Sherlock Fandom - The Good, the Bad And the WTF?

[Boton]

I read an interesting theory on TJLC, and, of all things, I stumbled into it in one of my rare visits to Tumblr, which is not usually a good place to be if you don't want to see highly, highly emotionally charged discussions of, well, anything.  But this theory made some sense to me, and to paraphrase:

 

The idea was that those most deeply in TJLC were performing some very sophisticated, almost academic analysis of the show as text in pursuit of proving their theory, just like happens in all kinds of literary criticism.  What changed, however, was that in academics, no matter how good and well-supported your theory, it eventually has to go in front of your peers, in academic journals, at conferences, and even in your own department.  Being able to defend your passionately-held view of a text against the equally passionately-held opposing views of another scholar is part of the process.

 

Because so much of TJLC analysis is on social media, like Tumblr and YouTube, it is easy for those amateur (and sometimes professional) scholars to simply block the people who passionately disagree with them. This creates a situation where "everyone" appears to see and agree with the evidence, and "everyone" interprets it the same way, so of course the only outcome is clear.  Add in the idea that for the theory to work, you have to believe that Moftiss will lie about everything (including their stated intentions for the characters re: romance), and of course it was a crushing disappointment when the expected ending didn't occur.

 

This made some sense to me.  There are complicating factors, of course, and other ships suffered from this too, but I think none had the intensity and depth of analysis that TJLC did, so, unfortunately, that means the potential for extreme disappointment was greater too.

[J.P.]

Mofftiss, TFP, TRF, TJLC and sherlock fandom mashup.

 

[J.P.]

Do other fandoms take their ships SERIOUSLY?

I always took it as a kind of fun, alternative, fanfic thing.

 

Then I realized the conspirators are dead serious and really believe it will happen.

This was too much, from that moment I found JL simply annoying. I mean, someone can forge some nice conspiracy theory here (what about Kleenex being the secret puppetmaster of Sherlock? They earned a fortune on crying fans and Hartswood's logo is a tree, the material for tissues)

 

But I know you and would assume it's fun and a nice brainy game.

[Boton]

In the scene in TFP where Sherlock says he "has to drink a cup of tea," and Billy Wiggins says, "is that code?" and Sherlock says, "no, it's just a cup of tea," I laughed and wondered if that was Moftiss admitting they'd read the "tea theory."   :D

[Caya]

Do other fandoms take their ships SERIOUSLY?

 

The Sherlock fandom is harmless. I stumbled upon this the other day:

 

http://www.vox.com/2016/6/17/11943538/outlander-fandom-william-shatner-shipping-controversy

 

TJLC leaves the actors out of it, which is apparently more than can be said for some fandoms.

 

[J.P.]

But do they actually believe it would happen and demand it?

 

Found this little gem: Moffat's Chicken (prediction from pre-S4 time) some nice observations:

http://obotligtnyfiken.se/sherlock/moffats-chickens-2/

[J.P.]

Kind of awsome from the same maker

http://obotligtnyfiken.se/sherlock/

[J.P.]

In the scene in TFP where Sherlock says he "has to drink a cup of tea," and Billy Wiggins says, "is that code?" and Sherlock says, "no, it's just a cup of tea," I laughed and wondered if that was Moftiss admitting they'd read the "tea theory."   :D

 

Also possible note to fandom that "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar" There were more notes like that in S4 and the series.

[Caya]

But do they actually believe it would happen and demand it?

 

According to the article, yep, just like any other ship, some are in it for fun while some believe it's gonna happen.

 

Multiple shippers I spoke with asserted they don’t really believe there is some secret relationship. But from a distance, it seems there's plenty of actual hardcore belief:

 

    well Cait if you say you're seeing someone but you act like Sam's wife in public then you're doing it wrong pic.twitter.com/cTU3YTHyWB

    — Sal (@__reddawn) June 8, 2016

 

    I❤️when my friendly friend keeps his arm around me at the biggest event of my life when I have another boyfriend. pic.twitter.com/YQST2fSUB1

    — Lauren (@lara_lights) June 8, 2016

 

The actors, who are each dating other people, recently negated rumors they are together and said they are "exhausted" by fans questioning them about their real-life relationship. But, as is the case with every other RPF ship, denials haven’t stopped the shippers from doing their thing.

 

eta:

 

Kind of awsome from the same maker

http://obotligtnyfiken.se/sherlock/

 

Wow, that's definitely awesome. You can see the effort that went into it.

 

 

[J.P.]

https://www.change.org/p/make-hartswood-films-bbc-gatiss-and-moffat-answer-for-the-queerbaiting-of-sherlock

 

Sorry, need to find a barfbag.

[Caya]

Why, if I may ask? I mean, I wouldn't sign this, but it seems like a harmless and comparatively mildly worded way (okay, the title is a bit not good, definitely) to blow off steam to me.

[J.P.]

Mostly because of the "resons". Because it gives them a kind of credibility, at least to the followers. I would also say they misuse the platform, but I suspect there are tons of worse nonsense put into petitions.

[Caya]

I remember one petition to the Pentagon to build a Death Star. Trust me, the platform's seen worse. :D

 

As for giving credibility, I think TJLC adherents already consider it credible enough, so what is going to change?

[J.P.]

http://mid0nz.tumblr.com/post/156091163799/hi-i-understand-if-you-dont-want-to-elaborate-on

 

A very thoughtful analysis by midOnz

[J.P.]

Sigh. From now on I will call myself an enthusiast.

[Caya]

http://mid0nz.tumblr.com/post/156091163799/hi-i-understand-if-you-dont-want-to-elaborate-on

 

A very thoughtful analysis by midOnz

 

 

Seriously, I read that twice now and I still don't understand what the author is trying to tell us. I'm not even sure if I should slap a NSFW warning on it because of language (just in case, go in carefully). Ah well, it's 11PM here, so it's probably me and not the text. -_-

 

[J.P.]

Okay, she's a bit poetic. :D

[Shadow Dweller]

https://www.change.org/p/make-hartswood-films-bbc-gatiss-and-moffat-answer-for-the-queerbaiting-of-sherlock

 

Sorry, need to find a barfbag.

Do they want to be cotton-wrapped and cradled like precious thin breakables? :lol: My internal mischief-maker just said, "In life disappointment is bound to happen. Your wishes are not necessarily others', learn to deal with it."

 

^That might be cliche but my true reaction to the whininess of some JohnLockers. If you want a reaction that is tailored to fit your expectations, tell me. I can make it so sweet it will mask the slow-acting poison slipped inside.

[Arcadia]

 

http://mid0nz.tumblr.com/post/156091163799/hi-i-understand-if-you-dont-want-to-elaborate-on

 

A very thoughtful analysis by midOnz

 

Seriously, I read that twice now and I still don't understand what the author is trying to tell us. I'm not even sure if I should slap a NSFW warning on it because of language (just in case, go in carefully). Ah well, it's 11PM here, so it's probably me and not the text. -_-

 

It's not you, I don't get it either. I pick up on what I perceive to be anger on her part, but not much else.

 

JP, Shadow, I understand what both of YOU are saying, I think. You're exasperated that so many people seem to have been taken in by something that you both find obviously fake, and annoyed that these people now seem to think they are owed something to comfort them for becoming disillusioned.

 

But whether these folks should have paid more attention to what Moftiss was telling them or not, the fact is, right now some of them are genuinely hurting. It's not easy to find out you've been duped, even if you were duped by yourself. The pain is real, even if the cause of it was not. And it's human nature to lash out when in pain. Just as it's human nature to gloat, which I'm starting to see in some quarters.

 

Human, but not very nice. It's a mystery to me why one side feels the need to either deny or celebrate the misery of the other. But then, human nature is a bit of a mystery to me anyway.

[Van Buren Supernova]

But then, human nature is a bit of a mystery to me anyway.

Well, you are not too shabby.

Teach me.

There must be something right in your green glob recipe.

[Arcadia]

What makes you think I am human? :p

[Van Buren Supernova]

Well, I never said that. That is actually why I said you are not too shabby. XD

I think you do better than average. Or me. I am human, I think, but not necessary look like one. And no! Not reptile.

 

By the way, I have been waiting for your Take me to your leader speech for almost two years now! Very slacking you are eh? :p

[Arcadia]

Steven Moffat's writing it for me. He's notoriously slow. :p

[Boton]

 

 

But whether these folks should have paid more attention to what Moftiss was telling them or not, the fact is, right now some of them are genuinely hurting. It's not easy to find out you've been duped, even if you were duped by yourself. The pain is real, even if the cause of it was not. And it's human nature to lash out when in pain. Just as it's human nature to gloat, which I'm starting to see in some quarters.

 

 

I agree with what you say, and I really don't like seeing people hurting, especially if it is over something as unimportant as a television show.  And I don't really blame people for expressing their opinions.

 

My concern is the disappearance of the "fourth wall" that apparently used to exist to keep fandoms and creators separate.  I don't want all entertainment to turn into something that is perceived to be beholden to a vote or a referendum.  I want creators to feel free to put their visions out there so we have lots of options to choose from, even if that means that some readers or viewers are dissatisfied with a certain work.

 

I know this is a muddy issue.  I think some kinds of entertainment are more "built" to be responsive to their fandoms than others, and it is not a clear line.  I also know that I'm saying this from the perspective of someone who got what she wanted from TFP.  It makes me sad that some people are hurting, but, frankly, it would have made me more sad if Moffat and Gatiss had not gotten to create the work they envisioned creating.

[J.P.]

 

But whether these folks should have paid more attention to what Moftiss was telling them or not, the fact is, right now some of them are genuinely hurting. It's not easy to find out you've been duped, even if you were duped by yourself. The pain is real, even if the cause of it was not. And it's human nature to lash out when in pain. Just as it's human nature to gloat, which I'm starting to see in some quarters.

I know they are hurting. I was hurting too, it scared me how strong the reaction was.

I'm feeling sorry for them. What enrages me are the gurus, those who made others believe. Because I doubt that the majority of JLers started with: "JL will become canon!". They have seen signs, ambiguities, wanted to check on them, and found those fabulous, scientific theories.

 

I mean, chemrtails and "evil barcodes" didn't fall from the sky. Someone, for whatever reason, wrote a theory and others believed in it. I've even saw a website about how reminings of an old stone quarry on the outskirts of my city, are indeed a hidden ancient piramide.

 

Anyway I'm mad at people who made others believe, and now try to blame the makers.

 

Ouch, the Earth isn't flat? Damn, there is something wrong with the Earth.