Searching for a certain word I cannot find anywhere

Hi everyone

I was writing a sentence and just as I came to the word I wanted to use to perfectly express my thoughts, it slipped away from me. I've been searching through the internet for the past hour to find it with no success so I hope someone here can help me.

The word I'm thinking of is a noun which could perhaps be used in the context ''I bring a more moderate view to a situation that seems cut and dry and perhaps even bad at first sight''. It could even be related to extenuating circumstances, or giving some context that changes the situation into something not as bad. I am almost certain the expression is an idiom. I would really appreciate any help at all, I don't think I can sleep peacefully until I've found the word/expression.

Well, "cut and dry and perhaps even bad" doesn't make sense, so you need to start by using a different expression.

Okay then: To bring a more moderate view, or add context to an existing argument/situation to which most people have already formed an opinion, often an extreme one. Does that make more sense?

Try something like:
To see it from a more objective/impartial/neutral perspective, ...

It's subjective- people could see you as a peacemaker or a troublemaker, etc.