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The original was posted on /r/characterrant by /u/wolfsavy555 on 2023-10-05 21:14:32.
The title already sounds crazy but let me explain in the best way possible. I really love a underdog story and that’s with anything meaning movies,shows, animations and books. I realized that I also really hate when underdogs are shown being the underdogs.
I never understood why I get so infuriated to the point of rage quitting a show when the character I love the most keeps getting the short end of the stick. Meaning no trust, no faith, and just keeps getting pushed to the side and eventually I realized I love an underdog only when they are not actually an underdog. I love the character and I love what they are striving to achieve , I just hate everyone around them and every arc they are struggling to get it .
For example, Ace Of Diamond.
It is an anime about an underdog baseball player who is a pitcher and I really couldn’t force myself to watch it any longer because of how fucked up I think his team were and his coach for how they treated him and how they lacked faith in him . I’m just not good with seeing them go through shit, and honestly other people complained that his underdog arc took too long as well so maybe I’m not the only one.
Another example and main reason for this post is a show I recently finished watching called Friday Night Lights.
A teen show about football in a small town in Texas on Netflix.
5 words……
“Matt deserved so much better”
I watched All American so maybe it was my wrong assumption to think that Matt would be the main character in a similar setting like I wasn’t expecting him to go pro or anything or pull out any records but to be treated like that? Fucking sucked to watch and feel.
Like answer this quick question ….
(Because I don’t know much about high-school football and how the hierarchy works, is it normal for a senior player who was QB1 and played pretty well and won games to be placed as a QB2 for a freshman player because he’s overall better but still lacks experience? It happened to Matt and everyone agreed it was messed up. I thought seniority was over that and Matt wasn’t a bad player at all, the school was just freaking obsessed with winning but someone let me know if that usually happens. I’m 19 and at my old high school you always had to wait until the seniors left… )
I kind of came to the conclusion that although he was the underdog , he wasn’t the sole main character but I can’t get his character and his story arcs out of my head which is my main reason for making this light hearted rant. I just really hate underdogs and I think it’s probably because I can’t stand for too long them being taken advantage of or not getting a fair shake even if it’s deserved.
The show isn’t real and he got a happy ending I just hate how long he took to get it and how everyone around him didn’t seem to really give a fuck unless they needed him for something. I feel like everyone was just so hand held and softly spoken to and Matt who wasn’t even confident or that abrasive got shouted at and thrown around .
Like let’s take a look at his underdog track record.
Had to suddenly become QB1 and replace a guy who was literally gonna go pro.
Mom ran off.
Dad is in iraq
Pays all the bills.
Grandma has dementia
His team takes him for granted.
Coach uses him as a second option although he comes in clutch EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY NEED HIM.
I can’t even begin to get into his love life… I’m still trying to process why he didn’t have better then again? All the love stories were questionable …It’s a small town in Texas.
His dad died and got his face blown off…
Was demoted although he was doing well by a fucking freshman.
I could go on and on and on and go into detail but I won’t …Just watch the show.
Like that is not a underdog that is a dead dog.
A tired, beaten old dog.
Everything from his voice to his mannerism , and his eyes made him a very unique and unforgettable character. What adds to it all is that by all means he wasn’t a pushover and it was rare he looked for pity or help which just made his story more sad…He’s probably the most mentally strong character ever despite being soft natured and soft spoken . Everything about him was truly beautiful and his character will stay with me for awhile. He’s such a realistic portrayal of a troubled but good youth, he’s just simply existing and I can relate.
Anyway he was the whole purpose of me writing this mellow rant and if you guys have a chance I would highly really recommend you to watch the show. Not even just for Matt, the show as a whole is great and my second favorite character is the Coach.
Again, I love underdogs but I hate underdogs.
Thank you for reading.
Going to go rewatch the show now :)