sasha_feather: Leela from the 5th element (multipass)
A friend and I were talking about a very interesting trope in SF/F: an older character inhabiting the body of a younger person, or vice-versa.

Examples we could think of are:
-Five in the Umbrella Academy, who is an older man in the body of a teenager.
-Trevor Holden in Travelers, a very old man in the body of a teenager (the actor is somewhat older than the character though).
-Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character in "Third Rock from the Sun," which I barely remember and did not watch regularly.

-Freaky Friday films, which involve a kid/adult body swap.
-Big, in which Tom Hanks plays a kid in the body of a grown-up.
-13 going on 30, which I don't think I ever watched, or maybe did and forgot it.

I love Five and Trevor especially, and the actors do such a great job portraying these characters. There is a kind of confidence in movement and action that suggests these people are at ease with themselves, in a way that young people often are not. The trope touches on a fantasy of having a young body that has energy and health, paired with an older, wiser, soul; or conversely, having an adult body with its associated freedoms and respect, but with a sense of child-like wonder and play, as in "Big."

Five is in his own younger body due to time travel. His personality is that of a grumpy old man: he's caustic and impatient, and focused on getting things done. The actor is 16-year old Aiden Gallagher.

Trevor Holden is, in contrast, gentle and kind, willing to break rules to help other people, firm in setting boundaries. The body he's occupying is that of a popular high-school athlete. The actor, Jared Abramson, was about 30 when the show aired.

What do you think about this trope? Do you know of other examples?
sasha_feather: Retro-style poster of skier on pluto.   (hot fuzz)
Pretty minimal spoilers for runaways thru ep 1.08; Travelers thru 2.03

Runaways - on Hulu

This is a Marvel show with high production values, great casting, good style, and an interesting premise/source. Unfortunately it has two major problems: It's way too slow, and it spends too much time showing us the villains.

I might drop this show, or I might keep going. I enjoy all the kids, especially Karolina, who is queer. The extremely slow pace is something I could handle. But, I'm increasingly uncomfortable with how the show is handling the villains, who are the parents of the protagonists. Gert's parents in particular are played by very likable actors and seem to be portrayed as funny and quirky scientists. Gert's mom looks like Mrs. Frizzle from the magic schoolbus. Chase's mom is also somewhat sympathetic in the way she's portrayed. And while there's something to be said for complex villains, and for how conflicted a person (especially a kid) can feel when someone they love is acting in evil ways-- I'm tired of it. I want the kids to take a firm stand, as they do in the comics.

In issue one of the comics, the kids run away, giving the story its name. I've seen through episode 8 of the show, and the kids have not run away, nor really done anything except investigate. Chase acts in an especially upsetting manner, and as the only white male of the group, seeing him angry and violent, and acting against the group's interest, is upsetting.

eta: We're living in a time when sympathy and understanding are routinely granted to some of the most evil people. I want this show to say, no, we are not doing that. Murder is wrong and standing up for what's right is hard but you can do it. I don't want to watch a show that is about sympathy for the devil.

Travelers - Netflix

I started season 2 and watched 3 episodes in one go. I love this show, primarily because I love the characters. They are all people who are trying very hard to do the right thing. Sometimes they don't know what that is, or they fail, but they are trying together.

The men on this show are not typical of SF action/adventure characters. They are compassionate, kind, and respectful. Part of their rules as time travelers is that they are not supposed to take a life, or save a life, unless directed to do so. Two of the characters, Trevor and Phillip, really struggle with this and try to save lives anyway. There is a man who's a social worker, and he struggles a bit maintaining his own boundaries, and loving too much. It's so refreshing to see these portrayals. The women are also great: Carly, the tactician, and Marcy, the team's medic. In late season one they introduce a woman who is a programmer; she's sarcastic and a little mean.

Highly recommended.

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