Your personal Tumblr journey starts here
Save Dead Boy Detectives - Blog Posts
i don't think that hearstopper or red white and royal blue are not made for queer people. it is just that they are about being queer rather than directly for queer people.
hearstopper, especially, is about teenage queer experiences (first love, coming out, discovering your identities...). while dead boy detectives plot doesn't revolve around the queerness of the characters, since its a detective show.
and rwrb is something else, even. I would say it represent an in-between: although important part of the plot focuses on alex's sexuality crisis, the subplot revolve around politics and international relationship.
rwrb represents the middle ground of the queer media venn diagram. It panders to straight people by offering a clear and distinct representation with some explanation of queer identities while having queer characters whose identities don't solely revolve around being queer.
i say that we need all of those kind of stories, some like hearstopper, some like dead boy detectives and some like red and white and royal blue, because they serve different purposes.
while stories like hearstopper help straight audiences or young queer people to understand queerness and its diversity and struggles, shows like dead boy detectives further humanizes LGBTQ+people by representing them in casual yet meaningful ways with all of the nuances that come with being queer.
as someone who is a huge fan of other queer content (like heartstopper and red, white and royal blue), dead boy detectives feels so incredibly different.
despite how much i love those two, they don’t feel like they’re made for queer people.
in a lot of ways, they feel like media made for cishet people about queer and trans people which is fine and doesn’t make it unenjoyable, but dbda has a totally different feel to it.
it feels like queer media made FOR queer people.
they have so much nuance to their characters and don’t shy away from it. charles openly flirts with both edwin and crystal despite the fact that he never says anything about his sexuality and edwin’s backstory doesn’t try to hide the horrifying way that queer people were treated historically and i think that’s really important.
though he is very clearly repressed, he is still unapologetically queer. he showcases his jealousy loudly and there is no doubt in the viewer’s mind that he is queer even for a moment.
same with monty and the cat king. they’re so vibrantly and boldly queer. monty begins flirting with edwin nearly the moment we see him and as does tck. what i really appreciate about tck is his gender nonconformity. i think that’s so important and i honestly really appreciate that they don’t even mention it.
with tck in particular, his actions can be considered rather predatory, but we never really feel like that’s due to his queerness which is FASCINATING because that is a really harmful stereotype of queer people, but it never feels like that’s what they’re going for or like they’re using it to demonize queerness.
with jenny, she says so casually that she’s attracted to women and it’s not even something that they have to discuss again. it’s such an unimportant aspect of her character, but it’s still so unabashedly there. i love that niko doesn’t even say anything about it when she learns, she just accepts her, no questions asked.
even with simon, he very clearly discusses his sexuality in E7 when he tells edwin that he liked him, but he never has to say the words. we just KNOW contextually because he talks around it. he i would argue that he is the only instance of a character discussing shame in their identity and it immediately results in one of the loveliest quotes in the show.
“if you punish yourself, everywhere becomes hell.”
he has spent over a century repressing himself and when he finally tells edwin, the boy he liked and treated terribly because of it, he is immediately told that it is not torture to be queer. he is immediately told that there is nothing wrong with his sexuality.
the confession scene btwn edwin and charles in E7 and the scene in E6 where edwin is TRYING to confess are so fucking important to me. nearly immediately, charles tells edwin that it doesn’t make any difference that he’s queer and that he accepts him. when he does confess, he doesn’t make him feel bad for it. he tells him that he loves him too, but that he can’t say he does in that way right now, but that he’s the most important person in his life and that that will never change.
the scene in E7 where they’re on the roof and edwin tries to apologize for potentially having made things awkward, charles shuts it down immediately. he says “it doesn’t.” and that’s the end of it.
this show exemplifies queerness through a queer light and it’s very clear who the intended audience is for dbda not to sound like i’m hating on the first two pieces of media (rwrb is literally one of my special interests, trust me, i adore them both), but maybe that’s why hs was given a third season and dbda was cancelled within five months of airing. i feel that these two pander to straight people in a lot of ways, but dbda doesn’t. it’s something that is incredibly important to me and i’m really happy about it.
Thinking about how if Jenny did come to London with the others, and if Monty does manage to turn back into a human and ends up joining the agency... there's seven members of the agency. Which means that there's one that matches up with each member of the Endless.
Edwin---well, that one's obvious, isn't it? He's come face to face with Despair, walked in her domain, stared her in the eyes as she quietly declared that they were friends now. He is, at his core, deeply and profoundly sad, and there's no denying that. Until Edwin allows himself to be happy, Despair will always have her hooks in his heart, and even when he's free of them, she will always linger in the faintest parts of his ghostly aura, will always be there whenever he travels through a mirror.
Charles... oh, Charles. We all know which of the Endless he would be the most affected by, don't we? He claims that he can't say he's in love with Edwin back, but the minute those words left his mouth, Desire was up there in their domain, cackling at how fucking idiotic this boy is. If we get a season 2, we will absolutely see them taunting Charles, purring into his ear that they know how much he's been ignoring his own desires and wouldn't it be nice to just acknowledge it, darling? Edwin was able to tell you, why can't you just say it back?
Crystal already feels as if she's losing her mind half the time, and doubly so now that she's fully warring with two very separate sides of herself. Would it really be a stretch for her to try to help a lonely-looking girl with wild red hair one night, only to touch her and immediately get pulled into a world that is a riot of color and confusion and things that don't and shouldn't exist? Delirium would probably be kind to her---her default state tends to be kind, even if not everyone sees it that way---but I doubt Crystal would have a good time there, even as Delirium compliments her on her name and proudly proclaims that she's a shiny rock and a pretty building and a football team and a flying machine all in one.
Niko's lost somewhere right now, and we all know she has a long journey home. I don't think it would be unlikely for her journey to eventually lead her to a palace with a roof made of stars, or a library full of every book that has ever been written---and every book that never has. And Dream might see this girl who doesn't belong in his world, but who can't take his sister's hand, and show her the way back to her friends. After all, she's lost so much and is still full of so much hope, and how could Dream not admire someone like that?
Monty... well, he spends all his time looking up at the stars, and not just because they sparkle and shine and all of his crow instincts say that they're treasures meant to be plucked from the sky. He wants to know the future, his future, to find out whether or not he can be something other than just a witch's pet. And maybe, some of his wanderings will one day lead him into a labyrinth, and he'll come out the other side in the garden of Destiny. Will Destiny let Monty read from his book? Probably not, but I think being there might be comfort enough.
There's a slim chance of Jenny ever meeting Destruction, but they are more similar than you may think. Jenny, like him, is a prodigal who left her post, whose life always seems to fall apart, who struggles with a whirlwind of emotions that she can barely comprehend. And while he's off in a secluded land, finding new ways to channel creation rather than the purpose he was made for, she's rebuilding her life, as crazy as it may be.
And, well... we all know who the Night Nurse works for.
you've heard of modern au punk charles who plays up the attitude to mess with edwins' parents.
now get ready for:
Punk Charles, who is so polite and charming that Mrs Payne invites him for tea every chance she gets.
Edwin was afraid his parents wouldn't approve of their friendship, but here they are, eating little biscuits and chatting
Just finished rewatching Dead Boy Detectives. This show is so good. The writing, the characters, the actors... everything.
It's art.
Practicing PDA
It's the Sherigham Point Lighthouse, if you wondering.
I am currently rewatching Dead Boy Detectives and I just realized that I've visited the lighthouse where they filmed the case of the lighthouse leapers (Ep 04).
I don't live near the lighouse at all. I don't even live in the same country or continent as it. I just visited it on a holiday 3 years ago. It was during a summer camp, and I had the best time ever. I lived some of my favourite memories there, travelling across Canada and the state of Washington.
So seeing on the screen this place that reminds me of moments of joy and friendship in a show which brings me joy as well is just amazing.
I am currently rewatching Dead Boy Detectives and I just realized that I've visited the lighthouse where they filmed the case of the lighthouse leapers (Ep 04).
I don't live near the lighouse at all. I don't even live in the same country or continent as it. I just visited it on a holiday 3 years ago. It was during a summer camp, and I had the best time ever. I lived some of my favourite memories there, travelling across Canada and the state of Washington.
So seeing on the screen this place that reminds me of moments of joy and friendship in a show which brings me joy as well is just amazing.
NIKO SASAKI AND EDWIN PAYNE Dead Boy Detectives (2024-)
Must be the season of the witch
.
d5 magic
Day 3: Eternity. I've never made a gif before, but I thought it would be perfect for these two. No matter what might separate them, in the end they will always find each other again. ❤️
prev | next
Silly meme of the day :3
l hate Neil Gaiman, please sign the petition
Please reblog
If you're on Twitter and want to help Dead Boy Detectives trend, we have a new hashtag: #BestGhostsIKnow
To have the best chance of getting onto the trending page, hashtags must be changed frequently, From now until October 20th, use #BestGhostsIKnow alongside #SaveDeadBoyDetectives
(Source)
Keep talking about Dead Boy Detectives! If you're over on Twitter you can follow me and I'll follow you back (I'm atfssims1)! We're all in this together and we cannot let up on Netflix even for a second. Let's bring our boys home!
Also if you make anything (fanart, fic, gif set, analysis, etc.) on Tumblr relating to the "Best Ghosts I Know" theme and want me to share it on Twitter for you (in the case that you don't have a Twitter) I'm happy to do so to contribute to the tag over there - I'll tweet a link to your Tumblr post, just tag me!
WE CAN AND WE WILL SAVE DEAD BOY DETECTIVES! 🫶
l hate Neil Gaiman, please sign the petition
Please reblog
netflix… if i see you in the streets…
I’m Musab, a father of three daughters. Our home in Gaza was destroyed in the war, and we have nowhere to go. We need help to rebuild and create a safe place for my family.
Any donation or share means the world to us.
#Gaza #RebuildHome #GoFundMe #HelpFamilies #SupportGaza
Help AbuShamala Family Survive: Urgent Call from Gaza
I am Mahmoud AbuShammala, 30 years old, residing in Belgium. I am writing to you today to urgently seek your help to save the remaining members of my family in Gaza.
We are a large family consisting of 11 siblings, along with our parents Ahmed and Saada. We lived in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, and had a decent and happy life. Each of us has our own family living in Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza. Our lives were stable until the war came at the end of 2023, turning everything upside down
On 13/02/2024, we lost our dear father due to shelling, and my mother could not bear the shock, passing away a few weeks later on 02/03/2024. The tragedy did not stop there; we also lost my sister Huda’s husband, Abdulrahim, due to random shelling. In total, we have lost nearly 50 family members and relatives
Our homes were destroyed completely or partially, and our lives turned into homelessness. We live in tents and overcrowded shelters that are unfit for human life. My family members moved between Khan Younis and Rafah seeking safety, suffering from food shortages, disease outbreaks, and lack of medical care. Children’s lives became at risk, losing their right to education and suffering from lack of care and affection
Any amount can make a significant difference in our family’s life. Help us share our story and raise awareness of our plight. Your words and prayers give us strength and hope to face these harsh conditions. Our hope is great in your compassionate hearts. We invite you to stand with us in this difficult ordeal. Every donation, every share, and every prayer brings us a step closer to a better life. Thank you for your support and generosity Mahmoud Abushammala The Abushammala Family in Distress
🌟 This campaign has been vetted by
@cryptidmosses @kyus-side-blog @omnificent-orion @khutsydoh @good-old-gossip @amaraabbz @unbrokensestra @purplecherryuwu
Thank you for your support. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference and helps support my family.
🍉🙏🏼🍉🙏🏼🍉
Hey hey, Tumblr.
Pssst pssst pssst
Charles worshipping Edwin's scars.
I wish there were more fics that focused on them having physical scarring. Because there are so many interesting stuff we can do with it.
The insecurity, the trust you need for showing them.
And we already know Charles adores Edwin's flaws. He doesn't just accept them, he loves Edwin's flaws- him being bitchy and mean is genuinely a flaw and Charles loves that about him.
Charles would've loved kissing all of Edwin's scars👀 maybe scars from hell, or scars from being tied up.
He would've loved staring at him with heart eyes thinking he's the most perfect thing ever.
It doesn't have to be sexual, I just want them adoring each other's form. Loving each other's flaws and everything. Because they would. They would adore each other's flaws.
So. Just saying.
Living this out in the air.
If anyone wants to write that....
Please @ me.
On one hand, I love Crystal my girl and she deserves to appear in my case fic.
On the other hand, if I'd let her appear she would've defeated the villains in 2 seconds and take away all of my excuse for angst and Charles gay panicking over Edwin fencing, and then I'd have no plot.
I'm sorry my girl, you're simply too much the goat for this I'm afraid. I can't let you appear.
We can't always win.
My personal headcanon for how Crystal was able to go through airplanes security but didn't know her full name even though she needs her ID and such for this stuff-
Guys. Come on. She 100% had multiple fake IDs, are you kidding me?
In the show we see her going to a bar in the first episode, where David catches her again when she's hiding at the bathroom, and we know she's not a legal adult.
Crystal is 100% the kind of girl that had a bunch of fake IDs. Be for real.
She probably didn't have her real one on her. David must've left it behind and used just the fake ones to get into places.
She probably hypnotized people in the airport with her powers to not look deep into them and let her go pass security. (Not my original headcanon but I've seen it somewhere and I agree with it).
She probably had some cash on her too at the start, for the flights and one week's rent (she tells Jenny she has rent on her when she comes in, and "you're the only room in town I can maybe afford". So she might've had some cash in the beginning (she got some clothes too, didn't she?) but it has probably ran out during the show).
The real question is why the hell did they need 3 plane flights *and* a ferry?? Maybe it was for a comical punch. But that's still a bit weird. And such a waste.
Maybe the fact she didn't have all of her identification papers is what made them have to take a more complicated route.
This hold up for sure made Edwin get pissed too. He probably bitched about it to Charles the whole way.
Haven't posted in a while because sessional depression is no joke, but posted a new fic!
https://archiveofourown.org/works/62805880
Fluffy chorb one shot, Charles exhausted himself on a case and Edwin lectures him a bit :)
But he can never stay mad at Charles for long.
Under 1,000 words. Just a bit of domestic fluff for your heart.
You've probably heard that Dead Boy Detectives got cancelled.
What you maybe haven't heard is that there is an extremely active ongoing campaign to try and get it renewed. You might have seen our billboards around lately. ✨
Want to join the campaign? Here are some things you can do to help: 💀 There's a petition to get the show renewed! It has 21,000+ signatures and counting. You can sign it here. Ask your friends to sign. Ask your family!
💀: Follow this Tumblr! Since you're here on Tumblr already, it's the easiest way to get news about the campaign.
💀: Join our Save Dead Boy Detectives Discord server. This is where a lot of the planning happens. We post regular updates and easy action items that members can take to help make the call for renewal more visible.
💀: Participate in our letter-writing initiative. Sending physical mail is one of the very best ways to get a company's attention.
💀: Keep streaming the show! Watch numbers are a huge indication to streaming services that there's audience demand.
As the cast and crew have said, never say never. Let's give them all a chance to finish telling their story. ✨
Chaos.
Another day, another Dead Boy Detectives question! ✨
In the hopes of getting the fandom tag trending and getting more eyes on Dead Boy Detectives, please use the tag "dead boy detectives" when you reblog to reply.
Today's question:
If the core four made a snowman together, what would it look like?
Hey people of Tumblr!
I'm trying to turn "Fencer Edwin Paine | Edwin Payne" into an official AO3 tag, so please please please if you've written or you'll write about Edwin fencing, even if it's just a mention of fencing, please use the tag🙏
Also I promise I'm not out of the fandom, sorry I've been quiet for a while, but I'm not planning on going anywhere 💪 and have more fics to come. I haven't abandoned the fandom.
Being here is great and I love this wonderful fandom. We got so little and made so much out of it, I love us.
