Post by taj1702 on Sept 29, 2010 17:51:05 GMT 1
Okay, so this could probably go in either television or writing, but I wasn't sure which so I decided to put it here. There's a plot device that I've been having trouble with a lot lately, and possibly its because I see it so often and I'm just worn out on it. I'm just curious whether I'm the only one, or if others see my point of view on this.
So I've been watching Chuck on DVD with my sister, and she hasn't said anything about it, so maybe I'm just making a big deal out of nothing, but here goes.
You take two people who are meant to be love interests. You have one of them fall in love instantly, and the other eventually warm up to the idea of a romantic relationship. Then you throw in something that makes the second person, though they share the feelings, decide that they can't be together. Eventually, as time goes on, the wall is broken down and said second person decides that they're ready. Whereupon first person decides that, and let me be clear on this, even though they still share the feelings, they can't be together. This puts second person off, understandably so, and creates a rift. When dumbass first person decides that they were an idiot, second person is too angry, sad, depressed, whatever, so the rift stays, even though they both feel the love deep down. The entire time that second person is working through their grief and anger, they're pushing the first person away, so that when they're ready to give it another go, first person feels so alienated.
It's the entire on again off again relationship scenario and I think it's so overused it's not even funny. I love a dramatic story, and I love the idea of the tragic relationship in said storytelling, but eventually it gets taken to a point where you stop caring whether the characters get together.
The first time I really noticed it was Friends with Ross and Rachel. The first time it really started to bug the hell out of me was with Lana and Clark on Smallville. (I was honestly happy when Kristin Kreuk left the show.) Seen it on Alias with Sydney and Michael, Farscape with Aeryn and John, News Radio with Dave and Lisa, and at least a dozen other shows that I could throw out there. I can think of several books too.
Am I just stupid? Is this excellent story telling when a plot device is used over and over like this? I realize that the tragic relationship can be a powerful tool if used correctly and sparingly, but sometimes it seems like it's just thrown out there like candy at a parade. Just curious as to what others think.
P.S. Only just getting into season 3 of Chuck, so if you reference that show, please hold back on the spoilers.
So I've been watching Chuck on DVD with my sister, and she hasn't said anything about it, so maybe I'm just making a big deal out of nothing, but here goes.
You take two people who are meant to be love interests. You have one of them fall in love instantly, and the other eventually warm up to the idea of a romantic relationship. Then you throw in something that makes the second person, though they share the feelings, decide that they can't be together. Eventually, as time goes on, the wall is broken down and said second person decides that they're ready. Whereupon first person decides that, and let me be clear on this, even though they still share the feelings, they can't be together. This puts second person off, understandably so, and creates a rift. When dumbass first person decides that they were an idiot, second person is too angry, sad, depressed, whatever, so the rift stays, even though they both feel the love deep down. The entire time that second person is working through their grief and anger, they're pushing the first person away, so that when they're ready to give it another go, first person feels so alienated.
It's the entire on again off again relationship scenario and I think it's so overused it's not even funny. I love a dramatic story, and I love the idea of the tragic relationship in said storytelling, but eventually it gets taken to a point where you stop caring whether the characters get together.
The first time I really noticed it was Friends with Ross and Rachel. The first time it really started to bug the hell out of me was with Lana and Clark on Smallville. (I was honestly happy when Kristin Kreuk left the show.) Seen it on Alias with Sydney and Michael, Farscape with Aeryn and John, News Radio with Dave and Lisa, and at least a dozen other shows that I could throw out there. I can think of several books too.
Am I just stupid? Is this excellent story telling when a plot device is used over and over like this? I realize that the tragic relationship can be a powerful tool if used correctly and sparingly, but sometimes it seems like it's just thrown out there like candy at a parade. Just curious as to what others think.
P.S. Only just getting into season 3 of Chuck, so if you reference that show, please hold back on the spoilers.