May 21, 2008
Edgy, Schmedgy
Written by Shirley Karr in Jaunty PostMaybe I’m annoyed because our election system allows a few Midwestern and New England states to eliminate most of my choices for president. By the time Oregon held its primary yesterday, we had few candidates to choose from. Maybe I should be annoyed with the candidates who dropped out early.
Maybe I’m annoyed because — again — the one facial moisturizer that actually works for my extremely dry sensitive skin has been pulled from the market, to be reformulated and relaunched at a significantly higher price.
Yes to all of the above, and add to that it’s time for season finales, which means once again I’m honked off at Hollywood.
When they kill off a main character in a long-running TV show, they say they’re keeping the show edgy. Gritty. Being in _____ (you fill in the blank) is dangerous, and anyone could be killed at any time.
Well, I’ve had it with edgy. I never worried that Reed or Malloy would actually be killed. Didn’t have to worry about McGarret or Danno, nor Starsky or Hutch, either. They might be shot or otherwise hurt, sure – we’re always beating up our heroes because we’re invested in their well-being and it’s emotionally satisfying to take care of them, to bring them back from the depths of despair or the brink of death.
Remember the one where Hutch was faking his amnesia for revenge after Starsky’s crazy driving finally led to a crash? Fun. Escapist entertainment. That’s what I want from my TV viewing of scripted dramas and comedies. If I want edgy, gritty reality, there’s always the news.
On CIS last week, a main character was killed by a dirty cop. The departing actor allegedly has off-screen alcohol or drug problems, but still, they couldn’t have left room for the character’s return if the actor got clean and sober? Another series regular left earlier this season but at least she left town so I can imagine her alive and having off-screen trysts with her on-screen lover, and possibly available for guest appearances.
Monday night, House killed a series regular in a storyline that’s going to have serious consequences for next season and may have killed a friendship. NCIS killed a series regular last night, and don’t even get me started on the character deaths on Lost. Even my husband commented that it seems all the shows are killing someone.
Sometimes a familiar character is killed to raise the stakes. See how dangerous it is for our intrepid hero! See how important it is that she succeed! People are dyin’ here!
Sometimes it’s not a character that’s destroyed but a beloved inanimate object. In the story I’m writing now, my hero Nick is the captain of the Wind Dancer. Both have played small but key roles in two previous novels and now it’s their turn to star. I’ve based Nick’s ship on the Lady Washington, a reproduction of the original Lady W launched in 1750. I’ve gone sailing on her twice, and spent hours chatting up the crew and examining every square inch the public is allowed to see. Posters of her rigging and schematics decorate my office door. And of course there’s the Pirates connection, where she played the Interceptor. (I first went sailing on her three full years before Captain Jack set his sights on stealing her, btw.) When I write about the Wind Dancer, I see, feel, smell and hear Lady Washington.
Wind Dancer is involved in a race for hidden treasure, fighting off a dastardly rival along the way. There’s a really cool battle at sea. To raise the stakes, my critique partners want me to blow her up.
Sometimes killing a main character backfires. Remember what happened to Dallas after they killed Bobby? Eventually they brought him back and explained the stinker season was just Pam’s dream.
So, I am not blowing up Wind Dancer. Damage it, definitely, because it’s emotionally satisfying to hurt and then make it all better. In the fun, escapist world where I spend some of my precious free time, my beloved familiar characters do not die or blow up. Why doesn’t Hollywood get that? Or am I alone in this?
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Emily McKay Says:
I hate it when shows kill off characters. I think in addition to just pissing people off, they create emotional distance between the viewers and the remaining characters. I care less about Lost because they’ve killed off so many characters. You don’t want to get invested in characters who might die.
brownone Says:
I actually liked the ending of House.
I wasn’t so emotionally invested in the character they killed off…I mean I felt bad but I felt more sorry for Wilson and now I’m dying to see where they start back up again when the show begins. I wonder how big a gap there will be between Wilson and House because House DID risk his life to get the information. Anyhow, I think they just kill some characters off for the “wow” factor. I was actually shocked when Lost killed off Boone because he was the “young hottie” on the island.
Margo Maguire Says:
I don’t watch much TV, but I think the phase you’re describing is similar to what goes on in Romance books. Not that we kill off characters,
but we go through phases where certain things are more popular than others (vampires, suspense, historical, ghosts, etc). I think it’s done to keep the genre fresh and alive (so to speak 
).
Shana Galen Says:
I don’t really watch TV much, so I haven’t seen any of these shows, but I did see Prince Caspian this weekend. I was really sad when several very minor characters were killed. Maybe that’s why writing conflict is so tough for me. Why does anyone have to die???? :no:
Sarah Says:
But… But… But…
NO!
I’m a more than week behind on TV! AHHHHHH!
Shirley Karr Says:
Emily, you’re exactly right! They’re creating distance because I don’t want to become emotionally invested in characters who will be killed. It’s one thing for someone who dies before the opening credits and we investigate their death. I didn’t watch CSI for two seasons after watching their series premiere.
And Brownone, glad I’m not the only one still in mourning over Boone. Will someone *please* put Ian Somerhalder back on TV so I can watch him on a regular basis?
I also get upset about losing entire shows. The Dresden Files and New Amsterdam are gone, but New Adventures of Old Christine was renewed? Blech. At least Burn Notice will be back in a few months. :bananadance:
Dorothy Says:
I’d much rather have the character be killed or leave the show in some way than to have the character be replaced with another actor/actress. That’s just so confusing.
Mary Says:
I thought House was absolutely brilliant.
But I still feel betrayed by the dying of Old Yeller in the classic movie. And I used to cry every year when Frosty the Snowman melted. I guess I’m a lot tougher now, lol.
Sólveig Says:
I so agree. I am a big NCIS fan and I was devastated when Kate died and now Shepard. It´s just :thumbsdown: And Bones… OMG, don´t get me started. It´s just been a horrible Seasonfinale time for me :yuck: But I´m SOOOO glad to hear about Nick´s adventures
Nick has always been my favourite and I have been waiting for a long time….(Read Sinclair´s and Quincy´s story again for the third time just yesterday to keep fit) 
So glad to hear you don´t mean to destroy his second biggest love :thumbsup:
Shirley Karr Says:
Solveig, how sweet! You just made my day. :heart:
And yes, my gut still clenches when I think of how they killed Kate. I know the actress wanted out of her contract because it was too much of a commitment for her, but geez!
Mary, I am never going to read Old Yeller to my son, or several other classic stories for kids. My third grade teacher read it aloud to us and I’m still emotionally scarred.
Cheryl St.John Says:
BONES was a real bummer - a main character ended up the killer they were looking for. A well-liked character!
I figured they wrote in Amber this season, just to kill her off, and I get that. But I feel bad for Wilson because he was finally happy.
I haven’t watched NCIS finale yet.