Calico
11-09-2004, 07:03 PM
I have to say this, because, really, I could not live with myself not saying this when I love this show so much, so far. I don't want the fact that I see so many shared staff people from Angel to strike this kind of dread into my heart.
Please consider the option of having a steady pair of characters on the show, eventually. Romantically, I mean. The first few seasons of Buffy and Angel were great, but as the shows got past their freshmen years there was one aspect of both series that refused to grow up: relationships.
We all know that relationships aren't all flowers and roses. We all know that, sometimes, they fail. However, what transpired in the later seasons of both Buffy and Angel was a freshmen fear of commitment that was difficult, if not embarrassing, to watch. There was not a single character in either of those shows, except Willow and Tara, extremely briefly, who managed to find any kind of sustainable, semi-even keel in their relationships. Having shows where absolutely nobody's relationships are fruitful or successful pushes the suspension of my disbelief far beyond what is needed to enjoy vampires and werewolves. When at some point or another you want to slap every single character in the face and tell them to grow up and get a grip, it's just not fun anymore. I watch television to be entertained, not to feel better about myself.
Please, please remember that being in a relationship can also mean sticking together and working through the really terrible stuff. It can mean picking up the pieces and rebuilding broken trust. Relationships do not always have to be horribly tragic. In fact, a healthy couple with a dynamic relationship would be something terribly original for primetime television. People like novelty. A situation fraught with constant tension and/or a messy breakup is NOT the only thing that can be interesting about the dynamics between two people. A couple that manages to stay together through thick and terrible can also be downright entertaining. It's only unrealistic if they don't have doubts and fights sometimes, not if they stay together despite of them.
I'm asking you this from the bottom of my heart because I know you guys want to make good television, and the people funding you want to make good money: please don't be afraid to let a show 'grow up'. Dealing with 'adult themes' doesn't just mean dealing with things like rape or abuse or emotional violence. It also means having the characters occasionally act like responsible adults about these things. The odds aren't THAT bad against those of us who take our blows and stand back up.
Please consider the option of having a steady pair of characters on the show, eventually. Romantically, I mean. The first few seasons of Buffy and Angel were great, but as the shows got past their freshmen years there was one aspect of both series that refused to grow up: relationships.
We all know that relationships aren't all flowers and roses. We all know that, sometimes, they fail. However, what transpired in the later seasons of both Buffy and Angel was a freshmen fear of commitment that was difficult, if not embarrassing, to watch. There was not a single character in either of those shows, except Willow and Tara, extremely briefly, who managed to find any kind of sustainable, semi-even keel in their relationships. Having shows where absolutely nobody's relationships are fruitful or successful pushes the suspension of my disbelief far beyond what is needed to enjoy vampires and werewolves. When at some point or another you want to slap every single character in the face and tell them to grow up and get a grip, it's just not fun anymore. I watch television to be entertained, not to feel better about myself.
Please, please remember that being in a relationship can also mean sticking together and working through the really terrible stuff. It can mean picking up the pieces and rebuilding broken trust. Relationships do not always have to be horribly tragic. In fact, a healthy couple with a dynamic relationship would be something terribly original for primetime television. People like novelty. A situation fraught with constant tension and/or a messy breakup is NOT the only thing that can be interesting about the dynamics between two people. A couple that manages to stay together through thick and terrible can also be downright entertaining. It's only unrealistic if they don't have doubts and fights sometimes, not if they stay together despite of them.
I'm asking you this from the bottom of my heart because I know you guys want to make good television, and the people funding you want to make good money: please don't be afraid to let a show 'grow up'. Dealing with 'adult themes' doesn't just mean dealing with things like rape or abuse or emotional violence. It also means having the characters occasionally act like responsible adults about these things. The odds aren't THAT bad against those of us who take our blows and stand back up.