The Rec Center #494
Hello all! This week we’ve got articles on Star Wars, politics, and Star Wars + politics, plus some charming Bucky Barnes fanart and a grab-bag of fic! — Elizabeth
new stuff
“The Anti-Trump Movement Finds Its Rebellious Muse: Andor” by Ana Marie Cox at The New Republic
Considering Andor’s extremely topical themes, it’s not surprising to see quotes from the show at anti-Trump protests. But as this article points out, Andor’s relevance suggests a more radical political mood than the kind of pop culture references we typically see on protest signs: “It’s been a long time since the left called this full-throatedly for revolution.”
“‘Star Wars’ ‘Looks Terrible’ in Screening of Long Lost Original 1977 Version” by James Hibberd at The Hollywood Reporter
A report back from the original, unadorned, CGI-free version of Star Wars: A New Hope.
“Social Media Replaced Zines. Now Zines Are Taking the Power Back” by C. Brandon Ogbunu at WIRED
This piece is more fandom-adjacent, but since zines are such a core part of fandom past and present, it’ll probably be of interest to a lot of our readers!
Mr. Mamdani do you recognize Skyrim's right to exist as a Nord state? Mr. Mamdani do you condemn the Forsworn? Mr. Mamdani will you honor the right of the Altmer, as the chosen race, to maintain their post-White-Gold Concordat territorial integrity?
— Emissary Of Night | ليلى (@diplomatofnight.com) June 19, 2025 at 10:39 PM
older stuff
“Bridgerton and Period Drama Fandom’s Enduring Racism Problem” by Amanda-Rae Prescott at Fansplaining
“The goal of racist discourse in period drama fandoms is to return period drama to only showing whitewashed propaganda. Some may hide behind critiquing ‘modern writing’ or ‘actors being not up to par,’ but these are dog-whistles for their true opinion: that they only want to see white actors—and white history—on screen.”
tumblr & beyond
Winter Soldier fanart by ace-bucket
“if im lucky they’ll have written this exact same fic but different a bunch more times”
a dream job for someone out there...
guy in professional comic industry: “okay lets mischaracterize every single character that appears in this comic for 50 or so issues”
fanfic research takes us to such illuminating places sometimes.
not that kind of job buddy.
fanfiction
We’ve got another grab-bag this week! Thanks so much to everyone who sent in a rec. — Elizabeth
“while we sit through (this cold orange afternoon)” by nightdreamer. 14K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: National Football League RPF; Ship: Lamar Jackson/Derrick Henry
Recced by: CycloneRachel
Backstory: Lamar and Derrick in the 2024 NFL season, from Derrick joining the team to the aftermath of the playoffs.
Rec: Beautifully written introspection, a love letter to this team and the relationship dynamics within. I loved getting to see Lamar and Derrick work together on the field this past season, and this fic felt like a perfect reflection of that relationship and it made me so happy.
Content warnings: N/A
“@hornyhotgirl” by antioedipus. 18K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Jujutsu Kaisen; Ship: Mei Mei/Nanami Kento
Recced by: anon
Backstory: Nanami and Meimei represent two polar opposite adult life philosophies under capitalism: the former is an exhausted salaryman with an overdeveloped sense of personal responsibility and the latter is a decadent rich girl who refuses to work for the greater good if she’s not being paid. In this modern AU fic, Mei Mei responds to being laid off by writing cringy horny Twitter poetry online.
Rec: Many fics have adult characters, but this one in particular feels especially grown up with all the textures of adult life from the small intimacies and arguments of a long relationship to picking up an insane hobby to cope with being unemployed. It is also, in many ways, a meta commentary about the experience of writing fanfiction online.
Content warnings: Mentions of suicidal ideation, Rupi Kaur pastiche
“Black-Clad Bats and Making Money” by Gray_Days. 4.8K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: DCU; Ship: Gen
Recced by: Orangistae
Backstory: The Riddler, who in this fic has the persona and storytelling style of comedian John Mulaney, recounts how he became a supervillain by accident because he doesn’t know how to say no to people.
Rec: This absolutely inspired fic reads just like a John Mulaney set and makes me long for a world where he plays the Riddler for real.
Content warnings: Referenced child abuse
“did the twin flame bruise paint you blue” by Jaynovz (Christel_Jenkins). 138K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Black Sails; Ship: James Flint/John Silver
Recced by: friendofthefrogs
Backstory: Flint is an artist, Silver is an actor. They were dating, now they haven’t seen each other in months.
Rec: I love the dual timelines, the angst, and the disability rep in Silver!
Content warnings: N/A
“heavy melodies” by okaynowkiss. 7.5K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Stranger Things; Ship: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson
Recced by: Alana
Backstory: Genderbent Steddie! “Straight” Steve hears Eddie say she owns a strap-on and suddenly can’t stop thinking about it.
Rec: Really well written, real-feeling one-shot with lovely details. Slightly awkward, very hot first-time-with-a-girl.
Content warnings: N/A
“Like a Heathen Clung (To the Homily)” by Unrealshrike. 5.6K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Conclave (2024); Ship: Vincent Benítez/Thomas Lawrence
Recced by: anon156
Backstory: The film is about the meeting where Catholic cardinals choose the next pope. On its face, it’s a serious film with prestigious actors about religious politics, but actually the cardinals are extremely messy bitches who love drama. The set-up: Just two cardinals being pals in the Room of Tears before one becomes the pope.
Rec: Expertly written characters at a crossroads moment. The description of the vestments adds to the emotional and erotic tension. Also this line: “He smoothed the fabric over his blessed womb, the touch lingering only slightly.”
Content warnings: Catholicism, hurt/comfort (mild)
And a vid!
“Wretches and Kings” by Jarrow. 3:23, rated Teen.
Fandom: Battlestar Galactica; Ship: Gen
Recced by: Nemo
Backstory: Vid about the class system that sprung up in the fleet, between the workers and engineer class on BSG vs the pilots and politicians.
Rec: Sums up a theme that was central to the show, but never pushed as far or stated as clearly as Jarrow does in this vid.
Content warnings: N/A
this is a sith lightsaber, from the war. I keep it on a shelf right next to my stormtrooper armor and imperial officer’s uniform. I’ve even got a verified chunk of the death star from yavin. I’m just a collector. I just think the history is interesting. no, I don’t have any rebel stuff
— ceej (@ceej.online) June 18, 2025 at 11:59 PM
FINAL THOUGHT
For Andor fans: Over at Overinvested, my co-host Morgan and I just posted our review of the final three eps of season 2! You can listen here on Patreon, along with our podcast on the earlier parts of the season.
Have a relaxing weekend, everyone! — Gav