Comments | rheasilvia: Haven does romance.

rheasilvia

Haven does romance.

Nov 24, 2013 22:48

I am enjoying many things about Haven this season, but in some ways, it's not working for me. This is due in large part to the romance(s).

Vague spoilers up to S04E11 under the cut.

( Highly subjective and probably controversial opinions on the state of romance in Haven )

episode commentary, haven

Comments 9

killabeez November 25 2013, 03:15:15 UTC

I enjoy Jennifer and Duke more than Nathan and Audrey right now, but I'm with you. Then again, I seldom like canonical romances on any show. I stopped watching X-Files when M/Sc happened. I can think of some exceptions (most of them on Buffy), but not many.

I think I'm having bigger problems with Haven these days than the romance issues, but that definitely isn't helping.

rheasilvia November 25 2013, 13:49:13 UTC

Awww. your icon! I actually felt that the most romantic chemistry I've seen so far this season was when doctor!Nathan was trying to get cop!Duke's attention. That was adorable, and a very nice play on canon. :-)

Yeah, I know what you mean about canonical romances. Often it seems like the writers have no idea how to maintain any kind of interest once the "will they - won't they" UST part of the relationship is over. The usual fallbacks of jealousy, breaking up and getting back together, and dumb insecurities (like Nathan's in this ep, omg seriously) are just annoying.

Haven has plotted itself into a very tricky corner, IMO. I do hope they get out again without the loss of too many limbs...

Me, I hope that Duke gets his trouble back and the couples break up and... sigh.

pashoshi November 25 2013, 04:27:45 UTC

My feelings about the Nathan/Audrey romance are more mixed than yours, but I do agree that they had a great friendship and I was disappointed (though not at all surprised) when it turned into romance pretty abruptly.

And yeah, the Jennifer/Duke thing feels very much like "Lalala, no more love triangle! All is resolved!" I think with both of these relationships, they didn't invest the effort to develop it and sell us on their feelings, just kind of went "LOOK, THEY'RE IN LOVE!" and expected us to buy it.

For me, if you want me to ship something on a TV show, you've got to take the time to build up to it and convince me that they work well together, and I think the Haven writers thought they could just handwave that part away. It seems to happen a lot, but it doesn't make it any less annoying, especially on a show that I otherwise find very interesting.

rheasilvia November 25 2013, 13:53:45 UTC

No, I wasn't at all surprised either - it surprised me the show didn't head there from the beginning, actually. It was really only a matter of time, sadly enough.

I think with both of these relationships, they didn't invest the effort to develop it and sell us on their feelings, just kind of went "LOOK, THEY'RE IN LOVE!" and expected us to buy it.

YES, exactly. Especially in the case of Nathan and Audrey, where they probably assumed there was nothing left for them to sell. They already like each other! Of course they will fall in love! Handwave, and let's just forget that part where Nathan has a very good reason that has nothing to do with romance for suddenly realizing he really wants to sleep with Audrey.

*headdesk*

mareen November 25 2013, 05:06:30 UTC

I wholeheartedly love Nathan/Audrey, but to be honest, I am more of a fan of Nathan/Audrey/Duke than anything else. This is obviously a threesome, at least for me.

rheasilvia November 25 2013, 13:56:27 UTC

Not just for you - I think a lot of fans feel that way, me included most of the time. :-) Though if you do love Nathan/Audrey by themselves, as well, then I almost envy you - you're certainly in a far better position to enjoy this season than I...

astri13 November 25 2013, 19:06:02 UTC

I`m in a weird place with the show right now. First two Seasons, I was fully committed to the OT3 and I truly thought in some mythological way that was where they would be going with it, Audrey as the helper of the troubled, Duke with the potential to destroy them and Nathan as yet to be determined which role ( ... )

killabeez November 26 2013, 01:15:58 UTC

But I do like Jennifer and Duke. I know what you said about her being a consolation prize by the writers is true and all but I`m at the point where I want someone to acknowledge what a great guy and friend Duke has been for two Seasons now and Jennifer is warm and friendly so basically, I`m on board.

This, exactly. :)

rheasilvia November 26 2013, 18:32:32 UTC

Yes. Absolutely.

I am totally with you when it comes to Duke - he is getting a very undeserved short end of the stick this season, *again*.

I don't think I'll ever be over how little sense Nathan's horrible behavior towards Duke made last season, and how absurdly sudden and complete the about-face was this season. I mean, what?? With something this extreme and weird, there really needs to be some kind of explanation. But we're apparently never getting one, and will have to find our own.

I am very glad that Nathan has stopped whateverthefuck that was, and I love their new dynamic. In the no-trouble AU ep, doctor!Nathan's attempts to befriend cop!Duke were one of the best things about the entire ep for me. But still, WHY the sudden change?

Now this Season, I liked Nathan`s initial redemption arc and love Duke and Nathan being back as friends but now often Audrey gets on my nerves. I can handle Nathan acting like a little Audrey-obsessed puppy but now Audrey is acting equally Nathan-obsessed and it`s like she and Duke barely breathe ( ... )