History YMMV / StrangersInParadise

* CompleteMonster:
** Darcy Parker is a total sociopath with ''absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever.'' Even the people she "loves," David and Katchoo, she treats with a predatory streak and views them more like prized possessions.
** Her cousin Veronica manages to be even ''worse'' -- Darcy at least had a certain sense of style. Veronica is just a psychopath who abuses and uses everyone around her, even on her ''best'' behavior.
** In fact, several of the "Parker girls" are the same: psychopathic killers with no regard for human life except their own and no redeeming qualities.

* FridgeHorror: Rusty's little boy was within ''one panel'' of being kidnapped by her stalker at the start of the "Rust Killer" storyline, but is saved because Casey just happened to choose that ''exact'' moment to come out to him and take him inside. Neither she nor anyone else ever even knew he was in danger.

** Though his {{Jerkass}}ery is a lot more blatant and his sympathetic moments fewer and farther between, Freddie goes through so much crap that, even though most of it is entirely his own fault, it's hard not to feel for him either. Especially after his ADayInTheLimelight issue "You're A Loser, Freddie Femur" reveals he grew up with [[AbusiveParents an alcoholic abusive father who bullied him]] and a [[MyBelovedSmother mother who smothered him with affection in a feeble attempt to counteract the father's abuse]], and that this has left him an emotional mess who's unable to meaningfully connect with people, and whose life is completely empty because other people can't handle his personality. He's somewhat aware that the problem lies with him, and is hinted to have some serious self-loathing going on, but since he has absolutely no clue how to fix it or how to become a person he actually likes, he copes by holding onto a NeverMyFault attitude and blaming everyone else.

** Though his {{Jerkass}}ery is a lot more blatant and his sympathetic moments fewer and farther between, Freddie goes through so much crap that, even though most of it is entirely his own fault, it's hard not to feel for him either. Especially after his ADayInTheLimelight issue "You're A Loser, Freddie Femur" reveals that growing up with AbusiveParents has left him an emotional mess unable to meaningfully connect with people, and whose life is completely empty because other people can't handle his personality. He's somewhat aware that the problem lies with him, and is hinted to have some serious self-loathing going on, but since he has absolutely no clue how to fix it or how to become a person he actually likes, he copes by holding onto a NeverMyFault attitude and blaming everyone else.

** Katchoo is ''not'' a nice person. In fact, of all the characters in the series she probably crosses the line towards UnintentionallyUnsympathetic the most. But her DarkAndTroubledPast is ''really'' Dark and Troubled, and she goes through so much crap that it's hard not to feel for her.
** Though his {{Jerkassery}}is a lot more blatant and his sympathetic moments fewer and farther between, Freddie goes through so much crap that, even though most of it is entirely his own fault, it's hard not to feel for him either. Especially after his ADayInTheLimelight issue "You're A Loser, Freddie Femur" reveals that growing up with AbusiveParents has left him an emotional mess unable to meaningfully connect with people, and whose life is completely empty because other people can't handle his personality. He's somewhat aware that the problem lies with him, and is hinted to have some serious self-loathing going on, but since he has absolutely no clue how to fix it or how to become a person he actually likes, he copes by holding onto a NeverMyFault attitude and blaming everyone else.

* JerkassWoobie: Katchoo is ''not'' a nice person. In fact, of all the characters in the series she probably crosses the line towards UnintentionallyUnsympathetic the most. But her DarkAndTroubledPast is ''really'' Dark and Troubled, and she goes through so much crap that it's hard not to feel for her.

** Katchoo is the prime example; while she has {{Freudian Excuse}}s galore and is very clearly a SourOutsideSadInside BrokenBird, her angry {{Tsundere}} act and penchant for {{Disproportionate Retribution}}s can get ''way'' out of hand, not to mention her [[DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale downright abusive attitude towards pretty much any male character she encounters]] (including DoggedNiceGuy David).
** Francine's nowhere near as bad as Katchoo, but her many insecurities and blatant trust issues often have the unfortunate side-effect of making her come across as insensitive, self-obsessed and petty.

* FridgeHorror: Rusty's little boy was within ''one panel'' of being kidnapped by her stalker at the start of the "Rust Killer" storyline, but is saved because Casey chose that ''exact'' moment to come out and take him inside. Neither she nor anyone else ever knew he was in danger.

* FridgeHorror: Rusty's little boy was within ''one panel'' of being kidnapped by her stalker at the start of the "Rust Killer" storyline.

* CompleteMonster: Darcy Parker is a total sociopath with ''absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever.'' Several of the "Parker girls" are the same.

* JerkassWoobie: Katchoo is ''not'' a nice person. In fact, more than any of the other characters in the series she crosses the line towards UnintentionallyUnsympathetic the most. But her DarkAndTroubledPast is ''really'' Dark and Troubled, and she goes through so much crap that it's hard not to feel for her.

** Katchoo is the prime example; while she has {{Freudian Excuse}}s galore and is very clearly a SourOutsideSadInside BrokenBird, her angry {{Tsundere}} act and penchant for {{Disproportionate Retribution}}s can get ''way'' out of hand, not to mention her [[DoubleStandardAbuseMaleOnFemale downright abusive attitude towards pretty much any male character she encounters]] (including DoggedNiceGuy David).

* FridgeHorror: Rusty's little boy was within ''one panel'' of being kidnapped by her stalker at the start of the "Rust Killer" storyline.

* JerkassHasAPoint: Ok, Freddie Femur is a jerkass of the first water; he's a creepy obsessive patronising sleazebag who treats women like sex objects, has all the tact and charm of brain surgery performed with a hammer and chisel, he thinks he's hilarious while he's just slimy and cheeseball, and he has hairplugs to boot. No arguments - he's a repellent little man. But, when [[spoiler: Casey is about to leave for home after being revealed to have been working as a Parker Girl all along in David's will]] his attempt to convince her why she should stay after all is actually kind, pretty endearing and most of all honest and completely correct - and lo and behold it helps work everything out. Ok, [[spoiler: he makes a pass at Casey while he does it]] might just be showing form on his part, but it seems more likely he's actually trying to be a nice guy while making a joke at his own reputation as a horndog jerk to his ex-wife.

{{JerkassHasAPoint}} Ok, Freddie Femur is a jerkass of the first water; he's a creepy obsessive patronising sleasebag who treats women like sex objects, has all the tact and charm of brain surgery performed with a hammer and chisel, he thinks he's hillarious while he's just slimy and cheeseball, and he has hairplugs to boot. No arguments - he's a repellant little man. But, when [[spoiler: Casey is about to leave for home after being revealed to have been working as a Parker Girl all along in David's will]] his attempt to convince her why she should stay after all is actually kind, pretty endearing and most of all honest and completely correct - and lo and behold it helps work everything out. Ok, [[spoiler: he makes a pass at Casey while he does it]] might just be showing form on his part, but it seems more likely he's actually trying to be a nice guy while making a joke at his own reputation as a horndog jerk to his ex-wife.

{{JerkassHasAPoint}} Ok, Freddie Femur is a jerkass of the first water; he's a creepy obsessive patronising sleasebag who treats women like sex objects, has all the tact and charm of brain surgery performed with a hammer and chisel, he thinks he's hillarious while he's just slimy and cheeseball, and he has hairplugs to boot. No arguments - he's a repellant little man. But, when [[spoiler: Casey is about to leave for home after being revealed to have been working as a Parker Girl all along in David's will]] his attempt to convince her why she should stay after all is actually kind, pretty endearing and most of all honest and comepltely correct - and lo and behold it helps work everything out. Ok, [[spoiler: he makes a pass at Casey while he does it]] might just be showing form on his part, but it seems more likely he's actually trying to be a nice guy while making a joke at his own reputation as a horndog jerk to his ex-wife.

{{JerkassHasAPoint}} Ok, Freddie Femur is a jerkass of the first water; he's a creepy obsessive patronising sleasebag who treats women like sex objects, has all the tact and charm of brain surgery performed with a hammer and chisel, he thinks he's hillarious while he's just slimy and cheeseball, and he has hairplugs to boot. No arguments - he's a repellant little man. But, when [[spoiler: Casey is about to leave for home after being revealed to have been working as a Parker Girl all along in David's will]] his attempt to convince her why she should stay after all is actually kind, pretty endearing and most of all honest. Ok, [[spoiler: he makes a pass at Casey while he does it]] might just be showing form on his part, but it seems more likely he's actually trying to be a nice guy while making a joke at his own reputation as a horndog jerk to his ex-wife.