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Forum URL: http://www.eyrie-productions.com/Forum/dcboard.cgi
Forum Name: Undocumented Features General
Topic ID: 469
Message ID: 37
#37, RE: SoS's crypto-lesbian subtext...
Posted by Phantom on Jan-31-02 at 07:51 AM
In response to message #0
>...or perhaps not so crypto.

Definitely no Cryptic unless your an Idiot. But that is what makes
the stories so much more robust and real.

>
>(Phil thinks a dose of countervailing criticism is needed at this
>juncture, in the midst of the uniform SoS2:7:Congratulation &
>Approbation. :) Phil takes an intentionally extreme stance. Phil dons
>his asbestos suit.)

I certainly hope this was done for the sake of a 'Devil's Advocate'
type of role and not really trying to force your personal moral stance
on a story that sets its OWN moral stance that may or may not reflect
the author’s personal views. The story represents the Character's
views and that of the universe(s) they live in.

>
>Kaitlyn and Juri. Utena and Anthy. Amanda and her bodyguard. Azalynn
>and Liza. The Centauri guy. And the scene in SoS1 (Paris IIRC) when
>Kate sees the "Roman-nosed" lady and the Nebari girl (and I think, "Uh
>oh, Farscape!" and then reflexively panic "NOOO! Aeryn and Chiana
>can't be lesbians! John will be devastated!" and then attempt to relax
>and tell myself that of course it's not *them* in particular --
>right?).

Kaitlyn & Juri: Look what happened to Kaitlyn when she was so young
(both years and emotionally). She may change, she might not. But
either way She loves Juri. I do not know anything about Juri.
Utena & Anthy: See RGU & SOS:S2M7 for explanations IT IS 100% CLEAR.
The only "Homosexual" relationship I do not fully understand is the
Liza & Azalynn one. I did not understand the motivation completely,
but I do not have anything against it. (I was hoping Mac & Liza would
get together:)

>
>Not that I'm narrow-mindedly objecting to alternative lifestyles
>chosen by fictional characters, just... (1) Why? Is there any
>particular *reason* EPU decided to make (mostly female) homo-
>and bisexuality a major theme at this time? Did it suddenly become
>*fashionable*? Or did characters just *evolve* that
>way, as they are wont to do?

Well it certainly seems that you are narrow minded by the end of your
post. I do not think the EPU writers were actively trying to write
the characters any particular way. They have evolved into what you
see in SOS:S2M7.

>
>No, *this* is where I will be narrow-minded and object: (2)
>Most of these characters having sex are *teenagers*, well under
>the age of 18. And unmarried, to boot. --Yes yes, I know real-world
>US statistics indicate kids as young as 12 are engaging in carnal
>relations, and there's precedent in anime, but I nonetheless carry
>this silly old-fashioned notion that fiction should *set an
>example*.
Even if it's artificial. Even if the story's audience
>isn't the people who *need* the example. <shrug> It's the
>thought that counts.

(Entering Literary Evaluation Mode)
The characters are emotionally more mature than most 30+ adults.
SOS does set an excellent example of how a family should care about
thier children. The stories depict what true friendship and loyalty
should be like. They also teach tolerance and understanding instead
or fear, bigotry and hatred. The stories show true love & compassion
at it's best. All of these are important aspects that are missing in
most of modern America. I do not believe Gryphon & EPU ever set out
to write a morality play or social commentary when they started SOS,
but they have made a good example. And in my opinion, because EPU
did not start out to preach ANYTHING with SOS, but they the stories
themselves developed these themes on their own makes it that much
better of a story and a very well written work of art.
(Exiting Literary Evaluation Mode)

>
><uncle>ONE MORE THING!</uncle> --I have another objection, an
>idiosyncracy you could call it, against: (3) Sex in the stories I
>read: specifically, anything describing before, after, and especially
>-- and thank the Muses that EPU doesn't do *this* -- during.
>(I can name SF pro-authors who are horrible horrible offenders.) By
>the end of "SoS2:7:Ceremony & Celebration", Kate and Juri have
>apparently consummated their relationship. That just creeps me out.
>Honestly. Couldn't they do it *between* stories? And for
>balance, yes, the first encounters in UF1 creeped me out too. For
>reference: the scene in "Hopelessly Lost" when Gryph forces himself to
>drink coffee to dispel the image of Zoner with Sylia.
>
>(Phil braces himself for reactions.)

Your Idiosyncrasy:
What do you watch on TV or at the Movies? They have much more
explicit before, during, & after scenes/information, etc than ANYTHING
I have read from EPU. EPU has had the MOST Tastefully written Sexual
relations I have EVER seen. They treat sex and the characters with
respect and care. They so far have only given enough detail to evoke
the image and do not go into gratuitous, unnecessary detail of the
encounters. This is something that few writers seem to have any more.

As a Side note: Gryphon & EPU crew Thank you very much for the stories
you have given to us. I have enjoyed watching the characters, writers,
and stories evolve from the original UF to SOS. You have a lot of
courage to put something so personal as your stories in a public forum.
Thank you and I look forward to your future works.
The Phantom