Team Edward or Team Jacob?
By Pamela, age 25, South Africa
It is a topic so talked about among fans of The Twilight Saga that numerous blogs and websites have been set up to debate the crucial question: Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Like many other fans of Twilight I was 100% Team Edward. However, after having read New Moon, and especially after watching Taylor Lautner play Jacob, I have to say that I am now a member of both teams! The mysterious, intense Edward made my heart race in Twilight, and I was all for Bella and Edward's fiery romance (despite the cold weather and his cold blood!). But in New Moon, I found myself torn between the two teams and wishing that Bella wouldn't turn her head when Jacob tried to kiss her several times. As an audience, when we watch or read the books, we feel what Bella feels, and therefore have strong opinions.
When Bella meets Edward it is like she is struck by a lighting bolt and falls head over heels in love at first sight with this dangerous, mysterious character. When it comes to Edward, Bella is in the dark about his thoughts and feelings. She knows that being with him endangers her life, yet that intense love bordering on obsession is like a drug and she literally doesn't have a choice. "For whatever reason, Bella is instinctually in need - I mean, can't live without Edward," Kristen Stewart, who plays the lovelorn Bella, explains in an interview provided by Summit Entertainment.* "So if I had something like that, that definitely would be what I went for because I wouldn't have a choice." Edward is the bad boy, while Jacob is the good guy. Girls often put good guys in the "friend zone", yet they fall madly in love with bad boys who might not be the most sensible option for them. (Try telling your heart that!).
It is a question that the stars of the saga have been asked in practically every interview. "Objectively, from the outside, she should be with Jacob," Stewart said. "She's best friends with him, he's warm, it's easy, there's no problems there. But you can't always take the easy way." It seems that in New Moon, Bella's relationship with Jacob provides her with a comfortable and safe feeling. They start out as friends and their relationship slowly develops into something more. She has genuine affection for him and enjoys doing things that friends do, such as going to the movies and hanging out. Jacob makes Bella feel safe and taken care of, and gives her that assurance of love and security. But for Bella, that passion and "in love" feeling that she had with Edward is always missing. With Edward, Bella always feels extreme emotions, such as passion, obsession, anger, fear, and heartache. Even the "bad" feelings are exciting for her. She doesn't want it "easy", as sometimes easy can be boring. Choosing Edward is going with her heart and her magnetic attraction to him, while choosing Jacob is going with her head as he would be the safer and more predictable choice.
For Taylor Lautner it depends on what type of person you are. "Team Jacob. If you believe in that friendship and you guys are friends at first and you develop this deep friendship, then all of a sudden fall in love later on, then you should be Team Jacob," he said, supporting his character. "Come to the dark side! But if you believe in love at first sight and seeing that mysterious man in the corner, then all right, join Team Edward."
Whether you support Team Edward or Team Jacob is a decision that you will have to make for yourself. Love at first sight or friends first? Or perhaps I'm wrong and the decision is based on whether you prefer vampires or werewolves.
* Source for all quotes: Summit Entertainment, New Moon cast interview
