Endings: What is worn out.

[ActFast231 432]

I have come to notice something in recent times. A lot of games, movies, and stories I have played, watched, and read respectively, all opt for a sad or bittersweet ending. I understand that sometimes a happy ending is inappropriate in a story, but there are times where it is just there for the feels. I have heard that a happy "everybody wins" ending is clichéd, and that is why they aren't done much anymore. But I feel like it had gotten to the point that sad and bittersweet endings are just as clichéd. What do you think? Do I have point? Am I just babbling on about nothing? You decide.

[Modphase 1,271]

I'm sure you've heard these sayings before...

 

"No sacrifice no reward"

 

or

 

"No pain no gain"

 

Yes, while many stories include sad endings for the feels, it's mostly to emphasize the fact that even after victory, life isn't perfect, and there are still things to be sad about. Perhaps it's a lesson? Whatever it is, it's all very realistic, that there are consequences to whatever we do, good or bad. And what is strange, and what is used many times in storytelling, is the fact that sometimes, bad things happen at the best of times, and good things happen at the worst of times. It has to do with our perception.

 

After a while of encountering this literature technique, it does get cliche after a while, which is why a story that goes beyond the norm once in a while is nice. 

 

Keep in mind that when I mean story, I don't just mean literature but all of the media you described above.

[ActFast231 432]

@,

I suppose your right. But would it kill these game developers/directors/writers to give us the run-of-a-mill "They all loved happily ever after" just once? I understand the story side of these endings, but it doesn't need to be like that all the time.

[Lisa 5,553]

I believe you're rambling on about nothing.

 

Sure, most games, movies, etc, lately have had mostly sad endings. But there is entertainment out there with happy endings.

So, what I mean is - 

'You've just written a persuasion to <insert company name here> about the lack of happy endings, and they've agreed.'

 

From then on, you just see entertainment from that company with happy endings. So then you're going to want the sad endings back, from the lack of them.

 

So basically, there is entertainment with happy endings, and sad endings. And you just need to "filter" them out.

 

 

~Luna

Edited April 1, 2013 by DJ Luna♥

[Concord 1,982]

Hello!

 

Well, you will never get a different type of ending apart from it being "Sad" or "Happy". People just had enough of happy hollywood and disney endings... They wanted something new, so, sad endings kicked in. With sad endings, people tend to remmember the movie more and people who are a little more sensitive are really touched by it. My final decision would be, that you're sort of ramling about nothing Sorry.

[ActFast231 432]

To clarify, I am not saying EVERY ending should be happy. But not every ending should be sad either. Balancing it would be nice.

[Modphase 1,271]

@,

I suppose your right. But would it kill these game developers/directors/writers to give us the run-of-a-mill "They all loved happily ever after" just once? I understand the story side of these endings, but it doesn't need to be like that all the time.

No, I don't believe it would kill them. As long as it is well written, and makes sense as to why everything is good, then I'm sure the public won't mind.

[~Rogue~ 193]

Think about it. In all movies the main protagonist always wins. Never once has the villain won in the very end. Sure there may be some sacrifice but I actually would like to see the antagonist win... Well yes it would be a bit boring but it never happens. And usually happy dappy endings where everybody is happy are just really boring unless they can be handled which is really rare. No seriously rare ware pulled of a good happy ending! I have noticed that some endings in games like mass effect and shadow heart have really stupid endings.

[Blue Moon 6,341]

If we had all happy endings, then it make movies lose the tension and suspense at the end because we know everything will turn out fine. Same goes for sad endings. We need a good balance so the endings aren't predictable.

[~Rogue~ 193]

Oh oh oh. Certain games have choice endings that can be happy or sad like bioshock. If you are good to the girls they become your family and stuff. If you don't you use them as weapons to take over the world. Other choice ending games like the walking dead game (which hits me right in the feels) get sad either way you choose it. Even though this game is very sad and emotional way before the ending.

[Mutemutt 773]

I think there is a fair share of happy endings. I've always seen endings as varying on their happiness level, where 0 would be "absolutely no silver lining" and 10 would be "They lived happily ever after". Bittersweet would be most of the middle portion, though bittersweet endings are essentially happy endings anyway; they just have a touch of sadness to them. 

 

If you consider only the happiest of endings, where absolutely nothing is wrong by the end of the story, then the problem lies largely with the type of the story and its style. For instance, if you had a story with a more childish theme and style, it would seem appropriate to have an ending where everything is perfect; if you had a story where the world was engulfed in war, having an ending where everything is perfect, as if civilization was never torn apart and the millions of deaths never happened, may come across as a bit odd.

 

I think truly sad endings are harder to find.

Edited April 4, 2013 by Cota

[Hawk Moth 390]

If you want to see a parade of sad endings, watch post-WWII German cinema, neo-realist Italian cinema, and American film renaissance (1967-1977) films. You'll give yourself a healthy dose of depression in no time at all!

 

As for what kinds of endings I hate, I'd include films that try to throw tons of information at you in the last half hour. This seems more common in films with mysteries. Twist endings are fine, but I just don't like it when all the information concerning the twist or the reveal is shoved in my face.