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GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!!!
Before we proceed to the rant proper, a preface that may or may not be brief:
a)I believe that most slashers fall into three categories-fangirls who just want to see hot guys doing the nasty, sane folks who may have deeper reasons, but still just want to have fun, and people who honestly want to explore the unique dynamics of a same-sex relationship.
I'm sure most slashers would happily pin themselves in the latter group and proceed to tout their open-mindedness in the arena of sexual awareness, but I would submit that most slashers, regardless of talent level, would fall into the first two groups, with the third group less than five percent of active slashers.
This is not to say that writing slash is bad: a person shouldn't have to justify writing slash-or anything else, for that matter, to the fandom at large. Noble motivation doesn't always translate into good fic, and pure squee artists have generated remarkable slash across all fandoms.
So, what am I getting at? I wish CSI:NY fandom would stop dressing up its fascination with slash as anything more or less than what it is. If you're writing slash for any of the three reasons above, fabulous, but don't present it as a drive to be progressive if it's not, and in ninety-five percent of cases, I have serious doubts.
Why? Because for all the talk of wanting to revolutionize TV with the introduction of gay characters, most of that desire is centered solely around Danny/Flack. Not Mac/Danny, Hawkes/Mac, Flack/Mac, or Stella/Lindsay. Not even Character A/OMC. Danny/Flack. Therefore, I can only surmise that those clamoring for a gay canon ship are less interested in advancing national perceptions of same-sex relationships and more interested in seeing Flack and Danny fuck. Which is fine. But don't present it as anything more noble than that, and don't couch it in terms of "revitalizing the show" when what you really mean is, "Producers, if you feature a gay or bisexual pairing, we'll watch."
b)Most folks participate in fandom because it's fun. They write the fic and draw the art that they do to express themselves and indulge in a little fantasy. Right on. I will state for the record that I write Flack/Rebecca because I like playing dress-up and what-if, and if I ever try to bandy about Serious Issues as my primary reason, I want you to beat me with a dead carp. Because I'm lying.
So, preface out of the way, on to the rant proper.
The following are posts I made to a TalkCSI thread entitled "How to Revitalize CSI:NY". I spliced them together in what I think is a cogent whole, but if anyone disagrees, speak up.
Would I mind seeing a gay or bisexual character on CSI:NY? Absolutely not. In fact, I think it would be fascinating to watch if done well. But why does the inclusion of a gay character automatically necessitate that that sexual revelation go part and parcel with the character's love-requited or otherwise-for another main character? Why is the default suggestion always D/F? Why not Flack/Moran, or better yet, Flack and an offscreen presence rarely seen? The writers could still avail themselves of the rich angst mine such material provides without doing a disservice to the characters involved by reducing them to breathing dongs.
Thusfar, the only reasonable argument I've seen for the pairing of D/F is that it would be groundbreaking TV. That's true; it would, but so would Danny/Hawkes or Stella/Maka or Flack/OMC. By couching the discussion in terms of D/F from the outset, it reads less like an honest discussion of the depiction or lack thereof of same-sex relationships on network TV and more like the eloquent squee of folks who just want to see two guys between the sheets. And to me, that's not a good enough reason to introduce homosexuality into a character, particularly one already defined as heterosexual by historical precedent(Danny).
I like Flack, and while I think he's straight, I could be convinced otherwise. But, really? I don't want to be. I don't care about the sexuality of the characters, nor do I want to be treated to more banal scenes rife with awkward dialogue, crappy plotting and wasted seconds of previously mature, competent characters making googly eyes at each other through the lab walls. The show is already floundering in the googe that is D/L and Mac/Peyton, and the addition of another winkie to the equation won't improve the traditionally shoddy writing.
Watching Flack cry into his Heineken over Danny and gaze longingly at him through office windows is no better than the insufferable pap to which we were treated during Lindsay's absence, and I don't want to see Flack or Danny reduced to the television equivalent of Hot Topic merchandise, edgy on the outside, but devoid of substance.
Flack showed a great deal of concern for Moran at the end of "The Fall", and he was startlingly gentle with Stella in "All Access". I don't deny that he and Danny have a close friendship-at least until COTP; now, I'm not sure. But that doesn't translate only to a sexual desire. It may just be that he and Danny started their careers at roughly the same time and therefore became close friends.
Even if they did decide to take that route and have Flack confess his feelings, if Danny is straight, as canon has posited, it can only end one way: in Flack being rejected and possibly ostracized by his former best friend while the rest of his precinct rides him for failing to toe the macho standard. There wouldn't be, couldn't be a Great TV Romance without twisting Danny's character.
And where is the solid evidence that Flack is gay or in love with Danny? In "People With Money", he told Lindsay that he'd gotten three numbers from interested parties during his recovery and was seen flirting with unnamed techs, and he was checking out the girls in "Jamalot". In "Corporate Warriors", he was eyeing the personal trainer, who was female. There is no clear indication one way or the other about his sexual preference.
As for him loving Danny, I don't see any clear evidence on that count, either. I submit that he does...but not sexually. He looks at Danny because they work together a great deal, and he's there for Danny because he's a loyal bastard, and that's what friends do. He hovered over Stella in "All Access", and I have no doubt that when he offers to exchange himself in an upcoming episode, it will be for the sake of everyone involved, and not just Danny.
If the writers truly want to revitalize the show, invest in some decent writers, stop pandering to the fandom Trend of the Week, and hire a continuity fairy. Make it watchable again, and then worry about taking risks.
There was my response to the subject of establishing a gay character or pairing on the show. Everyone's responses were reasonable, and I wasn't blasted or flamed. I must admit, however, to a chafing resentment at the implication that the shows ills could be made better by the introduction of a same-sex pairing. It won't. Nothing will improve until the writing improves.
I am also dimly alarmed at Top41's parting insinuation that the network should use the same-sex angle to bolster viewership in the in the 18-49 demographic. On what planet? For everyone who would be pleased by the development, there would be five tight-assed fundies raising hell, and while that might mean a short-term spike, the constant grind of waging a morality war against church groups with bottomless war chests would outweigh the fleeting benefits.
If TPTB want to make Flack gay, fine, but I don't want to see it, nor do I want to see him flitting through the precinct in lovelorn distress because Danny isn't interested. Keep it offscreen, or better yet, nix the sexual undercurrents altogether. This is a crime drama, after all.
Before we proceed to the rant proper, a preface that may or may not be brief:
a)I believe that most slashers fall into three categories-fangirls who just want to see hot guys doing the nasty, sane folks who may have deeper reasons, but still just want to have fun, and people who honestly want to explore the unique dynamics of a same-sex relationship.
I'm sure most slashers would happily pin themselves in the latter group and proceed to tout their open-mindedness in the arena of sexual awareness, but I would submit that most slashers, regardless of talent level, would fall into the first two groups, with the third group less than five percent of active slashers.
This is not to say that writing slash is bad: a person shouldn't have to justify writing slash-or anything else, for that matter, to the fandom at large. Noble motivation doesn't always translate into good fic, and pure squee artists have generated remarkable slash across all fandoms.
So, what am I getting at? I wish CSI:NY fandom would stop dressing up its fascination with slash as anything more or less than what it is. If you're writing slash for any of the three reasons above, fabulous, but don't present it as a drive to be progressive if it's not, and in ninety-five percent of cases, I have serious doubts.
Why? Because for all the talk of wanting to revolutionize TV with the introduction of gay characters, most of that desire is centered solely around Danny/Flack. Not Mac/Danny, Hawkes/Mac, Flack/Mac, or Stella/Lindsay. Not even Character A/OMC. Danny/Flack. Therefore, I can only surmise that those clamoring for a gay canon ship are less interested in advancing national perceptions of same-sex relationships and more interested in seeing Flack and Danny fuck. Which is fine. But don't present it as anything more noble than that, and don't couch it in terms of "revitalizing the show" when what you really mean is, "Producers, if you feature a gay or bisexual pairing, we'll watch."
b)Most folks participate in fandom because it's fun. They write the fic and draw the art that they do to express themselves and indulge in a little fantasy. Right on. I will state for the record that I write Flack/Rebecca because I like playing dress-up and what-if, and if I ever try to bandy about Serious Issues as my primary reason, I want you to beat me with a dead carp. Because I'm lying.
So, preface out of the way, on to the rant proper.
The following are posts I made to a TalkCSI thread entitled "How to Revitalize CSI:NY". I spliced them together in what I think is a cogent whole, but if anyone disagrees, speak up.
Would I mind seeing a gay or bisexual character on CSI:NY? Absolutely not. In fact, I think it would be fascinating to watch if done well. But why does the inclusion of a gay character automatically necessitate that that sexual revelation go part and parcel with the character's love-requited or otherwise-for another main character? Why is the default suggestion always D/F? Why not Flack/Moran, or better yet, Flack and an offscreen presence rarely seen? The writers could still avail themselves of the rich angst mine such material provides without doing a disservice to the characters involved by reducing them to breathing dongs.
Thusfar, the only reasonable argument I've seen for the pairing of D/F is that it would be groundbreaking TV. That's true; it would, but so would Danny/Hawkes or Stella/Maka or Flack/OMC. By couching the discussion in terms of D/F from the outset, it reads less like an honest discussion of the depiction or lack thereof of same-sex relationships on network TV and more like the eloquent squee of folks who just want to see two guys between the sheets. And to me, that's not a good enough reason to introduce homosexuality into a character, particularly one already defined as heterosexual by historical precedent(Danny).
I like Flack, and while I think he's straight, I could be convinced otherwise. But, really? I don't want to be. I don't care about the sexuality of the characters, nor do I want to be treated to more banal scenes rife with awkward dialogue, crappy plotting and wasted seconds of previously mature, competent characters making googly eyes at each other through the lab walls. The show is already floundering in the googe that is D/L and Mac/Peyton, and the addition of another winkie to the equation won't improve the traditionally shoddy writing.
Watching Flack cry into his Heineken over Danny and gaze longingly at him through office windows is no better than the insufferable pap to which we were treated during Lindsay's absence, and I don't want to see Flack or Danny reduced to the television equivalent of Hot Topic merchandise, edgy on the outside, but devoid of substance.
Flack showed a great deal of concern for Moran at the end of "The Fall", and he was startlingly gentle with Stella in "All Access". I don't deny that he and Danny have a close friendship-at least until COTP; now, I'm not sure. But that doesn't translate only to a sexual desire. It may just be that he and Danny started their careers at roughly the same time and therefore became close friends.
Even if they did decide to take that route and have Flack confess his feelings, if Danny is straight, as canon has posited, it can only end one way: in Flack being rejected and possibly ostracized by his former best friend while the rest of his precinct rides him for failing to toe the macho standard. There wouldn't be, couldn't be a Great TV Romance without twisting Danny's character.
And where is the solid evidence that Flack is gay or in love with Danny? In "People With Money", he told Lindsay that he'd gotten three numbers from interested parties during his recovery and was seen flirting with unnamed techs, and he was checking out the girls in "Jamalot". In "Corporate Warriors", he was eyeing the personal trainer, who was female. There is no clear indication one way or the other about his sexual preference.
As for him loving Danny, I don't see any clear evidence on that count, either. I submit that he does...but not sexually. He looks at Danny because they work together a great deal, and he's there for Danny because he's a loyal bastard, and that's what friends do. He hovered over Stella in "All Access", and I have no doubt that when he offers to exchange himself in an upcoming episode, it will be for the sake of everyone involved, and not just Danny.
If the writers truly want to revitalize the show, invest in some decent writers, stop pandering to the fandom Trend of the Week, and hire a continuity fairy. Make it watchable again, and then worry about taking risks.
There was my response to the subject of establishing a gay character or pairing on the show. Everyone's responses were reasonable, and I wasn't blasted or flamed. I must admit, however, to a chafing resentment at the implication that the shows ills could be made better by the introduction of a same-sex pairing. It won't. Nothing will improve until the writing improves.
I am also dimly alarmed at Top41's parting insinuation that the network should use the same-sex angle to bolster viewership in the in the 18-49 demographic. On what planet? For everyone who would be pleased by the development, there would be five tight-assed fundies raising hell, and while that might mean a short-term spike, the constant grind of waging a morality war against church groups with bottomless war chests would outweigh the fleeting benefits.
If TPTB want to make Flack gay, fine, but I don't want to see it, nor do I want to see him flitting through the precinct in lovelorn distress because Danny isn't interested. Keep it offscreen, or better yet, nix the sexual undercurrents altogether. This is a crime drama, after all.