August 10, 2020
Natasha Romanov and Clint Barton, Avengers: Age of Ultron
Despite friendships and family forming the earliest relationships we have in our lives, the entertainment world has hardwired our mind to believe that we need a romantic soulmate to be fulfilled. Recount to me the last time you saw two adults (that could be attracted to each other) remain platonic, or as friends throughout a piece of fiction. You might remember that there are a lot of characters that did not end up together, such as the ensemble in The Office and The Good Place. However, think about an actual pair of people that the writers hone their friendship and chemistry, only to not have it end in romance.
Truth is, we’re fed this idea that the most intense, committed and loving relationships are the ones where two people date or sleep together. If you have been told that a man and woman cannot remain friends, then this is proof that romanticism has diminished the reality of strong platonic relationships. Here are some showcases of platonic love in pieces of media and fiction.
“Alan,” cried I, “what makes ye so good to me? What makes ye care for such a thankless fellow?”
“Deed, and I don’t, know” said Alan. “For just precisely what I thought I liked about ye, was that ye never quarrelled:—and now I like ye better!”
Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped
When Shakespeare wrote about Elizabethan times, it was common for comrades in knighthood to show affection towards each other. In his famous epic play Henry V, when a fellow man died in battle, York and the surviving soldiers would weep during his passing moments. The swashbuckling novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson features an unlikely duo teaming up in a journey to liberate themselves from danger . In a climactic chapter, the two characters, David and Alan had a raging quarrel that almost led to a sword fight. When David digressed out of fatigue, he asked his friend, “why are you good to me?”. Alan’s response for the younger David was because of deed, and the quarrel had shown how much they cared for each other.
The ‘found family’ trope is getting the recognition and spotlight it deserves. From IT’s Losers Club, to the cast of characters in Friends, we all love to see a bunch of people defying the odds and differences and belong together instead. In Shazam (2019), the orphan, Billy Batson’s character development involves him learning that a foster family can be just as authentic and profound as a biological one. As he notices what drove him to become the superhero he is was his foster siblings, he realized he has found his rightful family, “After all, I’m home”. One of the things fans love about the sci-fi show The Expanse is how a group of survivors from the Canterbury ship developed a natural comradery. Although the group’s captain, Jim Holden, is in a romantic relationship with engineer, Naomi Nagata, it does not stop him from caring about his crew equally. During times of physical injury and despair, Holden admits to his mechanic, Amos, that he doesn’t want to lose him, looking out for him when he could potentially hurt himself.
James Holden and Amos Burton, The Expanse
It always comes as a surprise when I see a couple of characters that are regarded as the movie’s romantic b-plot, only for it to end in hugs and platonic conclusion. The revelation of Clint Barton having a family hidden away in The Avengers: Age of Ultron turns his connection to Natasha on its head. Their implied dark history and sacrifice to each other in other films in the franchise prompts us to see friendship in a new unconventional way. Similarly, Pacific Rim (2013) did a splendid job in going the unpopular route. They have their male lead develop a bond with a supporting female character around his age, but never have them reconcile those feelings with romantic gestures. Their compatibility to pilot the same mecha almost requires them to be each other’s platonic soulmate, as they embrace each other in the film’s resolution scene.
Going back to older literature, J.R.R. Tolkien’s time in the British army has shaped the ideas and themes of the beloved Lord Of The Rings series. The characters that form the fellowship of the ring showed boundless loyalty to each other in the perilous journey. In departure and demise, the brotherhood often show affirming affection, such as forehead kisses from Aragorn to Boromir, and Frodo to his faithful companion, Samwise. Perhaps not quite as classic, but the pre-21st century fantasy novel, Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin features an unlikely business partnership. Immortal man Joshua York drives his co-captain of the Fevre Dream steamship, Abner Marsh into the world of monsters. Yet, Abner decides to help Joshua fight an equally animalistic enemy, where they both put themselves in harm’s way for the safety and survival of the other person. Years after Abner dies of mortality, Joshua is still seen visiting their steamship and his late friend’s grave.
The graveyard is peaceful, too. Most of the plots were filled a long, long time ago, and now even the grandchildren of those who lie here have died . . .
Above the name (CAP’N ABNER MARSH), carved into the stone with great skill and care, is a small decoration, raised and and finely detailed, showing two great side-wheel steamers in a race.
Fevre Dream, George R.R. Martin
If you’d like to see great examples of showrunners’ and writers’ commitment to portrayals of friendship, look no further than Amazon Prime’s adaptation of Good Omens (2019) and the final season of CBS’ Elementary. The two shows may differ in world parameters, but they have been noted in aspects similar to each other where the pair of lead characters receive a vague happy ending, in which they face whatever comes next together.
Debates online could argue that the chemistry between some of the characters mentioned above can be easily interpreted as romance. Although, this seems to be the testament that viewers and audience crave for a strong platonic love in their relationships. In the midst of painfully shoe-horned romance subplots everywhere in the media, it’s no dispute that depictions of friendships being triumphant over forced relationships can feel refreshing. In a booming corner of geek culture and fan domain, the value of platonic relationships is held higher than it were before.
~ by Amira Rahim
References
Henry V, William Shakespeare, Act 4
Kidnapped, Robert Louis Stevenson, Chapter 24
The Road To Middle-Earth, Tom Shippey, 2005
Fevre Dream, George R. R. Martin, Chapter 34, Epilogue
MMU Student Press 