ROC defense - reading-in TOO much

{this is a lengthy reply to the post entitled
"ROC & SUBTEXT: TELL ME IT ISN'T SO ..."
and "Rednecks in Texas? Where?"
Sorry I didn't thread, but I think this needs it's own topic}

missthing wrote - "after reading other ROC interviews I've always been
left with a feeling of unease (is that a word?) on her part regarding the
subtext issue. I am sure part of it is my own "seige mentaliy" when
it comes to gay issues"
- - - - - - -
Yes, I would say it is definite seige mentality. I am going to
do my best here not to come off as homophobic or bigoted.
I certainly don't mean to.

First of all, what's wrong with Reneé feeling uneasy? Some people
are uneasy in a crowded room. Some people are uneasy at airports
and on planes. You have to look at things from Reneé's POV.
All indications are that she is heterosexual (more on this later),
and now she suddenly finds herself an icon for an entire culture
she might have only recently been fully exposed to. I know I
didn't personally know gay people (or at least, that I know of)
until I became involved in XenaVerse. And I think it is that
way for a large number of heterosexual Xenites. Reneé grew up
outside of Houston, and spent some time in L.A., and I am
willing to bet she never had this scale of exposure to the
gay population - and the world at large.

Lucy, on the other hand, rolls with the "lesbian" punches well.
But she was raised in Auckland - a political left-of-center,
cosmopolitan city. Plus, she toured Europe for a number
of years. She's had plenty of exposure to plenty of things.

I think what is happening here is the nature of the show spilling
over into real life. The "are they?/aren't they?" scenes are ambiguous
at best. So, they are wide open to interpretation, and you 'read in'
what you want to see. This seems to happen _outside_ the show
now. And, pardon me for saying so, but it seems to me that "subexters"
do _alot_ of 'reading in'. Reneé said she doesn't see it. Half the fan
base or more doesn't "see it", either - we see a strong platonic friendship -
nothing sexual or love _beyond_ friendship. Reneé doesn't either.
So what? Are you concerned because she is a star of the show and
she is saying this? And what exactly rubs you the wrong way? At least
she's being straightforward and honest. You don't get that alot in Hollywood.

And what is it that makes _you_ uneasy that you would ask these questions?
If Reneé doesn't think the subtext issue is 'alive' - so what? She's
not the writers or the producers, you know. She does the acting with
what they give her. The only ones who would 'shut down' the subtext would
be from the higher levels.

How many times have we seen the questioning post, "Is Lucy gay?" And how
many times has it been answered with "No - she was married, has a kid and
is getting married again." Then that is countered with "Well, she could still
be bisexual." Why is it that no one can take interviews or facts about the
actresses lives at face value? Why is it, that until Lucy unequivocably reads
a prepared legal declaration that clearly states, "I, Lucy Lawless, am not a
lesbian", she will be defaulted into the "possible bisexual" category?

I guess this goes both ways. When Lucy was on Howard Stern, he (of course)
asked her if she ever tried anal sex. Lucy replied something to the effect of
"No, but I'd try anything". *I* took that to mean anything in a herterosexual
fashion. Any bisexual, or lesbian possiblity didn't enter my mind. Likewise,
I spoke to a lesbian Xenite who used that statement as evidence that if
Lucy *hadn't* been with a woman, she'd be willing to try it.

Bottom line - I think people are reading _way_ too much into things _surrounding_
the show. And it goes beyond the sexual aspect. I am _not_ happy with this season,
and I have definite issues with the writing. But, I am not about to say things like
"Rob Tapert is whipped and doing everything Lucy wants." "Lucy is a scheming,
manipulating woman and she wants a variety show." "There are plans, with malice
aforethought to [multiple choice] a) destroy Callisto b) screw the fans c) make
the show crash so Lucy can start having babies d) make the subtext a fullblown
flag carrying event e) write the subtext out entirely".

Everyone should just take a deep breath and watch the show. Read whatever you
want into the show - but take real life at its face value.

-- Cathbad

I encourage you to read Larin's well thought out reply as well. It's a two-way
street. Because someone don't see a lesbian aspect to the show doesn't make
that person homophobic any more than your not seeing the heterosexual
aspects make you a heterophobe.