I got into a discussion today and it seems like that was corroborated for the most part. It seems that fans hate him because he is not Dean. Which is a pretty weird statement because wouldn't the show be boring if they had two of the same characters playing off one another? I actually feel really sorry for Sam as a character and he has a lot of my sympathy because I think his life just sucks all around and I also have a thing for under dogs. And in this fandom Sam is the under dog it seems as far as popularity goes.
I think from my earlier discussion he seems to be largely disliked because he is 'selfish' and I don't mean that in the normal way, as much as the compared to Dean way. He is selfish because he doesn't constantly put his brothers feelings first and causes Dean pain and so he deserves to be hated for causing Dean hardship. Pretty much everything else just stems from that and becomes fair game to pick him apart. I am guessing fans who empathize more with Dean hate to see him unhappy and they see Sam as a scapegoat to release all of their anger on because that's all that they can do.
I personally don't think that is rational though. I love both boys and what is special to me first and foremost is their relationship and their interactions to each other. I don't think either Dean or Sam is easy to hate. I get that Dean is the character whose view point the audiences sees more often then not but at the same time does that automatically mean you have to hate Sam? I personally don't think so.
I guess I have to disagree about Sam receiving so much love. If anything I think Sam is particularly isolated and has been with each passing season. He never got to know his mother, he felt his father hated him, his girlfriend died and the other relationship he found himself in was a manipulation. I don't think those are in anyway healthy relationships. Is it because Sam is more independent and not as needy? Maybe because he is seen to be stronger viewers don't find him as sympathetic?
I actually think he is a pretty sad character all things considered. No less sad then Dean and no less emotional. I actually think Sam is the more tragic brother between the two of them. For instance he always wanted a normal life but was never able to have it and all of his happier memories are tainted by demons who were always lurking behind the shadows preparing him for Lucifer. Even his prom date was a demon. He was the vessel of the devil. I actually think Sam is quite deep we just never get a chance to see into his head.
I also kind of disagree on him getting handed everything. Though Dean was supportive of him (as much as any older sibling could be) that's not a substitute for a stable family nor is it enough for any person to sustain themselves on in regards to emotional development.
I guess I just don't see why loving Dean means you have to hate Sam.
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timeasmymeasure
Thanks for the Comment
Date: 2011-07-10 03:38 am (UTC)I think from my earlier discussion he seems to be largely disliked because he is 'selfish' and I don't mean that in the normal way, as much as the compared to Dean way. He is selfish because he doesn't constantly put his brothers feelings first and causes Dean pain and so he deserves to be hated for causing Dean hardship. Pretty much everything else just stems from that and becomes fair game to pick him apart. I am guessing fans who empathize more with Dean hate to see him unhappy and they see Sam as a scapegoat to release all of their anger on because that's all that they can do.
I personally don't think that is rational though. I love both boys and what is special to me first and foremost is their relationship and their interactions to each other. I don't think either Dean or Sam is easy to hate. I get that Dean is the character whose view point the audiences sees more often then not but at the same time does that automatically mean you have to hate Sam? I personally don't think so.
I guess I have to disagree about Sam receiving so much love. If anything I think Sam is particularly isolated and has been with each passing season. He never got to know his mother, he felt his father hated him, his girlfriend died and the other relationship he found himself in was a manipulation. I don't think those are in anyway healthy relationships. Is it because Sam is more independent and not as needy? Maybe because he is seen to be stronger viewers don't find him as sympathetic?
I actually think he is a pretty sad character all things considered. No less sad then Dean and no less emotional. I actually think Sam is the more tragic brother between the two of them. For instance he always wanted a normal life but was never able to have it and all of his happier memories are tainted by demons who were always lurking behind the shadows preparing him for Lucifer. Even his prom date was a demon. He was the vessel of the devil. I actually think Sam is quite deep we just never get a chance to see into his head.
I also kind of disagree on him getting handed everything. Though Dean was supportive of him (as much as any older sibling could be) that's not a substitute for a stable family nor is it enough for any person to sustain themselves on in regards to emotional development.
I guess I just don't see why loving Dean means you have to hate Sam.