Poll Is Michael Burnham a "Mary Sue"?

[Nyotarules]

She kind of is. But then again a lot of Trek characters are. It also depends on how narrow or wide of a definition of Mary Sue you have.

I think the main issue is how central to every major event she is and yet, and especially this season, she's a very passive character IMO.

The character is played by the person whose names heads the casting list, how often did you watch TOS without no mention of Kirk, Spock or McCoy in the episode? Those three headed a landing party almost 99% of the friggin time! An universe stupid decision but a real life entertaining one. (sometimes).

 

[Tuskin38]

he also IDOLIZED her!

No he didn't.

 

[Sir Stewart Wallace]

Would "held her in high esteem" be better? She's a badly conceived character. It would have been the same thing if she'd been male. That's the point. She's a fanfiction trope, which makes me think of her as a Mary Sue vs. just another hyper-competent character. I realize many fans feel differently, and that's okay.

 

[Crazyewok]

I don't want to derail this thread, but it's considered, uhm, one of the most influential movies in the world history of film.

Wow

I must have been living under a big rock I guess

 

[Vger23]

Sometimes I go into threads and within 3-4 minutes, I realize how stupid I was.

 

[eschaton]

While I don't think Burnham is a Mary Sue, just saying that the term refers to fanfic characters, not canon ones, doesn't end the argument. After all, fanwank started out as a fanfic concept (it's right in the name) but is now pejoratively (and in some cases lovingly) used for canon works (particularly some of Manny Coto's decisions in the last season of Enterprise).

 

[Crazyewok]

While I don't think Burnham is a Mary Sue, just saying that the term refers to fanfic characters, not canon ones, doesn't end the argument. After all, fanwank started out as a fanfic concept (it's right in the name) but is now pejoratively (and in some cases lovingly) used for canon works (particularly some of Manny Coto's decisions in the last season of Enterprise).

Hey....nothing wrong with a little fanwank...in moderation

 

[Sir Stewart Wallace]

While I don't think Burnham is a Mary Sue, just saying that the term refers to fanfic characters, not canon ones, doesn't end the argument. After all, fanwank started out as a fanfic concept (it's right in the name) but is now pejoratively (and in some cases lovingly) used for canon works (particularly some of Manny Coto's decisions in the last season of Enterprise).

I get that, but Burnham is basically a fanfic character transplanted into canon. Which makes her special and therefore in need of special terminology...and yes, I do appreciate the irony in that statement.

 

[Crazyewok]

I get that, but Burnham is basically a fanfic character transplanted into canon. Which makes her special and therefore in need of special terminology...and yes, I do appreciate the irony in that statement.

Maybe we should invent a new term for a fankwanky character with a rod up his or her arse? A Michael burnham? Its gender neutral so would work on both sexes!

 

[Tuskin38]

I get that, but Burnham is basically a fanfic character transplanted into canon

No she isn't.

 

[Alan Roi]

Maybe we should invent a new term for a fankwanky character with a rod up his or her arse? A Michael burnham? Its gender neutral so would work on both sexes!

A Picard? Seriously, when it comes to a rod up his/her arse, she's not even in his league.

 

[Vger23]

A Picard? Seriously, when it comes to a rod up his/her arse, she's not even in his league.

Picard did it first, so that's my vote.

 

[Sir Stewart Wallace]

No she isn't.

Yes she is.

 

[Crazyewok]

A Picard? Seriously, when it comes to a rod up his/her arse, she's not even in his league.

Yeah but old pickles was a captain so he has a excuse to have a rod up his arse.

 

[Tuskin38]

Yes she is.

The majority would disagree with you.

 

[Alan Roi]

Yeah but old pickles was a captain so he has a excuse to have a rod up his arse.

Actually, according to canon, it was long before he was captain when he pulled that rod out of his chest and proceeded to stick it up his ass.

Also, what was Worf's excuse then?

 

[Sir Stewart Wallace]

So? Since when did that

The majority would disagree with you.

Come on, really?

 

[DaveyNY]

How many ways are there to say NO in the world?

If I knew the number, that plus ∞, would be how many NO's this silly thread needs.

 

[SolarisOne]

People, unless they're antagonists, love Mary Sues no matter how they behave. I seem to remember several people holding grudges against Burnham at one point or another when she did something stupid and/or selfish. Just saying.

 

[Lord Garth]

Sometimes I go into threads and within 3-4 minutes, I realize how stupid I was.

At least it's all contained in one thread we'll be able to point to in the future.