Line #51 Main/SlidingScaleOfCharacterAppreciation


1	While having good characters doesn't make a good story, there are some characters who can make or break a series simply by walking onstage. On the one hand, you can have [[EnsembleDarkhorse a minor character]] from an obscure and poorly liked series who nonetheless inspires thousands of {{fanfic}}s. On the other hand, some characters are [[TheScrappy so hated by fans]] that some feel the only way the show will ever be watchable again is to [[DroppedABridgeOnHim write the character out of existence]]. If the negative audience reaction is coming from outside the target demographic it is a PeripheryHatedom.
2
3	'''{{Characters}} We Like To Watch:'''
4
5	[[foldercontrol]]
6
7	[[folder:Characters Who Impress Us Once]]
8	* OneSceneWonder: A character that has [[OneShotCharacter limited screen time]], and usually not much in the way of plot relevance, but is still one of the most memorable things in the movie. [[BillingDisplacement They may even be given top billing]], or at least an "AndStarring" credit, along with the more obvious stars. This is not the same principle as EnsembleDarkHorse, because the character is often played by an established actor, nor is it the same as DeadStarWalking, because the intent is not to fool you into thinking that the actor will appear more often. The character just appears, gives a show-stealing performance, and then is gone. Like a SpearCarrier, only way more righteous. Like a CelebrityCameo, except you don't have to recognize the actor to appreciate the scene for all its worth. You know you're dealing with this sort of character if you start referring to "their scene".
9	[[/folder]]
10
11	[[folder:Characters We Love To See, Even If Just Standing In The Background]]
12	* The EnsembleDarkHorse: The term "Dark Horse" has its origin in horse racing. A relatively unknown horse would be risky to place bets on, compared to a horse with a known track record, because the gamblers would be "in the dark", so when an unknown horse won a race it was called a "DarkHorseVictory". The term is also used in politics to describe a lesser-known candidate who does better than expected in an election. Generally, it's used to describe a side character making up part of the Ensemble, either a non-lead secondary character or a mere FlatCharacter, who can sometimes become [[PopularityPower unexpectedly popular]] with the fandom (sometimes, even more than the lead characters) depending on [[PeripheryDemographic who]] and [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff where]] the {{fandom}} is, as well as what the other characters are like in comparison. Often, this can happen because the character has very few character traits, allowing fans to imagine this character to have traits that they like. If the Ensemble Darkhorse ''becomes'' an important character, they're now a BreakoutCharacter. See also AdaptationalBadass, AscendedExtra, MemeticBystander, LowerDeckEpisode, ADayInTheLimelight, and OneSceneWonder. An antagonist who becomes popular despite the author's intentions is DracoInLeatherPants -- an example of MisaimedFandom. The natural extension of this is the SpotlightStealingSquad.
13	[[/folder]]
14
15	[[folder:Villains We Sympathize With]]
16	* The AntiVillain: The AntiVillain is a villain with heroic goals, personality traits, and/or virtues. Their desired ends are mostly good, but their means of getting there are evil. Alternatively, their desired ends are ''evil'', but they are far more ethical or moral than most villains in the story and they thus use fairly benign means to achieve it, and can be downright heroic on occasion.
17	* The IneffectualSympatheticVillain: A potential villain who is consistently a failure or never gets the respect that they think they deserve, and may even be angry that the heroes don't take them seriously. They may not necessarily be inept or have a [[PokeThePoodle laughably mild idea of what counts as villainy]]. VillainDecay is usually too simple an explanation. This is sometimes a relative situation, and the hero's RoguesGallery just happens to include people more showy, better financed, or just plain scarier than him. This does not mean that he doesn't bear animosity; that's a PunchClockVillain. He's probably jumping at the opportunity to outdo his rivals and the hero. But there is something about his perseverance or attitude about the whole thing that is [[AntiVillain just short of sympathetic]].
18	* The MagnificentBastard: If there was ever a character that deserved to be called "Magnificent", that character is the MagnificentBastard. The MagnificentBastard is what happens when you combine TheChessmaster and the ManipulativeBastard: bold, charismatic, independent, and audacious. Capturing the audience with their charisma, incredible intellect, mastery of manipulation, and boldness of action, this character is a show-stealer, demanding your reverence at every turn.
19	* The NobleDemon: A villainous character who does good in spite of themself. The NobleDemon doesn't care that they have a [[SlaveToPR bad image]] -- they [[CardCarryingVillain actively cultivates and embraces it]]. They'll practice their evil laugh and iron their cape so that it billows ''just'' right when they makes their entrance. However, every so often a situation presents itself and they're just not willing to go [[MoralEventHorizon the extra mile necessary]] to be ''completely'' evil. They'll topple your castle, but they'll do it [[NeverHurtAnInnocent right after everyone has cleared out first]]. They'll also be obsessed with [[IWasJustPassingThrough explaining this behavior]] so people won't think that [[HarmlessVillain they've gone soft]]. Killing enemies or servants [[YouHaveFailedMe who have failed]] but [[EvilVirtues are loyal]] is "[[PragmaticVillainy a waste of resources]]" and their inevitable [[DefeatMeansFriendship newfound friends]] are "[[EnemyMine tactically advantageous allies]]". Their goals are evil but their means, not so much.
20	* The UnintentionallySympathetic Villain.
21	* The DracoInLeatherPants: When a fandom takes a controversial or downright villainous character and downplays their flaws, often turning them into an object of desire and/or a victim in the process. This can cause conflicts if the writers are not willing to {{retool}} the character to fit this demand. In fanfiction, they are frequently the love object of the local AuthorAvatar, who [[LoveRedeems uses the power of love to redeem the character]] or are part of a [[FixFic fix fic]] to save the character. In extreme cases, the affection these characters receive from fans can lead them to forget that ''[[MisaimedFandom they're actually still supposed to be villains]]''. Or, on the flip side, any crimes the character commits can be rationalized, while any insult from the hero towards the villain is cast as deplorably mean. Common reasons for this include the character being wicked in a [[WickedCultured classy]] or [[EvilIsCool cool]] way. A physically attractive character is much more likely to be subject to this trope than a physically ugly one or it can be the result from certain fans sympathizing greatly with the villain's backstory in which case it overlaps with UnintentionallySympathetic Villain or JerkassWoobie or WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds. Sometimes, this is the result of the villain coming off as less evil than other villains in the story also (like the Trope Namer, who was a mere annoyance as opposed to [[BigBad Lord Voldemort]]).
22	* The AffablyEvil Villain: Then there are villains who are Affably Evil. There is absolutely nothing separating them from being normal, polite people except for the fact that they want to TakeOverTheWorld or use [[PoweredByAForsakenChild human souls]] to power their ArtifactOfDoom. They're not the StepfordSmiler -- their affability is a genuine part of their personality, not a mask. If they have underlings, expect them to be a BenevolentBoss. In one way, they're the opposite of an AntiHero. They may PetTheDog on occasion, but won't hesitate to kick it with steel-toed boots the next second if it helps them accomplish their EvilPlan. They may well be a VillainWithGoodPublicity because, after all, being evil doesn't mean you have to be ''rude''.
23	* The FauxAffablyEvil Villain: A villain whose polite mannerisms only serve to enhance their evil. They lack a villainous demeanor yet they are truly, wholly and unrepentantly evil regardless. This kind of villain maintains a [[MoodDissonance friendly, courteous mask]] even as they commit [[KickTheDog incredibly heinous acts]]. Unlike AffablyEvil characters, whose niceness is genuine, Faux Affably Evil villains ''adopt'' this pleasant persona. An AffablyEvil villain will treat TheHero like a friend, and will be reluctant to make an enemy of them. A FauxAffablyEvil villain will throw in a jolly "Ooh, my friend, aren't we having a lot of fun?" as they are [[ColdBloodedTorture torturing]] them. A Faux Affably Evil character's demeanor is an act. At heart, they're utterly soulless, but they mask it with a pleasant, polite, "normal" attitude, perhaps because they have [[WickedCultured social standards]] to live up to or because their pleasantness reflects [[EvilFeelsGood their sheer enjoyment of evil]]. It's anyone's guess what this kind of villain will do if they suffer a VillainousBreakdown; maybe they will drop all pretenses and find that they are NotSoAboveItAll or maybe they will fall into a state of DissonantSerenity, blabbering off-kilter pseudo-mannerisms as they go crazy.
24	[[/folder]]
25
26	[[folder:Characters We Love To See Suffer]]
27	* TheChewToy: An odd sort of polar opposite to TheWoobie, The Chew Toy is a character the audience loves specifically ''because'' their misery amuses them so. The Chew Toy is roughed up or messed with on a constant basis... and is always, ''always'' [[PlayedForLaughs used for comic effect and treated with a light touch]], generally [[ComedicSociopathy glossing over the meaner undertones of the idea]]. Unlike Woobification, Chew Toys are generally designated as such in the series proper, and often have a tendency to bemoan their fate. If they're lucky, the writers will ThrowTheDogABone a time or two. If they're unlucky, they'll YankTheDogsChain. It can sometimes be a delicate balance. Throw too often and the character can be {{Flanderiz\|ation}}ed into TheEeyore; Yank too much and the audience [[DudeNotFunny may no longer find it funny]].
28	* The CosmicPlaything: Most of us like to think that our decisions have some influence on our lives. That we have control, at least to a point. But sometimes, there's the sneaking suspicion that maybe an influence [[FinaglesLaw doesn't]] [[ButtMonkey like us]] [[TheChewToy very much]], or maybe [[TheWoobie likes us in a very abusive way]]. On some series, a particular character doesn't just suspect. They ''know''. For some strange reason, they find their lives governed by events and rules that defy either coincidence or logical explanation. They might figure out some of the "rules", like the what and the where, but the how and the why is a complete mystery. The nature of such a situation allows a certain flexibility to writers, as they don't have to think too hard about why this is happening, or even if the character's [[GenreBlindness belief in their situation is correct]], allowing them to [[{{Handwave}} focus on the immediate story]].
29	* The DesignatedMonkey: The DesignatedMonkey is an unintentional ButtMonkey. They [[LoserArchetype constantly find themselves in horrible situations]]; the author appears to [[CallItKarma intend this to be karmic punishment]], but the audience (or a significant subgroup of it) thinks that it's out of proportion and will treat them as TheWoobie. This can create ValuesDissonance in the work, or it could mean that the fandom is [[MisaimedFandom misaimed]]. The audience may even begin to [[LiteraryAgentHypothesis wonder]] whether the author is deliberately misrepresenting this character to prevent us from sympathizing with them. Or write {{Revenge Fic}}s on their behalf.
30	[[/folder]]
31
32	[[folder:Characters Who Allow Us To Live Vicariously]]
33	* TheCape: The superhero as an ideally good person. Generally associated with [[GoodOldWays older protagonists]], before whenever the latest round of {{deconstruction}} happened, and often invokes elements of a MessianicArchetype. Has now become nigh-synonymous with the "classic" {{superhero}}. Capes don't need to actually ''wear'' capes, although a distinct outfit and some kind of special ability is part of the image. The most important feature is these heroes [[TheFettered adhere]] to [[IncorruptiblePurePureness a strict code of honor]] and [[LawfulGood sense of authority]]; capes can be [[KnightTemplar notoriously inflexible and perceive things in black and white]], and even be painfully straightforward and [[SamaritanSyndrome selfless]]. They often [[ThinkNothingOfIt downplay their own heroism]] and will [[WhatYouAreInTheDark act heroically even when no one will know]]. They almost universally subscribe to ThouShaltNotKill. Capes usually have [[SecretIdentity secret identities]], but make public appearances in costume and actively try to keep a good public image.
34	* The EscapistCharacter: So you just picked up this book about a character who's powerful, [[TheAce incredibly talented]], [[ChickMagnet irresistible to]] [[DudeMagnet the opposite sex]] (or people of the same gender), [[MosesInTheBulrushes long-lost]] {{royal\|Blood}}ty, and FriendToAllLivingThings. Sounds like a horrible story, right? Except that you don't mind at all. Instead, you're seeing yourself in their shoes and enjoying it. After all, ''everyone'' likes to fantasize about being awesome once in a while. You can argue over whether or not they're a case of overt perfection, but they're definitely an EscapistCharacter. While a SelfInsertFic is generally defined as being a bad thing, some of the most widely-loved characters in existence are {{Escapist Character}}s with any number of CommonMarySueTraits. While a badly written EscapistCharacter can come off as such, the key difference between the two is that a SelfInsertFic is ''[[AuthorAppeal the author's]]'' wish fulfillment fantasy, while the Escapist Character also functions as the ''{{audience\|Surrogate}}'s'' wish fulfillment fantasy.
35	* The MagnificentBastard: If there was ever a character that deserved to be called "Magnificent", that character is the MagnificentBastard. The MagnificentBastard is what happens when you combine TheChessmaster and the ManipulativeBastard: bold, charismatic, independent, and audacious. Capturing the audience with their charisma, incredible intellect, mastery of manipulation, and boldness of action, this character is a show-stealer, demanding your reverence at every turn.
36	[[/folder]]
37
38	[[folder:Villains We Love To Hate]]
39	* The BigBad: The cause of all bad happenings in a story. A Big Bad could be a character with {{Evil Plan}}s or it could be a situation, such as a comet heading towards the Earth. The Big Bad can (and often does) exert effect across a number of episodes, and even an entire season. Note that Big Bad is not a catch-all trope for the biggest and ugliest villain of any given story. The leader of the [[QuirkyMinibossSquad outlaw gang]] that the heroes face once or twice isn't the Big Bad. The [[CorruptCorporateExecutive railroad tycoon]] who turns out to be ''using'' the gang as muscle is the Big Bad. If there is a constant ManBehindTheMan story going on in order to reveal the Big Bad, then whoever [[TheChessmaster is behind it all]] is the Big Bad, not every major villain in the lead-up. At other times, if a new enemy shows up to replace the previous Big Bad, then they are the [[ArcVillain Big Bads of their individual storylines]].
40	* The ManipulativeBastard.
41	* The CompleteMonster: The Complete Monster is the most depraved of all characters; a villain utterly lacking in redeeming features. Trying to put a value on the evilness of a Complete Monster is like calculating the credit score of Bill Gates: it's a moot point. Or, anyway, that is how the character is presented in the story. The character is a bad guy, full stop. The author has not taken the character through any actions toward redemption, or at least any that stuck. Characters like this that commit especially horrendous and {{Squick}}y acts may end up in Hate To Watch territory instead.
42	* The HateSink: The guy everyone just ''loves'' to hate, seeing as that's the idea. A Hate Sink is a character whose ''intended'' role in the story (the role the authors made for them) is to be so despicable that the audience wants them to fail just as much as they want the heroes to succeed. However, this individual doesn't have to be the main villain of the story, or even a villain at all. Let's say we have a cast of perfectly likeable protagonists, reasonable and sympathetic villains, [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Bob]]. Bob is not necessarily the main antagonist. He is not causing the struggle that the heroes must overcome, but he is making the heroes' lives more difficult. His list of character traits includes [[ItsAllAboutMe selfishness]], [[StubbornMule stubbornness]], {{greed}}, [[KnightTemplar holier-than-thou contempt]], [[DirtyCoward cowardice]] and an [[TooDumbToLive inexhaustible penchant for making bad decisions]]. He may also be [[{{Jerkass}} rude and obnoxious]], [[FantasticRacism bigoted]], hypocritical, [[{{slimeball}} sleazy]] and [[SmugSnake undeservedly smug]]. Basically, Bob exists to be hated. Everything he does and everything he says is designed to make the audience yearn for his death just a little bit more. If we see his eventual downfall -- and we usually do -- it is just as satisfying as the writers can possibly make it. A particularly pointed KarmicDeath is always a nice touch, and [[CatharsisFactor can be quite satisfying to watch]].
43	[[/folder]]
44
45	[[folder:Heroes We Love To Root For]]
46	* An ActionHero (or ActionGirl) is a form of protagonist who primarily uses combat to achieve their goals in a story. If there's something in his way, their main response is to beat it up. This could be because they don't have the patience or skills for any other method, or because they just don't have the time. But then again, maybe they actually do try other methods first but it always seems to turn out that ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer.
47	* TheCape: The superhero as an ideally good person. Generally associated with [[GoodOldWays older protagonists]], before whenever the latest round of {{deconstruction}} happened, and often invokes elements of a MessianicArchetype. Has now become nigh-synonymous with the "classic" {{superhero}}. Capes don't need to actually ''wear'' capes, although a distinct outfit and some kind of special ability is part of the image. The most important feature is these heroes [[TheFettered adhere]] to [[IncorruptiblePurePureness a strict code of honor]] and [[LawfulGood sense of authority]]; capes can be [[KnightTemplar notoriously inflexible and perceive things in black and white]], and even be painfully straightforward and [[SamaritanSyndrome selfless]]. They often [[ThinkNothingOfIt downplay their own heroism]] and will [[WhatYouAreInTheDark act heroically even when no one will know]]. They almost universally subscribe to ThouShaltNotKill. Capes usually have [[SecretIdentity secret identities]], but make public appearances in costume and actively try to keep a good public image.
48	* LittleOldLadyInvestigates: There's a subgenre of MysteryFiction called "[[CozyMystery Cozy Mysteries]]", a prevalent trope of which is the little old lady investigator. She is an older lady, usually retired, usually a CoolOldLady, who has a knack for solving mysteries and who is [[AlwaysMurder always solving murders]] [[BusmansHoliday wherever she goes]]. She's usually an AmateurSleuth, but occasionally she works for an agency or is a registered [[PrivateDetective PI]]. The fact that people seem to keep dropping dead around her often makes her a MysteryMagnet. This sub-genre is also known as the "tea cozy mystery". This trope makes a perverse sort of sense. Old women are ''supposed'' to be nosy, and attract little attention when they are. A grandmotherly type may be a lot better at prying relevant but embarrassing details from suspects than the gruff policeman. Finally, she is frequently protected by EvenEvilHasStandards: who would dare to [[WouldHarmASenior off the nice old lady]]? Not that the perp thinks she's nice...
49	[[/folder]]
50
51	[[folder:We Love To Watch Them Get Needlessly Killed]]
52	* {{Mooks}}: Mostly they provide a chance for the characters to show off their flashy fighting skills and can be shot without guilt. The hero might find it in their heart to SaveTheVillain, forgive them, even [[DefeatMeansFriendship accept them into their inner circle]], but the guys whose only crime is not finding a better employer [[WhatMeasureIsAMook will be shown no mercy]]. Next to PunchClockVillain, but usually more faceless, this is one of the tropes most liable to JustFollowingOrders.
53	* The RedShirt: A Red Shirt is the GoodCounterpart of EvilMinions and {{Mooks}} -- set filler for our heroes' side. Their purpose is almost exclusively to give the writers someone to kill [[SortingAlgorithmOfMortality who isn't a main character]], although they can also serve as a SpearCarrier. They are used [[MonsterMunch to show how the monster works]], and demonstrate that it is indeed a deadly menace, without having to lose anyone ''[[AnyoneCanDie important]]''. Expect someone to say "HesDeadJim", lament this "valued crew member's [[WhatASenselessWasteOfHumanLife senseless death]]", and then [[ForgottenFallenFriend promptly forget them]]. Security personnel in general fall victim to the worst shade of this trope, as most of the time, their deaths aren't even acknowledged at all; according to Hollywood, you could walk into a bank and shoot a security guard right in the face without anyone making a fuss. If you shot anyone else afterward, the headline would just read "Bank Customers Killed".
54	[[/folder]]
55
56	[[folder:We Love To See Them Semi-Naked]]
57	* MrFanservice (and MsFanservice): The [[SpearCounterpart brother]] of [[MsFanservice his counterpart]], MrFanservice provides similar eye candy for women. It can be an effective way to bring in female viewers, even in a series [[PeripheryDemographic directed towards males]]. In order for a guy to qualify as MrFanservice, just being attractive isn't enough. He needs to sport a reasonably fit physique. In particular, he can have anything between muscular limbs, broad shoulders and/or sculpted abs (between six-packs and eight-packs). The muscles can be either lean or bulging; as long as you can see them, they count. He needs to be subjected to ''at least'' one ShirtlessScene, or he can take it a step further by deciding to [[WalkingShirtlessScene forgo a shirt entirely]]. Just like his aforementioned counterpart, he can wear tight clothing, which shows off his body without bearing skin. He can wear anything (or [[CensorSteam nothing]], that works too), as long as these clothes accentuate or reveal his muscles. He can also GenderFlip the ReluctantFanserviceGirl, ShamelessFanserviceGirl and InnocentFanserviceGirl tropes.
58	[[/folder]]
59
60	[[folder:Characters We Hate To Watch]]
61	* Anyone who must DieForOurShip: Sometimes, a character is hated simply for their own characteristics -- because they're [[TheScrappy annoying]], because they [[CousinOliver came in]] after the show JumpedTheShark, because they're a raging self-insert and get [[CreatorsPet too much attention]], or because [[ReplacementScrappy they're the replacement of a fan favorite]]. The list goes on. More often, when {{shipping}} comes into play, though, a character -- even one who was tolerated or loved before -- can become hated for a plot-related reason outside of their character: interfering with a fan's {{OTP}}. [[{{Hatedom}} Hate shrines]]. {{Death Fic}}s, frequently with a side order of RevengeFic. Fics where, say, the [[CharacterDerailment formerly sweet and loyal character cheats on the heroine with her two best friends and proceeds to murder her teammates]], just so she can be with the JerkWithAHeartOfGold, or the StalkerWithACrush, the [[DracoInLeatherPants actual villain]], [[KissingCousins her cousin]], or even [[BrotherSisterIncest her brother]], or whomever else the fan prefers. They're all over the place. Sometimes it gets so bad that even people who know ''nothing'' about the show or even the genre have heard about just how much of the fandom ''hates'' the rival love interest.
62	* The SmugSnake: The Smug Snake is a type of character (usually cast as a villain) who tends to treat friends and enemies alike with equal disdain. They almost constantly [[DeadpanSnarker speak in a sarcastic tone]] and punctuate most of their sentences with a smirk. While they aspire to be a formidable and awe-inspiring adversary, they often end up just being a BigBadWannabe, failing in the face of [[MagnificentBastard more cunning villains]] or ending up as their servants, in which case they'll generally be TheStarscream. Others that fall under this trope are [[CardCarryingVillain simply in it to bug the good guys]] and [[FlawExploitation take advantage]] of their [[SlaveToPR moral insecurity]].
63	* Anyone who goes through CharacterDerailment. A character who evolves from a well-established character to a totally different character ([[ThePlotDemandedThisIndex without rhyme or reason]]) is a sign of an AudienceAlienatingEra. You'll be confused why they have changed so drastically [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext even within the context of the story]].
64	* TheScrappy, and all subtropes thereof:
65	** The DamselScrappy: The DamselInDistress is an age-old classic plot device, which places a character in danger to add tension to the story. Sometimes one character (usually a LoveInterest or a [[TagalongKid relative]] of another character) seems to have no discernible purpose besides serving as the DesignatedVictim. If the character is popular with the audience, this can be effective. Other times, well....let's just say that the audience starts wishing that the BigDamnHeroes would get stuck in traffic, just so they won't have to put up with ''[[TheScrappy her]]'' anymore. Most of the time, this character's plight is due entirely to [[TooDumbToLive her own stupidity]]. She doesn't just pick up the DistressBall, she runs it into her own endzone and gets tackled for a safety. And she keeps on doing it, again and again and again. This may be due to being TheDitz, or a severe case of crippling {{genre blind}}ness. Even if she's just unlucky, she may be disliked for other reasons. Perhaps the audience finds her [[SatelliteLoveInterest too bland]], or [[AlphaBitch too bitchy]]. Perhaps her presence seems [[TokenRomance shoehorned into the main plot]] (perhaps to attract a PeripheryDemographic or for blatant {{fanservice}}), and the audience feels she [[SpotlightStealingSquad steals time]] from the story they're actually interested in. This is especially true when her subplot has [[TrappedByMountainLions nothing to do with the main plot]] at all. Or else she seems like [[TheLoad useless dead weight]] whose only purpose is to pad the plot by getting in trouble. And worst of all, the fans may just dislike her for [[DieForOurShip getting in the way]] of their FanPreferredCouple.
66	** The EthnicScrappy: [[ValuesDissonance An awful relic from less enlightened times]], or a sign that the attitudes from those times have not gone away completely. Comic relief characters in the SidekickCreatureNuisance or TheScrappy mold whose strangeness in appearance and behavior is put down to their being of a different race or ethnicity to the heroes. Often highlighted by their being extreme {{gonk}}s in an [[{{Mukokuseki}} otherwise normal]] cast. Sometimes, ironically, they were put in ''precisely'' [[NiceJobBreakingItHero because the creators wanted some diversity in the cast]]. This is definitely one case where MonochromeCasting would have been a lot less offensive.
67	** The ReplacementScrappy: A popular character is [[DyingToBeReplaced killed off]] or otherwise written out and replaced with [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute a new character who fills their previous role]]. Regardless of what this new character is like, they're likely to end up with a {{Hatedom}} [[TheScrappy directed at them]], just because they're not the old favourite. If they'd been there from the start, maybe the fans could have loved this new character, or at least respected them. But no--they're a replacement. They're not even a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute who at least shared some character traits with the other guy, they're a totally different guy, and so every flaw--every trait that makes them ''not'' like the character the fans want him to be--drives them crazy with longing and disgust, and all they can do is get angrier and angrier.
68	** Also, the following likely scrappies:
69	*** LethallyStupid
70	*** TheLoad
71	*** TheMillstone
72	*** The UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom
73	* CreatorsPet: There are certain characters who receive [[TheScrappy a lot of hatred from the fanbase]] for one reason or another. Most often, when their creators pick up on the hate, they have a couple options. They can ignore it, [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap tweak the character into a more likable version]], or even [[TakeThatScrappy play it for laughs.]] Sometimes, however, the creator(s) have become so attached to this character for whatever reason, whether because they see something of themselves in the character or the character reminds them of someone they were close to or the character represents something they admire, that they decide to increasingly [[CharacterFocus focus on them]], magnifying the importance of their role, and having the other characters [[CharacterShilling talk about how awesome they are]], in painful ignorance of -- or sometimes in spite of -- the fans' obvious hatred.
74	[[/folder]]

Context Main / SlidingScaleOfCharacterAppreciation