Comments on: 30-Day Challenge: Day 5 — Least Favorite Love Interest http://www.randombabble.com/2011/11/08/30-day-challenge-day-5-least-favorite-love-interest/ exactly that Mon, 14 May 2012 14:39:56 +0000 hourly 1 By: Ouyang Dan http://www.randombabble.com/2011/11/08/30-day-challenge-day-5-least-favorite-love-interest/#comment-5677 Ouyang Dan Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:01:02 +0000 http://www.randombabble.com/?p=2989#comment-5677 Very well put, actually. I respect what she was trying to do. I feel like it could have used a bit more consultation, because I don't feel it was successful. Though, I do appreciate the effort. We don't see sympathetic portrayals of mental illness in video games often. Very well put, actually.

I respect what she was trying to do. I feel like it could have used a bit more consultation, because I don’t feel it was successful. Though, I do appreciate the effort. We don’t see sympathetic portrayals of mental illness in video games often.

]]> By: Lesia http://www.randombabble.com/2011/11/08/30-day-challenge-day-5-least-favorite-love-interest/#comment-5676 Lesia Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:55:19 +0000 http://www.randombabble.com/?p=2989#comment-5676 While I respect Hepler's writing ability, I feel mixed feelings at her attempt. If I recall correctly, I think she was attempting to perhaps create a character with bipolar disorder, and Justice was the impetus of that. Although many scenarios can certainly be a trigger for a mental illness, a lot of them are hereditary, and that's the issue I had with Justice. Anders did not have bipolar disorder; it was his struggle with Justice and the mage plight that was making him act the way he was. Granted, I give Hepler credit for her explanation: "For me, that is primarily what his relationship is about — the difficulties of loving and trying to help someone who struggles with a part of himself that he cannot control and may never be able to control." On that note, I do appreciate her efforts to do that for a video game character, despite the stereotype that perpetuates the mental illness = diabolically crazy trope. On the other hand, I am inclined to perhaps be understanding of why this trope continues to exist. Hell, sometimes I'm not able to come to terms with some aspects of myself that I am struggling with, and when there are aspects of my life and questions of my self-identity that can't seem to be separated from my mental quirks. This is especially considering my brain-- the control center of my body, thoughts, personality, <i>myself</i>--is somewhat abnormal. I surmise some others with mental quirks have/are/will struggl/ed/ing/e with this to an extent. It is therefore understanding if a person who does not suffer from a mental illness perhaps falls a bit short in trying to explain that paradigm. While I respect Hepler’s writing ability, I feel mixed feelings at her attempt. If I recall correctly, I think she was attempting to perhaps create a character with bipolar disorder, and Justice was the impetus of that. Although many scenarios can certainly be a trigger for a mental illness, a lot of them are hereditary, and that’s the issue I had with Justice. Anders did not have bipolar disorder; it was his struggle with Justice and the mage plight that was making him act the way he was. Granted, I give Hepler credit for her explanation: “For me, that is primarily what his relationship is about — the difficulties of loving and trying to help someone who struggles with a part of himself that he cannot control and may never be able to control.” On that note, I do appreciate her efforts to do that for a video game character, despite the stereotype that perpetuates the mental illness = diabolically crazy trope.

On the other hand, I am inclined to perhaps be understanding of why this trope continues to exist. Hell, sometimes I’m not able to come to terms with some aspects of myself that I am struggling with, and when there are aspects of my life and questions of my self-identity that can’t seem to be separated from my mental quirks. This is especially considering my brain– the control center of my body, thoughts, personality, myself–is somewhat abnormal. I surmise some others with mental quirks have/are/will struggl/ed/ing/e with this to an extent. It is therefore understanding if a person who does not suffer from a mental illness perhaps falls a bit short in trying to explain that paradigm.

]]> By: Norah http://www.randombabble.com/2011/11/08/30-day-challenge-day-5-least-favorite-love-interest/#comment-5648 Norah Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:28:44 +0000 http://www.randombabble.com/?p=2989#comment-5648 My favorite romance is the one that didn't happen :D. (*cough* Varric). But really, I like many of them, but especially in DA2 they all felt really flat and rushed despite the 9-or-so-year span of the story. Maybe it's because I can't get into the Hawke character very much, but I just couldn't really muster up any enthusiasm or tenderness or excitement for these romances. I was also kinda disappointed that you can convince Isabella of the traditional relationship way. I liked the Alistair and the Zevran ones, though there are some things off with them. I have never done the Leliana one because I just don't like her, and likewise the Sebastian one. I just can't stand the guy. My favorite romance is the one that didn’t happen :D . (*cough* Varric). But really, I like many of them, but especially in DA2 they all felt really flat and rushed despite the 9-or-so-year span of the story. Maybe it’s because I can’t get into the Hawke character very much, but I just couldn’t really muster up any enthusiasm or tenderness or excitement for these romances. I was also kinda disappointed that you can convince Isabella of the traditional relationship way.
I liked the Alistair and the Zevran ones, though there are some things off with them. I have never done the Leliana one because I just don’t like her, and likewise the Sebastian one. I just can’t stand the guy.

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