Mourning preconceptions in advance
May. 15th, 2011 09:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
robotech_masterSometimes, 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.
I know that the show is, for the first season anyway, overseen by Lauren Faust, who worked on a number of shows that have been well-received, including Powerpuff Girls. And I'm aware of the controversy spawned when one feminist took issue with some aspects of the show (apparently without actually watching it) and Faust herself responded with explanations. Faust explained that the girl-toy shows she grew up with presented a far-too-wishy-washy idea of girls, and didn't fit with the way girls actually thought. So when she was offered this show to do, she jumped at the chance to do something that real girls should find a lot more interesting.
And it's a funny thing: apparently girls actually like the same sorts of stories boy do: stories with strong characters, conflict, and stories that involve stuff actually happening. Which is why girls have been able to enjoy a lot of traditionally "boy" shows, and probably also why Avatar: The Last Airbender has been so popular with both genders, come to think of it. And why I've seen a lot of comments from males (including adult males) who like Friendship is Magic too.
And I've seen the "Ponymen" parody trailer that maps My Little Ponies: Friendship is Magic footage to the trailer for the movie Watchmen.
So the impression I'm left with is some "girlie" show featuring really cutesy character designs, but with storylines that male viewers can find enjoyable, too. Of course, I'm certain that the reality of it is going to leave my preconceptions in the dust—and make it impossible to get in touch with what my preconceptions even were after I watch it.
In a way, it's not really something to regret. If I like the show, I'm sure I'll be richer for the experience. I may even be singing its praises to high heaven if I like it as much as I liked Avatar. ("I know it looks like a girlie show, but listen…") But at the same time, it'll kind of be a part of me that I no longer have, a way of thinking that I'm no longer able to access because it doesn't exist anymore. It's just a weird sensation to have a way you used to be able to think just be gone.
I wonder if that's what it feels like to a Time Lord who just regenerated?
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.I know that the show is, for the first season anyway, overseen by Lauren Faust, who worked on a number of shows that have been well-received, including Powerpuff Girls. And I'm aware of the controversy spawned when one feminist took issue with some aspects of the show (apparently without actually watching it) and Faust herself responded with explanations. Faust explained that the girl-toy shows she grew up with presented a far-too-wishy-washy idea of girls, and didn't fit with the way girls actually thought. So when she was offered this show to do, she jumped at the chance to do something that real girls should find a lot more interesting.
And it's a funny thing: apparently girls actually like the same sorts of stories boy do: stories with strong characters, conflict, and stories that involve stuff actually happening. Which is why girls have been able to enjoy a lot of traditionally "boy" shows, and probably also why Avatar: The Last Airbender has been so popular with both genders, come to think of it. And why I've seen a lot of comments from males (including adult males) who like Friendship is Magic too.
And I've seen the "Ponymen" parody trailer that maps My Little Ponies: Friendship is Magic footage to the trailer for the movie Watchmen.
So the impression I'm left with is some "girlie" show featuring really cutesy character designs, but with storylines that male viewers can find enjoyable, too. Of course, I'm certain that the reality of it is going to leave my preconceptions in the dust—and make it impossible to get in touch with what my preconceptions even were after I watch it.
In a way, it's not really something to regret. If I like the show, I'm sure I'll be richer for the experience. I may even be singing its praises to high heaven if I like it as much as I liked Avatar. ("I know it looks like a girlie show, but listen…") But at the same time, it'll kind of be a part of me that I no longer have, a way of thinking that I'm no longer able to access because it doesn't exist anymore. It's just a weird sensation to have a way you used to be able to think just be gone.
I wonder if that's what it feels like to a Time Lord who just regenerated?
