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So how'd your date last night go? Pretty well, I think... "You think?"

0 (0%)

I can tell Tai's completely infatuated with me already... I don't really feel that way about her yet and-

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YOU KNEW THAT!  If it was gonna be a problem, you shouldn't have agreed to go out in the first place!

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I KNEW THIS was a BAD IDEA. You're not ready to date, and you're screwing up again...

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...And if you had let me FINISH MY SENTENCE... She's so cute it's gonna be hard to hold out.

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I... you... What am I supposed to do with all this surplus rage now?

1 (1.9%)

Annette and RTTG meet up with "Miss Gabby"

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Marten can't believe they were froshes at Smif! "They all look like kids to me these days."

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Gabby: "How old do I look to you?" Marten: "Oh you're definitely college age."

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Claire: "What about me?" With that bag - 8th grade?

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I AM TWENTY-FOUR AND THIS IS VINTAGE (Bonercat bag FTW!)

1 (1.9%)

Claire reads off the order list; Hannelore: "It'll be a couple minutes. I have to go wash off the hammer."

1 (1.9%)

Tai's cute! I'm glad. Where's Faye? "She had to go work off some excess rage.

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Crosseyed Angus! "I'm not complaining, but what brought that on?"

4 (7.7%)

"It was either that or punch a tree 'til it exploded, and the park service is still mad at me for last time."

5 (9.6%)

Maritza Campos Guest Comic! Marten breaks Hannelore's mind! "fwip"

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Angus shows some concern: "We didn't, like, DISTURB you just now, did we?" "What? No."

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That's good. We were, uh, pretty loud and- "I didn't DISTURB YOU last night, did I? Because MAN."

1 (1.9%)

VRRRRR SHLUP SHLUP SHLUP RRRRR WEEE OH YEAH BABY PFFTHBLTH UNF UNF UNF MMM YEAH

27 (51.9%)

I was just goin' CRAZY. On my GENITALS.

8 (15.4%)

That's, uh, a little more information than I needed to-

0 (0%)

WELL MAYBE WE DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT EVERY TIME ONE OF US IS DOING SEX STUFF

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Marigold! I was in the room!

4 (7.7%)

Total Members Voted: 51

[jwhouk]

We set forth on another week of fun and frivolity in the QCverse.

[cesariojpn]

The shit tier.....I mean third tier folks get a showing during the week.

[WAYF]

I predict at least one more angry fan email telling Jeph that his comic used to rule and now it sucks. Jeph will probably tweet about it. And we will lose one more reader who secretly didn't want to be here anyway, now that all the quality writing, well-fleshed-out characters and vastly improved art have taken over the strip.

Sorry if that comes across a bit ultra-cynical, but I delved into the history of another forum I frequent over the weekend (LoadingReadyRun, if you're interested), and I found somebody whose last post on the forum was declaring that the website had jumped the shark in the most gratingly passive-aggressive and stuck-up way possible. And on one of their finest videos, too.
And I realized how much I hate it when people declare that a thing they used to like has jumped the shark on a forum designed to celebrate that thing, or worse yet, directly to the author of that thing. Please, if you're reading this at home, don't do this.

[Tova]

I decided to google that website. Wow. The front page...

load "nostalgia", 8, 1
run

[jwhouk]

The better a piece of serialized work is, the more difficult it is to see exactly when it "jumped the shark". If at all, of course.

[Is it cold in here?]

Hmm. I agree entirely, and am suspicious of people who use a forum to say they can't stand the work the forum is there to discuss, but ...

Suppose your favorite webcomic, whatever that might be, suddenly changed direction to be a sequel to Dondi. The temptation to post in dismay would be hard to resist, and understandable.

[pwhodges]

Although I know what "jumping the shark" means, and where it came from, I find that I am deeply suspicious of any criticism that uses the phrase.

[TinPenguin]

It's a vague, lazy criticism. I'm more willing to reason with people who can explain their objections.

[cesariojpn]

It's a vague, lazy criticism. I'm more willing to reason with people who can explain their objections.

"Jeph injected a gay relationship into the storyline cause he knows that the story has gone to shit and is trying to be edgy and progressive. Trying it with Sven and Momo wouldn't have that much impact as a Butch Lesbo and a Gothic Bisexual given that would be the ultimate tropes in a porno film."

Happy?

[Tova]

Well, instead of just being vague and lazy, it's now begging the question as well. So I don't imagine so, no.

[DSL]

"Jumping the shark" might have had meaning once, say shortly after one A. Fonzarelli avoided internalizing himself vis-a-vis the selachian, but the term has been abused and overused to the point where it is just another buzzword intended to disguise subjective evaluaton as objective fact -- in other words, a substitute for thought.

[Akima]

Claims that a work has "jumped the shark" are very clichéd, and usually say more about the person making the judgement than the work. Referring to a gay relationship as being "injected" and "trying to be edgy" is rather revealing, for example. Jeph is not Rick Santorum, and QC is hardly Leave It To Beaver, so I wonder why someone would think that the creator of the comic, or its audience, would find a gay relationship "edgy". I don't know where the opinion cesariojpn quoted came from, but it sent my homophobia-meter straight into the red.

I mean "lesbo"? Really?   Why not call Emily a gook while you're at it?

Edit: Made clear that I understand that cesariojpn was quoting someone else's opinion. That was sloppy proof-reading on my part. Sorry.

[Is it cold in here?]

I think the reference was to that person on Twitter (a Twit?) who was afraid that QC would become "gay".

[Mothykins]

Claims that a work has "jumped the shark" are very clichéd, and usually say more about the person making the judgement than the work. Referring to a gay relationship as being "injected" and "trying to be edgy" is rather revealing, for example. Jeph is not Rick Santorum, and QC is hardly Leave It To Beaver, so I wonder why someone would think that the creator of the comic, or its audience, would find a gay relationship "edgy". I don't know where the opinion cesariojpn came from, but it sent my homophobia-meter straight into the red.

I mean "lesbo"? Really?   Why not call Emily a gook while you're at it?

Given the quotation marks around cesariojpn's comment, I assume it wasn't his own thoughts.

[jwhouk]

You know, I'm wondering how many of the strips have featured banter between Dora and Faye (and/or some other combination of the two with another person or persons) at CoD since Dora was introduced? I'm betting on something akin to about 700+ of the strips to date.

[Tova]

Probably a fair few. I get the impression that, whenever Jeph has an amusing idea and decides to riff on it, he throws Dora and Faye into CoD and let's them go for it.

Personally, I find these strips to be a little uneven in quality. I guess they tend have an inherent "either works for you or doesn't" factor. Sometimes I like them; sometimes they feel a little forced.

[jwhouk]

Excess RRAAAAAAAGGGGEEEEEE!!!!!

[Midwesterner]

RUN, Angus!!

[Tova]

RUN, Angus!!

Bwahaha! Perfect response.

Poor Angus.

[Skewbrow]

Faye, why don't you go work on that bonercat coffee machine? May be come back after you have calmed down a bit? Besides I want to see that in operation.

[cesariojpn]

Given the quotation marks around cesariojpn's comment, I assume it wasn't his own thoughts.

No, I just wanted to make an argument to sate the fact we're arguing over people using jumping the shark as an easy argument and we rather have something meaty to grumble about instead. I'm liking the strips regardless.

[Carl-E]

Faye, why don't you go work on that bonercat coffee machine? May be come back after you have calmed down a bit? Besides I want to see that in operation.

Yeah, I'm curious too - I tend to think the boner's for steaming milk, though...

[Kugai]

God help the next customer that comes in.

[Mad Cat]

There's no way Faye has a problem with what to do with excess rage. Surely by now she's cornered the market and has a plethora of buyers lined up every week.

[Boomslang]

Yeah, Dora really needs to think about the order in which she says things to Faye. You can do the whole 'on the one hand, on the other' thing, but you have to start with the hand that won't get bitten off along with it's contents.

[Dr. ROFLPWN]

It's cool guys, Faye is part troll, the blood rage is a natural thing. Just let her spear some customers with a trident and everything'll be fine.

[Soulsynger]

Second panel Dora looks like a plant. 

[Is it cold in here?]

Please say more -- I'm not seeing it yet.

[Boomslang]

Second panel Dora looks like a plant. 

Er, is that sort of plant for sale somewhere? 'Cause that would be really cool. Plant them in your yard, really disturb your neighbors...

[Soulsynger]

Please say more -- I'm not seeing it yet.

Something about her slender physique in profile and her head being slightly tilted back. It looks ... skewed as if she was a plant leaning towards the sun. At least to my eyes.

[Abyssalin]

Y'know it wouldnt surprise me if there was a plot twist revealing Faye was part Scottish, what with the whole quick to rage thing, it's reminiscient of my kin, (and myself but im refined so shh!)

That said Dora is being surprisingly mature about this...

Until Tai is found on a couch, seriously, it's not usually the person, it's the couch, she seems to hate those things, Maybe ever since Marten started having a dream affair with furniture she became insecure, hell if we let her into Furniture Land she would go psychopathic.

[Welu]

Faye's hair seems to have grown out quite a bit. I like her pose in the last panel.

Dora's "yet" and desire to take is slow seems to mean she is optimistic about a proper relationship. I don't like making predictions but I wonder if she'll ever have feelings on the same level as Tai? Or close enough that she's comfortable going physical. Since she's jumped for the kiss and is talking about sex, there definitely seems to be a physical attraction but I don't know if an emotional attraction will form, at least as quick as Dora wants it to happen.

[Renewman]

The whole end of the date definitely showed the gap between how Tai and Dora proceed with a relationship. Dora isn't even fully committed to the pairing and Tai's brain is so sex-addled that she was automatically on auto-pilot when it came to sealing the deal at her place. This arc is going places, that's for sure. 

[Tova]

Y'know it wouldnt surprise me if there was a plot twist revealing Faye was part Scottish, what with the whole quick to rage thing, it's reminiscient of my kin, (and myself but im refined so shh!)

You've just reminded me of an exchange in a recent episode of Doctor Who.

(click to show/hide)

Oswin: “Doesn’t [Amy] seem a bit too angry to you?”
Amy: “Well, someone’s never been to Scotland.”

[Border Reiver]

First thought on today's strip was - so I guess Tai didn't finish the night at Fay and MArten's,

The second was, "I'm sure something will come up to allow you to get rid of the rage.  And may god have mercy on their soul."

[Mr_Rose]

Faye needs to create a sort of "rage vault" in her mind and store the excess there, for use in emergencies.

[Madmartigan]

The whole end of the date definitely showed the gap between how Tai and Dora proceed with a relationship. Dora isn't even fully committed to the pairing and Tai's brain is so sex-addled that she was automatically on auto-pilot when it came to sealing the deal at her place. This arc is going places, that's for sure. 

I kind of agree.  Definitely shows the difference in their relationship experience (even though, from how it stands, Dora has had only one decent relationship and that was with Marten).  Tai=Sex.  Dora, with her issues, has to be certain.  Maturity.  Tai is still trying to find it. 

I figured this was the case.

Though it is interesting that Dora said Tai is completely infatuated while Dora doesn't feel the same way yet.  I take that as no romantic interest other than a booty call (given Dora said she'd have to lay off sleeping with Tai).  Which again leads me to the platonic/non-romantic sisterly like affections.

Which is why I'd say Dora shouldn't have started off with Tai so soon in my opinion....She really doesn't know a thing about her.  Increasing the friendship factor would have been better.

Might have avoided the, "Dora ends up realizing she just can't get into Tai like Tai is in to her."

I will say this about Dora as a whole.  I've had gay friends and bi friends.  What a lot of my more bi-oriented friends have told is that they've always preferred one gender over another.  By that I mean, there's one direction they've chosen as their "settle down relationship."  Never met one that was 50/50 down the line in interest between males and females.  I wonder if Jeph will address that at all.  From her history, it seems like Dora has tried for more serious relationships with men, or at least, there seem to be more of those than with females.  Could be she just hasn't find a permanent female, but.  Begs the question though from my experience.

[Abyssalin]

You've just reminded me of an exchange in a recent episode of Doctor Who.

(click to show/hide)

Oswin: “Doesn’t [Amy] seem a bit too angry to you?”
Amy: “Well, someone’s never been to Scotland.”

That was Asylum wasn't it?

Either way sometimes a reason something is popularized is because it's true, I'm bashful most of the time, but unlock MY rage mode, and it won't end well for anyone involved, I'm basically the last resort between friend arguments, they bring me in and then wait for the impending doom.

I can see Faye going all Temple of Doom one day though, kinda like Cosette, but much more bloody.

[jwhouk]

You know, I'm wondering how many of the strips have featured banter between Dora and Faye (and/or some other combination of the two with another person or persons) at CoD since Dora was introduced? I'm betting on something akin to about 700+ of the strips to date.

Of the 867 strips in which Dora appears, Faye is in 588. Of course, not all of these are at CoD, and there are some with them both at CoD but no banter, so I'd guess it's in the range 400-500.

I counted 202 in the first 900 strips, and it went down noticeably over the years, so yeah - I'd think it'd be closer to 500, though.

[Black Sword]

Light-hearted comment: Excess rage is a very serious problem. All that fire, and nothing to incinerate with it!

Serious discussion on storyline: I won't say Jeph "jumped the shark," chiefly because shark-jumping is more of a retroactive judgement applied to a franchise that declined before its termination.

However, I will say that I feel this arc feels so contrived that my suspension of disbelief is pounding down vodka doubles to convince itself. As inferred, I don't "believe" it, so I'm left feeling somewhat disappointed as I read the strips. Day in, day out, I'm obliged to observe a pair of characters I wasn't overly attached to in the first place and have not become more fond of as a result of the attention they're getting. I'm also left feeling a bit out of the party, since the QC cast are becoming less relatable every time someone gets a day in the limelight. It seems like every time it happens, they're all revealed to be a basket case of issues, instead of just quirky people. Yeah, we all have issues, but quite a few of us just shrug them off and don't let them impinge our consciousness.

I'm not going to rage quit or anything like that, but I think it's fair to say I'm not impressed with this arc. Marten-Dora break up, Marten-Padma hook-up-and-sink, these things pulled me in and had me racing to read the strips. Space arc was fun, if too bloody long. This.... well, the most it's managed to pull from me is a giant meh a day and a longing for this arc to be over already so we can head on to another, potentially more interesting arc. Just my five cents.

some minor exaggerations were included for effect

[Carl-E]

Faye needs to create a sort of "rage vault" in her mind and store the excess there, for use in emergencies.

She always has plenty, even in a nemergency.  I just think storing it up would lead to a "Johnstown flood" situation. 

(I'm in Johnstown as I type this...)

[Is it cold in here?]

Where do you see the "contrived" coming in? Is it the difference in personalities, or seeing Dora as not ready yet, or something else? 'Cause they've considered each other cute for a long time, and Tai's development into a more mature character could lead her to seek someone more like Dora than like her previous affairs.

[helloandgoodbye]

It's a vague, lazy criticism. I'm more willing to reason with people who can explain their objections.

"Jeph injected a gay relationship into the storyline cause he knows that the story has gone to shit and is trying to be edgy and progressive. Trying it with Sven and Momo wouldn't have that much impact as a Butch Lesbo and a Gothic Bisexual given that would be the ultimate tropes in a porno film."

Happy?

The fact that you dislike the arc is your own opinion, but I disagree with you that Jeph is trying to be edgy and progressive with Dora and Tai's relationship.  It's not like he's doing some novel thing -- especially when it comes to webcomics. Almost all the popular webcomics I've seen involve gay and/or lesbian relationships.  If anything, Jeph is implementing such a relationship later than others.

Also, it's not like Dora/Tai occurred without any build-up.  It's been clear for a while that Tai is infatuated with Dora and that Dora is at least physically attracted to Tai.

[Schmorgluck]

Ow, I've been in a similar situation to Dora's. Thirteen years ago, I was on summer break at Belle-Île. I met a girl at a fest noz (a kind of traditional-ish festival) and we hit it off pretty well... Except I didn't feel really in love. I liked her, a lot, she was fun, smart, attractive. But I wasn't in love and my lukewarm feelings puzzled even myself. I supposed that somehow I wasn't in the proper state of mind to fall in love. And we didn't have much time to try to let my feelings build up. If we had been on the same page, I'd eagerly have considered friendly sex with her. But she was in love with me, the asymmetry of feelings was too great.

[Madmartigan]

Where do you see the "contrived" coming in? Is it the difference in personalities, or seeing Dora as not ready yet, or something else? 'Cause they've considered each other cute for a long time, and Tai's development into a more mature character could lead her to seek someone more like Dora than like her previous affairs.

I'll try and jump in on it but I'll likely get it wrong.

Here's what I think when I see "contrived."  You have Marten and Dora going back and forth for a big portion of the comic before finally getting together.  Dora is at this time the only character that isn't straight up hetero.  They start their heavy dating and get really close.  Then you introduce Tai as the lesbian character.  She, in all her immaturity, makes not so subtle advances on Marten's girlfriend and pretty much says she wants to boink Dora and makes it none too subtle she's fairly jealous of Marten.  Meanwhile, from my estimation there is a more sisterly vibe from Dora to Tai.  Hence "cute little butch girl" and "not my type" references.  I'll give that they had flirting instances, but all seemed playful from Dora's end and nothing serious.

Then you hit the Dora insecurity arc supreme and things end.  Dora takes a break, then tries a date with Jim.  Doesn't work.  Therapy and boom.  Out of left field Tai finally goes for it and Dora (who, in my estimation has shown only very friendly platonic feelings to Tai) figures what the hell.  And you the lesbian character who couldn't keep the Dora salivating under control get with the only bi character.  I can understand why some feel it can be considering kind of cheap and convenient to eventually pair those two up, hence its contrived nature.

And then you add in the "not feeling it" part.  You know, the mutual chemistry.  It has been very evident in almost all the other relationships and how they were built up that it made a lot of sense in there was some believable build up and chemistry boiling between characters.  Then you have the latest where Dora really seems to have no clue of her feelings toward Tai (and she admitted she could tell Tai is very infatuated with her).  Note she didn't say she was infatuated with Tai.  Isn't that one of the first steps?  You become a bit infatuated with the person you want to date / after a 1st date? 

From the spacey Dora during the date to this revelation, it has gotten even less convincing of a pairing. 


That's what I think some people mean by contrived. 

I personally think it would have been a bit more believable if you introduce a new girl that Dora just meets on her own and really digs her off the bat and tries a date than mackin' all of a sudden on Tai.

But, it is what it is.  Some people see it differently, some see it the same, others see an in between analysis. 

I agree on the arc getting a little over drawn and a bit dull.....I blame that on Hanners missing from the strip for far too long. 

And Marigold!  Where's Marigold!?

Ow, I've been in a similar situation to Dora's. Thirteen years ago, I was on summer break at Belle-Île. I met a girl at a fest noz (a kind of traditional-ish festival) and we hit it off pretty well... Except I didn't feel really in love. I liked her, a lot, she was fun, smart, attractive. But I wasn't in love and my lukewarm feelings puzzled even myself. I supposed that somehow I wasn't in the proper state of mind to fall in love. And we didn't have much time to try to let my feelings build up. If we had been on the same page, I'd eagerly have considered friendly sex with her. But she was in love with me, the asymmetry of feelings was too great.

I think this will be a cause of conflict.  Tai is still trying to change, but sex=success will still be in the back of her mind.  I hope/think Dora will really be trying to put off the sexy time with Tai unless she's sure she's committed and really wants to pursue a real relationship with Tai.  That could cause friction with Tai who may be put off by Dora not taking Tai's advances or initiating them.

And honestly, when you have someone that has a 15 on the 1-10 scale of interest in you, but you're still questioning what your's is (likely a 2-3)....I don't really consider it fair to the other person.  The noticeable lack of equal levels of sexual and romantic interest is just astonishing.

[iduguphergrave]

Faye needs to create a sort of "rage vault" in her mind and store the excess there, for use in emergencies.

I doubt she wants to give herself cancer.

[Renewman]

Light-hearted comment: Excess rage is a very serious problem. All that fire, and nothing to incinerate with it!

Serious discussion on storyline: I won't say Jeph "jumped the shark," chiefly because shark-jumping is more of a retroactive judgement applied to a franchise that declined before its termination.

However, I will say that I feel this arc feels so contrived that my suspension of disbelief is pounding down vodka doubles to convince itself. As inferred, I don't "believe" it, so I'm left feeling somewhat disappointed as I read the strips. Day in, day out, I'm obliged to observe a pair of characters I wasn't overly attached to in the first place and have not become more fond of as a result of the attention they're getting. I'm also left feeling a bit out of the party, since the QC cast are becoming less relatable every time someone gets a day in the limelight. It seems like every time it happens, they're all revealed to be a basket case of issues, instead of just quirky people. Yeah, we all have issues, but quite a few of us just shrug them off and don't let them impinge our consciousness.

I'm not going to rage quit or anything like that, but I think it's fair to say I'm not impressed with this arc. Marten-Dora break up, Marten-Padma hook-up-and-sink, these things pulled me in and had me racing to read the strips. Space arc was fun, if too bloody long. This.... well, the most it's managed to pull from me is a giant meh a day and a longing for this arc to be over already so we can head on to another, potentially more interesting arc. Just my five cents.

some minor exaggerations were included for effect

Hot damn. Couldn't have said it better myself. This arc just isn't believable. If this had happened:

I personally think it would have been a bit more believable if you introduce a new girl that Dora just meets on her own and really digs her off the bat and tries a date than mackin' all of a sudden on Tai.

then this whole entire arc would have been more believable and a little bit more enjoyable. However, it's because Tai and Dora have built up this relationship as "sisters/friends" it doesn't feel organic at all. It feels more like Dora going out with her because why the hell not?

[Mothykins]

This arc just isn't believable. If this had happened:

I personally think it would have been a bit more believable if you introduce a new girl that Dora just meets on her own and really digs her off the bat and tries a date than mackin' all of a sudden on Tai.

then this whole entire arc would have been more believable and a little bit more enjoyable. However, it's because Tai and Dora have built up this relationship as "sisters/friends" it doesn't feel organic at all. It feels more like Dora going out with her because why the hell not?

I must admit that, though I'm enjoying this arc, that "alternate arc" sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than Dora/Tai.

[Dr. ROFLPWN]

I continue to be surprised at all the quite self-assured prophets of doom hovering about Tai and Dora's relationship. Tell me, o sages, did you read this many portents and omens coming off of Marten and Dora, or from Marten and Padma? It's an honest question, or at least the part about Marten and Padma is: I allowed myself to get invested in that relationship (a mistake when reading anything fictional), and may have missed telltale omens of its impending immolation.

But with Tai and Dora...I don't think I've ever seen this many people proselytizing that a relationship is doomed in QC forum history. Does this just come from personal dislike of the relationship, or is this just expectation of relationship failure based on Jeph's prior expertise in crafting flawed relationships?

And whatever will everyone do if Dora and Tai are a long-running couple, if Dora's passion does build after the second and third date and they surpass even Faye and Angus for longevity? 

(I could be wrong, of course. Hell, I didn't really expect them to date at all, so here's me swinging at all the curveballs like a chump!)

I agree on the arc getting a little over drawn and a bit dull.....I blame that on Hanners missing from the strip for far too long. 

And Marigold!  Where's Marigold!?

  oh nooooooo

please don't be that guy, the people who are like "WHERE IS HANNERS AND/OR MARBEAR" are just one of my biggest pet peeves and augh please just don't.

Jeph has plans for Marigold and Hanners I'm sure, just trust in that. If they were in every arc, they wouldn't be fresh or fun anymore.

[cesariojpn]

This arc just isn't believable. If this had happened:

I personally think it would have been a bit more believable if you introduce a new girl that Dora just meets on her own and really digs her off the bat and tries a date than mackin' all of a sudden on Tai.

then this whole entire arc would have been more believable and a little bit more enjoyable. However, it's because Tai and Dora have built up this relationship as "sisters/friends" it doesn't feel organic at all. It feels more like Dora going out with her because why the hell not?

I must admit that, though I'm enjoying this arc, that "alternate arc" sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than Dora/Tai.

Or Sweet Tits begins dating Dora.