Buzz
At long last, the Twilight Saga has reached its end. The final movie debuted earlier this year, and for those who never really got into the overly dramatic, 'can't-live-without-you' romance, there’s finally room to breathe again. The series, both in books and films, dominated for so long it seemed like it would never come to a close. It’s a welcome relief to finally close the chapter and put the saga to rest.
Now, we only need to face the next chapter: the sequel book series, which, of course, is being stretched out into as many films as possible—because, why not make a few extra dollars? This series, the provocative and kinky 50 Shades of Grey, originally began as Twilight fan-fiction. It’s hard to say if we'll ever fully escape the uncomfortable absurdity packed between those pages. However, the Twilight Saga itself has now come to an end, and here are some reasons to celebrate:
10. Vampires can finally return to their true nature
Vampires have never been known for sparkling in the sunlight – they combust into flames! Filmmakers and writers, please let vampires be what they truly are. These creatures of the night, with their mesmerizing gaze and unquenchable thirst for blood, are defined by darkness. They don't turn away from human blood because of some moral compass – those were abandoned the moment they became undead. Sure, they possess strength and speed, but they also have their vulnerabilities – crosses, sunlight, and stakes to the heart. Vampires are meant to be resting in coffins during daylight hours, exposed and fragile to the world. We want the classic garlic-averse vampires back!
9. Fewer children named Isabella and Jacob
Since the success of Twilight, a wave of fans have been honoring their favorite characters by naming their children after the saga’s stars. Isabella and Jacob have topped the U.S. baby name charts, with Cullen also making its way up. Soon, classrooms will be filled with these living tributes to the Twilight phenomenon. But as time moves on, society can finally return to some originality in names – at least until 50 Shades of Grey hits theaters. We can probably expect to see a rise in names like Christian, Anastasia, and Grey.
8. Isabella no longer has to irritate millions of people
Kristen Stewart can keep upsetting the public with her provocative behavior, but Bella’s story is over. I read the books, I watched the films – I had to see what all the buzz was about. My verdict? Bella Swan was a passive-aggressive, whiny teenager in desperate need of therapy and some self-confidence training. She manipulated both Edward and Jacob, playing them against each other, while never intending to let go of Edward. Honestly, no matter what anyone says, she gobbled up their affection and attention like an insatiable beast. She wanted the best of both worlds – a vampire boyfriend and a loyal werewolf. In the end, this crybaby got exactly what she wanted – to be with Edward forever while keeping Jacob around. Ugh.
7. Young people can learn to be rational again
… Or at least they’ll have a chance between the last Twilight film and the first 50 Shades movie to regain a sense of reality before getting swept away again. Let’s be clear: relationships should not revolve around obsession, control, and stalking, all in the name of ‘love’ and ‘protection’. Bella didn’t need rescuing – she needed to confront her daddy issues and evolve into a strong, independent individual. Instead, she was a puppet on a string, craving only Edward’s affection. Edward, on the other hand, was controlling and obsessive to the point of being a stalker, hiding it all under the pretense of loving and protecting her. Boyfriends and girlfriends come and go – normal people don’t fall into deep depressions over a high school breakup. We cry, we get angry, we get even – and then we move on.
6. Werewolves can return to their true nature
Werewolves should finally be able to revert to their true form – wild, feral beasts without any control over their actions, exactly as nature intended. Just as vampires should embrace their vampire nature, werewolves need to embrace their true essence – they are not the oversized, fluffy dogs of Twilight. Traditionally, werewolves were fierce and uncontrollable creatures, savage and untamed under the full moon. Their transformations were not arbitrary – they were bound by the lunar cycles. They were real, wild creatures, not domesticated pets, and they didn’t communicate telepathically. It’s time to bring back the howling, terrifying beasts of mythology and fairytales, rather than these overly sentimental, pitiful versions.
5. No more “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob”
4. No more endless year-long waits
3. The popularity of vampire fiction will decline
At last, the massive flood of vampire and werewolf novels and novellas that have inundated self-published sections on Amazon and other e-book platforms will start to slow down. One can only hope that with the conclusion of the saga, the hype will finally fade. The success of this series encouraged many to believe they could jump on the “vampwagon” and sail their way to financial success. Unfortunately, many of these aspiring authors were ill-equipped to write a novel or novella. While tales of vampires, werewolves, and wizards (thank you, Harry Potter) will always have a place, let's not forget that there is a world full of other captivating stories to explore and enjoy.
2. Guys won’t have to imitate Edward anymore
... And they’ll no longer have to endure any more Twilight films. Edward’s love for Bella was the kind of fairytale romance that women devoured. They dragged their boyfriends to the theater every opening night, hoping to transform them into a beloved prince instead of a regular guy. Whether in their minds or out loud, they compared their rather ordinary partners to the sparkling, tormented soul of Edward. He was emotional, introspective, romantic, protective, heroic, and selfless – everything many women dream of in a partner. At least, if you disregarded his stalker-like, obsessive traits.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having high expectations for a relationship – but it's unreasonable to expect the kind of love found in these books and films. Nor should you even want that. It's pure fantasy – and personally, I'd much rather experience the real thing.
1. No more vampire tourists flocking to Washington
Forks and La Push – once famous for their vampire and werewolf associations – can now return to simply being another dot on the map. Sure, the saga brought in tourists, and the town saw an economic boost thanks to those visitors. I'm sure the locals appreciated the extra income while it lasted, capitalizing on the attention as long as they could. But I can't help but wonder how many residents will be relieved when the vampire/werewolf reputation eventually fades. I can easily picture tourists hanging around the woods or even camping out, hoping for a glimpse of something fictional. As someone who lives in a small town, I would not welcome, for even a moment, an influx of naive werewolf-hunting tourists. I enjoy the quiet, peaceful environment I have – and that's why I live here.
