and on another subject, but related to queer fetishization

[rm]

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/07/backlash-shmacklash-thats-torchwood-creator-russell-t-davies-reaction-to-the-outcry-over-the-death-of-gareth-david-lloyds.html#

I know many people in fandom are pissed about this interview.

But you know what? I fucking love it, because what I do think he's taking aim at in the thing about "go watch Supernatural" and the paragraph that follows on from there, I think he's talking about the fetishizaton of gay characters by parts of the audience and some of the nasty pop-psychology out there from people who really haven't walked even an inch in anyone's big gay shoes. Now sure, those people aren't all of fandom, and no one likes to be lumped in with clueless people they really disagree with, but so it goes.

For me, it's hat tip to RTD time. I don't always agree with his writing choices or his thoughts on writing, but I largely loved CoE, and am writing both Ianto is dead and Ianto isn't dead stuff, and think his remarks on this theme are right fucking on.

(and for the record, I don't think Ianto was fridged either. Jack's ongoing lovers are going to die, and, while he works for Torchwood, probably young and violently. If we expect to see omnisexual Jack having relationships with men, we have to expect those men to meet nasty ends in service to the dilemma of Jack's existence).

(and for the additional record, we can disagree and respect each other, because this is, among other things, about how we care about stories, and that's fucking lovely)

Comments

[tod-hollykim.livejournal.com]

What cracked me up was the question from one of Ausiello's readers if he was under pressure to "de-gay" the show.

That had to be from an American! Did that person have any idea that Torchwood is a UK show?

Last night was an amazing episode. I was sorry to see Ianto die, but I also understood why it was an important part of the story.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Did that person have any idea that Torchwood is a UK show?

Eh, I think there's still conservatism and fear of taking things *too* far in UK telly. The extent may be less than in US broadcasting by now, but it's still there.

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

bwahahah @ your awesomest userpic.