Comments | clarrisani: Meta: Dispelling the Myths

clarrisani

Meta: Dispelling the Myths - Part Two (Gwen/Jack)

May 22, 2009 13:30

Dispelling the Myths

Okay then, as most of you well know I am a Torchwood fan. Any of you who really know me will know that I'm a multishipper no matter the fandom (except Star Wars - Jaina/Kyp all the way in that).You'll also know that I love to analyse things, and have an interest in fandom. Anyway, I've decided to get together a list of things ( Read more... )

meta, torchwood

Comments 4

kelticbanshee May 22 2009, 16:56:20 UTC

Well, I've just read the three parts and I have to say, wow :) That is a very solid analysis of some of the most annoying fanon ideas out there and how they don't stand the moment you confront them with canon. I have at one point or another discussed most points with different people, but I don't think I would have the patience to write it down, so thank you so much for writing and sharing!

Hope you don't mind me adding to memories and redirecting others to read it!

clarrisani May 22 2009, 23:41:44 UTC

I'm sure there are a heck of a lot that I've missed, and I'm sure more will emerge over time. The thing with fandom is that it is always evolving, and not always for the better. Most things can be confronted with canon, but a lot of others are open for interpretation. There are a couple of little things I'd never touch because canon can have them read either way.

I put out a request on Twitter and on the TWF for anything people had seen/heard and this is what they came up with, and I discussed them on MSN with a couple of people. A couple, like the abusive Rhys and the OTP/fairytale/happily ever after moments I've discussed many times, as they're a common thing to pop up in certain fics, as sad as that is.

You're more than welcome to add this to your Memories (thank you!) and to redirect others on. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

kelticbanshee May 23 2009, 09:49:29 UTC

Oh, yeah, more will come up. Even in the time since season two aired, a lot of stuff has come up that makes me wonder if people really are watching the same show, so give us new canon, and people will read it any which way they like and annoy me with it ^_^

I must have completely missed that request on the TWF... I'm going blind these days, if something doesn't email me, I will most probably miss it... *shakes head*

I'm now curious about what you didn't mention because canon can be read either way... I mean, I know there are quite a few things like that, but I'm curious about which ones you were thinking of :)

kuroneko_tyger September 9 2009, 03:05:38 UTC

Hello. Just wanted to say that I like most of the points you've brought up here, and in the previous installment. It's nice to see someone analyze the two pairings and come up with logical arguments against certain myths. I have to say I personally dislike Gwack, so I haven't come across half of these situations, but I can certainly see where the myths have stemmed from.

One thing I did have an issue was this:

Why Gwen do you say? If they really think that Gwen would 1) be a damsel in distress, and 2) allow herself to stay a damsel in distress, then obviously you think of her character as pathetic and weak, and in need of a big strong man to come and rescue her.

It reads as if you think abuse victims are weak and pathetic by holding Gwen up as the standard for how women would/should react in that sort of situation. The sad fact is that in many cases of spousal abuse, the abuse comes and goes in cycles, and is slow to build, so woman who would normally be strong and independent find themselves in a helpless situation. In fact (if I ( ... )