Heroes argh

[aesmael]

Watching the season premiere of Heroes and being frustrated because -

The character Claire has just started at college. Her room-mate was of the obnoxious over-achiever stereotype. At some point she (the room-mate) is found dead, having apparently jumped from the dormitory window, with a suicide note found later.

And the reason I am annoyed? Because Claire and her one friend keep insisting that this woman could not have killed herself because she was so happily pleased with herself, having an abundance of self-esteem, openly planning her life out for the next several years. As if the only people who might kill themselves are those who are noticeably mopey and sad, that no one who had the appearance of a happy, forward-looking life could do such a thing.

I am sure this character was murdered, because that's the shape of the story, but I think the way the characters are coming to this conclusion and expressing it is perpetuating untrue ideas.

Comments

[infinitely-late.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. Although I suppose it's the same thing when people find out that nice person down the street was a serial killer, and can't believe it, because there were no signs. Really, people who wander about looking miserable are often doing so because they want to be helped, while people who are seriously suicidal are more likely to act happy to allay suspicion so that they won't be stopped. And sometimes? People do things for reasons nobody understands.

[lost-angelwings.livejournal.com]

i am so tired of that too :( they do this a lot on L&O and other shows too saying that X Y Z could not have been suicidal or been raped or etc b/c of their lifestyle or how they appeared to peers... and writer's fiat always lets them be right >.<;;;

in real life, you see it a lot when celebrities commit suicide, especially male celebrities (ppl find it easy to believe women can break down and be overly emotional...) like the recent Arturo Gatti case where all his fans were like "he couldn't have killed himself! he's a fighter! he wouldn't give up!" or in Chris Benoit's case where right when ppl said that he was dead and his family killed, everybody immediately jumped on his wife did it, and refused to believe he would do a murder suicide.. b/c "he seemed so happy in interviews we saw" and etc...