Let's just pretend it hasn't been eons since I last posted, ok?

[ishtar79]

I'm excited for the new Merlin after two weeks, but as usual, part of fandom continues to suck beyond the telling of it.

Check out this latest gem:


merlin_denial



Their userinfo is basically a lot of whining about season 2, and a list of all the terrible things about it.

Some choice quotes:

"Remember the glorious time before season 2? Before the producers became aware that the relationship between their two leads could be interpreted as romantic and took some desperate measures? Before...

...they made Gwen the new Merlin (and a floozy)?"

First off, I am beyond tired of the bashing and slut-shaming of any female character who dares to have a love life. Secondly...who the fuck still uses "floozy"?

WHY SO MISOGYNIST, MERLIN FANDOM?

Comments

[liluv.livejournal.com]

Ah I couldn´t be bothered to read all the misogynic whining, but I´ve come across a lot of that rot too. Isn´t the trend of slasher fandoms to bash the female characters totally creepy? I wish it could amuse me but honestly? It upsets me. And I do´t get it either. I mean literally. I don´t understand where it comes from and why.

A floozy? Sheesh.

And funny how the author of this poor epistle above (not you of course the original author) suspects homophobia as a reason to push Gwens story, but can´t make an argument without jumping on another -phobia to make a point.

Have to say though, the "Gwen as the new Merlin" thing is new to me. But wow, now I totally see it. They are exactly alike. It will be hard to tell them apart soon...

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

In the interest of fairness, het shippers can bash female characters too, if they get in the way of the OTP (or even the female part of the ship, as demonstrated by all those Spuffy shippers who seemed to hate Buffy). But in het it's somewhat mitigated by the fact there's (usually) one female character they like, and it's not an attempt of total erasure of women. And I have no idea where it comes from-internalised sexism/misogyny? Sexual jealousy of strong fictional female characters?


And funny how the author of this poor epistle above (not you of course the original author) suspects homophobia as a reason to push Gwens story, but can´t make an argument without jumping on another -phobia to make a point.

It's disgusting that they hijack gay rights in order to push a sexist agenda. And it's not homophobia-they wouldn't give a rat's arse if, say, there was suddenly a gay relationship between two unattractive male characters. It's all about teh pretty boys!

[liluv.livejournal.com]

In the interest of fairness, het shippers can bash female characters too, if they get in the way of the OTP

Yes, good point. I particularly remember the slut-calling Buffy received for something I´ve even forgotten.
It seems to me though - but I am not exactly a multi-fandom connoisseur - that het pairings shippers are narrow-minded in their own right and won´t even refrain from homophobic comments (remember "Iz"?), but as you said there is usually one woman they like and they have no problems bashing male characters just as well. It seems less 'directed' somewhat.

And I have no idea where it comes from-internalised sexism/misogyny? Sexual jealousy of strong fictional female characters?

Probably a fatal mix of both. Maybe it´s easier to be jealous of a female character than another male, because it´s closer and then it´s very convenient to fall back on social inherent misogyny to express it. At least that´s how I interpreted some of the Torchwood Gwen-hate. With Merlin I think it´s even more horrible, because the "race" card is pulled and thrown into the mix. Rather disgusting really.

It's disgusting that they hijack gay rights in order to push a sexist agenda. And it's not homophobia-they wouldn't give a rat's arse if, say, there was suddenly a gay relationship between two unattractive male characters. It's all about teh pretty boys!

Ain´t that the truth! It´s probably a bit like a guy watching endlessly lesbian porn saying he does it for feminist reasons...

Very accute observations, my dear. :-) As usual.