08-18-2014, 09:57 PM
"Moreover, people DO NOT drastically change their personality, interests, habits."
This is so true. Really, in terms of TBBT, there's a lot of misunderstanding as to what the phrase "character development" really means. Firstly, there's a limit to the amount of "character development" that I expect or want from a barely-20-minute mainstream sitcom.
Secondly, "character development" should not be a "get out of jail free card" for the writers. That phrase is being used as an all-purpose excuse for any arbitrary changes made to the show and the characters. It's really a pretty insidious trick, because claiming "character development" can now be used as a CYA device to excuse almost anything. It's a debate-ender, like saying "racist!"
I'd like to know who decided that a TV series, especially a comedy, is supposed to be all about "growing, changing, and maturing." I suspect that a lot of fans/viewers, particularly the younger ones, just parrot these phrases because it sounds good and it suits their shipping purposes.
"they do NOT suddenly lose their germ-phobia, their obsessive need for routines, and habit of spouting off unusual (and ostensibly unrelated) facts about the universe."
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that for some people, repetitive motions/behaviors are a response to sensory overload and a way of calming and soothing themselves. A coping thing. If so, it would be cruel to deprive them of that.
Real "growth" would mean seeing the characters become freer and more independent, with more self-respect. Self-actualization. Not becoming downtrodden and defeated...
This is so true. Really, in terms of TBBT, there's a lot of misunderstanding as to what the phrase "character development" really means. Firstly, there's a limit to the amount of "character development" that I expect or want from a barely-20-minute mainstream sitcom.
Secondly, "character development" should not be a "get out of jail free card" for the writers. That phrase is being used as an all-purpose excuse for any arbitrary changes made to the show and the characters. It's really a pretty insidious trick, because claiming "character development" can now be used as a CYA device to excuse almost anything. It's a debate-ender, like saying "racist!"
I'd like to know who decided that a TV series, especially a comedy, is supposed to be all about "growing, changing, and maturing." I suspect that a lot of fans/viewers, particularly the younger ones, just parrot these phrases because it sounds good and it suits their shipping purposes.
"they do NOT suddenly lose their germ-phobia, their obsessive need for routines, and habit of spouting off unusual (and ostensibly unrelated) facts about the universe."
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that for some people, repetitive motions/behaviors are a response to sensory overload and a way of calming and soothing themselves. A coping thing. If so, it would be cruel to deprive them of that.
(08-18-2014, 07:23 AM)Idle Miscreant Wrote: That's the thing isn't it. If you LIKE the lads just as they are, watching them get yelled at every episode can get very unpleasant.
It’s the same with this “growth” nonsense.
I like my friends immensely, flaws and all. The flaws are part of their identity. I cannot conceive of a situation where I might wish them to alter, to GROW, because then they would not be the characters I love. Moreover, people DO NOT drastically change their personality, interests, habits. The same person might get a little tireder as they get older, or mellow out a bit, BUT – and this is the knobbly crux of my contention – they do NOT suddenly lose their germ-phobia, their obsessive need for routines, and habit of spouting off unusual (and ostensibly unrelated) facts about the universe. They do NOT suddenly stand differently, speak differently, and engage in activities which their previous self abhors and had dismissed as irrelevant. They do not, to wit, become a different person wearing the same clothes.
What particularly irks me here, is that Sheldon as a FICTIONAL character, was drawn in a certain way. He’s not real, he’s ART. The appeal of this PARTICULAR way of drawing him was what made the show popular in the first place.
So he MUST be changed obviously.
(Shouty McCAPITALS is out today, I apologise...)
Real "growth" would mean seeing the characters become freer and more independent, with more self-respect. Self-actualization. Not becoming downtrodden and defeated...