Would I go quietly...?
Oct. 7th, 2012 09:42 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ash48There was a time (about 3 or 4 years ago) that hearing a fan say they are no longer enjoying The Show made me feels all sorts of sad. I even used to try and convince people that it would be ok and DON'T GOOOOOO! "but just wait...it will get better for you..." (/o\)
But recently (particularly since S8) I don't have that reaction. I mean, it is still sad to see flisters move away from the fandom (all that wonderful fic or art and chat no more :((), but trying to convince someone that a show is still worth sticking around for is just silly. When the time has come to move on, the time has come. You can't change someone's mind unless they are actively looking for it to be changed. It's like trying to convince someone that Sam (and his hair!) is amazing or that Dean and Cas is the best thing ever. If you don't believe it you just don't. No harm, no foul. (But come on! Sam and his flowing locks...<333) The show works because each of us finds something different to love about it.
I sometimes wonder if my continuing love of the show is mostly because I desperately WANT to keep loving it (because fanning is such fun! especially when it's enriched my real life so much) or whether it's genuinely still got me hooked. Writing posts like this (and working on a post on scene choices from 8.01 at the moment) tells me I'm hooked because the show is still delivering me something I want from it. I'm still ridiculously invested. The latest episode cemented that even more.
But I get it. If the show isn't doing that for you it's just...not. It's sad, I imagine, because letting go of something that at some point would have held your heart would be..well, sad. I'm not looking forward to that day (if it ever comes) for me, but I will know it's happened because I just won't care that there's an episode to watch, or there's some meta to read, or discussion to be part of. Though I think if that happens I might go kicking and screaming. If show makes me not care any more about it I will CARE about that. So will probably not go gently into that sad night...;)
I hope that doesn't happen to me but I can appreciate (much better now) that it can and does happen.
No idea why I spewed that all over my journal. I just felt like getting that off my chest.
<3
(I love the new "collapse". Thanks LJ.)
But recently (particularly since S8) I don't have that reaction. I mean, it is still sad to see flisters move away from the fandom (all that wonderful fic or art and chat no more :((), but trying to convince someone that a show is still worth sticking around for is just silly. When the time has come to move on, the time has come. You can't change someone's mind unless they are actively looking for it to be changed. It's like trying to convince someone that Sam (and his hair!) is amazing or that Dean and Cas is the best thing ever. If you don't believe it you just don't. No harm, no foul. (But come on! Sam and his flowing locks...<333) The show works because each of us finds something different to love about it.
I sometimes wonder if my continuing love of the show is mostly because I desperately WANT to keep loving it (because fanning is such fun! especially when it's enriched my real life so much) or whether it's genuinely still got me hooked. Writing posts like this (and working on a post on scene choices from 8.01 at the moment) tells me I'm hooked because the show is still delivering me something I want from it. I'm still ridiculously invested. The latest episode cemented that even more.
But I get it. If the show isn't doing that for you it's just...not. It's sad, I imagine, because letting go of something that at some point would have held your heart would be..well, sad. I'm not looking forward to that day (if it ever comes) for me, but I will know it's happened because I just won't care that there's an episode to watch, or there's some meta to read, or discussion to be part of. Though I think if that happens I might go kicking and screaming. If show makes me not care any more about it I will CARE about that. So will probably not go gently into that sad night...;)
I hope that doesn't happen to me but I can appreciate (much better now) that it can and does happen.
No idea why I spewed that all over my journal. I just felt like getting that off my chest.
<3
(I love the new "collapse". Thanks LJ.)
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Date: 2012-10-07 01:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 08:16 am (UTC)Yeah - that's a sure indicator isn't it? :) I sometimes wonder if I will just stop caring or starting getting annoyed with the show when (or rather if) I stop caring.
And I think it's true that many are leaving the fandom (or moving to other platforms) but it's great to see new people around or others still remaining dedicated...:) Like us! :))
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Date: 2012-10-07 02:18 am (UTC)OBVIOUSLY.
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Date: 2012-10-07 08:17 am (UTC)HA! Icon...<33
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Date: 2012-10-07 02:19 am (UTC)Hope I didn't bother...I am just going though the some stage so...you know╮(^-^)╭
ps, always like your vids!
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Date: 2012-10-07 08:22 am (UTC)Yeah, it's hard to see people move on but it's totally understandable. I know the show isn't hitting the buttons for everyone any more (and 8 years is a long time for a show to keep running I suppose). I know the show isn't exactly the one everyone fell in love with in the beginning. For me, I've enjoyed the progression - it's not always been easy I admit, but it's still hitting those buttons for me. :))
I loved 8.01 - I think they are doing interesting things with the characters. But then again, I've thought that every season so I'm probably not a great judge...;
And thanks! I'm glad you enjoy the vids. :<33
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Date: 2012-10-07 02:21 am (UTC)What really does piss me off is the people who constantly go on about how over the show they are and how out of the fandom they are and how GLAD they are to be rid of it, and yet they still fill up my twitter timeline and friendspage with wank from the fandom (that they must go looking for, because I'm IN the fandom and I don't know about half this stuff) or posts about HOW AWFUL THESE SPOILERS/EPISODES ARE and HOW GLAD THEY ARE THEY DON'T CARE ANYMORE. Then WHY are you still watching/spewing negativity all over those of us who DO still care?
Sorry. Long pent up rant there. I'll stop talking now.
But Sam's hair, tho. *_______*
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Date: 2012-10-07 02:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 02:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 02:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 02:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 04:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 04:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 04:52 am (UTC)*/too easy, could not resist*
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Date: 2012-10-07 08:33 am (UTC)totally *nods* at this. I suppose this is something I am trying to figure out. I totally get ranting because they see the show "messing" up for them. Ranting means still caring. I also love seeing people trying to come to grips with new directions and getting into discussion about that. (I do that when an episode pisses me off) But yeah...constantly saying "I'm glad I don't care any more" seems pointless. It's also rather condescending - how can you still care about this crap seems to be the underlying comment.
I think I admire people who can just cut and run.
And WHAT? Sam's hair is the most awesome thing EVA! ;DD
xx
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Date: 2012-10-07 08:39 am (UTC)Ugh, I don't know. I'll be in my corner, making Ken dolls named Sam and Dean kiss.
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Date: 2012-10-07 11:12 am (UTC)Oh yes this! I wonder if that's why Avengers and Teen Wolf have been grating on me so...(even though I really enjoyed Avengers...).
HA!! Sam and Dean Ken dolls kissing...I think I'll come over to your house to play...;)
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Date: 2012-10-07 02:39 pm (UTC)This. 100 times this.
I nearly stopped posting anything SPN-related on my own LJ for a while because of this. Nearly every time I'd talk about SPN I'd have a "friend" who'd say they weren't watching anymore, the show is dead to them, etc.
I mean, it kinda hurts. How hard is it for them to just skip that post?
ETA: Html failure (sorry!)
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Date: 2012-10-08 04:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 02:36 am (UTC)I know I've struggled with some of my reactions during parts of S6 and this episode. But bottom line is that I cannot stop thinking about the show and to me that's an indicator of how invested I still am.
And the fact that both boys were insanely hot...well didn't hurt. And I'm sorry but Sam's hair? Gorgeous.
.
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Date: 2012-10-07 08:44 am (UTC)And they are INSANELY HOT! Man... the older they get...*thud*...
<3
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Date: 2012-10-07 02:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 08:46 am (UTC)Absolutely!
Though I've been pondering that also. Essentially the thing we all have in common is the show. Remove that and it comes down to the relationships we've managed to build outside of that - which I know for some of us is big. <33
OMG
Date: 2012-10-07 04:03 am (UTC)I'll...probably never get around to making it, seeing as I have, um, a fan film to edit, but IN MY HEAD IT'S DEEP AND MOVING AND SAD AND A LITTLE BIT PATHETICALLY FUNNY AND THEN IT'S JOYFUL BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE STILL HERE.
Seriously, you are the joyful punchline to my imaginary epic new vid. :D :D :D :D
Re: OMG
Date: 2012-10-07 09:41 am (UTC)And YAY for joyfulness!
(and I got your lovely email. I haven't be able to respond via normal channels as I am away, but YAY!! I'll get onto those other scenes when I get back...<33)
Re: OMG
Date: 2012-10-07 02:31 pm (UTC)Also the vid would follow a woman through fandom lifespan, starting with early love in S1 and then through the myriad flounces, etc. of her friends, until she's alone and heartbroken.
And then she'd make new friends and start new projects and she'd be happy, remembering the good times but also having some new fun times.
I swear it would be epic. Haha, that's probably why I'll never get around to making it.
Maybe I'll start a tumblr for dead vid ideas...
Re: OMG
Date: 2012-10-08 08:38 am (UTC)Hee! I could fill a tumblr blog with dead vid ideas. It's a shame that it takes so long and takes up so much time making a vid. So many ideas...not enough time../o\
And besides you, my dear, will have a lot of work to do editing your awesome film...:D
I'm glad the soundtrack is what you are after. I'll try changing to the other song during the table scene. I'm home tomorrow so I hope to have a chance to do stuff over the next few days. :)
xx
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Date: 2012-10-07 04:59 am (UTC)It's like the guy you were dating didn't turn out to be who you wanted to be with but you don't need to tell all his friends repeatedly how he let you down. They got it the first time and they are still hanging out with him. They know he can be a dork now and then and don't care. I know it's hard because you really loved him and wanted it to work out but you need to move on.
He and his awesome hair and burger order of love and his BAMF Purgatory-escaping brother and their cool car still make my day (week, month, year....).
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Date: 2012-10-07 09:48 am (UTC)And yes...there's a time to let him go and move on (someone else will love him after all...).
BURGER ORDER OF LOVE!!! Oh I loved that SO much...<3 (but then there was so much I adored in that ep).
<33
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Date: 2012-10-07 05:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 11:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 05:43 am (UTC)But now I'm okay that SPN is no longer the big shiny that it was, and I realise after just 1 episode of S8 that it doesn't matter becasue I am still very much invested - I wrote a review and I'm halfway through a missing scene, and I had a blast reading through other people's reviews and comments on the ep.
So yeah, still here, still not going gently, still turning the last light off when it's all a final wrap.
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Date: 2012-10-07 11:17 am (UTC)I'm so glad you are still invested *clings* \o/
and YAY missing scene!! Ooh and I want to check out your review. I've loved finding out what others thought of it.
*hugs*
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Date: 2012-10-07 07:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 11:20 am (UTC)I love that you are around though, even though it's not for SPN..<3
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Date: 2012-10-07 10:48 am (UTC)Me too, my heart was pounding as I sat down to watch 801 and despite my Sam'n'Dean hurt I am beyond excited for MORE. ♥ these boys just own my heart and soul, ugh, what have they done to me?? :P
I'm so very very happy and grateful that you and quite a few of my other flisties are still too. ♥
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Date: 2012-10-07 11:24 am (UTC)And I think the SamnDean hurt is all par for the course yeah? It couldn't possibly be Show without some brother troubles. They have to have them to prove their UNDYING love for each other!
xx
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Date: 2012-10-07 11:13 am (UTC)On the other hand. The ones who whine and bitch about how "awful" SPN is these days, the ones who allegedly "Stop Watching, Never To Return!", yet come back every week to complain about how horrible Show is . . . yeah, those folk can't GTFO quick enough for me. You don't like Show anymore, fine. But stop trying to ruin it for everyone else.
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Date: 2012-10-07 11:56 am (UTC)I rather like being in love though...;)
xx
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Date: 2012-10-07 11:33 am (UTC)I don't have a problem with people deciding it's the end of the line and leaving the show, but I don't get the people who revel in slagging it of for 3 seasons after they left. It's hard not to think they want to spoil the enjoyment for everybody else, too.
Equally I do not get those groups of people who seem to be trying to talk themselves out of the show on pupose. I've seen a number of reviews where people said something like: There was much to love in this episode (x,y,z) but there was that one thing that I didn't like. And then follows a string of comments: I really enjoyed it, too, but I agree that one thing was totally out of character and annoying. And then they start discussing that ONE THING in detail, and then go on to hypothizing where it might all lead, and get all upset about that posibility, and by the end they're all like; Well, I'm gonna watch the next episode, but I am pretty sure it's all gonna be terrible and go wrong and I'll hate it. This seems such a self-defeating excercise to me.
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Date: 2012-10-08 08:50 am (UTC)Ditto. There are times when I am very aware that the show has problems. In any other show I wouldn't tolerate it but this show has a special magic that makes me forgive it. It's interesting to me because I think of Teen Wolf a little the same. TW has some similar types of flaws but because it didn't really "grab" me I am a lot more critical of it. But I totally understand the people who love it. If there's enough there to love, you'll ignore the flaws.
It's hard not to think they want to spoil the enjoyment for everybody else, too.
Yeah - I think it might come down to an irritation with all those who do love it maybe. I suppose the SPN fandom can be a little, um, full on. Though I think removing yourself from the fandom comms and forums once the show is over for you is the best way to go.
And then they start discussing that ONE THING in detail
Hee...yeah. I noticed some of that too. I totally get people thrashing out issues they have with a story line or character but if it's just one thing that's an issue then that's pretty good for an episode. If everything else is great then sounds like a win to me.
xx
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Date: 2012-10-07 11:38 am (UTC)I still love the show - although season 7 was my least favourite season for a number of reasons and i have ranted about that season - and i love that show can still surprise me. I thought i would hate the premiere what with the spoilers about Sam, but i loved it, i found Sam to be really sympathetic and there is so much going on this season and so many things to be revealed, i'm quite excited.
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Date: 2012-10-08 09:20 am (UTC)Oh I know! Nothing gets me down more than Sam bashing. Luckily I haven't seen any of it this time around (I think I am good at avoiding it *g*). Constant negative comments are difficult. I found that quite hard with the spoilers leading up to S8. So much negativity.
But I've noticed a lot of people had a similar reaction to you to 8.01. I think Jared really sold post-dean-disappearing-Sam. There's lots to be excited about! :DD
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Date: 2012-10-07 05:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-08 09:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-07 06:00 pm (UTC)Glad there are still other dedicated Sam fans out there. For me, I am still watching but the heart-pounding days are over. It doesn't help that I think the story is getting stale and the two main attractions of the show for me-Sam and the brotherly bond- have been on the backburner for a long time.
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Date: 2012-10-08 10:02 am (UTC)xx
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Date: 2012-10-10 12:04 pm (UTC)(Are you reading spoilers? I just saw your post on heartofspn and think I'll wait until tomorrow to read it!)
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Date: 2012-10-10 01:01 pm (UTC)And I made a mistake in that cut. It's 8.01 discussion (not 8.02). I couldn't decide if I need to cut for 8.01 images? Maybe I don't need to.
xx