good" Scott vs. "Bad" Alex
  • Hero, villain, and in-between (15:17)
  • Can't catch a break, and he knows it (22:33)
• Break (31:29)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Grief Burrito, and Chris Claremont
• Treatment (33:04)
  • In-universe - Use his suit as a form of biofeedback to allow him to get better in tune with himself
  • Out of universe - (38:24)
• Skit (45:22)
  • Hello Alex, I'm Dr. Issues. - Hello, Doctor *sigh*
  • You don't exactly seem enthused about this. -*pause* Is that a question?
  • Well, what is it about seeing me that gets you down? Or, were you already depressed and that's why you're here? -Nothing that dramatic. I doubt I'm the first mutant you've seen that doesn't like the idea of scrutinizing their past, digging up mistakes, talking about the stuff that nobody else wants to hear. I'm actually not a downer kind of guy. Honest!
  • Fine with me. Then let's try again. What brings you here, on your own terms? -I'm messed up. Is there a reason it has to be analyzed more than that?
  • I don't do that type of analysis unless it's absolutely necessary. This is meant to be confidential, anyway. -I know. That's why I agreed to do this. I have a big idea, but I'm doubtful anything will come of it. Plus it's going to make me sound psychotic.
  • Don't jump to that conclusion. What's up? -My family has a way of being dramatic.
  • A proud member of the club! -Maybe I can…I don't know…my brothers are really different. But Scott especially. There's this vibe I get sometimes. He holds a lot back, and I know he doesn't trust me as much as he could. That's my fault. I own it. But…this is the crazy part…he doesn't say anything to me, but I noticed some changes, you know? I tried to ask him, and all he did was give your card. I'm not asking about him, but what did he say about me? I'm getting paranoid about it.
  • I can't talk about any other person outside of you. -Then that confirms it! I've been tortured that way, given lies to make me think the worst of the world. I don't let that stuff break me. But Scott just gives me your card, doesn't say a word. Does he think I'm that screwed up that he can't talk to me? I'd rather he blast me in the face because I know I can shake that off.
  • Is this about sibling rivalry, or getting dirt? -No way, doctor. I'm just trying to put 2 and 2 together. You know how many times I've been told I'm out of control? Sometimes I lean into that. Live with it. Love with it. We don't see the world the same way. He's the one to show up, show out, and wait for the applause. I show up, and…who knows? He wanted me to do this, and I can't figure out why. He always has a plan.
  • Forget about his plan. What's your plan? What do you want to do? -I don't want what he wants. He always talks about the oppressed, and the constant struggle to make mutantkind a shining example to the world. Well, what about the world? What about those downtrodden who also don't have a genetic eraser to bail them out of trouble? It's hubris. I can't stand people like that. But that's all I ever see when people lead. I saw it with Scott, I saw it in Cap, I even saw it in Charles sometimes. *pause* Maybe they need this more than me. They're the ones that call the shots. I don't want to be a part of that.
  • With such eloquence and candor, someone's bound to put you in that spot -They did! Oh, did they ever. Hated it. It's not for me. I'm a wildcard. I know better than to cut loose and abandon the people I fight with. That's a sacred bond. But that doesn't mean I should be some poster boy managing the day-to-day stuff. Ok, hypothetical here: what if you help me. Then what? I learn to tolerate things I don't like instead of doing more of what I DO like? I spend my evenings planning missions instead being with the love of my life? Why would I want that?
  • I'm noticing a pattern here, and it's unique. Most people that step foot into my office are afraid of failure. You are on the opposite end of the spectrum. What if you succeed? You said you had big plans -*interrupting* and they blow up. That's just the way it is.
  • It doesn't have to be. You can find a new way to enjoy things, you can bring along loved ones as your mind expands, you can still find ways to say no, except by choice instead of by chance. Learn to put the chaos in the background for once instead of making it the whole picture. - But how? It's all around me. Hell, it's in my name. At this point it's kinda part & parcel of the whole Alex Summers package. Asking me to give that up is like trying to teach me not to breathe.
  • More like a new breathing technique. I'm not asking you to stop being who you are. You have an amazing opportunity to fine tune what makes you such a dynamic person. Start by starting. It's going to be messy, and that's okay. This isn't a competition against your brother, your mentors, or those you care about. It's you against yourself, and that is a race you can always win. - You make it sound so easy. I've done the "fresh start" thing. Several times. X-Factor. Unity Squad. Krakoa. How many times can I reboot? It's like starting a new comic book and slapping a #1 on the title - it's still the same retread.
  • Keep track, then. Too often I come across cases where people have taken the right action, and don't know how they got there, or where things went wrong. That's the difficult…and let's be honest, the boring part. If you're willing to do the small stuff, then you'll be surprised at how it compounds over time. - Like interest. Problem is, interest can be negative. Like my interest in this conversation.
  • Ok, let's go there. Let's hash this out in full. You are an example of chaos theory, which means, like the mathematical system it's based on, you're not as random as you seem, and can have several parts of your life modeled out with a decent likelihood of the known outcomes. HOWEVER, if you decide to take control, you have now changed the whole spectrum to a simple parabola. I have news for you (as if you didn't already know) but your life is never going to be bland, or simple. But there is one variable you can use, and it's your own psyche. Think of this conversation as the butterfly effect for how your emotions and thought processes occur from this point forward. - Well, I was told there would be no math. But I get what you're going for. *sigh* I mean, it's worth a shot. Can't be any worse than the umpteen other things I've tried, right? I suppose I should give Scott a call and talk to him about this, too. Of course he's gonna gloat about it. God, he's such a…
  • Yes? - I was gonna call him names, but he means well, even if he's too blunt for his own good sometimes.
  • I don't know what you're talking about. - And here I thought you said you couldn't divulge anything about your clients… he can be a dick sometimes, you can admit it.
  • I do not discuss patients with other patients, even if they're siblings. - Even if they're right?
  • I do not. Discuss. Patients. With. Other. Patients. - Alright, fair enough Doc. I won't tell him you called him a dick.
  • I DID NOT! - Hahaha, gotcha!
• Ending (53:39)
  • Recommended reading: Peter David X-Factor run
  • Next episodes: Echo, Cyborg, Black Bolt
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Replacement Scrappy - Anthony (3:03)
• Cyclops episode - Anthony (4:16)
• Jamie Madrox episode - Anthony (5:25)
• Jessica Jones episode - Doc (24:00)

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We bring back Allen & Will, the writers of Pocus Hocus, to talk about their Kickstarter for Issue 3! What fun twists do they have in store for us? Tune in to find out!

• Intro
  • Reminder of last Will & Allen episode - between 135 & 136
  • IG giveaway - like the post and comment with the secret word - first 3 to respond will win issues 1 & 2
  • Kickstarter link
• Discussion
  • Rundown of issues 1 & 2
  • Where is #3 going?
  • Emily - Clear she's not interested in being an apprentice - she's also obviously driving Pocus, what's the nature of their relationship
  • Ivan - unique speaking style
  • Horus - Very un-rabbit like - what's his deal?
  • The demon - Will we see him in Issue 3?
  • Pocus - How will being in Hell impact his relationship with the Demon?
• Ending
  • Reminder of IG giveaway
  • Next episodes: Havok, Echo, Cyborg
  • Plugs for social

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Come with us to Yancy Street as we drill down on BEN GRIMM, THE THING! Why does a man so smart tawk like dis? Listen now to find out!

• Intro
  • Upcoming interview with Allen & Will from Pocus Hocus - giveaway on IG - follow us there for more info
• Background (3:00)
  • Ben Grimm (The Thing) created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in The Fantastic Four #1 (Nov. 1961)
  • Ben Grimm is a pilot and college friend of Reed Richards
  • While flying an experimental rocketship with Richards, Richards' girlfriend Sue Storm, and Sue's brother Johnny aboard, the ship is bombarded with cosmic rays, which irreversibly alter all four travelers - Ben's body becomes covered in an orange, rocky hide - he dubs himself the Thing
  • Reed attempts several times to reverse his transformation, but is unable to make it permanent - Ben does revert back to human on occasion though (largely through magical means)
  • Had a starring role in Marvel Two-in-One alongside various heroes
  • Stays on Battleworld after Secret Wars, because the planet provides him the ability to change at will - She-Hulk joins the FF in his stead, until he returns after defeating an evil version of himself
  • Upon returning, he discovers that his on-again/off-again love Alicia Masters is dating Johnny Storm - this Alicia is later revealed to be a Skrull named Lyja #BecauseComics
  • Ben and Sharon Ventura are hit with cosmic rays - Sharon becomes She-Thing, while Ben becomes more powerful and rocky
  • Recurring stories for Ben involve the Yancy Street gang where he grew up - at various points they've been rivals and partners, with Ben even leading the gang at one point during his earlier years
  • Joins the New Avengers after Seige, serving on both teams simultaneously
  • Recently married Alicia, although their honeymoon was interrupted by a rampaging Hulk (under the control of the Puppet Master, Alicia's father)

• Issues (10:07)
  • Insecurity and self-loathing. It's been his chief, most famous character-defining trait since his inception. He's horrified by his physical appearance and thinks it makes him a monster both inside and out. He's just one of those people that doesn't feel like he deserves anything good in life no matter how much he does as a hero. As such, he's often at the root of sabotaging his own happiness, particularly in his romantic relationships. He thinks that by pushing the people closest to him away, he's protecting them from disappointment and pain, but -- as I had to learn in my early 20s -- that's something people just do instinctively when they think very little of themselves. "Life Story" would go into this a little deeper and we'd learn he was a lot like this before he became the Thing. The war keeps changing thanks to Marvel's sliding timescale, but he's not particularly proud of the things he did overseas in the Marines, and just doesn't generally feel like he's someone worthy of being loved. He also frequently turns down cures to his condition, making up some dumb excuse about the team needing him or another.
  • Inadequacy; always feeling second best. This was way more prevalent in the Lee/Kirby years, but man, the fact that there are heroes like Thor and the Silver Surfer in the world, who are canonically stronger than he is but look like classic art masterpieces come to life just eats at him. And of course, there's the Hulk. Oh boy, he does not like being compared with the Hulk. His whole "I've got more heart than anyone else" thing and relying on willpower to carry him through fights is great for storytelling, but he's not top tier in strength in the Marvel universe, and he's well aware of the fact. (19:08)
  • Playing dumb, for...some reason. Ben is not dumb muscle. Not even close. You don't get to be a test pilot in any branch of the military or an astronaut in NASA without being several standard deviations above average intelligence. The man has multiple advanced degrees in engineering and can fix pretty much anything mechanical or electrical that breaks down, even when it's a one of a kind invention of Reed's. He can instinctively pilot just about any vehicle he comes across, even if it's alien and he has no idea how it works. But for whatever reason, he seems to purposely cultivate an image of being the team's dumb guy with his gruff, matter-of-fact, Lower East Side manner of speaking. With his enemies, I get it. It's useful to be underestimated. But among friends and other superheroes, where there's no need for it? I don't get it. (29:29)
• Break (42:15)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Into the Knight, and Jeremy Whitley
• Treatment - theme is hard outer shell/rough edges (43:54)
  • In-universe - Being comfortable with his own skin
  • Out of universe - (47:52)
• Skit (55:40)
  • Hello Mr. Thing, I'm Dr. Issues. - Aw please, call me Ben.
  • Alright Ben, how are you doing today? - Well doc, I got this crick in my neck that I just can't seem ta
  • *interrupting* whoa, whoa, I'm not that kind of doctor. -I'm just messin with ya. Sheesh, I heard you could take a joke.
  • *laughs* of course, of course. I just didn't expect that from the start. Way to throw me off. -No harm, right? I don't get a chance ta talk to someone like you one on one. People like you just run away from an orange pile o' rocks.
  • I don't condone that kind of self-talk. Did I say a word when you came in other than to greet you? I meant it. -Come ahhhhhhn…not even a little reaction?
  • Well, I'm human, so…wait, are you fishing for me to say something? -Maybe, what's it to ya?
  • *pause* So you wanted to come across as one of the guys, but then you had to point out what makes you different. I'm perplexed already. -I get that a lot. Gotta admit, seein' an orange guy with a fugly mug don't do favors with subtlety. I ain't Shakespeare ya know.
  • There you go again…in record time, you manage to drop more insults about yourself. -You ain't coming across as warm and fuzzy, either, pal.
  • I'm sorry…it's just…I get defensive with patients because I've heard my fair share of depressed talk, and my gut is to fight it, tooth and nail. You, just like everyone else, are worthy of love and respect. Even if you don't have hope for that, I'll have it for you. -*sarcastic* Well golly gee, doesn't that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I ain't a sad sack case, doc.
  • I'm acknowledging your defense mechanisms because they're so common…more than you know. -Well, sometimes the best defense is a strong offense. That's what people come to expect.
  • I don't have expectations. I just have a questioning attitude. I don't want to bombard you with too much too quickly, but you're going to have to touch on some things that you may not want to really talk about at the moment. -Like what?
  • Well, since you led with it, let's start with the elephant in the room. How do you feel about your appearance? -It's there.
  • *pause* Go on… -Look, I dropped the hints, the jokes, you know the answer, all right? I hate it. Hate it, hate it, hate it. But so what? Bad cards, man. Bad cards. Ya gotta make the best of it. And lucky for me, Alicia happens ta like it. I don't know what she… I was gonna say I don't know what she sees in me, but she's blind, so she can't see anything in me hehehe.
  • Then what does she love about you? - Ta be honest, some days I don't know. It's one of the great mysteries of life. But I feel lucky just to know her, and the fact that she coulda been wit any guy and she picked me… well, some days that's what it takes ta get me outta bed in the morning.
  • I don't think you'll appreciate it as much coming from me, but your personality as a whole shines through whatever physical form you may have. You have gravitas -Gravi…wha? Come on, don't get fancy on me. You'll start soundin like Stretch. He starts talking over ya head, and I get a cure for insomnia. I'm just a plain ol' guy tryin ta make it through the day.
  • You're really entrenched in this style, huh? -You makin fun a how I talk?
  • NO! I mean, you downplay everything about yourself, except the one thin…PART, that everyone can see. Is it to avoid attention? Consequences? What? -Look, I'm not into all sorts of psychobabble, but think about what you're sayin. I get to be wit some really good people. Susie is the most selfless person you'll ever meet. Flame Boy grinds my gears, but I'll be damned, his intensity has saved our ass a million times. Then you got the genius that makes the whole shebang go. Who am I to them, huh? Who am I to anybody?
  • This may sound dumb to say, but…forget for a split second who you are to them. Who are you…to YOU? -*pause* That's hard, doc. That's not how life is supposed to be.
  • What do you mean? -You keep pushin me ta make some kinda breakthrough, and all I'm getting is vapor cone.
  • I'm sorry, what? - Vapor cone is where an object traveling at hypersonic or supersonic speeds reduces the air pressure immediately surrounding itself. That drop in air pressure creates a corresponding drop in temperature. If the air is saturated with water, and the drop in temperature goes below the saturation temperature, it will form an instantaneous cloud around the object, because the air pressure drop is so sudden that the water can't move out of the way. Ya see it in planes when they hit Mach 1.
  • *pause* Thank you for teaching me something new….especially something that's outside of my particular reading. That was…BEYOND unexpected. -*sarcastic* Oh, ya make me blush.
  • Take a compliment, please! You just showed more of yourself than I expected in one session. You managed to take a chance. You are more than you let on. I'm being a bit selfish when I say your goal should be to educate naive people like me in the areas you shine at. Don't shy away, I'm practically begging you. The more you do it, the more comfortable you'll be with that part of yourself. - Look, Doc, the truth is, I know what I bring ta the table. Reed's the brains, Susie's the heart, and Johnny's the mouth. Someone's gotta be the muscle. And yeah, I know I can come off a little rough around the edges, literally an' figuratively. But there's nothing wrong wit' being what people expect of ya, as long as yer ok wit it. And for all my talk, I gotta lotta friends. A lotta people who'd lay down their lives, and many have, ta save my hide. So I'm grateful every day for every single one of 'em. It's gotten me this far, I don't see any reason ta rock the boat now.
  • Fair enough. Just be mindful that…literally and figuratively, you're going to make waves with everyone you meet because you're a big orange rock.. You can control the impact. - Hardy har har. I guess you can make a joke after all.
  • It's a joke, even if it's not a fantastic one. - Aw jeez…
• Ending (62:32)
  • Recommended reading: Literally any Fantastic Four run
  • Next episodes: Pocus Hocus interview, Alex Summers, Echo
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Here's Looking At You, Kid - Casablanca - Anthony (17:52)

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• Intro
• Background (0:57)
• • Terra created by Marv Wolfman & George Perez in New Teen Titans #26 (Dec. 1982)
  • Tara Markov is the illegitimate child of Viktor Markov, the king of Markovia
  • She was experimented on and gained the ability to control earthen matter
  • Unlike her brother Geo-Force, she believed her abilities made her a god, and she was meant to rule over people - this, coupled with the scandal of her parentage, caused her father to send her out of the country to the US
  • Used her powers as a mercenary, eventually gaining the attention of Deathstroke, who took her under his wing
  • Used her to infiltrate the Teen Titans, even going so far as to battle him to earn their trust
  • After Deathstroke captured them, his son Jericho possessed him to free the Titans - this caused Terra to think he turned on her, and she pulled down the entire building in a fit of rage, seemingly killing herself
  • Returns as a Black Lantern during Blackest Night - tries to seduce Beast Boy, and lies to her brother Geo-Force that she doesn't want to be reanimated
  • A doppleganger later appeared - she was an alien sent to Earth and genetically manipulated to appear as the reincarnation of Tara, but the process erased her memory
  • A new Terra named Atlee shows up in the New 52 as an ally of Supergirl and later Power Girl

• Issues - theme of manipulation (5:55)
• • How her sociopathy relates to actual antisocial personality disorder
  • Rejected by her father because of the nature of her parentage (13:44)
  • Manipulated by Deathstroke to be his pawn (21:50)
• Break
• • Plugs for BetterHelp, Harpy Hour, and Saladin Ahmed
• Treatment (32:57)
• • In-universe - Use clay as a metaphor during play therapy treatment session
  • Out of universe - Volatile & BPD issues (40:37)
• Skit (feat. Erin from Girls Talk Comics) (47:15)
• • Doc: Hello Tara, I'm Dr. Issues.
  • Terra: *cheerily* Hiiii
  • D: Ooooookay…um, what brings you to
  • T: *interrupts* What? Just because I greeted you with a smile and I'm happy makes you suspicious? You need to get over yourself.
  • D: *pause* Not at all! I just got thrown off because usually the people that seek my guidance are exactly the opposite…or more neutral. I should also inform you that I have several quirks that lead some people to think I'm reading more into what they're saying than I am.
  • T: But you're a psychiatrist. Your job is to read people. That's my job too, just for different reasons.
  • D: I see. Care to elaborate?
  • T: Nope.
  • D: *pause*
  • T: This is where you dig into what I really mean.
  • D: You gave a very clear answer. If that's all, then
  • T: WAIT WAIT WAIT What is this? ***What the fuck IS THIS?*** You just give up on someone the second they show a little resistance? You're…weird. Are you a loser? Are you fascinating? I don't know which.
  • D: So how will you find out? Hurl more insults? Honestly, I haven't had someone so reactive in a bit. I'm chill, so you do you.
  • T: ***THIS IS BULLSHIT*** You're supposed to comfort me to calm me down, not be all passive aggressive! Are you sure you're a psychiatrist? What am I even doing here?
  • D: It's clear that you have some trouble managing anger when you don't run the show. I'm trying to strike that balance…but the fulcrum on your conversations makes every sentence a catapult! Who does the best job navigating this out of anyone you know?
  • T: Two of them…and in different ways.
  • D: How so?
  • T: The first…if I talk about him, you're dead, so I won't. He was easy because he gave a job. Purpose. I did it perfectly. And he crushed our trust so I crushed everything around me. The other…ohhhhhhh…he's an animal…ANY animal…complete opposite. So much fun I'd do anything for that boy.
  • D: To summarize, the first practical, the other whimsical. That means you have the potential to connect with a full spectrum of people. Perhaps blending a team
  • T: *Interrupts* NO
  • D: *pause* A support group.
  • T: Better.
  • D: I have to acknowledge that your reactivity made benefit from med
  • T: *interrupts* People putting things in my body is what made me go crazy! STOP! NO MORE! *rumble sound effects*
  • D: I'm not going to yell back. I'm not forcing anything, unless you demonstrate a danger, so please, let's keep this civil. Neither of us need to deal with damage to this office. *sotte voce* And my insurance company is gonna drop me if I file one more claim like this.
  • T: I've had enough of this. You claim to be this super calm doctor and have all of my problems figured out, but you don't know a thing about me. You have a great life. You never had to build trust and break it, and have it broken on you, over and over again! You never got so enraged you basically killed yourself! You didn't find the love of your life and have to throw yourself at them just to get a kiss! Tell me, how would you handle that? How would you be in my shoes?
  • D: I'd probably freak out a bit. I'd have intense emotions, and I don't know how or when they'd overwhelm me. For all I know, I'd react similarly to you, because I'm a living, breathing human and nobody deserves to be put through pain. But pain exists. Channel it. Do something different. Otherwise, you're just going to spread pain to everyone else.
  • T: *groans and screams* I AM OUT OF HERE. You're lucky your office isn't a pile of rubble right now. Think about THAT! ***Fucking obnoxious prick!*** *door slams*
  • D: *sigh* *whispers* 5-4-3-2-
  • T: *door opens* AND THE NEXT SESSION I'LL TALK ABOUT DEATHSTROKE SO HE CAN KILL YOU. *switches to cheery* Thursday afternoons work the best, byeeee!
• Ending (51:35)
• • Recommended reading: Teen Titans: The Judas Contract
  • Next episodes: Ben Grimm, Alex Summers, Echo
  • Plugs for social

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• Intro
  • Welcome to Season 7
  • Having a baby girl in May :)
  • Pocus Hocus giveaway coming soon on IG
  • Episode 150 coming soon
• Background
  • Jessica Drew created by Archie Goodwin and Marie Severin in Marvel Spotlight #32 (Feb. 1977)
  • In her first appearance, she was a spider who evolved into a human
  • That was later retconned - her origin is when she was young, she became sick, and her father injected her with an experimental dose of irradiated spider's blood, and put her in a chamber to incubate, but while she was in there her mother died and her father left - she spent decades in the chamber, but came out only aged to 17 #BecauseComics
  • THAT origin was then altered - her mother was hit with a beam of radiation with the DNA of several varieties of spiders, and her parents were actually working with/for HYDRA as scientists
  • She leaves Wundagore and is captured by HYDRA, who train her as a spy to assassinate Nick Fury - she accidentally kills her handler, at which point she discovers the truth and defects, becoming a SHIELD agent (also revealing that the "evolved spider" was part of HYDRA's brainwashing)
  • Works as a private investigator while simultaneously being Spider-Woman
  • Joins the New Avengers and helps the heroes recapture all the villains that escaped the Raft - later revealed that this was actually Skrull Queen Veranke in disguise, which led to the Secret Invasion
  • Abigail Brand invites her to join SWORD and kill hostile aliens on Earth
  • Played a major part in Spider-Verse
  • After that, she quit the Avengers and began focusing on small-time help, using Ben Urich and Roger Gocking, the reformed Porcupine, as aides
  • Recently gave birth, using artificial insemination from an anonymous donor - her son Gerry inherited her powers
• Issues (11:32)
  • From Ruby - reluctance in trusting others
  • Constantly having to reassure people she's not Vernake (17:05)
  • Earlier in career, dealing with distance & uncertainty around people because of her lack of familiarity with them (22:40)

• Break (28:50)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Nerd Crusade, and Howard Mackie
• Treatment (30:20)
  • In-universe - Focus on genetics, including passing it along to Gerry
  • Out of universe - Focus on trauma - similar to Dr. Scarlet (guest on our Black Widow episode) (34:04)
• Skit (feat. Jessica from Girls Talk Comics) (41:35)
  • Doc: Hello Jessica, I'm Dr. Issues.
  • Jessica: *sarcastically joking/tongue in cheek* What's up, Doc?
  • D: Hardy har har, never heard that one before.
  • J: Sorry, had to get that out.
  • D: Understood. Bad jokes are hard to let go. So, what can I help you untangle in your psyche?
  • J:Touche. I *yawn* sorry, Gerry-my son-kept me up last night, and I'm trying my hardest to get my 3 functioning neurons to cooperate. Do you have any kids?
  • D: Sure do. I remember those nights. Never enough coffee.
  • J: If I could walk around with a permanent IV drip of espresso, it wouldn't be enough some days. Why do we do this to ourselves?
  • D: It's biologically driven, because kids are cute meat blobs that would die without us.
  • J: Yeah, they are adorable little parasites, aren't they? Sucking the life and the soul out of you all the time, and yet one smile or laugh and they give it all back.
  • D: *laughs* Before this gets too dark, we really should talk about how caring for a child is affecting you.
  • J: Me personally or the superheroing?
  • D: Well…whichever one makes you the most distressed? I can guess though, because most people feel like they only should focus on the personal side and tend to throw any other part of their life to the wayside…not that I agree with that, but that's the tendency I've observed.
  • J: I dunno… I guess the super stuff stresses me out more, at least as it relates to him. Because it seems like it's less natural to me than being a mom, even though I never fully envisioned myself as either… if that makes any kinda sense, I realize this is the caffeinated ramblings of an exhausted parent, but I'm really trying my best not to fall over here.
  • D: Mommy brain (and daddy brain, for that matter) are a real thing. You're making sense.
  • J: OK good. It's just… I wasn't really *raised*, per se, I was incubated. Relating to people never came easy for me. Certainly didn't have any great parental figures to speak of, unless you count Bova, and I don't know any normal people who were raised by a humanoid cow. So when I decided to have Gerry, it was like finishing a puzzle where I didn't realize I was missing any pieces. Every day with him has been a joy.
  • D: Then let's say you're doing the best job you can with him. What's the problem with being a superhero? *pause* That's a moronic thing to ask, huh?
  • J: Not the dumbest question I've heard today. My… partner had a complete misunderstanding about feeding Gerry today, and I had to explain that infants are not supposed to eat Lindor truffles. Anyway, to your point… it's more about the fact that I've had these powers and skillset for a long time, and I still don't entirely feel comfortable with them. Having a kid on top of it… it feels like an uncomfortable suit that I can't take off. And if you crack a joke about my costume, I'll zap you so hard you'll wake up next week.
  • D: I have no intentions of agitating you. The random mix of events that led you to your current life are not something to mock. Let me say from the start that there's no such thing as getting it all exactly right. Do you have any resentment about your status? I've met plenty of people that wish for things to be different.
  • J: Oh I got past the resentment part ages ago. Yeah, it ate me up for a long time, and yes I took it out on some people that probably didn't deserve it. But then I wouldn't be where I am, and I probably wouldn't have Gerry. So in that respect it works out. The thing that gets me is more about… feeling this, pull, obligation, whatever you wanna call it, towards the hero thing. It's like, I'm doing the mom thing, but then I need to get out because if I don't leave the house someone is going to get hurt, likely Roger, so I get some fresh air. While I'm taking my break, someone inevitably needs help, because everyone in New York City is incapable of going more than a week without being attacked by some souped-up genetic mistake, so then I have to swoop in and save their sorry ass, because otherwise word will get out that Spider-Woman just happened to be there and didn't lift a damn finger, and that gives Jameson more fuel for his anti-spider editorials, which is gonna send Parker into a tizzy, and I don't need that agita, so it's easier just to save them and move on.
  • D: That…sounds like there maaaaaay be a little bit of left over resentment there…just sayin. Not blaming you, but wow is that an emotional bag to carry.
  • J: Chalk it up to exhaustion. When you get this tired, anything's liable to come outta my mouth. But I guess I wasn't as adjusted about this as I thought. Hmph.
  • D: That's OK, at least you're aware of it now. I'm a pretty good sounding board. Feel free to blast away…um, not literally. A bit of disclosure here, but I have a similar style to how I deal with exhaustion. No filter. But, that makes me worry, when do you recharge, and how? Can't when you're crimefighting, can't be when you're taking care of Gerry, so…
  • J: Carol has been clutch when I need a breather, and especially if we're out and something goes down, she's waaaaay better equipped to handle stuff than I am. So I sit back and let her wail away on the dude, and then we go on our merry way.
  • D: Nice delegation. I like it. I need to do more of that myself. Thanks for the reminder. So, what's your ideal balance? Brainstorm it. No idea is too crazy.
  • J: Hoo boy, that's asking a lot for the already exhausted hamster upstairs, but I'll kick him in the ass and see what I can come up with. Umm… *phone vibrates* Dammit, hold on a sec, it's Roger. I told him only to message me if it's an emergency, and… *pause* Alright, I gotta go.
  • D: Everything OK?
  • J: If by "OK" you mean "my kid sparked an electrical fire that burnt a hole through the kitchen wall and spread to my neighbor's place", then yeah, it's peachy keen. Sorry Doc, we'll pick this up again next time. And maybe then I'll bring a few extra neurons to make it an even half dozen, and we can have a real conversation.
• Ending
  • Recommended reading: Spider-Woman vol 6 by Dennis Hallum & Javier Rodriguez
  • Next episodes: Terra, Ben Grimm, Alex Summers
  • Plugs for social

References:

• "Helpless" from Hamilton - Doc (8:12)
• Dr. Janina Scarlet/Black Widow episode - Anthony (34:15)

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• Intro
  • Season finale
  • New patron - Tamara
  • Patreon paused for December
• Background (3:05)
  • Polaris (Lorna Sally Dane) created by Arnold Drake and Jim Steranko in X-Men #49 (October 1968)
  • Lorna Dane summoned to the X-Men by the mutant villain Mesmero, who mentally called upon all mutants to help him fight the team
  • Magneto showed up to rescue her and claimed to be her father, explaining why she has his same magnetic abilities - Iceman spoke to her foster parents, who told her that her birth parents died in a plane crash - she joined the team and began a relationship with Havok
  • Erik the Red, a Shi'ar agent, telepathically controlled her and gave her the name Polaris - she was freed by Xavier, but kept the name
  • Gained a secondary ability to manipulate emotions and use them to enhance her own powers - this was removed after a battle with the Shadow King
  • She & Havok were reserve X-Men for many years, until joining X-Factor - left the team after his apparent death
  • Helped Magneto run Genosha for a while, as she felt she needed to make amends - she also learned better control over her powers - during this time, it was confirmed that Magneto was her father
  • Rejoined the X-Men after the Genoshan massacre, although she was suffering from trauma as a result
  • Got engaged to Havok, who left her at the altar for a nurse that he had a psychic affair with
  • Was transformed into Pestilence by Apocalypse, and served as one of his Horsemen - after she is returned to normal, she once again quits the X-Men
  • Joins the Starjammers, where she helps the Inhumans as Crystal's sister-in-law
  • Later learns that her powers manifested at 3 years old - she witnessed her parents arguing about her mother's infidelity, and her ensuing emotional response triggered her latent magnetic abilities, which crashed the plane they were all on - Magneto showed up and had Mastermind wipe her mind of the memories
  • Currently living on Krakoa where she's on a team investigating any mutant deaths

• Issues (6:36)
  • Jeanine - Dealing with constantly revolving powers
  • Her powers impacting those around her, as well as the electrical impulses in her brain (11;51)
  • Her revolving door relationship with her father (18:36)
• Break (28:17)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Take a Knee for Marvel Vs. DC, and Chris Claremont
• Treatment (29:53)
  • In-universe - Create a machine to use her powers to help regulate her emotions
  • Out of universe - (34:15)
• Skit (47:39)
  • DOC: Hello Polaris, I'm Dr. Issues.
  • POLARIS: So whaddya wanna talk about first?
  • D: Just cut right to it, eh?
  • P: Not one for beating around the bush. When you've seen the stuff I have, you don't waste time.
  • D: Fair enough. Well if that's the case, I'll leave it up to you to choose the topic, and we can go from there.
  • P: I don't like being manipulated.
  • D: I'm sure you don't, like most people.
  • P: I don't mean mislead or gaslit, I mean people actually getting into my brain and making me do things beyond my control.
  • D: I'm...not sure how I can help with that other than to tell you to avoid situations where someone would get that opportunity.
  • P: *bitter* Thanks for nothing.
  • D: Wait! I'm not saying I can't help you completely, I'm saying I don't have psychic powers. I didn't know if that's what you were looking for; I didn't want to mislead you...which kind of ties in, right? *nervous laugh*
  • P: Nice save. Yeah, I understand if you thought about it from a mutant perspective. No, I don't want any psychic stuff. I want...resilience I guess.
  • D: You've survived, so that shows a baseline resilience. What sort of emotional and physical responses occur when you think about those situations?
  • P: Everything. All of it. It's horrible.
  • D: No wonder it's the first thing on your mind. Not to sound stereotypical, but trauma really does carry its own special kind of baggage. Is this recent stuff, or childhood, or both?
  • P: This is where it gets weird. It started at childhood, but I didn't know about it, and then there were other problems as I got older that were unrelated to that, but were a direct result of the kid stuff. It sounds convoluted when I say it like that.
  • D: And yet, I was able to follow. Families hide things to theoretically protect the innocent, but there's the risk of altering the relationship at a later age.
  • P: Exactly! And then I have to sort out all of it. My father, my foster parents, Alex, the other ones who controlled me...it's too much.
  • D: It sounds like a lot-
  • P: *interrupting* And don't forget everyone that died...they didn't HAVE to die...I'm not saying it's my fault...but what if I didn't do enough...I'm not some hysterical monster!
  • D: Whoa, I didn't say -
  • P: And don't say it's not my fault. I had to be the embodiment of making the worst fears of humanity come true. Whenever someone powerful sees me, they automatically think of me as a commodity. And what's the fix? Mind wipe. False memories. But all I ever do is keep digging. Nobody was able to keep me from my own truth.
  • D: Do you have -
  • P: *clear pattern of interrupting from this point* Anybody to help? Yeah. I really do, but how can they understand? They can't. You can't understand. *frustrated* Ugh, what's the point of all this? I know that nobody else has the answers.
  • D: What do you -
  • P: I want trust! I want to be trusted, and to trust other people. Whenever I do, it backfires. I'm just so sick of-
  • D: FIRST OFF, LET ME FINISH.
  • P: Why are you shouting?
  • D: *sigh* I'm trying to match your intensity...although that's a difficult task. You have identified the problem accurately. For some people, that takes years of counseling, so you're ahead of the curve.
  • P: Well thank -
  • D: I'm not done. HOWEVER, it's clear you're trying to compensate for a historical lack of control with an even bigger focus on commandeering a conversation to your whims. That won't work for longer periods with a professional. And…
  • P: *pause* and what?
  • D: Oh, I'm sorry, I was just expecting another interruption. Anyway, the point is, trust is not a light switch, even if everyone around you treats it like one. Does that make sense?
  • P: Sure. But try convincing anyone close in my life of that.
  • D: Not gonna give you any BS on that. You're going to struggle with this for a while. ***electrical sound effects*** what the hell is that?
  • P: I didn't do anything.
  • D: ***walking effects*** oh, I think we just had a power surge. ***thunder effect*** Damn weather is going crazy. You'd think Storm was… oh no...
  • P: *more electrical effects, possible female scream*
  • D: Are you okay?!
  • P: *calm* Okay with what?
  • D: You just look like you got electrocuted. I think we have a blackout in the area.
  • P: That sounds bad. Who are you, by the way?
  • D: NO!
  • P: Oh...well, If you're gonna be a jerk about it, I'll introduce myself first. I'm -
  • D: I know who you are...do you remember anything that you already said to me?
  • P: I asked you who you are, and you have this freaked out look. I'm supposed to meet with a therapist, so if you're the assistant-
  • D: Let's just reschedule...no wait, I think if…*rubbing shoes on carpet* hopefully I can build up the static
  • P: It looks like you're a weird dancer so…*another electric shock sound*
  • D: Ow! I hope that did it
  • P: WHAT KIND OF SICKO PSYCHIATRIST ARE YOU SHOCKING ME LIKE THAT?! I spent all of this time pouring my heart out to you and you turn it into some joke?
  • D: Um...you're welcome?
  • P: Ugh. You're just like all of the others! *walks out of the office, door shuts*
  • D: *shouting far* AT LEAST I GAVE YOU YOUR MEMORIES BACK!
• Ending (52:44)
  • Recommended reading: All-New X-Factor
  • Next episodes: Winter break - back in January with new episodes, incl. Jessica Drew, Terra, and the Thing
  • Thanks to all our Patrons: Humble Citizens Dan, Tamara, Kate; Local Officials Frank, Rey, Jonathan; Mayors Angela, Chad, Devon, Maggie, Matt, Ryan, Tasha; Presidents Ariel, Jeanine, Matt, and Ruby
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Billy Mays & Slap Chop - Anthony (2:40)
• Star Trek "The line must be drawn here" - Anthony (17:56)

Apple Podcasts: here

Google Play: here

Stitcher: here

TuneIn: here

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Discord

• Intro
• Background (1:43)
  • Homelander created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson in The Boys #3 (Nov. 2006)
  • Introduced as the leader and most powerful member of the Seven, a group of corporate-sponsored superheroes
  • Initially comes off as affable, only to reveal he's actually a misogynistic jerk - and it gets worse from there
  • Public backstory is that he was an alien who landed on Earth, but in reality his mother was a mentally disabled woman who died in childbirth, and he was the byproduct of genetic experiments from Stormfront, a Nazi superhero - he spent his childhood strapped to a hydrogen bomb in case he tried to escape
  • Homelander hates being a hero, but only does so because Vought pays him handsomely
  • Later revealed that Billy Butcher, head of a group of humans who hate the Seven, has special dislike for Homelander because Homelander raped his wife, who died giving birth to a superpowered baby, which Billy then killed immediately #BecauseComics
  • Homelander is revealed to have no memory of this or many other horrific acts which he is blamed for - this causes him to have a psychotic break and begin doing whatever he wants
  • He has no memory because the horrible acts were actually committed by Black Noir, a clone of Homelander that Vought created to keep Homelander in check - since Black Noir's sole purpose was to kill Homelander, he gaslit Homelander to drive him insane in order to justify killing him - Homelander and Black Noir fight, and Black Noir kills Homelander, but is injured enough that Billy could finish him off with a crowbar

• Issues (8:46)
  • Matt: Wow. The layers upon layers to this guy. He really is just the embodiment of the nature versus nurture argument writ large, isn't he? Injected with an artificial compound to give him superpowers in the womb, mother died giving birth to him, spent his entire childhood chained to a hydrogen bomb so he wouldn't escape from Vought. Raised with no other purpose in life but to become a living corporate-sanctioned product whose image and likeness would be sold for profit while he awed and wowed a company's customers. Given every single ounce of hedonistic excess he could ever want by his company to keep him happy and cooperative and, basically, to stop him from using his powers to destroy the world and/or enslave the human race. This naturally instilled in him some deep-seated psychological issues:
  • 1. Entitlement. I mean...holy crap. The man's mantra is, "I can do whatever the fuck I want." Coercing women into sex? Not a problem. Gleefully using his powers against civilians? Assholes shouldn't have been standing there. It's positively bone-chilling the way he doesn't even give his actions a second thought, or much of a first one.
  • 2. Complete lack of empathy. The man does not even consider non-Supes to be people. Absolutely does not care about the damage any of his actions cause. Also can't even be bothered to try to help people in need unless it's his bosses telling him to. On 9/11, doesn't even want to try and save the plane until someone points out they'll probably get fired if they don't. (13:54)
  • 3. Unapologetically racist and sexist. Has a hierarchy, even among his fellow supes. Women are beneath men. Nonwhites are beneath whites. Basically anyone who's not him or just like him is beneath him. Referencing The Deep, as Bill Burr would say, he drops the hard "r", hits the dismount, and sticks the landing. Multiple times. Views Maeve and Starlight as sex objects first, superheroes second.
  • But, and this is a but, it's implied that he at least tried to adhere to the idealism of a hero early on in his career, even if he was a bit of a prick about it. And it was nonstop long-term gaslighting campaign of Black Noir -- tricking him into believing he suffered from blackouts where he committed horrific acts of rape and mass murder and had no memory of it -- that caused him to go full-blown monster. That he thought to himself, in for a penny, in for a pound.
  • After he's descended into what we see in the comics, we learn that the major issue that he's struggled with his whole life is that, as Stillwell points out in their big confrontation, with all his power, he is really nothing special at his core. There is literally not one person chosen at random who couldn't do everything he'd done in his life if they were given his powers. Oh boy, does that eat at him. He's nobody, just a guy who won the superpower lottery and decided to treat it like most people do when they win the actual lottery. Man, that's a lot of meat to chew on right there.
  • Real-life analogue? Ummm...Dance Moms, anyone? Child actors? Child beauty pageant contestants? Kids who are steered into an activity before they have any inkling of whether or not they actually want to do it and pushed on relentlessly by obsessive parents who want their kids to be the best to satisfy their own egos, robbing them of a childhood and making them sincerely believe that they are better than anyone else? You don't have to go too far to imagine all the real-life Homelanders out there.
  • Gaslighting by Black Noir (28:00)
• Break (34:41)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Cheers to Comics, and Erica Schultz
• Treatment (36:33)
  • In-universe - Make it a talk show, and hope to get him to some level of self-awareness
  • Out of universe - (38:39) Does someone like this get a therapist who looks like them, or one who pushes their boundaries of comfort?
• Skit (NSFW warning) (46:28)
  • DOC: Hello Homelander, I'm Dr. Issues.
  • HOMELANDER: Good afternoon, Doc. I appreciate all mental health professionals. I may wear a cape, but you're a true hero.
  • D: Thanks for that.
  • H: So how long you been with the company?
  • D: Company?
  • H: Vought. I figure it has something to do with the casualties from our last appearance. Real shame those people were in the car. Unfortunately, those terrorists were too far away for me to get to in time, and I had to throw SOMEthing at them.
  • D: I don't work… wait, what?
  • H: You know how it is. Bad guys with guns. So I had to make a choice. There was a car nearby, so I threw it at the terrorists. Wasn't until I heard the screams that I realized it wasn't empty. And super though I may be, I'm only so fast. I mean, I'm no A-Train, that's for sure.
  • D: Oh no...I've met many first responders who have had to make snap judgements like that, but not with such...force.
  • H: Yeah, they're usually crybabies about it. I got over that s**t a long time ago.
  • D: So you really don't care that there may have been any other way to handle life and death situations?
  • H: Do you have any real suggestions? I can see someone like you acting all Monday morning quarterback, but who really gets their hands dirty?
  • D: I'm not disrespecting you by asking to expand your thought process. You said you respect mental health professionals, right?
  • H: Real professionals, yeah.
  • D: What's that supposed to mean?
  • H: Someone who got where they are through hard work and dedication, not just to fill some quota. You know, like we do with the Deep.
  • D: Glad I have the GPA and scholarships to prove it then. Unless you think the people important enough to run this operation would place any random quack in here to talk to you.
  • H: Anyway, I'm sure the paperwork monkeys have all that taken care of. I'll do some talk show appearances, a photo op with the family members of the… Johnsons? Johnstons? Johnbergs? Ah, who the f**k cares.
  • D: Homelander, I'm sorry, I think there's been a misunderstanding. I don't work for Vought.
  • H: Oh. Then why the f**k am I talking to you then?
  • D: You are right, it's because those people died, though.
  • H: Well like I said, their fault they were nearby.
  • D: Oh my God, how does anyone believe you're a hero?
  • H: Because I save poor bastards like you all the time.
  • D: OK, I'm done pretending. Homelander, you are under arrest by the United State military in conjunction with the deaths of four civilians, along with mass property damage. I am here to assess your competence prior to trial.
  • H: What. The. F**k.
  • D: And to ensure your cooperation, you have been placed inside an energy field, which I might as well reveal to you now. *energy hum*
  • H: Are you f**king kidding me?
  • D: So now that we've gotten that out of the way
  • H: You listen to me, you pencil pushing c*******er. You have no goddamn right to keep me here, and I assure you as soon as I get out the FIRST f**king thing I'm doing is ramming my fist so far down your throat you'll be able to chew out your own ass for being so f**king r******d.
  • D: So since you're being detained, I don't need to tell you that this is meant as therapy to improve anything. You've already given me the information I need to make a decision as to whether or not you're dangerous.
  • H: You're goddamn right I'm dangerous. I'm the most powerful f**king thing on the planet. There's no God, there's just me. And all you worthless peons can suck my asshole.
  • D: At this point, due to your severe agitation, I'm required to ask if you have any history of medication that has helped you to stay calm and perhaps relax for a while.
  • H: I relax by jerking off. And when I'm done killing you, I'll jerk off on your f**king corpse.
  • D: Duly noted. Then it's my selection with regards to… hmm… how do we deliver medication to an invulnerable being?
  • H: You aren't going to deliver S**T, do you understand? For someone who's supposedly smart enough to graduate whatever degree mill you came from, you're f**king oblivious to how utterly F**KED you are when I break this field. There isn't a thing that can hold me forever. And the fact that you haven't run away screaming means you're even dumber than you look, you stupid ni-
  • D: Alright, that's enough of that. I was entertaining you up to this point, because your blustering isn't all that uncommon in my area of practice. But the racism is a special kind of heinous. So with that, we're done here.
  • H: No, we're not done. You can walk away, but I promise, I will find you, and I *punch* will *punch* end *punch* you.
  • D: Good luck with that.
  • H: F**K YOU! AHHHHH! *punch* *shatter*
  • D: Oh s***
  • H: *punch* *gory sound effects* I told you I'd kill you. And now to relax. *zip* *masturbates furiously* What the F**K did I tell you? I do whatever the F**K I want, when I want, because I'm f**king GOD. You little *ungh* s**t.
• Ending (51:28)
  • Recommended reading: The Boys: Herogasm
  • Next episodes: Polaris, winter break
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Jim Carrey Madness quote - Anthony (6:52)
• Gilbert Gottfried Aristocrats (NSFW) - Anthony

Apple Podcasts: here

Google Play: here

Stitcher: here

TuneIn: here

iHeartRadio: here

Spotify: here

Twitter

Facebook

Patreon

TeePublic

Discord

• Intro
  • Thanks to all our Patrons: Humble Citizens Dan & Kate; Local Officials Frank, Rey, Jonathan; Mayors Angela, Chad, Devon, Maggie, Matt, Nyan, Ryan, Tasha; Presidents Ariel, Jeanine, Matt, and Ruby
• Background (2:00)
  • Donna Troy created by Bob Haney and Bruno Tremiani in The Brave and the Bold #60 (July 1965)
  • Donna Troy was originally introduced as Wonder Girl, Wonder Woman's younger sister, created in an effort to desexualize Diana and make her (and comics) acceptable to parents
  • Given a name and backstory in 1969 - Donna was an orphan rescued in a fire by Diana, brought to Themyscira, and given Amazonian powers - took the name Donna Troy as a secret identity, and joined the Teen Titans #BecauseComics
  • In 1984, Marv Wolfman & George Perez expanded the backstory in New Teen Titans - her birth mother was an unwed teen who put her up for adoption, and her adoptive mother put her back up for adoption after she couldn't make enough money to raise Donna - she ends up being sold, but the sellers get caught in a fire, thus resulting in her orphaning #BecauseComics
  • She marries a man named Terry Long
  • After Crisis on Infinite Earths, the DC history is rewritten, so that Wonder Woman is newly introduced to the world - this necessitated retconning Donna's history as well - now she is one of 12 orphans created by the Titans of Myth as "Titan Seeds", who were named after ancient Greek cities and destined to become great heroes - the Titans of Myth erased her memory and sent her into the world - while battling her "sister" Sparta, the memories came back - Donna changes her name to Troia #BecauseComics
  • Donna becomes pregnant with a child by Terry - a group of time-traveling Titans from the future reveal that her child is born as a god and destroys the world - to prevent this from happening, she sacrifices her powers and Robert is born normally #BecauseComics
  • She joins the Darkstars and becomes an interstellar protector, but this splits up her marriage to Terry - Terry, Robert, and Terry's daughter are all killed in a car accident, and the grief ends her brief relationship with Kyle Rayner
  • Origin retconned again where she was created by an Amazonian sorceress as a clone of Diana to be her friend - the clone was kidnapped by Dark Angel, who tortured Donna, forcing her to restart her life repeatedly - later revealed that Dark Angel is in fact a Donna Troy from another reality #BecauseComics
  • THEN it's revealed that Donna is the only one who somehow retains memories of all the Multiverse pre-Crisis, and that every version of her origin story is simultaneously valid, because they are all alternate-universe versions of Donna #BecauseComics
  • Following Infinite Crisis and One Year Later, Donna takes up the mantle of Wonder Woman while Diana serves in the US government
  • In New 52, Donna is revealed to be created by an Amazonian sorceress to take over Themyscira from Diana, while also somehow having been a Teen Titan - she then joins the Fates after being killed in battle #BecauseComics
  • Rebirth reconciles the discrepancy once again by saying she was created to destroy Diana, but the Amazons gave her false memories of being rescued to help normalize her #BecauseComics
• Issues (8:07)

• Identity issues
• Relationship issues - 2 marriages, plus she loves Roy Harper (16:02)
• Tragedy of loss of family in one fell swoop (23:22)

• Break (32:04)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Last Sons of Krypton, and Meredith Finch
• Treatment (34:13)
  • In-universe - Give Donna a bracelet made of threads from the Lasso of Truth
  • Out of universe - Focus on addressing the immediate needs first, and build from there (37:25)
• Skit (feat. Jeanine) (44:47)
  • DOC: Hello Donna, I'm Dr. Issues.
  • DONNA: Hi Doc, nice to meet you.
  • DOC: So, what's been going on that you came to see me?
  • DONNA: I'm not exactly thrilled about this, but I'm having trouble turning the page in my life.
  • DOC: Go on…
  • DONNA: This is going to be a bit...complicated so try to keep up.
  • DOC: You don't have to preface anything. My job is to listen. You're the one in charge of your life and how it unfolds.
  • DONNA: Am I though? Anyway, I guess you can say it starts with family problems. I always felt like I owed everything to my sister, and I started to resent her for it. It's not easy living in the shadow of someone like that.
  • DOC: Yes, I could see how that could be painful. You do seem to have a strong presence, so if your sister shares the same trait, I'm sure there were some conflicts.
  • DONNA: Of course. There was the time she saved me, but I can be guilt free about that. I was a kid! Then I tried to take over for her, then I tried to be her...you know how it goes.
  • DOC: Wait...what?
  • DONNA: Nothing, really. She's just hard headed and gets emotional when I steal the spotlight.
  • DOC: I see...I think. While I'm sure you know her well, I'd be careful to project your own interpretation of what someone else is feeling as pure fact.
  • DONNA: Don't I know it! I think that's what a lot of people do to me!
  • DOC: For instance…
  • DONNA: I get rumors that people think I'm some sort of...I don't know...difficult person to get along with. They just can't handle a woman who's able to dish it out as well as take it.
  • DOC: Haters always exist. Try to ignore the noise.
  • DONNA: But what if it's your own husband? Hate's not the right word there. We were just...different to each other over time. Thank goodness I had the fortitude to learn that there are other fish in the sea. *pause, then gets emotional* Losing them still hurts, though.
  • DOC: Yeah, I get that. Grief is totally natural. The pain fades, but it remains, only altered through time and reflection
  • DONNA: Oh it's worse than that. I've lost so much, doctor. Not just divorce, but death. All of it is unfair. *bitter/angry* ALL OF IT!
  • DOC: I hear it in your voice! Death is not something that anyone can take lightly.
  • DONNA: And to relive it, only to die again, then try again, and be beaten down over and over...what would you do? Go crazy? No, I fight on. If it weren't for me, I wouldn't have survived.
  • DOC: You...uh...showed a lot of resolution...in...um..conquering...your own...self doubt? I'm sorry, is this a metaphor or…
  • DONNA: *still angry* I have to live. I have to be who I am! I'm nobody's puppet. Doctor, you can think I'm losing my senses all you want, but sometimes, things aren't going to make sense when I'm talking to you. I may screw up some details. But recognize that everything I'm going through is REAL. Nobody should have to endure what I have, and when I get the chance, I make sure I put a stop to ANYONE that tries to do that to someone else. Do I make myself clear?!
  • DOC: *pause* From an emotional standpoint, yes. I'm not your enemy.
  • DONNA: But what if I am? What if, based on everything I know about myself, everyone thinks I'm a risk that they don't want? What does that say about my love life? My career? How do I deal with the fact that the way I torture myself is to make myself fail over and over without mercy? How do I love myself enough to ignore how much I've hated myself?
  • DOC: *flustered* You know what? I don't know. I won't pretend. I don't know how to process everything you've said so far. I'm still trying to untangle the convoluted way you've said things. BUT, I'm willing to do that. I'm not promising that this is going to be easy. I'll have to remain candid about the times that you lose me. If you're willing to still talk to me as I improve my grasp of your situation, I can offer some better insight. Until then, I think you need to slow down, just a bit, and let your thoughts catch up with your emotions.
  • DONNA: I don't just sit back and let people tell me what to do.
  • DOC: But I usually do sit back and let people tell me what they want. I'm doing that with you and it only leads to more tangents. I'm getting out of my comfort zone and roping it in just a bit
  • DONNA: LIKE HER
  • DOC: ...bad choice of words. I'm allowing you to focus. Back to basics. Who are you?
  • DONNA: You start with the hardest question?
  • DOC: Clarifying...what is your name?
  • DONNA: Donna Troy
  • DOC: And let's stop there. Thank you.
  • DONNA: What?
  • DOC: You can be confident in knowing you are Donna Troy. There is so much to unpack beyond that, but for now, let that be your principle. All of the other stuff may wax and wane in your conscience, but you need to keep yourself centered. You are Donna Troy. That is a worthy existence. Each session, I'll let you spend a bit of time saying what is on your mind, but in the end, we'll add one clarifying statement to conclude. That way, you'll be more sure of yourself so that you can trust yourself enough to know that you can handle anyone who gets in your way, even...yourself.
  • DONNA: You don't get it...but you GET it. I can work with that.
  • DOC: Wonderful.
  • DONNA: DON'T START.
• Ending (50:30)
  • Recommended reading: DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy
  • Next episodes: Homelander, Polaris
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Queen "Somebody to Love" - Doc (15:52)
• Roy Harper episode - Anthony/Doc (16:54)
• Blink-182 "What's My Age Again" - Anthony (22:54)
• Story of the Zen Farmer - Doc (43:35)
• Face/Off - Doc (52:46)

Apple Podcasts: here

Google Play: here

Stitcher: here

TuneIn: here

iHeartRadio: here

Spotify: here

Twitter

Facebook

Patreon

TeePublic

Discord