Dark Horse Season Eight Buffy Winner Announced

[lady_windermere]

Joss has picked the winner of the Dark Horse contest for someone to be portrayed in an upcoming episode of Buffy Season Eight. The issue will be #10. I got the link at Weldonesque, and it is here at myspace.

I have read the comments, and yes some sour grapes. I didn't write anything for the competition, well do I really want some artist portraying me in a comic, with some dodgy artwork, and characterisation. Anyway. Enough.

The husband wrote in for his wife, who will be portrayed. A "moving story". The fact that the husband is writing, in the role of a carer for someone with a mental illness, in this case schizophrenia, maybe. I really cannot see someone who really suffers from a mental illness saying that Drusilla was a role model, or in any aspects someone they would relate to at all.

Drusilla doesn't conform to any of the main mental illnesses, neither schizophrenia or Manic Depression. The writer is talking about mental illness like it is a progressively worsening condition. That is not the case. With the right medical treatment, people with mental illness can have an excellent quality of life. The life threatening aspects of the illness are suicide, or the wrong treatment and side effects. Which can be organ falure.

I am a little dubious of this, admittedly short, essay. It did sound to me like someone who was pulling the heartstings, and in this case won. Then maybe it was a character that Joss had in his head already, and that essay gave him the excuse to write the character.

If the essay really concerns two real people, then I wish then well. But if that is the honest views of a husband trying to care for his wife with schizophrenia, then he has very limited insight into his wifes care.

Comments

[lilithbint.livejournal.com]

It certainly doesn't sound like any schizophrenia I have ever encountered but I will not judge.

As to the comments well they alternated between sour grapes and syrupy over-the-top schmoozing to me.

I am not surprised they chose the heart string story as a guaranteed money spinner but it does make me sad for those who work their hardest to overcome and live as normal a life as possible who could possibly read it to mean give up and then people will pay you attention.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

I am a little disheartened by the story, but yes can see it as being a money spinner under the banner of "look what kind hearted people we are", while at the same time only damaging people with mental illnesses, who are able to live a normal life, and in some cases at very productive members of society.

[lilithbint.livejournal.com]

My SIL is making good steady progress since her diagnosis. Her medication is definitely a lot more help to her than any inspirational anything she has grabbed hold of.
She has found things to keep her focused on getting well and that is great and she is getting better, not worse, so I can't understand why it could be inspirational that Buffy is the only thing someone has left to focus on.

I am happy for her but do wish that they had chosen someone whose story related how Buffy successfully helped them in life (of course I doubt I would believe that any more than this one)

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

I was really quite disheartened, as I found it quite a negitive story. It indicated someone who had totally lost track of everyday live to only focus on a total fantasy.

[lilithbint.livejournal.com]

In any other situation people would suggest she upped her meds. But because her husband wrote this it will be pushed as a nice feel good thing.

I"m not fond of seeing people rewarded for giving up.

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

I don't know if you read the posts about what happened at the weekend, but from a personal perspective, people with mental illnesses can be wonderful, intelligent people to be around. With really good brains and lots of thoughts to keep you on your toes.

PROVIDED they are on the meds. I do find this story totally lacking in understanding of the illness. I think they would've been better picking a less inflammatory story. And one with more inspiration as well. It seems a little......disparing to me.

Then I guess they are just looking to make Buffy important!

[sueworld2003.livejournal.com]

This was one of the comments posted on Whedonesque in regards to the author of said letter.

Rogue Slayer, the writer in question appears to be an author of a book called The Oak Clan. Google it. You'll notice on his website he refers not only to his own similar situation but, indeed, being married to "a very devoted woman who happens to be bipolar manic depressive schizophrenic".

[http://users.livejournal.com/woman_of_/]

Yes, I know that someone with such a condition as bi-polar schizophrenic, it can be difficult to find the right medication. What I am concerned about it that the husband seems to be a bit of an attention seeker. And doesn't really understand his wife's mental condition.