This is dorrit again in reference to the chapter four post about character bashing and breaking up every other couple in the show. I was tagging the destruction of the other romantic pairs on the show as character bashing. But now I realize that's too broad a definition for the term. So I apologize for this and admit to being wrong about calling it bashing.
But unfortunately. I am not wrong about the rest. It is still unrealistic to have the whole QAF cast outside of Brian and Justin be unlucky in love. And the explanations given for why they would all be kaput just underlines how unrealistic. None of the things listed are believable divorce fodder for any of these couples. It's true that Mel and Linz cheated on each other, but they took each other back. And Lindsay being bi sexual doesn't mean she can no longer be with Melanie.
If Michael takes on the lifestyle of who ever he's with, this only makes a breakup less likely, since both partners are now on the same page. And Ben practically cheated on Michael in canon, with Michael forgiving him without even asking for an apology. So there's no reason he wouldn't do it here, although they might be separated for a while.
If Ted and Blake are settling for each other so what, lots of long term couples do this. Different people expect different things from a relationship. Heat and passion was not what brought Ted and Blake together to begin with. So they certainly wouldn't need fireworks later.
And if these couple's shortcoming really are lethal to their relationships, what about the same problems being a part of Brian of Justin's romance. Mel and Linz might have cheated, but Justin cheated on Brian as well. Michael takes on the life style of his partner, so did Justin when he coldly rebuked that virgin a la Brian and got all artsy when he was with Ethan. Ted and Blake might be settling for each other, but so would Brian and Justin if they stay together. If he gave up his party ways Brian would be settling. If he gave up his hopes for a more domestic life Justin would be settling. None of this means Justin and Brian can't be together. But by the same token, none of these deficiencies mean the other couples can't be together either, yet these are the reasons provided to bust everyone up.
The reason for going on so much about this is that the idea of a more worldly Justin and a more seasoned Brian is an exciting new twist on that couple's tale. But this backdrop of everybody parting ways so completely lacks feasibility, it makes everything else impossible to fathom as well. It's like some bizarro world where everything's off kilter and out of sorts. If I can't believe in the backdrop of the story, how can I believe in Brian and Justin's story? I was really, REALLY hoping for credible explanations about how all three couples broke up. I hoped this because I wanted so much to be able to enjoy the rest of the tale. But instead, reasons put forward for the breakups were so poor that even I could come up with better justifications. This makes me sad since it makes everything else in the story unbelievable. And worse, it makes it questionable if I can continue to read. I'm sorry to say all this as I was really looking forward to this story.
Dorrit, we've kept a close eye on your 'comments' and you have barely been short of being a flaming troll who we would deal with very harshly. If you don't like a plot just go read another story. By our website rules you are not allowed to bash a story, author, reader, or an admin here. It will not be tolerated.
The writer has artistic license to write what they wish and this story is not completed. You don't have enough details yet to see where the author is headed with this plot. Instead of jumping to conclusions and trying to discourage the writer, go read another story. If you don't have something nice to say, then say nothing.
See our Zero Tolerance Troll/Troublemaker Policy
~Senior Admin, bob
Author's Response: Thanks for your support, Bob.
And Dorrit? I have no problems with criticism, but this is ridiculous. There is no way I'm going to enter some debate on the plausability of a secondary part of the plot. Maybe you are 100% right and it's totally unrealistic that those 3 couples broke up, Then I'll just say that they all made a big mistake by breaking up and move on with the story.