Complex thematic and I think the current situation in media is, for a huge part, responsible for it.
The last five or six years a big part of mainstream media is dominated by so called “girlboss” characters - rey from star wars and the modern version of galadriel of rings of power come to mind.
The problem here is: Nobody can connect with these characters. They are “flawless” - rey being a super powerful uber jedi who can do anything and galadriel being not just way to powerful in battle (for instance the oneshot of the mountain troll) and never called out for rash and irresponsible decisions.
They are also never “at fault” for their errors.
In short: flat and flawless characters are bland, most of the time the whole story is wraping around them and not giving them any obstacles to overcome - they are perfect from the get go - not necessary “mary sue”, but at least “fanfiction”-level of unbelievable.
Now we have the situation in wow: Many … many … male characters are dying, being replaced or just written as “sacrifical pawns” (baelgrim as an example). All while the female part of the story is being shown as “better” in some way - more cunning, wiser, stronger, etc. - it just feels forced.
I have no problem with Xal’atath being shown as cunning and “in control” - she has build up, no real problem there (even the cinematic, with her rage, as some things don’t go as planned are “in character” - she was in control up to this point). I would also have no problem with faerin being what she is (let’s be real, she is a copy of amaya from “the dragon prince” - but “more”) - it is just the way she is inserted into the story, that irks me - being a “lothar” feels like some cheap and forced way of the writers to get me to care about her, because she “has a legacy” - it doesn’t develop in a natural way. (For instance eowyn from lotr - she has build up, we see her ups and downs and the reveal of “i am no man” feels all way more impactful, because the character had time to grow).
I loved (and still love) many female characters in the story of wow. Valeera, Lilian Voss (compare her with calia menethil - lilian feels “natural” and believable, calia feels kinda bland and force to a degree), Vanessa van Cleef - the whole story of “new westfall”, lady vashj (even the shadowland version), draka, etc.
Point being: These characters are given time, a believable storyarc and they are also shown as flawed if it makes sense … ah … and they often are given other characters to bounce off of - to see their connections and emotions - which makes them even more interesting. You see them struggling (Lilian Voss), you see them fail (Lady Vashj) … you see them “die” (Lady Vashj and Vanessa - who probably “died” in the explosion … until she is needed again, which I am more than fine with).
These characters are believable, they are in positions of power because they seem competent and they are shown as equal - or, if good for the story and “in character” - to the male characters (Valeera with rexxar and varian, lady vashj with kael, vanessa as a worthy successor to edwin, lilian voss being as competent than mathias shaw).
That is storytelling, that is worldbuilding, that is a believable character, who feels “alive”.
That is the story I want to play, I want to watch … I want to be invested in.
These characters feel compelling, they feel competent and you can see reason behind their actions.
Now look at some “new characters”: alleria loosing to her emotions and lashing out - she is several thousand years old and a war veteran, who has seen way worse - why? Sidelining her husband, who was a main motiviational factor for her (in combination with arator, her son). Her “explaining” what many of the other characters have to do - they were equals before.
Jaina - where are the consequences of her actions? Was there ever a trail for her “cleansing” of dalaran (I really don’t know)? All is forgiven? Why, how are the bloodelves / the sunreavers okay with it?
Faelin - She would feel perfect as the matreon of hallowfall. A woman, who is wise beyond her years - who cares for every person under her care (could even be written as a bit of a flaw - showing her as too idealistic). She could even be shown as taking up arms and trying to defend her people … but … for gods sake … she is blind and one armed - how can she be a better soldier than any of the other able bodied and trained soldiers (male and female) under her command. Show it as a “noble trait”, but futile and flawed - she trys, but fails - in the end her caring personality and idealistic view still strengthens her people, because she forged connections with the outsiders military (alliance, horde) - she could even be believable in “showing” anduin a way - because she also has her doubts and she also fails.
On the other side: Get the remaining male characters out of the gutter - anduin and his “build up” and ptsd is a runing gag as of now. Thrall feels like a husk of his former self - if they don’t want him to show as a warchief or powerful fighter again, it is okay - give him a believable other role than - make him the uncle iroh of wow - being wise and guiding the other characters (yes, even the females) - it can even be done in a roundabout way, just keep him consistent and competent.
Magni and Moira … good god … there was so much potential. Magni is flawed … but … Moira is no saint either … why is she the one lecturing Magni and him being the one just taking it? Let there be a pushback, let both characters show their flaws but seeing them and working through them … for a shared common goal. Not one “show the way” and the other “okay, I do as you say”.
