I noticed it at the time, and my old blog is still available. I had people calling me a hater who didn’t like romance since I was so vocal about the shit that is now openly discussed as problematic.
@@NoelleTakestheSky- That’s so frustrating. Romance stories can use problematic tropes and behaviour, that’s not the problem. It’s the narrative framing that is the problem. Want your character to gaslight their partner while being a stereotypical “alpha male”? Go for it, but don’t have the story constantly frame it as a normal thing in romantic relationships. Those people saying you “hate romance” for calling out problematic behaviour shows their illiteracy for media criticism.
Not really! According to this logic everyone on this planet has some issues and has gas lighted their partner. Sadly nowadays just for views psychologists have spread so much misinformation that it had ruined so many relationships(not just romantic). The movie never really justified that bad behavior rather it just showed the vulnerability as a human( the problem is people want this fairytale type perfect characters and story but that's so unrealistic and toxic because it sets unrealistic standards). You also need to remember that it's a love story between a vampire and a human, that's why it has that creepy part at the start to show the dynamics from that point of view. And when you love someone it's very natural to be dependent on them there is nothing wrong with that until your whole existence depends on the other person. People always say communicate with your partner but when they do people start saying it's gaslighting! Edward very genuinely loved bella and shared his insecurities with her that why he fears approaching her. The scene where bella tries to take her life, you will see that before that she was very heartbroken and depressed. It's actually a really good movie and the characters in the story... Of course it is a fantasy genre movie so a little bit dramatic also. People only hate this because it became a trend to hate it and nowadays people love a movie where no realistic communication happens, just a fake unrealistic he/ she said something and others just accept it. Using gas lighting words like that water downs its meaning! Having a conversation with your partner and genuinely convincing them by logic and where you come from is not gas lighting pls.
@@LoveYourself-my9nz - It’s okay to love Twilight, but saying it’s a good story with no problems, that people hate on it for views is close-minded and shortsighted. The fact that there are enough examples for people to make psychological critiques of the story means that there is some weight to what is being said. A lot of stories in the romance genre rely on tropes and interactions that ARE creepy and abusive in real life, but they keep happening in stories because people enjoy reading about them. But just because the story is enjoyable doesn’t mean the interactions aren’t problematic when you take a couple steps back. If Bella didn’t do the insta-love trope, plenty of Edward’s behaviours and dialogue would be considered scary. If you take away the romance framing and a relationship becomes a horror movie, then that is something to discuss. Again, like Twilight if you want, but don’t dismiss valid criticism of the writing just because you disagree with it.
As someone who has only ever had second hand knowledge of Twilight, learning about Bella's parentification explains so much about her and her approach to relationships. She's someone who is used to being needed. First, she feels needed by her mom. When that's no longer the case, she moves in with her dad, who, unlike her mom, isn't so "needy" for lack of a better term. Thus, she feels lost and out of place until Edward (and later Jacob) comes along who feels he can't live without her, and she thrives off of that feeling.
What got me even more was how unattacted he was to Bella, even before he never met her. He saw her face in others minds and when he saw her at lunch, he STILL wasn’t physically attracted to her and kind of saw her as plain and boring looking. He only liked her because he can’t read her, she smells good, and 2 people in his family don’t really like her.
It always irked me that, whenever Bella made a joke, he acted as though it were the funniest thing he'd ever heard, but it was only because it was Bella making it. It's such a ridiculous and insignificant thing, but it grinds my gears haha
🤣🤣 I must have realllyyy been sleep reading midnight sun because.....how did I miss all this? Ive always been team Edward but midnight sun was just impossible to read
I don't really understand this. It's not bad, if one isn't physically attracted in the beginning is it? And I found, that he wasn't just in to her because he couldn't read her thoughts, that was only what sparked his interest and the he found her very beautiful and was fascinated by what she had to say. I still think he is super toxic in many ways but I sort of see that peculiaritie in a different light.
Parental obsession with monitoring their kids is literally just doing the same thing but to your kids. Controlling parents do nothing but make sneaky kids and good liars, bc it tells them they don’t trust you to make good decisions for yourself and that they are not a safe person to talk to if you DO have a problem. Only guarantees that if they ARE having a problem, you’re the LAST person they’re going to talk about it with. Signed, Someone Who Had an Intensely Controlling Mother and Now Has BPD
Yup. I talk to my daughter. She’s 13, and is very aware of older men liking minors (she’s grossed out by even a 19-year-old and 17-year-old), doesn’t see stalking as romantic, etc., because I talk to her. She knows about Twilight, Zodiac Chronicles, etc.
@@marniekilbourne608 humans learn from stories, it's always been that way, it just so happens that our stories evolved to be entertaining rather than educational. which is why talking to your children about what they are watching is extremely important because whether you think it is logical or not, the ways our brains work often means that we learn even when we think we aren't.
I was really obsessed with this series when I was 12 and it laid the groundwork for how I wanted my romantic relationships to be, kinda like you said. I wanted someone obsessive, controlling, and who would parent me. I didn’t realize everything I wanted I actually didn’t until my adulthood after I had already experienced some very negative things chasing my own Edward Cullen. Took me a long time in therapy to recognize how much twilight played a role in my life. I loved this video because it gave me context on the reasons why I wanted that relationship so bad.
Ah me too unfortunately. After a few years of therapy and becoming my own person I've found a very happy and healthy relationship which I'm very lucky for
Love to see an analysis on this series from a fan and therapist! Edward really does *so much* gaslighting through the whole series. I love that you pointed out how Bella was a parentified child. I see that get glossed over a lot, but it's crucial to understanding her character.
@Chandelier175 She explains in the video that it is a child that has to take responsibility over either her younger siblings or her parents. That can be by being an emotional support to their parents adult problems, listenin to drama to help carry the emotional baggage, being in charge of the household chores, payment dates, cooking, taking care of a younger siblings instead of focusing on learning as a child, making sure their parents remember important dates and items etc.
As an adult , this makes me sad for teenage me. While my life wasn’t terrible , these books in a way was my framework for relationships. Caused me more trouble than they were worth. Stephanie needs disclaimers, she glamorized toxic relationships
She should realize how bad her take on relationships are the way Edward, Bella & Jacob behave this isn't romantic it's dangerous & unrealistic. What I do agree with Bella on is not liking her peers being in her face when she goes to her new school, they want to be in her personal business & she's like "Um piss off." If I could rewrite Bella should would be more like her dad aloof which brings them closer together, she's sassy, fiery, tells it like it is, she's not afraid to speak her mind. But she's secretly caring doesn't trust easily a person has to earn her trust & friendship when she meets Edward she can easily tell there's something off about him. She's not drawn to him but he does become drawn to her due to the fact that he can't read her thoughts & the smell of her blood he tries to get close to her but Bella isn't having it she makes excuses to keep him away from her. As for her relationship with her parents Bella resents her mom for keeping her from her dad her mom's a bit scatter brained & prefers to be with her bfs than being a parent to her own daughter Bella was forced to grow up fast. She asks her mom if she can visit her dad but her mom won't let her Renee feels like she wasted her youth marrying way too young while staying in a dreary town with her husband who's a cop & not having excitement in her life. She feels Charley was holding her back so she divorces him & to punish him she takes Bella with her even though Charley wanted to keep Bella upon learning about this as she got older this pisses Bella off she's tired of dealing with her mom's shitty antics & upon turning 17 Bella leaves Arizona to go stay with her dad. Bella & her dad are very much alike he's happy Bella wants to be with him their bond grows stronger as he teaches her how to shoot, fish, hunt things he's wanted to teach her growing up but never got to & now he's got his chance. This is just my input of how Bella Swan should've been in the Twilight books not this manipulating, selfish, girl who cares only about loving Edward for what he is & letting Edward control her life, Jacob forcing his feelings on her. My Bella wouldn't tolerate people encroaching in her space she would be a fighter.
@@catspaw3092I lovvee this! Especially because I related to Bella a lot as a teen, it definitely informed some of my relationships until I was older away from my parents influence and boys influence and started going to therapy
@@silkandstones5964 I find myself speaking more about the naivety of someone who’d never been in a relationship putting all her eggs in one basket. Which is what she did. Regardless of if this was a fictional character or not, we as ppl pull from media especially when you can’t find examples in your real life
This is the most cohesive video on the toxicity of Twilight that we didn’t realize as teenager. 😅 It’s really cool to hear of legitimate terms used in therapy. Looking forward to the rest of the novels!! 👏🏼
It's the passion for me Steph 😂 I ate this video up cause me and my friends were OBSESSED in high school. Definitely read Midnight Sun with fresh, 30 year old perspective. You're in your bag with the therapy and film crossover. I love it. ❤️
Yes! Please continue on with the entire series. I too was obsessed with both the novels and movies. I still rewatch the movies from time to time just as a nostalgic and comfort watch. But as a now 30 year old, so many negative things that my once 15 year old mind overlooked, are now apparent. I love the psychology behind Bella’s relationship with both Edward and Jacob. A deep dive into the Twilight Saga with fresh eyes and a professional insight is a great idea. Absolutely love your content 😊
11:20 it was the 1930's. And was originally a play for many years before that. But it involved gaslit lamps. And the husband manipulated his wife by changing the brightness of the lamps (by turning the gas valve to dim it or make it brighter) and then telling her nothing had changed and she was crazy for thinking the lighting had changed. It's so scary and accurate to how emotional manipulation works. Definitely recommend it if you're in the headspace to watch something like that!
Thank you so much for this! As a twilight fan and therapist myself, I'm trying to explain to my teenage sister just how unhealthy their relationship is and how she should not aspire to it. So this video will definitely come in handy. Please make the entire series mkay thanksss😂💜
Such interesting comments about inaccessibility (and unavailability, which I feel like so many folks nowadays struggle in modern dating culture). Twilight really is our societal dating patterns under a microscope! 😅
I am surprised you didn't go into the abusive tendencies from Edward in the Midnight Sun, mostly towards the end - how he was planning to leave her and lying into her face, deciding to stay with her until she healed, basically being all "saviour syndrome".
When I read it back then, I always saw Edward as a red flag. I even fought with my cousin and sister telling them that Edward was creepy and controlling. It was scary to me. Finally I feel validated 😅
Ahhh I weirdly thought that he was sexy (in the movies) and imagined that I had a super hot stalker vampire boy friend hangin up in trees w me and stalking me. Then later I got into a situationship just as bad if not worse lmaoooo I’m glad you didn’t like it
I was in like grade 5 when I started reading these and my mom read them too, she let me read what I wanted but made sure that I knew that this was not a good relationship and that a lot of the decisions made were toxic!
I think that's a great way to deal with these books, as I loved them too. Now I see many of the toxic things and how they should have approached it instead. Also how easy it can be to see the things as romantic and charming. I wonder about Stephenie Meyer, you ok girl??
This is the best breakdown of their relationship I've ever seen. In my twilight obsessed teens, I was team Edward and thought he was the perfect guy. 😂
Ooh I was waiting for this! As a teen who also writes romance novels and has been in psychology class at school I really enjoyed seeing your perspective on Bella and Edward's relationship! I hope you do more of them and other fictional/movie couples!
I've never made it through an entire Twilight book or movie because I found myself annoyed with the characters, but I ate this video up! Thanks for this - you've given language to why I didn't jive with it.
I read the whole series in three days *because* I didn’t like it.(Speed reading for the win!) I wanted to read it to relate to my friends, but knew even before I picked it up how much I couldn’t stomach vampires and blood and weird obsessive relationships.
Things I learned in this video: me and Stephanie are roughly the same age (I read the book when it was still new and was around 15/16 too!), separation anxiety isn't just for dogs, and apparently midnight sun is better than Twilight. Sidenote - I would argue that Twilight was written by a grown married woman so sometimes we perpetuate unhealthy patterns within our own community. Also, the books aren't good for boys either because it's gives them unrealistic and toxic expectations of how they should behave in a romantic relationship
i’m only two minutes in yet i want to say this is such a brilliant and original idea! i always know i can expect the best content from you and this is no exception, thank you for making this platform more interesting (and for those things we learn through you)
I've never seen twilight, but if YOU are narrating and giving us insight on the psychology of it I will watch all your upcoming videos! Thank you for your beautiful mind!
During my second pregnancy, I say my hormones made me obsessed with Twilight 🤣 Coming out of that haze as an older adult and a mental health therapist… ooof! This series 🤦🏻♀️ I so appreciate your perspective and insight, Steph 👏❤️ Thank you!!
I was already an adult when the first movie was released. I was introduced to the series by my boss's granddaughter who stopped by the office a few times a month. She would let me know what she was reading, I'd get it from the library, and we'd analyze the story together. She was completely obsessed with Edward and Bella and I just couldn't understand why, because she was such a smart child. Now I can see Hollywood's romanticizing the unattainable was very influential, as you said, but back then, I was trying to gently lead her to understand the ways in which Edward was gaslighting Bella. She got it, but she was so caught in the romance of him fighting his instinct to murder Bella for a taste of her "magic" blood. We had some good discussions but that is one of the few books I just couldn't make myself finish, and I like to get all the way to the end of a book even if it doesn't appeal to me. The movies? I made it through the first one and stopped. Saw them maybe a decade later on network television. They're ok, but I enjoyed your analysis 100 times more than the movies. You expressed every reason the first film made me uncomfortable beyond the whole squick factor of a 17 year old child with a 100 year older love interest. I'm looking forward to the other videos in this series.
Spot.On!!! I was such a team Edward fan as a teen and early 20s but in my late 30s rewatching the series I found myself creeped out with Edward. He was low key emotionally abusive. Please analyze Bella and Jacob cause although he seemed like the good guy too..he also wasn't in my opinion..both Edward and Jacob were toxic in their own ways.
Omg, if you're watching this on free youtube, you're SUFFERING 💀 Anyway, it is insane how different Twilight appears with adult eyes. I never cared for Twilight in teenagehood, but definitely perked my ears at all the publications noting the abusive tendencies of Edward. Dude is legit stalking her, telling her to leave him alone 🙄 And YES, THIS DOES HAPPEN IRL 💀
omg like I literally watch every twilight series 10 times above, and canot agree with you more!!! Feel like an outsider knowing it is toxic but still deeply love with it.
Unfortunately, this is the kind of relationship me and my boyfriend were during the first year of our relationship. We both didn’t feel worthy and often questioned ourselves and each other why we chose the other. Along with other issues that came after our 2nd anniversary, we’ve worked through them and we’re both in a much better place now. There was so much to learn from the other, our past lives, our childhood and our behaviors too. We really didn’t know much about each other until we started to live together and still are, we both have done wrongs and rights. We became better people and our relationship improved, my family didn’t like the fact I had decided to stay with him, however my family doesn’t have a good reputation in relationships either. My boyfriend and I have grown very differently and there are some similar aspects, so it has been very difficult to try to understand the other even when one has done their best to understand. So when someone says that relationships aren’t easy it’s because it’s true. We chose to be together and work through our faults and issues and still are doing so.
I definitely want to see more of these. Not trying to self diagnose but when my dad passed I feel like I had a touch of separation anxiety concerning my mom. I slept in the bed with her. I felt guilty moving in with my then husband when I got married. I still deal with fear that she’ll hurt herself and I won’t be around. Whew!
I really appreciate that while you point out the issues in their relationship, you don't ridicule people for liking the movie now and/or in the past. The video on online dating sounds really cool!
I’ve been rereading the series recently as an adult and having such complex feelings about enjoying it while knowing all of these unhealthy traits of their relationship 😅 Could you possibly do another video about why I, you & others love this story so much, even while knowing its issues? Also if anyone has recommendations for similar stories with a more healthy relationship dynamic, I’d love to hear them!!
Also I was really struck by how angry Edward was at the world in Midnight Sun. It explains a lot of his outbursts in Twilight that I felt were uncalled for.
I held onto my collection I think until I was about nineteen or so. My mom, who’s a social worker, wanted to give them to this client who developmentally was a teen trying to better her reading skills. I got really protective over the woman but didn’t quite know why. It was because of those underlying controlling and gaslighting actions. But then as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I can still want to watch the movies or read and don’t need to rationalize it with myself. And that I’m going to notice more the older I get and the more into social work that I delve.
Katniss is autistic in my headcannon. Like yeah, she's for sure traumatized too, but she has her special interests and difficulty in reading people which explains why she was so clueless to both Gale and Peeta's romantic interest for so long. She was pretty attached to her routines in district 12 and she also has sensory regulating behaviors that becomes really apparent the moment she has down time in district 13 (which she was really struggling to adjust to the wholly new environment with only artificial light - her fav hiding spot was a dark closet).
I'm glad you covered Edward's mental issues - beyond just labelling him the villain. Many people display toxic behaviours, rather than (just) being the victims of toxicity, so these are valuable insights. He's also frozen as a 17-yo, which is a tumultuous time internally, so that has got to be rough!
Thank youuuu for this!! Twilight was definitely guilty pleasure and it's so refreshing to here a therapist take on it! I love when you do videos like this I learn so much!! I would love an online dating video.
PLEASE make that video about online dating! My therapist always suggest I stay active in online dating, but it's always an emotional roller coaster for me lol. I would love to hear another therapist's advice on best practices as I am getting back into it
Even though they are the same age physically/biologically, his 100+ years of experience make him leagues more developed mentally. He IS 100+ years old. He is not 17.
Thanks for the vid! ❤. So good to see someone who has grown up with the books review it later from the basis of psychology. I think this would help a lot of teens too.
Love this! Now that I’m growing older I have a hard time watching rom coma since there’s so much problematic or unrealistic stuff about relationships and love!
I've always been a huuuge Twilight fan since I've been a teenager. But I really appreciate listening to your analysis on the entire series as a whole when it comes to mental health. I'm looking forward to your other videos covering the rest of the series! It's so comforting and refreshing to havs someone not just mindlessly trash and hate on the entire series just because it's the popular opinion. You as a fan, have a tender but also still very rational enough lense to dissect and reflect on the good and bad in this story and its characters. Again, thank you for taking Twilight seriously and treating it with dignity without coming from a patronizing standpoint
Thank you for having a sponsor like MODERN fertility. Idk much about the company but even just giving accessibility to hormone testing is amazing. I lost my job in May and obviously don’t have health insurance for awhile thru my new gig so this is literally a game-changer
Now I will be anxiously checking the channel for the next New Moon analysis. I definitely don't have an anxious attachment to Steph analysis of books and movies/shows.
I recently just started listening to the audiobooks of the Twilight series since I’ve only seen the movies as a teenager. It is sooo interesting to me how much different Bella and Edward, characteristics/traits are compared to the films and these analysis videos help me form more different opinions on how I feel of Twilight. I wasn’t really into Twilight as a teen but as a young adult now, I can see why it got so much attention around that time but I definitely do notice not so healthy traits/situations from the entire series. I still love the concept of vampires and the aesthetic of the movie (where it’s located, the soundtrack, etc) but I do find myself laughing about the differences from the books/movie series. Anyways, gonna binge watch your other videos on Twilight!
i really hope you do more from the twilight books/movies, this was a very interesting video! it’s interesting to hear these things from the perspective of a therapist as well as someone who was a big twilight fan like me and the people who i’m sure clicked on this video
I was scrolling and found this video and I’m just like wow. I mean, I agree completely with you. When you first see or read the book your just so enthusiastic for Bella finding Edward and romanticizing the fact he is so over protective of her. Or how you don’t feel like Bella deserves him 😜 but rewatching it, you start to see everyone’s flaws and toxic traits. You mentioned a lot of good points, a few that made me reflect upon my own life and those in it. Thank you !
The fact I was literally thinking about this EXACT analogy of this book/movie yesterday on Bella’s birthday is wild to me and now I see it’s a video ohhh on point, just yes 👏🏽
Honestly, I've watched so many of these break down videos and thought I couldn't really learn anything new at this point but your insights are amazing! Really helped me to better understand their relationship dynamic, can't wait to finish watching the video! Thank you for making it! 😊💙
Yay...so exited for this one 😍 But what i want to say regardless is,that i think its ok to like the movie,if you do. Its ok to like it,when you know its not representing real life. For me,i always saw it as a vampire movie. Nothing more nithing less. It just gets icky and bad when young people take these movies as an example for their relationships...😒
This was such a helpful analysis especially because it’s based off of a series that was so influential during a very impressionable time for a lot of us! Can’t wait to see the next one!!!
Yea I think Vampires generally have these types of personalities in movies/shows/books. It’s a good way to come across mysterious or intriguing and captivate the audience but actually be a monster…which is what they technically are lol
I adore your perspective and analysis of this series. I like that you don’t come at it with a condescending or snarky manner. I mean there’s plenty to be snarky about but i like that your tone is not insulting towards those that love(d) this series.
Steph! If you’re interested in talking more about relationships in media, I’ve been waiting for someone to do a deep dive into the relationships in Black-ish! I love that show so much and thought it was so heartfelt in places. Especially the episodes surround Dre and Bows marriage in season 4. X
Oh my gosh! I’m a LPC and recently rewatched all the movies (was a huge fan in high school and college, totally Team Jacob lol) and everything you said was spot on!!! Loved hearing your perspective!
Thank you! I really appreciate you reading also midnight sun for this, it gives more insight and you analysis is so great! I also was a 16 y.o. in love with the idea of a romance like this and now that I'm older I realize how unhealthy it was
Brilliant - a loving perspective and deep analysis. Thank you. ❤ I love Twilight and am nearly out of my own codependency after years of therapy. Love was never easy for me and Twilight helped me to not feel alone and guilty as the person I was back then.
Girlll yes!! I’m a LCMHC in training and also a former twilight fan from my teen years, as an adult with perspective and a student with knowledge of mental health I am right here with you and have been for a hot minute with my thinking about these things lol 😂 Thank you for making this because I’ve thought about how destructive glamorizing these dynamics for young people can be! Hindsight truly is 20/20!
I was an adult when I discovered Twilight. The first time I read it, I was obsessed. When I went back to read it I started seeing the problematic nature of their relationship and couldn't.
Omg this was so good! I recently rewatched the whole franchise and I had many thoughts about the relationship dynamics, especially between Edward and Bella. Now I’m off to watch all your Twilight videos. Thank you! 🤗
Currently reading the books for the first time. I love the movies but am aware there are major red flags lol! Thanks for taking the time to analyze the story from your perspective and expertise.
As someone with DID, I’m so glad that you acknowledged Edward referring to himself as having a “monster” part is not DID. It’s so, so tiring to constantly see someone having dark urges/instincts in media being “actually it’s DID which gives them a secret evil side!”. That’s so not the case, and it’s so tiring to see your disorder only ever portrayed as “makes people killers” disorder. (Not saying people with DID can’t be bad people, but still.) Edward, to me, is compartmentalizing parts of himself he doesn’t like deliberately, as a means of separating himself from those feelings. DID is not a deliberate, conscious choice to compartmentalize one’s mind; it’s, according to leading theories right now, repeated trauma in early childhood preventing someone’s mind from forming a singular identity/state of self. This allows a person to survive traumatic situations, primarily by sharing the burden between alters and forgetting things that go beyond the brain’s ability to handle. As far as I can tell, research doesn’t yet indicate why some people may develop DID, but others who go through similar trauma may not. TL:DR; DID doesnt create a “good” person and an “evil dark side”, and Edward would not have been able to develop it by consciously deciding to separate himself and the “monstrous” side of him as an immortal teenager.
Thank you for shining a light on this. I loved the series as a kid/preteen and as an adult re reading these I realized that Bella and Edward are SO TOXIC!! It’s an abusive relationship
Maaaaaaaaan!!! I know so many people that need to watch this and I’m sending it to them right now!
Thank you!!! You’re the best!
For what ? It’s a movie about vampires 🤦🏽♀️ why can TV y’all just leave the past in the past
@@joimonae4090thank u
@@joimonae4090you’re so emo and cool
Omg Edward displays so many perfect examples of Gaslighting. 😭 the things you notice as you get older!
I know!!
I noticed it at the time, and my old blog is still available. I had people calling me a hater who didn’t like romance since I was so vocal about the shit that is now openly discussed as problematic.
@@NoelleTakestheSky- That’s so frustrating. Romance stories can use problematic tropes and behaviour, that’s not the problem. It’s the narrative framing that is the problem. Want your character to gaslight their partner while being a stereotypical “alpha male”? Go for it, but don’t have the story constantly frame it as a normal thing in romantic relationships.
Those people saying you “hate romance” for calling out problematic behaviour shows their illiteracy for media criticism.
Not really! According to this logic everyone on this planet has some issues and has gas lighted their partner. Sadly nowadays just for views psychologists have spread so much misinformation that it had ruined so many relationships(not just romantic). The movie never really justified that bad behavior rather it just showed the vulnerability as a human( the problem is people want this fairytale type perfect characters and story but that's so unrealistic and toxic because it sets unrealistic standards). You also need to remember that it's a love story between a vampire and a human, that's why it has that creepy part at the start to show the dynamics from that point of view. And when you love someone it's very natural to be dependent on them there is nothing wrong with that until your whole existence depends on the other person. People always say communicate with your partner but when they do people start saying it's gaslighting! Edward very genuinely loved bella and shared his insecurities with her that why he fears approaching her. The scene where bella tries to take her life, you will see that before that she was very heartbroken and depressed. It's actually a really good movie and the characters in the story... Of course it is a fantasy genre movie so a little bit dramatic also. People only hate this because it became a trend to hate it and nowadays people love a movie where no realistic communication happens, just a fake unrealistic he/ she said something and others just accept it. Using gas lighting words like that water downs its meaning! Having a conversation with your partner and genuinely convincing them by logic and where you come from is not gas lighting pls.
@@LoveYourself-my9nz - It’s okay to love Twilight, but saying it’s a good story with no problems, that people hate on it for views is close-minded and shortsighted. The fact that there are enough examples for people to make psychological critiques of the story means that there is some weight to what is being said.
A lot of stories in the romance genre rely on tropes and interactions that ARE creepy and abusive in real life, but they keep happening in stories because people enjoy reading about them. But just because the story is enjoyable doesn’t mean the interactions aren’t problematic when you take a couple steps back. If Bella didn’t do the insta-love trope, plenty of Edward’s behaviours and dialogue would be considered scary. If you take away the romance framing and a relationship becomes a horror movie, then that is something to discuss.
Again, like Twilight if you want, but don’t dismiss valid criticism of the writing just because you disagree with it.
As someone who has only ever had second hand knowledge of Twilight, learning about Bella's parentification explains so much about her and her approach to relationships. She's someone who is used to being needed. First, she feels needed by her mom. When that's no longer the case, she moves in with her dad, who, unlike her mom, isn't so "needy" for lack of a better term. Thus, she feels lost and out of place until Edward (and later Jacob) comes along who feels he can't live without her, and she thrives off of that feeling.
What got me even more was how unattacted he was to Bella, even before he never met her.
He saw her face in others minds and when he saw her at lunch, he STILL wasn’t physically attracted to her and kind of saw her as plain and boring looking.
He only liked her because he can’t read her, she smells good, and 2 people in his family don’t really like her.
Exactly!! After reading that in Midnight Sun it really shattered any shreds of #TeamEdward I had left
That’s so true he only likes her because he can’t read her 😂 wild
It always irked me that, whenever Bella made a joke, he acted as though it were the funniest thing he'd ever heard, but it was only because it was Bella making it. It's such a ridiculous and insignificant thing, but it grinds my gears haha
🤣🤣 I must have realllyyy been sleep reading midnight sun because.....how did I miss all this?
Ive always been team Edward but midnight sun was just impossible to read
I don't really understand this. It's not bad, if one isn't physically attracted in the beginning is it? And I found, that he wasn't just in to her because he couldn't read her thoughts, that was only what sparked his interest and the he found her very beautiful and was fascinated by what she had to say.
I still think he is super toxic in many ways but I sort of see that peculiaritie in a different light.
Cant wait! This series will never stop being a prime example of why parents need to monitor what is influencing their kids
*Preach It!!!!!!!!!* 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Parental obsession with monitoring their kids is literally just doing the same thing but to your kids.
Controlling parents do nothing but make sneaky kids and good liars, bc it tells them they don’t trust you to make good decisions for yourself and that they are not a safe person to talk to if you DO have a problem. Only guarantees that if they ARE having a problem, you’re the LAST person they’re going to talk about it with.
Signed,
Someone Who Had an Intensely Controlling Mother and Now Has BPD
Yup. I talk to my daughter. She’s 13, and is very aware of older men liking minors (she’s grossed out by even a 19-year-old and 17-year-old), doesn’t see stalking as romantic, etc., because I talk to her. She knows about Twilight, Zodiac Chronicles, etc.
If your kid reads supernatural fiction and applies it to any aspect of their own life your kid has bigger issues that what they read and watch.
@@marniekilbourne608 humans learn from stories, it's always been that way, it just so happens that our stories evolved to be entertaining rather than educational. which is why talking to your children about what they are watching is extremely important because whether you think it is logical or not, the ways our brains work often means that we learn even when we think we aren't.
I was really obsessed with this series when I was 12 and it laid the groundwork for how I wanted my romantic relationships to be, kinda like you said. I wanted someone obsessive, controlling, and who would parent me. I didn’t realize everything I wanted I actually didn’t until my adulthood after I had already experienced some very negative things chasing my own Edward Cullen. Took me a long time in therapy to recognize how much twilight played a role in my life. I loved this video because it gave me context on the reasons why I wanted that relationship so bad.
Wow!
Ah me too unfortunately. After a few years of therapy and becoming my own person I've found a very happy and healthy relationship which I'm very lucky for
This is so real. I can 100% relate to this…
Love to see an analysis on this series from a fan and therapist! Edward really does *so much* gaslighting through the whole series. I love that you pointed out how Bella was a parentified child. I see that get glossed over a lot, but it's crucial to understanding her character.
What's a parentified child?
@@Chandelier175see the 4:17 part of the video
@Chandelier175 She explains in the video that it is a child that has to take responsibility over either her younger siblings or her parents. That can be by being an emotional support to their parents adult problems, listenin to drama to help carry the emotional baggage, being in charge of the household chores, payment dates, cooking, taking care of a younger siblings instead of focusing on learning as a child, making sure their parents remember important dates and items etc.
@@staciegarcia7021 thank you 🍀🌱🌼
As an adult , this makes me sad for teenage me. While my life wasn’t terrible , these books in a way was my framework for relationships. Caused me more trouble than they were worth. Stephanie needs disclaimers, she glamorized toxic relationships
Yeah, I feel like this story would be so much better if it came with content warnings.
Pretty sure she's Mormon so that'd be why her relationship views are skewed.
She should realize how bad her take on relationships are the way Edward, Bella & Jacob behave this isn't romantic it's dangerous & unrealistic. What I do agree with Bella on is not liking her peers being in her face when she goes to her new school, they want to be in her personal business & she's like "Um piss off." If I could rewrite Bella should would be more like her dad aloof which brings them closer together, she's sassy, fiery, tells it like it is, she's not afraid to speak her mind. But she's secretly caring doesn't trust easily a person has to earn her trust & friendship when she meets Edward she can easily tell there's something off about him. She's not drawn to him but he does become drawn to her due to the fact that he can't read her thoughts & the smell of her blood he tries to get close to her but Bella isn't having it she makes excuses to keep him away from her. As for her relationship with her parents Bella resents her mom for keeping her from her dad her mom's a bit scatter brained & prefers to be with her bfs than being a parent to her own daughter Bella was forced to grow up fast. She asks her mom if she can visit her dad but her mom won't let her Renee feels like she wasted her youth marrying way too young while staying in a dreary town with her husband who's a cop & not having excitement in her life. She feels Charley was holding her back so she divorces him & to punish him she takes Bella with her even though Charley wanted to keep Bella upon learning about this as she got older this pisses Bella off she's tired of dealing with her mom's shitty antics & upon turning 17 Bella leaves Arizona to go stay with her dad. Bella & her dad are very much alike he's happy Bella wants to be with him their bond grows stronger as he teaches her how to shoot, fish, hunt things he's wanted to teach her growing up but never got to & now he's got his chance. This is just my input of how Bella Swan should've been in the Twilight books not this manipulating, selfish, girl who cares only about loving Edward for what he is & letting Edward control her life, Jacob forcing his feelings on her. My Bella wouldn't tolerate people encroaching in her space she would be a fighter.
@@catspaw3092I lovvee this! Especially because I related to Bella a lot as a teen, it definitely informed some of my relationships until I was older away from my parents influence and boys influence and started going to therapy
@@silkandstones5964 I find myself speaking more about the naivety of someone who’d never been in a relationship putting all her eggs in one basket. Which is what she did. Regardless of if this was a fictional character or not, we as ppl pull from media especially when you can’t find examples in your real life
Please please please!!! Do more of this!!! So obsessed with twilight and other young adult books lmao
So glad that you like it! I am obsessed too!
@@StephAnyaI'd love to see you do one of these on Divergent!
@@StephAnya I'd love to see you do an analysis of The Summer I Turned Pretty and Bridgerton!
This is the most cohesive video on the toxicity of Twilight that we didn’t realize as teenager. 😅 It’s really cool to hear of legitimate terms used in therapy. Looking forward to the rest of the novels!! 👏🏼
Thank you!! The next one is fulll of terms so bring a dictionary 😅😂
It's the passion for me Steph 😂 I ate this video up cause me and my friends were OBSESSED in high school. Definitely read Midnight Sun with fresh, 30 year old perspective. You're in your bag with the therapy and film crossover. I love it. ❤️
Aw thank you!! My obsession has gone so far past high school haha. Midnight Sun gave so much more insight!
As a parentified child I relate 😂🥹 I’d be so down for you to examine the relationship between Bella and Jacob!
It’s coming!
Yes! Please continue on with the entire series. I too was obsessed with both the novels and movies. I still rewatch the movies from time to time just as a nostalgic and comfort watch.
But as a now 30 year old, so many negative things that my once 15 year old mind overlooked, are now apparent.
I love the psychology behind Bella’s relationship with both Edward and Jacob. A deep dive into the Twilight Saga with fresh eyes and a professional insight is a great idea.
Absolutely love your content 😊
Thank you so much for watching! I relate to all of what you said and a big part of me is still obsessed. Happy to continue!!
11:20 it was the 1930's. And was originally a play for many years before that. But it involved gaslit lamps. And the husband manipulated his wife by changing the brightness of the lamps (by turning the gas valve to dim it or make it brighter) and then telling her nothing had changed and she was crazy for thinking the lighting had changed. It's so scary and accurate to how emotional manipulation works. Definitely recommend it if you're in the headspace to watch something like that!
Thank you for explaining that!! That sounds really interesting. I'm definitely going to watch it.
That's where "gaslighting" comes from.
Thank you so much for this! As a twilight fan and therapist myself, I'm trying to explain to my teenage sister just how unhealthy their relationship is and how she should not aspire to it. So this video will definitely come in handy. Please make the entire series mkay thanksss😂💜
Aw I hope it helps! I was definitely blind to it at that age.
Same. As a teenager, I devoured the books and the movies. As an adult, nothing brings me more joy than watching people analyze/roast them.
Haha! I hope this brought you joy
Such interesting comments about inaccessibility (and unavailability, which I feel like so many folks nowadays struggle in modern dating culture). Twilight really is our societal dating patterns under a microscope! 😅
It is!
I am surprised you didn't go into the abusive tendencies from Edward in the Midnight Sun, mostly towards the end - how he was planning to leave her and lying into her face, deciding to stay with her until she healed, basically being all "saviour syndrome".
When I read it back then, I always saw Edward as a red flag. I even fought with my cousin and sister telling them that Edward was creepy and controlling. It was scary to me. Finally I feel validated 😅
Ahhh I weirdly thought that he was sexy (in the movies) and imagined that I had a super hot stalker vampire boy friend hangin up in trees w me and stalking me. Then later I got into a situationship just as bad if not worse lmaoooo I’m glad you didn’t like it
Definitely need videos on the whole saga
🤗
I was in like grade 5 when I started reading these and my mom read them too, she let me read what I wanted but made sure that I knew that this was not a good relationship and that a lot of the decisions made were toxic!
Love the balance!
I think that's a great way to deal with these books, as I loved them too. Now I see many of the toxic things and how they should have approached it instead. Also how easy it can be to see the things as romantic and charming. I wonder about Stephenie Meyer, you ok girl??
5th grade tho lol nahh
This is the best breakdown of their relationship I've ever seen. In my twilight obsessed teens, I was team Edward and thought he was the perfect guy. 😂
Ooh I was waiting for this! As a teen who also writes romance novels and has been in psychology class at school I really enjoyed seeing your perspective on Bella and Edward's relationship! I hope you do more of them and other fictional/movie couples!
At this rate I’ll be reviewing your work soon! Super cool.
@@StephAnya Haha maybe one day! Hoping to keep creating good guys though
Happy to do green flag videos too! We need more healthy examples.
I've never made it through an entire Twilight book or movie because I found myself annoyed with the characters, but I ate this video up! Thanks for this - you've given language to why I didn't jive with it.
Makes sense! So glad that you enjoyed the video though ♥️
I read the whole series in three days *because* I didn’t like it.(Speed reading for the win!) I wanted to read it to relate to my friends, but knew even before I picked it up how much I couldn’t stomach vampires and blood and weird obsessive relationships.
i would LOVE to hear you give best practices for dating & online dating - YES PLEASE!!
Got it!!
omg yessssss
Things I learned in this video: me and Stephanie are roughly the same age (I read the book when it was still new and was around 15/16 too!), separation anxiety isn't just for dogs, and apparently midnight sun is better than Twilight.
Sidenote - I would argue that Twilight was written by a grown married woman so sometimes we perpetuate unhealthy patterns within our own community. Also, the books aren't good for boys either because it's gives them unrealistic and toxic expectations of how they should behave in a romantic relationship
This entire series lends itself so well to this concept of video ❤ I can’t wait for your analysis on the absolute CHAOS that is New Moon 😂
Started working on it today, and JEEZ! I'm noticing so much more. It may be a long one.
i’m only two minutes in yet i want to say this is such a brilliant and original idea! i always know i can expect the best content from you and this is no exception, thank you for making this platform more interesting (and for those things we learn through you)
This is the sweetest comment 🥹 Thank you so, so much.
I’m not even a Twilight fan but this was still an interesting video. I’m looking forward to the next one!
I've never seen twilight, but if YOU are narrating and giving us insight on the psychology of it I will watch all your upcoming videos! Thank you for your beautiful mind!
Aw that is so sweet! Thank you so much ♥️
During my second pregnancy, I say my hormones made me obsessed with Twilight 🤣 Coming out of that haze as an older adult and a mental health therapist… ooof! This series 🤦🏻♀️ I so appreciate your perspective and insight, Steph 👏❤️ Thank you!!
I was already an adult when the first movie was released. I was introduced to the series by my boss's granddaughter who stopped by the office a few times a month. She would let me know what she was reading, I'd get it from the library, and we'd analyze the story together. She was completely obsessed with Edward and Bella and I just couldn't understand why, because she was such a smart child. Now I can see Hollywood's romanticizing the unattainable was very influential, as you said, but back then, I was trying to gently lead her to understand the ways in which Edward was gaslighting Bella. She got it, but she was so caught in the romance of him fighting his instinct to murder Bella for a taste of her "magic" blood. We had some good discussions but that is one of the few books I just couldn't make myself finish, and I like to get all the way to the end of a book even if it doesn't appeal to me. The movies? I made it through the first one and stopped. Saw them maybe a decade later on network television. They're ok, but I enjoyed your analysis 100 times more than the movies. You expressed every reason the first film made me uncomfortable beyond the whole squick factor of a 17 year old child with a 100 year older love interest. I'm looking forward to the other videos in this series.
Defo want the other twilight movies!
as a therapist & a twihard myself i just LOVED this video!!! please keep goinggg
Hi, Twin 👋🏽!
IF we want to see you cover New Moon…!!!! lol! Cant wait!
Haha I'm glad!!
Will you PLEASE do a video about the “romantic” relationship between Bella and Jacob in New Moon? I would be fascinated to hear you thoughts.
Just filmed it yesterday! It’s sooo different in the books and they did not do them justice in the movies.
Spot.On!!! I was such a team Edward fan as a teen and early 20s but in my late 30s rewatching the series I found myself creeped out with Edward. He was low key emotionally abusive. Please analyze Bella and Jacob cause although he seemed like the good guy too..he also wasn't in my opinion..both Edward and Jacob were toxic in their own ways.
I would love to see the rest of this series. It's nice to hear from a fan and your insights as a therapist made it even better.
LOVE IT!!! …. “If you’re going to do things that cause me question you, be prepared to answer the question” ❤🙏🏼🙌🏻
Omg, if you're watching this on free youtube, you're SUFFERING 💀 Anyway, it is insane how different Twilight appears with adult eyes. I never cared for Twilight in teenagehood, but definitely perked my ears at all the publications noting the abusive tendencies of Edward. Dude is legit stalking her, telling her to leave him alone 🙄 And YES, THIS DOES HAPPEN IRL 💀
It definitely does!
omg like I literally watch every twilight series 10 times above, and canot agree with you more!!! Feel like an outsider knowing it is toxic but still deeply love with it.
Unfortunately, this is the kind of relationship me and my boyfriend were during the first year of our relationship. We both didn’t feel worthy and often questioned ourselves and each other why we chose the other. Along with other issues that came after our 2nd anniversary, we’ve worked through them and we’re both in a much better place now. There was so much to learn from the other, our past lives, our childhood and our behaviors too. We really didn’t know much about each other until we started to live together and still are, we both have done wrongs and rights. We became better people and our relationship improved, my family didn’t like the fact I had decided to stay with him, however my family doesn’t have a good reputation in relationships either. My boyfriend and I have grown very differently and there are some similar aspects, so it has been very difficult to try to understand the other even when one has done their best to understand. So when someone says that relationships aren’t easy it’s because it’s true. We chose to be together and work through our faults and issues and still are doing so.
I definitely want to see more of these. Not trying to self diagnose but when my dad passed I feel like I had a touch of separation anxiety concerning my mom. I slept in the bed with her. I felt guilty moving in with my then husband when I got married. I still deal with fear that she’ll hurt herself and I won’t be around. Whew!
I really appreciate that while you point out the issues in their relationship, you don't ridicule people for liking the movie now and/or in the past.
The video on online dating sounds really cool!
I’ve been rereading the series recently as an adult and having such complex feelings about enjoying it while knowing all of these unhealthy traits of their relationship 😅 Could you possibly do another video about why I, you & others love this story so much, even while knowing its issues? Also if anyone has recommendations for similar stories with a more healthy relationship dynamic, I’d love to hear them!!
Also I was really struck by how angry Edward was at the world in Midnight Sun. It explains a lot of his outbursts in Twilight that I felt were uncalled for.
Maybe you love it because it's a part of your developmental years💕 nostalgia
Please do the rest of twilight!! Also if you are looking for more movies: after, vampire diaries, etc. Online dating video would be great too!!
This is the best therapy video I've seen about twilight!
I held onto my collection I think until I was about nineteen or so. My mom, who’s a social worker, wanted to give them to this client who developmentally was a teen trying to better her reading skills. I got really protective over the woman but didn’t quite know why. It was because of those underlying controlling and gaslighting actions. But then as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I can still want to watch the movies or read and don’t need to rationalize it with myself. And that I’m going to notice more the older I get and the more into social work that I delve.
Yes, I agree. I love that you're pursuing the same field as your mom!
I would love the online dating video, and a video about the relationships in Hunger Games like between Katniss, Peeta and Gale
I’m going to rewatch after I’m done with these!
Katniss is autistic in my headcannon.
Like yeah, she's for sure traumatized too, but she has her special interests and difficulty in reading people which explains why she was so clueless to both Gale and Peeta's romantic interest for so long.
She was pretty attached to her routines in district 12 and she also has sensory regulating behaviors that becomes really apparent the moment she has down time in district 13 (which she was really struggling to adjust to the wholly new environment with only artificial light - her fav hiding spot was a dark closet).
much better analysis than the "cinema therapy" channel. more objective and much much less derogatory
I'm glad you covered Edward's mental issues - beyond just labelling him the villain. Many people display toxic behaviours, rather than (just) being the victims of toxicity, so these are valuable insights. He's also frozen as a 17-yo, which is a tumultuous time internally, so that has got to be rough!
Thank youuuu for this!! Twilight was definitely guilty pleasure and it's so refreshing to here a therapist take on it! I love when you do videos like this I learn so much!!
I would love an online dating video.
Got it!
Yay I'm a huge fan of Twilight and of your videos, so this new series is gonna be right up my alley. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on new moon.
Aw thank you! I’m looking forward to that one especially
PLEASE make that video about online dating! My therapist always suggest I stay active in online dating, but it's always an emotional roller coaster for me lol. I would love to hear another therapist's advice on best practices as I am getting back into it
Please do the whole series, love this analysis
Yes to new moon!
Are we also not going to talk about the fact that Edward is 100+ years old and romantically/sexually interested in a 17 year old??
Would you prefer if he was dating a senior citizen?
He existed for 100+ years but his age stopped in his teens at the age when his human life ended.
pov average illiterate makes a fool of themself
Even though they are the same age physically/biologically, his 100+ years of experience make him leagues more developed mentally. He IS 100+ years old. He is not 17.
@@marmieshapiro5854 thank you hahahaha
Thanks for the vid! ❤. So good to see someone who has grown up with the books review it later from the basis of psychology. I think this would help a lot of teens too.
As a former Twilight diehard(*both books and films*), I am so glad you've tackled this subject. I'm definitely going to subscribe to you.❤
Aw thank you for subscribing!
I am so excited for this one !
Ive never been happier to have waited to watch a series as I was with Twilight
Omg Ive been waiting for a therapist to REALLY break down this series, Im so hyped!
Y’all should watch Gaslight if you’ve never seen it. It’s an old Ingrid Bergman movie and is so good
Omg I can't wait for the rest of your series. Honestly, you analyzing different movies and shows are my favorite videos to watch
Wow, thank you!
Love this! Now that I’m growing older I have a hard time watching rom coma since there’s so much problematic or unrealistic stuff about relationships and love!
So true!
I've always been a huuuge Twilight fan since I've been a teenager. But I really appreciate listening to your analysis on the entire series as a whole when it comes to mental health. I'm looking forward to your other videos covering the rest of the series! It's so comforting and refreshing to havs someone not just mindlessly trash and hate on the entire series just because it's the popular opinion. You as a fan, have a tender but also still very rational enough lense to dissect and reflect on the good and bad in this story and its characters. Again, thank you for taking Twilight seriously and treating it with dignity without coming from a patronizing standpoint
Thanks so much 🫶🏽
Love how all of us fans can call out all the red flags still! But we still aren't afraid to admit we are fans...
How ironic! I just finished binging all the movies. Definitely keep this series going👏👏
Thank you for having a sponsor like MODERN fertility. Idk much about the company but even just giving accessibility to hormone testing is amazing. I lost my job in May and obviously don’t have health insurance for awhile thru my new gig so this is literally a game-changer
Now I will be anxiously checking the channel for the next New Moon analysis. I definitely don't have an anxious attachment to Steph analysis of books and movies/shows.
😂 😂😂
you should do the whole series, this was great
As a future marriage and family Therapist, i LOVED how you related the Twilight movies to real life issues in relationships, omg 😩🙌🏾
So glad!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽
I recently just started listening to the audiobooks of the Twilight series since I’ve only seen the movies as a teenager. It is sooo interesting to me how much different Bella and Edward, characteristics/traits are compared to the films and these analysis videos help me form more different opinions on how I feel of Twilight.
I wasn’t really into Twilight as a teen but as a young adult now, I can see why it got so much attention around that time but I definitely do notice not so healthy traits/situations from the entire series. I still love the concept of vampires and the aesthetic of the movie (where it’s located, the soundtrack, etc) but I do find myself laughing about the differences from the books/movie series. Anyways, gonna binge watch your other videos on Twilight!
i really hope you do more from the twilight books/movies, this was a very interesting video! it’s interesting to hear these things from the perspective of a therapist as well as someone who was a big twilight fan like me and the people who i’m sure clicked on this video
More to come!
Timing is perfect I was just watching the series and was like omg I wonder what a therapist would think about this! 😮😂
Love that!!
I was scrolling and found this video and I’m just like wow. I mean, I agree completely with you. When you first see or read the book your just so enthusiastic for Bella finding Edward and romanticizing the fact he is so over protective of her. Or how you don’t feel like Bella deserves him 😜 but rewatching it, you start to see everyone’s flaws and toxic traits. You mentioned a lot of good points, a few that made me reflect upon my own life and those in it. Thank you !
The fact I was literally thinking about this EXACT analogy of this book/movie yesterday on Bella’s birthday is wild to me and now I see it’s a video ohhh on point, just yes 👏🏽
I learned about gaslighting in my clinical classes during lessons regarding intimate partner and domestic violence
Honestly, I've watched so many of these break down videos and thought I couldn't really learn anything new at this point but your insights are amazing! Really helped me to better understand their relationship dynamic, can't wait to finish watching the video! Thank you for making it! 😊💙
Please continue with the other Twilight books and movies. And I would love to hear about your thoughts on online dating. I can’t wait. Thanks
Yay...so exited for this one 😍
But what i want to say regardless is,that i think its ok to like the movie,if you do. Its ok to like it,when you know its not representing real life. For me,i always saw it as a vampire movie. Nothing more nithing less.
It just gets icky and bad when young people take these movies as an example for their relationships...😒
Agree with everything! This still remains one of my all-time favorites.
This was such a helpful analysis especially because it’s based off of a series that was so influential during a very impressionable time for a lot of us! Can’t wait to see the next one!!!
OMG, *please, Please, PLEASE do the full series!!!!!!!* I have frequently wondered what you would think of this series!!!
Wow! I wish I’d known. I could’ve done it sooner! Thank you!
Yea I think Vampires generally have these types of personalities in movies/shows/books. It’s a good way to come across mysterious or intriguing and captivate the audience but actually be a monster…which is what they technically are lol
I adore your perspective and analysis of this series. I like that you don’t come at it with a condescending or snarky manner. I mean there’s plenty to be snarky about but i like that your tone is not insulting towards those that love(d) this series.
Steph! If you’re interested in talking more about relationships in media, I’ve been waiting for someone to do a deep dive into the relationships in Black-ish! I love that show so much and thought it was so heartfelt in places. Especially the episodes surround Dre and Bows marriage in season 4. X
Thank you for this. Most of the movies we watch indeed shape out reality. ...we just don't realize how much we use those lenses to judge things.
Loved this perspective from a therapist and true twilight fan
Oh my gosh! I’m a LPC and recently rewatched all the movies (was a huge fan in high school and college, totally Team Jacob lol) and everything you said was spot on!!! Loved hearing your perspective!
I'm glad that we're on the same page!
I am OBSESSED with the Twilight Series!
Thank you! I really appreciate you reading also midnight sun for this, it gives more insight and you analysis is so great! I also was a 16 y.o. in love with the idea of a romance like this and now that I'm older I realize how unhealthy it was
Brilliant - a loving perspective and deep analysis. Thank you. ❤ I love Twilight and am nearly out of my own codependency after years of therapy. Love was never easy for me and Twilight helped me to not feel alone and guilty as the person I was back then.
Girlll yes!! I’m a LCMHC in training and also a former twilight fan from my teen years, as an adult with perspective and a student with knowledge of mental health I am right here with you and have been for a hot minute with my thinking about these things lol 😂 Thank you for making this because I’ve thought about how destructive glamorizing these dynamics for young people can be! Hindsight truly is 20/20!
This analysis was amazing
Thank you so much 🥰
I was an adult when I discovered Twilight. The first time I read it, I was obsessed. When I went back to read it I started seeing the problematic nature of their relationship and couldn't.
Omg this was so good! I recently rewatched the whole franchise and I had many thoughts about the relationship dynamics, especially between Edward and Bella. Now I’m off to watch all your Twilight videos. Thank you! 🤗
Currently reading the books for the first time. I love the movies but am aware there are major red flags lol! Thanks for taking the time to analyze the story from your perspective and expertise.
As someone with DID, I’m so glad that you acknowledged Edward referring to himself as having a “monster” part is not DID. It’s so, so tiring to constantly see someone having dark urges/instincts in media being “actually it’s DID which gives them a secret evil side!”. That’s so not the case, and it’s so tiring to see your disorder only ever portrayed as “makes people killers” disorder. (Not saying people with DID can’t be bad people, but still.)
Edward, to me, is compartmentalizing parts of himself he doesn’t like deliberately, as a means of separating himself from those feelings. DID is not a deliberate, conscious choice to compartmentalize one’s mind; it’s, according to leading theories right now, repeated trauma in early childhood preventing someone’s mind from forming a singular identity/state of self. This allows a person to survive traumatic situations, primarily by sharing the burden between alters and forgetting things that go beyond the brain’s ability to handle. As far as I can tell, research doesn’t yet indicate why some people may develop DID, but others who go through similar trauma may not.
TL:DR; DID doesnt create a “good” person and an “evil dark side”, and Edward would not have been able to develop it by consciously deciding to separate himself and the “monstrous” side of him as an immortal teenager.
Thank you for shining a light on this. I loved the series as a kid/preteen and as an adult re reading these I realized that Bella and Edward are SO TOXIC!! It’s an abusive relationship
Thank you for watching!!
The entire Edward/ Bella thing ALWAYS seemed off to me. Know I know why. Totally subscribed after this.