In Defense of Fate: The Winx Saga
I’ve been seeing plenty of hate for the Netflix series, Fate: The Winx Saga, and much of it is very valid. “It’s not the same!” “They whitewashed the characters!” “It’s horrendous!” Even in more colorful language than I dare write on here. And for many of you, your displeasure, even hatred, is valid. I grew up with Winx Club as well, and I fell in love with the series. Heck, I even have two Winx Club figurines that keep by my side. Magic and fantasy hold a special place in my heart, and this cartoon series is no exception. I didn’t hear until much later about this series on Netflix, and like so many things, I was excited. Then came the trailer, and that’s when the hate started. It ranged from much of the cast being whitewashed, Terra being replaced by Flora, Terra being ugly and not skinny, it’s too dark, it’s not the same, and the list goes on and on. I decided to give it a chance just the same. And you know what? I’m liking what I see so far. Hear me out. Winx Club holds a special place in all of our hearts, and for a long time we wanted it to become real in the form of a live-action series. We all had ideas and suggestions, but the biggest problem that I’ve encountered with so many of these ideas is that much of them is still strictly the same thing like the cartoon show is. The characters are exactly the same, the body types are exactly the same, the stories are exactly the same, and so much more. Do you see where I’m getting at? There’s no room for originality or imagination. That’s where Fate gets it right. The show runners and creators themselves knew the challenge that lay ahead of them when they were developing this series. One of the biggest problems that I see so many true blue fans have is that they have a narrow minded vision of what this show should be because it’s exactly how they grew up watching the show. Don’t you see? You’re not being open to the possibilities and the originality that comes with it. That’s what happened with the first two films of Harry Potter. They’ve had to take in every single detail exactly as it is without using their imaginations and creating something different and original that’s not part of the book series. It had to be a certain way in order to please everyone. I’m not saying you can’t please everybody, but you shouldn’t have to pin down every detail to a “T” and stifle the opportunities for growth and flexibility. Of course the characters aren’t going to be the same in the cartoon series. Even the show runner and creators knew that. Even one of them specifically said that no one looks like the cartoon Winx Club gang in real life. It’s just not possible, and it’s a little bit disheartening to those with different body shapes who have been longing to be represented in a positive light. We shouldn't have to be stuck with seeing stick figures each and every time a new show comes out. What about the curvy shapes? What about the apple shapes? What about more variety? And it doesn’t help that you constantly make fun of Terra (Eliot Salt) because of her body shape. Body shaming is so five years ago, so stop doing it. We need to embrace the different sizes and shapes that are out in our world, and not have to settle for stick figures every single time. Besides, true beauty is found from within no matter what shape you are. Another problem that I’ve seen fans constantly complain about is Stella. “She’s a bitch!” “She’s mean!” “She’s so full of herself!” Um, I hate to break it to you, but the cartoon Stella is a little bit full of herself as well. Being the daughter of royalty does lead to thinking of yourself as above everyone else, and using that royal status as a way to get whatever you want. I honestly don’t see the difference between the two, except that it’s more apparent in Fate. Like the cartoon, Stella is still growing and navigating trying to be herself, and even it means seeing that your royal status means nothing if you don’t start treating others with kindness. Both Stellas have to learn that. And I’m pretty sure you’ve met a couple of Stellas in your lifetime that got too big for her britches and had to be taken down a few pegs in order to experience humility. And here’s another problem I’ve seen from the commentary. You’d expect it to be EXACTLY like the cartoon. There you go again with being narrow minded. Fate is more geared towards the teenagers and the adults, whereas Winx Club is more geared towards a certain age group, preferably young girls and boys between the ages of 5-9 (or even younger in some cases.) Fate is more REAL than the Winx Club is because it deals with real issues in a way that many of us have or are currently experiencing, and that includes friendship, trying to fit in, relationships, school, bullying, doing what’s right, and so much more that encompasses real life. It’s not always pretty or can be magically solved, and that’s where Fate gets it right. Much of these issues can’t be solved with magic and sometimes it doesn’t end happily with a bow on top like the cartoon series does. I realize that many of you want to escape from what’s going on, but sometimes if we find that we experience what’s going on in a fantasy series in a new perspective, it can help us tackle our problems with a bit more clarity. Yes, it’s ugly much of the time, but life isn’t always pretty, and we have to accept that. What we cannot accept is constantly hiding our problems as if they’re nonexistent. That’s what shows like this are for. It’s to face our problems head on, see what’s wrong, and make a choice to be a better human being. Again, Fate gets it right. Some things I would like to see changed and explored more if/when season 2 arrives: *More diversity and body shapes for the characters *An opportunity to branch out to issues impacting our world and how it impacts the Otherworld (i.e. BLM, climate change, women’s rights, etc.) *Further backstories on all of the characters and how they connect with each other And so much more. Now, I can’t change your minds about Fate since you’re pretty set in your ways. All I ask is that you take a look at another point of view and see why a small number of us enjoy this series. All I ask is that you open your minds to the possibilities and not be so set on a certain way of doing things. All I ask is that you take the time to listen to others, understand where they’re coming from, and agreeing to disagree. You can keep hating this show all you want, but at least take the time to hear out the opinions of others who do enjoy Fate, and it should be so much more than just “it’s not the same!” Real magic comes from within, and it’s taking the time to understand one another as human beings and learning to be kind and understanding with each other. Please take that into consideration.
