Self-reflection and poll on archetypes

[bop_radar]

I'm in a chatty mood but have nothing to chat about! This NEVER happens to me. How very strange! Consequently, I'm overcompensating by drawing together various ideas that have been swimming around in my head recently

Comments

[juxtoppozed]

I love that you put all this into words, and a poll! I've always wondered why I relate to certain characters and/or why I love certain characters and it's always interesting to have those epiphanies, especially when discussing. For instance, I was randomly discussing issues of identity with a friend and suddenly realized why I relate to characters who struggle with their identities or have to constantly be on the defensive about their background/heritage or keep it low key because of the responses they've experienced or were warned about, what that entails, the effect it as, etc (and to me, before I realized this, it was always strange that people in online fandom rarely saw this as a legit thing for, say, Clark on Smallville to work out and overcome...especially since he's been in the "closet" all his life and made to think his secret [and by extension identity] is something to hide, be ashamed of, etc). There are little light bulbs that go off from time to time in that regard. Nathan Petrelli got more sympathetic to me when they elaborated on the burden he was carrying to succeed as the oldest. I relate to Lois' fear of failure and consequent, occasional self-sabotage, and thought that was a legit thing for a character to struggle with before striking out. Those little things. On the other hand there are characters I don't relate to at all that I find loveable (especially on FNL, though I have many eps to catch up on there).

I also notice that I fall in love with the idealist and selfless hero in practically everything I watch because it helps validate values that may not be as "cool" or in fashion in entertainment media. I watched the first couple episodes of Lost and immediately felt drawn to the doctor that put aside his own fear and started helping other and as many people as he possibly could. I just generally like selfless people--especially selfless people that despair for the predicaments of others, understand and are sobered by the gravity of it all, and genuinely want to help those people--and think shows/characters that glorify that rock.

[attaccabottoni]

it was always strange that people in online fandom rarely saw this as a legit thing for, say, Clark on Smallville to work out and overcome...especially since he's been in the "closet" all his life and made to think his secret [and by extension identity] is something to hide, be ashamed of, etc)
*gapes* They do? Really? Then maybe their taking it for granted that Clark doesn't know like we do that he's to become future Superman and he's still figuring out what he exactly wants in life. Or was that what you meant?

Hey, that's an observation about Lois that I've never heard of before! It's so cool it helped me make sense of her character. (I should read more Lois meta.) It really is about the little things, huh? :D

[bop_radar]

Oh, good! You've reassured me. While writing the poll part of me was wondering if it was going to come across as completely batshit or pointless (though I do heart the person who answered 'waste of time' to question 7!).

There are little light bulbs that go off from time to time in that regard.
I love those lightbulb moments! I love having them and I love hearing other people's anecdotes about having them. Characters with identity issues--that's a great one! I don't have much natural understanding of that situation myself, but it's good to be reminded that this area resonates with many people. It's a common element in many shows I like.

Like you, there are also lots of characters I find lovable but don't relate to. I'll be interested to hear how your feelings about the characters on FNL develop--I started out having fond-ish feelings for nearly all of them, but some really grew on me over time as we saw more of them.

I relate to Lois' fear of failure and consequent, occasional self-sabotage
Same. One of the many potential meta posts I've got kicking around my head is on Lois as a perfectionist.

I fall in love with the idealist and selfless hero in practically everything I watch because it helps validate values that may not be as "cool" or in fashion in entertainment media.
I like that too, except if it comes coupled with a sense of self-importance--which I don't think it does with the characters you mention. But any sign of a martyr complex is a huge turn off for me. Genuine preoccupation with others at the expense of self is far more appealing and 'heroic' in my eyes.