Why 'shipping matters

[rabid1st]

This post was inspired by something 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.

Comments

[xlostangelx.livejournal.com]

VM made me realize that for the first time about myself with complete clarity. Though not from detachment, but rather through seeing myself going from casully watching the episodes to becoming obsessively consumed by the show overnight. Literally overnight. Shipping is the hook. When the ships go away, I generally do too.

Carrie! :blink: :blink:

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

You are here! This is so...different. ;-D

Yep, you are one of the people I saw the change in...also my buddy, Ally. Though she has vanished from the earth in recent weeks. I believe they may have worked her into oblivion out there in RL. ;-D

For me...I noticed this in myself with The West Wing. Last year they really removed Josh/Donna from the mix and at the same time kicked the quality of the show into high gear. I would sit and watch and think..."WOW! This is really good writing. I love this." But the next week when it was time to watch again...I'd be all, "Eh! Do I care?" It is so bad now with the West Wing that I am literally thinking I won't bother to watch this year. And I think about the Powers That Be (John Wells and NBC) going "Oh, they don't like the new time" or "The show is too old" or "They don't like Smits and Alda" and in reality it is as simple as No Josh and Donna interaction to make me HAVE TO WATCH!

And then the PTB will say, "We can't have a couple dominate our show...it's not the Josh and Donna show," which just goes to show how little they understand. Because when you love someone you don't need THAT much of them to sustain you...a glimpse, a smile, a letter. You live on hope and a few choice morsels. The point is...you need the MORSELS and you need the HOPE.

Rae

Re: Carrie! :blink: :blink:

[xlostangelx.livejournal.com]

The West Wing is a template example of what not to do with a couple. I was so convinced that they had to do something with J/D last season, because they needed it to get people watching again and keep them watching. I think I am still right. I think a lot of people would have gotten excited again about the show had J/D really progressed. It would have generated buzz and the show hasn't had any buzz in years. Well buzz of the good kind. Yet the producers didn't do it. I don't know what they were thinking. And you are right, they will blame their falling ratings on everything but the obvious. J/D would give a lot of people who have given up on the show a reason to tune in again. I'm a masochist and will watch regardless, but I'd be much more happy with show if they just do something with J/D. UST is overrated in my opinion and I think VM showed that not dragging it out indefinately is the way to go. Couples can be interesting in a relationship. Now I just have to hope the VM people realize this too and don't jerk L/V around in a lame attempt to create anticipation.

I recently watched the BBC version of The Office and noticed this shipping trend. The first few episodes I was meh until I hooked onto the Tim/Dawn undercurrent. It grabbed my interest and once it had my interest I was able to appreciate the quality of the overall show. A good show will only take you so far. I need something to emotionally invest myself in and that is usually a ship. Though occasionally that can just be a character. I really didn't ship HP until Sirius died and I needed something else to latch onto.

[serendipityxxi.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with what you're saying here, I was pretty ambivalent towards BSG, just started watching back in July. The premiere and first few eps didn't really hook me, then they shot the first Sharon and had a really spiffy blood drop falling in slo mo, that impressed me. Then we had a Kara episode and I was "Oooh, she's cool!" and then we had a Lee episode and I was all "Awww, Lee", I still wasn't hooked though. Then Kara makes it back to the fleet (well half of it) and the "Lee Adama Loves me, No take Backs!" and I was HOOKED! BAD!!! And I didn't even realize it till I rewatched the season that I wasn't hooked till there was a ship. And I am soooo obsessed now (printed out a L/K wallpaper and pasted it on the cover of my notebook, bought Grey and Black tanks so I could almost wear the BSG uniform, bought the S1 DVDs when I really shouldn't have *L*) it's not even funny!!! *G*

[paperbagprincez.livejournal.com]

Hi you don't know me But I have a Request of you. I am a mod over at Galactica Actual and am in charge of the shipping forum there. ( I recomend it to any BSG shippers) http://s13.invisionfree.com/Galactica_Actual/index.php
(you need to be a member to see the shipping section)

Any way I read your post here and would like to use it to start a thread. I will credit you and even post a link back here to your journal(if that is ok with you).

Thanks for your time

Sure, go ahead and link

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I would be honored...even if some of your members are going to tear me a new one for being such a flamin' K/L shipper. ;-D Seriously, I love Helo/Boomer and Dee/Billy and everyone onboard...but I'm watching because K/L made me.

And I will be sure and check out your forum soon.

Rae

[lilbreck.livejournal.com]

Came here via Galactica Actual.

After I read your post, I realized that, with the exception of two shows, I can totally agree with you. When it comes to BSG, I was hooked when I first watched the mini {it was just this summer, I'm a late bloomer}. Of course, I saw some hints at K/L there, so I can't say that it didn't play a part. For me, the ships {romantic and otherwise} reel me in, but if there's a great story that's well told, they can keep me even if my ships don't sail.

Having said that, the only show so far that I've been truly rabid over {Farscape} has had a grand, sweeping romance that kept me on the edge of my seat and near tears half the time. Add to that some great friendships and I was a goner.

Welcome to my humble LJ

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I have been to Galactica Actual but could not find this shipping forum I am being quoted in...is it under Crew or Season 1 or what? Also, it is wonderful to see another 'Scaper...and yes, I do think K/L should be patterned on J/A because that 'ship was so moving and entertaining. I could argue that J/A was the most successful 'ship ever filmed (an excellent example of how the main 'ship can compliment stories rather than distract from them).

Since I consider myself a writer I tend to find little sympathy for prime time writers who claim they don't want to be "distracted from storytelling" by their show's main 'ship. Puh-Leez! The 'ship should add dimension not detract and it is the job of a writer to connect with the audience on as many levels as possible. Another thing the prime time writers like to say is "We're not writing a soap opera." To which I say...before you sneer remember daytime dramas have incredibly loyal viewership. And their writers have been rotating super couples through storylines since the days of Luke and Laura...beyond that they have to write something every single DAY for their characters (so yeah, they are going to get a little slow, melodramatic and repetitive). But given a 22 episode arc...how hard is it to remember to keep a 'ship on simmer in the background and every now and again in the foreground without adding too much melodrama?

Okay...sorry...I am on the soap box.

Rae
hops down...shakes your hand...kisses your baby...waves for the media elite... ;-D

Re: Welcome to my humble LJ

[lilbreck.livejournal.com]

I think you have to join up to see the thread as it's in the exclusive member forums. It's free, so that helps. I fell so hard for J/A it wasn't even funny. I cried over them. And, yes, it did manage to add to the story rather than detract from it.

I've never really watched soaps, so I have no place to judge. Personally, when I hear that, I just interpret it to mean "I'm too lazy to try and write a good story that incorporates one of the most common facets of human interaction." That's like writers who scoff at continuity, it just means they're lazy hacks IMO.

See, I have a soap box as well. Also, my baby would kiss you back.


Tonya