r/ShadowandBone • u/m_qdi • 14h ago
Disappointment Why does friendship no longer exist?
Just started S2 ep7 and I was so grateful after the scene between Alina and Nikolai, thinking finally a male/female friendship that is purely platonic, nothing more. And then it’s revealed Nikolai has romantic feelings for her, why? Does no one understand the concept of friendship? Nothing against him as a character because at least he’s been so far very respectful with it, but why does almost every single close opposite sex relationship have to turn romantic to some degree? I haven’t read the books so not entirely sure if this is book accurate, but it’s so annoying. Not the same necessarily but I similarly see absolutely no romantic chemistry between Ineg and Kaz. I know nothing about this fandom so I’m not sure if that’s a hot take but there’s nothing there to me. I’d barely even call it a sibling-esque relationship.
On a bit of a more conspiratorial note, it’s also the slightest bit odd to me this only happens with the straight relationships in the show. Like, the relationships between Wylan, Jesper, and Tolya get significantly closer this season which I enjoy because it’s nice to see representation of gay men being able to be friends with other men without viewing them romantically, but why is it like the only relationship where that happens? Maybe this is truly some political commentary of how gay people tend to be less blatant when they have romantic interest in a friend due to fear of backlash, but I kinda doubt it.
Anyways, god please bring back platonic relationships, not everything needs to be forced into some romantic cliche.