"The tendency to think that "dark" stories are automatically better and more real than happier stories irritates me in fandom, and it doesn't irritate me any less in canon. "
Hear, hear. I stopped reading several mystery authors who had -- amazing! -- women in stable if imperfect relationships. There must've been something in the water; in one year three different authors killed off their main character's main man.
It's gone back to the 'girl of the week' nonsense that plagued TV drama in the 60's and 70's -- what I new as the "Cartwright Syndrome" from Bonanza. A widower with 3 sons... and if any of them started showing interest in a girl, you might as well start measuring her for her coffin.
Y'know, in a way I wonder if that contributed to slash fic. When the only chance an appealing character has for a lasting relationship is with his partner....
I think the kill-em-off syndrome is a sign of weak writing. It's a lot harder to write a lasting, committed relationship and keep it interesting.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-07-10 03:34 pm (UTC)"
Hear, hear. I stopped reading several mystery authors who had -- amazing! -- women in stable if imperfect relationships. There must've been something in the water; in one year three different authors killed off their main character's main man.
It's gone back to the 'girl of the week' nonsense that plagued TV drama in the 60's and 70's -- what I new as the "Cartwright Syndrome" from Bonanza. A widower with 3 sons... and if any of them started showing interest in a girl, you might as well start measuring her for her coffin.
Y'know, in a way I wonder if that contributed to slash fic. When the only chance an appealing character has for a lasting relationship is with his partner....
I think the kill-em-off syndrome is a sign of weak writing. It's a lot harder to write a lasting, committed relationship and keep it interesting.