Shipper tendencies

[gategrrl]

Can someone explain to me why there's such a compelling need to sexualize and Romantic-ize characters? I've been there myself, but I seem to have gone past that as a "serious" endeavor. I'll *play* with characters and their sexuality -- but the *need* to pair them up romantically just isn't a priority, and it seems so unnecessary, and somewhat Mary Sueish, especially if it's certain types of het and slash writing.

It's not so much the sexualizing -- that I get, it's fun to imagine your favorite characters whupping it up with the whipped cream and cherries, and get down and dirty and sweaty. But at the same time, what I'm puzzled more about is the need to Harlequinnize decent characters who already have complex, nonsexual relationships with each other, that get totally boring when they DO get together.

Anyone?

Comments

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

Why does detesting SamJack mean people aren't allowed to like Daniel/Vala? Unless you're saying people like it because it's not SamJack and haven't we had quite enough of those kind of accusations on OS?

I'm not trying to sling mud around (I love/adore OS), honest. And no, I'm not saying it's because it is NOT Sam/Jack. (shivers) It's more like, what's with this? It's not the pairing itself that bugs me. It's the *why* the pairing. It's like...(to anyone with the inclination) "Oooo, look, she made him kiss her! Make him kiss her again!" I'm sticking my foot in my mouth. I guess, in a way, I'm a purist, and since these two characters are so well=drawn, to me, why *want* the show to make it happen? Again.

others doubtless would ship anyone with whom Daniel had that kind of spark

Uh huh. OTP, indiscriminate pairing...sure, as CrazymadJo is saying below here, it's What's Turns You On. It's this kind of mentality that baffles me. And it's not just hetters that make me scratch my head, it's slashers like this also, as you pointed out earlier.

Ah well. Since I don't know exactly what it is I'm trying to get at (this happens once in awhile).

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I guess, in a way, I'm a purist, and since these two characters are so well=drawn, to me, why *want* the show to make it happen? Again.

The triumph of hope over experience? ;)