LJ and Fannishness

[butterfly]

One big difference between LJ and lists is that LJ is not segregated by fandom. With LJ, you get to see more rounded glimpses of other fans.

Because when you were on a list, you thought that you and B had a lot in common, because you both loved due South so much, and things related to dS were talked about on list every so often. But then you and B both joined livejournal and while both of you still love dS, you can't help but notice that B follows some other shows, like Homicide, and when you try to watch the show, you just end up blinking a lot and wondering what the big deal is.

And while I could go through what I do love and explain why some shows ping to me (really quick answer: I adore banter), my reasons would only ever be my reasons alone. The likelihood of someone else liking every single one of my fandoms... well, it hasn't happened thus far, we'll just say that.

LJ shows us a hint of the infinite complexity of people. It reminds me of all of the many reasons that people have for watching shows.

Ex.
What is it that other people see in Farscape that doesn't reach me?

Because I have tried to get into that show three times and each time run smack into hating John/Aeryn so much that I just couldn't watch anymore. What makes that relationship so hard for me to accept but such a source of joy for other people? Clearly, they see something there that I don't. And, much as I would like to be able to share in the squee, I can't change my instincts and my emotions. Farscape is never going to be a show that I can watch for more than... probably three episodes at a time before getting really irritated. And there's nothing to be done about that. I like most of the actors and I like some of the arcs, but what I don't like outweighs what I do.

People are people -- uniquely formed by genetics and environment and thus complete with their own unique way of looking at the world. It's what makes the journey interesting.

Comments

[thegrrrl2002.livejournal.com]

Interesting! I liked Farscape, mostly, but was never fannish about it. I lost interest during the last season, I have to admit. I missed a few eps, got terribly confused, and never got back into it. I think the characters were fabulous, the cast was very talented, and when the writing was good, it was very, very good. Then somehow it stepped over the line of making me care about what happened to the characters to me getting annoyed with the characters, and I'm not sure how or when that happened. Maybe it all went too over-the-top? ::shrugs::

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

One of the big differences between SG-1 and Farscape is that SG-1 always looks out for the new viewer, the guy who might be turning in for the first time that night. Farscape has its biggest rewards for the people who watch from the beginning. SG-1 affirms its past, while Farscape assumes it.

In a lot of ways, FS was too melodramatic for me. It's all about the huge, heart-breaking moments. It didn't have enough soft moments to suit me. Plus, I couldn't like the central romance. It bothered me just about as much as the idea of Jack and Sam do (though for different reasons) and it was showcased much more often.

[spacedoutlooney.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I have only seen random episodes of Farscape, mostly because of the whacked out Sci Fi rerun schedule, but I've liked what I seen and hope to watch the series in succession some day. I've enjoyed the episodes I've seen, even if I have no idea what's going on, because the fish-out-water bumbling American (rather than American knows all) story is rather refreshing, Ben Browder seems very likable to me (if you don't like him, I can see not liking the series), and I love the pop culture references. I find it visually interesting, thanks to the Henson company; the creaters put a lot of thought into designing the various alien species, not just looks, but physiology and culture, etc, which I also found refreshing. I really liked how Sebaceans (sp?) looking like humans was used as a plot point rather than just a desire to not have aliens in make-up and how the worm hole technology is used largely as a mcguffin rather than technobabble. I don't know how fandom in general feels about John/Aeryn, but I like both characters and what I've seen of their relationship. Hmm.

Um, was my ramble enlightening to you at all?

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I like John quite a lot... except with Aeryn and then I want to stick needles in my eyes.

And no matter how much about the show that I do like, it's outweighed by the things that bug me.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

It happens. I don't get Farscape either. OTOH, (judging by #s who entered the tourney pool) I suspect maybe 5-10% at most of my FList gives a care about the Basketball Playoffs.

Fandom is multitudinous...

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not much of a sports person.

The wide variety of likes and dislikes is one of the things that I find most interesting about fandom.

[therisingmoon.livejournal.com]

hee, it was because of you that I fell in love with Angel and treaded into a bit into Buffy but I have't seen all the episodes yet. :)

But I could not get into Lord of Rings, Harry Potter or Queer as Folk because I didn't think they were *that* interesting. Although manga/anme fandoms are interesting, the excessive use of emoticons and stupid questions concerning different animes and mangas drive me nuts. (I also need to catch up on my Office DVDs)

did you see Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? Not a bad movie and stays pretty true to the book. :)

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

did you see Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?

I want to. My mom says that it's good.

[minim_calibre]

See, now I want to know *why* John/Aeryn bugs you. Tell!

For I am curious. I adore them, and love Aeryn the way I love Buffy. I love John in his own unique way. I love Rygel irrationally, Crais for the reasons some people loved Spike...

Scorpy because I can't help myself...

Chiana because she grew on me...

Really, the only one I didn't adore was Zhaan.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

See, now I want to know *why* John/Aeryn bugs you. Tell!

Partly because he goes crazy without her (too co-dependent). Partly because they're too serious (too melodramatic) and I thrive on good-natured banter in relationships. Partly because it was such a huge and obvious part of the show from day one and they never deviated (too boring). Because John was flung to the other end of the galaxy and still managed to hook up with a chick who looks 100% human (too cliche), which is the thing that bothers me the most, really.

Plus, I never really liked Aeryn all that much. For me, it was like someone took Buffy and made her boring (and I know that it isn't the actor, because I was amused by and genuinely liked her character Vala on SG-1, plus, she's very funny and endearing in the commentaries and interviews that I've seen).

I like John, unless he's in close proximity with Aeryn and then the annoyance sets in. Rygel and Crais and Zhann and D'Argo, I liked well enough. I adore Chiana. She was what kept me watching as many episodes as I did.

[amalthia]

I happen to be one of the people who absolutely adored Farscape, but not just because of the John/Aeryn stuff. The other characters were equally fascinating, except for the weird lady with three eyes in the last season, she was obnoxious.

Normally, I hate the het relationships in a series. I don't like seeing it happen. Lois and Clark great example of why it's not a good idea to put the two people together. However, with Farscape I actually felt like John and Aeryn were kind of slashy, which is kind of weird since Aeryn is female, but it kind of felt like Aeryn had a lot to overcome before she was ready for any sort of relationship. She actually reacted like a real person (at least to me she did)

I loved the tension between John and Aery. I got the sense that they understood each other and it didn't happen overnight. I also liked the characters changed as a result of knowing each other and all the crazy shit that happened.

Obviously, you tried a few times to get into it and couldn't. it's okay, there are a few shows that everyone else seemed to like but I could not see why. It's just a shame that John and Aeryn bother you so much because the other characters have a lot to offer too. :)

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I kept watching as long as I did because I liked Chiana so much. But yeah... the J/A things bothers me on a whole lot of levels, some of which I can explain, but others where I just go... "because they just bug me".

[amalthia]

I really got into Farscape a lot more once Chinana entered the picture. :) I loved her character.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Chiana was a fun character. I did really like her.

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

I'd fit spacedoutloony's paradigm. When I first saw Farscape I liked the premise, loved Aeryn and was interested in the other characters but I just didn't like Crichton. And I really can't place why. I've read comparisons between him and Buffy that make all kind of sense and I love Buffy but I just don't like him. It may be the actor because I've had the same reaction to Ben Browder in a documentary but that still doesn't explain anything as he seems a enthusiastic, smart sort of guy but.. I just don't like him.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

For me, it's the difference between cats and dogs. I like John well enough, but I've never felt the emotional attachment to him that I've felt to Buffy or to Daniel Jackson (another member of the 'been dead' club). And it's because John is like a big, friendly dog (who eventually because like an abused dog, poor guy), while Buffy and Daniel are much more like cats. You have to earn their affection -- they don't just hand it out. Which makes it feel worth more.

[jic]

Chiana was the only one I liked even remotely.

I'm glad that we have so many (though not all) fandoms in common.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Chiana! Oh, I do adore her. Best part of the show for me.

[darkmoon711.livejournal.com]

Personally I love Farscape. I can't describe why I love it. Just like I can't explain why I love any of my other fandoms. It's just some thing I enjoy. ::shruggs::

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Some things are like that for me. But one of my big fandom joys is poking and prodding at my likes and dislikes and figuring out what they have in common.

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

Hi, here via metafandom.

The likelihood of someone else liking every single one of my fandoms... well, it hasn't happened thus far, we'll just say that.

It hasn't happened to me, either, which surprises me. All my fandoms seem like mainstream, obvious ones, but nobody seems to share them exactly. I'm even more confused when someone who does pretty much share my taste for friendship-based slash also likes something like Mulder/Krycek or Harry/Snape, which seem to be a totally different kind of dynamic.

I love your "My Fandoms" box with the three things that appeal to you about each of your fandoms!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I love your "My Fandoms" box with the three things that appeal to you about each of your fandoms!

Thank you!

I'm even more confused when someone who does pretty much share my taste for friendship-based slash also likes something like Mulder/Krycek or Harry/Snape, which seem to be a totally different kind of dynamic.

Oh, that's understandable. I appear to be in love with friendship-based slash, but then I have the odd pairing like Harry/Draco, that I adore completely. And, for me, it's the 'same under the skin' pairing that I enjoy most. People who appear to be different, but really have a lot in common that's not so obvious. A lot of the time, people like that are friends in canon, but on occasion, they're just the opposite.

[dragon-lord.livejournal.com]

What is it that other people see in Farscape that doesn't reach me?

I wouldn't call myself a fan of John/Aeryn either, but I do enjoy Farscape a great deal. Granted, there were a couple of arcs I couldn't get into and some characters that I actively hated for a while, but they grew on me.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed some individual characters (Chiana!) and episode (Crackers Don't Matter!), but overall, the show just didn't hook me.