Con Panel Take 2

[moonlettuce]

So, I'm also modding the following panel at connotations:

Looking for the slash? Or just finding it? Is everything slashy? Or are there some things that it just aren't slashable?

And once more I turn to you, dear flist.

Do you think that we, as slashers, automatically look for slash in new fandoms because we're so used to seeing it in the ones we're already in, or is the slash just there?

Do you think there are any fandoms that just aren't slashable? Or does not seeing the slash just mean we aren't trying hard enough?

Are there any fandoms where you don't see it, even though others do? (For example, there are people who don't see it between Sheppard and McKay for SGA, or between Mulder and Krycek for XF, yet both of those are the most prolific slash pairings for their respective fandoms.)

Give me your thoughts :-)

Comments

[beren-writes.livejournal.com]

I think everything is slashable to someone ... the example of McShep not looking slashy to some people, but being the most prolific pairing is a prime example of some people seeing it and some not. Hence I think it is likely that even in a fandom that looks unslashable to many, someone will manage to slash it somehow - look at Tyler/El Blanco ;).

Off the top of my head ... I don't think I could find The Father Dowling Mysteries slashable ... but I'm sure it exists, after all there is another male priest in the show.

I suppose shows with casts made up of children might be difficult ... but that's never stopped people aging up the characters or writing "innocent slash".

I keep thinking of unslashable examples and then finding a way to slash them ... so at the moment, I'll go with my initial instinct that most, if not all, things are slashable ;).

There are fandoms where I see the slash, but somehow can't write it ... but I think that is a different question. I see Jack/Daniel in SG1, but whenever I write SG1 it seems to come out het or gen ... bizarre.

[lonelybrit]

Do you think that we, as slashers, automatically look for slash in new fandoms because we're so used to seeing it in the ones we're already in, or is the slash just there?

For me, yes, I will admit that I will always be keeping an eye on the girl/girl guy/guy moments in case there is something there to spark interest. So for me, it's a kind of automatic response. Sometimes it is 'there' as the writers are clearly having fun, but other times I'm aware that any slashiness was unintentional but still great fun.

Do you think there are any fandoms that just aren't slashable? Or does not seeing the slash just mean we aren't trying hard enough?

It's down to personal taste more than anything I think. For example, I don't see slash nor am I looking for it in The Sarah-Jane Adventures because the main characters are all kiddies - that said, if two grown adults guest-starred, I'd be more open to them having slashiness going on, but when SJA airs I'm not expecting or looking for anything. In any case, I'd put it more down to what you as a viewer are comfortable seeing as opposed to trying hard enough.

Are there any fandoms where you don't see it, even though others do?

I have a feeling I won't be alone when I say Supernatural. For me, as the two main characters are brothers, slash isn't something I'm looking for and I read things a little differently I think to those that don't mind. What I'll see as an loving brother moment, others see as a loving moment with slashy potential. Conversely, in Torchwood, I was utterly sold on the idea of the suited secretary being the bit on the side for the boss and saw the slash everywhere, whilst others just weren't at all comfortable with how they read the dynamics between the who characters and so saw nothing more than plutonic friendship/hero-worship. Again, I think it's down to personal tastes and what you're comfortable with.

A final example, my ex-housemate who was only aware of slash because she knew I liked it but personally it didn't do anything for her nor was she curious, recently fell very hard for a m/m pairing on Criminal Minds - in her words, 'it was just so blatent', so yes, sometimes I think it can just be there and impossible to miss :)

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I don't think there's any such thing as a show that isn't slashable, mainly because every time I think that's the case, someone proves me wrong... ;)

There are some shows for me where the slash is blatant but others where I just don't get the same vibe - the impression I get across fandoms is that for some people it's enough there are two guys on the show they find hot, regardless of whether they even share any scenes. I need some kind of spark between the characters before it does anything for me, and often that's based in some degree of antagonism.

I don't get any of the -cest pairings, even on the shows I watch, but I don't think that's because of any kind of conscious or unconscious squick. I can see the hot guys (or in the case of Supernatural, one hot guy and one tall scrawny funny-looking one) and yet I get nothing.

Perversely, I'm glad we're not all wired up the same though, even if it does mean people aren't always writing what I want, otherwise I'd probably have no incentive for putting pen to paper myself for the oddball pairings just me and three other people find interesting... ;)

[seiyaharris.livejournal.com]

I think, if there's two or more characters of (vaguely) the same sex, it's slashable. But then I have a very long list of people I've slashed in TV and film and celebland. I will say, however, that I am so very much (usually) all about the pretty. I 'ship John/Aeryn in Farscape, mostly because they are MFEO but also because the other options for slash are D'Argo, Pilot, Rygel, Crais or Scorpius. And I find none of them particularly attractive. (though if I were forced it'd probably be D'Argo). Same goes for the new BSG. Lee should be with Kara omg (mostly) but then that's probably because the only other guy who I might slash him with who is at all good looking is Helo, and they only starting really interacting (or being on the same ship) in the 3rd season. (much as I love Aaron Douglas I don't particularly want to read about him having sex with Jamie Bamber, y'know?)

So basically, yes, anything is slashable, slashers do look for it a lot of the time, and sometimes, if they don't slash a show, it's probably because they don't find the other characters attractive.

Then again, some people are just weird (I mean, how can you not see the Mulder/Krycek?! *G*)

I'm sad we'll be missing this panel *emo*

[rogue-planet.livejournal.com]

My friends and I used to play a game where we'd pick random pairings and try and find fic for them. It got too scary, so we stopped playing. That being said, of all my fandoms, I don't do 'Dexter' slash. The main character is a sociopath who is really, generally, uninterested in sex. In the novels, his girlfriend basically forces herself on him, although it's a little more ... normal in the tv series. I can't see him with anyone besides Rita, who is damaged in so many ways, let alone a man. But that's pretty much my only non-slash fandom.

[trobadora]

Do you think that we, as slashers, automatically look for slash in new fandoms because we're so used to seeing it in the ones we're already in, or is the slash just there?

I've never looked for slash. I'm not really a slasher; I like het just as much - but in either case, I never go looking for it; the chemistry is there or it isn't; it pings me or it doesn't.

Do you think there are any fandoms that just aren't slashable? Or does not seeing the slash just mean we aren't trying hard enough?

Most things aren't slashy to me - I tend to have one pairing per fandom that I see as slashy, and for everyone else I just don't see it. And that's not counting all the fandoms where I don't see any real UST between anyone. And I don't see why I should have to try to see it - if it doesn't ping me, it doesn't ping me, and that's that. But of everything can be slashed - just not by me!

Are there any fandoms where you don't see it, even though others do?

Different people see slashiness between different characters; most of it I personally don't see. *shrugs*

[the4ts.livejournal.com]

Do you think that we, as slashers, automatically look for slash in new fandoms because we're so used to seeing it in the ones we're already in, or is the slash just there?

I think a lot of us do. I don't. I'm usually the last to see it. I'm not sure if it's because I never look for it, am just totally oblivious or if I'm just more or less a one-pairing, one show at a time type of gal.

Do you think there are any fandoms that just aren't slashable? Or does not seeing the slash just mean we aren't trying hard enough?

Oh, I think to many, many slashers anything can be slashable. Someone, somewhere will slash it just for the hell of it or because someone has said it can't be done if for no other reason! As to the second part of your question above, why do we have to 'try'? It either does it or not for us. We see it or we don't. Just becuase I am slaher doesn't mean I want/need/have to see, or am obligated in any way to see, the slash in my shows. If a fandom or show really attracts me and people are into a particular pairing I will think about it but if it doesn't really jump out at me or strike then I won't bother any more. That seems like work and I'm lazy ::grins::

Are there any fandoms where you don't see it, even though others do? (For example, there are people who don't see it between Sheppard and McKay for SGA, or between Mulder and Krycek for XF, yet both of those are the most prolific slash pairings for their respective fandoms.)

I, personally, can't really see the slash in NCIS. The same for (the new) BSG. It just doesn't interest me at all in those two shows, especially (the new)BSG. Now in the original BSG I was very happy to wallow in the slash and could definitely see it. It took no effort at all on my part. In actual fact there are probably not that many shows I watch for the slash or even think about looking for it. It always seems to be something I stumble upon (as it knocks me soundly on the head). I see slash very rarely, which is an odd thing for me to say actually. Hmmm, now you've made me think....

[parthenia14.livejournal.com]

For me there needs to be two male or two female leads with obvious chemistry or indeed aggro between them. Things I find impossible to slash are things like Grey's Anatomy (because all hetero mixups and few same-sex feuds or clashes - oh wait Meredith and Thingummy, but not much) and Ugly Betty (it's already so imaginative that I can't get my imagination to run in front of it). If that makes sense.