I’ve noticed that a lot of media that I consume (shows, mostly, but also books and movies) do something where they set it up so that the main character will have to die at the end in order to save everyone else. One of two things happens, and it annoys me. One, the character dies and then is brought back. Two, at the last minute there’s another solution and the character doesn’t have to die. I feel like more writers should commit to a meaningful sacrifice of their main characters. Sometimes it works, but sometimes I just want that brutal, bittersweet moment, and I want it to be final, so that we can really appreciate the character’s sacrifice. Or even if it’s not a sacrifice, and the character just flat out fails, I sometimes wish there was a commitment and we can feel that failure. I don’t mean to say that happy endings shouldn’t exist, I like happy endings. But sometimes it feels like it could totally work to keep the main character dead.
Anyways, I was wondering your opinion on this, my late-night rambling.
You'd probably like Sandman.
Sooooo… does fandom still think we’ll get a different ending?
I think Neil is probably talking about the comic, since its complete, and not the show, which is not. Neil is never one to give away any spoilers about works that are not complete, so I don't think its too fair to call this a done deal toward a fandom that hasnt yet come to terms with something that hasn't happened yet in the media they are watching. I don't think fandom (though no one can speak for a fandom as a whole) expects a different ending, but sometimes it can help and be fun to live in those what ifs without getting them shut down.
The show should NOT have a different ending in many ways, but a softer kinder story would be appreciated. Its not the 80s/90s anymore, and stories don't need to be so brutal in these already horribly brutal times. Its not at all a failing for anyone to wish for a happier ending to a tragedy. Even if the story would not be the same without its tragic ending. Besides, the comic does still have a hint of hope at the end there, and I will continue reminding people about that hint of hope (in an otherwise hopeless universe) until the show reaches its ending and we find out for sure. There is nothing wrong with a bit of hope at the end of a tragedy.
Yeah there’s nothing wrong with not wanting the suicidal character’s ending to be suicide …
I understand loving the comics … I do too — but the ending always felt hopeless to me.. so do I want the character I relate to…to have a better ending yes? No one is asking for a fairytale happy ending ..
Just one that doesn’t end in death and being replaced immediately with only 3 ppl actually mourning you.
We’re not in the same landscape as when the comics came out and Neil is not the same person he was when he wrote it. It’s not wrong to hope for well…. Some hope.
