Kat > Status Update

This is why you need to read How to Repair a Mechanical Heart. Have you bought it yet? If not pls let me know, nothing will make me happier than gifting this to you so we can fangirl together *squeeeeeeeee* ;)

Interesting! Have you read I Just Play One on TV? It's about two actors on a Supernatural-esque show who get caught up in this sort of maneuvering by TPTB. The sex is fade-to-black, but it's a very well-written story.

Fascinating article. Thanks for sharing.

Reading the article was interesting, but painful in a way. As a watcher of Sherlock, Merlin, Supernatural and Teen Wolf, I can say the article was pretty spot on. The relationships in TW in the last two seasons made absolutely NO sense and any semblance of sterek was destroyed by this. Though I will argue that with Supernatural, it is kind of...complicated. There is less interaction between Dean and Castiel, but they somehow feel more meaningful (and I love how Misha Collin feels about the fandom). Though since SPN is my favorite show, I am kind of biased... (view spoiler)[(and I doubt Dean's new love interest will survive long, given the track record for female characters) (hide spoiler)]

I think the best slash pairing though is in Merlin. The overall attitude the cast had over Merthur and the portrayal of the two characters' relationship was consistent throughout all five seasons.

And Johnlock just confused me with how last season went.

Wow, interesting article. I love Misha Collins and think he's amazing. Ilove Destiel BUT I never felt it would become canon, though it's sad that they are having less air time together because they're a great pairing who obviously care about each other even if it doesn't move to a sexual relationship. As much as a main character being bisexual would be amazing, Dean has always been very much hetero - being close to someone does not necessarily mean it will be a sexual relationship.

For Teen Wolf - I love reading Sterek ff. I love Derek and ADORE Stiles, but again, on the show, I never really saw the prospect of a relationship between the two characters. However, I do think TW has the perfect opportunity to introduce a bi main character - Stiles and Danny have flirted with flirtation for many seasons. I think there is huge potential for a relationship between them to become canon.

The thing thst made me sadest about the article is that producers etc have to persuade studios to have homosexual characters in these shows. I like how TW does have characters of all sexualities...the next step is making one (of the many)leads something other than heterosexual. In my opinion anyway! (How many people stopped reading after I said no Sterek?)

Great article! Thanks for sharing, Loe.

And no, I didn't stop reading, Lori. You make a valid point.

Thanks for sharing! You totally made this coming Friday's Linkity with that. :)

Xing wrote: "Reading the article was interesting, but painful in a way. As a watcher of Sherlock, Merlin, Supernatural and Teen Wolf, I can say the article was pretty spot on. The relationships in TW in the las..."

I don't know enough about Teen Wolf, but I agree with you on Supernatural. I did think it was a touch unfair to blame the characters for being disgusted by Sam and Dean slash, I mean most brothers probably wouldn't be comfortable with that.

Thanks for sharing the link... This is probably why I mainly enjoy the slash on ff only rather than following the shows...

Xing, yes on Merlin :-)

MLE wrote: "Xing wrote: "Reading the article was interesting, but painful in a way. As a watcher of Sherlock, Merlin, Supernatural and Teen Wolf, I can say the article was pretty spot on. The relationships in ..."

Agreed. If someone were to tell me they fantasize a sexual relationship between me and my brother, I would gag and puke in my mouth.

Anyways... I don't expect Destiel to be canon. I rave and love the pairing. And you would be blind to not see that these guys have a special relationship. Best friends even or kindred spirits. Or both. But I hope the writers don't purposefully separate Cas and Dean all for the sake of deterring the shipping. That makes no sense and will no doubt make my heart hurt.

Xing wrote: "MLE wrote: "Xing wrote: "Reading the article was interesting, but painful in a way. As a watcher of Sherlock, Merlin, Supernatural and Teen Wolf, I can say the article was pretty spot on. The rela..."

I don't expect any of it to be cannon, and I agree there's really nothing you can do to stop the shipping. I mean have you seen some of the pairings, some of it comes out of left field. For me it's almost like fanfiction is it's own universe, and I don't expect, or sometimes, even want the shows to start reflecting it.

great article, Kat! I found this and thought it was appropriate, haha:



with merlin especially, it was so frustrating because the relationship with merlin and arthur was the driving force of the show! after it ended, (big series finale spoiler) (view spoiler)[ the producers admitted during the dvd commentary that arthur died in the arms of the man he loved. (hide spoiler)] REALLY, PEOPLE, you couldn't have explored that earlier?? *smh*

Catherine's Skulls Give Her a Heart Boner wrote: "Great article! Thanks for sharing, Loe.

And no, I didn't stop reading, Lori. You make a valid point."

Aww - thanks CAtherine!! (I still like me some Derek/Stiles of course!!)

You're welcome, guys. I enjoy reading your thoughts as I'm fairly new to shipping things myself! I'm very much conflicted on the matter. On one hand, I applaud everything LGTB in, for example, popular TV shows. Even if producers are simply teasing or hinting at potential same sex pairings, I like to think that this helps with the acceptance and visibility of 'all things queer'. I'd rather they play with the idea of having queer characters on a show, than ignoring the possibility altogether and creating a 100% straight bubble instead.

On the other hand, I'm saddened by this article as it points out a problem when it comes to where the portrayal of LGBT relationships is currently headed. Producers give us just enough to keep us intrigued (and thereby sustaining our support and money), but the hinting and teasing never actually goes anywhere. To not 'offend' the general public, relationships are never developed in a way that would really represent the LGBT community. Quite the contrary; as the article shows, there's a trend of shows abandoning a fandom altogether as soon as a show can either hold its own or the fandom becomes too apparent.

I can't help feeling disappointed and a bit used when this happens, both as a fan and as a queer person. So they're happy to take my money, support and work me up, but at the same time are too cowardly/unwilling to really make a statement. Right now, they show that queerness is something that's okay to be secretive about and to flirt with, just not an acceptable thing to make concrete.

I'm really not in the position to comment on the individual shows as I haven't watched most of them, and I do realize that there are nuances that should be taken into account. But c'mon now, Stiles and Derek are cuddling on a (goddamn) SHIP to ask us to vote for Teen Wolf (and yes, that was a fantastic moment!), only to give the fandom the finger not much later by making a few bold 'n cold statements that squash all remaining hope for a Sterek pairing. And sure, some of these shows have gay characters (which is awesome!), but aren't the main characters always perfectly -- and safely -- straight?

In the end, I just hope that one of these days a producer breaks through this convenient status quo and dares to actually take the plunge. I do know that I'm all the more fond of a couple like Spartacus' Agron and Nasir. Steven DeKnight, now here's a guy that seriously rocks!:)

Natalie wrote: "Interesting! Have you read I Just Play One on TV? It's about two actors on a Supernatural-esque show who get caught up in this sort of maneuvering by TPTB. The sex is fade-to-black,..."

I'd never heard of it, but it gets glowing reviews from my friends. Def adding it. Thanks a bunch!

Rosalinda *KRASNORADA* wrote: "This is why you need to read How to Repair a Mechanical Heart. Have you bought it yet? If not pls let me know, nothing will make me happier than gifting this to you so we can fangirl together *sque..."

You're the best.<3 I was hoping to grab an EPUB from somewhere, but it seems to be available for Kindle and Nook only. I'll see if I can find a way...

Dying to read it after your fangirl fest.:D

Xing wrote: "Reading the article was interesting, but painful in a way. As a watcher of Sherlock, Merlin, Supernatural and Teen Wolf, I can say the article was pretty spot on. The relationships in TW in the las..."

I might have to watch Merlin after all. I figured I wouldn't be able to take not getting to eat my cake, but it sounds like they actually handle things in a decent manner, nice! Fanfic will be my cake then.;)

The sad thing is that it is unlikely producers will break the status quo. US tv, in particular is dominated by ratings, and shows are cancelled at the drop of a hat no matter if the content/storyline is any good. If having a possible gay pairing gets the ratings up and a prevents cancellation, they'll do it, and as the article proves, distance themselves when the fan base asks for more. UK tv fairs a little better with lots of gay couples in soaps, and mainstream shows. The Merlin/Arthur 'bromance' wasn't explored properly because it was on the schedule at a time kids would watch it...and this for the BBC was too much!
As you said, it leads to fans feeling used, and the only thing we can do is stop watching. Once the ratings go down, the shows will get cancelled. These shows are nothing without the fans, pity the producers don't know that!

LittleRed wrote: "The sad thing is that it is unlikely producers will break the status quo. US tv, in particular is dominated by ratings, and shows are cancelled at the drop of a hat no matter if the content/storyli..."

yeah, that's probably what it boils down to. Sigh.

On a happier note: I ordered all 4 seasons of the UK series Torchwood last week. Have you watched it? Captain Jack, no queer baiting but with actual bisexual/gay pairings on the show...and a leading actor who's married to a guy IRL. I can't bloody wait!:)

Oh yeah, I watched it. John Barrowman (Captain Jack) revels in the fact he can push the boundaries on the show. If there's a hole, he's there! :-D
Barrowman is on EVERYTHING in the UK from a saturday night cabaret show singing show tunes,every charidee event. I don't know where he finds the time!

Lori wrote: "Wow, interesting article. I love Misha Collins and think he's amazing. Ilove Destiel BUT I never felt it would become canon, though it's sad that they are having less air time together because they..."

I agree with you about TW, I like reading Sterek fanfics but I don't see the possibility of them being together in the show . Maybe it's because I don't really ship anyone in TW.

Onyx wrote: "with merlin especially, it was so frustrating because the relationship with merlin and arthur was the driving force of the show! after it ended, (big series finale spoiler) (view spoiler) REALLY, PEOPLE, you couldn't have explored that earlier?? *smh* ..."

Regarding Merlin, despite so, I actually loved what they did with it. Because like this article also said, this is a story about love, not a love story. Despite the ending, I thought that final scene was amazingly handled and yes, we finally saw that (view spoiler)[Arthur died in the arms of the man he loved and who loved him back (hide spoiler)] and that made a much bigger impact for me. (view spoiler)[Of course it made me cry crazily, full snot and all (hide spoiler)] but oh what a feeling.

Ami wrote: "Onyx wrote: "with merlin especially, it was so frustrating because the relationship with merlin and arthur was the driving force of the show! after it ended, (big series finale spoiler) (view spoil..."

Reading that article made me all teary eyed.

Xing wrote: "Reading that article made me all teary eyed."

You too?? I thought I was the only one (wiped that little tears hanging on the corner of my eyes)

Ami wrote: "Because like this article also said, this is a story about love, not a love story."

I agree that the ending was really, really moving. (view spoiler)[I too was a sobbing mess at the end of it... (hide spoiler)]. It's just to me, it felt like the showrunners actively suppressed any and all romantic tendencies between them, to the point where it felt forced. Merlin and Arthur went on more 'dates' and had more innuendo/flirting together than any other character. With a tremendous basis of friendship, trust, loyalty, etc.

A platonic love story can be just as moving as a romantic one, but I think in the case of Merlin, it would have told a deeper, more affecting story if the characters had embraced all dimensions of their love for each other.

Still love the show. I kind of feel like watching it again now :)

Xing wrote: "Reading that article made me all teary eyed."

*hands over tissues*

From an interview with Benedict Cumberbatch on OUT.com!
'Nothing about Cumberbatch screams Hollywood heartthrob, and nothing about Sherlock corresponds to a typical ladies’ man. “People keep coming up to me and saying, ‘Oh, he’s so sexy, do you think [Sherlock would be] interested in me?’ ” says Cumberbatch. “Do you not think he’d just look at you twice and tell you everything you hate about yourself and crumple you up like a little bit of paper and flick you away? He’s a machine and brutal and ruthless and has no time for the distractions of your fawning. Because, you know, they either want to make John [Watson] into a sort of cute little toy, or me into a cute toy, or we’re fucking in space on a bed, chained together.”

Cumberbatch is referring to the rapacious slash fiction community that has turned his chilly, acerbic, and distinctly asexual Sherlock into a lustful cock monster. “It’s always, like, one of them is tired, one comes back from work, the other is horny, a lump appears in his trousers, and then they’re at it,” he says. “It’s usually me getting it — I’m biting Watson’s dog tags.” Perhaps, I suggest, making Holmes and Watson gay is a way to remove other women from the picture. “Yes, yes,” he replies enthusiastically. “I think it’s about burgeoning sexuality in adolescence, because you don’t necessarily know how to operate that. And I think it’s a way of neutralizing the threat, so this person is sort of removed from them as somebody who could break their heart.'

“I think it’s about burgeoning sexuality in adolescence, because you don’t necessarily know how to operate that. And I think it’s a way of neutralizing the threat, so this person is sort of removed from them as somebody who could break their heart."

I find that a little arrogant, and infantilizing. I don't read slash because I can't deal with my own sexuality, and I'm 35, a little over my adolescence. Also generalizing all slash fic is a little misleading. Clearly he's only read a small selection if he says that they all happen in one way. I haven't read a ton, but it all doesn't happen that way, and some of it doesn't involve sex at all. I find myself left cold by his responses. It makes me grateful for that this actors that don't fall into these questions, and attitudes.

I wonder if people would say the same if they didn't seem to think the entirety of slash readers and writers were not adolescent girls. Does making them out to be so make it easier for people to dismiss them?

It must be a peculiar predicament for an actor to be in, to have people writing storylines that involve actions and experiences they may never choose to explore in real life. The character has their face, and their body...Cumberbatch is obviously very threatened by this fact, and has chosen to wipe slash fic away as something written by adolescent girls to placate his unease. I would have expected better from him as a person who's job as an actor is to take the written word and give it form and life. He is a well read, intelligent guy, he should understand the cycle of creativity. The slash fic is just another facet inspired by shows, the same as those who would do art, write songs or make sherlock inspired video's. If someone is so inspired by your work that they take the time to sit down and write a story that makes them happy,and others are happy to read it. It's a beautiful thing.

LittleRed wrote: "It must be a peculiar predicament for an actor to be in, to have people writing storylines that involve actions and experiences they may never choose to explore in real life. The character has thei..."

It is, and it's not about you as a person, but the character you created. People are so invested in your character, and your story that they have to do more with it. It is a beautiful thing, and fan fiction has been around for a very long time in one form or another.