My issue with some of the TADC criticism that's been arising recently is not that there is critique, obviously this is not a perfect show, no show is perfect and Digital Circus certainly has its problems
What's bothering me is when people use that criticism to call the whole show bad because of a flaw, especially when the critique is more so about a personal preference rather than flaws that actually negatively impact the show's story
What I hate on the internet is that there is no middle ground, things are always 1-100, I more so just wanna calm things down a bit. Like okay, you've identified a problem with the show, that's good! now let's look at how that problem negatively impacts the show's story, themes, and effectiveness of the message it's trying to teach you
So I'm gonna share my opinion
Critique I've seen a lot lately: Jax becoming a more central character than others
Yes it's completely understandable to be upset about that, that is very disappointing especially if you had characters you like way more than him that you want to stand out more in the story, I myself am disappointed by this fact
But does Jax being a central character negatively impact the story this show is trying to tell? I don't believe so, no.
This show is an existential crisis, it's about depicting how meaningless and out of your control life is and why making connections is still real and important despite that, and why that's what gives life meaning, at least so far. So naturally, the nihilistic character that rejects making connections due to being hurt by this fact of life is going to be very important in that story because you need a character that's there to be proven wrong. You need characters that represent both sides of the argument.
So, Jax perhaps being treated with some favouritism by the writer is disappointing for some people? Yes, very much so. Is it bad for the general story the show is trying to tell? No, I personally don't think so, but if you believe it does affect the themes and story I would love to hear your thoughts on why, otherwise maybe this show just isn't for you and that's okay
I do think the focus on Jax does legitimately cause issues in the writing at times, just in more minor ways. Namely in episode 5.
The structure of the show was that each character gets a focus episode, Zooble and Kinger sharing one I think was mostly fine, I feel I got enough info on both their characters in that episode, could Zooble get a little more screentime to help? Yeah, but it hasn't affected my understanding of Zooble's character very much.
However, episode 5 instead of being a Ragatha episode, was a Ragatha and Jax episode and then for Jax to get HIS focus episode next, I think that was unfair. I think episode 5 should have JUST been the Ragatha episode, something like a full look at what a day in the circus looks like for Ragatha, I feel for me that would have made me understand Ragatha as a character a lot better and would have made me feel closer to her. It is difficult to manage because episode 5 also sets up very important facets of Jax that were then explored deeper in 6 and wouldn't have hit as hard if not for the set up in 5, but I still think you could've done that while making Ragatha the focal point. Like I feel like I learnt more about Ragatha in Gangle's episode just before than in Ragatha's episode.
But I don't find that that's a reason to call the show bad, I do still understand Ragatha and what is trying to be gotten across, nor do I believe she is intended to be less important than other characters, her scene in episode 6 makes me cry and out of all the characters, episode 8 chose to show us Ragatha's very first entrance into the circus. She and the others characters still have an important role in the story even if it's not as central as Jax.
Another "critique" I have seen recently is that Jax is an overused trope. I don't think that qualifies as a critique of the show.
Yes the sympathetic bully is a painfully overused trope that is everywhere, and it is very understandable to be completely fed up with seeing it, it is valid to dislike that trope.
But does having that trope in the show negatively affect the show's story? No. That trope is helpful for the type of story happening here.
It's okay to not like it but that doesn't mean it makes the show bad.
Unless you genuinely believe it does, I would be happy to hear you out if so
I want to talk about this because I think sometimes giving constructive criticism to art is really difficult because you have to define the difference between what is your personal preference in a piece of art and what is actually helpful critique for the writer to get their message across through their art. And I just feel like a lot of the critiques I've been seeing of TADC lately I don't think are helpful critiques for a writer.
But hey maybe I'm wrong and dumb, this was a fun yap tho
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