I’m asking as I’m trying to understand empathy and whether it’s normal to get so invested in fake characters, I mean it’s probably a testament to the writers but I overthink… a lot.

This question was bright on as I’ve been catching up on The Blacklist and at lunch today watching Season 8 Episode name “Anne “ and it wrecked me.

Tap for spoiler

Basically the main character Red has to live a guarded life and for once he let it form and got close to Anne and you could tell shit was going to go downhill and it destroyed me when you think about it from his or her perspective.

For reference I’m 41 year old dude, not that it matters.

Edit: Bedtime for me but back tomorrow to reply to all.

Edit 2: I’ve got 41 comments to respond to. Currently working but I’ll be back y’all.

  • DasFaultier@sh.itjust.works
    5·
    11 days ago

    Yeah man, all the time, and for the stupidest shit. Everything from children’s series to grown-up movies. My wife sometimes side-eyes me for it, but she’s not much better herself and usually, when one of us cries the other one joins in. It’s become a cute thing between us to catch or make the other one do it first, and I love it. Also, it’s a way to teach my little son that it’s OK to cry and not a matter of shame. Yes, ugly cry as well. Yes, also in front of others.

    For reference I’m a 39 year old dude, not that it matters.

    EDIT because I saw it in the thread: Lyrics! I have songs that I can’t listen to while driving, because I can’t drive while I ugly cry because that wouldn’t be safe.

    One thing that especially hits me are acts of selflessness, be it in fiction or the actual real world. We have semi-regular floods on the river meat where I live, and I usually try to volunteer to help out with sand barriers. And everytime just seeing all those people coming together in their free time, getting wet and dirty and sweaty and exhausted, not expecting a single thing, just because it’s the right thing to do and because apparently we look after one another in this 600k people city… Just typing it out makes me tear up again.