Is it upsetting to you when your favorite characters do something out of character for yourself?

Well, I would never murder someone, yet I can get into a show like Dexter. I don’t see what the issue is here.

@drdoombot I knew someone would say that.

It bugs me when invariably, at some point in a decent show’s evolution, it’s almost guaranteed that one of the girls is going to turn gay, so they can have an excuse to show two girls kissing. It’s never the guys, only the women.

It’s hard to relate if you haven’t been through it. Whether it be marriage or murder. But it’s just growing up, and characters have to do it too, just like you. Just look at the Scrubs cast; season 5 is completely different from season 1. But it’s a five year difference and things change. Do you know what events you’ll deal with in five years or what kind of person you’ll be?

The only problem I have with a scenario that you described is when an otherwise successful, independent woman becomes something else when a relationship and kids become involved. As if all of a sudden this once capable woman is now obeying her partner and sacrificing herself to her children. I think it’s incongruent to the story line, offensive to women, and detrimental to the ideas women hold about themselves.

Other than that, it really doesn’t matter much to me.

I know what you’re talking about when it comes to The Office. I think it’s sweet, and it’s a natural development for Jim and Pam’s relationship. I haven’t been through things like marriage or building a family myself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t relate to it. I guess it all depends on how well-written a show is. I think The Office also introduced the separation and will-they-or-won’t-they between Dwight and Angela to balance this out.

I think in terms of the Office it’s also a little mourning about how great that flirtation was—and how it really fueled the show for the first three seasons. I think that’s the real loss you’re feeling.

But, serial comedy has to evolve. Otherwise you get Two and a Half men. And what a flop that…oh…oh wait. Ohdeargod. Deargodno. Please. No.

I think a lot of shows lose their steam when the sexual tension is resolved. The main motivator is gone, in a lot of cases, for the series. I think that’s where British TV has the US pegged. They do maybe one or two seasons, and that’s it. Faulty Towers? 11 episodes! Office UK? 2 seasons. and so on. tell the story, then move on.

that’s why spongebob is still on the air.

Personally, I can’t see myself ever getting married, and I don’t want kids. But I have nothing against marriage, and I love kids that I’m not responsible for. So, as long as the character development was believable and I don’t find it absurd that the character would want those things, it doesn’t push me away from the show. It makes me happy for the characters.

@andrew hahahaha. ha. haaha. hahahahahahahahahaa.

It doesn’t bother me when they do something out of character for me, but it does if it’s out of character for them. It’s just incongruous, and breaks up the flow. For instance, in Hannibal, the sequel to Silence of the Lambs, Clarice Starling became a completely different person by the end. If I remember correctly, that’s why Jodi Foster refused to reprise the role… she felt Clarice would never have acted in the way she did. I agreed.

Am I upset when the actions of imaginary people are scripted in unexpected ways?

No, I actually save my emotional currency for real situations that affect real people.

I hated the way House concluded last season and don’t you dare tell me about this season, I have five more weeks before I can see any of them!. I love Cuddy, but with House? It was so out of character for both of them.

I’m with @galileogirl on this one. I don’t get emotionally attached to fake people. I do cry or laugh or other wise indulge my feelings, but it is not invested in the character, but rather because it touches something in my life.

Not at all! While I don’t like the direction characters go in sometimes, I think evolution is more important than pleasing the audiences, as long as the writing is consistently good. This way the story can go in new directions to keep the show alive longer.

sure! i can’t think of any terribly specific examples like the ones you’ve mentioned.
i’m not really a television person, but if there’s a character that i really like, who ends up changing or doing something that i just can’t stand normally, i do get upset.
i’m pretty sure this happened when i used to obsessively watch that 70s show. haha.

I was just thinking about this question tonight while watching House. Remember when the intern killed himself at the end of the season? That royally pissed me off. :(