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Narrative
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Working Title: Blond Guys Are Evil: From YKTTW
Jisu: Changed around the description, since some of the examples are just rude or arrogant guys that lose in the Love Triangle.
Ross N: Can we really call this a Cyclic Trope? I haven't seen much sign that it is reverting.
Violet Strange: I'd say it's been easing up, even if a trip to IM Db seems to show that the three actors who first leapt to mind (Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Heath Ledger) tend to mostly play antiheroes. The Ocean's Whatever people are still criminals, Se7en was over a decade ago, Bourne might be justified but kills an awful lot of people, and Ledger hadn't played a real hero since The Four Feathers (unless someone out there saw The Brothers Grimm and would like to comment). But that's a fairly significant number of definitely not-evil characters, so I'd say yes it appears cyclical, it's just moving pretty slowly.
Although now that I think about it, I'd be surprised if it ever moved back entirely beyond actors who happen to wind up famous while blond. The reason blond heroes appear to be such a minority in Hollywood is because there's a huge number of fake blonde actresses because the culture has fetishized the look for so long. Men don't get the same pressure for things like that. (For instance Jennifer Morrison on House is a natural blonde, but dyed her hair dark because she thought it would make her seem more realistic as a doctor, but most people would think it would sound silly for Jesse Spencer to do the same thing.)
Jisu: You know what, I think the name is too strong... Of course I think that NOW, after we agreed on it, but still.
X Shouldve Died: Someone want to tell me why Schneizel's evil? I mean, sure the name sounds kinda German which is a damn fine start, don't get me wrong here, but nothings setting off my puppy-rape-radar so far.
Etrangere: He's so nice it's creepy. He is somewhat responsible for the nuking of Tokyo (developed the weapon, put it on Lancelot and ensured that Suzaku would be on that battlefield) - and more recently of Pendragon. There's the little manipulation of Lelouch and Suzaku in Turn 17 but I admit it's child's play compared to what the Protagonist daily does. Oh yeah, and he set up marrying his brother to a child Empress. Okay, it really does come around to the recent nuking and the Informed Ability that Lelouch's scared of him, an that Shneizel's been so nice and polite so far he really must be very evil.
X Shouldve Died: Lelouch, the Villain Protagonist with magic Mind Rape eyes is afraid of him. That's usually sort of a jot in the white hat column, last time I checked. You can say the same for blowing up said Big Bad's fortress stronghold full of his Renfielded minions. We've got no proof of Evil here.
Etrangere: The thing is, I don't think Lelouch's supposed to be a Villain Protagonist. I'm afraid he's still an Anti Hero. Although I admit he's getting close lately. YMMV of course, but I'd say the PoV is still sympathetic to him. I do think Code Geass in part uses the Blond Guys Are Evil trope in order to build up Shneizel as a credible antagonist even as they do their best to deconstruct the fact that Shneizel's not worse than Lelouch and even better on some aspects - so far.
X Shouldve Died: Did you miss the part where was talking about ushering forth an unprecedented era of bloodshed and suffering? The one that'll wash away the memory of the genocide princess? Then held the leaders of the free-world hostage at mech point? I think that was the subtle clue that he's the bad guy in this story. Again, YMMV of course.
That said the guy working against that guy though is, generally speaking, not pure evil.
Now, Schneizel may well turn out to be a right bastard. He could be composed of pure dog shite and molten sin for all I know but what I'm saying is that in the here and now we have no proof. His polished table manners and the fact that he's opposing Lelouch do not, alone, justify his inclusion in this entry.
Etrangere: The fact they had this conversation is why I was using words like "still" and "he's getting close lately". Up and until he does those acts, however, I'll consider him an Anti Hero.
As for Shneizel I didn't only mention his "polished table manners and the fact he's opposing Lelouch", I also mentioned the nuking of two cities. Not an action usually considered "good". I suggest the best course is to amend the entry to highlight the deconstruction/subversion occurring with him rather than removing altogether in any case.
ETA: there, edited it. Are you more happy with that?
Man Called True: ...in the PS 2 Fist Of The North Star fighting game, Raoh has black hair. I've never seen him blonde.
Phartman: Bernie Goetz is evil all of a sudden? If I didn't know any better, I'd think one of our tropers is a subway mugger.
Some Sort Of Troper: Dicussion to merge with Blondes Are Evil. Will probably merge soon.
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