I'm about to ATTEMPT to explain the current Character Demolition that the writers are pulling on Nathaniel Archibald. Mind you, this is an attempt. Because I think pro-Nate and anti-Naters are all wondering what the hell is going on around here. And if you're not, then you're a douche, just like him.
Let us be honest. Up until this point in Nathaniel's character life he's really not be truly worthy of our time, has he? NS'ers lost their hope for them for some time, NB'ers - well no one really listens to you all, and CB'ers dismissed him because he's clueless and idiotic. So almost everyone was ok with him being in the background either getting busy with Jenny or getting contaminated with Hobo-girl. For the most part I believe this to be the lack of acting ability that comes from Chace, regardless of how adorable he is. He's just that. Pretty.
So why, I ask myself, after episodes of standing in the background like a prop or (like Buddy TV called him) a mop is he suddenly center stage and part of one of the biggest WTF character moments I have ever seen in my life. Let us analyze this, shall we?
No one cared about what happened to Nate until 2.20 when the fandom kinda EXPLODED. Right? I mean, it was Hiroshima up in here, wasn't it? Granted, we dont help either but you know we love the fucking chaos. The Kool-Aid colored chaos is the BEST!
So. Nate. The Nate-Hate, which unlike the V-hate which is more unanimous from the beginning or sometime ago the Nate-hate came suddenly. Like a fucking wave or something. Those that kinda liked him because of Chuck now kinda fucking hate him BECAUSE of Chuck, those that tolerated him now want his balls on a shish kabob and those that love him are now going like... wtf? WTF are they doing to Nate.
That's the big question, isn't? Today's episode will leave a lot wondering WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY DOING TO NATE?? Because really... who is holding the fucking hammer? It's a total and complete character demolition!! I mean, I tell you I haven't seen this in a minute or five. Out of the blue, out of the damn blue Nate went from being a clueless adorable romantic to being a possessive, insecure, manipulative, vindictive, bribing, un-trusting and all around certifiable douche bag. And a jerk. And though many of you have pointed out very eloquently that the signs were there they kinda exploded here, didn't they?
Oh man! I mean! Talk about character progression! I mean, he made enough progress in his 10 minutes that he had in this episode than he's done in the entire show! I mean, it's rather funny. For a moment you're left thinking... who is this guy who kinda looks like Nate but doesn't act like Nate?
I dont know what is crazier... that 3 episodes ago he was attached to hobo-chick like a leech on skin and 3 episodes later he's in LOVE! *laughs* I'm sorry. I can't take this seriously. I just can't. How am I supposed to take this seriously, seriously? I mean, it's taken Chuck an entire season to say I love you (yay, 2.25) and Nate blurts it out in 3 episodes? How is this good? This is not good, this is liver mixed into my morning berry shake. It's not right. Just not right. (yes, I'm talking to the few of you who are still in denial over NB. Wake the fuck up!)
He went from helping his best friend discover secrets about his father to... I dont know what the fuck that was. I dont know if to call it an obsession with Blair or an obsession with Chuck because at this point I have a feeling this is more about Chuck than it is about Blair.
So the question that I'm posing it WHY. Why the sudden character demolition? The answer is very simple. Nate was dying.
Yes, he was. No one gave a fuck about him and they had an extra five episodes to work with. So they added some hot sauce to the mixture and brought out all these character traits that none of us knew he possessed. Hell, I bet Chace didn't even know Nate possessed them. They just kept adding them in the creative room. And TBTB said 'let Nate be extremely insecure' and he was. And they saw that it was good. And they said 'Let Nate attempt to manipulate Blair' and he did. And they saw that it was good. And they said 'Let Nate start a mini-war with Chuck' and he did. And they saw that it was good.
So the even BIGGER question is that - what the fuck are you going to do now that you've created a clueless monster with inconsistent character traits? I have just one thing to say about that. They will DROP these traits the moment this passes over. Mark my words. He will go back and revert back to whatever he did before he became to controversial. Honestly, Nathaniel lovers are like the new Republicans. They're a joke but somehow they're still around.
Let us be honest. Up until this point in Nathaniel's character life he's really not be truly worthy of our time, has he? NS'ers lost their hope for them for some time, NB'ers - well no one really listens to you all, and CB'ers dismissed him because he's clueless and idiotic. So almost everyone was ok with him being in the background either getting busy with Jenny or getting contaminated with Hobo-girl. For the most part I believe this to be the lack of acting ability that comes from Chace, regardless of how adorable he is. He's just that. Pretty.
So why, I ask myself, after episodes of standing in the background like a prop or (like Buddy TV called him) a mop is he suddenly center stage and part of one of the biggest WTF character moments I have ever seen in my life. Let us analyze this, shall we?
No one cared about what happened to Nate until 2.20 when the fandom kinda EXPLODED. Right? I mean, it was Hiroshima up in here, wasn't it? Granted, we dont help either but you know we love the fucking chaos. The Kool-Aid colored chaos is the BEST!
So. Nate. The Nate-Hate, which unlike the V-hate which is more unanimous from the beginning or sometime ago the Nate-hate came suddenly. Like a fucking wave or something. Those that kinda liked him because of Chuck now kinda fucking hate him BECAUSE of Chuck, those that tolerated him now want his balls on a shish kabob and those that love him are now going like... wtf? WTF are they doing to Nate.
That's the big question, isn't? Today's episode will leave a lot wondering WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY DOING TO NATE?? Because really... who is holding the fucking hammer? It's a total and complete character demolition!! I mean, I tell you I haven't seen this in a minute or five. Out of the blue, out of the damn blue Nate went from being a clueless adorable romantic to being a possessive, insecure, manipulative, vindictive, bribing, un-trusting and all around certifiable douche bag. And a jerk. And though many of you have pointed out very eloquently that the signs were there they kinda exploded here, didn't they?
Oh man! I mean! Talk about character progression! I mean, he made enough progress in his 10 minutes that he had in this episode than he's done in the entire show! I mean, it's rather funny. For a moment you're left thinking... who is this guy who kinda looks like Nate but doesn't act like Nate?
I dont know what is crazier... that 3 episodes ago he was attached to hobo-chick like a leech on skin and 3 episodes later he's in LOVE! *laughs* I'm sorry. I can't take this seriously. I just can't. How am I supposed to take this seriously, seriously? I mean, it's taken Chuck an entire season to say I love you (yay, 2.25) and Nate blurts it out in 3 episodes? How is this good? This is not good, this is liver mixed into my morning berry shake. It's not right. Just not right. (yes, I'm talking to the few of you who are still in denial over NB. Wake the fuck up!)
He went from helping his best friend discover secrets about his father to... I dont know what the fuck that was. I dont know if to call it an obsession with Blair or an obsession with Chuck because at this point I have a feeling this is more about Chuck than it is about Blair.
So the question that I'm posing it WHY. Why the sudden character demolition? The answer is very simple. Nate was dying.
Yes, he was. No one gave a fuck about him and they had an extra five episodes to work with. So they added some hot sauce to the mixture and brought out all these character traits that none of us knew he possessed. Hell, I bet Chace didn't even know Nate possessed them. They just kept adding them in the creative room. And TBTB said 'let Nate be extremely insecure' and he was. And they saw that it was good. And they said 'Let Nate attempt to manipulate Blair' and he did. And they saw that it was good. And they said 'Let Nate start a mini-war with Chuck' and he did. And they saw that it was good.
So the even BIGGER question is that - what the fuck are you going to do now that you've created a clueless monster with inconsistent character traits? I have just one thing to say about that. They will DROP these traits the moment this passes over. Mark my words. He will go back and revert back to whatever he did before he became to controversial. Honestly, Nathaniel lovers are like the new Republicans. They're a joke but somehow they're still around.
If I didn't know better I'd say Chace wanted out and they are writing Nate off at the end of the season, but I really don't think it's gonna happen. But as you said, he is going to go back to being his stupid puppy self the moment this is over - I just know I can't look at him the same way again, he's been detroyed in my eyes. Whenever Nate is on my screen from now on, no matter how adorably Chace is smiling, I'll always see a CRAZY CREEP wanting to break out like an alien.
ReplyDeleteHe makes me so angry, I have to stalk this site for updates instead of working *wink*
True nate was dying and slowly but surely no one seem to care about him. The writer and creators need him to amp up. So they made this monster. Now everyone cant help but insult him or even talk about him.
ReplyDeletebad publicity is better than no publicity which was what was happening with him.
ReplyDeleteHow can Nate say "I love you" in three eps? Simple. It's because it's not about Nate really at all. It's about the fact that Chuck can't. They're showing this to be far more about Nate's feelings about Chuck than his feelings about Blair.
ReplyDeleteIt's similar to the Blair sleeps with Carter storyline. Blair has a downward spiral, that is somehow pitched as ALL ABOUT CHUCK. Her own best friend can't talk to her directly because it needs to be Chuck doing it. A guy sleeps with her, not because he actually just wants to, but because it's about punishing Chuck.
While Chuck, who used to be all about Blair, has been dismissive, barely noticing her for half a season, and forging emotional connections with nannies and hobo's. In the last few episodes, Chuck will come to some internal understanding that allows him to love Blair, who will immediately jump in his arms because it is always about Chuck.
I love you guys, but this show has developed a serious Chuck fetish that needs to be addressed.
Wank away.
No need to wank, let us reason here.
ReplyDeleteThe question thus becomes now, is the FANDOM about Chuck or are the WRITERS all about Chuck? The fandom reacts to what is given and what is not so the main question is has the fetish developed on it's own or was the fetish born from the writers and now passed to the audience?
Oh, I definitely think it's the writers. Or the writers misresponding to the genuine Chuck love of the fandom. Judging from fanfic, most of the fanfic writers support a far more balanced version of the Blair/Chuck dynamic.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind a season long storyline about if Chuck is capable of love. I think that's wonderful. I do mind when other characters (including Blair) simply become props for it.
Let me step in here for a minute. I'm going to attempt to unbiased as there was a point that I enjoyed both the characters of Nate and Chuck. The reason the writers have predominantly favored Chuck in their writing is because Ed can work with the vast material thrown at him. Blake and Chace are not as strong actors as Leighton and Ed, that's just a fact. So when writing a poignant moment you have to as yourself, as a show writer, which actor will deliver this moment the best? And the truth is that both Ed and Leighton will work a moment that would otherwise fall flat and make it grander.
ReplyDeleteIt was NOT like this in the beginning but it changed because it's obvious when you watch early S1 that they were still testing their actors. So yes, Chuck has become the male lead of the show and half the things in the show revolve around him and his reactions to it, etc along with Blair but that is because the audience responds to them.
excellent point, and yes I agree. Which is the reason so many are annoyed at Blair's behavior, the regression of it because it's not the Blair we saw not 10 episodes ago.
ReplyDeleteWe call her RoboBlair for a reason because she's playing the part with Nate until Chuck is ready to say ILY.
OK, just one more point and I'll give it up...I kind of hate the RoboBlair name, because it suggests that Blair hasn't earned her pain or that her breakdown doesn't at least partially stem from the fact that Chuck to all appearances doesn't really care about her now. She's damaged, and it's not at all how I would have written it, but not a robot. I read things about how this Blair is annoying and unworthy of Chuck. However, when Chuck falls in love with a nanny or sleeps with the hobo, it's written off as "so out of character", and not important to the Blair/Chuck dynamic.
ReplyDeleteI'm not OK with Chuck randomly deciding he does love Blair (because at this point unlike in season 1/early season 2 it would be random, because they have not supported it with writing), and her just taking him back. That's making her even more of a robot/prop than recent events have.
Anyways, I think you two are the most intelligent and fabulous commentators GG has. Thanks for treating my comments with respect, and I'll swing back by I'm sure for some good old V bashing, because while my love for the CB dynamic has died, my hate for V will go on FOREVER.
I think we can ALL agree that our main issue with ANYTHING wrong on this show bounces from crappy storylines to crappy acting.
ReplyDeleteOn the Blair/Chuck front the writing went downhill halfway through S2 and then we're getting them back written together after ignoring them for episodes. That is just shitty writing. I would like to say that we will NEVER condone Chuck's behavior especially when it comes to the Nanny-tramp. But like Blair reverting to Blair!Nate (not calling her RoboBlair out of respect to you) it is behavior that you, as a writer, must instill in your characters in order to explain actions they are undertaking that is out of their normal characteristics or the characteristics they have evolved to based on their progression in the show.
The fact remains that BOTH of these characters are VERY messed up indeed which is why they garner such aura and such interest in the fandom. But the HATE and the anger is completely directed towards the writers and the stupid fools that eat up these ridiculous storylines.
On the bad acting front, that's V all over the place. Between her and Nate they make me itch.
And thank you, we only wank when shit doesn't make sense or when you're acting the fool not when you're attempting to instill an intelligent and well founded conversation.
I have to agree with 2:35, I know you all get a lot of hate for being 'angry' and just hateful but the fact is that I keep coming because you all have some of the best arguments in the fandom and a lot of these people need to be told the truth, the wankings have made me survive these past few months of hell. So continue with the smart essays and the cutting down of the fandom one fool at the time!
ReplyDeleteAHA! Republic crack at the end is so good!
ReplyDeleteMan, I agree to all of this. I could comment back to this more eloquently but I guess I can just say, FUCK you Nate. FUCK YOU.
This entire essay is EXACTLY what i was thinking, in fact, i wont even bother telling people what i think i'll just send them a link to this awesomery.
ReplyDeleteKizzles my dear. is it not tiring talking let alone THINK about nate? pfft. he's so messy its ridiculous.
Bravo! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree that Chuck deciding he loves Blair would be random. He clearly showed he wanted and cared for Blair from the end of 2.18 to now - he's shown it in every episode. The only episodes in which it wasn't evident were 2.16 and 2.17.
ReplyDeleteBesides, Blair seems totally into Nate, but we still know she actually loves Chuck. Just like Chuck was chasing after a prostitute, but he still loves Blair. And his sex with Vanessa meant nothing. Vanessa was his Carter or something. I really don't think having sex with Vanessa in any way invalidates his love for Blair.
Psycho!nate is interesting.
ReplyDeleteWe could have some serious Nate-drama, finally!
And I read some good points about Chuck's behaviour during 2.17-2.18. Apparently he was convinced that he couldn't be the "hero" for Blair, so he tried to help the nanny to be somewhat the knight that saves the damsel in distress. Then Elle made him realize he still loves Blair and their fling was just a way to escape the truth (we know he is afraid of loving B).
In 2.19, we saw that he really cared about Blair, but was still confused about his feelings. During these last episodes I think he began accepting his love, while going back to his womanizing ways because of Nair hook up.
In 2.22 both CB seem to be in denial, in the beginning, but he enjoyed Blair's company during their plot and he didn't want her to go back to Nate and their new apartment.
Blair doesn't seem so happy about Nate's ILY, because she can't reciprocate his feelings. Maybe she will realize this on the prom episode.
And then we will have our happy ending!
Psicho!Nate can be good to Serena (she may need to be controlled, unlike Blair, because inside her there's still wild!Serena ready to explode).
This may be the start of another dysfunctional and complicated relationship, and as for CB, we love them!