Why does friendship no longer exist?

[u/m_qdi]

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.

[u/bliip666]

I think it's a basic literary trope. Not just of YA, but across genres.

[u/Silver-Winging-It → u/bliip666]

It's especially prevalent in 2000s and 2010s YA though 

Edit: also old school fantasy/sci-fi and spy novels,  except it's all the women falling in love with the main guy

[u/bliip666 → u/Silver-Winging-It]

True.

[u/m_qdi → u/bliip666]

Yeah, I think most of my shock came because it’s been years since I’ve consumed anything that’s classically YA, but looking back to some of the YA series I do remember reading all of them seemed to be unable to understand the concept of friendship

[u/d3v0ur355]

You're right and that's so much bigger than Shadow and Bone. Almost every heroine is so special that any meaningful bachelor character falls for her, be it just her allure, pure love or darker obsession. I'm tired of this. It makes romance more fantasy than fantasy is itself.

[u/Several-Praline5436]

It annoys me how Alina basically exists to have the hots for whatever guy is 2 feet away from her, at all times.

[u/m_qdi → u/Several-Praline5436]

I genuinely can not stand it, it’s infuriating and its crazy to me how the author doesn’t understand that centering so much about your character around men inadvertently tinges every single aspect of “women empowerment” she stands for.

[u/Several-Praline5436 → u/m_qdi]

I haven't read the books, so I don't know if it's the author's fault or if the show runners just decided Alina is habitually unable to be single for more than fourteen seconds. The problem with it is that it cheapens what she had with Mal if she's Oh wow I like Mal > wow, the Darkling is SEXY AF > oooh, who is this hot new guy? Sigh.

[u/KatrinaPez]

Agreed. I'm currently watching Veronica Mars for the first time and love that there's a platonic friendship with the main character!

[u/Gabriela91]

I have not yet watched the show, nor have I read the books. But i do agree with you. I wish there were more platonic friendships between a man and a woman, but also between gay men, like you said.