Why Does Joss Do That?

[zobothehobo]

I still don't see why it matters so much. If you want to see a couple that ends up together, watch a chick flick... or Smallville for Clois...something. If you want to see a couple that ends up together, watch something that happens in... don't watch something you know it's not going to happen in (since everyone here is saying this is so predictable that no ship Joss writes will live happily ever after) and then complain.

 

[Litheran]

That's the rub though isn't it; we had to watch the show to find out he did that. Heartbreak isn't compelling when that's all the characters ever know; it's cheap and melodramatic. Xanya ending made little to no sense and hurt the story overall. Some people might be pessimistic enough to not believe in something resembling a successful marriage/relationship; but I know of two couples in my personal life that achieved it. And it wasn't hugs and puppies for them either. If Joss can realize that we like seeing larger than life characters going up against something bigger than themselves and coming out victorious; he should guess that we want the same for their hearts.

But I guess that's not what we "need"; is it Joss?...you bleeding wanker.

 

[TheVoid68]

The "if you don't like it, go watch something else" argument is ridiculous and annoying. I don't want to watch a chick-flick or Smallville. I'm not invested in the characters or the couples, or the shows as far as they go. I'm invested in the characters, couples and shows within the Buffyverse. I'm not interested in what chick-flicks or Smallville do, I'm interested in what BtVS and AtS do. I'm interested in what Joss writes, because he's written some of my favourite pieces of television. Doesn't mean I think he's infallible, and even if I still enjoy his writing, I'll be damned if I'm not going to criticise writing when I think it deserves criticism.

 

[Professor Walsh]

I still don't see why it matters so much. If you want to see a couple that ends up together, watch a chick flick... or Smallville for Clois...something. If you want to see a couple that ends up together, watch something that happens in... don't watch something you know it's not going to happen in (since everyone here is saying this is so predictable that no ship Joss writes will live happily ever after) and then complain.

I didn't know that a total liking for every aspect of an artist's work was a requirement for being a fan. To me, "Buffy" is the only series, ever, that I've seen all episodes of. I'm fully aware that there are other series out there, both inside and outside the Whedonverse, that are every bit as viewable, but I frankly don't care enough about telly and movies to get around to watching 'em. I have no interest in chick flicks. I don't want to start watching "Smallville". I've watched and enjoyed BtVS, and now I enjoy a spot of nitpicking every now and again. We turn pretty much every stone of the series in the discussions here. Why not this one?

 

[zobothehobo]

I fear my point may have been misunderstood. I'm not saying you guys aren't fans because you don't like that the couples don't end up together... I'm just saying that this complaint feels stale to me. I for one like watching the heartache. I also like listening to songs about heartache. I'm very interested in heartache so I really do not understand this big huge issue about this.

I also wasn't serious in the go watch a chickflick or Smallville... that was just me being whiny. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have included that line and I worded what I was thinking/feeling wrong.

 

[Taake]

I fear my point may have been misunderstood. I'm not saying you guys aren't fans because you don't like that the couples don't end up together... I'm just saying that this complaint feels stale to me. I for one like watching the heartache. I also like listening to songs about heartache. I'm very interested in heartache so I really do not understand this big huge issue about this.

I also wasn't serious in the go watch a chickflick or Smallville... that was just me being whiny. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have included that line and I worded what I was thinking/feeling wrong.

Honestly that's great if that's what works for you, but then perhaps this isn't the thread for you since it has no appeal to your interests. I like a fair bit of heartache in my movies/tv/music as well but not all the time as have been pointed out. Not when it's used as a crutch to keep the story going along because the writers couldn't come up with something more original.

 

[Flannen]

Honestly that's great if that's what works for you, but then perhaps this isn't the thread for you since it has no appeal to your interests. I like a fair bit of heartache in my movies/tv/music as well but not all the time as have been pointed out. Not when it's used as a crutch to keep the story going along because the writers couldn't come up with something more original.

I agree. I think someone else said that if a writer can't write a healthy, happy relationship and make it work then are they really worth their salt? Heartache and conflict and all that jazz are a part of every genre and I'm not against it entirely (Leyton fan over here lol) but Joss just takes it too far to the point its not realistic and detrimental to his story telling.

As to why he does it, I think its because he got a little recognition at first for having the stones to do it and now seems to be one of the only people yet to see that he has killed it and its almost like he parodies his own writing now. And not in a clever way!

 

[CrayonBreakyMe]

Thing is, though, sometimes stories do end up happily, and a couple stays together for the rest of their lives.

Never having a happy ending is just as disingenuous as always having one.

At this point it's getting predictable to the point that nobody wants to emotionally jump on board any new relationship he introduces, because we know it's doomed.

It's almost on the verge of becoming funny... one character kisses another and just explodes on the spot.

Hasn't that already happened?
SPOILER

Spoiler

Doesn't that happen on Dollhouse. Topher and Bennett? (sp) He kisses her and her brains get blown out?

 

[racheltng]

Joss has found his trope, and he's sticking to it.

 

[CrayonBreakyMe]

Mumrik agrees: You are an evil, evil soul!

Why am I evil??? lol