The Light and the Dark

Some disconnected but related ideas that are circling around my head.

Robin Williams died. He was a great comic. But I’ve always really, really liked him as a dramatic actor. He will always be known for his manic energy and the improvisation, but when he was given the chance to act, he could give you chills. (see his work in Insomnia , seriously.) One wonders what he could have done if he’d been given the role of the Joker back in the Tim Burton era.
One of the most common bits of praise I’ve heard about Guardians of the Galaxy is how it avoids the whole “grimdark” aesthetic that has infected many superhero movies. This despite the characters’ backstories, and their status as criminals, thugs and assassins. The plot, in fact, is not really all that light hearted, which sort of reminds me of. . .
Doctor Who, which I’ve finally caught up with on Netflix. I can’t think of any other dramatic work that manages to balance the elements of light and dark so seamlessly. And the pits of darkness is goes into (I mean, genocide is a recurring theme. It can get dark.) wouldn’t be nearly as effective if it wasn’t for the frivolity, the humor, and the joy the various Doctors bring to the table. (And vice versa)

All of which is sort of a round-about way of saying that if you’re writing something light, don’t forget the darkness.