User blog:AustinDR/Thoughts on Out of Character Moments

So..."Garage Banned." While I loved the episode - as well as how it added more development to Lori's character by having her in a vulnerable state - one thing that I overlooked was Luna threatening Lincoln after he suggested that she pay for the repairs for Mr. Coconut. Really, I didn't even remember this scene when I watched the episode the first time; I only was made aware of this scene when several users brought it up. Now with the scene in itself, I didn't really have much issue with it, because I took it as it was there to show that the siblings would basically be in a wreck if Lori wasn't there to maintain order. After reading TMNT's and Andrew's thoughts on this scene, I did understand where their points were coming from, but I didn't think they deserved any type of negative publicity for stating that they disliked that scene.

With my thoughts on "OOC" moments, I feel that in some cases, it can work as long as you don't fully undo what made the character likable in the first place. Basically, I'm fine with a character acting slightly out of character as long as it makes sense in the story. Take "House Music;" while I personally don't like the episode, Luna acting like a controlling jerk does become more understandable because her motivation is clear: she was wanting to impress her idol, Mick Swagger, so it is pretty reasonable as to why she basically acts like a jack@$$ in that episode. Still, while I did understand that concept, I still just didn't like how much of a self-serving brat Luna became in that episode. I'm not saying it because of that whole "nicer sister" nonsense, but I'm saying this because I just did not like the lengths that she went to in that episode. I mean, she knew full well that her father was kicked out of a band once, and yet she has the audacity to do such that. Overall, while I may have disliked the episode for that reason, Luna acting OOC there made sense.

Or take Lori in "Waiting Game." In that episode, she was grateful at Lincoln for him making it to where she could work at the arcade in order to save up enough money for that dress (IIRC). So, naturally, she had no reason to act like a jerk in that episode. Once again, it made sense for the plot of the episode, and she wasn't stretched to an extent that she no longer resembled her initial character.

But as for something like "Garage Banned," while I personally saw it as just a way to show that the family is splitting apart because of Lori's absence, I found it unneeded. If it was trying to be funny, it wasn't. It just seemed to be pointless cruelty just for the sake of it. It really serves no purpose in advancing the plot, is forced, and makes Luna (and Luan to an extent) more childish than need be. For other times when "OOC" doesn't work...."Brawl." Lincoln being portrayed as an idiot who doesn't know what he's doing doesn't do his character justice as he is usually the one who is able to solve a dilemma - especially when his sisters (particularly the older ones) - are unable to come to an agreement. Or then there's "Out on a Limo." Besides Lori calling Lincoln "Linky," Lincoln's character is taken to a grandiose extreme. While you can easily blame Tetherby for "corrupting" Lincoln...how much are you willing to say that it's totally his fault? After all, the Devil can tempt you to sin, but he doesn't force you into doing it. Lincoln chose to listen to that old man of his own volition. As such, he comes off as incredibly unlikable, especially when his sisters didn't do anything wrong to warrant him being a jerk. My problem with that episode is that it takes Lincoln to the length of being unlikable to its illogical extreme that it no longer feels justified.

So, those are my thoughts on OOC moments. They can work as long as they make sense in the narrative, while still being "in character" for them to act that way.