Mourning preconceptions in advance

Sometimes, TV shows sneak up on me in ways I don't expect. I spent years ignoring Avatar: The Last Airbender because I thought it was just some dumb kiddie show. Then I watched it, and was blown away. It completely surpassed any preconceived notions I had about the show.

It's really kind of interesting how it did that. Because, beyond "kiddie show," I completely can't recall the preconceived notions I had about the show. The reality of it kind of erased them, and now I can't get them back. You can't unring a bell, and the bell of what the show is has drowned out what I thought it would be. Which, considering the reality of the show kind of blew them away, is probably for the best. But it still leaves me with this little piece of me, this mental framework, that I just can't get back.

And now I'm in kind of the same position for this new show. God help me, it's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, which is not only a kiddie show, but a girlie kiddie show, based on a toy line to boot. But I've got a number of friends who are really "into" it—some of whom I didn't expect. dvandom is into it enough to frickin' write fanfic for it, for crying out loud.

( It's a strange thing to mourn my preconceptions for, I know, but read further... )

Mourning preconceptions in advance

Sometimes, TV shows sneak up on me in ways I don't expect. I spent years ignoring Avatar: The Last Airbender because I thought it was just some dumb kiddie show. Then I watched it, and was blown away. It completely surpassed any preconceived notions I had about the show.

It's really kind of interesting how it did that. Because, beyond "kiddie show," I completely can't recall the preconceived notions I had about the show. The reality of it kind of erased them, and now I can't get them back. You can't unring a bell, and the bell of what the show is has drowned out what I thought it would be. Which, considering the reality of the show kind of blew them away, is probably for the best. But it still leaves me with this little piece of me, this mental framework, that I just can't get back.

And now I'm in kind of the same position for this new show. God help me, it's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, which is not only a kiddie show, but a girlie kiddie show, based on a toy line to boot. But I've got a number of friends who are really "into" it—some of whom I didn't expect. dvandom is into it enough to frickin' write fanfic for it, for crying out loud.

( It's a strange thing to mourn my preconceptions for, I know, but read further... )