User blog comment:DancePowderer/Most Gut-Wrenching/@comment-10860731-20140430045335/@comment-4800978-20140501003648

If I recall correctly I'm pretty sure most reacted with, "Oh my god that is so stupid". You go through an entire arc wondering what the antagonist's motivation is - only to learn he has none.

I'm not doubting that the meaning of it has sunk in over time - I'm just saying I don't remember anybody saying that it was that shocking at the time. (/._.)/