Was It Really Needed?
I will preface this post with a warning that I will be discussing spoilers for the latest Sanctuary episode "Monsoon". Don't read on if you wish to remain spoiler free, though the plot is not really my concern here, rather I would like to discuss a few of the more unsavoury fan reactions to the episode.
I've known about the kiss since the spoilers were released a few weeks back. Initially I was ecstatic, Amanda Tapping has mentioned on several occasions that Helen is bisexual and that she wanted for her to have a female love interest at some point in the series. This has been brought up in interviews, commentaries and the podcast, it is nothing new. Since joining the Sanctuary fandom I have found it to be one of the most inclusive and accepting environments, which is why this comment, retweeted by @SanctuarySeries, the admin folks at Sanctuary if you will came as a bit of a puzzle:
I have also since seen the kiss explained away as a ratings grab and as gratuitous service to fanboys. Oh no, we couldn't possibly have a consensual and passionate kiss (or two) between two adult females in a science fiction show can we? *coughDS9/Xena/etccough*
Firstly, I think the fact that this idea is something TPTB (and it's it great to use that term and not shudder :P) did as a ratings grab is absurd, as I mentioned above this has been in planning for a while now and just needed a story in which it could be used.
Secondly, as for servicing fanboys, I believe that to be a tad presumptuous given that the majority of their viewers both online and in attendance at conventions and the like are women - something TPTB have taken note of numerous times. Not that the fandom doesn't have great men also *nods to geonncannon* but why is the hones for gaining anything from the episode presumably placed on the straight male gaze only? And why is this being perpetuated by the fandom? We know better. I hope.
Was it really needed? Did Charlotte need to grab Helen, peck the corner of her mouth before moving in closer to seal her lips? Did Helen need to pull her in for the second, longer, steamier kiss?
Fuck. Off.
Was there any question as to whether Will and Abby's heterosexual sex at the beginning of the episode was 'needed'? They've had many a gratuitous romp and nothing has been said.
Was the kiss out of the blue? Many sexual discourses were explored in "Monsoon", from a 'privileged' self entitled man hitting on Helen to the head villain threatening her with sexual assault. The female baddie enters with a sort of triangle thing going on with Helen and Charlotte, 'sweetheart'ing her (Helen responds with a sarcastic smoochy face) and calling Charlotte 'baby'. The two are also referred to as girlfriends towards the end of the episode.
Canon has never eluded to Helen being exclusively heterosexual.
My gaydar was certainly pinging early on, and it was quite easy to see where they were going with this episode, despite the spoilers. Kudos to Sanctuary for 'going there'. I hope there will someday be here and I won't feel the need to make a post such as this.
But for the meantime:
Great to watch in the context of the episode, but still damn pretty to watch on its own. ;D
I've known about the kiss since the spoilers were released a few weeks back. Initially I was ecstatic, Amanda Tapping has mentioned on several occasions that Helen is bisexual and that she wanted for her to have a female love interest at some point in the series. This has been brought up in interviews, commentaries and the podcast, it is nothing new. Since joining the Sanctuary fandom I have found it to be one of the most inclusive and accepting environments, which is why this comment, retweeted by @SanctuarySeries, the admin folks at Sanctuary if you will came as a bit of a puzzle:
I have also since seen the kiss explained away as a ratings grab and as gratuitous service to fanboys. Oh no, we couldn't possibly have a consensual and passionate kiss (or two) between two adult females in a science fiction show can we? *coughDS9/Xena/etccough*
Firstly, I think the fact that this idea is something TPTB (and it's it great to use that term and not shudder :P) did as a ratings grab is absurd, as I mentioned above this has been in planning for a while now and just needed a story in which it could be used.
Secondly, as for servicing fanboys, I believe that to be a tad presumptuous given that the majority of their viewers both online and in attendance at conventions and the like are women - something TPTB have taken note of numerous times. Not that the fandom doesn't have great men also *nods to geonncannon* but why is the hones for gaining anything from the episode presumably placed on the straight male gaze only? And why is this being perpetuated by the fandom? We know better. I hope.
Was it really needed? Did Charlotte need to grab Helen, peck the corner of her mouth before moving in closer to seal her lips? Did Helen need to pull her in for the second, longer, steamier kiss?
Fuck. Off.
Was there any question as to whether Will and Abby's heterosexual sex at the beginning of the episode was 'needed'? They've had many a gratuitous romp and nothing has been said.
Was the kiss out of the blue? Many sexual discourses were explored in "Monsoon", from a 'privileged' self entitled man hitting on Helen to the head villain threatening her with sexual assault. The female baddie enters with a sort of triangle thing going on with Helen and Charlotte, 'sweetheart'ing her (Helen responds with a sarcastic smoochy face) and calling Charlotte 'baby'. The two are also referred to as girlfriends towards the end of the episode.
Canon has never eluded to Helen being exclusively heterosexual.
My gaydar was certainly pinging early on, and it was quite easy to see where they were going with this episode, despite the spoilers. Kudos to Sanctuary for 'going there'. I hope there will someday be here and I won't feel the need to make a post such as this.
But for the meantime:
Click to viewGreat to watch in the context of the episode, but still damn pretty to watch on its own. ;D