Story by Lucy Coffey and Lillie Nhep
The Tali Toss Up is a series dedicated to our staff voicing their opinions on why something is better than the other. In this case, Talisman copy editor Lucy Coffey and website writing editor Lillie Nhep argue to establish which iconic character’s team is better from the novel-based film: “Twilight.”
Reader! “Where you been, Loca?” The “Twilight Saga” movies hit theatres on Wednesday, Oct. 29, with a showing at 6 p.m. located at The Escape movie theatre. All five “Twilight Saga” movies were in theatres from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.
Students, friends, family and Twilight fans gathered cozily in their “I heart Twilight” shirts and pledged their allegiance to the iconic love triangle that is the “Twilight Saga.” The series is based on Stephenie Meyer’s book series.
For years, an ongoing debate has been circling the media about whether fans consider themselves “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” In honor of the movie showing, two of our editors went to the first movie and began their debate on which character is better: Edward Cullen or Jacob Black.
The “Twilight Saga” guides the watcher through the story of a teenager, Bella Swan, and her love story with Cullen. In the first film, Bella Swan’s character moves to Forks, Washington, where she meets her first two love interests, Cullen and Black.
Team Edward: Lucy Coffey
In the past 10 or so years, if you were between the ages of 13 and 16, then you have probably either heard about or consumed the “Twilight Saga.” I was 12 when I picked up the iconic black book with the pale apple-holding hands, and from then on, my life was changed.
Funny enough, I thought that the book was pretty boring when I first started reading it. I complained to my mother that it wasn’t moving along fast enough. I was thinking of putting it down. That all changed when she showed me the movie trailer of the first “Twilight” film. This was where I first laid my eyes upon Edward Cullen, the titular dreamy vampire played by the even dreamier Robert Pattinson. Seeing Pattinson alone was enough for me to continue with the series.
I swooned with Bella Swan, portrayed by Kristen Stewart, as I read about Edward Cullen, the sparkly vampire, who was tortured by his own immortal existence and his love for Bella Swan. We all love a yearner, especially in this day and age, and trust me, they are hard to find.
Edward Cullen was a gentleman who went above and beyond for Bela Swan and pined for her affection. As I kept reading, I became even more entranced with Cullen. By then, I knew I was a part of team Edward for life.
Now, I will “stake” my claim about why Edward Cullen is better than Black. He is a Native American, werewolf descendant from the Quileute tribe in La Push, located near Forks, Washington. Black is constantly fighting Edward Cullen for Bella Swan’s affections throughout the series.
Throughout the “Twilight Saga,” Edward Cullen has proven that he is unconditionally and irrevocably dedicated to Bella Swan. Sure, he leaves her for six months in the second book, “New Moon.” This was because he wanted to protect her from the dangers of the vampire world.
He loves her so much that he can’t bring himself to keep her in his world, and it pains him to keep her away. I said it once, and I’ll say it again. There is nothing like a man who yearns, and Edward Cullen is the ultimate yearner.
Also, he stops at nothing to protect her from danger throughout the series. We see this on multiple occasions, like when Bella Swan is nearly crushed by the van in the first “Twilight” book. He barely knows her, but he is already so dedicated to her that he can’t sit and watch her get hurt.
In the first book, he devises a plan to keep her safe while he tracks down James, the vampire that stalks Bella Swan after encountering her with the Cullens during a game of baseball.
Edward Cullen is the definition of chivalry. He is always opening car doors for Bella Swan and literally carries her wherever she needs to go. For example, when they go to prom, both knowing that Bella Swan can’t dance and that she’s wearing a boot, Edward Cullen gracefully swoops her atop his own feet to mimic slow dancing for the both of them. If that’s not cute, I don’t know what else is!
Another thing that I would like to add is that Edward Cullen is mature. Sure, he’s frozen in time with a 17-year-old mind, but he’s not selfish. His only goal in life is to protect, love and make Bella Swan happy, even if he’s not a part of her life. Black, on the contrary, is selfish and stops at nothing to have Bella Swan in his paws.
The next reason I have is a minor one, but can we talk about Edward Cullen’s looks? He is tall, pale and handsome. He has reddish-bronze hair and topaz eyes. He sparkles in the sunlight like diamonds. Didn’t Marilyn Monroe say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend?
Plus, he has a great sense of style in the book and the movie. He’s a total catch! Not to mention that he’s portrayed by the one and only Pattinson, who is probably one of the most attractive men to walk the earth.
These are only some of the reasons that I am proud to still wear a “Team Edward” T-shirt, even as a 20-year-old college student. I am team Edward for life.
Team Jacob: Lillie Nhep
Taking large gulps of my cherry slushie, I sat in my seat waiting to watch the first movie of the “Twilight Saga.” The film’s nostalgic, blue-tinted intro sets the viewer up for the opening scene with Bella Swan.
As for Black, played by early 2000s heartthrob Taylor Lautner, his first appearance is an awkward first encounter. He has long, luscious locks and a gorgeous canine smile to match.
His key role in the film is to be Bella Swan’s other love interest, competing against Edward Cullen. Initially, he is Bella Swan’s confidant and a good friend to her. As the saga goes further, he grows to love Bella Swan even though her heart is set on Edward Cullen.
When watching the movie, Coffey brought to my attention that, funnily enough, Bella Swan and Black had the same hair. Who wore Bella Swan’s hair better?
Anyway, to preface, my loyalties lie with Charlie Swan, team Carlisle Cullen and Alice Cullen. Charlie Swan is Bella Swan’s dad, Carlisle and Alice Cullen are Cullen’s chosen dad and sister.
However, for the sake of old-fashioned love triangles, team Black is the team that should win over the hearts of “Twilight Saga” fans everywhere.
I want to address that toward the end of the saga, “Team Jacob” is for rookies and odd fellows. The concept of imprinting on babies and giving them funny nicknames is, for some like me, a deal breaker.
Edward Cullen and Bella Swan have a child named Renesmee Cullen, who is half human and half vampire. In the last book, “Breaking Dawn,” Black imprints on baby Renesmee Cullen. Essentially, he falls in love with a baby. Can we talk about how weird that is?
I’m sorry! I can’t have you around the gang if you’re going to be weird and smell like a wet dog.
Let’s take it back, however, to Black pre-baby Renesmee Cullen.
He’s a lovesick yearner, reminiscing about the times he and Bella Swan would hang out when they were younger. Now that they’re older, the times have changed, and they’re not kids anymore. They’ve entered high school, the most intense part of adolescence.
Not only is the second movie, “New Moon,” the best movie out of the saga, but Black makes his first appearance as a newfound, might I add, hot werewolf. The scene of him walking in the rain, telling Bella Swan that she’s in love with a filthy, bloodsucking vampire, is iconic.
Though Bella Swan was two years older than Black, he was there for her every step of the way. There are roots and history in their friendship. There was always a connection that lingered on for years, romantic, platonic or not. Edward Cullen laid eyes on Bella Swan once and immediately gagged. That is so embarrassing.
Black’s affections, before Renesmee Cullen, were all in the interest of Bella Swan’s. Their love and friendship for one another was effortless, adventurous and sweet. Besides the part where Swan had a supermassive black hole in her chest.
In fact, I made a playlist dedicated to the messy, young and dramatic kind of love found in the “Twilight Saga.” Check it out below.
“Team Jacob” meant rooting for the concept of safety and devotion in a person. Who was there when Bella Swan came to Forks, Washington, for the first time? It was Black. Who was there for Bella Swan when Edward Cullen fled Forks, Washington, in “New Moon?” It was Black. Who was there for Bella Swan when she needed warmth or friendship? Once again, it was Black.
Not only that, he could have given Bella Swan the life she had envisioned for herself and Edward Cullen, before Renesmee Cullen: a family, safety, trust and warmth, since Edward Cullen is a cold-blooded vampire.
Even long-haired Black followed her around like a puppy, no pun intended, making it obvious that he had a crush on her. In the first film, Black is always nearby, whether it be on the shores of La Push, the end of her driveway, or surprising Bella Swan during prom night. He was there.
Though I have to argue that Black deserved better than the Renesmee Cullen storyline. In fact, he deserved better than Bella Swan, who admittedly said she treated him poorly.
He has all the fierce qualities of a better mate. He is honest, devoted, gentle and confident. Plus, as a bonus, he’s ripped. Yes, he did have his flaws, such as being a jerk toward the end of the saga.
Who doesn’t have their own flaws, though? If my love interest were telling me they love me but chose the other person over me, a crash-out would be activated. If you really think about it, he’s just like the rest of us.
Black, before Renesmee Cullen, is the boy you choose to take home to your parents. He’s the boy whose rough exterior contrasts greatly with the fierceness of his loyalty. He’s the boy you choose because the connection is as easy as breathing.
Never let your vampire husband stop you from getting with your werewolf boyfriend.
Somebody play some Frank Ocean because unrequited lovers, to friends, to almost lovers, back to unrequited love will always wrench a knot in my heart. I believe “Team Jacob” is for the lovers at heart.