This is a very general topic, having to do with any television series or movie (or, heck, any fiction at all). When you watch (or read or listen), do you do so for the entire package (characters, world, etc.) or for just the characters (or even just specific characters)?
As an example, I watch "Supergirl" (one of only two series that I actually watch on a network), but my interest is in Kara as well as her sister Alex and Alex's girlfriend Maggie. Really, just what those three are up to. I really don't care about anyone else (such as dopey Mon-El or James Olsen and his manpain) or anything else (I don't care if some comic reference is made, even though I know there are fanboys that orgasm to that stuff). If Lena Luthor shows up, that's pretty awesome. But, again, I'm watching for just these specific characters. Everything else is just clutter or an obstacle to overcome in order to have a 22-episode season of 40-minute episodes.
Side note: I wrote a Supergirl fanfic series from 2002 to 2006, and then I finally lost interest. It was meant to be very basic and grounded without the Big Events and Giant Threats. While the first year of it had a justification for existing (she was becoming Supergirl), everything after that was just a month in the life (with maybe some minor conflict). I eventually realized it was a chore putting out a monthly story and gave up. In this case, I was focusing on the character, but there's not a whole lot for her to do without some artificial conflict or a big problem to solve.
The other TV series that I watch on a network is "Riverdale". I'm a longtime Archie Comics fan. I know these characters. Yes, this series is different and kinda dark, but I'm enjoying it. Back in September, I started writing a monthly fanfic series. The plan was for it to be 45 chapters long, building the characters from the ground up and following them through all four years of high school, focusing on four female characters. I gave up after four issues, partly because it was getting no reviews and no favorites but also because it didn't have much reason for existing. These characters were besties (with the exception of Veronica not liking Cheryl) and generally got along. I had decided to not focus on the usual conflicts from the comics (fighting over Archie, out-doing each other, being involved in school activities) and instead focus on just their friendship/romance and being with each other. I actually had to think for a while to come up with enough forced situations to fill 45 chapters. There's not enough there, even though I read Archie Comics primarily for a handful of female characters and roll my eyes at a lot of the situations. Conversely, while I enjoy watching "Riverdale", I keep thinking "C'mon, high school was never that complicated. At most, my high-school life could probably be distilled into a monthly series of mildly entertaining 40-minute episodes."
Then there's other stuff like Lord of the Rings. I'm primarily interested in Arwen, Galadriel, and Eowyn. The X-Men films? Let's see the girls kick some butt, especially if her name is Jean Grey. The original Spider-Man trilogy? Yeah, he was kinda cool, but Mary Jane was so adorable (I kid you not, I edited her scenes from the first movie into a 40-minute short film). G.I. Joe? What's Scarlett up to today? Power Rangers? All about Kimberly for me (and later Catherine). And so on. I'm more into the characters than the environment (or even, sometimes, the plot). Stuck on an alien world? Yeah, no, I really don't care what it is or who these bad guys coming at you are or what their motivation is. Kick some ass and continue being awesome.
So, yeah, anyone other than me view stuff in this way?
As an example, I watch "Supergirl" (one of only two series that I actually watch on a network), but my interest is in Kara as well as her sister Alex and Alex's girlfriend Maggie. Really, just what those three are up to. I really don't care about anyone else (such as dopey Mon-El or James Olsen and his manpain) or anything else (I don't care if some comic reference is made, even though I know there are fanboys that orgasm to that stuff). If Lena Luthor shows up, that's pretty awesome. But, again, I'm watching for just these specific characters. Everything else is just clutter or an obstacle to overcome in order to have a 22-episode season of 40-minute episodes.
Side note: I wrote a Supergirl fanfic series from 2002 to 2006, and then I finally lost interest. It was meant to be very basic and grounded without the Big Events and Giant Threats. While the first year of it had a justification for existing (she was becoming Supergirl), everything after that was just a month in the life (with maybe some minor conflict). I eventually realized it was a chore putting out a monthly story and gave up. In this case, I was focusing on the character, but there's not a whole lot for her to do without some artificial conflict or a big problem to solve.
The other TV series that I watch on a network is "Riverdale". I'm a longtime Archie Comics fan. I know these characters. Yes, this series is different and kinda dark, but I'm enjoying it. Back in September, I started writing a monthly fanfic series. The plan was for it to be 45 chapters long, building the characters from the ground up and following them through all four years of high school, focusing on four female characters. I gave up after four issues, partly because it was getting no reviews and no favorites but also because it didn't have much reason for existing. These characters were besties (with the exception of Veronica not liking Cheryl) and generally got along. I had decided to not focus on the usual conflicts from the comics (fighting over Archie, out-doing each other, being involved in school activities) and instead focus on just their friendship/romance and being with each other. I actually had to think for a while to come up with enough forced situations to fill 45 chapters. There's not enough there, even though I read Archie Comics primarily for a handful of female characters and roll my eyes at a lot of the situations. Conversely, while I enjoy watching "Riverdale", I keep thinking "C'mon, high school was never that complicated. At most, my high-school life could probably be distilled into a monthly series of mildly entertaining 40-minute episodes."
Then there's other stuff like Lord of the Rings. I'm primarily interested in Arwen, Galadriel, and Eowyn. The X-Men films? Let's see the girls kick some butt, especially if her name is Jean Grey. The original Spider-Man trilogy? Yeah, he was kinda cool, but Mary Jane was so adorable (I kid you not, I edited her scenes from the first movie into a 40-minute short film). G.I. Joe? What's Scarlett up to today? Power Rangers? All about Kimberly for me (and later Catherine). And so on. I'm more into the characters than the environment (or even, sometimes, the plot). Stuck on an alien world? Yeah, no, I really don't care what it is or who these bad guys coming at you are or what their motivation is. Kick some ass and continue being awesome.
So, yeah, anyone other than me view stuff in this way?
I need a tub of ice-cream now ... Or an episode of Sherlock.
