On Character Bashing in Reviews

[kriadydragon]

Has anyone ever received a review that bashed your favorite character? Or if not bashed wasn't particularly kind to your favorite character? Did you come to the character's defense? Ignore the bashing? Not say anything at all?

There's this reviewer over on FF.net who I find both amusing an exasperating for this reason. Their favoritism is painfully obvious. They don't just come to their favorite character's defense, they practically woobify him, while at the same time... not bashing the other character per se... but not really saying too many nice things about them, either. What gets me is that they'll do this on stories that are obviously other-character centric, by other-character fans. But it won't be "poor other-character" it's always "poor favorite character, can't other-character see what they're doing to fave character?" Yes, I know this isn't new or anything, I've just never seen it done so much by a single reviewer, and it's made me curious as to what the authors (specifically the authors of other-character centric stories) have to say in response (but because it's FF.net, I don't know).

I recall an SGA story I did - I'm thinking it might have been Castles in the Sky - where someone reprimanded Carson rather harshly in their review and I was really uncomfortable about it (I'm pretty sure I, politely, came to Carson's defense. In fact I would be quite surprised if I didn't considering how defensive I can be, but I can't be sure since it was on FF.net). I also recall reading a story by an obvious McKay fan and a reviewer who kept bashing McKay. And I mean really putting him down. I was surprised by this since I thought it was obvious who the favorite character in the story was, but apparently it wasn't obvious enough for this person.

Comments

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

For me, there's always a character who I would call "the supreme favorite," because while I'll like all the characters, it's usually this one particular character I keep coming back for, and if they left I'd probably stop watching (which has happened). I'm incredibly focused like that. I think there's only been three shows where I had more than one ultimate favorite (Suits, for example, is currently one, as I like both Harvey and Mike equally).

But also for me my favoritism has been what keeps me open minded and respectful of other people's favorites. Plus that even if the other characters aren't my ultimate favorites I still like them. Add it all up and it just doesn't make sense to me to bash anyone. Even if I don't like a character (which is rare, but it does happen) there's no reason to waste energy hating on them, or attempt to convince others to dislike them (or see them as less than they are. It's something I came across recently in regards to Neal fans. Basically, someone was reprimanding Neal fans for refusing to look past Neal's hotness and acknowledge his criminal side. Which a lot of non-Neal fans seem to harp on a lot, and it bugs me on a lot of levels since, speaking for myself, I like Neal for a lot more than his good looks, and acknowledge his criminal side all the time).

[nefhiriel.livejournal.com]

"Basically, someone was reprimanding Neal fans for refusing to look past Neal's hotness and acknowledge his criminal side."

Like with any TV show character, I'm sure there are Neal Caffrey fans that could more aptly be described as Matt Bomer fans (and, of course, the two things aren't mutually exclusive). But if basher's can't imagine a Neal Caffrey fan who doesn't just like him for his looks...then maybe they're the ones blinded by his looks. Just sayin'. ^^

And, honestly? I find Neal's criminal side such a complex, fascinating aspect of who he is. It's his Achilles' heel--what makes him complex. Yes, he's a pretty face, but he's also an interesting character. And, maybe it's just my limited impression, but it seems to me like most Neal fans, if anything, focus a lot on his criminal-mindedness.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

And, maybe it's just my limited impression, but it seems to me like most Neal fans, if anything, focus a lot on his criminal-mindedness.

Oh, yes:D I would definitely say this is true. Because, as you said, it's such a fascinating, complex aspect of him. I prefer good Neal over bad boy Neal, myself but, darn it, I adore how he does things. I've always been a sucker for clever characters, and I love it when Neal is being clever and daring, even when it involves something illegal.

Thinking about it, I'm not sure if anyone likes a character simply because of their looks. I can't be sure, of course, but I know that for myself looks alone are never the deciding factor. It draws the eye, sure, but at the end of the day it still comes down to that character pushing all the right buttons for me. And if they don't, it doesn't matter how hot they are, I'm not interested in them.

[nefhiriel.livejournal.com]

"...it doesn't matter how hot they are, I'm not interested in them."

It's kind of funny, actually. Just recently I started watching the show "Flashpoint," and although I feel like I should like the younger, "heart throb" member of the team--I just don't. And I know it's because his character doesn't interest me. It's the older, (IMO much more multi-faceted) members of the team that I find complex enough to hold my interest.

(Actually, I have a habit of being more interested in the Aragorn/Viggo Mortensen type more than, say, the Legolas/Orlando Bloom type. So I guess liking Neal/Matt Bomer over Peter/Tim DeKay is kind of an anomaly for me. ^^)