Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Trope Talk: Grimdark! (Patreon)

Published:
2020-09-25 15:05:00
Imported:
2026-06
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

dark-ness! (doodoot doodoot) nooo PARENTS! (doodoot doodoot)

Files

Previews only

Trope Talk: Grimdark

Check out world anvil at https://www.worldanvil.com/overlysarcastic, and don't forget to use the code OVERLYSARCASTIC for 20% off a 6 or 12 month membership! Grimdark! A term I've contemptuously used many times - but what does it really mean? And is it truly worthy of my scorn? Let's pretend I'm unbiased long enough to examine it! Our content is intended for teenage audiences and up. PATREON: https://www.Patreon.com/OSP MERCH LINKS: https://www.redbubble.com/people/OSPYouTube OUR WEBSITE: https://www.OverlySarcasticProductions.com/ Find us on Twitter https://www.Twitter.com/OSPYouTube Find us on Reddit https://www.Reddit.com/r/OSP/

Comments

Frank MalDonato

......CAIAPHAS CAIN, HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!

Seekerlano

I don't blame you, Red. You are right that "grimdark" does NOT equal "realistic." As for its weird appeal? I think that "grimdark" really says less about stories, and more about us humans. We humans...are as crazy and confusing as grimdark.

CaitSeith

“In any other year I would had called that ‘unrealistic’”. That’s a pretty sobering grim joke.

NEON725

I agree that "platonic ideal grimdark" is self-defeating. Undermines some pretty foundational aspects of storytelling, too. I derive the enjoyment from backing off from that extreme a little bit to explore the contrast. A candle in a dark room is brighter than a bonfire at noon. A world seeped in grimdark lets the truly heroic characters shine with a stronger contrast than in a world where everything was kinda cheery to begin with. In this case, we're not rooting for them to "win", we're rooting for them to not be broken. Or at least enjoying the catharsis and release that comes with settling for minor victories.

SlightlyEmbittered Productions

Thank you Red for talking about Grimdark and Realism. A lot of people seem to think that darker themes and tones automatically makes your story more realistic. It doesn't. Being more realistic doesn't mean you're automatically more miserable.

Bill Lemmond

Thanks for pointing out, near the end, that people who have, or have had to, deal with real darkness prefer taking a break from it. I know that - for health reasons - I need to stick generally to happy, funny stories. Terry Pratchett is definitely in my wheelhouse.

SlightlyEmbittered Productions

'People who actually deal with very upsetting stuff on a daily basis often activity avoid all things grimdark and favor lighthearted optimistic media.' Thank you. It's also the reason that some people avoid haunted houses or scary movies.