iambicpentameterhamster

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REVERSE TROPE WRITING PROMPTS

Too many beds

Accidentally kidnapping a mafia boss

Really nice guy who hates only you

Academic rivals except it’s two teachers who compete to have the best class

Divorce of convenience

Too much communication

True hate’s kiss (only kissing your enemy can break a curse)

Dating your enemy’s sibling

Lovers to enemies

Hate at first sight

Love triangle where the two love interests get together instead

Fake amnesia

Soulmates who are fated to kill each other

Strangers to enemies

Instead of fake dating, everyone is convinced that you aren’t actually dating

Too hot to cuddle

Love interest CEO is a himbo/bimbo who runs their company into the ground

Nursing home au

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In response to the tags in your repost, i think that from the start of the show Klaus was the one who was outwardly "Queer-presenting." He isn't just gay, but he behaves in a way so that it is easily picked up on by the viewers.

In season one, Viktor (then Vanya) presents as a straight woman, or rather a woman in a heterosexual relationship, with little to suggest s/he is bi or even queer. Queer themes are then brought into season 2 for then Vanya, the romance with Sissy. By this point, Klaus is ALREADY the established "Gay character" in the eyes of many viewers. This is the reason i would believe he is more subjected to having his character reduced by his sexuality than Viktor is- it does happen to Viktor too, but to a much lesser extent. (Viktor is also more subjected to being reduced to his trans identity than he is to his bisexuality/ unclear sexuality, because again, it is a visual change.)

It also has a whole lot to do with presentation and stereotypes. Klaus is flamboyant and effeminate, this being possibly the first thing you notice about him when he first graces the screen (along with the fact he is extremely troubled) He possessed very noticable traits stereotypically possessed by queer men, and there's nothing wrong with that at all, if anything it improves the character. But it means that if the whole crew are on screen together, he draws attention to himself and his fluid expression more than Viktor does.

In a way, this is clever acting from Sheehan- playing into stereotypes or identifiable traits to catch the attention and make him immediately likeable to the viewer, and then building depth from that. And, unpopular opinion, but Viktor just isn't played with as many layers and complexities to him as Klaus is. My favourite performance from Viktor is in season one. Anyway, this is becoming irrelevant and the above is all i have to say on the matter.

Do fandoms simplify queer characters? (Dexer from JD, TUA, just fandoms in general

Someone mentioned this in the comments of my last post about how the JD fandom has become so obsessed with Dexer that its akin to fetishization. I think that's probably true- nowadays most of what you see regarding the characters of David and Exer is ALL about their sexualities and their relationship. It's like they're barely seperate characters anymore and lost all of their individual charm and edge from season 1. Read about this in my earlier post too.

But since when was Jackson this evil villain and David and Exer are these poor sweet wholesome gay boys?

May i remind you, Jackson has been lovely to Pamela and respectful and good to all the female characters since season 1. Despite this, he has still been villified by the fandom which leads me to believe that it is explicitly the queerness of David and Exer's relationship that gets them this special treatment from the fandom.

It seems like since David and Exer have entered their relationship, the fandom doesn't see them as three dimensional people anymore. Before Dexer, they used to hold Exer accountable. Now, they've decided it's all in the past and actually Jackson is at fault for being upset about it. David and Exer, because they're gay, are just no longer capable of wrongdoing anymore? They are victims in this scenario? And as i said before, i mainly see posts just about them as a couple.

Its paradoxical how, simultaneously, the fandom are clearly allies and support and uplift queer characters, while also reducing the characters to that one trait- their queerness. Its lovely if you have a favourite ship and find couples cute, but at this point David and Exer are no longer viewed as characters of their own, and that's indicative of some kind of widespread bias.

Another relevant example of this would be Klaus from the Umbrella Academy. His actor, Robert Sheehan, was worried playing the character that fans would view as "the queer one".

"Speaking to Digital Spy, Sheehan hopes that his Umbrella Academy character won’t be seen as “the gay one” on the show. "Like it or not, if your character is labelled as a 'gay character', then that label becomes defining and it kind of reduces all else about the character…” he said. "Oversimplification if you just say, ‘Oh, well he’s the gay one’. So it doesn’t matter, basically, is the point. It doesn’t matter who he’s attracted to." [Netflix]"

And thats exactly what happened, in many parts of the fandom. I think people get excited about minorities being represented, so they focus in and obsess over that one trait of the character, when actually thats the opposite of what we want. We want Queer characters and couples to be viewed equally, not just as victims and/or wholesome daydream couples, but as flawed, three dimensional people.

I have more issues with Dexer so go to my previous post to read about that.

Anyway, that's about all i have to say about it. In summary, its great to feel represented and its great to enjoy a cute couple, but to reduce those characters to their queerness or the fact they are a couple is probably the opposite of what we want from this representation.

[iambicpentameterhamster]

Reblog this if you slept with my ex-wife Susan.

Trying to prove a point to my divorce lawyer.

[iambicpentameterhamster]

Do fandoms simplify queer characters? (Dexer from JD, TUA, just fandoms in general

Someone mentioned this in the comments of my last post about how the JD fandom has become so obsessed with Dexer that its akin to fetishization. I think that's probably true- nowadays most of what you see regarding the characters of David and Exer is ALL about their sexualities and their relationship. It's like they're barely seperate characters anymore and lost all of their individual charm and edge from season 1. Read about this in my earlier post too.

But since when was Jackson this evil villain and David and Exer are these poor sweet wholesome gay boys?

May i remind you, Jackson has been lovely to Pamela and respectful and good to all the female characters since season 1. Despite this, he has still been villified by the fandom which leads me to believe that it is explicitly the queerness of David and Exer's relationship that gets them this special treatment from the fandom.

It seems like since David and Exer have entered their relationship, the fandom doesn't see them as three dimensional people anymore. Before Dexer, they used to hold Exer accountable. Now, they've decided it's all in the past and actually Jackson is at fault for being upset about it. David and Exer, because they're gay, are just no longer capable of wrongdoing anymore? They are victims in this scenario? And as i said before, i mainly see posts just about them as a couple.

Its paradoxical how, simultaneously, the fandom are clearly allies and support and uplift queer characters, while also reducing the characters to that one trait- their queerness. Its lovely if you have a favourite ship and find couples cute, but at this point David and Exer are no longer viewed as characters of their own, and that's indicative of some kind of widespread bias.

Another relevant example of this would be Klaus from the Umbrella Academy. His actor, Robert Sheehan, was worried playing the character that fans would view as "the queer one".

"Speaking to Digital Spy, Sheehan hopes that his Umbrella Academy character won’t be seen as “the gay one” on the show. "Like it or not, if your character is labelled as a 'gay character', then that label becomes defining and it kind of reduces all else about the character…” he said. "Oversimplification if you just say, ‘Oh, well he’s the gay one’. So it doesn’t matter, basically, is the point. It doesn’t matter who he’s attracted to." [Netflix]"

And thats exactly what happened, in many parts of the fandom. I think people get excited about minorities being represented, so they focus in and obsess over that one trait of the character, when actually thats the opposite of what we want. We want Queer characters and couples to be viewed equally, not just as victims and/or wholesome daydream couples, but as flawed, three dimensional people.

I have more issues with Dexer so go to my previous post to read about that.

Anyway, that's about all i have to say about it. In summary, its great to feel represented and its great to enjoy a cute couple, but to reduce those characters to their queerness or the fact they are a couple is probably the opposite of what we want from this representation.

#The umbrella academy #jacksons diary #jackson smith #exer campbell #david miller #dexer #lgbtq #gay #robert sheehan #klaus hargreeves #fandoms

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What's happened with Jackson's Diary lately?

If you don't read all of this, at least scroll to my point on Dexer as that's my main issue.

Please don't take this too seriously, its just my opinion and im very open to having my mind changed.

So season 1 JD had me absolutely hooked, I loved the drama and the characters. There was a lot of character development and tension with underlying notes of supernatural mystery and the artstyle was consistently good and it was just... good. It was really good.

Come mid-season 2, I think we actually start to see a significant dip in quality- the characters, in my opinion, kind of lose the edge they had in season 1.

Let me explain. In season 1, the characters feel like REAL people in the sense that they were simultaneously flawed and fun. They had redeeming traits that made them likeable enough to the reader, but they all had flaws that made them act in ways that drove the plot. For example, David was funny, loyal and outgoing, but he was overprotective, slow on the uptake and jumped to conclusions. Exer was also cool, sarcastic and funny at times, but he had some pretty obvious flaws that i won't bother listing off. Jackson was sweet and easygoing but far too trusting. Ronald was intimidating but independent and thought for himself, Brenda was generous and bubbly but prioritized popularity over true friendship, Pamela was kind but standoffish, etc. All of these characters had different dynamics with one another, they weren't all friends and they weren't consistently friends. It was these contrasting flaws and virtues and dynamics that DROVE THE PLOT. And did so brilliantly.

But by the time season 1 finished, JD had taken off and was a very popular comic with thousands and thousands of readers. And these readers had become attatched to a particular ship, Dexer, which i think might be one of the reasons for the decline in character individuality. Paola has some amazing ideas and she is clearly a very capable storywriter and is good at writing and developing characters, so i think both time pressure and pressure from the fanbase caused these problems.

Season 2 was essentially three things- Exer's redemption, one long Exer and David will-they-wont-they storyline, and Jackson being therapized by everyone around him.

Exer's redemption

First of all, Exer's redemption. I think the inversion of Jackson and Exers roles in the plot is INCREDIBLY clever, but to be honest i would have liked to see that translated differently- rather than have Exer do a complete 180 and transform into a perfect person, i would have liked to see him keep some of his snark, some of his trademark moody eyeroll attitude from season 1, but show him becoming a better person at his core. Currently, i feel like he's just way too NICE. It makes his dialogue less interesting to read and it makes me less invested in him as a character because now, instead of his actions being affected by his conflicting character traits, i know he will just try and do the right thing no matter what. Maybe thats ideal for real people in real life, but it makes for a less interesting story.

He's also lost most of his motives from season 1. These used to be 1. Liking Brenda, 2. Maintaining reputation, 3. Competing with jackson and 4. Dealing with his powers and keeping them a secret. These motives conflicted each other and made it so he never truly gets what he wants, but now he just sort of... does. He got David. He got jacksons forgiveness. His friends and dad know about the powers. Hes a better person. Feels sort of like he ended up on top, really.

I would love to see Exer faced with a decision that makes him choose between keeping David or his integrity, for example. That would be really interesting. I would love to see some of the characters fall out again because them all just being good, supportive friends just makes it quite boring and low stakes. Even Jackson, with his new power, just uses it to help Exer and David and doesn't seem to have any intention or motive to use it for something more nefarious than that. Making the diary move by itself is just a way of removing Jackson's autonomy in the matter when i would rather see him make a decision himself and be responsible for his own actions, as Exer was. I want a power shift from Exer to Jackson, not Exer to Jackson to the diary.

The problem with Dexer

Now for Dexer. I think this is a key sign that the characters are now more driven by the fanbase and their desires then by what actually drives the plot. Yes, they're cute together. But they had more chemistry in season 1 when they were characters with edge. And it seems like, David in particular, his other character traits and struggles have been completely forgotten and now his character is "poor gay boy/ Exers boyfriend". And David's reaction to the trauma of what happened to his dad is just that hes... sad? What if, for example, he went manic and kept himself constantly busy because his need to be liked by other people has been harmed by this experience? Acting irrationally or seeking distraction to cope? Or even just being ACTUALLY sad instead of looking kind of sad but still doing and saying all the right things so the fandom continue to like him. David used to have other personal problems outside of Exer, for example his need to be liked by others and for popularity, or his dad telling him his future relies on football because he isn't so great at school. Now it's all about his sexuality.

It just feels like Exer and David aren't individuals anymore and have morphed into a two headed being called "Dexer". It would be SO much more satisfying to watch them get together as they were in season 1, with Exer's cynical, sarcastic and broody remarks contrasting David's endlessly sunny and optimistic personality, gullible and airheaded humour.

Some of my favourite interactions in the whole comic are between Exer and David in season one. Like:

Jackson: "Hey, is that Meryl Streep?"

Exer: "Seriously, do you think we're idiots or something?-"

David: *letting go* "Where?"

Or David constantly calling Jackson "Jacob" in early episodes, or him being totally oblivious to Exers dislike of Jackson or his crush on Brenda and enthusiastically trying to help with what he misinterprets to be reality, or slipping up about liking guys in really funny ways, Exers dramatic "After all we've been through?" And all of the funny misunderstandings and coincidences in season 1... small but entertaining things that made the characters who they were. THESE are the characters i wanted to get together. Not the ernest, well intentioned and flawless people they are now. They don't complement each other any more because they have the same basic values and traits. Like, where did Himbo David go? Where did broody Exer go?

And may i just mention, the OTHER characters have also been done absolutely dirty by this. Brenda is barely part of the plot anymore aside from helping Exer and David, same for Ronald. Brenda's thing with Ken might just save her character and has already introduced some quite funny moments, but throughout season 2 Brenda did not have any motives or development of her own outside of Exer and David (and occasionally Jackson)

Ronald had none of his funny moments, really, either. He was just David's emotional support russian. Maybe all of the character dynamics were hurt by the fact that most of the characters are all friends with each other with zero conflict except between Exer and Jackson.

Basically as the fanbase started to revolve around Dexer, the story actually seemed to mirror this. I don't blame Paola, she was giving the people what they wanted to see.

Therapized Jackson

I hate to break it to you, but real life people are self absorbed. People, especially young people, can be clueless and tactless and don't always say the right thing. When this is reflected in fictional characters, it can lead to interesting and tense scenes and character growth.

The detention kids, however, seem pretty damn perfect friends. They're always there, right time right place, and say all the right thinks to make Jackie feel better. They don't seem to have problems of their own that get in the way of their ability to constantly support Jackson, nor do they have any apparent reason for their devotion to Jackson. I mean, do they have endless time? How are they always free to help him out? Do they just wait around until he needs them? Seems kind of like they're in it for the Exer drama.

I know Jackson healing is important, but i think some of it should be internal, because realistically, who is going to have these zero-maintinance friends who follow you around giving you life advice?

Despite this, i still like them as characters and i think they have good comedy potential. They just need motives of their own and to slip up sometimes, or talk about something other than Jacksons mental health. The main characters have also fallen into doing this since making up with Jackson.

That's another thing, actually; in season 1, the characters bonded and talked about things other then whats currently happening in the plot. Now they just give each other advice and constantly talk about Jackson and David and Exer and literally nothing else, its tiring.

Anyway end of rant i haven't proof read this and i love you paola you're brilliant season 1 is a masterpiece

#david miller #brenda miller #exer campbell #jackson smith #jacksons diary #webtoon

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Let us not forget

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In the friendliest way possible in what world do billy and Klaus share the same vibe??

Characters That All Share the Same Vibe

(I totally don’t have a type)

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[iambicpentameterhamster]

No I totally agree then

Rlly hope klaus isn't a germaphobe that's very out of character and he is walking barefoot in the poster so I doubt it

TUA S4 Concerns *some spoilers for what's been teased so far*

So I'm concerned about Season 4. I want to be hopeful, but I am concerned. C o n c e r n e d.

It's short. There's bits in TUA that I don't personally enjoy as much and skip, there's bits that could have been taken out and nothing would have changed... but I like having that bit of room for more: did we need the Ikea Mafia's viking foot funeral? No. But did we need it? Yes.

The ball pit. The ball pit concerns me on a number of levels, and I'm sure it will be funny, I hope it will be funny, I just hope it's relevant enough why they're in that setting to not be too gimmicky, e.g. it made sense they ended up in the bowling alley; they probably snuck out there as kids and so it was one location they would all know, but man that ball pit worries me like a sleep paralysis demon.

The potential for germaphobe Klaus (sorry that's probs not the correct term but I can't think of what it might be). I can see why he'd be afraid of death now, but is it germ/cleanliness specific? If so why? Klaus has been one of the least concerned about hygiene up to this point so they're laying a whole new framework that I hope they give sufficient depth to. I'm an OCD sufferer myself, about death anxiety in fact, and I haven't resonated OCD with Klaus before if that is what they go for - I'm open to it, just not a cheap OCD gimmick. There's So Much trauma in all these characters at this point, my worry isn't them exploring new avenues as much as not bothering to look into the trauma they've already heaped on and doing something new for the sake of it. If it's done well, I'm all for it, but there's some previous with trauma getting forgotten on TUA so...

The Jennifer Incident. Please, please let this be more interesting than a romance story.

Lila's baby. I love Lila, I don't have a problem with her being preggo etc, I worry a little that TUA tends to speed run life so what is this actually going to look like? Parenthood is such a big life changing deal that I'm curious / cautious about what they'll have done with the characters here.

Viktor. His schtick is that He's Mr Apocalypse, sadly that limits his character coming to a place of peace in some ways. But mostly just let him have an actual conversation? Please? He'll have had 6 years this time skip, if they bullshit that 'oh no one's really seen each other in 6 years' lazy ass nonsense I'll be fuming.

As above, there's been 6 YEARS here, I want to watch the characters and feel that time has passed, that they've interacted, have in jokes now, shared history, maybe not all of them but that makes it even better; have Diego and Klaus have a cleaning routine together to help Diego understand Klaus and trying to be supportive if brusque, but then defending this to his other siblings. Have Luther share some actually positive moments with his other siblings and not just have been in Sloane-hunting solitude, make him always be trying to host awkward family BBQs that the others force (or pretend to force) themselves to go to. Have literally any of the siblings be on the look out or Five's triggers for him - and better yet actually give him some now that he's had time for the PTSD to swell. I want the small nitty gritty details, I want the filling, I want to feel the expanse of time not just 'oh shit another week and there's an apocalypse and we haven't seen each other hey ho oh look a ball pit!'

Anyway, I'm hopeful, but concerned, and I'm sure I'll love it and don't intend to be negative, it just helps me to voice them. Either way, I pray for the fan fiction that follows the series most of all, the rising of the crowd to give us more of what the series does deliver and flesh out what it does not. Is it weird to almost be more excited for that?

[iambicpentameterhamster]

All of the above, but as for Klaus's powers... we'll see in season 4

[iambicpentameterhamster]

On some level, I agree... BUT, I also don't want it to feel idealistic.

The thing about these siblings is that they're all very flawed people, most of whom failed to keep in consistent contact over 17 years of their lives before the first apocalypse happened. They're being thrust into a whole new world where everything has changed, so they are obviously going to react to it individual to their own character, flawed as they are. I think its a bit unrealistic to expect them ALL to be suddenly close or normally sibling-like to each other given the circumstances, especially for characters like Luther, or like Allison (the others may be stung by her betrayal and cut her off, for example.) I think we would all LOVE to see cute sibling and family moments, but realistically, thats not the nature of the show or the characters. Maybe certain characters will keep in touch, like Diego and Klaus or Five and Viktor, but I don't think it's going to be a big happy family. If I'm misinterpreting your argument I'm so sorry 🙏

As for the klaus thing, I have no idea what you're talking about, so if someone could cite the source below or something, that's greatly appreciated 🙏🙏

I agree with wanting to feel as if time has passed properly, which I think was done well in season 2 so I have high hopes.

I too am worried about the length of the season tbh I wish it was longer 😭 and fingers crossed the Jennifer incident is well executed. But no matter what, I know the actors will perform the fuck out of their characters and hopefully bring their stories to a beautiful close.

TUA S4 Concerns *some spoilers for what's been teased so far*

So I'm concerned about Season 4. I want to be hopeful, but I am concerned. C o n c e r n e d.

It's short. There's bits in TUA that I don't personally enjoy as much and skip, there's bits that could have been taken out and nothing would have changed... but I like having that bit of room for more: did we need the Ikea Mafia's viking foot funeral? No. But did we need it? Yes.

The ball pit. The ball pit concerns me on a number of levels, and I'm sure it will be funny, I hope it will be funny, I just hope it's relevant enough why they're in that setting to not be too gimmicky, e.g. it made sense they ended up in the bowling alley; they probably snuck out there as kids and so it was one location they would all know, but man that ball pit worries me like a sleep paralysis demon.

The potential for germaphobe Klaus (sorry that's probs not the correct term but I can't think of what it might be). I can see why he'd be afraid of death now, but is it germ/cleanliness specific? If so why? Klaus has been one of the least concerned about hygiene up to this point so they're laying a whole new framework that I hope they give sufficient depth to. I'm an OCD sufferer myself, about death anxiety in fact, and I haven't resonated OCD with Klaus before if that is what they go for - I'm open to it, just not a cheap OCD gimmick. There's So Much trauma in all these characters at this point, my worry isn't them exploring new avenues as much as not bothering to look into the trauma they've already heaped on and doing something new for the sake of it. If it's done well, I'm all for it, but there's some previous with trauma getting forgotten on TUA so...

The Jennifer Incident. Please, please let this be more interesting than a romance story.

Lila's baby. I love Lila, I don't have a problem with her being preggo etc, I worry a little that TUA tends to speed run life so what is this actually going to look like? Parenthood is such a big life changing deal that I'm curious / cautious about what they'll have done with the characters here.

Viktor. His schtick is that He's Mr Apocalypse, sadly that limits his character coming to a place of peace in some ways. But mostly just let him have an actual conversation? Please? He'll have had 6 years this time skip, if they bullshit that 'oh no one's really seen each other in 6 years' lazy ass nonsense I'll be fuming.

As above, there's been 6 YEARS here, I want to watch the characters and feel that time has passed, that they've interacted, have in jokes now, shared history, maybe not all of them but that makes it even better; have Diego and Klaus have a cleaning routine together to help Diego understand Klaus and trying to be supportive if brusque, but then defending this to his other siblings. Have Luther share some actually positive moments with his other siblings and not just have been in Sloane-hunting solitude, make him always be trying to host awkward family BBQs that the others force (or pretend to force) themselves to go to. Have literally any of the siblings be on the look out or Five's triggers for him - and better yet actually give him some now that he's had time for the PTSD to swell. I want the small nitty gritty details, I want the filling, I want to feel the expanse of time not just 'oh shit another week and there's an apocalypse and we haven't seen each other hey ho oh look a ball pit!'

Anyway, I'm hopeful, but concerned, and I'm sure I'll love it and don't intend to be negative, it just helps me to voice them. Either way, I pray for the fan fiction that follows the series most of all, the rising of the crowd to give us more of what the series does deliver and flesh out what it does not. Is it weird to almost be more excited for that?

[iambicpentameterhamster]

Frogs are bitches and we don't negotiate with terrorists, Allison!!

Reblog with your favorite line(s) in The Umbrella Academy

[iambicpentameterhamster]

I think he was pretty hostile to Jackson from the get go, for no apparent reason too, and did basically nothing to defend or show any empathy for Jackson in a way that he has for other characters (I.e David, Brenda, pamela, even Exer) I think its kind of overlooked how he did a similar thing to Exer in just excluding and intimidating Jackson for no reason (unless Jackson gives him raspberries because when there's something in It for him, THEN he's nice)

He's also a bit of a shit stirrer and basically let slip to Brenda that David liked Exer, I mean, what if Brenda was homophobic??

I still like him because I don't view these characters as two dimensional and "goodies and baddies", but i think out of all the characters he gets the least shit when what he's done is pretty bad too. Also he's been held the least accountable by the plot. I'm just not a fan if his actions and how he treated some people tbh

Still think he's rlly funny and entertaining to read tho

This fandom seriously just… frustrates me to the point where I’m writing this rant. 

This fandom does not understand flawed and complex characters. 

And, uh. Let’s talk about that. 

How they treat David and Exer:

The amount of bias this fandom holds for Exer and David is astounding. “Oh, the gay boys! They’re so sweet and wouldn’t hurt anyone!” (Paraphrasing, obviously, but this fandom does seriously put them on a pedestal)

When David and Exer were introduced, from very early on, they were shown to be heavily flawed characters. 

Exer is responsible for the entire story. He tricked Jackson to going to the girl’s changing room, which is what kicked off everything. Jackson getting bullied and harassed, Jackson eventually having his name cleared, Jackson not trusting the REDs, Jackson eventually learning about Exer’s powers, Exer having his powers found out, etc. This all started because Exer fucked with Jackson. He gaslit him to hell and back, he harassed him, he was jealous that Jackson was getting close with Brenda, his ex who he felt very possessive over. 

And David? David is a follower. He hears people saying “Jackson did something bad” and he immediately turned on Jackson, not hearing him out. Gossiping about him, talking shit to his face, letting people bully and harass him. And I understand that it was his sister, so he’s bound to feel more protective. But what happens when he learns it was actually Pamela who was ‘harassed’ by Jackson? He doesn’t care. 

And that moves me to David and Exer’s treatment of Pamela. Exer, like with Jackson, gaslit the shit out of her. He bullied her, called her a witch, called her creepy and a stalker and a liar. And he did this even though he knew she was right. He let people bully this poor girl to the point where she’s a loner with no friends and is picked on every day. 

I’m not saying Exer isn’t a good character. He actually has one of my favorite character arcs! But quit putting David and Exer on pedestals. Quit acting like they didn’t have any of the bad shit Jackson’s did to them coming. 

Speaking of Jackson…:

 Holy shit. This fandom is ruthless to Jackson Smith. And for no gosh damn reason. 

“He’s mean to Exer and David!”

Did you miss the whole ‘Exer and David harassing him in the same way they did to Pamela’ thing? They literally ruined all of his friendships and his social status. Jackson was just the new kid trying to fit in and they never gave him that chance. 

“He’s so emo and cringe!”

He is literally so depressed that he has to go to therapy. Exer and David bullied him so he is constantly guarded and has serious trust issues since they were his friends. 

“He’s using the diary to control Exer’s life and ruin it!”

Season 3 premier shows otherwise. He’s only testing out the diary to see what it can do. You telling me that if you didn’t have a magical diary that can control the universe centered around someone, you wouldn’t test it out? Don’t you lie to me. And he hasn’t even done anything horrible. In fact, he uses the diary as a way to try and help Exer and David after William kicked David out of the house. He may not like Exer, but he has good morals. He’s not going to let someone who is suffering be open to any harm. That’s why he used the diary to try and protect them both. And when it backfired, he decided to stop using the diary. He didn’t want anyone to get hurt or for anything bad to happen. 

“He beat up David!”

There we go again, putting Exer and David on pedestals. Guys, you’re blowing it way outta proportion. Jackson was in a fist fight with Exer, David tried to intervene and got kicked in the face. You know how people tell you don’t try to stop two dogs fighting unless you want to get bit? That’s what happened here. 

Jackson is literally just a traumatized kid. He lost his mom at a young age g age and moved to a new place and was hoping to make some new friends. His ‘friends’ immediately turn their backs on him and harass him. He learns one of them is behind everything that caused this? Ya, don’t tell me you wouldn’t be fucking pissed either. 

We are the audience. We have more insight to these character’s mind and situations than Jackson does. Put yourself into his perspective. 

Anyways, thank you for coming to my TED Talk. Make sure to pet Lucy-furr on your way out. 

[iambicpentameterhamster]

I agree that the other characters are overlooked, more love for Pamela and Brenda people!! (Not a big fan of Ron)

I honestly loved David from the start and I still love him because he's just so sunny and upbeat, while also being a bit hot headed and getting himself into funny situations. There was potential to dig deeper into his insecurities and worries for the future, such as him being quite people-pleasing and popular and not seeming to have a particular passion of his own or do very well in school, but these things are never explored. I found it entertaining to read about him through season 1, less so in season 2 as it became all about Exer (season 2 is just one long dexer rom com) I think his character flaws and good traits balance well and complement him, and I dont like how he's reduced to the fact he's queer and in love with Exer when there's a lot to his character other than that. The characters have basically been consumed by the ship and simplified by the fan base. I love David because his personality was so endearing and well drawn and he has so much potential.

I like Exer and his arc but I miss the edge he had back in season 1. Both of them have just become slightly less interesting as individual characters thanks to the ship, I think, and it could have been executed better without watering down either character because they worked well from the start.

chat imma be CANCELLED for this 🔥🙏

i’m sry but i don’t see the appeal of david or exer. they’re good characters but they’re rly not too interesting to me. obviously, exer has a good arc, but jackson kinda has the same one? like when u take off the rose-tinted glasses, u see that exer has a hatred for jackson in s.one, even if he hasn’t done anything remotely bad to him at the time. and guess what? JACKSON HAS THE SAME TYPE OF ARC IN S.TWO EXCEPT HE HAS A GENUINE REASON TO DISLIKE EXER?? i can’t stand the fact the fandom brushes over exer’s actions like they wouldn’t affect someone and paint jackson as this big bad villain who did it all for malicious reasons. however, i recognise jackson has also done some rly dicky shit in the new episode, which is y i’m neutral abt both of them.

okay time for david. there isn’t anything inherently wrong abt him, i js don’t find his character trope very interesting. i will say his battle with homosexuality and his daddy issues are endearing , but i’m js not too interested in his personality. ofc many ppl can relate to him and it’s a reason y he’s so popular, it’s js he’s kinda a boring character without those two arcs. genuinely i did not care for him in s.one., he was a nice guys, i js didn’t find him interesting then.

the BIGGEST reason y i js don’t rly like them is bc THE OTHERS R SO UNDERRATED IT PAINS ME. like where r my brenda fans? pamela? RON? LITERALLY ANYONE IN THE DETENTION GANG?? they're all super fun to watch and i think they deserve more attention. like if u add the amount of jamala fics and ronothy fic together, it only adds to A QUATER OF DEXER FICS ON AO3. LIKE BOTH RELATIONSHIPS R ACC SO SWEET AND THE DYNAMICS R AMAZING ITS SOSOSOSO PAINFUL TO SEE THEM BE OVERLOOKED. honestly 92% of the fandom is made up of david/exer stans so i’m not surprised y jackson is hated.

honestly i would js want to see him others talk abt their fav characters in jd (RON, KEN, BRENDA AND TIMOTHY 🔛🔝) but i would like to hear some reasonings on y ppl like david and/or exer!

[iambicpentameterhamster]

Both David and Jackson, and the poll reflects this.

In everyone's eyes Jackson is evil and David is a soft gay boy.

I need to know

If you don't know what flanderization is: Flanderization is the act of taking a single (often minor) action or trait of a character within a work and exaggerating it more and more over time until it completely consumes the character. 

[iambicpentameterhamster]

imma be real with y’all im in fandoms i forgot the plot of

for example Jackson’s diary i don’t even know what’s going on

[iambicpentameterhamster]

TRUE

I found this anon take and I thought of you guys 🥰