I loved this so, so much, and I have so much to sayyyyy. Sorry in advance for the unhinged comment I'm about to leave.
First: "Maggie"!!! I die.
Most importantly, it was the one that made her understand no matter how much she wished things were different, Billy was better off without her. And maybe Daisy and her child would be better off without him, too. She doesn’t believe that now, hasn’t in years, but she thinks the first part might still be true. That Billy simply can’t be happy and healthy when he has Daisy in his life. - It just always comes back to this, doesn't it? It was impossible for her to believe that she might be good for Billy before, but Camila cemented it for her. Thanks, I hate it.
Karen comes over before Daisy can think of just how she’s going to handle this with her daughter here. “Maggie,” Karen says, “would you like to come with me to the party? Your mum will be there in a just a bit.” - Auntie Karen for the win! Who knew??
She knows exactly what, and who, he would’ve picked over her. - Me: Daisy no. Daisy: Daisy yes.
This is the part where she tells him about the phone call with Camila. - Oh, silly Daisy. Don't you know that this is a Cass story? You're absolutely not going to tell him. *sobs*
And before she can change her mind, decide that he deserves to know regardless, he shifts the conversation. - See? Told ya.
This is as much of an answer as he will ever give her. That’s all he’s ever given her, really. Stolen looks, glances so wrong they feel right. Hidden touches they never talk about again. It doesn’t matter if Maggie is his. It wouldn’t change the most fundamental truth. Daisy has always been and always will be Billy’s darkest secret. - God, this hurts, and it hurts all the more because it's pretty much true. Billy Dunne, wtf is wrong with youuuuu?
Billy looks at her as if he doesn’t know her, like she’s hurt him more than anyone else in the whole world. “What?” - My heart is broken. Sad!Billy will always break me. (Side note: I feel like we could alter Bruce Banner/The Hulk's famous line from the Avengers for Billy: "That's my secret--I'm always sad.")
“So, you and Billy fucked, huh?” - This made me bark out a laugh. What would we do without Warren? ("Fuckweasel" also delighted me to no end.)
His whole face lights up and she has to remind herself that even if he’s happy, even if he wants her here, the only reason for it is Maggie. That if it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t care this much. She reminds herself three times that he isn’t hers. Then she reminds herself again. And again. Even though Maggie might be his daughter, he has never been and never will be hers. - *cries forever until I literally die from crying*
“Do you want to meet her?” she asks, but she knows his answer before she’s finished the question. He seems like he can't get it out fast enough. “Please.” - Billy Dunne saying "please" is my kryptonite. Also, I just know that my ovaries are about to explode.
“What?” Karen asks. “I am.” - I laughed out loud again. May we all have the confidence of Karen Sirko.
Teddy must read both Daisy and Billy’s expressions, because he stays where he is, and she wonders, for probably the millionth time, what she would do without him. After that phone call, she almost fell apart. It was Teddy who reminded her she had to be strong for her baby, who helped her see that there was a different path forward for her, who has been with her every single step of the way. - Good lord, what did any of us do to deserve Teddy Price? He is such a rock for them, and he does it in such a graceful, subtle way. I would love to have more of his story (although I pretty much accept AJ's version as canon).
“It’s an honor to meet the coolest girl ever,” Billy says. - Poof! There goes my ovaries.
Daisy meets Billy's eyes and smirks. He gives her a wide-eyed look of fear, but she’s undeterred. “Do you know who loves to dance? My friend Billy, here. In fact, it is his favorite thing.” - YES. YES YES YES DAISY JONES YOU ARE A GODDESS.
Rather, because it’s clear that Maggie is obsessed with him for reasons no one, not even Daisy, can understand. “It’s because I’m naturally charming,” Eddie says around a mouthful of cake. - Lolllllllllll. This was so unexpected and so amazing.
Weddings aren’t really his thing. Hell, his own damn wedding wasn’t his thing. But he can’t remember why he hates them when Maggie’s whole face lights up. - This made me so sad, even if he's delighted by Maggie. The fact that his own wedding isn't a cherished memory breaks my heart.
They laugh at him, practically gleeful with it. Because, of course, they are. He sort of thought they’d all be at one another’s throats. He doesn’t know what to do with the fact that they aren’t. - As sad as it makes me, I'm actually happy that he feels this loss of the band in addition to the loss of Daisy. This is how it could have been--gleeful, playful, loving. I'm going to go cry now.
I put the man in the moon - Okay, Cass. Objectively, logically, I know that you did not include "Look Me in the Eye" specifically for me, but I have to tell you, when I got to this line I punched the air and 100% thought, "She put this in just for meeeee!" I am so happy I may never recover.
Daisy, meanwhile, is acting out each absurd, ridiculous line through a different dance move. Each one is clearly pre-planned. When the sword in the stone line comes up, she mimics pulling an imaginary sword directly out of Eddie’s chest. - God, I love her. We don't deserve her. I want to worship at the altar of Daisy Jones, Comedic Genius.
Because what’s winning is that Daisy is smiling and looking lighter than he’s ever seen her. And he thinks Maggie has his nose despite looking so much like her mom. What’s winning is that Billy, for the first time in a long while, doesn’t feel burdened by every bad thing he’s ever done. - This is so beautiful. All we want for him is to set down his burdens. And Maggie might have his nose! *dies*
They all dance until they finish the song and when they do, Karen suggests another. So, they dance during that one, too. And again. And again. And again. With each one, Billy and Daisy dance a little closer. Maggie even lets him spin her around a couple times. She doesn’t seem to care that he sucks at dancing, either. - I love nothing more than dancing with the people I love, and this scene filled me with so much joy. Again, this is how it should be, how it should've been.
But...Daisy is here and her daughter...Her daughter could be his daughter, too. And he’s only had a few hours with her but already loves her, somehow. The final lines come on and Billy holds onto them and onto Daisy. Maybe more than he should. More than will ever be healthy. "In my room." - Cass, you will pay for your crimes. This was so beautiful.
Daisy may want to make the distinction that he only might be Maggie’s father, but he knows, of course, he does, that’s he’s already decided. Maggie is his daughter. - If I had any more ovaries left, they would explode again. Fierce Dad!Billy - there is nothing sexier.
Clearly, I loved this so, so much, my dear. You have such a gift, and we are the luckiest that you choose to share it with us. Can't wait for the next one.
Comment on would it be better if our love wasn't defined by our art?
pagan_of_the_good_times on Chapter 2 Thu 20 Jul 2023 02:07PM UTC
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