#ol fandom

We are on the exact same page about this, anon!

Sorry for not answering this sooner.  I think I received this a week or two ago?  So, I’m not sure what Brog related promo was released to incite the hateful comments at the time.  But, I do know I’ve seen some fresh hate after this perfection was posted on the outlander_starz Instagram a couple of days ago:

I don’t see quite as much of the anti-brog sentiments as I used to.  I block anyone who posts anything nasty in the Outlander tag or on other people’s positive posts, so I don’t have to see their negativity anymore.  But, since the show has been added to Netflix, there are more anti-brog fans sprouting up every week it seems.  

I’ve given all of this a lot of thought and tried to rationalize it.  But, it’s really impossible to rationalize other people’s subjective feelings and opinions.  At one point, I really wanted to do a series of posts defending Roger.  But, ultimately decided not to because…the anti’s aren’t going to read it, and they’re definitely not going to change their minds, so what’s the point?  I could go on and on about the double standard by which Roger and Jamie’s characters are judged.  I could pull quotes from the books that showcase how decent of a man Roger is (a better man than Jamie, IMHO).  I could explain, in ridiculously long essays, how much I love Roger.  But, there are still going to be people out there who hate him.  And I can’t change that.  I don’t understand it.  I don’t like it.  But, I can’t change it.  

This fandom is just super weird and crazy and there are a lot of inexplicably angry people.  I’ve seen hate directed towards Bree, Frank, Roger, Matt Roberts, Caitriona Balfe, Richard Rankin, Sophie Skelton, David Berry…pretty much everyone but Jamie and Sam!  So, I am strangely comforted by the fact that it’s not just my favorite character getting dragged through the mud.  

I’m with you, anon, in that I just don’t understand the compulsion to make hateful comments all the time.  I think they’ve formed their own little Tumblr circle where they rile each other up, stew in their indignation, and assume that the rest of the fandom feels the same way they do.  They talk about the show in absolutes and extremes.  It’s Jamie and Claire always and forever, and if you like any of the other characters, or defend any of the other characters, you must hate Jamie and Claire.  Measured, critical analysis of characters is rare in that circle.  Also, I find it interesting how the hate evolves and changes.  It used to be “Sophie is a terrible actress and Bree is a seflish brat.”  Now it’s “Roger is a misogynistic pig and Bree deserves better.”  It’s almost like it’s cool to hate on certain characters or actors, like a fad.  Right now, there’s a lot of Brog hate, but they’ll circle back around to Frank-hate in a couple months, then it’ll be Cait-hate, before getting back to Brog-hate.  There’s always something to complain about.        

I share your disgust about fans who are already expressing glee at the prospect of Roger getting hanged.  I am truly baffled that there are people out there who think Roger deserved to be beaten nearly to death by Jamie, or that he deserves to be hung in Season 5.  The reason those story lines are so powerful is because he doesn’t deserve it.  As readers and watchers we are supposed to be horrified by Jamie’s actions, not applaud them.  We are supposed to be upset by Roger’s suffering, not happy about it.  I say “supposed to” not to dictate how anyone should feel about fiction, but because of the framing of the story in both the book and show.  It’s not framed as a “villain gets his comeuppance” story line, but that’s how many of the anti’s are interpreting it.  Roger is not a villain.    

As much as I’ve criticized the writing of Roger and Bree’s relationship in Season 4, I still don’t think the level of vitriol directed towards Roger and/or Bree is warranted.  The fan reactions have been way out of proportion to what was actually portrayed on screen.  It doesn’t make a lick of sense that fans are wishing and hoping for Roger to die.  Luckily, they can wish and hope for his death all they want, but Roger isn’t going anywhere. 

All this to say that I’m trying my best to not let the haters get to me.  But, even though I’ve taken measures to avoid seeing the negativity, it still surprises me and gets under my skin when I see those comments and posts.  I wish there weren’t trolls in this fandom, but unfortunately there are. The block button is your friend.  Find fellow bloggers who actually enjoy watching the show.  Try to ignore the “extreme” sections of the fandom.  One of my favorite advice bloggers, askamanager.com, will tell people who write in for advice about their coworkers doing crazy shit to re-frame it in their minds.  So, instead of becoming really frustrated by the bonkers things your co-workers say or do, you take a step back and look at the situation through a different lens—one in which you’re able to accept that you have limited control over the situation and almost be entertained by it.  I think this same advice can be applied to fandom.  I’m trying my best to be Gina Linetti 👇🏼

Sam With Various Female Friends (Cait, Minka, Haley and Marina)

Nothing different about Sam’s photo with Cait at the play compared to Sam hanging with other female friends. JS 

Earlier today, in a comment to @aliceinoutlanerland​‘s post (the one she was answering an anon), what I said about Sam and Steve having lunch together was just me speculating because it was lunch time in the UK and Sam retweeted the video shortly after Steve posted it. I repeat: speculation!

I was in a hurry and ended up not pointing it out at said post. Will try being more careful from now on. I don't want ever to cause stir in the fandom. ;)

Good old Deb has gotten together with 4 other people who attended this meeting with Sam (That we now know Emma did not attend) and they have compiled the following summary. It’s actually a great read on its own but my favourite part it where she completely negates every single claim Emma made.

Just preparing myself emotionally, mentally, physically for colonial grand-père daddy af JAMMF, bloody and fierce as ever, but still so god damn soft for his wife. Season 5 James Fraser is going to ruin me, as if he hadn’t already.