Harry Potter. People often talk about a “golden age” of JK Rowling, and I think to myself, what golden age? Harry Potter, both the character and the books, are written like a hyperinflated Cinderella, complete with an attempt at discriminatory apologetics that would make CS Lewis say “you okay bro?”
Also, Luke Skywalker. People hate Anakin for being whiny and weak and Rey for being a Mary Sue, but Luke is both and nobody complains.
Luke had to actually train and failed when he fought his main, more experienced villain for the first time. Then he went back and did more training off screen. I think that makes him less a Mary Sue. He’s definitely whiny, though.
He’s whiny in just barely enough lines to establish that he’s still a bit naive, but I would not consider him an overall whiny character, even in the vacuum of episode 4, he is not constantly removed and dodging his responsibility once its importance is established.
Its probably the best way they could’ve utilized whininess
True, true. It’'s a good coming of age story in that way. You don’t see him grow up physically, but in maturity, confidence, wisdom, and least importantly, ironically enough, power. I say least importantly, because it’s the growing in wisdom that helps him defeat the Emperor in the end, not his cool force powers (although that does make the movies more fun to watch).
Additionally, and probably most importantly, Luke actually isn’t strong enough to defeat the emperor at the end. He losses. However, he wins over his father and that’s what turns the tide.
Similarly, while Anikan has some mary sue moments, he has a far share of losses (chase for Padme’s would be assassin, count doku fight, Obi-Wan fight, etc.)
I think the only time Rey “losses” a battle is in force awakens when she gets captured (but even after being captured she overpowers Ben almost immediately).
As much as I enjoy that franchise I agree with you. For years I kept hearing ‘it’s better in the books’, I remember specifically people saying that about the organization that helps dobbie and his people. Fuggin, I read the books as an adult and it’s barely expanded on it at all, they just have more scenes about the organization but it isn’t ever truly relevant beyond explaining why Hermione does what she does as an adult.
It’s a charming little story that matured with readers and got a decent adaptation that led it to explode. Lots of luck to get to where it’s at.
I would love to see a wandering inn adaptation instead.
Harry Potter. People often talk about a “golden age” of JK Rowling, and I think to myself, what golden age? Harry Potter, both the character and the books, are written like a hyperinflated Cinderella, complete with an attempt at discriminatory apologetics that would make CS Lewis say “you okay bro?”
Also, Luke Skywalker. People hate Anakin for being whiny and weak and Rey for being a Mary Sue, but Luke is both and nobody complains.
Luke had to actually train and failed when he fought his main, more experienced villain for the first time. Then he went back and did more training off screen. I think that makes him less a Mary Sue. He’s definitely whiny, though.
Only in the beginning. Part of the excellence of the OT was seeing him grow from whiny kid to self-confident man.
He’s whiny in just barely enough lines to establish that he’s still a bit naive, but I would not consider him an overall whiny character, even in the vacuum of episode 4, he is not constantly removed and dodging his responsibility once its importance is established.
Its probably the best way they could’ve utilized whininess
It helped that the actor who played Luke was appealing and non-threatening, with a bowl cut. He looked like a wide-eyed kid.
True, true. It’'s a good coming of age story in that way. You don’t see him grow up physically, but in maturity, confidence, wisdom, and least importantly, ironically enough, power. I say least importantly, because it’s the growing in wisdom that helps him defeat the Emperor in the end, not his cool force powers (although that does make the movies more fun to watch).
You have to descend into Hell and rescue your father, man! -Jordan Peterson
Additionally, and probably most importantly, Luke actually isn’t strong enough to defeat the emperor at the end. He losses. However, he wins over his father and that’s what turns the tide.
Similarly, while Anikan has some mary sue moments, he has a far share of losses (chase for Padme’s would be assassin, count doku fight, Obi-Wan fight, etc.)
I think the only time Rey “losses” a battle is in force awakens when she gets captured (but even after being captured she overpowers Ben almost immediately).
She gets a ghost cheer squad. I guess that helps her to be relatable. As @RIPandTERROR@sh.itjust.works put it, bag of fucking sand.
Just an FYI incase they weren’t typos but the word you’re after in the first and last paragraph is ‘loses’; the one in the second para is correct.
Haha, thanks! I always mess those words up.
Yeah, but he used to bullseye womp rats in his T-16 back home, they’re not much bigger than two meters.
THIS
As much as I enjoy that franchise I agree with you. For years I kept hearing ‘it’s better in the books’, I remember specifically people saying that about the organization that helps dobbie and his people. Fuggin, I read the books as an adult and it’s barely expanded on it at all, they just have more scenes about the organization but it isn’t ever truly relevant beyond explaining why Hermione does what she does as an adult.
It’s a charming little story that matured with readers and got a decent adaptation that led it to explode. Lots of luck to get to where it’s at.
I would love to see a wandering inn adaptation instead.