moonshayde | Is It UST?

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Is It UST?

This isn't exactly meta, per se, but delves into some meta issues within the context of fanfic and writing. You can apply this to many fandoms, but I will be using SG-1 to illustrate my points.

I find UST (unresolved sexual tension) to be a term/phrase that is often misused and can be dangerous when labeling writing. Conversely, it can be helpful. So...what do you do?

UST has a foundation in the inherent chemistry between two characters, three characters, an ensemble cast, etc. Chemistry in general is the heart of most engrossing tv and writing. Without chemistry, the characters fall flat and we are less emotionally involved in their actions.

The thing with chemistry is that it can be interpreted and read in a number of ways, one of which is UST. While I am not saying that all chemistry translates into UST, all UST has its roots in chemistry.

Apparently, this can create a problem in the fanfic world. Someone who likes gen will tend to turn their backs on UST and label it a form of ship/slash. Or a fic that may have UST between Sam/Jack may be dismissed because of a dislike for that pairing.

However, there is a chance that the UST in the fic is not actually UST at all, and just chemistry. Could we be turning our backs on outstanding fiction because we perceive UST in a fic when really there's not? Are we dismissing fic that has amazing chemistry between characters because it's labeled as UST, but that UST can be read as either sexual or not? And are we, as writers, boxing ourselves into a corner when writing a fic that has chemistry between characters that could be read either way?

I'm a fan of labels. Really. I don't want to open a fic and get a surprise pairing inside. I don't want to read a fic that I thought was gen and find that it's really a Jack/Daniel slash fic in disguise or fic where Sam and Daniel are secretly angsting over their feelings for each other. Not when I tuned in for a gen fic. What I'm trying to say is, are we limiting ourselves with UST?

I would say the main draw to the show that many of us share is the amazing chemistry between the cast. Whether that cast for you consists of an original cast -- say Jack, Daniel, Sam and Teal'c -- or a change in cast -- say Jack, Sam, Teal'c, and Jonas. It could be Cameron, Sam, Teal'c, Vala, and Daniel. Landry. Hammond. Janet. Whatever. It's the chemistry between the characters added to a decent plot.

Whether your pairing is canon or not is irrelevant. There is no denying that in most shows there is chemistry between most of the characters. In the case of SG-1, I would argue there is chemistry between all of the characters. I really don't think you can deny the chemistry between Sam and Jack -- some may not see it as sexual chemistry, but there is some kind of chemistry between them, whatever it is. There is chemistry between Jack and Daniel, whatever it is. The same for Jack and Teal'c. Daniel and Teal'c. Sam and Daniel. Sam and Teal'c. And so on and so forth.

The show has given us several examples of chemistry. You can look to Need for Jack's caring for Daniel. You can look to The Fifth Race for Daniel's caring for Jack. Singularity is a good example for Daniel supporting Sam. Holiday can show Sam's caring for Daniel. Foothold is a nice example of Teal'c protecting Sam. Death Knell has a nice supportive scene at the end with Jack caring for Sam. Cor-ai had a passionate Jack fighting for Teal'c (along with the others). The list just doesn't end.

Chemistry isn't all hugs and cuddles, either. Chemistry takes on the form of anger, tension, need, conflict, pain, hurt, separation...the list goes on. We've had examples of this through a show like SG-1 between all the characters.

However, the former examples that I listed, the ones that show deep caring, commitment and love, are more often than not the examples people cite as showing UST. (Though, chemistry that involves feelings of anger, betrayal, sadness, pain, etc can also show UST.) The key is that we can read these scenes any number of ways. Some slashers feel the scenes in Need and The Fifth Race indicate UST and a sexual/romantic love between Jack and Daniel. While, at the same time, some people see Death Knell as Sam/Jack ship. Holiday is one of the eps trumped by the Sam/Daniel people. Foothold for the Sam/Teal'c crew. Yet, someone who does not support that pairing can just as easily see those scenes as friendship.

With such a spectrum and fluidity in the show itself, it's not unusual to find that in fanfic, too. When I read a fic, I expect there to be caring between all the characters, like I see on the show. I expect to see that spark, that chemistry between the characters, reflected in their own unique bonds.

For some, that is not the goal. Not all fic should reflect this attitude. If you are writing a slash fic about a perceived sexual relationship between Daniel and Teal'c, then you might not necessarily need Sam and Jack in your fic. If your fic only concentrates on two characters, one character, a side character...things change. Maybe you don't like a certain character and don't want to read fic that has that character in it. Or maybe your interest is solely in a pairing. Plus, there are times maybe that's all we want to read and think, "Oh, I'm in the mood for some Cam/Sam today..." It's a different dynamic. I'm not really speaking to those kinds of fics here.

But in a standard, teamesque type of story, where all the characters play a role, you're undeniably going to hit that chemistry that is present if it's a well-written story. That chemistry is going to slip into the conversations and actions between Jack and Daniel, Jack and Sam, Jack and Teal'c, etc.

Here's the problem. If an author wants you to know, yes read this chemistry as sexual, a label is slapped on that says UST. If a writer doesn't feel it is sexual, no label of UST. However, some writers don't like to be bound by an either/or attitude and are open to people interpreting their characters' chemistry as platonic or sexual. To slap a label saying UST doesn't reflect the nature of the story.

And yes, I am one of those people ;)

However, by labeling a story gen -- a story that tries to show chemistry between all the characters -- you run the risk of an outcry in the fandom over mislabeling. Some people will say that you're trying to sneak ship or slash into gen story. And sometimes people do, both consciously and subconsciously. But I think it's fair to say that there are a lot of writers out there that are open to people walking away with whatever view they want. If someone reads a story of mine that is gen and walks out of it thinking, "wow I saw something between Daniel and Teal'c" and I never intended that in the first place, I'm okay with that. And it has happened. I'm okay with people seeing ship when it's not there, slash when it's not there. And frankly, I try to write my gen in a way where people can see whatever they want, just like we do in the show.

But like I said, there's always a risk. You can't please everyone. And there will always be someone that doesn't agree with your views. There are fics where this doesn't apply -- full out ship and slash, for example. Also, there are times when a definite UST label is needed and others when gen is more than appropriate. It's a fine line, though.

My concern is that we might be missing some very good fic out there. Fic that might be perceived as Sam/Jack, but really just has some great chemistry between the characters and has a great plot. Or, a fic that might be perceived as Jack/Daniel which actually is just a story that can be read either way, again with a great plot. And that goes for Sam/Daniel, Daniel/Janet, Cameron/Teal'c, Jonas/Sam, even interactions between minor characters and original characters...you name the combination.

I wonder what are your thoughts on this? Again, I used SG-1 as an example but it can be applied to any show, despite whether the show contains canon pairings or not.

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Hmmm. I'll have to think on this some more because I don't really see this distinction as difficult. For me, it's entirely how the writer presents the motivations of the characters, not how I could interpret the scene.

I expect something labeled "UST" to involve at least one character expressing sexual inclination towards another, either in thought or words. I expect that the tension plays an important role in the story plot- or characterization-wise. (Otherwise, why have it?) I expect that there will, in fact, be no resolution to these sexual desires. If it's open to interpretation, I think of it as "team."

Let's say that "Need" was a fanfic. As seen on screen, I'd call it "team." Could be friendship, could be slash, could be Jack being a good team leader. If Jack, however, had begun to think about how soft Daniel's hair was or how lucky Shyla had been to bed Daniel, it would be UST. If Daniel turned in his arms and they started making out? Slash.

But I'll have to think more on the line you're drawing because I think I'm missing your nuance. I know that fics don't always neatly fit categories, especially when you get outside the usual lines of het or slash, which are often romances revolving around a favorite pairing.

*sigh* It's why I don't post often. I never seem to make any sense.

I guess what I mean is with such a hypersensitivity in the fandom over labeling and ship/slash, maybe people reading gen or team fic might be missing out on a good story that at it's core if gen and team fic but has a label of UST because the author felt pressed to used the label.

Oh dear! You certainly can't be held responsible if you're writing from a reader/writer's perspective and I'm reading from a reader's perspective. As I guessed, I was missing your nuance. :)

I wasn't aware that there was any pressure at all to label something with UST - or with anything else. Personally, I'd rather that a writer labels a story with what she intends it to be rather than practicing defensive labeling. She can judge by her feedback, perhaps, whether she was successful in conveying her intentions...but really? I'm just thankful for a writer who labels her fic.

ITA, hsapiens.

I think fandom can get to be a bit much sometimes but it shouldn't cause us stop posting our fanfic as we see it because some folks have perspective issues.

Oh. and hsapiens...I love your icons. :) I've snurched a bunch of them. Take a look at my userpics - if I've missed any, let me know and I'll credit. I love your work.

I get the impression from writers that there are a group of demanding, "me centric" readers driving a lot of the discussion. Maybe this is why I don't get it. Not that I'm not "me centric," I most definitely am, but some people do seem to get a little too firmly wrapped up in their own perspectives.

As for the icons -- thank you for the compliment! It was a pleasant surprise. I only looked at your icons since you asked, because I really am not the LJ police and I do not wish to be, so I saw that there is one, a Daniel and Janet one, that isn't credited. The icon as I made it is here: Dan and Jan. Also? My user name ends in an "s" and you've credited me as, "hsapien" without the "s." I chose it because humanity is Homo sapiens. I don't think most people would notice its absence but I cringe to to see it without the proper species name because I'm a dork that way.

It's up to you to do what you want on the crediting issue, though. I don't demand it and I refuse to be the enforcer. :)

Me centric writers? Can you elaborate?

And wow, aren't you popular! Everywhere I go it seems you're getting compliments ;)

You scared me for a second -- I typed "me centric" readers. I'm thinking here of people who demand out loud and repeatedly, that fic be labeled as befits their own personal code of likes and squicks. I think we're all agreed that we want stories labeled, or not, as befits our preferred approach, but I'm seeing from writers that there is a group of readers who feel it's their right to demand that authors bend to their own particular set of requirements.

I'm okay with that on a list because communities are, by their nature, based on consensus and nobody is forced to participate in them. But if it's on someone's personal website or their LJ? I think it's rude and out of line. I didn't know until reading these discussions that people did that sort of thing.

I'm honored that people have been doing the complimenting thing -- and more than a little embarrassed.

I absolutely agree with you about me-centric readers. I haven't had any labeling complaints (yet), but from what other writers bemoan, it sounds to me like some people expect you to know THEIR definition of ship and slash and all that, and protect their virgin eyes from anything that might offend. I'm sorry; life does not work that well. We've tried to get a refund on it, but can't seem to locate the original manufacturer. ;)

I consider all my stuff gen, but I've had some of it recommended as ship. One story in particular has some very affectionate moments between Sam and Jack, which I hope are redolent with chemistry - apparently some people see UST in the chemistry. That's fine with me, as long as I don't even get complaints from someone who doesn't want to see UST but reads it in there. That sounds like someone looking for something to complain about to me.

Or else they just can't see a strong bond between a man and woman without inferring romance.

(Total aside - I just peeked at your LJ. I squeed over, "Dirk Gently's Long Dark Teatime of the Soul," my favorite Douglas Adams book, and your latest post is evolutionary theory and religion - and the icon on the post is from the only actress I've ever truly met and chatted with - so I promptly friended you because the coincidences were all just too cool. Hope you're okay with that.)

I was unaware of this group of "standards enforcing" readers but they really do sound like kill-joys. Geez, figure out what you like, how best to find it, and then let the other kids play in their sandboxes! Didn't we all learn to coexist back in kindergarten?

Or else they just can't see a strong bond between a man and woman without inferring romance.

Well, I suppose if some people haven't mastered kindergarten skills, then it's no surprise that some have a juvenile sense of men and women, too. *sigh*

OMG, so few people know Teatime!!! And it's my favorite, too, as wonderful as all his others are.

You've met Lisa Edelstein? So cool! I've been a fan of her work since Sports Night, and from DVD extras she seems like a very cool person. That's so awesome!

And I'll friend you right back. :)

I think the "standards enforcing" group is a vocal minority. They seem to complain a lot on forums - I don't know that they actually give writers a lot of grief, directly. It's just that when I read their complaints I worry about offending them. Then when I go to write my labels and warnings, I realize there's only so much I can do to accommodate every preference out there.

I expect that the tension plays an important role in the story plot- or characterization-wise. (Otherwise, why have it?)

I read a Jack/Daniel friendship story where the main story focus was that; however, there was one scene between Sam and Jack which could have been interpreted as friendship, but after Jack walked away, Sam was left thinking thoughts about how she and Jack really loved each other but had come to an understanding that they'd set that aside for the sake of saving the world and keeping their jobs--or something to that effect. That scene really held no bearing on the rest of the story. It felt like an insert, just like the Jack/Sam stuff on the show felt to me.

IIRC, this story was labeled as gen. I'd consider it as having a Jack/Sam pairing--not even UST--even though the J/S scene was very short and had no bearing on the story. I never read any other stories by that author--not because she was a bad writer, but because it was obvious that her interpretations of the characters and the show were so different from mine that I'd find myself constantly squicked out instead of enjoying myself.

I think that for some authors, it may not be as clear-cut as it seems like it could be. I'm okay with that. I didn't die from reading that story. *g*

I guess it's tricky because some authors would consider that gen while others wouldn't. I wouldn't consider that gen since there are character thoughts that state otherwise.

Though, it can still get weird sometimes. I mean, take the episode Grace. I wrote a tag for that episode where Sam feels renewed after going through that process. Like she was moving onto a new stage of her life. It's very much a Sam/Daniel friendship piece, but I do touch upon what happened in her hallucinations on the ship.

I consider it gen. I've never had a complaint otherwise.

I'd consider that story gen, too. It sounds like it was an episode tag relating to something that happened on the show, in canon.

That's what I'd do. I consider my Moebius tag gen, even though I deal with the kiss in the ship and Alt-Sam's attraction to both Daniel and Alt-Jack. No complaints for me, either.

I'm going to agree with you here. I don't think gen should have slash or het content. Period. It might have scenes that could be interpreted in that way if the reader leans there but not direct character thought or action. I admit that my antipathy for Jack/Sam has caused me to steer a wide berth around even gen fic because so often het is default for people in our culture and they don't see it as something that has a label. I've had just enough surprise J/S in my gen to stick to a few gen writers, het authors who write other pairings I do like, and slash.

I've never died from the J/S and I've never written any snippy feedback to someone who did that, but I have changed my own behavior and probably missed a lot of good stuff. It's a trade off I was willing to make.

I still go author by author, really. I found one particular site that claimed it was a gen-only site, and yet all manner of ships were allowed--even Daniel/Janet and other similar ships. At this site, gen meant "no slash."

I've never died from the J/S and I've never written any snippy feedback to someone who did that, but I have changed my own behavior and probably missed a lot of good stuff. It's a trade off I was willing to make.

hehe And once again you stole my thoughts and put them into lovely words. *g* Whatever I said before, this is what I meant. *g*

I've had just enough surprise J/S in my gen to stick to a few gen writers, het authors who write other pairings I do like, and slash.

Me too. I tend to like both gen and slash, depending on my mood. In reality, I tend to read more slash nowadays, probably partly for the same reason. I'm a Daniel girl and not ashamed to admit it. *g* It's not that I have no use for the other characters, but I see fanfic as my chance to explore what I like about the show--to fuel my obsession, really. I wouldn't have sought out fic at all except that I wanted more Daniel than I got on the show, so reading a story about Sam or Teal'c is just not something I have time for.

I'm not even enjoying the slash as much as I used to, though. I've had plenty of Sam/Jack or Daniel/Vala surprises in even slash stories--enough so that I'm very wary of reading even slash unless it comes with a very good rec. I don't expect authors to accommodate me in their writing, but as a reader, I have a choice, too. I love that there is room for everyone to write what they want and read what they want. I don't see it as a competition where one side has to win or where people have to be convinced of anything.

At this site, gen meant "no slash."

I am so very happy to have missed this little slice of misery, thus far, because that would annoy me. That's using "gen" as code for anti-gay.

hehe And once again you stole my thoughts and put them into lovely words. *g* Whatever I said before, this is what I meant. *g*

LOL! I don't consider myself gifted with words so hitting the nail today this often makes me pause to see if someone else has logged in and is posting as me.

Me too. I tend to like both gen and slash, depending on my mood. In reality, I tend to read more slash nowadays, probably partly for the same reason. I'm a Daniel girl and not ashamed to admit it. *g*

I'm a Daniel girl, as well, so anything that involves him tends to rock my boat in a positive way. That means het, slash, or gen. Gen because I love the character and the het/slash because MS does it for me; his looks make reading about Daniel in romantic or sexual situations are attractive to me. (Except with Vala, who I don't see as being more than superficially attractive to Daniel. Daniel/Vala feels like Jack/Sam to me: forced and false.) The combo of loving both the interior and the exterior of the character is potent and I'll read a less well-written Daniel-centric story over a brilliant Jack story for that reason.

Having a character preference does not mean hating other characters, though some fans go that route, and I agree: we're choosing our fic to stoke our own preferences and desires.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I wouldn't have sought out fic at all except that I wanted more Daniel than I got on the show...

My interest in fanfic, too, is a sign that a show is not satisfying me. I adore BSG, for instance, but there's enough there that I'm not driven to find my fix elsewhere. SG-1, otoh, leaves so much that I want as "off screen" that fan fic has become my primary interest. I watch the show more for the eye candy and to keep up with events so that the fan fic makes sense. :)

I love that there is room for everyone to write what they want and read what they want. I don't see it as a competition where one side has to win or where people have to be convinced of anything.

Precisely! (A part of me wants to make those cute Daniel hand gestures but my ASCII art skills aren't very advanced.) Hard feelings arise, it seems, because people can't accept that it's ALL good. Like whom you like; read what you like; stay away from what you don't like. Personally, I appreciate labels so that I can do just that.

I am so very happy to have missed this little slice of misery, thus far, because that would annoy me. That's using "gen" as code for anti-gay.

That was the impression that I got, though I could be wrong. I understand that everyone has preferences, and I love that there are communities like jackslashdaniel or stargate slash where we can slash to our heart's content without having to justify it, and I'm sure there are shipper communities like that, too. I don't have a problem with that at all, but the above just seemed rather odd to me.

LOL! I don't consider myself gifted with words so hitting the nail today this often makes me pause to see if someone else has logged in and is posting as me.

hehe Yes, at least twice for me today. :-) I could ramble on for an hour and you said it in just a couple of sentences. :-)

Daniel stuff: In the beginning I also read anything Daniel, including Daniel/Sam or Daniel/Sha're, and even Daniel/Original Character. *g* It's just that after a while I realized that mostly didn't float my boat. I didn't like the way most het was written for whatever reason. This is nothing against it, but it just didn't ring true to me. It could just mean that my true bent is as a slasher. *g* I will still read Daniel/Sha're once in a while.

(Except with Vala, who I don't see as being more than superficially attractive to Daniel. Daniel/Vala feels like Jack/Sam to me: forced and false.)

Yes, that's how I see that, too.

The combo of loving both the interior and the exterior of the character is potent and I'll read a less well-written Daniel-centric story over a brilliant Jack story for that reason.

hehe And me too! This really surprises me, as I thought I was the only one who felt that way.

My interest in fanfic, too, is a sign that a show is not satisfying me. I adore BSG, for instance, but there's enough there that I'm not driven to find my fix elsewhere. SG-1, otoh, leaves so much that I want as "off screen" that fan fic has become my primary interest. I watch the show more for the eye candy and to keep up with events so that the fan fic makes sense. :)

I feel that way as well. I sometimes think that my obsession with a particular show stems from that. I watch Boston Legal and love it, but I don't feel a need to read fic about it. :-) My original obsession with SG-1 fic was (and sometimes still is) with episode tags (usually gen *g*) that help to fill in holes from episodes or things that I thought were missing from the characterizatons.

Hard feelings arise, it seems, because people can't accept that it's ALL good. Like whom you like; read what you like; stay away from what you don't like. Personally, I appreciate labels so that I can do just that.

Me too. I seem to be saying that a lot. *g*

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