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.
4 Comments
Michael W Lucas
We’ll get you hooked on the genre yet, Dean. I have hope for you!
Go read some Mary Balogh. I *know* Kris has them.
dwsmith
I wouldn’t go that far. I’m just not a gamer in any fashion and Regency is a game.
Emilia
I’ve only become aware of Regency genre recently and I like elements of it. I never though of it as a game, but I’ve always enjoyed RPGs, logic puzzles, and things where you work with rules or against them.
The post in general reminded me of a video where Kris talks about stories where “you prick at them and the story becomes illogical and stops working”. I think she mentioned Romeo and Juliet and how they should’ve moved to another place to be together.
I found the video, the word was “Balloon prick story”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j68TKKEfrA
DeAnna
I’ve been giggling about “I’m just not a gamer in any fashion and Regency is a game.” Regencies are 100% game material, with charisma, distraction, hotness, intrigue, and wit stats. Your goal is marriage or at least decorum, and you’re constantly fighting to keep your Vulnerabilities meter at a minimum by hiding every authentic fact about yourself.
The villainess books that Ray and I keep talking about, they are generally set in fake Regency eras, that is, a copy of a copy, centered on the catty, supposedly superficial antagonists that the real Regencies love to hate, but that at least have some damn common sense!
Hahahaha