Thinky thoughts on Haven

[kriadydragon]

I've been really getting into Haven as a fun candy show and, I'm sure like with many of my fellow whumpers, find Nathan's condition rather fascinating. I was iffy about it at first, being the hurt/comfort junky that I am. But the more I've thought about it the more I've come to realize that the show could have a lot of fun with it if willing.

So it kind of ticked me off that of all the ways to really explore Nathan's condition, the writers go with "sex" issues. *Rolls eyes* That just... yeah, I really wanted to smack the writers upside the head for that one. The cliche factor alone made me want to squirm (cliche as in male more worried about sex life than anything else. Although in this case it was Audrey shouldering most of the concern).

I really, really hope they do something more interesting with Nathan's condition, and not try to "cure" it or whatever before they have a chance to. Seriously, the fact that he can't feel any pain wold be a serious health risk for him. I recall someone having mentioned how he should have had cracked ribs after hitting that wall. He wouldn't know, and because he wouldn't know would end up doing things that would make the problem worse - simple things, like sleeping on his side (if he's a side sleeper), bumping into people, taking too deep a breath. Cracked ribs could lead to broken, broken could lead to a punctured lung and poor Nathan wondering why all of a sudden he can't breathe.

The writers could do so much with his condition, and I really hope they do. I mean, why give him the condition if they're not going to do things with it? But the more cynical side of me isn't holding it's breath.

Comments

[radioshack84.livejournal.com]

I'm so with you on this. While personally I like the Nathan/Audrey dynamic, I'm sad that they're only using Nathan's condition emotionally, so to speak, and seemingly as a means to get he and Audrey romantically involved.

Now granted, it develops Nathan's character to see his insecurities and such about not being able to feel, but there is a lot more they could do with the physical side of it. One thing I've been a bit unclear on too is how long he has been unable to feel. I thought that in one of the episodes they implied that he hadn't been that way his entire life, and I thought that this particular condition was genetic and therefore a person would be born with it. The only explanation then would be that his inability to feel is a result of the Troubles and if that's the case then, sadly, we probably won't see a whole lot of development in the direction of whump. Here's hoping though! The show is a lot of fun. :)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I'm such an angst junky that I've really been enjoying Nathan's new situation with Audrey. But, yeah, I'm greedy. I want more. I'm of the opinion that if you're going to give your character a unique situation/ability/what have you, you should milk it for all it's worth, make it a defining presence rather than just a plot device there simply to achieve a certain outcome.

I didn't watch the first couple of episodes so I don't know. Though I think that it was said his condition kind of snuck up on him or something. I can't remember, now. I'm hoping they'll eventually do something interesting with his condition, and that the sex issue thing isn't the only exploration into his condition. But, knowing how most shows are, you're probably right that we won't see a lot.

[ga-unicorn.livejournal.com]

My first thought when we learned about Nathan's condition was "Whumpers Dream!" Unfortunately, you know the writers are never going to rough him up are frequently as we would love to see it. I'm content to wait for the fic.

I'm not so irritated about the sex performance worries. Yes, it's typical Hollywood obsession. But I've known too many paraplegics not to know that it's also a very real concern.

What is intriguing me now is the fact that he can feel things for a few seconds after touching Audrey. I've loved watching him find excuses to touch her and then - when her back is turned - reach out to feel something else. And then experimenting with pointy objects against his hands.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I'm not so irritated about the sex performance worries. Yes, it's typical Hollywood obsession. But I've known too many paraplegics not to know that it's also a very real concern.

Granted, it is a real concern, but looking at it strictly from a TV show/Hollywood POV it annoys me that they went straight for sex issues. Which they would have done eventually, I know, but to me it smacked of being an excuse to interject sex into the show. And knowing how TV shows can be, this could very well have been the bulk of exploring Nathan's condition from here on in, with little exploration to come. It also irks me because, with many shows, one's sex life tends to be the major story arc and or characterization for a lot of male characters (Tony from NCIS, for example. Dean from Supernatural. Even Pete from Warehouse 13). Not the only arc/characterization, of course, but one writers really like to lean toward. So it really bugged me when it seemed like this was the direction they were trying to go with Nathan (thus why I'm actually kind of glad his girlfriend left. I know, I'm horrible :P).

I've been loving the whole Nathan-Audrey situation, his reactions to being able to feel, looking for reasons to get Audrey to touch him. That, too, they could do a lot with. Nathan gets hurt, Audrey's holding his hand or holding him up, and he's feeling every inch of that injury. I'm not holding out for it, but I'm hopeful :D