SPN fandom opinion, FWIW--feel free to skip

[fufaraw]

So, here’s the thing.

I like Misha Collins. I respect him tremendously as a person, as someone who came into fandom, discovered its power and focused and directed it to do good in the world. I think he’s an adorable man, with a complicated but gentle philosophy of life, and a lovely family whom I believe he’s completely in love with.

I liked the character of Castiel when he was introduced, as a powerful angel who rescued a beloved character from the bowels of *hell* and restored him to earth, life, and the arms of those who loved and mourned him. I was amused and intrigued as this powerful character became interested and bemused by humans and the emotions and motivations of their lives. He was interesting, and at times, he was fun.

Here’s another thing. I’ve been a Supernatural fan since S1.01. I’ve watched every episode, some multiple times. I’ve read fic and meta and watched vids that echoed, amplified, examined, and turned on its head my theories and beliefs about Sam and Dean Winchester. Filtering the fandom experience through my personal point of view, both bi and grey asexual, I have always held the opinion that Sam and Dean are soulmates. That they operate as two sides of a whole. That the way they were raised, in such enforced proximity, each relying on the other for comfort, emotional and practical backup, and viewing anyone outside their family as a possible threat, that the usual sibling physical and emotional boundaries had dissolved in the face of practical need. Completely familiar and comfortable with each others’ bodies from sleeping in close quarters, hiding together, stitching and bandaging each other when no medical help was available, again, normal sibling boundaries did not exist.

But, because of my personal sexual point of view, it has never mattered to me whether or not the brothers’ closeness had a sexual component. It’s simply not important to me—that’s just sex. True closeness, dedication, care, and devotion exists between the brothers. If they have sex, I understand why and it doesn’t bother me. If they don’t, it’s neither important or necessary to their bond. Sex, in my world, exists outside need for closeness, dedication, devotion, and love. I’m aware that’s a really freaky concept for some people, but I live in here, where it’s the norm. I know among more recent, younger fans, the term Wincest has come to have much the same meaning I describe above—dedicated soulmates, without a sexual element. I think that’s disingenuous, because the term comes from the definition of sex between people related by blood. Sibling incest doesn’t squick me (oh, look at that antiquated term!), but I don’t think one can co-opt the term and change the meaning to suit one’s own view. Coin another word—soulmates works, without the sexual component.

On the other hand, I always recoil from the concept of any angel having a sexual relationship with any human. The power imbalance is abysmal. I understand some people crave that imbalance, one way or the other. For me, it’s scary frightening, and something I abhor. So, you know, me, not so much with the Destiel wanting. But you know what? It’s a fictional show, about fictional characters, about which people write fic, make playlists, draw, paint, collage and manip photos, and make vids. Your transformative art is going to follow your notions of the characters and their relationships, as it should do. It’s wonderful that you’re creating your own art, inspired by this show we all love. Wincest, Destiel, what the hell ever, you go, you know?

But here’s the next thing. We all are completely aware that Wincest is never going to be acknowledged by the show, much less by the network. Some of us have played wishfully with the concept, even while admitting in our heart of hearts that it will never happen. Fun to think about, though. And write about, and make art and vids about. But never to be a sanctioned thing on the show.

I’m sure fans have asked J2 from time to time for their views on Wincest. I’m darn sure they’ve been shown art, or had someone try to shove printed pages of fic into their hands. But most of this happened in the early seasons, and J2 and the PR people responded cooly. Most of it has stopped, by now. Most Wincesters smile and dream and doodle, and are happy to talk amongst themselves, and keep the notion alive in their circle of fandom.

Destielers, at least some of them, seem to be another kettle of fish. It’s as utterly obvious that neither the show nor the network are ever going to give the okay for onscreen Destiel. It’s not a possibility, no more than Wincest ever was or will be. But fans of the pairing seem unable to accept that. The ones who are hardcore about it have a crusade, they’re believers, convinced if they keep pushing and don’t give up, that the network and the show will cave to their wishes and give them onscreen acknowledgement of a sexual relationship between Dean and Castiel, complete, naturally, with love scenes. This is their total reason for continuing to watch the show.

Certainly not every Destiel fan, but the hardcore ones don’t care about the storyline of the show. They brag about not watching the early seasons, can’t tell you anything about a storyline that wasn’t in Castiel’s arc. Their sole reason for watching is the belief that one day, Cas and Dean will kiss onscreen, Cas will take the shotgun seat in the Impala, and Dean and Cas will drive off to hunt together. I get the impression they are supremely unconcerned with any other character’s welfare, story resolution, or anything else. The ones I’ve been reading lately, in a sort of dread fascination, truly don’t care anything about the show, at all, except getting Dean and Cas into bed together.

Which, you know, whatever floats your boat. Fandom is a weird, strange place, and the number one rule is, enjoy what you like. What’s kind of scary frightening, though, is that these fans seem entitled, entirely comfortable in asking cast members whether they support the pairing. Jensen has made his opinion clear. Jared has most often declined to comment. And while Misha can sometimes feed the flames in a small way, he’s never come out and said, in seriousness, “Yes! This is what *I* want for my character! Let’s storm the barricades till the network agrees!” I think it’s inevitably annoying, and at this point, edging onto irritation with all fans for Jensen, and for Jared, having his character, and in many cases, he himself, dismissed as unimportant or unwanted and disliked. But these are the stars, and they’re used to handling the situation, however much enjoyment having to deal with it may leach from their day.

However, when an actor who has appeared in only a couple of episodes, who has had no professional reason to watch previous seasons or search out ten seasons of mythos, whose character had little to nothing whatever to do with Castiel or his story arc, who may or may not have ever met Misha Collins, is accosted publicly and his opinion of Destiel demanded without warning?

That’s just rude, making him feel awkward and defensive at being ambushed in public. Further, complaining about it in social media, where he’s sure to hear about it at least secondhand, and putting pressure on him to even further address your desires? How can this in any setting be interpreted as anything other than bullying?

I’m certainly not saying every Destieler behaves or thinks or feels this way—or that there aren’t Wincest fans who don’t or haven’t behaved badly. But there’s a definite theme of entitlement here that’s very disturbing. And for me, it’s a little difficult to include people with that level of dedication to their belief, that casual dismissal of the feelings and opinions of the actors and the rest of fandom, and that attitude of entitlement, under the umbrella term of SPN fandom. They’re not Supernatural fans, not at all.

They’re Destiel fans. And for some, that’s a whole different thing.

Comments

[fufaraw]

Ah, okay. Yeah, me neither. Thanks for the warning. Eesh.