When did we all start preferring the villains?

There's something that I've noticed changing in the general attitude towards villains (particularly in regards to Disney) that seems to be bleeding out from the internet into the mainstream media. We're losing interest in heroes. The trend of increasingly featuring antiheroes as protagonists has been going strong for a while (for more on the general rise of the antihero trend see this Den of Geek article but watch out for Dexter spoilers!)

On Youtube, there are a few musical parodies of Disney films in which the villain is painted very sympathetically. The below two are very well done with varying seriousness (and plausibility).

And this public interest in Disney villains has definitely been noticed by the studio. With its release of 'Maleficent' we saw what they can do when  given free reign to explore darker personalities and it resulted in 'Maleficent' absolutely storming the box office.

Were we always so interested in villains? Disney's legacy was built on infallible good vs abhorrent evil and Snow White premiered during the depression, which I guess makes sense. When it seems like the world is out to destroy itself it must be nice to sit in the cinema and put a face to that evil for an hour or so.

During World War II we saw the rise of the Superhero; Superman was indestructible and could do anything, anything, to get the job done. When boys were growing up watching fathers and brothers leave for an unknown enemy it must have been a comfort to read about an all-American (well, kind of.) man facing down against the odds and rising up against villainy of all forms.

It may have to do with the political leanings of the time. From a distance (England), I think that since America is a two party country that swings from Conservative to Liberal it's interesting to see how the public likes to see the villain portrayed. A Conservative audience paints things much more black and white than Liberals, who want to see the reasoning behind the traditional villain's motives.

Bane was tortured, for goodness' sake. Wouldn't you go a bit mental?

In England we saw the riots of the 1980's and sympathised. The general public (particularly in the North and the Midlands) saw the riots less as the actions of a mindless lower class and more of an outpouring of frustration when the system seems so firmly set against normal people.

The rise of Feminism has also seen us looking to the evil Queens of Disney stories past to ask 'Why are they evil?'. More recent villains seem to be much more sympathetic than they have been in the past. Mother Gothel in Tangled was seeking eternal youth but was also seen to treasure her adopted 'daughter' in her own way.

Whether she loved her or not is difficult to tell, but for someone who's lived so long, so selfishly, she sure did provide Rapunzel with the materials to keep her entertained and educated rather than locking her up with no means of escape.

Did Mother Gothel grow to honestly love Rapunzel?

If we look at superheroes again, we're seeing many more 'antiheroes' portrayed more successfully than their straight-edged compatriots. Iron Man has become one of the biggest single superheroes on modern times and I hadn't heard of him before Robert Downey Jr. became the biggest millionaire playboy to grace my screen.

His appeal lies not just in his heroism, but in his arrogance and selfishness. He's developing, and becoming a little more serious but the fact that he was an arsehole is precisely why he's so popular. Hell, we even made Thor an arrogant jock to suit our own tastes.

If we love our antiheroes that much, then it's a natural progression to want to see more of the villains. Loki, as played by Tom Hiddleston, has one of the most ardent fan-bases on the internet. He's greedy, selfish (that word again), and doesn't really care who he hurts or kills. So why do we love him so much?

We do. We do love you.

Maybe it's wish fulfillment. We're all, in general, obedient to the rules of society and the law and yet we see villains who take whatever bad thing that's happened to them and using it to go beserk on society. Freud said we are, as a species, inherently selfish, with no real compassion. We act compassionate in order to gain others' admiration, which benefits us selfishly.

Maybe he has a point. GTA is popular because we get to do whatever the hell we want, so maybe we do all have a secret desire to steal and kill everything.

On the other hand, maybe villains are a way for us to face the parts of us that we don't like. Carl Jung believed healthy confrontation of our 'shadow selves' would help us to evolve and better ourselves. Villains can be a good way to focus our anger at ourselves and become aware of our own faults.

Maybe we'd rather be the villain instead of letting those bad things in our past defeat us. No one likes to be the pitiable person who can't defend themselves, so we might want to not get sad, but get mad. Let's fight back against our bullies, and let's assert our authority over weaker people in order to find our own self-worth. If we hurt people along the way, then it's their fault for not fighting back right?

Right?

Or maybe we're fascinated by the incomprehensible. We can't fathom being that heartless, but this person has so much power and we can't look away. We explore that character, trying to find an explanation for what's happened, even where there might not be one.

Good transitioning to Evil

This might be why we love Walter White so much. We've seen that journey. We might not comprehend it, and we might not want to believe that this could happen to us, but we desperately want to understand it, and we're endlessly fascinated by it.

This is the option I'd like to believe, but it's different for everyone.

My Reaction to Game of Thrones Season 4 Finale

I was going to turn this stream of consciousness into a real blog post, but I think this is as good as I can manage right now. Spoilers ahead, obvs.

We open up with a lovely gloomy bit of Jon Snow grieving beyond the wall, and there was a pretty sweet bit where Ygritte is discussed by Jon and NORTHERN BOSS MAN. It's almost reverent that they don't say her name until they toast to her.

They then toast each other's lost ones from the battle, which is a nice way to show that the free folk are not as barbaric as they're supposed to be, and the confession that they're seeking refuge rather than conquest.

OH MY GOD, STANNIS?!

I do love the moment where he refuses to knee though, particularly when Jon Snow stands up for him in that very calm way. He's not one to throw a tizz is our Jon Snow.

Don't cry, sweetie. I love you really

Then it's back to King's Landing and Cersei is watching over Ser Gregor's medical examination. Her constant dismissal of Grand Meister is wonderful to see. It's nice to see her still asserting some authority after she's been so frequently beaten down.

Then she goes to stand up to Daddy Lannister. He's a bit of a harsh man, and he does like to keep reminding his children of how much power he has over them, but her mother's instincts are pretty fierce. I have to admit, I do love her as a character.

OOOOOH SHE REVEALS THE BIG AFFAIR!

He's so against believing it! And she knows she'd crushing him. The rains of Catsermere playing in the background is the perfect way to highlight that his ideal of 'family' is falling around him.

Then she swans off to fight Jamie/snog Jamie. She is ON FORM.

Annnnd they're shagging.

Hi Dany!

She is continuing her benevolent leader-ing. Cotton-wool-beard-man is pointing out the flaws in her current system though. People do grow to love their chains, which is a throw back to her own words when she freed her first city.

Oh, what's this? A baby?

He's getting a bit close. The dragons are getting out of control. I knew it. She can't pay for this one, unlike the sheep. What on earth will she do?

It's good to remind her that she's not all powerful though. The dragons love her but she can't control them well enough. not if they're killing children.

But they're so sad to see her go! That was really upsetting, when they were crying out for her as she locked them in. Especially since it was the red and black one that's the most boisterous.

This badass right here

From one really heart wrenching scene to a slightly less-so. The night's watch funeral is sad, but I'm more sad about the dragons.

OH, HI RED LADY!

Wait, is she making eyes at Jon? Is no one safe from her?

Seeing Jon talk to Tormund, there's a valid point about how Snow sees himself. He's saying he doesn't have a king? That's a bit rebellious! It'll be interesting to see how this pans out.

Oh, Ygritte I loved you so much. and she looks weirdly regal in death.

Back to Bran. Jojen's getting pretty weak now, but we've found the red and white tree! I've forgotten why we want to find it but there's triumphant music and Jojen's face is so happy. I remember when this guy was in the BBC show, Feather Boy. I cried my little heart out at that. (This was before he was in Love, Actually)

He's actually not changed very much at all, facially....

How many Direwolves are alive now? Two?

ZOMBIES!

Poor Hodor doesn't know what to do! He's so scared. Whenever Hodor gets hurt I get so sad. He's like a child.

This is all very Jason and the Argonaughts isn't it?

JOJEN, NO!

WTF. Where's this fire coming from?

This jumped up little shit of a girl is telling them to leave Jojen. I don't think I'm gonna like her.

Now he's dead. Bitch.

Smashy smashy skeletons.

The Children? Is this like Westeros' version of the lost boys? Little immortal kids that just have fun all day every day?

Nope. They're dark and mysterious and I'm not sure that I like their underground house.

The three eyed raven man is a bit spooky. Maybe he's Fagin to The Children's... um, gang.

YES, BRIENNE! Poor Poderick is a bit silly isn't he? I love all the road-trip buddy-movie stories going on in Westeros.

Well... this is awkward.

ARYAAAAAAAAAAA! Is this where Brienne finds out that she's the daughter of Caitlin? Brienne is like, the best role model for Arya. I love their chat.

That moment! When they realise who the Hound is! and who Arya is!!! Yes!!!

Brienne kills this scene.

If these two fight, I want Brienne to fucking win. I want Brienne to take Arya under her wing, even though I love the Hound and Arya's road trip, buddy movie type thing.

OH MY GOD PLEASE FIGHT

I have a horrible feeling the Hound will die and Arya will run away anyway. The kid's too slippery for her own good. NOTE: I was right!!!!!!!!

Brienne has to be the one to reunite Sansa and Arya. She just has to be.

Oh my god, they're fighting dirty. DON'T YOU DARE KILL BRIENNE

Right in the Vagina.

Oh, thank God, Brienne lives.

And now she's lost Arya. For fucks sake.

Arya and the Hound's final moments. There's a lot to like in this scene. Not many people are allowed last words in GoT, but I'm glad Sandor Clegane gets them. Even as he's goading Arya, he's still obviously one of the most noble characters in Westeros.

Arya's stone cold though. I love how brutal she's become as much as I hate it.

YES, JAMIE! Rescue your fucking brother! Considering how terrible the Lannisters are I end up liking them a lot more than some of the technically better people on this show. This goodbye between the two brothers is simply wonderful.

Ooh, can Tyrion go to join his lady love across the sea now?

Wait, what's going to go wrong?

Tyrion? What are you doing?

OH HELL NO.

This is too cruel. How is this allowed to happen? Tyrion is making my heart break. How the fuck did Shae end up in his father's bed? Calling his father the same nickname she had for Tyrion? What the fuck?

Now, if he doesn't kill Tywin I will be incredibly disappointed.

Come on, man.

He's on the fucking toilet. This is a fitting way for him to die. Butt naked on the lavatory. Tywin is just such an arsehole all the way through this conversation.

YES

He did tell you, Tywin. He did warn you not to say that word again.

RAINS OF CASTERMERE.

Poor Tyrion. I have so much love for Varys right now, though.

Now for the sound of water to try to calm us down as Arya rides off on her pony to.... where? a coastal village?

They're off to Braavos? Is Arya going with them? Is that where Tyrion is going? Are we going to see the most badass team-up in television history? Can they please band together with Daenerys?

All Men Must Die.

All Men Must Serve.

THIS MUSIC THOUGH. I'm tingling!

THAT IS THE PERFECT WAY TO END THE SERIES.