![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
caught by surprise
Feb. 14th, 2011 09:04 amI have this friend who I love watching tv with. We enjoy the same shows, and have a great time discussing the whole thing and picking the plot to pieces afterwards.
I also hate watching tv with him.
This is because his brain works like this:
1) Plot points shouldn't come out of nowhere.
2) Things should be well set up in the plot.
3) If a show is well written, I'll be able to see the plot twists coming.
And my brain works like this:
1) Shows should be emotionally engaging.
2) A show should have you experiencing emotions right along with the characters.
3) If a show is well written, I'll be totally surprised by plot developments, because I'll be so caught up in everything that I won't be detached enough to see them coming.
Confusingly, we have the same definition of "well written show".
So, we'll be watching an episode together, and because it's well written, he'll be noticing all the set up for the brilliant plot twist. And because it's well written, I'll be caught up in the wonder of watching it and be totally blown away by the brilliant plot twist.
...and then he'll turn to me with a wry smile, and say "What - you didn't see that coming?"
EVERY SINGLE TIME. He knows I get caught up in the story; he knows I never see plot twists; he knows I like being surprised. And yet, he always, always feels the need to point out that I really should have seen this coming. I HATE THAT.
Why am I bringing this up now? Because Making Light had a discussion about this very thing yesterday, and I suddenly discovered that I am not alone...
I also hate watching tv with him.
This is because his brain works like this:
1) Plot points shouldn't come out of nowhere.
2) Things should be well set up in the plot.
3) If a show is well written, I'll be able to see the plot twists coming.
And my brain works like this:
1) Shows should be emotionally engaging.
2) A show should have you experiencing emotions right along with the characters.
3) If a show is well written, I'll be totally surprised by plot developments, because I'll be so caught up in everything that I won't be detached enough to see them coming.
Confusingly, we have the same definition of "well written show".
So, we'll be watching an episode together, and because it's well written, he'll be noticing all the set up for the brilliant plot twist. And because it's well written, I'll be caught up in the wonder of watching it and be totally blown away by the brilliant plot twist.
...and then he'll turn to me with a wry smile, and say "What - you didn't see that coming?"
EVERY SINGLE TIME. He knows I get caught up in the story; he knows I never see plot twists; he knows I like being surprised. And yet, he always, always feels the need to point out that I really should have seen this coming. I HATE THAT.
Why am I bringing this up now? Because Making Light had a discussion about this very thing yesterday, and I suddenly discovered that I am not alone...