TSTL

Fun Discussions on TSTL…

TSTL is when a character is Too Stupid to Live. Mostly caused by a writer trying to hide information or a plot problem that goes on far too long and could be solved with a simple conversation.

Now I have always thought TSTL to be pretty straight forward in fiction, but in great conversations with Kris over watching this season of Bridgerton, I am learning that the world building or structure of the world can make what would be TSTL situations in other stories and genres completely normal in Regency. What I am seeing as TSTL is basically because I don’t UNDERSTAND the world structure. I don’t know the rules of the game.

Regency Romance is a fantasy world. I understand that. And culture of this fantasy world is very set in its ways. I got that. And I got that the theme of this season is upstairs/downstairs class in this fantasy world. Basically Cinderella story. Interesting. I got that as well.

But I am fighting the rules of the fantasy world when those rules cause TSTL. The character acts in a certain fashion because the rules of the game in this fantasy society forces them to act that way. And that is perfectly normal in this sub-genre. Hmmmm…

In fact, that is where much of the tension comes from.

So I am feeling the tension, but without a deep understanding of the rules of the game, I expect the characters to move one way when they move another, and I call that in my uneducated way TSTL. Why doesn’t the character just do this instead of that? And Kris will tell me because they can’t. Guess I missed that rule.

I am watching this show, this game, without knowing or even understanding the rules. It is entertaining, sure. But also frustrating to me (and I imagine Kris) when she has to stop and explain a rule to me.

Fascinating subgenre.