loving the unlovable

[deird1]

So, I seem to like really annoying characters.

There have been many times in the past where I have discovered that the majority opinion on a character is that they're really rather annoying, and I have thought "Huh? But they're awesome!"

Instances I can think of:
- Andrew and Kennedy, from BtVS
- Josh Lyman, from The West Wing
- The Ninth Doctor, from Doctor Who
- Jennifer Haley, from Stargate SG-1 (and for that matter, Rodney McKay, in his pre-Atlantis incarnation)

While I could probably attempt a meta analysing each character, and explaining why they're really not annoying at all, and I'm totally sensible for liking them, I suspect the real reason is far simpler and more personal.

A couple of years ago, I was described by someone as "the most attractive person I've ever seen be THAT awkward". Which… yeah. Fair. I am, in fact, impossibly awkward.

I suspect the main reason I like characters that are, let's face it, pretty annoying and socially awkward, is that I am pretty annoying and socially awkward, and it's really rather nice seeing annoyingly awkward people stepping into the world and being awesome, even though they're still impossibly awkward.



But seriously, Kennedy's awesome.

Comments

[juliet316]

The Ninth Doctor is unloveable?

[nostalgia]

Yeah I thought I was niche and weird for not liking him!

[deird1]

At least a few people agree with you!

[deird1]

I've had several people tell me so, yes. I don't think so, but I appear to be a bad barometer of this stuff.

[immer_am_lesen]

I love the Ninth Doctor!
He got me into the show. Seeing him in the ad saying saying "nice to meet you, Rose. Run for your life!" looked like fun, so I tried it. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g67wb_OcAvw )
He was so fun to watch, really. Goofy, didn't take himself seriously, but *was* serious. Really likeable, I thought. I was sad when Chris quit after one season, as he didn't want to get typecast. (Would it have been so terrible, really? *shrug* )
I found Ten too wacky and out there and fast-talking at the start, but he *really* grew on me. The Ninth and Tenth seasons are the only ones I own. Never understood the following Docs. :-)

[shadowkat]

With the exception of Andrew and I've no clue who Jennifer and Rodney are, I'm in complete agreement.

I rather liked the Ninth Doctor - actually I watched Doctor Who because of the Ninth Doctor, I gave up when it changed to the 10th, then drifted back out of curiosity and 10 grew on me, and became a favorite later. I liked the actor who played 9 and the direction.

Also rather loved Josh Lyman from the West Wing - he's actually my favorite character, along with his Assistant. Toby was the character that annoyed me the most on the West Wing. Josh, I found oddly lovable.

And Kennedy was interesting. I think people hated her because she wasn't Tara, while I was ambivalent about Tara and Tara kind of got on my nerves. LOL!

[deird1]

Toby was the character that annoyed me the most on the West Wing.

TOTALLY.

Josh and Donna are one of the best parts of the show, for me. It's one of the reasons I enjoy the last two seasons so much - those two have such prominent roles.

[shadowkat]

Same. I watched for Josh and Donna. I've even watched other films because I like Bradly Whitford, who played Josh.

The actor who plays Toby is annoying in everything he is in - so I've decided it's the actor and the character who got on my nerves.

[luscious_purple]

I actually had the biggest crush on Josh Lyman, or rather the actor who played him, Bradley Whitford.

[deird1]

He is rather awesome, yes. (And has aged gorgeously, FTR.)

[lirazel]

The Ninth Doctor???? Why??? I mean, I love Josh SO much, but he is undeniably an asshole a lot of the time, so I can get why he's polarizing. But I genuinely don't understand why Nine is considered annoying.

I suspect the main reason I like characters that are, let's face it, pretty annoying and socially awkward, is that I am pretty annoying and socially awkward, and it's really rather nice seeing annoyingly awkward people stepping into the world and being awesome, even though they're still impossibly awkward.

Relatable!

[deird1]

Yeah, a lot of people do seem to find Nine annoying. I don't get it, myself.

(Love your icon. I really must track down some West Wing icons.)

[maia]

But I genuinely don't understand why Nine is considered annoying.

I don't understand it either!

[megpie71]

I suspect the problem with the Ninth Doctor was a fairly straightforward one - he's actually in a believable line of descent, as a character, from the Doctor as played by William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, and Colin Baker. Dump in a good solid dose of post-Time-War trauma, and you have the Ninth Doctor. The Doctor always had the arrogance, and the rather blunt and cold disposition toward his companions, the sense of being something Other (something Better), the inability to suffer fools graciously (or indeed at all) and so on. It's just in the Ninth Doctor, the gloves are off, he's all out of fucks to give, and he's being Himself as hard as he can, because that's all he can be at the moment. He's not interested in passing as human any more, because he's the only Time Lord left now (as far as he knows at that point) and if he denies who and what he is, he's killing his culture and his people in a very definite way.

He was a wonderful character to re-create the series with for Old-School fans, particularly long-term Old School fans who'd seen more than one regeneration back in the day. But for New-School fans, he was confusing, abrupt, confronting, and hard to relate to.

[deird1]

Well said. :)

I am actually pretty unfamiliar with Old Who. I knew vaguely what it was - but really, my first introduction to the show was also the moment that got me hooked: the Doctor held up his hands and said "Wait! The Prime Minister's an alien! …nah, you're never going to believe that, are you?" and legged it down the corridor.

[thenewbuzwuzz]

"it's really rather nice seeing annoyingly awkward people stepping into the world and being awesome, even though they're still impossibly awkward"
It is! Good point.