There's Something in My Eye - TV Moments That Have Made You Cry
I am not the type of person that bursts into tears at anything even vaguely sentimental. In fact, I tend to be a tad cynical towards soppy moments - I’m more likely to be cracking snarky jokes than reaching for the Kleenex. However, there are the occasional moments when TV truly touches my mocking heart; that melt the ice queen within.
I am slightly hesitant to admit this, but the one culprit that gets me every time is Luck of the Fryrish, from the third season of Futurama. Despite having seen the episode several times, it never fails to leave me a blubbering mess.
It seems absolutely crazy that a cartoon would put me in such a state, considering that it should be harder to empathise with animated people than flesh and blood ones. However, Futurama is such a well written and crafted show, and I love the characters far more than those on most other programmes. I suppose it is this love and empathy that causes me to well up every time Fry discovers the truth about Phillip J. Fry II.
So why is it that some emotional scenes fail to reach us, while others give the tear ducts a work out? I think that at the core, as always, are the characters. If we can’t identify with them, then why would we give a damn about their pain? Empathy is the core of the human condition; we feel for others because we can understand what they are going through. The more we love a character, the more we hate to see them hurt. I’ve mentioned before that I identify strongly with Fry – no doubt that has an influence on why this episode affects me so.
Secondly, there is the actual plotline itself. The tragic event has to have some relevance to the character. While a random happening can be devastating, anything too far out of left field just alienates the viewer because it doesn’t resonate with why we care about the character in the first place. It’s a trap many writers fall into in an attempt to create a great ‘twist’ – however, a twist has no meaning if it has no connection to what has proceeded it. If the Futurama episode had kept the same ending, but not included any of the flashbacks to Fry’s former life, the episode would not have had the same feeling. After all, why have the ending if we’re not going to see the journey?
Finally, there are production values. A big mistake many programmes make is being melodramatic in poignant scenes. Over-bearing music and over-wrought dialogue tend towards a very anvilicious approach, hitting the audience with the message that they! should! be! sad!
These scenes would benefit from a little more thought and subtlety. For example, the Futurama episode features the song ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ by Simple Minds. It links in with the rest of the episode beautifully while providing a clever and touching message about Fry and his family.
So, what is it that makes a moment touching and not over-the-top? What moments have made you cry? It might pay to put a spoiler warning on your post if you think the episode has not aired in other countries yet.
*Screencap courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification and commentary.
I am slightly hesitant to admit this, but the one culprit that gets me every time is Luck of the Fryrish, from the third season of Futurama. Despite having seen the episode several times, it never fails to leave me a blubbering mess.
Fry (Billy West) in Luck of the Fryrish*
So why is it that some emotional scenes fail to reach us, while others give the tear ducts a work out? I think that at the core, as always, are the characters. If we can’t identify with them, then why would we give a damn about their pain? Empathy is the core of the human condition; we feel for others because we can understand what they are going through. The more we love a character, the more we hate to see them hurt. I’ve mentioned before that I identify strongly with Fry – no doubt that has an influence on why this episode affects me so.
Secondly, there is the actual plotline itself. The tragic event has to have some relevance to the character. While a random happening can be devastating, anything too far out of left field just alienates the viewer because it doesn’t resonate with why we care about the character in the first place. It’s a trap many writers fall into in an attempt to create a great ‘twist’ – however, a twist has no meaning if it has no connection to what has proceeded it. If the Futurama episode had kept the same ending, but not included any of the flashbacks to Fry’s former life, the episode would not have had the same feeling. After all, why have the ending if we’re not going to see the journey?
Finally, there are production values. A big mistake many programmes make is being melodramatic in poignant scenes. Over-bearing music and over-wrought dialogue tend towards a very anvilicious approach, hitting the audience with the message that they! should! be! sad!
These scenes would benefit from a little more thought and subtlety. For example, the Futurama episode features the song ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ by Simple Minds. It links in with the rest of the episode beautifully while providing a clever and touching message about Fry and his family.
So, what is it that makes a moment touching and not over-the-top? What moments have made you cry? It might pay to put a spoiler warning on your post if you think the episode has not aired in other countries yet.
*Screencap courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification and commentary.
Learning Something Everyday
Malaysia Found
I have to admit that I'm rather soppy these days. I am not sure why I get emotional so easily now. Guess the softer side of me has surfaced after long hard years.
"Eight Below" (2006) is a movie that really made me cry up to the point I almost couldn't continue watching. I get all soft with dogs.
Another movie that get me crying and grabbing my friend's sleeve would probably be "Passion of the Christ" (2004). The roman guards... their whips... his blood... * sob *
I don't really watch TV series, except occational Anime series. One of the series from "Curious Play" was very touching and well, everyone (the characters) cried in that series and it is also something like "Don't forget me". However, the manga version has a bigger impact on me. hahaha...
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You probably know what a huge Futurama fan I am - and this episode just chokes me up. We have a drawing of a rocket NOS made for his little brother, Mr Goo, over his cot!
I haven't seen the movies or shows you mentioned except for Passion of the Christ. While I didn't cry, I did find his suffering horrible and hard to watch.
Are there any other episodes of Futurama that get to you? I always find 'The Sting' to be very moving as well.
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What can I say? The whips used were actually tools where the Roman soldiers toture their prisoners. Yes it was truly grusome but they made it real enough.
And yes, I was literally grabbing my friend's sleeve and tried to watch it on... it was horrible but need to remember that he has endured such torture. Not many can do that.
Learning Something Everyday
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Probably I am just a sobby person nowadays. LOL...
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I also cried in an early episode of Friends when Joey and Chandler weren't living together yet missed each other.
And the English prog EastEnders has made me cry many times...
I think I even cried when someone was leaving Neighbours many moons ago, but I blame that on my hormones.....that one is embarassing....
Told you I was soppy...
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The only other times I can remember with any similar effect was the MASH finale when Hawkeye had to face up to the fact he had coerced a woman into strangling a baby, and Babylon 5 in or near the season four finale when Marcus gave up his life to save Susan.
postmoderncritic and francis: The finale of Season 5 of Buffy had me in tears. Although the show had a lot of really sad moments like the season 2 finale, her farewell talk is the one that always gets me.
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Cant think of any modern shows that choke me up.
I suppose the majority of modern shows tend to go for a happier ending when they finish.
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...at my stage in life, everything creates tears because the ride into menopause is proof that you bought a ticket and it's real... sit tight folks it's about to get really goofy... however, I must just say that despite constant comments about it, for me personally... I'm really enjoying the ride...true... I think menopause fear and anguish and dread is overated, it's the "Oh I'm half way through my life" realisation that is the real problem... WHAM!!! mood swings, 'I'm not gonna take that crap anymore...' 'why oh why didn't I do that sooner?' and then something on the TV reflects a 'truth of youth,' 'a moment of mean morbidity,' 'a second of saving grace.' ... a world of beauty, hatred, beauty and a truth that you have to leave it all behind one day makes it brighter, more colourful, vibrant ...more beauty... that's it... waterworks away... ask anyone my age, you ain't got no control over it... the funny thing is, for me anyway, it doesn't matter and I think, who cares, because the upside of this is that you don't, you really don't and then that's worth a few more tears of joy... and so it goes...and I think that at the moment the only show that reflects these life qualities with humour, is Futurama...
John Doe is onto something because it's exactrly like being at the end of the wonder years alright...as a woman spends 13 years entering and passing through this 'wierding,' the final episode of everything makes you cry. Tears of joy when House tells it like it is and saves a life, tears of joy and sadness when Bender learns another lesson of life...wisdom gained, innocence lost ... tears, tears, tears... sorry, I cannot be more specific [I don't watch much TV - probably because of this very reason]...*lol*
God I can waffle on... I hope it's entertaining at least...I just really wanted to say hi, I voted earlier but didn't have time to drop a line ... and then I misssed you at Tracy's party...
Merry Christmas Nina,
Lilla...
Merry Christmas Lilla.
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Those darned, sneaky hormones!