Parasocial interaction - our relationship with Bond

edited November 2021 in No Time To Die Posts: 1,314
I came across a rather grand sounding new phrase and phenomenon this week - parasocial interaction. That is to say, the psychological relationship that viewers have with a character or media celebrity that they never meet. Ie when people say “I love/hate xxx” despite only having seen them on the tv performing. Or feeling you know someone you only see on tv.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasocial_interaction

It got me thinking about the relationship we all have to a greater or lesser degree with Bond. Personally I initially felt deflated, angry and let down with the end of NTTD. Seeing it through the prism of what I guess is my own ‘Parasocial relationship’ with the character, I can understand why that is. I expect certain things from the character that I didn’t get - certain behaviours. it felt like a disappointment - out of character.

I’ve read words from some members like “betrayal” etc. All very personal emotions considering this is a piece of entertainment. Maybe Eon underestimated the contract some fans have with the character. I certainly think they made a mistake.

Anyway I thought the idea was interesting - maybe you will too. Worth a read.

Comments

  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    Matt007 wrote: »

    I’ve read words from some members like “betrayal” etc. All very personal emotions considering this is a piece of entertainment. Maybe Eon underestimated the contract some fans have with the character. I certainly think they made a mistake.

    If this group exists and I’m sure it does, it represents all in all a very small percentage of fans and, more importantly, the theatre going public. Those in charge absolutely cannot afford to cater to these people.

    It’s an interesting topic for sure!
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    Posts: 2,897
    Is this like Robbie Williams having one of those faces you automatically want to punch?
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Interesting article.
    Basically, don't mess with our psi heroes.
    And btw, if Indy dies in this last movie I will not pay a cent to see it. [-(
  • Posts: 526
    chrisisall wrote: »
    Interesting article.
    Basically, don't mess with our psi heroes.
    And btw, if Indy dies in this last movie I will not pay a cent to see it. [-(

    It is an interesting article. I can relate. I love Daniel Craig’s Bond. Best character of all-time for me. What they did...I’m not going to go there tonight. I’ve said my peace elsewhere.
    @chrisisall
    I’m afraid the “great” Marvel has set us up to see the demise of any of our favorite characters going forward. We’ve already seen the recent trend. Unfortunately I saw Avengers Endgame, and that’s just the beginning. Batman, Indy...basically any well known or iconic character that hasn’t died is probably going to. The most idiotic trend of all-time is here. Thanks Hollywood!
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    chrisisall wrote: »
    Interesting article.
    Basically, don't mess with our psi heroes.
    And btw, if Indy dies in this last movie I will not pay a cent to see it. [-(

    It is an interesting article. I can relate. I love Daniel Craig’s Bond. Best character of all-time for me. What they did...I’m not going to go there tonight. I’ve said my peace elsewhere.
    @chrisisall
    I’m afraid the “great” Marvel has set us up to see the demise of any of our favorite characters going forward. We’ve already seen the recent trend. Unfortunately I saw Avengers Endgame, and that’s just the beginning. Batman, Indy...basically any well known or iconic character that hasn’t died is probably going to. The most idiotic trend of all-time is here. Thanks Hollywood!

    I hated Endgame.
  • Posts: 526
    chrisisall wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    Interesting article.
    Basically, don't mess with our psi heroes.
    And btw, if Indy dies in this last movie I will not pay a cent to see it. [-(

    It is an interesting article. I can relate. I love Daniel Craig’s Bond. Best character of all-time for me. What they did...I’m not going to go there tonight. I’ve said my peace elsewhere.
    @chrisisall
    I’m afraid the “great” Marvel has set us up to see the demise of any of our favorite characters going forward. We’ve already seen the recent trend. Unfortunately I saw Avengers Endgame, and that’s just the beginning. Batman, Indy...basically any well known or iconic character that hasn’t died is probably going to. The most idiotic trend of all-time is here. Thanks Hollywood!

    I hated Endgame.

    You and me both! Horrendous movie. 3 hours of my life I’ll never get back.
  • M16_CartM16_Cart Craig fanboy?
    edited November 2021 Posts: 538
    I don't feel betrayed. Craig is my favorite Bond actor by far, and I've been deeply invested in him since Casino Royale. Yet I liked NTTD's ending and had no problem with it.

    He was always a more morbid and tragic case than the other Bonds; it would've been more surprising if the movie had a happy ending.
  • Posts: 1,314
    I had never heard of the term or phenomenon and can totally get on board with it as an idea. I also guess that’s why people who *maybe* at the more extreme end of the spectrum in terms of fandom - like the people who reacted so severely to Star Wars character choices in the sequels - are so vocal and get so emotional and angry about things that break the rules of *their* relationship with the characters
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I remember reports about Larry Hagman being harrassed and attacked by people due to his role as JR in Dallas. Old ladies would come over to him in the street and start punching him. Don t think anything like that has happened in the world of Bond?
  • Posts: 207
    I had never heard of this term before now, but it does make sense now that I think about it. I’ve seen it A LOT and even have friends who acted this way with other popular films.

    I was angry about the choice made in NTTD at first, but changed my tune a little after because there’s nothing I can do about it and being angry won’t change a thing. I do feel for the fans who hate the ending though.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,255
    I felt something very relatable and an emotional connection to Craig-Bond, so although I was crushed by the ending (it was like watching a loved one in their final moments, as dramatic as that sounds… but my nervous system can’t tell the difference between a film and IRL, so….), it was the only ending I could ever had foreseen for him (and said so to my wife back in the CR days— my words were something to the effect that if they decide to kill Bond, this is the actor to do it with… I dunno, did I pick up on something fatalistic about his performance? Did I subconsciously take to heart the words “well I understand that Double-0s have a very short life expectancy…”?…)… To me this was the way to go.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,099
    I'm delighted to learn I'm having a 'parasocial interaction' with Timothy Dalton rather than a 'creepy obsession'!
  • edited December 2021 Posts: 15,785
    chrisisall wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    Interesting article.
    Basically, don't mess with our psi heroes.
    And btw, if Indy dies in this last movie I will not pay a cent to see it. [-(

    It is an interesting article. I can relate. I love Daniel Craig’s Bond. Best character of all-time for me. What they did...I’m not going to go there tonight. I’ve said my peace elsewhere.
    @chrisisall
    I’m afraid the “great” Marvel has set us up to see the demise of any of our favorite characters going forward. We’ve already seen the recent trend. Unfortunately I saw Avengers Endgame, and that’s just the beginning. Batman, Indy...basically any well known or iconic character that hasn’t died is probably going to. The most idiotic trend of all-time is here. Thanks Hollywood!

    I hated Endgame.

    You and me both! Horrendous movie. 3 hours of my life I’ll never get back.

    This thread makes me glad I skipped ENDGAME. Actually glad I skipped LOGAN and LAST JEDI for that matter.
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