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[Sporothrix]

In many ways Sera reminds me of Alice from The L Word...a funny, often abrasive character who occasionally said some REALLY offensive stuff.  I loved Alice, but I recognized that she was written to be divisive.

 

The big difference between her and Sera, of course, other than the worlds they live in, is that Alice was part of an ensemble cast of many characters, and I don't think anybody watching ever thought that she was supposed to be representing the entire LGBT community.

 

So should Sera be held to a higher standard than anyone else in the cast of DA:I?  It's kind of baffling to me that people will call Iron Bull "perfect" (yeah no), while Sera is being written off entirely.  There are people acting like you're a bad fan for even having Sera in your party...that's the kind of thing that really disturbs me about all of this critique.

 

Dragon Age franchise, and honestly Bioware as a whole, doesn't have a good history when it comes to lesbian representation so in that context all the problems with Sera get highlighted. And honestly, Iron Bull has many redeeming qualities, when it's hard to point even one in case of Sera.

 

I suppose that the cookie thing was supposed to be that, but if so, it failed.

Spoiler

I expected that it was a metaphor for far bigger issues she had with her adoptive mother, but it appears that was it. Moments later you can read that her mother bought into nobility through hard work, and during banter with Cole he says: „She tried. The cookies were good until the hate made them bitter in your mouth”, which suggests her mother really loved her and never meant to harm her. Sera's hate make her look really unempathetic – something that could be seen during her romance with Dalish elf. She acts so selfish and self-centered that she doesn't notice how much she could hurt the Dalish PC by expecting from her to denounce everything she believes or they're done. It's always about „me” with Sera, she doesn't put herself in the shoes of people who are close to her. Even when it comes to „little people”, it appears to be more about issues with her mother and punishing nobles than true care about those below.

 

The only way Sera's behavior could be acceptable in my eyes is if we assumed that she's still a teenager during rebellion phase. Certainly her appearance, as well as a mention that Hero of Ferelden gave her a toy 10 yers ago when she was a child, makes it possible – she could be even around 16 years old. In addition to that, she could be also a bit mentally challenged – she apparently had the education thanks to her adoptive mother so that doesn't explain her vocabulary or that she has visible problems with understanding other people. But that could be offensive to people who face such issues, as noted on one blog I've read:

Spoiler

Also I really have to say something about Sera, as a neurodivergent individual. Specifically one with ASD.
You’re welcome to read and headcanon Sera as you please, but for the love of god be conscious of the problems therein. Me, personally? I’m super uncomfortable with the idea given what a nasty individual she can be. Too often that’s how we’re represented in media, as abrasive individuals with no sense of respect for other people’s feelings. Or totally lacking in self awareness.
So yeah. Keep that in mind when you’re talking about that.

 

And that also opens yet another can of worms. If she's mentally challenged underage girl, why do we have the possibility to have romance and sex with her? Maybe because she wasn't initially created with intention to make her a lesbian romance option? That would explain why her orientation doesn't play absolutely any significance in her character arc and it would be very easy to make her anyone else in this term. And with so little female companions in this game, there was just no one else who would fit because Vivienne already had some straight back-story and besides, it would make both gay companions mages bringing some unfortunate implications.

 

So it's either she's horrible person and yet another instance of problematic lesbian representation Bioware gave us, or she's not – but then we are, for taking advantage of mentally challenged underage teen girl.

[Xilizhra]

Well, Vivienne would also have been even worse representation (in addition to being bisexual, so they'd have had to make Josephine lesbian--so maybe that wouldn't have been so bad).

 

 

So it's either she's horrible person and yet another instance of problematic lesbian representation Bioware gave us, or she's not – but then we are, for taking advantage of mentally challenged underage teen girl.

That said, I like these options.

[Serza]

Dragon Age franchise, and honestly Bioware as a whole, doesn't have a good history when it comes to lesbian representation so in that context all the problems with Sera get highlighted. And honestly, Iron Bull has many redeeming qualities, when it's hard to point even one in case of Sera.

 

I suppose that the cookie thing was supposed to be that, but if so, it failed.

Spoiler

I expected that it was a metaphor for far bigger issues she had with her adoptive mother, but it appears that was it. Moments later you can read that her mother bought into nobility through hard work, and during banter with Cole he says: „She tried. The cookies were good until the hate made them bitter in your mouth”, which suggests her mother really loved her and never meant to harm her. Sera's hate make her look really unempathetic – something that could be seen during her romance with Dalish elf. She acts so selfish and self-centered that she doesn't notice how much she could hurt the Dalish PC by expecting from her to denounce everything she believes or they're done. It's always about „me” with Sera, she doesn't put herself in the shoes of people who are close to her. Even when it comes to „little people”, it appears to be more about issues with her mother and punishing nobles than true care about those below.

 

The only way Sera's behavior could be acceptable in my eyes is if we assumed that she's still a teenager during rebellion phase. Certainly her appearance, as well as a mention that Hero of Ferelden gave her a toy 10 yers ago when she was a child, makes it possible – she could be even around 16 years old. In addition to that, she could be also a bit mentally challenged – she apparently had the education thanks to her adoptive mother so that doesn't explain her vocabulary or that she has visible problems with understanding other people. But that could be offensive to people who face such issues, as noted on one blog I've read:

Spoiler

Also I really have to say something about Sera, as a neurodivergent individual. Specifically one with ASD.
You’re welcome to read and headcanon Sera as you please, but for the love of god be conscious of the problems therein. Me, personally? I’m super uncomfortable with the idea given what a nasty individual she can be. Too often that’s how we’re represented in media, as abrasive individuals with no sense of respect for other people’s feelings. Or totally lacking in self awareness.
So yeah. Keep that in mind when you’re talking about that.

 

And that also opens yet another can of worms. If she's mentally challenged underage girl, why do we have the possibility to have romance and sex with her? Maybe because she wasn't initially created with intention to make her a lesbian romance option? That would explain why her orientation doesn't play absolutely any significance in her character arc and it would be very easy to make her anyone else in this term. And with so little female companions in this game, there was just no one else who would fit because Vivienne already had some straight back-story and besides, it would make both gay companions mages bringing some unfortunate implications.

 

So it's either she's horrible person and yet another instance of problematic lesbian representation Bioware gave us, or she's not – but then we are, for taking advantage of mentally challenged underage teen girl.

 

So, does that mean I'm an ******* if I romanced her?

Yay. So very nice of you.

[WildOrchid]

First transphobic, now underage? Anything else?!

 

I can't with people. I really can't.

[Basement Cat]

Spoiler

 

Because it was getting a bit gloomy in here....

 

Anyhoo....I find it interesting that Sera is a bit iffy about Varric, the guy who is also very much on the side of the little people. They are alike on the surface level but i think she said something about him thinking too much and something about how he talks a lot....? Anyone remember/have a clip of that convo?

That bit where she thinks Varric is too clever? You just need to ask her about your companions and she says it. I guess she doesn't like him because he's good at pegging her down? Banter between them shows that she never gets the last word with him either.

 

In fact the only person she gets the last word against is Cassandra I think. Then again Cassandra gets her back because Sera hates nature and Cassandra thinks it's funny. 

[WildOrchid]

That bit where she thinks Varric is too clever? You just need to ask her about your companions and she says it. I guess she doesn't like him because he's good at pegging her down? Banter between them shows that she never gets the last word with him either.

 

In fact the only person she gets the last word against is Cassandra I think. Then again Cassandra gets her back because Sera hates nature and Cassandra thinks it's funny. 

 

Nah, she likes Varric.

[Xilizhra]

So, does that mean I'm an ******* if I romanced her?

Yay. So very nice of you.

Well, someone is. I suppose it's a matter of preference as to which one is.

 

It's hardly exclusive to Sera. I find that Jack-romancing Shepards from ME2 are rather shady too, for instance.

 

First transphobic, now underage? Anything else?!

 

I can't with people. I really can't.

Hmm. Perhaps she's more in the "barely legal" category--that'd still be more or less the same in terms of development.

[LightningPoodle]

Well, someone is. I suppose it's a matter of preference as to which one is.

 

It's hardly exclusive to Sera. I find that Jack-romancing Shepards from ME2 are rather shady too, for instance.

 

Hmm. Perhaps she's more in the "barely legal" category--that'd still be more or less the same in terms of development.

 

Jack romancing Shepard is the best, you think otherwise...

 

[Xilizhra]

Jack romancing Shepard is the best, you think otherwise...

 

Bah. See, I get warned whenever I try that.

[Nharia1]

Jack romancing Shepard is the best, you think otherwise...

 

-snip-

Lets not bring the ME cast of romances into this one....

[LightningPoodle]

Lets not bring the ME cast of romances into this one....

 

... OK... *pushes Biotic love to the side* We are here for archery love of course.

[SardaukarElite]

Sera being underage would depend on exactly how old she is and exactly what definition we are using - age of consent varies by country. More importantly I don't think attitudes to age have been delved into in Thedas, they could consider you an adult much earlier.

 

My impression is that Sera is firmly in her early twenties, she is quite intelligent but is either too impatient or too impulsive to learn. She may well have a learning difficulty but it doesn't make her incapable.

[Roamingmachine]

That bit where she thinks Varric is too clever? You just need to ask her about your companions and she says it. I guess she doesn't like him because he's good at pegging her down? Banter between them shows that she never gets the last word with him either.

 

In fact the only person she gets the last word against is Cassandra I think. Then again Cassandra gets her back because Sera hates nature and Cassandra thinks it's funny. 

 

Thanks   I've noticed that she does get the verbal beatdown against just about anyone but allways goes back in there. Maybe it's like her pranks, lightening the mood the only way she knows how?

[Sporothrix]

First transphobic, now underage? Anything else?!

 

I can't with people. I really can't.

 

Yeah, because that remark wasn't transphobic at all:

 

And nice reasoning: she can't be transphobic because she likes Iron Bull. And he likes Krem. And they stay in the same tavern. So the fact that there was absolutely no interaction between them is a proof that she's not transphobic.

 

BTW, the fact she has childish personality and possibly is mentally challenged was mentioned by people that actually like that character - exactly as something that's supposed to make her behavior seem more acceptable. And just given what we know, she's 21, maybe 22 at most, but could be also 16.

[LightningPoodle]

Sera being underage would depend on exactly how old she is and exactly what definition we are using - age of consent varies by country. More importantly I don't think attitudes to age have been delved into in Thedas, they could consider you an adult much earlier.

 

My impression is that Sera is firmly in her early twenties, she is quite intelligent but is either too impatient or too impulsive to learn. She may well have a learning difficulty but it doesn't make her incapable.

 

How many people know how to use a bow effectively and properly? Not a lot of people nowadays.

[Nharia1]

Yeah, because that remark wasn't transphobic at all:

 

And nice reasoning: she can't be transphobic because she likes Iron Bull. And he likes Krem. And they stay in the same tavern. So the fact that there was absolutely no interaction between them is a proof that she's not transphobic.

I still dont see how that line is transphobic....

[Nharia1]

How many people know how to use a bow effectively and properly? Not a lot of people nowadays.

-jumps up and down, waving hands in the air- I do I do!

[LightningPoodle]

I still dont see how that line is transphobic....

 

Thing is, it's not in anyway. People are reading between the lines... again... Pisses me right off how people take a line and blow it out of context!

[LightningPoodle]

-jumps up and down, waving hands in the air- I do I do!

 

I love you. Now shoot an arrow of off my head.

 

Edit: Let's just rub that out...

[Roamingmachine]

Yeah, because that remark wasn't transphobic at all:

 

And nice reasoning: she can't be transphobic because she likes Iron Bull. And he likes Krem. And they stay in the same tavern. So the fact that there was absolutely no interaction between them is a proof that she's not transphobic.

 

On some days, I love BSN. On days like this, however.....

I give up. Fight away.

[LightningPoodle]

-snip-

 

On some days, I love BSN. On days like this, however.....

I give up. Fight away.

 

*hugs* It'll be ok, biscuit. It'll be ok.

[Nharia1]

I love you. Now shoot an arrow of off my head.

don't you mean an apple?

 

Just because I know how to use a bow, properly, doesnt mean I can shoot an apple off of your head. I'd say that's about a 1/10 chance, maybe lower. depends on how one is doing on any given day. and the conditions.

[WildOrchid]

Yeah, because that remark wasn't transphobic at all:

 

And nice reasoning: she can't be transphobic because she likes Iron Bull. And he likes Krem. And they stay in the same tavern. So the fact that there was absolutely no interaction between them is a proof that she's not transphobic.

 

BTW, the fact she has childish personality and possibly is mentally challenged was mentioned by people that actually like that character - exactly as something that's supposed to make her behavior seem more acceptable.

 

I have no idea about you, but nope. To me it wasn't transphobic at all. You are taking one line completely out of context.

 

And nope she can't. Iron Bull is really fond of Krem, he literally gets mad when you ask Krem if he is a woman. And iron bull wouldn't tolerate a person who's transphobic at all. And he likes Sera. So there's that. No proof she's transphobic at all.

 

 

I really can't wait for another accusation to laugh.

[Roamingmachine]

How many people know how to use a bow effectively and properly? Not a lot of people nowadays.

 

Recurve bow archer here!    Fun fact: Sera has some hella strong arms and shoulders. My hands start to shake after 30 or so shots and Sera pumps them out in their hundreds O_O

[LightningPoodle]

don't you mean an apple?

 

Just because I know how to use a bow, properly, doesnt mean I can shoot an apple off of your head. I'd say that's about a 1/10 chance, maybe lower.

 

I wrote arrow? F***... And I like those odds... c'mon, lets do it.