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Why 'shipping matters
Sep. 21st, 2005 01:52 pmThis post was inspired by something ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
queenofthorns wrote recently.
Assorted television producers take note:
I can like a show. Want to be its friend. Want to hang out with it. I can appreciate its good points...writing, acting, set design, concept or even the beauty of a particular actor...whatever. I want the show to be a hit. I want people to watch it. I kind of want the best for the show...but I can still sort of take it or leave it.
Once I start shipping that changes. If I seriously 'ship a show I need to see the show every week. I record and rewatch. I start dreaming of where the story will go and that leads to fic and art. Beyond that I want OTHER people to see the light and ALSO love my show. I go on like a Shakespearean sonnet about my 'ship's virtues. I honestly think 'shipping feeds a sort of love hunger in the fandom...it's a socially acceptable way to have an affair. And, unfortunately, it can lead to some of the nastier expressions of passion, too...like being petty, possessive and jealous. We all hate the bit-ca that breaks up our shippy couple, etc.
I really started thinking about this with Veronica Mars last season. I like the show but I can take or leave it. I'm not committed. But many of my friend's are. I listened to them go on about writing and such...early on but I really didn't feel they cared a lot. And I still don't care about VM. It's a well written show...that's it for me. My detachment allowed me to observe the 'shipping phenomenon as it developed when the show linked up Logan/Veronica. BAM! Overnight I was seeing Veronica Mars fic, vids, webpages and icons everywhere. My friends were no longer politely suggesting I watch...they were sending me DVD. The show became a watercooler topic. People were giddy. People were in love. And the welfare of the loved object became important to those people.
Rae
who is currently in love with K/L on BSG...Ron Moore and company take note...because recently I felt that twinge of dread...I saw the heartbreak coming on...my ship was threatened...and the simple truth is I'm not sure I am going to commit to BSG without K/L...I like so many things about the show...it's a really beautiful show...but without K/L...there is no spark for me...no thrill...BSG and I are just good friends.
queenofthorns wrote recently. Assorted television producers take note:
I can like a show. Want to be its friend. Want to hang out with it. I can appreciate its good points...writing, acting, set design, concept or even the beauty of a particular actor...whatever. I want the show to be a hit. I want people to watch it. I kind of want the best for the show...but I can still sort of take it or leave it.
Once I start shipping that changes. If I seriously 'ship a show I need to see the show every week. I record and rewatch. I start dreaming of where the story will go and that leads to fic and art. Beyond that I want OTHER people to see the light and ALSO love my show. I go on like a Shakespearean sonnet about my 'ship's virtues. I honestly think 'shipping feeds a sort of love hunger in the fandom...it's a socially acceptable way to have an affair. And, unfortunately, it can lead to some of the nastier expressions of passion, too...like being petty, possessive and jealous. We all hate the bit-ca that breaks up our shippy couple, etc.
I really started thinking about this with Veronica Mars last season. I like the show but I can take or leave it. I'm not committed. But many of my friend's are. I listened to them go on about writing and such...early on but I really didn't feel they cared a lot. And I still don't care about VM. It's a well written show...that's it for me. My detachment allowed me to observe the 'shipping phenomenon as it developed when the show linked up Logan/Veronica. BAM! Overnight I was seeing Veronica Mars fic, vids, webpages and icons everywhere. My friends were no longer politely suggesting I watch...they were sending me DVD. The show became a watercooler topic. People were giddy. People were in love. And the welfare of the loved object became important to those people.
Rae
who is currently in love with K/L on BSG...Ron Moore and company take note...because recently I felt that twinge of dread...I saw the heartbreak coming on...my ship was threatened...and the simple truth is I'm not sure I am going to commit to BSG without K/L...I like so many things about the show...it's a really beautiful show...but without K/L...there is no spark for me...no thrill...BSG and I are just good friends.