My husband and I finished up watching Wayward Pines last night (Yes, I realize we’re about four months behind, which is actually pretty good for us, television wise). And the series was working toward a conclusion, and working, and working–and then it kind of jumped the shark at the last minute.

And I understand, logically, why they did–to leave themselves open for a possible second season, even though they used up all the source material in the first season–but it still annoyed me.

(And this morning I did some research, before I got too annoyed, to see how the books ended so I wasn’t wildly out of line.)

It just…it almost seems like it’s a trend now. It’s bad enough that we seem to have gotten to this point where everything has to be dark and gritty much of the time, but now nothing can end on a good, or even a hopeful, point.

Sometimes this can be good, but more and more I’m just finding it a little exhausting. I look at the news, and all the terrible things happening around the world, and now I can’t even escape into media because it’s just more of the same.

And I know the argument is that it’s more realistic, that bad things happen and nothing is ever truly good, but can’t we have some hope? Some peace? It’s fiction, so can’t we occasionally bend the rules?

(Ending this here because I am typing outside without gloves and it is freezing and also now snowing, and I regret my decisions in life.)

What do you think, Squiders? Any recs for good, engaging media that is not all dark and “oh noes” all the time?

(And Merry Christmas, for those who celebrate, if I don’t get here on Thursday!)

No Happily Ever After?
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4 thoughts on “No Happily Ever After?

  • December 23, 2015 at 9:01 pm
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    The Missus and I were quite pleased with the first couple of episodes of Wayward Pines, but became more and more disenchanted as the series proceeded. We stuck with it to see how it ended, but were openly angry with the finale. Furious would be a more accurate description. It was like watching Lost all over again, but just one season instead of 5 years.

    Reply
    • December 29, 2015 at 9:24 pm
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      Sounds like you guys feel like I did. The husband liked it, though. There’s no accounting for taste.

      Reply
  • January 10, 2016 at 10:00 pm
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    I think that downer endings are often used as a feint to seem more mature and artistic.

    Reply

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Books by Kit Campbell

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