Quite agreed here. I think, too, that there is an important distinction (that you define clearly) between having an opinion about fiction and harassing the creators of that fiction. But there's nothing wrong with expressing your opinion to your fellow fans. And I don't think it's out-of-line for fans to feel betrayed, when they don't get what they thought they were going to get.
In the case of CoE, I suspect that "fannish entitlement" is being bandied about (presuming it has been, I haven't been following any such discussions) because some fans hated CoE, but some fans liked or even loved it, so are getting cross with those who disagree (similar effect happened in SGA, with Keller supporters cranky with detractors). It's not actually about media creators vs fans but fans vs fans; "entitlement" is the latest buzz-word for devaluing your opponent's opinion. (Unless the media creators themselves have been using it? I haven't seen this, either, but it wouldn't surprise me. Especially from the likes of Mallozzi...)
(For what it's worth (with the disclaimer that I did not hate CoE, and think RTD has issues but a lot of talent) I think comparing RTD with the SG creators is, hmm, inaccurate...RTD by and large *does* understand fan opinion; he knew what he wrote was going to rile people up, and he's pleased to get that emotional reaction, pleased to know he can affect people so powerfully. Whether that makes him an ass or an artist is a matter of opinion, but he's not utterly tone-deaf to fannish sentiment the way the SG people seem to be...)
(But then, I also didn't feel that CoE was a "breach of contract"; Torchwood always promised to be a darker show than Who, and after s2 I wasn't expecting anyone to get a happy ending. CoE was...sudden, but I'm kind of surprised that anyone thought Jack/Ianto was ever going to end well; that's just not how Jack's relationships go!)
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Date: 2009-07-29 09:27 pm (UTC)In the case of CoE, I suspect that "fannish entitlement" is being bandied about (presuming it has been, I haven't been following any such discussions) because some fans hated CoE, but some fans liked or even loved it, so are getting cross with those who disagree (similar effect happened in SGA, with Keller supporters cranky with detractors). It's not actually about media creators vs fans but fans vs fans; "entitlement" is the latest buzz-word for devaluing your opponent's opinion. (Unless the media creators themselves have been using it? I haven't seen this, either, but it wouldn't surprise me. Especially from the likes of Mallozzi...)
(For what it's worth (with the disclaimer that I did not hate CoE, and think RTD has issues but a lot of talent) I think comparing RTD with the SG creators is, hmm, inaccurate...RTD by and large *does* understand fan opinion; he knew what he wrote was going to rile people up, and he's pleased to get that emotional reaction, pleased to know he can affect people so powerfully. Whether that makes him an ass or an artist is a matter of opinion, but he's not utterly tone-deaf to fannish sentiment the way the SG people seem to be...)
(But then, I also didn't feel that CoE was a "breach of contract"; Torchwood always promised to be a darker show than Who, and after s2 I wasn't expecting anyone to get a happy ending. CoE was...sudden, but I'm kind of surprised that anyone thought Jack/Ianto was ever going to end well; that's just not how Jack's relationships go!)