What It All Boils Down To...

[moonshayde]

I'm talking about ships.

I've noticed that in multiple fandoms (Smallville, Stargate, X-Files, and Harry Potter for example) there may be discussions about plot, character, themes, and story, but in the end it all seems to boil down to ship. (Defining ship here in the broad sense - het or slash.) Sure, there are people in fandom that are there just for characters and plot. But those that are mainly focused on shipping is by far the majority. Once you weed through the hearty discussion of character arcs and plot, you'll see that people are arguing for "who ends up with who." Out of everything, this becomes the main focus and the most passionate for fans.

Take a look at any forum or discussion area. Doesn't matter which fandom. Most of them mirror each other.

So, I ask why? Why do we (in general) abandon everything else about the story, making it secondary to the ship? Why is it so vital to have the end goal be "so and so ends up with Clark" or "so and so ends up with Mulder" or "so and so ends up with Jack?" Why does that becoming the most defining attribute of the story or the characters? Why are we defining them by their romantic entanglements? Why are we defining them by their prize at the end of the day?

And is it the woman who is the prize in the end? Or the man? I've seen this go back and forth and it may depend on the fandom.

It happens across fandoms. I've noticed it a lot lately. As stargazercmc mentioned, is this something inate or does fandom perpetuate it? I wonder does this feed some basic human need or is something else going on here?

Comments

[syrenslure.livejournal.com]

I think it's because unless you are a gen/noromo purist, in some ways it is the relationship in whatever flavor it is (angst, romance, h/c, first-time, ER, etc.) that draws us to the table. For me it isn't about any particular relationship. I have preferences, of course, but very, very rarely am I an OTP person in a fandom. However, I want to see the characters interact. i want my escapism in fanfic.

Case files and long drawn out novels are great, but they require commitment to read or write and skill to write well. Even then - a lot of people want the romance.

There are exceptions. One of my favorite stories (as in I reread it at least a couple of times a year) is Lost by Wintersong. It is not an MSR, and not really a romance at all. In fact Mulder and Scully are quite unwilling to take their relationship to that place because they are too close and too dependant on each other. The story is all about each of them as people and their relationship with each other without the hearts and flowers payoff. It is intensely emotional for their stark circumstances. I enjoy that ride.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

You bring up some excellent points, especially about people being drawn to the relationship.

I guess what I am asking is what turns a romantic subplot into the main plot for people when the actual theme of the story is geared toward something different.

XF changed a lot so I don't know if I can use that as a decent example, but I would argue that the Mulder and Scully romance was not the main end goal of the series. Yet, for some people it became the goal while watching. This is independent from fanfic and what we write and read and fandom goers, but more of watcher intent and what we take out of a tv show or what we derive from a book, etc.

And I say this as a MSR shipper.

So it fascinates me why this happens.

[syrenslure.livejournal.com]

I get it - like in Scarecrow and Mrs King or Moonlighting or whatever... where people become so invested in the "relationship" at the expense of the adventure, and the funny thing is maybe that's why so many of these series end up dying once the couples do get together.

Like in Lois and Clark - everyone knew that L&C would end up together, that was the point. But in some ways, for me, at least, the show was more fun with the flirting and dancing around and obliviousness. not that I didn't want my happy ending, but i loved the show more.

I would never stop watching a show because of a couple pairing, i think. Unless it was a complete change in the direction of the show. For example, in SG-1, I don't mind hints of Sam and Jack, but if they had ever come right out and made that canon, it might have made me squirm a bit.

/$0.02