conversations i have with myself while reading fic: part 1

[schmerica]

Okay, so do you ever get pulled out of stories by some small detail and then realize what's weirding you out is that the story does something that weirdly contradicts your own personal fanon? Because let me tell you, it makes you feel REALLY GODDAMN DUMB.

My example from tonight: rhythmsextion just posted some very lovely priest!kinky F/K porn over at stop_drop_porn (which you should all go read, and give her feedback). And I'm reading it and enjoying it muchly, and then I come to this line:

Because Ray has never wanted to go to a confessional so badly in his life. And he isn't even fucking *Catholic*.

And then my brain goes, "But! Ray Kowalski IS Catholic!"

And then my brain goes, "Wait, they never actully say that in canon, I guess. The closest they come to religion is the 'Churches make me nervous'/human sacrifice thing in Say Amen."

And then my brain goes, "Yeah, but, but, but. It makes SENSE for him to be Catholic! And that's how I always think of him, so there!"

And then my brain goes, "Self, you realize that is the VERY DEFINITION OF FANON? Jeez. Dorkwad."

And then I went on and read the rest of the lovely story. The end.

Edited to add:

Talking to fox1013 while watching Alias just now:

pearl_o: What is the gen equivalent of OTP?

fox1013 : Jack and Sydney.
fox1013 : *helps*

Comments

[speshope.livejournal.com]

Kowalski is a Polish name, and Poland is (according to my highly accurate internet sources) ridiculously Catholic, especially post WWII.

So there's that. *doesn't know where she was going with that*

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

Hey, you! I am guessing you are probably way too busy with school stuff, but I figure I will ask, anyway, because I need to buy heavy things: any chance you could take me to a food store Weds or Thurs? I am still checkbook only, but I could buy you something pretty in return, like candy and trashy magazines!

[speshope.livejournal.com]

I'm getting my oil changed Wednesday, but after that's done, I probably could take you.

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

Yays! I'll make sure I, you know, actually have my phone on if you wanna call later.

[speshope.livejournal.com]

Say, it is Wednesday, isn't it?

Ha! Okay. I'll give you a call.

[timian.livejournal.com]

I don't know. ::dithers:: Kowalski being Catholic may only be fanon, but if it is, it's FANON. Because I'm certain that he is.

[rhythmsextion]

HEE. You know, even as I wrote that bit, I kind of did the same thing. Because I've read more than a few fics where Ray's Catholic and I can easily easily see where he could be. But since I couldn't remember if canon had ever said so one way or the other, I just went this way for the fic because it fit better.

I'm glad it didn't completely ruin it for you anyway. Oh, fanon. So fun.

[pandarus.livejournal.com]

Yes, I always assume he's Catholic too. Which, yes, 'kay, definition of fanon, but...but...

Pah.

Also? OMG, yes, Jack'n'Sydney2Getha4Evah!!!111!! (But not in a sexy way.)

Seriously, I have SUCH the mighty love-on for the Jack-Sydney relationship. (And the whole SpyFamilyRobinson, for that matter, but especially Jack and Sydney. Jack just delivers such total roundhouse kicks to my buttons...it's all of a piece with being head over heels in love with Firefly's Simon and AtS's Wesley. He puts love first, above everything, and he would die or kill or compromise every other thing he believes in or values for the sake of the person he loves. Kills me ded every single time.)

[pocketmouse]

Name like Kowalski, in that time and place? He's definitely Catholic. Just treat it the same way we treat canon -- make it conform to your view. 'well, when he says he loves that girl, it just means he's covering for the fact he loves Fraser.' 'Well, he's not Catholic any more...' Good fanon isn't fanon. It's extrapolation. This we extrapolate from what we do know. If it was something like 'Ray failed his only college english course,' which then gets picked up and run with until it becomes fanon, well, that's not something that we can extrapolate from canon (er, quite as easily, that is, because I'm sure if someone wanted to they could give it a try).

[callmesandy.livejournal.com]

Dude, seriously, this happens to me ALL THE TIME. I own it. Someone writes something that contradicts my logical, totally awesome personal fanon? Why, it must be WRONG.

Heh. I kid, I still read that stuff, but it does, seriously, happen all the time.