--- Steve Rogerson steve.rogerson@mcr1.poptel.org.uk wrote>
The main point of fan fiction is to read
between the lines and take the show places where it didn't go on TV.
Just
repeating what was on TV would be pointless, therefore any fan fiction is not canon by definition, but that doesn't mean it is not in the context of the show.
Definitely true :).
One area that
fan fiction looks at often is possible relationships between the characters above and beyond what we see on screen,
Fair enough.
and there is just as much evidence for
homosexual as there is for heterosexual relationships between the characters,
Now there's where I would disagree with you, I'm afraid. There is some evidence for heterosexual relationships/feelings/leanings between some of the principal characters on B7. There is no evidence of homosexual ones for these characters.
Now, this can't be because of homophobia or of the filmic conventions of the 1970s (the decade, may I remind you, that brought us "Gangsters" and "The Naked Civil Servant," both programmes with strong gay characters if not leads), as the same team have no problem whatsoever with portraying Carnell, Egrorian and Krantor as bisexual. Therefore, it would have to be because these feelings simply *are not there.*
In various interviews over the years Chris Boucher, Terry Nation, Paul Darrow, Gareth Thomas etc. have been asked whether any of the characters were intended at *any* point to show homosexual leanings. They have all denied it. In other words, to say that these characters were gay or bisexual is to say that the series' creator, script editor and principal actors have no say in their own series. In which case we may as well give up viewing the series entirely.
Undoubtedly there is a strong tension between Blake and Avon which can be and is by some interpreted as having a sexual element.
I would challenge you to find a single scene in, for instance, Series 1, which supports this interpretation. Any of the scenes which are commonly held up as showing "gay subtext" can only be interpreted as such when divorced entirely from their contexts.
Remember, we are to my knowledge
given no clues at all to Blake's sexuality during the show.
Erm, I think both "Bounty" and "Hostage" would suggest certain leanings towards the heterosexual :).
We know Avon is
attracted to women, but that doesn't mean he isn't also attracted to men.
Again, we see no evidence of this. As a contrast: Carnell flirts outrageously with Servalan, but then also flirts with her aide. Avon frequently shows signs of attraction to women; nowhere does he show similar feelings towards a man. Furthermore, in "Rescue," we get the scene where Dorian gives Avon a decidedly "cruisy" look, after making a remark about his fondness for indulging any pleasure, to which Avon responds with "you really are insane, aren't you?" A perfect opportunity for Avon to show his colours-- and what he shows is quite the opposite.
The same
as said for Avon can also be said for Gan, Tarrant and Vila.
All of whom actually make declarations at various times in the series supporting their heterosexuality. Now, some people have argued that this doesn't mean they aren't hiding their gay feelings under a heterosexual veneer. But again, it is quite easy for a competent actor to play this (e.g. in the film "American Beauty"). I reiterate: if the characters had been intended by their creators to have gay leanings, this could easily have been suggested, but it wasn't.
I don't think Jenna, Cally or Soolin give any hints of their sexuality
Jenna's old flame in "Bounty" aside, she frequently acts jealous towards Blake (again, "Bounty" and "Hostage" providing good examples). Soolin kisses Dorian. Cally... well, during and after the events of "Children of Auron" and "Sarcophagus" she seems to feel some attraction towards Avon (and in fact the alien possessing her in the latter directly states that Cally has feelings for Avon), and it's worth bearing in mind that "Animals" was originally written for her.
, but Dayna does show she likes
men sexually, but again no evidence that this is exclusive.
But there is no evidence the other way. And where there's some evidence for one way, and no evidence for the other way, this would rather suggest that the character's preferences lie in the former direction. A negative doesn't make a positive.
Thing is, there is a bit of a line between "taking the show into places never explored on TV" and sheer exercises of imagination. Which again, are fine-- as exercises of imagination. To take a nonsexual example: if you're going to write a B7 story in the style of a "Carry On" film, this can be a quite clever and fun thing to read. If, however, you start insisting that the series on which the story was based was a camp comedy, then I think not only the point, but the whole effectiveness of the story, have been lost.
Fiona
The Posthumous Memoirs of Secretary Rontane Available for public perusal at http://nyder.r67.net
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