#or B.) I think of redemption arcs that I actually believe in—and then codify the features they'll have in common that made it work. | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

saint-starflicker · 6 months ago

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[ #it is insane to me that ppl are still so reactionary abt this #oh you think restorative justice is evil and punitive justice is the only acceptable answer? #what are you a cop ]

"redemption arcs are toxic, you shouldn't try to fix someone!"

actually it is so important to me that being in community and experiencing human connection can save people. thanks

#I'm not opposed to redemption arcs as a thing that exists but holy hell have redemption arc stories been shit-tier in canons & fanlore alike #Timothy Hickson called bad executions of redemption arcs “character laundering” and pointed out the following aspects:#1.it removes the erstwhile villain's personal agency (so that wasn't a deliberate abuse of power like...we've been shown the whole time ugh)#2. overhauls the entire ethical thesis of the work to save the “favorite” villain character in a way that really rings false in-world #and finally 3. adds some heavy whataboutism by introducing an even more evil eviller villain pinkypromise this is the real baddie this time.#(Bonus points if you then take this villain to step one in the “character laundering” process too.)#We can go about the next step in two ways:#A.) It stands to reason that doing the opposite of Hickson's rubric will always make for a good redemption arc done right #or B.) I think of redemption arcs that I actually believe in—and then codify the features they'll have in common that made it work.#writing

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