Fandom Meme
Aug. 11th, 2015 05:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bearshortyA week or so ago this meme was going around and it got me thinking about my fandom loves. I figure that instead of posting this and responding individually, I will just write up my answers for 6 fandoms in one post. I picked these six fandoms because I'm much more deeply entrenched in them due to fanfic - I either read a lot (and bookmarked lots if anyone wants recs) or I wrote fic myself. So while I love many other things like Supernatural or Doctor Who or Dresden Files, or other Star Trek or Dollhouse or Agents of SHIELD or Battlestar Galactica or Farscape etc, fanfic in these 6 fandoms in particular lets me to think about the show/book and understand did a bit deeper. If anyone wants to ask me about other show/TV, I will do this meme in comments but here are my main ones.
These fandoms are, in order of my involvement: Harry Potter, Star Trek: Voyager, Buffy, Torchwood, Highlander: TV Series, and Glee.
Here are the questions.
* How I entered that fandom
* Favorite character
* Least favorite character
* OTP(s)
* Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
* Favorite thing about the fandom
* The thing I most dislike about the fandom
* If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
1. Harry Potter
How I entered that fandom
I bought the first Harry Potter book at Costco when I was 21 in the summer of 2001 with the first movie about to come out that fall. I was working at a summer camp and a lot of kids were reading it. I read it at the end of summer, liked the movie and got the next three books. I liked them more and more, and made a few friends through book discussion (and love of Snape). And waited for the next three books - it was a great time, thinking about where the plot would go. In 2005, I read an article in USA Today about fan fiction. It had links. I followed those links and a whole new world opened up. I didn't write fanfic until 2009 but until then I read and read. I got Bear to read the books in 2005. The last book I got during the midnight release and then stayed up for 21 hours straight reading it until I was done. I was going to read a few chapters and go to sleep but that did not happen. I never did that with a book before or since. (I did read Pet Cemetery in one day as a kid, which was a bad idea since it gave me nightmares, but it was a shorter book).
Favorite character
Snape. Then Remus, Then Harry. Then Hermione.
Least favorite character
Umbridge.
OTP(s)
Remus/Sirius. I like all the canon couples too, like Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione. But I never really cared about the romance or pairings in the books and the whole shipping wars of should Hermione be with Ron or Harry make be roll my eyes. I'm happy with canon. (even Remus/Tonks, although for me Remus/Sirius are canon). I write Remus/Sirius almost exclusively now. Writing this paring made me understand and like Sirius. When I first read the books I didn't really like him. Remus/Sirius were also my first slash pairing and my gateway drug to slash.
I used to read a lot of Snape/Hermione but that was mostly because I wanted to read about Snape and the pairing with Hermione made the most sense to me.
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
There is a lot of Snape/Harry in fandom but I don't really see it.
Favorite thing about the fandom
I loved the discussions before all the books came out and even now. I like the people who participate in the fests. It just feels very friendly. And I met people who are important to me through Harry Potter.
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
I don't participate in wanky stuff like shipping wars so there is nothing I really dislike.
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
Nothing really. Maybe not have Remus die and have him happily raising Teddy.
2. Star Trek: Voyager
How I entered that fandom
I was a big Star Trek: TNG fan. When I came to America I started watching it in reruns and eventually would tape episodes that ran at 11pm and watch it the next day. And then I started watching DS9 and Voyager. Voyager was the first Star Trek show I watched from the beginning and as it aired. And while I recognize that DS9 is better written, I love the characters of Voyager more and just adore that show despite all its inconsistencies and the ridiculous way it ended with no payoff for Janeway and Chakotay. (why did Robert Beltran have to bet that the producer would not pair him with Jeri Ryan's Seven - the producer was dating Jeri Ryan at the time. Just the worst decision ever - thank god for fanfic) I started consuming fanfic in 2007 mainly on Janeway/Chakotay pairing.
In 1996, when I was almost 16, I went to my only Star Trek convention - and it was with the Voyager cast. It was so much fun.
Favorite character
Chakotay
Least favorite character
Kes
OTP(s)
Janeway/Chakotay; Tom/B'elanna
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
Can't think of any
Favorite thing about the fandom
Fanfic writers making the show better through an exploration of plotholes and fixing what needed to be fixed
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
Not much, really
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
Put Janeway and Chakotay together in the end! Obviously.
3. Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
How I entered that fandom
I watched later episodes here and there in spring of 2005, mostly Season 6 and 7 on TV but I didn't have the larger context. And I sort of knew about it but I only consistently started watching in the Fall of 2005 when my friend who had the DVDs convinced me to watch. I watched Season 2 to 7 and caught up on Season 1 at some point. In 2008, I did a rewatch when I convinced my Dad to give it a chance. (He watched Buffy, Farscape and Battlestar Galactica with me, while I had to try Burn Notice - which I liked). At some point I started reading Spike and Wesley fic. I watched Angel once I finished all of Buffy.
Favorite character
Spike
Least favorite character
Warren
OTP(s)
Spuffy, Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya, Giles/library
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
Buffy and Angel - I never thought they were good together. Plus she was 15 when he fell in love with her, which is a little creepy
Favorite thing about the fandom
Stories!
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
Buffy/Angel vs Spuffy battles. Or ability to forgive Angel murder and cruelty when he didn't have a soul but not being able to do the same for Spike.
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
I like it as is. Although I would bring Tara back to life.
4. Torchwood
How I entered that fandom
I watched Doctor Who since 2007 (the new seasons) and liked Jack. So I checked out the new show, although it was not my favorite. I liked Season 2 more than Season 1 and loved Children of Earth (despite heartbreak at Ianto's death), sort of indifferent to Season 4. But through fanfic I got attached to the characters and it holds a place in my heart. I also enjoy audiobooks.
Favorite character
Ianto
Least favorite character
Gwen
OTP(s)
Jack/Ianto
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
Jack/Gwen - argh
Favorite thing about the fandom
Ianto shrine in Cardiff
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
Not much
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
Resurrect Ianto!
5. Highlander: TV Series
How I entered that fandom
I watched the Sci-fi mini series "Riverworld" in 2010 and loved Peter Wingfield as Sir Richard Francis Burton and looked up what else he was on. I knew of Highlander: TV Series from my teenage years (but I don't think I watched it) and watched the movie before so I thought it was promising. And it was on Netflix. So I decided to watch. And grew to love it very, very much.
Favorite character
Methos (I do have a type!)
Least favorite character
I don't think I have one.
OTP(s)
Duncan/Methos, Duncan/Amanda, Duncan/Tessa, Joe/happiness. This show is great of OT3s too.
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
There isn't one, I don't think
Favorite thing about the fandom
Fantastic writers and December Secret Santa fest
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
Nothing. It's all good
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
End of Season 5 and Demon storyline. And parade of women of Season 6.
6. Glee
How I entered that fandom
I watched the pilot in May preview and checked out the series in the first season but quit after first few episodes with the fake pregnancy storyline. It was too black humor for me and too high school. I occasionally checked out episodes like Madonna one or one directed by Joss Whedon, Season 2 finale, etc but I didn't really care about it. I watched "Teenage Dream" video on EW website before that episode aired because I knew of Darren Criss from Harry Potter musical. But it was only in the beginning of Season 3 that the show grabbed me and it is all fault of Klaine. I saw a preview of "First Time" episode and decided to watch. Right after, I went on Hulu and caught up on Season 3 and then watched Season 1 and 2 on Neflix as I kept watching Season 3. And I fallen hard. It became must watch live show for me. I got heavily emotionally invested in Klaine, and for the last few years I pretty much read Klaine fanfic exclusively. I don't write it, just read it. (And I think Darren Criss is dreamy.)
Favorite character
Blaine
Least favorite character
Bree
OTP(s)
Klaine! Brittana
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
Finchel. They are fine, I didn't mind watching them, but I just don't care very much.
Favorite thing about the fandom
Fanfic making the terrible inconsistencies make sense. Episode reaction fics. Tumblr.
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
When trolls prefer one actor over the other or won't accept reality.
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
I don't think there is anything. I would have more of the show set in New York but I ended up liking how Season 6 played out. This show was my crack - I like it cracky.
These fandoms are, in order of my involvement: Harry Potter, Star Trek: Voyager, Buffy, Torchwood, Highlander: TV Series, and Glee.
Here are the questions.
* How I entered that fandom
* Favorite character
* Least favorite character
* OTP(s)
* Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
* Favorite thing about the fandom
* The thing I most dislike about the fandom
* If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
1. Harry Potter
How I entered that fandom
I bought the first Harry Potter book at Costco when I was 21 in the summer of 2001 with the first movie about to come out that fall. I was working at a summer camp and a lot of kids were reading it. I read it at the end of summer, liked the movie and got the next three books. I liked them more and more, and made a few friends through book discussion (and love of Snape). And waited for the next three books - it was a great time, thinking about where the plot would go. In 2005, I read an article in USA Today about fan fiction. It had links. I followed those links and a whole new world opened up. I didn't write fanfic until 2009 but until then I read and read. I got Bear to read the books in 2005. The last book I got during the midnight release and then stayed up for 21 hours straight reading it until I was done. I was going to read a few chapters and go to sleep but that did not happen. I never did that with a book before or since. (I did read Pet Cemetery in one day as a kid, which was a bad idea since it gave me nightmares, but it was a shorter book).
Favorite character
Snape. Then Remus, Then Harry. Then Hermione.
Least favorite character
Umbridge.
OTP(s)
Remus/Sirius. I like all the canon couples too, like Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione. But I never really cared about the romance or pairings in the books and the whole shipping wars of should Hermione be with Ron or Harry make be roll my eyes. I'm happy with canon. (even Remus/Tonks, although for me Remus/Sirius are canon). I write Remus/Sirius almost exclusively now. Writing this paring made me understand and like Sirius. When I first read the books I didn't really like him. Remus/Sirius were also my first slash pairing and my gateway drug to slash.
I used to read a lot of Snape/Hermione but that was mostly because I wanted to read about Snape and the pairing with Hermione made the most sense to me.
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
There is a lot of Snape/Harry in fandom but I don't really see it.
Favorite thing about the fandom
I loved the discussions before all the books came out and even now. I like the people who participate in the fests. It just feels very friendly. And I met people who are important to me through Harry Potter.
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
I don't participate in wanky stuff like shipping wars so there is nothing I really dislike.
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
Nothing really. Maybe not have Remus die and have him happily raising Teddy.
2. Star Trek: Voyager
How I entered that fandom
I was a big Star Trek: TNG fan. When I came to America I started watching it in reruns and eventually would tape episodes that ran at 11pm and watch it the next day. And then I started watching DS9 and Voyager. Voyager was the first Star Trek show I watched from the beginning and as it aired. And while I recognize that DS9 is better written, I love the characters of Voyager more and just adore that show despite all its inconsistencies and the ridiculous way it ended with no payoff for Janeway and Chakotay. (why did Robert Beltran have to bet that the producer would not pair him with Jeri Ryan's Seven - the producer was dating Jeri Ryan at the time. Just the worst decision ever - thank god for fanfic) I started consuming fanfic in 2007 mainly on Janeway/Chakotay pairing.
In 1996, when I was almost 16, I went to my only Star Trek convention - and it was with the Voyager cast. It was so much fun.
Favorite character
Chakotay
Least favorite character
Kes
OTP(s)
Janeway/Chakotay; Tom/B'elanna
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
Can't think of any
Favorite thing about the fandom
Fanfic writers making the show better through an exploration of plotholes and fixing what needed to be fixed
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
Not much, really
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
Put Janeway and Chakotay together in the end! Obviously.
3. Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
How I entered that fandom
I watched later episodes here and there in spring of 2005, mostly Season 6 and 7 on TV but I didn't have the larger context. And I sort of knew about it but I only consistently started watching in the Fall of 2005 when my friend who had the DVDs convinced me to watch. I watched Season 2 to 7 and caught up on Season 1 at some point. In 2008, I did a rewatch when I convinced my Dad to give it a chance. (He watched Buffy, Farscape and Battlestar Galactica with me, while I had to try Burn Notice - which I liked). At some point I started reading Spike and Wesley fic. I watched Angel once I finished all of Buffy.
Favorite character
Spike
Least favorite character
Warren
OTP(s)
Spuffy, Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya, Giles/library
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
Buffy and Angel - I never thought they were good together. Plus she was 15 when he fell in love with her, which is a little creepy
Favorite thing about the fandom
Stories!
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
Buffy/Angel vs Spuffy battles. Or ability to forgive Angel murder and cruelty when he didn't have a soul but not being able to do the same for Spike.
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
I like it as is. Although I would bring Tara back to life.
4. Torchwood
How I entered that fandom
I watched Doctor Who since 2007 (the new seasons) and liked Jack. So I checked out the new show, although it was not my favorite. I liked Season 2 more than Season 1 and loved Children of Earth (despite heartbreak at Ianto's death), sort of indifferent to Season 4. But through fanfic I got attached to the characters and it holds a place in my heart. I also enjoy audiobooks.
Favorite character
Ianto
Least favorite character
Gwen
OTP(s)
Jack/Ianto
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
Jack/Gwen - argh
Favorite thing about the fandom
Ianto shrine in Cardiff
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
Not much
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
Resurrect Ianto!
5. Highlander: TV Series
How I entered that fandom
I watched the Sci-fi mini series "Riverworld" in 2010 and loved Peter Wingfield as Sir Richard Francis Burton and looked up what else he was on. I knew of Highlander: TV Series from my teenage years (but I don't think I watched it) and watched the movie before so I thought it was promising. And it was on Netflix. So I decided to watch. And grew to love it very, very much.
Favorite character
Methos (I do have a type!)
Least favorite character
I don't think I have one.
OTP(s)
Duncan/Methos, Duncan/Amanda, Duncan/Tessa, Joe/happiness. This show is great of OT3s too.
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
There isn't one, I don't think
Favorite thing about the fandom
Fantastic writers and December Secret Santa fest
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
Nothing. It's all good
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
End of Season 5 and Demon storyline. And parade of women of Season 6.
6. Glee
How I entered that fandom
I watched the pilot in May preview and checked out the series in the first season but quit after first few episodes with the fake pregnancy storyline. It was too black humor for me and too high school. I occasionally checked out episodes like Madonna one or one directed by Joss Whedon, Season 2 finale, etc but I didn't really care about it. I watched "Teenage Dream" video on EW website before that episode aired because I knew of Darren Criss from Harry Potter musical. But it was only in the beginning of Season 3 that the show grabbed me and it is all fault of Klaine. I saw a preview of "First Time" episode and decided to watch. Right after, I went on Hulu and caught up on Season 3 and then watched Season 1 and 2 on Neflix as I kept watching Season 3. And I fallen hard. It became must watch live show for me. I got heavily emotionally invested in Klaine, and for the last few years I pretty much read Klaine fanfic exclusively. I don't write it, just read it. (And I think Darren Criss is dreamy.)
Favorite character
Blaine
Least favorite character
Bree
OTP(s)
Klaine! Brittana
Pairing that everyone likes but I don’t get
Finchel. They are fine, I didn't mind watching them, but I just don't care very much.
Favorite thing about the fandom
Fanfic making the terrible inconsistencies make sense. Episode reaction fics. Tumblr.
The thing I most dislike about the fandom
When trolls prefer one actor over the other or won't accept reality.
If there is something I would change from said game/show/movie/etc., what would it be?
I don't think there is anything. I would have more of the show set in New York but I ended up liking how Season 6 played out. This show was my crack - I like it cracky.