User blog comment:-blak-/Cody VS The Writers/@comment-386913-20101124120648

The biggest problem with all seasons of this show is trying to balance out the characters that make it work and the characters that need work. The main problem is who is used and who is sacrificed to make these things go about. While there are many faults about TDA to many, it did further develop characters like Beth, Justin and even certain fan favorites like Lindsay and Courtney. The problem people have is that it did so at the cost of characters like Gwen, Trent and, perhaps, DJ.

TDWT's biggest problem aside from certain aspects of drama is simple: it was trying too hard to show off the new characters and nearly ignored others or turned them into jokes. Cody's biggest problem is simply he was the crux to Sierra's storyline, particularly after "Broadway, Baby!" when she was finally woken up about Chris. Unfortunately Sierra isn't really a Mary-Sue, but her obsession with Cody did make her stay a tad long in the story. And meanwhile, Cody did have some great moments and did show he had what it took to win in the season but it's mostly his "fast thinker" aspect we sort of knew and his overprotectiveness of Gwen. Sure some say he was out of line of trying to get Gwen after what he did with Trent, but he probably saw TDA in the peanut gallery and saw that Gwen was open with Trent pretty much breaking down and Duncan still essentially Courtney's regardless of the crush. Other than that, he essentially made the right comments near the end of the season: he wasn't in the final three on his own merits, he was because he mostly did nothing to get him eliminated and because of Sierra. Heck, Team Amazon nearly killed one another and Cody didn't even get one elimination vote until the last passport ceremony.

Now Alejandro on the other hand...yeah, that just seemed too much like making the ultimate villain and Gary Stu at the same exact time. (though on an aside: the season does get points for developing Noah and Tyler so at least it wasn't a complete waste...even at the cost of Bridgette...and DJ...and Ezekiel...)