Oh, for sure, I definitely wasn't trying to definitively describe G1 OP—I think he's a complex character and 'calm' is only one key trait. (Also, I discovered that CuriousCat has a character limit while writing the initial post, so it's fairly truncated as a result.)
I agree with you about the two main examples I gave (calm because he's confident OP and calm but secretly anxious OP) having some overlap in the details of the character that results from the two interpretations. Absolutely, the OP who is internally confident and self-assured can be a little arrogant *and also* kind and caring to others who are anxious. And once you add in his other, sort of, key archetype traits so to speak, the picture gets even more complicated. How those traits all interact together gets us an even more complex picture of who he is as a character.
I was more trying to illustrate the point that, regardless of the details, the two interpretations of G1 OP's character (confident v anxious) both fit his character archetype? They're both in-character interpretations of canon (imo)? In the sense that both interpretations match to a key trait*: calmness. I have written him both ways, or somewhere in the middle—which has resulted in different character arcs for OP.
(Also it was supposed to be a response less about OP himself and more about characterization. God knows I could write a lot more about the full spectrum of Optimus Prime's character and his potential interpretations.)
As far as 'contradictions' go—you're absolutely right. Contradictory character traits aren't a problem per se. I was talking more about the process of how I got around to talking about OP's character in my response, if that makes sense. I was thinking about him going, oh he's like this, except no, he could also be like this instead, and I could/have written him as either/or or both.
I do think that I was describing two different variations on the same character—not just a more complete, three dimensional interpretation. (Though I absolutely take your point that the combination of those variations into one thing is a really interesting result.)
I was thinking about my own writing primarily, where I have had in mind two different interpretations of the same character in this way—in Domestic Affairs, Optimus spends a lot of time second-guessing himself. Like, a lot of time. He's also a little arrogant too, but simultaneously humble, comfortable with vulnerability. In Last Mech Standing (which, I don't know how I manage to write PWP that turns into like, character studies, but it keeps happening) he's on the other end of the spectrum. Very self-confident, decisive, even impulsive, and arrogant. And in some ways the fic is about Megatron just ruthlessly taking him down a peg, and Optimus getting a little more humility. Through...sex. Because that's my brand.
Thanks for engaging with this—I, uh, really love talking about OP in case you hadn't guessed ;)
(Re: G1 OP v the OP archetype, I think the main thing that separates G1 OP from the generic archetype is honestly his dad jokes? He's playful, and he's 100% a dad.)
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Date: 2019-03-16 06:48 pm (UTC)I agree with you about the two main examples I gave (calm because he's confident OP and calm but secretly anxious OP) having some overlap in the details of the character that results from the two interpretations. Absolutely, the OP who is internally confident and self-assured can be a little arrogant *and also* kind and caring to others who are anxious. And once you add in his other, sort of, key archetype traits so to speak, the picture gets even more complicated. How those traits all interact together gets us an even more complex picture of who he is as a character.
I was more trying to illustrate the point that, regardless of the details, the two interpretations of G1 OP's character (confident v anxious) both fit his character archetype? They're both in-character interpretations of canon (imo)? In the sense that both interpretations match to a key trait*: calmness. I have written him both ways, or somewhere in the middle—which has resulted in different character arcs for OP.
(Also it was supposed to be a response less about OP himself and more about characterization. God knows I could write a lot more about the full spectrum of Optimus Prime's character and his potential interpretations.)
As far as 'contradictions' go—you're absolutely right. Contradictory character traits aren't a problem per se. I was talking more about the process of how I got around to talking about OP's character in my response, if that makes sense. I was thinking about him going, oh he's like this, except no, he could also be like this instead, and I could/have written him as either/or or both.
I do think that I was describing two different variations on the same character—not just a more complete, three dimensional interpretation. (Though I absolutely take your point that the combination of those variations into one thing is a really interesting result.)
I was thinking about my own writing primarily, where I have had in mind two different interpretations of the same character in this way—in Domestic Affairs, Optimus spends a lot of time second-guessing himself. Like, a lot of time. He's also a little arrogant too, but simultaneously humble, comfortable with vulnerability. In Last Mech Standing (which, I don't know how I manage to write PWP that turns into like, character studies, but it keeps happening) he's on the other end of the spectrum. Very self-confident, decisive, even impulsive, and arrogant. And in some ways the fic is about Megatron just ruthlessly taking him down a peg, and Optimus getting a little more humility. Through...sex. Because that's my brand.
Thanks for engaging with this—I, uh, really love talking about OP in case you hadn't guessed ;)
(Re: G1 OP v the OP archetype, I think the main thing that separates G1 OP from the generic archetype is honestly his dad jokes? He's playful, and he's 100% a dad.)