deerstalker
https://www.themarysue.com/best-moments-from-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-episode-2/
With namedropping of Harrenhal in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 1, we were all hoping for some dragon action in episode 2. Instead, “Rhaenyra the Cruel” gave us something better: character development across the board and another reason to hate on Ser Criston Cole.
To quickly summarise what happened in HOTD season 2 episode 2, it was about repercussions from last week’s Blood and Cheese incident that ended with baby Prince Jaehaerys beheaded in his bed. Everyone from Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) to Ser Criston Cole feels guilty for the part they played in this happening. Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), on the other hand, is in damage-control mode and thinks of this as an opportunity to rebrand the enemy as “Rhaenyra the Cruel.”
The post 5 Best Moments From ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Episode 2, ‘Rhaenyra the Cruel’ appeared first on The Mary Sue.
The house always wins. As the only human cameo from the Fallout games thus far in the Prime Video TV series, and with New Vegas very literally looming on the show’s horizon, it seems only natural that we’ll see Robert House appear at some point in Fallout season two. In fact, the series showrunners recently confirmed, “Many of our lead characters are Vegas-bound… Las Vegas in the world of Fallout is Robert House’s town. Robert House will be involved in Season 2.”
Fallout‘s Robert House is an insufferable libertarian to some and based inspiration to others. Here’s everything the Fallout games tell us about New Vegas’ enigmatic autocrat.
Who Is Robert House in the Fallout Universe?
Robert House is the founder and CEO of RobCo Industries. His company is the source of much of Fallout’s classic tech, such as the Mr. Handys (the robotic butler we see trying to ‘borrow’ Lucy’s organs in the show) and, of course, the Pip-Boy, a product that was a partnership between RobCo and Vault-Tec. Worn on the wrist of every game protagonist, and now with Lucy carrying on its tradition—RobCo is an inescapable force in the Fallout universe.
Robert House’s History Before the War
Robert Edwin House was born on June 25th, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada, to the owners of the H&H Tool empire. House was orphaned at age two when his parents died in a freak auto-gyro-lightning-bolt accident. (Fallout is weird.) House was cheated out of his sizable inheritance by his half-brother Anthony. However, with that chip firmly on his shoulder and a genius IQ under his belt, House persevered. He eventually got into the Commonwealth Institute of Technology, the Fallout universe’s MIT equivalent. After graduating at the ripe old age of twenty-two, House founded RobCo industries.
Thanks to House’s impeccable business acumen and intrinsic technical know-how, RobCo became one of the most profitable companies in the world over the next eight years. House was known for his ruthless, excessive corporate expansion. He’d gobble up smaller companies and eventually create a veritable monopoly in some tech markets, especially software. If you look closely at any terminal in the games or show, you’ll see that it’s running on a RobCo operating system.
Robert House as a character was very much in the spirit of Howard Hughes a.k.a. the classic eccentric billionaire trope. But House, and by extension his hobbies, were more bizarrely pragmatic. House personally designed mathematical paradigms to attempt to predict major world events. He’d base this on a stream of constantly updating information with thousands of geopolitical and socio-economic factors.
House determined that on October 23rd, 2077, at approximately 8pm EST, nuclear fire would rain from the sky. You gotta give it to the guy. He was only off by twenty hours.
Mr. House Devises a Plan for Las Vegas to Survive the Impending War
With the date in mind, House began working towards making sure that Las Vegas would survive the war, and just as important—he would survive the war. Like any good billionaire, House owned a Vegas casino known as the Lucky 38. Using the vast wealth and resources of RobCo, House began outfitting the Lucky 38 so that it could protect Vegas against the brunt of a nuclear assault. He also decided that drastic measures would have to be taken for him to remain alive indefinitely to handle the crisis personally. House had his fleshy, mortal body sealed into a life support device that would keep him alive—relatively and theoretically—forever. Meanwhile, his brain was wired into a massive supercomputer.
House also created an army of Securitrons to act as his eyes, ears, and hands post-war. The Securitrons are some of RobCo’s stronger combat robots. He knew they would at least be enough to deter most trouble makers that might crop up after the end of the world. House knew that the current capabilities of the Lucky 38 and the Securitron army that he possessed were not going to be enough to completely spare Vegas. The Strip would likely remain relatively unharmed, but the surrounding environs, not so much.
A new operating system (OS) was designed, one that would upgrade House’s laser grid to better ensure a completely untouched Las Vegas. It would also greatly increase the offensive capabilities of his Securitron army. The OS was downloaded onto the Platinum Chip, and was set to be delivered via courier to House the morning of October 23rd, 2077. Unfortunately, the courier didn’t make it in time.
Even with the inferior operating system, House was still able to stop sixty-eight of the seventy-seven nuclear missiles from hitting Las Vegas. While portions of the city were still destroyed, it was largely spared. When the impact hit, House’s life support systems went out of whack, and he fell into a coma for the next fifty years, while chaos reigned unchecked in the world outside.
Robert House Comes Out of a Post-War Coma and Establishes New Vegas
House regained consciousness in 2138. He initially chose to bide his time and observe the goings-on of the Mojave Wasteland instead of immediately revealing himself. Waiting and watching, House made his move when reports of NCR scouts in the area reached him around 2274. The Securitrons finally, after so many years, left the Lucky 38. With the hopes of having staff that had pulses, House gave the raiders currently occupying the Vegas Strip three options. They could leave, work for him, or die. Three raider tribes chose to work for him. They became the Chairmen, the Omertas, and the White Glove Society, who would run New Vegas’ three restored casinos.
Once established and later ensconced within the cultural and economic conscience of the Mojave, House made a deal with the NCR to coexist in relative peace. The NCR got to have McCarran Air Force Base and an embassy on the Strip. House got to have free power from Hoover Dam, and all the money from the NCR citizens desperate for a vacation. What happened to New Vegas and Mr. House after 2281—well, only the show can really answer that now.
What Is Mr. Robert House Up to in Fallout?
House’s morality (or lack thereof) has been debated among the Fallout fanbase for the past fifteen years. House is a man with a single-minded focus who allows for no distractions. Monitoring or controlling the lives of the people in the Mojave has never been of any interest to him. The preservation and newfound flourishing of mankind, through throwing off the shackles of the past is, by all accounts, his singular interest. However, with a goal so large and lofty, you can imagine that the man behind these plans might find singular human lives, or even large groups of them …fairly insignificant. His take on democracy is also not the most positive one.
Love him or hate him, House is a force to be reckoned with. Once the Fallout show confirms which of the multiple endings from New Vegas is canon, we’ll see how Mr. Robert House is going to play into the events of the show moving forward. Can you imagine House and Cooper in a room together? Because I’m imagining it, and I’m loving it.
Originally published on April 25, 2024.
The post Who Is Mr. Robert House in FALLOUT? The History of New Vegas’ Ruler, Explained appeared first on Nerdist.
By Jamila Stewart ·Updated June 21, 2024
Black cinema fashion is unmatched. It’s bold, powerful, effortlessly sexy and of course, iconic. As lifelong trendsetters andhref="https://www.essence.com/love/queen-and-slim-melina-matsoukas-black-love-story/" target="_blank">Queen & Slim boasts a timely storyline and breathtaking imagery, all while being one of the most stylish films to hit the big screen in recent years.
Style trends are born and reborn through characters we’ve come to know and love—and we can’t quite get enough of it. Let’s take a look at 15 iconicdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/87426662_185366022916948_5424331866025687007_n.jpg" alt="17 Iconic Black Fashion Moments In Film" width="400" height="499" /> Photo: Instagram/@iahhmclassic 02Queen & Slim: Jodie Turner Smith as QueenEverything makes sense when you learn that Shiona Turini, who was a styling consultant for Beyoncé’s Formation music video, is the mastermind behind Queen & Slim’s wardrobe. A runaway plot that has never been so stylish. Queen’s double-animal print look allowed her character to become increasingly relaxed and carefree as the plot progressed. 
Photo: Instagram/@queenandslim 03Eve’s Bayou: Lynn Whitfield as Roz BatisteAt the opening of the film, the family’s affluence is apparent; the room was full of women in extravagant dresses. Roz’s first look set the tone for her character: poise, classy, very-well put together, until pushed to the furthest extent to provoke otherwise. The velvet sweetheart neckline and citrine jewelry are small opulent touches I immediately fell in love with. 
Photo: @urbanthrowbacks 04Clueless: Stacey Dash as DionneOver twenty years later, Clueless is still synonymous with plaid sets. All of Dionne’s looks are worth taking note of, from her striped neon crop top to a loud, red patent leather mini skirt. But by far, the most memorable is her black and white plaid suit and top hat. Sophisticated, sexy, sassy— this matching set embodied it all. 
Photo: Instagram/@entertainmenttonight 05Two Can Play That Game: Gabrielle Union as ConnyDid Conny Spalding invent the power suit? This look is the epitome of the HBIC you love to hate: the seductive red, the short-hemmed skirt, and the heavy pony. The juxtaposition to the main character, Shante, is apparent. Conny was meant to appear harder and less classy, but you can’t help but love it. 
Photo: Instagram/@stillcatalogue 06Waiting To Exhale: The CastWhether it was time to look cute at a party, show up for a fight in court, reconnect with an old flame or welcome a handsome new neighbor to the community, the ladies of Terry McMillan and Forest Whitaker’s 1995 blockbuster Waiting To Exhale were ALWAYS dressed for the occasion—and then some! Plus, who didn’t want that unforgettable white dress worn by Lela Rochon’s character Robyn?! 
07Mahogany: Diana Ross as Tracy ChambersThis camp classic walked so last year’s Met Gala theme could run. In true rags to riches fashion, the costumes became more dramatic as the film progressed through Tracy’s journey to fashion designer. Being the natural icon that Diana Ross is, it’s not surprising to discover that she took on the role of costume designer herself. 
Photo: @movie_dresses 08B.A.P.S.: Natalie Desselle as Mickey & Halle Berry as NisiHalle Berry & Natalie Desselle nailed just about every “over-the-top” fashion trend when they paired up for this ’90s classic. 
09Poetic Justice: Janet Jackson as JusticeJanet Jackson’s laid-back-but-trendsettingdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Poetic-Justice.jpg" alt="17 Iconic Black Fashion Moments In Film" width="400" height="394" /> 10Cinderella: Whitney Houston as the Fairy GodmotherWe’ll just say it— This is the only adaptation of Cinderella that matters. Costume design was epic and extravagant from Whoopi Golderg’s approximate $5 million worth of Harry Winston jewelry to this unforgettable golden gown. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick loosely attributes her inspiration for the gown to Austrian artist Gustav Klimt’s 1907 painting of Adele Bloch-Bauer, and told Shondaland that Whitney Houston was very open when it came to her costumes. Let’s be honest, she would have pretty much pulled off anything. 
Photo: Instagram/@pjpolicarpio 11The Chronicles a Riddick: Thandie Newton as Dame VaakoCinderella’s costume designer, Mirojnick teamed with Michael Dennison to create pieces that were not like “anything that had been done before,”they said in production notes. Mirojnick developed a fabric for this gown she called “Mockadile,” resulting in something looking like a cross between crocodile, cracked glass and fish scales. The opera gloves and Versace-like waist chain completed the look perfectly. 
Photo: Instagram/@glazy_uk 12Harlem Nights: Jasmine Guy as Dominique La RuePeriod pieces often provide the best fashion, and Harlem Nights was no exception. Set in the 1830s, evening gowns and tuxedos were prominent, and feathers and boas were front and center. Dominique La Rue is mysterious and alluring, her costumes fitting that image. It’s hard to choose between La Rue’s dramatic, black feathered-shoulder look and the ensemble we last get to see her in (before Quick shoots her). Ultimately, there’s just something about casually wearing a floor-length silk gown, with a matching sheer cover-up draped in feathers as your nighttime attire that just takes the cake. 
Photo: Instagram/@the.detailed.plan 13Life Size: Tyra Banks as EveCostume designer Maya Mani has spoken has said that her goal was to create pieces that would be iconic in a doll’s world. Hence, Eve gave us vibrant colors, texture, dramatics and fun. This matching leopard set is the first outfit we see Eve wearing, and the goal of iconic was certainly met. 
Photo:Getty 14Black Panther: Lupita Nyong’o as NakiaWith Black Panther, costume designer Ruth E. Carter became the first black winner of an Oscar for Best Costume Design, and it’s not hard to see why. The fictional land of Wakanda, African roots, and futuristic fashion elements all play a part in the costume design. Lupita’s green and black gown was impressively covered in Wakanda text. 
Photo: Instagram/@blackpanther 15Boomerang: Lela Rochon as ChristieWe love a monochrome-mastering queen. Boomerang has many notable power suit moments, but this Barbie-esque look was super fun. Much like Christie’s personality, though her screen-time was short lived, the outfit was a poppy, energetic take on 90’s date-night attire. 
Photo: IMDB 16Love Don’t Cost A Thing: Christina Millian as Paris MorganThe 2000’s gave us a handful of films to look to for throwback fashion inspiration. The “baby girl” aesthetic is occasionally revived in pop culture, like Normani’s “Motivation” music video. Paris having her boyfriend’s name on her t-shirt, and wearing a sports jersey miniskirt is just about as early 2000’s as it gets. 
Photo: Instagram/@valleysuccubus 17If Beale Street Could Talk: Kiki Layne as TishThough subdued, costume designer Caroline Eselin’s picks were classic and timeless. The film depicts two characters dealing with very adult situations at a young age, and particularly, Tish’s outfits reflect the maturity and grace with which she faces these challenges. Plus, we’re now dubbing her the queen of layering. 
Photo: Instagram/@cinemadoor TOPICS: Black fashion Black Fashion Designer fashion gallery fashion news
The post 17 Iconic Black Fashion Moments In Film appeared first on Essence.