Does anyone else feel like there has been a shift in focus from the female characters to the male characters?

enchantressofllyr:

They sold this show on being about strong female characters and now it feels like they are getting rid of them one by one. I don’t think it’s coincidence that the same night they announce they are getting rid of Ruby is the same night they announce we will see more Neal. Meghan even said that she left because they didn’t have room for her story. The story of a strong female character who was trying to find herself, learn how to accept her strength and love who she is even with her “flaws.” I am 100% more interested in that story than having to watch more of Neal’s man-pain.

All the men got substantial story lines this season while the female characters have only been given less focus (unless they are in emotional distress).There has been a clear shift in the focus of this show from last year being about Regina, Emma and Snow to this year being about Rumple, Charming, Neal and Hook (I’ve felt at least).

And it’s has been happening all season. Charming became the focus in Storybrooke while Emma and Snow were away. In the FTL once Hook was introduced he became the one the story followed around. They killed off Cora in favour of Rumple (and I get he is a main cast member, there is more to it than that), Neal was introduced, Owen was introduced, Whale’s story was told twice when it had nothing to do with the rest of the plot, Belle’s story lines in Storybrooke only revolved around her (abusive) relationship with Rumple, Regina was treated like crap all season including being excessively tortured by a man, Ruby was literally tossed a side (and the only story she got was about people trying to kill her), Emma has had guys thrown at her and has been pushed at men all season even though she is clearly not interested, the rape comments (don’t even get me started on the rape comments), Snow’s only substantial story line was about blackening her heart, the list goes on …

These writers are driving me crazy because they act like they don’t know what we are talking about when it comes to pointing these things out, as if they think we can’t see it. They have been struggling with ratings this season and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is at least one reason why.

I’m not interested in stories about male characters who act like total assholes and yet still get sympathy from everyone. I’m not interested in watching a show where the female characters are only the focus if something awful is happening to them. I’m not interested in male characters replacing the stories of the female characters.There are plenty if shows with all male leads we really don’t need another one.

Where did the show that revolved around three strong female characters go? Did they really think they could build a fanbase based off it and then take it away and not expect people to notice? It wouldn’t surprise me if they say this is not what they are doing but it sure as hell feels that way. I was optimistic about next season, now that they have said they are taking the show in a different direction (one that doesn’t involve characters like Ruby) not so much.