SGA writers, how are you so frustrating?

[wordplay]

So, you know, obviously there is a problem with the SGA writers. I know there's a wide range of opinion about this on my flist but I do think we can probably all agree that there are enough issues with race and gender among the writers to induce a cringe at least every once in a while and quite likely more.

There are a lot of possible responses to this. Here's a range of four:

(a) Ignore it - because sometimes that's just what you do to live with something you can't fix.
(b) Blog about it - because if we talk about it among ourselves, maybe we can find some way to fix it.
(c) Complain about it - because they made the problem, let's remind them that we want it fixed.
(d) Forget about it and walk away - because sometimes things are just too broken to be fixed and you just can't live with them anymore.

I think most of us have been somewhere in the (a) to (b) range during our time with SGA. (Speaking personally: I spend most of my time in (a), because I'm a Texas Democrat by training and I came of age in a v. sexist, heavily male academic environment, so I'm pretty good at ignoring things so that I don't hate, like, EVERYBODY.)

I'm asking (i) is anyone aware of any coordinated efforts to move to (c)? and (ii) is that something you think is worth doing? I was thinking today of something like an organized postcard campaign, 3-5 versions of comments that are liftable, something not OMG YOU SO COMPLETELY SUCK but that might be a useful mirror for the writers.

"Asking your boss to show her tits to 10-year-olds will usually get you fired. It's also gross. It's NOT funny."
"A bunch of white people standing around watching two dark-skinned men fight? REALLY?!"

That kind of thing.

My perspective on... well, pretty much everything, really... is shot to hell right now. Does that seem like a good, productive kind of idea, or just another way to dive deep into a pool of fanwankiness and complaint?

Comments

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

Right, so I'm commenting to myself because, as usual, I have way contradictory thoughts.

My concern is that they don't seem to take concrit v. well (either that, or JMallozzi is just kind of a dick on his blog. Or, um, both) and I really don't want to make things more hostile. Also, I feel like their whole attitude is one of dismissal - I mean, their response will be that OF COURSE it's gross of Rodney to do that, but that it's in character for him. I think pretty much anybody who's sat through his arc and paid anything close to attention will beg to differ, but their point always has been and will continue to be that the point is that Rodney is an asshole and that was a laugh line.

In short, asking them to get it is pointless.

[malnpudl.livejournal.com]

I'm convinced that they're hopeless. They still haven't got it through their thick skulls that Lucius "Galactic Date Rapist" Lavin was NOT OKAY. They still think he was funny.

If they can't understand that non-consensual sex is wrong, I don't think there's a prayer that they'll comprehend why "Midway" was racist.

Not to say that people shouldn't try. I just don't think the message will be heard.

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

I was talking to a friend about this tonight and she felt like the last scenes with him are meant to convey just how chilling the character is, and I can see why she thinks that, so I'm not completely sure that they think it's JUST funny, if that makes any sense. The problem is that they do serious so, so poorly so if they're at all ambiguous or leave anything open to interpretation, it almost always reads as broad comedy. I don't know how to solve that problem for them, but once they blew the ethics on the wraith situation I had to just stop engaging with the show on any kind of critical level at ALL.

I still haven't engaged with my anger regarding what they did to Elizabeth.

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I have to agree with malnpudl. As much as I would love to see changes in the SGA writing, I also believe they're hopeless. For years I've been saying that the writers/producers are sexist, racist, and homophobic, and I see no reason to change my mind.

It's absolutely infuriating, too, because the concept of a stargate is brilliant, and the characters they've come up with are wonderful. That's why the fanfiction is so terrific, I'm sure. But as long as the M&M boys are producers, I expect more of the same.

If enough people decide to participate, though, I will, too -- can Joe M hate us any more than he already does? I don't think so.

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

He's really kind of horrible, isn't he? And I'm just feeling such guilt and self-excoriation over the damn show right now. I ran for a long time on pure fannish glee of the kind that refuses to take anything seriously, and SGA is pretty good for that, but they just keep pissing me off.

I feel, right now, like I'm in that place that needs to either do something or let the show go, like I stayed in the "please don't make me think too hard about this" place for so long that now I have to fix it or let it go altogether. I hate that place!

I want a "I'm done with you" Elizabeth/Torri icon.

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

Oh god, don't get me started on Elizabeth/Torri! What a waste of a character! Potentially wonderful, but written so poorly that I eventually decided it was intentional, done in order to get Torri to leave.

GRRR.

I have a friend who no longer watches the show, just reads fanfiction; he says he's much, much happier these days. I have to admit, I'm seriously considering following his lead. It's just that I'd miss the Davids, Joe, Rachel, Jason, Chuck, and Kavan so very much.

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

I know nothing about Mallozzi; how do we know he hates us?

So here is the thing; you're not wrong at all. But we are not their intended audience (as in, we are not geeky fanboys), and I don't think they care that we're watching. An by they, I think I mean the entire SciFi channel, because the more I get into the genre, the more I feel like they could care less (remind me to post about my misgivings about my comic book shop!).

And I feel like... I don't know, I would get angrier if I thought I DIDN'T know everyone who actually watches that show, you know? Because sometimes I feel like everyone who actually watches already knows this, because we're here, bitching in our LJs. (Not true, I know, but this is the little world I'm inhabiting right now.)

[tropes.livejournal.com]

Let's bother Mallozzi! BOTHER BOTHER BOTHER.

Otherwise, I got nothin.

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

You know, I think that would be even LESS productive. He obviously just assumes that everyone who reads his blog is an idiot. I just don't even go over there anymore because after a few readings the contempt got too ridiculous.

*smites everything and everyone*

McKay getting punched with that portrait in the back will never stop being awesome. Also, I kind of wish they would auction those portraits off.

SEE HOW THIS SHOW CONFUSES ME, J?!

[tropes.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love his contempt. I think he's hilarious. XD

God, I know, I KNOW. See my recently posted review!!! I feel so torn, all the time, because you and I KNOW how amazing the show can be! It's so strong at times, especially this season! And then... EPIC FAIL on a level that is just saddening.

I don't know what there is to do except try to catch Martin Gero, et. al. at a fan thing, take them out to dinner, and engage them in conversation.

Right.

[zorb]

Yeah, I'm going along with the rest in that I don't think it would accomplish anything other than our own satisfaction at having done something. The writing staff seems, by nature and by necessity, largely inclined to lump all response into the same "Great that you're watching, we'll keep doing what we want to, anyway" category, with very rare exceptions (such as the Beckett thing, which...yeah, let's not get started with that until next weekend). I get why - if they let every criticism affect them, they'd be bouncing all over - but the unfortunate side effect is tunnel vision to very valid points. We'd probably be saner if we could adopt our own tunnel vision when watching the show.