User blog:AustinDR/Some Clarification

OK, so thus far, on FanFiction.net, I have around 56 faves and 69 reviews for Shattered Innocence. I am grateful for that. However, I felt that I should address a few things. For one, I did not write the story because I hated the sisters. As I have said multiple times, I don't hate any of the characters in the series...well, except for Chandler, the genderbent versions of the Loud sisters, Tetherby....what was my point again. Frankly, I just find it infuriating how some of the more rabid fans don't hold the girls accountable when they do some pretty deplorable deeds. As I have said, this is what TV Tropes identifies as a "designated hero" which refers to a character who is supposed to be good according to the narrative even when their actions don't reflect this. While they love Lincoln, I always suspect that to some extent, they only see him as a means to an end. Lincoln sacrifices everything for them in several instances, and they hardly do anything in return for his efforts. What's worse, the narrative tends to lean towards them more often than Lincoln. For one, take "Heavy Meddle" where they are correct in their assumption that Ronnie Anne must've liked Lincoln. Now, I like Ronniecoln, don't get me wrong, but the outcome was just so predictable. Or there's "Brawl in the Family" wherein they treat Lincoln as if he were a pest, and they even coldly tell him that they solved their problems the moment he left. They didn't even apologize for what they had done. If anything, if I were Lincoln, I would call them out for their crap and proclaim that I would never help them in their issues again. I would just love to see them try to solve their own problems and inevitably failing.

Now, before I continue, I must also say for the more rabid fans to stop being overly sensitive whenever something happens to Lincoln. Yes, I hated "BITF," but I didn't try to petition for the writers to be fired for the episode. I hated the episode because it poorly conveyed mean-spirited humor by having Lincoln not being in the wrong. Which brings me to my next point. Now, with Lincoln, I'll admit that he isn't my favorite character. Yes, he's the star of the show and whatnot, but I am starting to get irritated how he always takes the spotlight from more interesting characters. Ever since I began to watch the show, I wanted to know more about the sisters. My issues with them was that I felt that they were flat, so I wanted an episode devoted to them with the intention of fleshing them out. Heck, if you took Lincoln out of any episode with one of his sisters in the forefront, nothing would change. Take "Patching Things Up." There was no point for Lincoln to even be in that episode. He contributed nothing to the plot, he was stealing attention from the twins....I would've liked the side plot more if it was funny, but it wasn't. I'm just sick of this trend: please, just give the spotlight to another character for once.

In addition, I sometimes disliked Lincoln for being selfish. Yes, I will admit that Lincoln comes off as the most relatable of the siblings, but there are some moments where he is insufferable. "Out on a Limo" was his worst episode: he was a total jerk who mistreated his sisters, the taxi driver, etc. Or "Come Sale Away" wherein he was determined to beat his sisters by selling everything in the house. Even when he realized that he may had unintentionally sold Lily's blanket, he still tries to do his victory dance. While I adore "Toads and Tiaras," he treats Lana as nothing more than a key to winning those Dairy Land tickets. Yes, they bond over time, but Lincoln used her to begin with. Of course, there are many more instances of Lincoln being a selfish, insufferable, self-centered jerk, but this is already getting too long. That, and for things like "Girl Guru," or "No Such Luck," Lincoln set himself up for getting screwed over, but some just have to blame the girls or any other outside force. Look, none of the characters are perfect, so stop trying to place them on a high pedestal. To me, that's what makes the show relatable; we all make slip ups, but it's because we are only human. Really, it would be hard to relate to someone who is perfect in everything they do.

But back to the main idea....No, I do not hate the Loud sisters, nor do I enjoy making them suffer as it may seem. "Shattered Innocence" isn't a revenge fic; the main purpose for the story is to show how devastating one bad decision can be. Yes, the girls are suffering from their loss -- and may be haunted by the guilt they felt for letting their superstition get the best of them -- but I am not trying to encourage any of you to hate them. Look, I apologize if the stories I make aren't all happy go lucky or your conventional happy ending. All I am trying to do is add a more realistic spin to the show where reality is far harsh than what the show lets on. It's a deconstruction of the series if you are willing to see it that way. This can be shown in Rita and Lynn Sr. getting arrested for child neglect. Of course given how social services tend to be crappy in cartoons, I felt that this would be cathartic for anyone who hated the episode.