THe Adorkability Factorcordelia44April 9 2009, 04:54:43 UTC
Sassy:
Thanks for the email! And thanks as well for this venue especially since the following would most likely have been either misunderstood/ garnered much verbal abuse on the forum!
As you know, I am in a distinct minority: I never much cared for Kutner. In fact, rather than finding him charming as many did, I found him to be ...odd. The more I watched him, the more I felt something was off with this character despite (or perhaps BECAUSE!) of his behavior which many found funny-- such as his urinating on House’s chair. Indeed, instead of finding this act funny, I thought it revealed a troubled person, rather than simply a juvenile act. Clearly, I do understand that juvenile acts are often just that: a silly, momentary way to --at times--relieve stress. (Or a simple immature act by, well, JUVENILES.) juveniles.) However, Kutner was no juvenile. In my mind, therefore, he was an ADULT peeing on someone's furniture (House’s notwithstanding!)becasue he had ISSUES. (Honestly, how would anyone really feel if they discovered an adult had peed on their chair?)
And now that the perpetually smiling young man killed himself, it seems I was, sadly, right: Kutner was a deeply troubled young man-- a man so in pain that the only way he could escape it was to kill himself.
I find this tragic AND richly ironic because it was this young man so beloved by many due to his "Adorkability" Factor-- who actually killed himself!
How can this be?!
Unfortunately, it happens, and more than we care to think about.
That is why Kutner's death is so compelling. His death provokes us. In doing so, it serves the public: Suicide IS shocking--especially if it is by someone we all t think is FINE--or--"adorkable".
Therefore, we meed to pay more attention to MENTAL HEATLH.
Kutner saw his parents murdered. I don't know if he had mental help; presumably as a child, he did. But did he as an adult? I don’t know. But knowing he had such a tragic narrative, I am less surprised that he killed himself. Of course, one does not need an actual tragedy in the family to feel suicidal.) Still, Kutner's past reveals we need to do a much better job in reaching out to others, and for ourselves as well before we implode because of our pain.
Kudos to the writers for bringing this up. My only concern is, however, that this message will be drowned in all the bitterness directed at the writers for killing off their favorite character.
Frankly, not only does Kutner's death serve the public, I believe that his death also adds interest to his character AND the show: How will the team handle this?
As you noted, look at Foreman's reaction after the fact--pushing away the woman he loves because he's FOREMAN--another male who pushes his feelings down as deeply as he can. And then there's Taub--a character than I actually find interesting! (it seems I am at pdds with may of the fans--oh, well!) Taub is ALSO lso ONE sorry son of a bitch--which is why I find him interesting, btw. At any rate, I do hope that he seeks help!
And speaking of seeking help, how great is it that House finally is doing so?! It seems that our House wants to live because as he puts it (and I’m paraphrasing here), living sucks, but dying sucks MORE. So, even though I know that that House is trying to find a rational explanation WHY Kutner killed himself, House is at least seeking help because he wants to live--and have his life suck less than it does.
That's progress.
Finally, I do think that as tragic as Kutner's death is, his character will never be forgotten. After all, if it is true that we are only truly dead when we are no longer remembered, then Kutner will live forever whether in the hearts of his fans--or others-- who were not, for that matter.
Re: THe Adorkability FactorsassydewApril 11 2009, 00:09:59 UTC
>>Thanks for the email! And thanks as well for this venue especially since the following would most likely have been either misunderstood/ garnered much verbal abuse on the forum! <<
That place…there really aren’t words!
>>As you know, I am in a distinct minority: I never much cared for Kutner.<<
You’re also in the minority for your love of Foreman, Rosie! ;-)
>> The more I watched him, the more I felt something was off with this character despite (or perhaps BECAUSE!) of his behavior which many found funny-- such as his urinating on House’s chair. Indeed, instead of finding this act funny, I thought it revealed a troubled person, rather than simply a juvenile act. […] In my mind, therefore, he was an ADULT peeing on someone's furniture (House’s notwithstanding!)becasue he had ISSUES. (Honestly, how would anyone really feel if they discovered an adult had peed on their chair?)<<
I really didn’t think “Here Kitty” was all that good overall, but I didn’t mind Kutner urinating on House’s chair. ;-) I can see how it might have been an indication of something brewing under the surface, though, and you’ve explained that perspective well.
>>His death provokes us. In doing so, it serves the public: Suicide IS shocking--especially if it is by someone we all t think is FINE--or--"adorkable". Therefore, we meed to pay more attention to MENTAL HEATLH.<<
Yes. I am a strong advocate for more attention to mental health issues. Now if TPTB will continue to put their money where their mouths are, then before the end of the season we will see Cameron finally in therapy for her obsessive infatuation for House! Oh, sorry. Wrong topic for this post! :-(
>>Kutner saw his parents murdered. I don't know if he had mental help; presumably as a child, he did. But did he as an adult? I don’t know. But knowing he had such a tragic narrative, I am less surprised that he killed himself. Of course, one does not need an actual tragedy in the family to feel suicidal.) Still, Kutner's past reveals we need to do a much better job in reaching out to others, and for ourselves as well before we implode because of our pain. <<
Very true, Rosie. I often get very caught up in my own life and work to the extent that I do not pay attention to others. This is something that I am trying to be more aware of and something I’m trying to change.
>> My only concern is, however, that this message will be drowned in all the bitterness directed at the writers for killing off their favorite character.<<
Hopefully there’s less bitterness now that folks know that Kal Penn wanted to leave the show to work for the Obama administration!
>>Frankly, not only does Kutner's death serve the public, I believe that his death also adds interest to his character AND the show: How will the team handle this? <<
For Cameron, it reactivates her obsession… (What? No! I am NOT bitter and angry and cursing the powers that be! You must have me confused with someone else… More Dramamine, please!)
Thanks for the email! And thanks as well for this venue especially since the following would most likely have been either misunderstood/ garnered much verbal abuse on the forum!
As you know, I am in a distinct minority: I never much cared for Kutner. In fact, rather than finding him charming as many did, I found him to be ...odd. The more I watched him, the more I felt something was off with this character despite (or perhaps BECAUSE!) of his behavior which many found funny-- such as his urinating on House’s chair. Indeed, instead of finding this act funny, I thought it revealed a troubled person, rather than simply a juvenile act. Clearly, I do understand that juvenile acts are often just that: a silly, momentary way to --at times--relieve stress. (Or a simple immature act by, well, JUVENILES.) juveniles.) However, Kutner was no juvenile. In my mind, therefore, he was an ADULT peeing on someone's furniture (House’s notwithstanding!)becasue he had ISSUES. (Honestly, how would anyone really feel if they discovered an adult had peed on their chair?)
And now that the perpetually smiling young man killed himself, it seems I was, sadly, right: Kutner was a deeply troubled young man-- a man so in pain that the only way he could escape it was to kill himself.
I find this tragic AND richly ironic because it was this young man so beloved by many due to his "Adorkability" Factor-- who actually killed himself!
How can this be?!
Unfortunately, it happens, and more than we care to think about.
That is why Kutner's death is so compelling. His death provokes us. In doing so, it serves the public: Suicide IS shocking--especially if it is by someone we all t think is FINE--or--"adorkable".
Therefore, we meed to pay more attention to MENTAL HEATLH.
Kutner saw his parents murdered. I don't know if he had mental help; presumably as a child, he did. But did he as an adult? I don’t know. But knowing he had such a tragic narrative, I am less surprised that he killed himself. Of course, one does not need an actual tragedy in the family to feel suicidal.) Still, Kutner's past reveals we need to do a much better job in reaching out to others, and for ourselves as well before we implode because of our pain.
Kudos to the writers for bringing this up. My only concern is, however, that this message will be drowned in all the bitterness directed at the writers for killing off their favorite character.
Frankly, not only does Kutner's death serve the public, I believe that his death also adds interest to his character AND the show: How will the team handle this?
As you noted, look at Foreman's reaction after the fact--pushing away the woman he loves because he's FOREMAN--another male who pushes his feelings down as deeply as he can. And then there's Taub--a character than I actually find interesting! (it seems I am at pdds with may of the fans--oh, well!) Taub is ALSO lso ONE sorry son of a bitch--which is why I find him interesting, btw. At any rate, I do hope that he seeks help!
And speaking of seeking help, how great is it that House finally is doing so?! It seems that our House wants to live because as he puts it (and I’m paraphrasing here), living sucks, but dying sucks MORE. So, even though I know that that House is trying to find a rational explanation WHY Kutner killed himself, House is at least seeking help because he wants to live--and have his life suck less than it does.
That's progress.
Finally, I do think that as tragic as Kutner's death is, his character will never be forgotten. After all, if it is true that we are only truly dead when we are no longer remembered, then Kutner will live forever whether in the hearts of his fans--or others-- who were not, for that matter.
And that ain't bad, after all.
RIP, KUTNER.
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:)
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That place…there really aren’t words!
>>As you know, I am in a distinct minority: I never much cared for Kutner.<<
You’re also in the minority for your love of Foreman, Rosie! ;-)
>> The more I watched him, the more I felt something was off with this character despite (or perhaps BECAUSE!) of his behavior which many found funny-- such as his urinating on House’s chair. Indeed, instead of finding this act funny, I thought it revealed a troubled person, rather than simply a juvenile act. […] In my mind, therefore, he was an ADULT peeing on someone's furniture (House’s notwithstanding!)becasue he had ISSUES. (Honestly, how would anyone really feel if they discovered an adult had peed on their chair?)<<
I really didn’t think “Here Kitty” was all that good overall, but I didn’t mind Kutner urinating on House’s chair. ;-) I can see how it might have been an indication of something brewing under the surface, though, and you’ve explained that perspective well.
>>His death provokes us. In doing so, it serves the public: Suicide IS shocking--especially if it is by someone we all t think is FINE--or--"adorkable". Therefore, we meed to pay more attention to MENTAL HEATLH.<<
Yes. I am a strong advocate for more attention to mental health issues. Now if TPTB will continue to put their money where their mouths are, then before the end of the season we will see Cameron finally in therapy for her obsessive infatuation for House! Oh, sorry. Wrong topic for this post! :-(
>>Kutner saw his parents murdered. I don't know if he had mental help; presumably as a child, he did. But did he as an adult? I don’t know. But knowing he had such a tragic narrative, I am less surprised that he killed himself. Of course, one does not need an actual tragedy in the family to feel suicidal.) Still, Kutner's past reveals we need to do a much better job in reaching out to others, and for ourselves as well before we implode because of our pain. <<
Very true, Rosie. I often get very caught up in my own life and work to the extent that I do not pay attention to others. This is something that I am trying to be more aware of and something I’m trying to change.
>> My only concern is, however, that this message will be drowned in all the bitterness directed at the writers for killing off their favorite character.<<
Hopefully there’s less bitterness now that folks know that Kal Penn wanted to leave the show to work for the Obama administration!
>>Frankly, not only does Kutner's death serve the public, I believe that his death also adds interest to his character AND the show: How will the team handle this? <<
For Cameron, it reactivates her obsession… (What? No! I am NOT bitter and angry and cursing the powers that be! You must have me confused with someone else… More Dramamine, please!)
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