The comments displayed here are those of one very weird
man with his own outlook on life that would probably make Dan Foxworthy
commit Seppuku. Enjoy and share your thoughts afterwards.
Written by Kace Evers
Oh, how things change.
Long ago in a Galaxy far away, I had no idea such a thing as 'shipping
existed. Sometimes I wonder if I had been better off with the ignorance
as the years have not been kind to 'ship mentality side of me. I
guess that's just how television works. I guess that's why we also
have FanFiction run amok (myself being a guilty, though fairly untalented
contributing party). People will always want to see something that
may or may not happen, including relationships. It's all part of
the charm, I suppose.
Thinking back, it's kind of hard for me to pinpoint where the mentality
began to take hold. The whole notion of wanting certain characters
to get together (and stay together) was something I just didn't
think about back when I was a kid. I mean sure, there was Tony/Angela
on Who's The Boss? but even then I figured that was just a given.
If the mentality started, though it's arguable it started somewhere
around that show. Either there or hoping for something bizarre like
Dan/Christine on Night Court.
In the 1990s, the idea of being a 'shipper of any kind emerged
in a way that, for me was rather unexpected. In fact, it made me
feel just a tad perverted at the time. It was a show I didn't watch
on a regular basis, but when I did, I'd usually go, "so, are
those two a couple or what? And if not, then why?" Even now
in 2007, those questions concerning the characters in mind drive
my poor Mom up the wall. The show was called, Xena: Warrior Princess.
The 'ship that sailed was Xena/Gabrielle. It wasn't until much,
much later in life, thanks to the wonder of the Internet that I
found I wasn't exactly alone in wondering about those two. The show,
however did provide a warning shot that perhaps all of us should
have considered at the time. If sailing on your 'ship of choice,
don't be surprised if those in charge decide to sink you. Which
brings us to 2004...
Before 2004, the idea of certain characters hooking up or becoming
a couple or whatever was something I was able to dismiss for the
most part. Sure, there were preferences (Xena/Gabrielle obviously,
Nightwing/Oracle in the comics, Matt Hardy/Lita...which wound up
ending in disaster in ways reminiscent of a melodrama in itself).
But that was then. In January, 2004, things evolved in terms of
character empathy, thanks to The L Word. And it all started with
a kiss...
Dana/Lara
It was so easy, they didn't even need to try. It's the 'ship that
hooked me onto the show for the long run. It'll always serve as
something special for me, sad as that may sound to some. For about
half of Season 1, these two became the reason for me to watch, with
the rest being entertainment in its own right. Needless to say,
their breakup provided a heaping helping of bleh. The rest of Season
1 (which for many other fans are the Golden Days) was spent waiting
for Lara to return and eventually waiting for her to return and
get Dana away from Tonya. By the time Limb From Limb came to air,
hopes had just about been dashed for that ever happening. However,
there was a moment near the end of this episode that would forever
change the course.
Alice/Dana
Who knew such great things could happen at 4 AM? The signs were
always there. I just chose to ignore them. In retrospect, it almost
seemed like destiny for these two and I didn't mind it a bit once
the kiss commenced. Also when looking back, I tend to feel bad for
Tonya a little (but just a little) and more specifically, Meredith
McGeachie who played the role wonderfully. I imagine it would have
to be uneasy to know that there are a group of fans calling for
your character's head on a platter. What Candace was to the TiBetters,
Tonya was to the 4 AM'mers (or the Danish 'shippers for those who
prefer that term). A little Internet History note for you here.
My introduction to L Word fandom back in the Summer of 2004 (yes,
I watched all of Season 1 without even thinking about there being
an internet fanbase for the show) came in the form of a thread at
another message board about Alice/Dana. Reading through the multi-page
thread, I marveled at the comments, many of which I shared. From
that, all of the L Word related stuff I've done online emerged.
All from this 'ship. Dana's death in Season 3 has proven to be something
of a setback, plus it proved to be a catalyst for something else...which
I'll get to later. But since I mentioned Candace...
Bette/Candace
I admit it, I wasn't what one would call a Bette/Tina fan in Season
1. I was largely indifferent to them, though I do recall yelling,
"You moron!" at the TV when Bette welcomed the Candace
Invasion. With Season 1 ended however, I was more in favor of keeping
Bette/Tina split and was more than happy with Bette/Candace. It's
taken a while, but I think at least a decent portion of TiBetters
have forgiven me for this (though I'm sure some still hold a grudge).
Season 2 began with them in bed and then promptly ended. With that,
Season 2 helped usher in the next phase of 'shipping for me. A phase
that continues to this day in different forms. That being, the 'shipping
of unlikely couples.
Carmen/Lara
Shane/Carmen? Naah... Carmen/Jenny? No thanks. Larmen 'shipper?
It seemed perfectly logical at the time. Alice/Dana was still in
the midst of evolving and Lara's arrival came with Gabby briefly
attached to her. Both Carmen and Lara had that hopeless romantic
vibe goin' for 'em, so it only made sense. At least to me and...a
few...a scant few others. The end of Season 2 and most all of Season
3 pretty much torpedoed any chance of this happening, which is a
shame. But the good news is that I was actually happy with Bette/Tina
being back together. I like a happy ending, what can I say? I guess
that's why I like Season 2 as opposed to the others so much. There
was still so much hope and just about anything was possible (well,
aside from Carmen/Lara, but by then I was a little more accepting
of Shane/Carmen). I think that same sense of hope is what helped
lead to so much angst concerning Season 3.
Dana/Lara Revisited With A Touch Of Alice/Uta
Jeez, talk about having to change gears! Seriously, would anyone
have complained if Lara/Uta had happened instead so Alice/Dana could
stay intact? At least that way, Dana could have had some semblance
of joy in her life before she died. As usual, though I was accepting
of the situation, especially with the high entertainment value of
the Eternal Dana Struggle of Alice Vs. Lara, something I had been
somewhat anticipating since the end of Season 1. Dana and Lara were
back together though and all seemed well. Alice, meanwhile found
Uta the lesbian vampirologist and things seemed well enough (granted
Alice/Helena would've made a great alternative, but whatever). But
then came Losing The Light and everything got thrown off. Dana died
and from that point and on through Season 4, everything went nutzo.
A 'ship was born out of the grief and it would be one that would
inspire the next level of 'shipping. That level would be having
it happen through FanFiction. And once again, it all started with
a kiss...
Alice/Lara
If you are or were a Lace 'Shipper, then you know the trials and
tribulations that came along with it. Not only were there angry
4 AM'mers unwilling to let go, there were also angry Dana/Lara 'shippers
unwilling to let go. Season 3 was just a mess, wasn't it? Especially
the ending. That mess inspired my trek into FanFic and The Mythical
Season 3.5 which had its share of fans. That story prompted me to
go 'ship crazy, with pairings ranging from Alice/Lara to Bette/Tina
(sorry Tina/Henry 'shippers *chuckle*) to Helena/Tonya to even the
multifunctional Dax/Gabby/Leigh/Uta. Oh, and Candace/Dylan. It was
fun, I tells ya! For me, the main thing was Alice/Lara. I thought
it could work in spite of its origin. Silly me. Season 4 began with
the 'ship being sank quicklike. It was here I was suddenly reminded
of the warning shot that was Xena/Gabrielle. With that, a sense
of apathy reigned supreme over the rest of Season 4. Now all I wanted
was to just be entertained, consequences be damned. That's exactly
what I got...for the most part. My favorite coupling in Season 4
may have very well been Claude/Marina which probably wouldn't even
count as official, aside from the apparent tryst upon Jenny's departure
from the two. But then...there was that one couple...
Shane/Paige
It's sad to know that Kristanna Loken apparently had trouble playing
well with others in the classroom. Otherwise, it could have been
the start of something beautiful. But that's why they invented bridges,
I guess. To get over it. By this point, I've learned to pretty much
do just that as a 'shipper of any kind. I can only imagine the frustration
TiBetters must feel with the on again/off again/often hinted at
otherwise relationship that is Bette/Tina.
Season 5 & The Future
I'm not sure what the future holds at this point and sadly I'm
not even sure I care anymore. I still love L. I still have the Grant
Morrison Complex in terms of character empathy (his Second Crisis
story in the Animal Man comics may provide a better idea of what
I mean by that). However I find myself at odds as to whether or
not I'm really supposed to care about Bette/Tina or Tina/Kate or
Bette/Jodi. Or what becomes of Kit/Angus, which was the only stable
couple to make it through Season 3 (not counting Tina/Henry and
really, who wants to?). I guess that's the danger of 'shipping.
Putting too much focus on it more than the overall story may cause
one to run the risk of feeling too much disappointment while wanting
to be entertained with a good show.
Oh, how things never change.
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