I was surprised, reading the above article, because I was only aware of the MarySue as original character (or inflated secondary character) that takes over the role from original protagonists. I wasn't aware that canon protagonists could be viewed as Mary Sue. I think there is nothing wrong with a romance story having idealized protagonist couple, and there are many genres that don't require character growth (fairy tale, for example) so I don't mind that very much. What does bother me is when a character is declared to be and her actions/words don't prove it. (bratty vs teasing, offending vs honest etc.) Or whatever Ideal!Darcy does to win Elizabeth's hand after the refusal, even if it would beviewed as overconfident, or disregarding her feelings or high-handed etc, is OK because it's Darcy doing it.
Physical attributes, even if unusual, don't bother me. I can accept emerald green eyes as well as warm brown ones with golden flecks in it (well, violet sounds strange to me but I can look past it or imagine it was meant to be really dark blue). It is expected that the hero would love to gaze at them, whatever the color.
Physical attributes, even if unusual, don't bother me. I can accept emerald green eyes as well as warm brown ones with golden flecks in it (well, violet sounds strange to me but I can look past it or imagine it was meant to be really dark blue). It is expected that the hero would love to gaze at them, whatever the color.