Over the past few decades, as movies and television have evolved, audiences have come to expect certain qualities from their protagonists, primarily courage, intelligence, ambition, resourcefulness, and even a hint of a rebellious nature. But as the media of global reality increasingly invades our daily lives, what previously seemed clear black and white has entered a kind of grayscale realm. Perhaps as a result of this shift, the protagonists of popular movies, television, and books are also beginning to enter that gray scale.
Kindness, gentleness, and self-control, these fruits of the Spirit that are central to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, are now taking center stage.
For the majority of the most popular media, there is one character trait that has been considered unnecessary at best, and at worst inconvenient for the protagonist of a story to possess. That is “kindness”. Or, perhaps more appropriately, kindness. After all, while Han Solo certainly had some compassion for his friends, he wasn’t exactly defined by a soft touch. And this doesn’t just apply to antiheroes. Even protagonists who act outrightly for the good of humanity can be forgiven or admired for sacrificing their kinder side for courage, skill, or even a mean word. Sarah Connor, Katniss Everdeen, Iron Man. We seem to prefer leads who are “above” the messy practicalities of worrying about other people’s feelings and doing things through proper channels.
But that desire appears to be changing. Instead of living vicariously through someone with enough wit, charm, and skill to forget their gentle modesty, we seem to be craving a different kind of fulfillment than the protagonist. Kindness, gentleness, and self-control, these fruits of the Spirit that are central to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, are now taking center stage. To examine this change, how it affects the protagonists we know and love, and what it means for popular media in the future, let’s take a look at two recent television hits that deftly illustrate this change. ted lasso and Death by lightning.
Ted Lasso: Kindness is within our control
At first glance, the range of British and American hit series ted lasso Seems to be relatively limited. A naive American football coach from the United States tries his best to guide a struggling English soccer team to better results. Sweet and endearing, this is a classic underdog sports story that could sit on the shelf alongside things like: miracle match and coach carter. However, important scenes are noticeably missing. ted lasso It betrays the true spirit of the show. Rather than stand on the field in front of a demoralized team and inspire them with high spirits and tough motivation, the title character of this series chooses a different approach.
Ted Lasso is a modern-day hero…one who walks the difficult path of kindness in a world that has taught us that a soft touch is almost synonymous with failure.
He asks questions about the players’ personal lives and checks on their progress on and off the pitch. He is in frequent communication with various members of the club’s management team. As viewers delve deeper and deeper into the story of this small team, they may begin to realize that every obstacle the characters face isn’t the result of anyone’s malicious intent. Even though the storyline seems to begin that way, it is quickly shown that anything that appears to be hostility or antagonism, such as talented upstart Jamie Tartt’s aggression towards veteran player Roy Kent, actually stems from that person’s human flaws, fears, or core insecurities.
“So what?” we might start by asking ourselves. “But what if that person is acting out of insecurity or past hurt? They’re still doing something wrong, and they can’t get away with it or be allowed to do it again.” ted lassoquietly refutes that approach with its own tenderness and understanding of its viewers’ very human need to feel validated. Ted, played by Jason Sudeikis, shows the players, and us, the fly-on-the-wall audience, that the only way to deal with these very real everyday setbacks is to engage in the only thing we can actually control: our kindness and kindness.
In contrast to the “fight fire for fire” protagonists that have graced both the silver screen and theatrical releases over the past few decades, Ted’s lifestyle is firmly rooted in turning the other cheek. And he shows us, not effortlessly, but in a way that seems realistic and achievable, that that choice is: do not have Escalating tensions for others is the only viable way to get everyone involved back on the best path. What more? He truly believes that each person is entitled to the time and effort necessary to do so. Ted Lasso is a modern-day hero, a man who values people and their journeys, and who walks the difficult path of kindness in a world that has taught us that a soft touch is almost synonymous with failure.
death by lightning: Extreme kindness
I’m watching ted lassowhen the stakes are low, we may be tempted to think that kindness and kindness are all good things. Sure, we can try to be kind and considerate when our neighbor lets his dog poop on our lawn or when someone cuts us off in traffic. But what if our job is at stake or our child is being bullied at school? In such situations, abandoning the “act” of kindness is completely justified.
Many, if not all of us, have forgotten the critical first step of Teddy Roosevelt’s famous foreign policy approach: “Speak quietly and carry a big stick.”
death by lightingthe latest Netflix hit that follows American President James Garfield, looks different. very similar ted lassothe show tries to quietly lead by example, but makes even more outrageous claims that we can be kind and gentle and in control, even when lives and nations are at stake. Perhaps the show simplifies some of the issues of the past to resonate with modern viewers, but the character of James Garfield, played by Michael Shannon, is a great demonstration of what a modern hero should be. The show recognizes that many, if not all, have forgotten the critical first step of President Teddy Roosevelt’s famous foreign policy approach: “Speak quietly and carry a big stick.” So through Garfield’s desire to keep his promises, act with kindness and respect to his children, and believe in the best of those around him, we walk with him on his journey to the White House and are reminded first and foremost to keep our voices low.
It would be impolite not to consider, even briefly, Charles Guiteau, the other side of Garfield’s coin, who appears alongside Garfield throughout the series. If the show had introduced this character at the end of the series, when his actions finally come to fruition, it’s very likely that we would have simply hated him. After all, his actions will bring terrible grief and lasting harm to the entire United States. But Charles Guiteau, played brilliantly by Matthew Macfadyen, doesn’t come across to us as an impressionable, opportunistic figure, loyal to someone or something and desperately trying to get something in return. Instead, we travel along with Garfield in his frustrations, pain, miscommunication, and difficulty finding even a small corner of the world in which he can exist.
James Garfield, the main character of the series, has more reason to hate Guiteau than anyone else. And yet, with one look, Garfield seems to understand everything that brought Guiteau to such extremes, and that there is no room for anger, retribution, or escalation in that conversation. Instead, he remained gentle and kind to the end, striving to make the happiness of life resonate louder than the tragedy. He shows us that how we react to the cruelty of others ultimately determines. usthey are not.
These new characters show that we need role models who can make an omelet. without it Who will tell you how to crack an egg and do the same?
And he will pay the price for that decision. In contrast to “ends justify” protagonists who are willing to destroy everything around them to achieve their ends, Garfield exhibits a Christ-like motivation where he alone pays the price. He chooses to end that story and begin a new one, rather than allow the hatred and pettiness that ultimately ended him to continue beyond his own life. One of humility, forgiveness, understanding, and grace. A person who values these things the most and has the courage to live them out to the end.
So what does this new protagonist tell us about the desires of modern audiences and where the media is headed in the future? First of all, it signals a significant shift in priorities. It seems that many of us are tired of watching characters act on their instincts without caring about the repercussions. If anything, these new characters show that we need role models who can make an omelet. without it Who will tell you how to crack an egg and do the same? This change is likely to work in conjunction with a new focus on understanding people’s experiences, backgrounds and personal adversities. Ludwig, A BBC series about a protagonist who struggles with relationships with people who are different from him, but who ultimately strives to be a source of light, kindness, and justice for them.
This trend is a good thing. Perhaps it indicates that we humans have decided that it is no coincidence that Jesus emphasized the softer qualities of forgiveness, kindness, peace, and patience. And perhaps to help us choose that path, we may need to choose a character to model that path on.
Source: Christ and Pop Culture – christandpopculture.com
