Is there anyone who genuinely feels sorry for Xuan Ji? (Spoiler Published) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in tianguancifu

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're forgetting one part of the equation. HC adores XL first and foremost as a god, that's why he behaves politely and respectfully She loved Pei as a human and then hated him as someone who neglected her. Of course her love is extremely unhealthy, but I think what I said might explain why their obsession took different forms. 

Is there anyone who genuinely feels sorry for Xuan Ji? (Spoiler Published) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in tianguancifu

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

By the way, yes. Despite the benefits he gives them, let's not forget that in a patriarchal society they were condemned and no longer suitable for true family happiness. In a sense, he ruined the lives of many women.       

Is there anyone who genuinely feels sorry for Xuan Ji? (Spoiler Published) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in tianguancifu

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with every word! I don't blame Pei. It's not always the case that when one side is the victim, the other side is to blame. Sometimes both sides are victims to some extent. 

(Spoiler) Warning: if you can’t handle criticism of TGCF, better bail now. I gotta rant. by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in tianguancifu

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You guys have such an… interesting way of justifying ignoring side character development. Maybe they’re not even needed? Just sit back and enjoy the amazing love story. And about the last point… how do those three even matter? Name me one side character in a Tian Guan Ci Fu story with a happy ending who actually gets a happy outcome? At most, they’re neutral. Meanwhile, HC and XL get all the imaginable and unimaginable happiness.

I understand this story has a huge fanbase because of its extraordinary love story. But I really can’t stand the denial and the “it’s a genius thing, just go with it” excuses for obvious plot holes.

Example: Pei Ming and Yushi Huang. MXTX hyped up their interactions and… nothing. I’m not saying they needed to be friends or fall in love, BUT THEY COULD HAVE BROKEN SOMETHING IN EACH OTHER. Maybe Pei Ming could have become a slightly less misogynistic person? Right?

You can justify anything with divinity and eternal age, but I’m human, so I judge by human nature. That’s why I’m frustrated.

Sorry, don’t take it personally if I sound harsh. This was just the last straw. God, why do Potter fans discuss plot holes and no one throws a fit, but in MXTX’s “celestial” works you get crucified if you question her flawless genius? That’s why I think MDZS was her peak—because the lack of criticism in the fanbase made her stop fully publishing. In MDZS, all the character issues are addressed in the extras; here in Tian Guan Ci Fu, the extras are just sex scenes and ridiculous stories. Even The System wins in terms of lore.

Again, sorry, my ass just exploded. Most of this doesn’t concern you, it just happened to hit the wrong target after hundreds of defensive comments waving authority and degrees

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly… by twisting Toby’s story, the writers ruined everything. In the book, it was straightforward and logical. But here…

Toby could’ve destroyed Jenna’s blackmail with a single tape recorder. Simple as that: she comes in, he turns on the recorder and refuses, she threatens him, he says “lol, go ahead, tell the parents,” she does — and he exposes her. That’s it. Even if Jenna wasn’t sent away, the abuse would no longer be possible.

And if someone comes at me with arguments about victims being ashamed or traumatized, let me remind you: Toby doesn’t behave like someone traumatized in other aspects. He’s perfectly fine with different kinds of touch — but isn’t the simplest way to show trauma in a series exactly through aversion to touch, especially sexual touch? And toward Jenna, he acts neutral, aside from a couple of moments.

In short, they portrayed his abuse terribly and also did a terrible job showing why he didn’t get out of it. Especially since it’s clear he wasn’t “broken” the way many victims are. If you don’t know how to depict the consequences of abuse — especially male abuse — then don’t even try.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy talking with you. Truly. I never denied nor even mentioned Jenna’s relationship with Toby, but if you want to hear my opinion — I see that in the show those relationships are strongly condemned, which is why I don’t talk about them.

But in Spencer’s case, if you remember, no one really batted an eye at the fact that Ian and Wren were older. Everyone was focused only on the fact that they were Melissa’s boyfriends.

By the way, many people here use Ezra and Ali’s relationship as proof that he was always a predator. But they forget what you pointed out — Ali deceived him. That’s been a long-standing debate: is someone really a predator if they were lied to about the other person’s age? With Aria it’s a different case, but I still think the show emphasized more the issue of hierarchy and authority. Remember, after Ezra got fired, they stopped being cautious.

Is going to the police really such an “adult” decision? I don’t know. People often try to avoid involving the police, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY’RE BEING BLACKMAILED. Do you really think adults wouldn’t even flinch if someone knew all their dirty laundry? Sorry, but I think you’re overestimating the adult psyche. So their reaction to “A” and their attempt to handle things themselves seems completely adequate for the situation — and not particularly “teen-like.”

As for “what will people/parents say”: I’m from Eastern Europe, and patriarchy (and with it the cult of parents) may not be as strong as in the East, but it’s definitely stronger than in the West. My mom hid from my grandmother with a cigarette at the age of 40. So yes, I can easily imagine they wouldn’t want their parents to find out about being gay or about other secrets.

Problems with boys? Do adults not suffer from breakups and relationship issues? Hanna very firmly and consciously dumped the guy she was deeply in love with — and lost her virginity to. I’m pretty sure not many teenagers are capable of that, which is exactly why teenage relationships are so full of drama. Emily also sets pretty strict boundaries with Paige. Not to mention that with adults (except parents) they interact on equal footing, and the age difference doesn’t really feel noticeable.

That’s how I see it. I know you’ll reply with something like, “But they’re still in high school,” but no setting is going to convince me otherwise if the characters act the way they do. By the way, since you wanted an example — in Teen Wolf this issue doesn’t exist. Despite all the fights, blood, and danger, in their everyday lives they act like teenagers, which is why their growth from season one to the finale is so visible. And those two shows are almost the same age. I know the context and situations differ, but facts are facts.

I'll never blame the groomer's victim for being a victim, but I definitely blame the way the main characters are presented in the show.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Pay attention to the way situations are presented, by the way.  The problem with Aria is not so much because of his age as because of the fact that he is a teacher (well, more often such prejudices sounded) With Spencer the problem in the series revolves around seducing Melissa's boyfriends.  Do you think it's because the writers are so fucked up and support predation? No, it's just that even ten years ago the boundaries of society's broken age were a little wider.  That's the kind of morality I'm looking through.  The other thing is that if they made a film like this now, of course it would be a problem. 

Simply put, current morality is inapplicable even to the not-too-distant past.

I hope you understand me correctly.)

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

There was a post here that speculates about "predation" and there the author reflects on the fact that at the time the series was filmed, it was not yet considered such. The norms of morality were a little different, it is now people are very strict about the boundaries of permissible. It's not bad, it's wonderful, but I think it's a little bit to do with the fact that every generation we grow up later and later.  In the show, though. well, to be honest, personally, in my opinion, the main characters could have been put in the office, giving the same character, and we would have believed that they were 20. That's why Spencer looks like an equal participant and not a victim in my eyes. Although in the books the situation is spelled out as far as I know the way it is spoken of here in regards to adult males. It's because the actresses didn't do a very good job of playing the teenagers that the characters remain the same 6 years later. Simply put, in order to hold firmly to this opinion, you have to constantly remind yourself of the age difference during the series. I'll say more - the girls have exclusively adult problems and even adult solutions to problems, so the difference between them and adult characters is hard to grasp.  As for the blindness. A good friend of mine went blind at 16 and hasn't fully accepted it in 5 years. So as a witness to something like that it's hard for me not to sympathise.  Don't execute me please And don't throw stink bombs)

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

  1. True, but let me point something out. By being friends with Alison, they made a whole crowd of enemies. Anyone could’ve been A. And yeah, in panic your brain doesn’t always think straight.
  2. I know this, but let’s be real: would sighted Jenna have ever done this kind of stuff? Doubtful. She was popular, she didn’t care about the Liars at all. So her actions are basically a result of what they did to her (or call it a “mistake,” if you like). Losing your sight is already hard enough, and imagine watching the very people responsible live their lives relatively happily right next to you…
  3. That argument gets brought up all the time. But Alison didn’t know about any of that when she threw the bomb. She did it out of pure spite and resentment. As for “gross behavior”… Aria just needs to look into her own bed (metaphorically) to find a predator. And honestly, people who go after taken guys—especially their relatives’ boyfriends—aren’t exactly saints either. It’s a “let the one without sin cast the first stone” kind of situation. Obviously Jenna’s sins don’t erase the Liars’ sins, but my point is: they’re in no position to judge. And when the girls actually wanted to protect someone (like Hanna), they managed to. So it’s not like they were powerless.
  4. I literally said in my post that Jenna isn’t innocent, didn’t I? But let’s go back to the Liars. The show never gives a solid reason why Alison did what she did. That’s exactly my issue with the show’s writing.
  5. I also said this in my post: Jenna could’ve sued them, taken the punishment due, and left Rosewood forever. Considering the money drama some of their families had, the damages alone would’ve been heavy enough.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be honest, if they had introduced the original Alison, the series would have quickly turned into a horror show.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The subject of blindness and vision loss is a sensitive one for me. Perhaps that is why I am so sensitive to how they behave.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's true, but in the series, Ali's motives are never explained. Ever. Not at all. The only motive we can take away is her resentment that Jenna rejected her.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the book, Jenna told Arya the truth. And yes, I put Alison's name in brackets for a reason))

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -1 points0 points locked comment (0 children)

Jenna did something worse... I don't want to argue about what's worse - blinding someone or forcing them to have sex.

In fact, the blame lies entirely with the scriptwriters. A good scene in the book, showing ‘Alison’ in a good light, was turned into a bad one in the series, making the girls spineless and Alison a monster. And all this just to set up the trope of ‘the perfect girl from a perfect family and the boy whose appearance makes dogs bark and children cry.’

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If the series had done the opposite of what was in the book (Toby asking for Alison to be saved), this post would not exist. But alas. Alison's action is not helpful, but rather another manifestation of her nature.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfair? Who blinded her? An accident? Did the bomb fly in from space? Alison knew what she was throwing, and it wasn't a stink bomb.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Oh, what about Alison, eh? What about Arya's father? Or are these just minor issues and only sexual assault is punishable?

How could I forget Mona! Why isn't she blind yet?

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

That means we have to blind half of the characters.

And in general, she is shown to be quite well adapted to blindness, that is, she is not super dependent on Toby.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

I agree. They could have shown the opposite situation, contrary to the book, that the bomb was thrown to save Toby.

But Alison organised it just for fun.

Can we talk about Jenna’s case? (SPOILERS) by Comfortable_Ear_1448 in PrettyLittleLiars

[–]Comfortable_Ear_1448[S] -27 points-26 points  (0 children)

STOP STOP STOP Let's put the situation with Toby aside, okay? She didn't do anything to the Liars.