Are People Drawn to Violence? *A Rant*

Are people drawn to violence?
I don't mean the age-old wives tale that video games cause violence. I mean... after examining much of the entertainment available to us, there is a trend of violent behavior that lurks beneath every story.
This is something I've been contemplating for a while. One of my family member's favorite TV shows are The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. On the basis of those alone, my question still stands. Are people drawn to violence? Specifically, are people more likely to watch a movie or TV show, or read a book if they know someone is going to die? Both of these examples had built-in fanbases before they got their start on TV, and from what I understand, The Walking Dead had an incredibly intricate story in which death was not the main focus, but more of an occupational hazard of living in that world. Whenever it made it's transition into TV, however, the material strayed far from the graphic novels and is basically now violence porn. Yet people still tune in religiously. The same goes for Game of Thrones, although after reading the first two books in comparison to the first two seasons alone, the amount of violence is pretty similar. Yet people have been reading the books for years.
The unofficial motto for Game of Thrones fans is don't get too attached. Author George R.R. Martin is famous for killing off beloved characters, and the show's directors/producers seem just as bloodthirsty. The difference is, The Walking Dead (TV show) amplified the amount of gore each season so as to outdo themselves from the season before. Game of Thrones has always been saturated in violence, both on the page and on the screen, yet it's television fanbase keeps growing. It's so natural and expected that we're desensitized to the horror of it.
I'm not exempt from this either. One of my favorite shows is Supernatural. As of I think it was season twelves, with twenty-three to twenty-four episodes per season, there are something like five episodes in which someone does not die. Meaning it is more unusual for no one to die in an episode than it is for someone, even an unimportant side character, to wind up dead. For me, I know I'll probably continue watching because I've learned to love these characters and admire their development. Is it the same for the other shows? There's, like, a dozen people from the first season that are still alive in the current season. *Spoiler* That's including ones who have died and been brought back to life. Yeah. Wrap your head around that for a second.
I know this has turned into a rant, but at times it disturbs me the levels of dehumanization we are willing to endure in order to be entertained.

-Grace

Celebrity Look Alikes: Nicolas Giraud VS Kit Harington

This seems to be the only thing I'm good for these days. What can I say? Between writing and college, my methods of detoxing are pretty slim. So I find quite a few people who share certain resemblances.
On that note, here are two more that I think you'll find rather interesting. Say hello to Nicolas Giraud and Kit Harington.

(Above, French actor Nicolas Giraud from the movie The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec)

 

(Above, actor Kit Harington showing off his Jon Snow figurine; known for HBO's television series Game of Thrones)

 

 

I first saw Mr. Giraud while watching The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec, a French film that kind of reminded me of the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel. Both films are extremely entertaining. They contain elements you certainly won't find in your typical comedy sketch.

You might recognize Mr. Harington for his role as Jon Snow on HBO's mega-hit series Game of Thrones.

Both men have incredibly dark features: black curly hair, dark eyes, and a generous growth of hair around the jawline. They may not be twins, but I think they could even play brothers.

That's all I have for now. I promise to get make to more writerly stuff soon. Believe me, the wheels have been turning. If our bodies could indicate the kind of workouts our minds got on a daily basis, there would be no need for gyms.

Have a wonderful week.

 

-Grace

List of Blonde Antagonists and Protagonists

Hello again! In my last post, I talked a little bit about how blonde characters these days are portrayed in a negative light, while brunettes seem to have stolen the hero spotlight. I've compiled a short list of blonde antagonists and protagonists from recent movies, TV shows, and books. Yes, books. The things we read are just as influential to our society as the things we see. Some of the TV shows may have been cancelled just because of when I started making the list. Just to be clear, I personally have no bone to pick with blondes. This is just a pattern I noticed a while ago and wanted to expound on it a little more.

Blonde Antagonists:

1. Taylor (The CW's Star-Crossed). Though as I understand it she became involved with one of the other less-evil characters on the show, she was first portrayed as a mean girl, and therefore fits my criteria.
2. Ash (Lux series). Again, Ash falls into the category of mean girl. While she may be loyal to her species and to Daemon Black, she does not try to hide her disdain for those she and her brothers consider inferior, such as Katy Swartz. Her attitude probably also stems from jealousy, as Ash and Daemon have been on-again-off-again for years, expected to end up together eventually until a girl known as Katy Swartz enters the scene and changes the playing field for everyone.
3. Nancy (Lux series). Unlike the other two characters, no one really feels bad for Nancy. Whatever mishaps occur to her, it always feels like she deserves them.
4. Thranduil (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug). In this respect I am referring to the movie since I haven't read the book yet. Trust me, it's on my To-Do list. I wrote a character one time in one of my first creative writing stories that reminds me a lot of Thranduil. Funny enough, he, too, was an elf king. Thranduil's anger is understandable, though, as he has been greatly insulted by Thorin and his family on more than one occasion. Since elves have such lengthy life-spans, he cannot possibly be impressed upon to forgive and forget the bruises of the past. To him, it may not seem so long ago. It could feel like a minute or a blink.
5. Rebekah Mikaelson (The CW's The Vampire Diaries). Some of you may not agree with me on this one, but please note that I said The Vampire Diaries and did not include The Originals. In the former, Original Vampire Rebekah Mikaelson does rub you the wrong way most of the time. Her motives are difficult to divulge until you start keeping up with the show's spin-off, The Originals, where you realize just how much Rebekah sacrifices for the sake of her family. Don't worry, she'll be in the "Protagonist" section, too.
6. Mikael (The CW's The Originals). You could probably argue that Sebastian Roche is a ginger or even a light browner, but for right now he's blond. And he's pretty much the worst of the Original vamps no matter which way you look at it.
7. Dalia Royce (ABC's Suburgatory). Another mean girl. I'm beginning to think my exposure to any sort of television (YouTube clips or otherwise) needs expanding.
8. Cato (The Hunger Games). Call him cocky, cruel, a tortured soul or a pawn. He could have been bald and he still would have been messed up.
9. Glimmer (The Hunger Games).
10. The Seeker (The Host). Another movie reference since in the book by Stephenie Meyer she had black hair. The black hair in the book certainly lent to showing the character's darker, hidden turmoil and overall unpleasantness, but as Diane Kruger is flaxen-haired, she makes the list for blonde foes.
11. Malekith (Thor: The Dark World). I'm not even sure if I should include this one since he's practically albino, but here he is, the disappointing, shrivel-under-my-stare villain who was weak in terms of feeling dangerous during the movie. Sorry, Marvel, but there you go.
12. Pan (ABC's Once Upon A Time). How many times did I want to punch that smug half-smile right off this guy's face? He made an excellent villain and it is easy to see where his son got his street-wisdom from.
13. Cercei Lannister (HBO's Game of Thrones). I almost wrote The Hunger Games in the parenthesis again. Maybe because Cercei's unrelenting lust to come out on top would have gotten her through Suzanne Collins' dystopian gladiator scenario.
14. Most other Lannisters (HBO's Game of Thrones). Tyrion aside, and all right, I'll give Jaime some leeway. Otherwise, you really shouldn't depend on a Lannister to watch your back unless you want a sword stuck through it.

All right, moving on.

Blonde Protagonists:

1. Felicity Smoak (The CW's Arrow). Yeah, everybody loves Felicity. She's that person you would want on speed-dial, firstly because she can always make you smile, and secondly because no matter what scrape you find yourself in, this witty IT girl can probably get you out of it. If not... well, she does work with Green Arrow.
2. Rebekah Mikaelson (The CW's The Originals). As I said in slot number five in the above list, you don't get to really, truly liking Rebekah's character until you watch The Originals. Then she becomes someone you can route for... most of the time.
3. Caroline Forbes (The CW's The Vampire Diaries). Arguable since Caroline and all of her friends have done things to earn them spots on the naughty board. But she is constantly trying to keep people on the straight and narrow, despite falling or jumping off the path a few times herself.
4. Fili (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey). What's not to love about Fili. He holds a tremendous weight with being Thorin's eldest nephew and heir. But even while he looks at Thorin as a father figure, he will not abandon his brother. Not for anything.
5. Thor (Thor). Going just by the movies as reference points, it's amazing to see how much Thor has matured since the first film, all the way to Thor: The Dark World. I wonder what kind of ruler he would make after all of his experience. Would he be the sit and delegate type or would he itch for battlefields like New York and New Mexico?
6. Steve Rogers aka "Captain America" (Captain America: The First Avenger). 'Nuff said.
7. Penelope Garcia (CBS' Criminal Minds). Queen of the computer world, FBI analyst, and hacker extraordinaire, it's easy to love Garcia for her peppy outlook, unflinching dedication, and outlandish greetings.
8. Emma Swan (Once Upon A Time). The Savior to Storybrooke. Biological mother to Henry II, who happens to be the truest believer. Descendent of Snow White and Prince Charming. Step-granddaughter to Regina (commonly known as the Evil Queen). Quasi-daughter-in-law to Rumpelstiltskin. And so, so much more.
9. Robin Hood (Once Upon A Time). The legendary archer knows a thing or two about loss, and he will protect his young son against anyone who dares lay a hand on him. 
10. Brienne of Tarth (Game of Thrones). From what I've seen, Brienne is a valuable ally not just for her physical strength and skill, but for her loyalty and discernment.
11. Leo Fitz (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). Fitz is probably my favorite character on the show, and I sincerely hope he doesn't die in the next season or have some kind of life-altering brain damage that will cause him to rage against his team or change his lovable personality.
12. Peeta Mallark (The Hunger Games). Aside from almost strangling Katniss after having his memories altered to make her look like the antichrist, Peeta's an all-around good guy. You do feel bad for him, though, because I think he did have to kill someone in the first Hunger Games, and although his perspective is never explored, you know he was changed by it every bit as much as Katniss was.
13. Rudy Steiner (The Book Thief). He will always be the boy with hair the color of lemons.
14. Liesel Meminger (The Book Thief). The girl who Death met three times.