Bella and Edward need marriage counseling | TWILIGHT ANALYSIS | feat. TheReviewCrew

[@merci_ann]

Came for slightly chaotic hunger games paper cutouts version, stayed for YA's holy bible Mormon version twilight analysis

[@meredithnovaco]

HAHAH and we will get back to the chaos later in the series, I‘ve got some fun ideas 😈

[@thecoffeeman1322]

You should do a Fifty Shades of Grey review since that was originally supposed to be a Twilight Fanfick before the author had to go back and change the names.

[@meredithnovaco]

Wait this is a great idea?? Do a character analysis and see if I think they’re good representations of Bella and Edward?? Thank you for the idea I’m probably going to do this!!

[@madisonjwallace]

Its interesting to hear that so many people bonded with their mom over these books. I don't think either of my parents has ever read the books, BUT my dad went to all the midnight premieres (with me) - he even went to the last movie's midnight showing by himself since I was studying abroad in Germany that year. It did start the trend of us going to movies together and we have seen all the first releases of the Hunger Games movies and so many other movies together in theaters at this point.

[@andi-pj3ro]

when i think of the covers of midnight sun and twilight, i view them both from edwards POV. probably bc reading midnight suj revealed just how angsty edward is. twilight: the apple - edward as the snake, tempting bella (eve) into the paranormal world, even though the knowledge (forbidden fruit) about vampires could bring her death. he hates himself for bringing her into this dangerous world - hence him leaving in new moon... but with midnight sun, i think edward views himself as hades - miserably existing until he sees persephone and her beauty. then enticing her into his world for his benefit, but fretting that bella cant see past the blinding allure vampires have on humans. after reading midnight sun, i feel thay edward always views himself as the villain in their story anyways, great video!! looking forward to what you put out next!

[@ameliarivera5792]

everyday i remember how influenced twilight is by Mormonism

[@meredithnovaco]

It’s truly such a shame

[@Faith-Trust-Pixie-Dust]

iT's SuCh A sHaMe ThAt aN aUtHoR hAs AnY BeLiEfS aT AlL Yeah maybe check yourself for bigotry before you claim to be open-minded

[@ameliarivera5792]

@@Faith-Trust-Pixie-Dust i in no way said that, i have friends who are mormon from school all i said is how in context of knowing the author is mormon you can see it all over the book, i would say that about any author, i really don’t understand why you went out of your way to reply to my comment in a mean way, but i hope you have a nice day anyways

[@Faith-Trust-Pixie-Dust]

​​@@ameliarivera5792sorry it's just the norm to bash on religious people for no reason so I assumed that it's what you meant, particularly because of how the video creator responded. If anything, this was a critique of the creator's reply and not yours

[@ameliarivera5792]

@@happyproject2155 that’s completely fair! personally i grew up in the catholic church and im sure if i wrote a novel it would reflect that, but personally so many of the strong themes in the book are very starkly from mormonism when looking at them through that lense, and it was a different experience reading those books at such a young age knowing that for me. i’m not criticizing it for being written through a mormon lense, just acknowledging how strong the influence can be. there’s been posts of times other books have shown how strongly it’s been written from a christian or muslim perspective and that’s not its flaw but it’s just different when that trait is put in perspective

[@MurshaGames]

Twilight is a work of art and so is this video essay 😌

[@meredithnovaco]

Thank youuuu so excited you could join the channel!!!

[@eminasage]

I was super interested to listen to your perspective/analysis of Twilight and was honestly SO glad when you made the point (that I was thinking the while time to myself as well) that you can enjoy something for the nostaligc 'factor' of revisiting a different time in your life and the world in general...while at the same time being able to reflect critically on points that are not sending a healthy idea of what relationship 'ideals' should be. Because, as you explained, it is incredibly damaging to present these dangerous/problematic/abusive relationships in an idealised light, which justifies and perpetuates toxic 'relationship tropes' as being something to desire in the real world. It's so jarring thinking about how as 12 year olds in school, we were so taken by how 'romatic' it was that Edward was secretly watching Bella sleep...and then now being like "what the hell was that" (and then I promptly laughed at your comment of having the same feeling, but then turning the page and continuing to enjoy the book, because...same hahaha). I'm really interested to hear your take on the whole issue of Jacob kissing Bella without her consent in Eclipse, and her trying to push him off and eventually punching him (and then, him essentially emotionally manipulating her into 'wanting' to kiss him to admit her feelings for him, so he was 'motivated' to return from the battle alive...I really hope I'm remembering that sequence of events correctly lol it's been a good while since I last read/watched Eclipse). Because, again, it's something that really didn't occur to me as being so toxic and manipulative at the time, but then reflecting as an adult and realising what a horrible message that was putting out to a young target audience, which included me, does make you think about the short and long term inpacts it might have on vulnerable people. (As as aside, texts like Twilight definitely did NOT 'create' this problem for me in the past/present - we have a whole slew of trauma we can trace that back to...but maybe if media in general at the time wasn't sending messages about things that *really* weren't okay in romantic/sexual settings "being ok" and desirable [e.g., consenting to things mainly out of concern for the other person's reaction, or thinking age-gap relationships as a minor somehow showed you were mature and sophisticated, like in Pretty Little Liars], it might have been able to give me a different lens to look critically at interactions I was having with my peers and even young adults/adults as I grew older. Whether or not it would have made a difference is impossible to say. But an interesting thought anyway, in my opinion). But as I said, I still have that fond nostalgic love for the series. And I think that's okay! We can enjoy things, and still be able to critically reflect on various media as you mature and see where the problems were. I personally think that's a wonderful thing - it shows personal and societal growth! Ideally, those problems shouldn't be there to be romanticised in the first place, but I also think it is a product of its times. We are a lot more culturally and socially aware of these issues like emotional abuse and cultural appropriation now than we were in the 2000's and even 2010's. Will that stop me living for the, sometimes unhinged, posts on the Twilight subreddit? Absolutely not. I am forever grateful I found that place haha. It gives me a good source of entertainment and nostalgia that helps balance a shitty day lol. That was my really long winded way of saying I agree with your perspective on this, and look forward to your upcoming videos :) Anyway, I love your videos! Your Mockingjay one popped up on my recommended this afternoon and I really enjoyed it, then had to watch all your Hunger Games videos (the first one was a fucking RIDE - I know it was long, and I can't even begin to imagine the amount of time and work that went into it, but I cannot express how absorbed I was the whole time - which I typically struggle with when it comes to long videos. Your plot summary and paper reenactments cracked me up, oh my god. Plus, your general commentary was really entertaining and interesting as well). I have a few more of your videos on your channel to watch lol, but it is after 1am here, and I should probably try to sleep at some point... Sorry for the massive comment, I usually avoid commenting on things because I tend to ramble (clearly). But I'm really glad I stumbled onto your channel! Thanks for putting out quality, enjoyable content :)

[@Salsa4268]

Hi, you are the first person I’ve seen to also consider Jacob’s actions as to me, borderline sexual assault, and seeing so many people be ‘Team Jacob’ hurts my heart because people find that behavior romantic. I almost cried when I read this and saw you also agree in that sense

[@Mr__Dr]

Where the hell have you been loca?

[@sim771]

Im going to a live reaction viewing of twilight next weekend so this is perfect timing! I think Bella is in part a self-insert character and you’re totally right in that she is a boring person because she doesn’t have hobbies. She isn’t a boring character, she’s very much like most teen girls and why she’s so relatable to teen girls. Personally I loved twilight! I read the books so fast and even for breaking dawn my mom took me to the bookstore for the midnight release cause I was going to a two week sleep-away camp the next day.

[@meredithnovaco]

Oh that sounds so fun!! You’ll have to let me know how it is, I would love to go to a live viewing. I totally agree, the relatability of Bella is the most important part of the book!! Thank you for watching!!

[@Iris-mw2vg]

You know it's funny when you talk about how twilight helped people bond with their mom, because I remember bonding with my DAD with twilight! My dad bought me the whole book set at a thrift store because hey it got me to read, and took me to go see breaking dawn part 2 at the theaters. I remember explaining all the other movies to him since hadn't watched them on the ride to the theaters. Once every year or so he watches the whole series with me if I put it on. Being involved in what your kid likes even if it's "dumb" is a great way to bond with them

[@jotakori8266]

This was a really great video and I really enjoyed all your thoughts and analyses on it! Looking forward to diving into your vids on New Moon and Eclipse next! :D However, I want to push back against the opinion that fictional romances depicting problematic behaviors are dangerous and something we should stop writing. It's so important to recognize that fantasies are not _only_ things we desire, but also outlets for our anxieties. Things like stalking, controlling behaviors, manipulation, etc in romances novels are not indicative of what women want or trying to teach young girls to want or be okay with those things. They're providing an escapist fantasy that takes something very real and very terrifying, something that just about every woman in the world is taught to fear and likely to experience in some form or another at some point in her life, and soothing us with the fantasy of 'but what if it didn't _have_ to be terrifying? what if it didn't have to damage us?' These types of stories are extremely important outlets that provide us means to tackle and process our fears in ways that can't actually hurt us, which in turn makes it easier for us to face these problems when, god forbid, they actually arise in real life. Of course, it's still super important to point out and teach why these types of behaviors aren't okay in real life, because not everyone is going to have parents, teachers, or a support system there to do so, but it's still just as important to keep those outlets in fiction available to us. Imo, I expect the rise of dark/problematic fantasy romances has more to do with growing societal anxieties surrounding rape culture, the rise of the alt-right, the growing push back against women's bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, and so on, then it has to do with something like Twilight getting popular and starting a trend. Furthermore, and on another completely different angle of things, I'd argue that the men in these darker fantasy romances are not _just_ being perceived by us as love interests, but also as reflections of our own darker and more impulsive desires. We identify with the male counterparts as the parts of ourselves that want to be selfish, impulsive, maybe even a little dangerous, but which society presses upon us to never, _ever_ show or act on, because otherwise we wouldn't be considered "respectable women." So, again, it's an outlet, which again, is so important to have. I would really like to recommend watching 'the unknown pleasures of "problematic romance"' by bazazilio! She goes into a lot of brilliant depth on for what reasons so many women enjoy these kinds of stories.

[@lunachopin69420]

Yo I only found your channel and subbed like 2 days ago and I’m so grateful I was on this train just in time for this ABSOLUTE BANGER I’m only a few mins in but I had to stop and let you know I’m just so hype for this and say thank you for this

[@meredithnovaco]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I hope you enjoy!! 🥰

[@ameliarivera5792]

also! the book order is the main four then she technically starts writing midnight sun (someone then leaks her draft) then second life of bree tanner around the time eclipse is being filmed/released then life and death is for the 10th anniversary of the original twilight publication and then midnight sun is finally finished being written and published.

[@meredithnovaco]

Thank you!!! Hmm does beg the question of when to read midnight sun then, I’ll play it by ear and see how I feel when I get closer to those videos

[@celestialisette]

THANK YOU I love Kristen Stewart but book Bella has strong emotions and a sense of humor. I think part of it is a lot of the narration is internal and without her inner monologue and without kstew projecting it Bella comes off as one note

[@colorblockpoprocks6973]

i kinda interpreted his strange early-half mood swings as another aspect of the temptation theme? how, when you actively deny temptation in a purist way, you can let it consume you and you become the worst version of yourself. but, once he allowed himself to get close to bella, and especially once they were both vampires, his temptation could be tempered. i might have, like, missed parts of the book that could go against that tho, who knows lol

[@jankatkaromka]

Girls you are the best. Been listening to you at work. Smiling through whole video

[@Kuhboose1]

As a "team jacob" fan, I also wish he was not part of the love triangle 😅 I think for myself and others, the pull was jacob himself, not jacob with bella. Bella was just a conduit for a vicarious romance with him, especially how he was portrayed early on as a happy, charming, warm person. I could totally feel that he wasn't end game, but I wanted him happy cause (early on at least) he was just kinder and more considerate of bella than the very obviously religiously directed edward. Like Edward starts of and regularly is rude and dismissive towards Bella, while Jacob starts by being goofy and sweet, and to an extent, maintains that. I did end up really hating a lot of the things meyer did with his character. Bit of a one step forward two steps back there. Still like him though, he's one of those characteds that's like a bruised peice of fruit, you just cut out the gross bits and enjoy anyways cause its the least awful in the bowl 😅 Also, I'm a sucker for werewolves.

[@rrlms.3447]

I just found your channel a couple weeks ago too and am so excited for this banger bro, just got my snack, I’m ready :’’’)

[@homicidiac6969]

Loving your channel so far!! Hope to keep seeing more! :)

[@jaideeramirez2623]

this is my first video ever watching you and i literally loveee you!! just subscribed

[@hour2hournote2note9]

glad I found your channel!! thank you 💫🌟

[@meredithnovaco]

Glad you’re here!! Hope you enjoy!

[@emalinepeeler9946]

Thank you for discussing Edward breaking into Bella's room without consent! As well as the stalking in general. I feel like so many people pass over the severity of it. Invasion of privacy is terrifying and truly traumatizing. If I were Bella I would never feel comfortable again. I'm such a deeply private person that there would be no moving past it. Personally I have different thoughts about Charlie, granted the rest of the books and my own life experience may make me a bit biased. Charlie is 100% better than Renee but I really feel that he's just an ok dad. And because he's a single dad we tend to think more of him, even if he hasn't actually earned it. I really wish that he showed up more for Bella. Especially in New Moon. Charlie isn't a bad dad but I don't think he's great either.

[@gracelewis7108]

What a great analysis! I just subscribed a few weeks ago and love it!

[@jbad3355]

Yess I’m obsessed with your videos!

[@basketballbecky121]

loving your channel so far

[@sh3nyan]

i know we're talking about twilight over here (im a fan T-T!!) but um- YOUR CROWN !!!!! I HAD TO ASK WHERE DID YOU GET IT I LOVE IT SO MUCHHH

[@LULUSTUNEZ4MEOW]

This video is a sweet juicy apple dripping with truth and I am THIRSTY for more 🍎 pls

[@LULUSTUNEZ4MEOW]

🦁 And so the lion subscribed to the lamb 🐑

[@HappyHoney_Happy]

Off topic but I love your hair and lipstick absolutely 💯 slay yasss queen pop off you ate On top though, I hate the pregnancy horror that came with Twilight as well as the creepy Bella’s daughter x Jacob it’s weird and I’m glad Twilight addressed (somewhat) that it’s weird.

[@SarahBullard-c4l]

When I was a girl between 12 and18 I was reading Annt Rice vampires. Bisexual Catholic vamps.

[@MaloriKate]

as a middle schooler, i was die hard team jacob. however, in teen-adulthood, i ended up dating the "Edwards" and as a teen came back around to team edward😂 but i blame the fact that i started the series with New Moon instead of Twilight. New Moon will make anyone Team Jake ts still pisses me off.

[@MaloriKate]

i do agree with your take that book readers leaned Edward and move goers lean Jake

[@meredithlucy1483]

OMG MY NAME IS MEREDITH TOO

[@merbear98]

🥰🥰

[@thenerdychicano]

I don’t like these books and I absolutely can’t stand the films and the somehow critical revaluation they’re having (maybe cult following is more aligned with it?), but if Meredith Novaco uploads I’m gonna watch and enjoy.

[@SarahBullard-c4l]

I read the first 3 books waiting for Bella to have personality development. It didn't happen..

[@samanthafischer1130]

I've never understood why people like Robert so much, I don't think he's a good actor or that good looking. I've never been on either team but Jacob was healthier for Bella (and so much hotter 😂)

[@teddyj5187]

Women may not shape every mens life but there is so many incidents where a woman hurts a man that loves them and they go off the rails. Its easier for a woman to move on from a failed love. For a man to dig that deep himself to express love to a woman is not as easy as you think. When a woman destroys that it leaves a scar for life. Its almost impossible for a guy to find that feeling of first love ever again. Not saying he can never love but that love will never match his first true love. I dont blame a woman for hurting a guy or hold them responsible for any of his future actions. Im just telling you that woman love and temptation to a man is a very powerful force.