[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Glenn.

Do I believe JK knew this about Nagini from the beginning? Yes. She is and was absurdly thorough when planning this story. You would have to be, as it’s a complex story.

Tbh I do too. I remember all of the interviews she used to give between each book and the old website she used to update with trivia and you could submit questions for her to answer. She had amassed a ridiculous amount of detail in the backstory she created whilst writing the HP books.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Is it? I won't argue that Rowling's world-building is exceptional. Her writing (especially dialogue) technically isn't "amazing", but the universe she's crafted is... however, the story itself is a relatively simple one?

I think he means what you mean. The world building is a large percentage of the story. That unfolds and has an effect on the plot as much as Harry and the other main characters.

[Wizard.]

Oh ffs can we just go back to the 90’s when things weren’t so complicated

[Marsh.]

Also, if I hear the word "woke" one more time.

People are so self involved these days.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Also, if I hear the word "woke" one more time.

People are so self involved these days.

You only fink that coz you aint woke bruv.

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

I've had to switch off with the bullsh*t comments about Dumbledore at the beginning.

His relationship with Grinelwald isn't addressed in the new movie, because they don't actually share any scenes and their relationship isn't the focal point of the story. BUT it will be in a future instalment. This is only part 2 of a 5 part franchise.

But, hey, don't let that get in the way of people making ridiculously hysterical youtube videos.

Also, "You can have people of colour as villains but you should have people of colour as good people too!" Erm, there are at least two POC protagonists too.

Edit - Also, why is this white woman getting defensive on behalf of Asians?

Because she's mad that, as a white person, she can't really be a victim of racism so she'll take on the causes of other races whether they like it or not!

[Macie Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

What's laughably absurd about the Nagini twist? Whether she did think of it 20 years ago or not it's hardly like saying Harry was a young version of Dumbledore all along and radically changes the entire plot. In fact, it changes very little of the plot. Or is it laughably absurd because it's a woman becoming a snake? In which case.... erm, it's Harry Potter. Professor McGonagall turns into a cat. Fantasy fiction tends to be outlandish.

It's absurd because it sounds like a parody of a Rowling retcon more than anything, and once again it just reeks of her casting a person of color into a largely meaningless role just so she can say there's representation. Like, I think the idea that "An Asian woman is a submissive servant to a supervillain, THAT'S RACIST," whether you think it's right or wrong, it's a gross oversimplification of what the real issue is with Rowling's new age antics. It's more that she's acting like the entire culture of the world can bend itself to her storytelling needs. And, like, I'm saying this as someone who is still a fan of the Potterverse when all is said and done, but it's getting to the point now where I have to treat it with the same sort of mockery and irony that's usually reserved for bull**** like Twilight.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Macie Lightfoot

It's absurd because it sounds like a parody of a Rowling retcon more than anything, and once again it just reeks of her casting a person of color into a largely meaningless role just so she can say there's representation. Like, I think the idea that "An Asian woman is a submissive servant to a supervillain, THAT'S RACIST," whether you think it's right or wrong, it's a gross oversimplification of what the real issue is with Rowling's new age antics. It's more that she's acting like the entire culture of the world can bend itself to her storytelling needs. And, like, I'm saying this as someone who is still a fan of the Potterverse when all is said and done, but it's getting to the point now where I have to treat it with the same sort of mockery and irony that's usually reserved for bull**** like Twilight.

But, let's leave aside what may or may not make it racist for a moment and just focus on the "retcon". (Which it can't be as she hasn't changed any established fact anymore than she did when Ron's rat turned out to be Peter Pettigrew).

We're not talking Voldemort was McGonagall the whole time or anything earth shattering, so from that perspective I don't see the problem either.

If anything it's nothing more than an interesting twist. Even the movie didn't deem it that amazingly world changing that it needed to be kept secret and put it in the trailer.

Some of the ridiculous twists in the Cursed Child story I could understand people's frustration with. This is more like finding out more information about a side character we didn't know much about to begin with anyway.

[Glenn.]

I never see Nagini as Voldemort’s servant ever. And lbr its hardly a meaningless role. She plays a pretty big role in the overall scheme of things. I see this as yet another example of JKs immense back story that wasn’t necessary to the Potter story. If she wants to use it here then so be it, it’s her world that she created.

The backlash is another example of over sensitive/ idiotic moaning, for the sake of moaning. It’s literally the most dumbest thing in the world to be ‘upset’ about. It’s a story.

[Marsh.]

If anything, Nagini was the only thing Voldemort ever showed any affection for.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

If anything, Nagini was the only thing Voldemort ever showed any affection for.

Yeah, the only time Voldemort was ever even close to happy was when he was stroking his snake or violently flicking his wand.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Yeah, the only time Voldemort was ever even close to happy was when he was stroking his snake or violently flicking his wand.

Dirty boy.

[JoshBB]

According to JK, she's known that Nagini was originally a human for 20 years. And it's not uncommon for JK Rowling to have written extra details that she hadn't publicly given out (hence Pottermore), if you look at some of the past documentaries this is especially evident.

I don't actually think this is retconning at all (unlike C*rsed Ch*ld, which i will forever ignore as non-canon). And it's not an "afterthought" to include an Asian actor, Claudia Kim seems genuinely suited to the role and the fact that she is coincidentally Asian rather than a bland tokenist character I actually like. Thanks for coming to my ted talk

[JoshBB]

I can't help but feel like the progressive left has a real issue at the moment. Constantly bashing and vilifying socially-conscious people with minor flaws/inconsistencies in their thinking, when there are literal Nazis and people with extreme views who are just ignored

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by JoshBB

I can't help but feel like the progressive left has a real issue at the moment. Constantly bashing and vilifying socially-conscious people with minor flaws/inconsistencies in their thinking, when there are literal Nazis and people with extreme views who are just ignored

Yeah it's like how some "feminists" ignore islamic oppression of women but moan on about how men's legs are positioned on public transport and other nonissues.

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Yeah it's like how some "feminists" ignore islamic oppression of women but moan on about how men's legs are positioned on public transport and other nonissues.

I can kind of agree, but I would say that's slightly different because Islamic fundamentalism has extremely little support in Western culture, we're talking probably 0.00001% of the overall population or something. So it makes sense to focus on more prevalent forms of sexism that are more common, but I get what you're saying.