Comments by "ncwordman" (@ncwordman) on "Peter Pan And Wendy - It's Awful" video.

  1. Even if they didn't have the "identity politics," the writing and presentation would still fall flat. Granted, a lot of that flatness comes from the identity cliches. Drinker has already covered this, but I think it necessary to point these out again: First, characters need to want something, even if it's just a glass of water. And they have to overcome obstacles, both outside of themselves and from within. That's what creates the drama and drives the plot. Everyone has weaknesses, even (or especially) the supposedly strong protagonist. There's nothing wrong with having faults, since it's perfectly human; unless you never face them, and at least try to overcome them. But a character (especially the protagonist) with no faults isn't human. This creates all sorts of problems, all of which are the main focus of my point here: Without faults, we can't connect with them; and they have no personality; and they never learn to actually develop strength. Being strong can't really happen, until a person overcomes their weaknesses, or at least tries to. That's why Luke Skywalker got captured and nearly eaten by the wompa, and why Vader whipped him in Cloud City: Because he was young, inexperienced, and had never faced his own mortality, which would make him treasure life--and therefore fight for it. Without those faults, there would be no experience, which would mean a very boring story. Secondly, those obstacles have to be real and not easily overcome. If you win your first battle, and every single one after that, then there's no drama, which means no investment or interest from the audience. This is how storytelling works. So you can't just have a Mary Sue blast through everything. Nor can you have any male character just blast through everything. If a character doesn't lose again and again, and thus never reach the point of the ultimate defeat, when all hope is lost, then they can't overcome their own fear and weaknesses. And anyone who can't overcome their own fear, especially in order to save others, is no hero at all.
    2