Bad Boys and Kick-Ass Girls

or Why We Love These Relationships!

I've noticed that my Shipper leanings have changed over the years.  I used to adore the two Heroes getting together ('hero' used here to refer to either a man or a woman, because 'heroine' is somewhat sexist).  And there were so many relationships just like that for me to enjoy - the two leads of a popular show who were somehow kept apart, but secretly pining for each other.  It was beautiful to watch.

But things change.  Interests change.  And now, I'm seeing a lot more tragic love interests rather than our typical "know it will end happily".  What is tragic love?  It's when your hero who is Good and your villain who is Bad begin to fall for each other.  Viewers are shown the human side of the villain, who begins to change for the woman he loves.  It's powerful, amazing, and intense to watch as things are painted in shades of grey and you can't help but want a happy ending for the two of them.

Does it ever happen?  Sadly, no, and hence the categorisation as Tragic Relationships.  (Buddy/Slash relationships also fall into this "tragic relationship" category, because you know that a popular television show would never let their male leads admit they loved each other, despite real world evidence to the contrary.*)

Let's take a look at some of the most painful tragic relationships, those we knew were "meant to be" but weren't fulfilled because when you got down to the truth, he was bad.  (I reject this view!)

Take a look at the stats:

Note that for each time he told her he loved her, it was only after much angst and painful whispered admissions firstly to himself, and then to her when she couldn't hear.  And when he finally got the words out, she invariably shot him down. 

(The last line doesn't really fit the theory, but it's here because I was running out of examples.  And does anyone else find it slightly disturbing that Janeway fell for someone with the same name as the Wookie home planet?!)

Each Relationship Described:

Spike - William the Bloody, scourge of Europe for decades.  He killed for pleasure, the ultimate of which was drinking from a Slayer.  Yet somehow, one got under his skin.  He fell in love.  And coupled with a chip in his head preventing evil actions (a chip which may or may not exist!) Spike suddenly found himself on the side of the "good guys".  More than that, he began to do the right thing as motivated by his love for Buffy.  Yet she cut him down time and time again...until there was a hint of forgiveness...and it was too late.

Ares - God of War, destroyer of thousands, loved Xena for centuries.  He began to change for her, firstly siding with her against his own family and finally sacrificing his god-hood to save Xena and her loved ones.  He never stopped loving her no matter how many times she cut him down.  She admitted she felt something more than once.  Yet in the end, his character did a complete growth-reversal, regressing him back to his former bad-boy status and the relationship was ruined.

Gul Dukat - In charge of the occupation of Bajor, Dukat was responsible for the death of thousands.  Atrocities were performed under his command, yet he maintained he was a victim of circumstance and perhaps that's true.  He seemed to truly regret his actions and was headed for a change when Sisko provoked him back to his even worse ways.  And why did he change?  We knew he was in love with Kira, for years.  They had at least one expedition of friendship and shared laughter, yet she cut him down time and time again.  If only she'd been able to see his attempts to change, maybe it could have been something quite special.

Kashyk - We never learnt much of him, but in one powerful episode of "Voyager", his duet with Janeway was absolutely fascinating to watch.  In the end he betrayed her, and she him, but there was a chemistry between them that couldn't be denied.  If he had stayed, I'm sure he would have changed.

Anakin Skywalker - I admit we haven't seen this yet, but we know how it ends.  Amazing love for Amidala  resulting in death or rejection and the ultimate dark consumption of poor Anakin. 

Kerr Avon & Servalen - From what I know, they were on-screen enemies with an amazing chemistry.

In all of the above, a common theme emerges.  The Bad Boy falls for someone and, desperate to win her affections, begins to take actions that are foreign to him.  For the first time, he's doing the right thing and he finds that he actually likes it.  More than that, it earns the endearment of his beloved...

But this endearment is momentary at best.  Time and time again, she cuts him down, because she can't see beyond the Bad persona.  (What does this say about the women we admire???)  In the end, something - a final rejection, or more often than not, bad writing by the scriptwriters - pushes him back down the path of darkness and the lovers are forever separated.

It's a tragic thing.  I have yet to see one that ends happily, but as a Shipper, I'll keep on hoping!

UPDATE: February 2002

Lex and Clark

You know who else belongs on this list?  Clark Kent and Lex Luthor from "Smallville".  Right now they're on their way to becoming the best of friends.  We know it will end in tragedy, with them becoming arch-rivals for life.  I love Lex, I adore Clark, and seeing their friendship destroyed is going to break my heart.  

Can you suggest more evidence?  Who's your favourite love/hate relationship?  Write me!  stardestiny@bigfoot.com  or sign the Guestbook. 

* Anyone in Australia will know what I'm talking about after watching the finale of "Big Brother".  Two men openly hugging, kissing, declaring they were best friends for life on national television.  So why can't we see it in broadcast fiction???  Another example are GM and RB from "The Sentinel" - just look at the blooper reels sometime.  Physical and verbal affection does NOT necessarily mean they're gay, so why don't television executives get that???  (And look at Frodo and Sam - such affection, and there's no need to define it, it just IS.) 

(Rant mode over.)

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