#and ones that feel like they know they're SUPPOSED to be hobbit-positive but are struggling | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

incomingalbatross · 6 days ago

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Don't quite know how to put this but there are certain story beats that, in order for me to actually like/admire the story, specifically have to be accomplished without being a big deal.

Like, does your story present ordinary, mundane, even ridiculous people as possessing worth and dignity? Cool. Does it pat itself on the back about doing that? Unfortunately, that has circled back around to patronizing.

Does your character make the lives of bit characters and nameless bystanders a priority, even when it distracts them from Important Plot Things? Nice! Does your character make a big production of/express a lot of angst about doing that? This only barely edges out "leaving them to die" in terms of my respect for said character.

Ordinary people are just as valuable and important as Our Heroes. But the narrative should have enough conviction about that to take it for granted, and let the audience catch up if need be. A Hero should definitely take it for granted, unless they're still in the process of becoming heroic.

Otherwise, I'm left with the sneaking suspicion that the writers don't really see this themselves.

#this is the distinction between what i tend to mentally categorize as 'hobbit-positive' stories #and ones that feel like they know they're SUPPOSED to be hobbit-positive but are struggling #lobelia sackville-baggins is a heroic figure by the end of lotr #but tolkien doesn't make a big song and dance about it or validate her by putting her next to the Actually Cool Characters(TM)#there's just the quiet revelation in amongst the other events that. huh. put under this kind of pressure lobelia was pretty amazing #and the other thing making me think of this was a moment in terror of the zygons where the doctor's escaping the ship #and frees the three humans they'd been impersonating on the way #it's barely even a story beat. they get to participate in destroying the ship and figuring out the enemy plans afterward #but actually rescuing them? it's so casual. and on the one hand that makes it not a Narrative Priority but also like. it's taken for grante #yeah those are people. the doctor doesn't need to think or talk about rescuing them he's just. gonna DO it #(is all of this lowkey an expression of my gripes about the tenth doctor era? maybe a /little./ sorry)#(i could also contrast the tenth doctor and daniel jackson's respective radiation poisoning deaths but these tags are long enough already)

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