Women and the Fans...

[gen-is-gone.livejournal.com]

So, it isn't Monday, but who's up for a little discussion anyway? Namely, about some of the women on our show. Now, I've been following recent ep discussion posts and I'm noticing a few strange similarities between fan reaction to Hotch's new jogging partner,(and now girlfriend) Beth and former co-star Ashley Seaver, played by Rachel Nichols. Now, before you get into the long rants about her physical similarities to JJ or her supposedly bland acting, hear me out: the abject hatred some fans felt toward her was disconcerting to say the least, and so I am upset (though not really surprised) to hear that new character Beth is getting the same treatment.

I'm honestly indifferent towards Beth because there isn't much to her character yet, but character development happens over time. Frankly, I'm tired of the witch hunts Criminal Minds' fanbase goes on every time a new (or not so new) female character gets introduced. I remember the discussion posts leading up to 100 and at least 50% of all of the Haley related comments saying that they hoped she'd die. And then she did, and the few who actually lacked the shame to cheer for a violent murder were subsequently shouted down. Now that it's been two years, people seem to like her more. And let us not forget Ashley and Jordan Todd, neither of whom got the chance to develop as characters because the (mostly female) fans pitched a dozen fits. And to rewind even farther, remember all the Elle fans (where have they gone I wonder...) complaining after her first introduction in 'The Last Word' that Emily was an Ice Bitch and a robot? You certainly won't see them around anymore. I wish that for once criminalxminds would shut up about female characters long enough to get to know them. Much though I adore Reid and all of the male cast, I'm noticing that the double standard we've all been accusing CBS of in regards to their not valuing women is surprisingly (and hypocritically) apparent within our own fanbase. Now, I know Will and Kevin still have quite the hatedom of their own, but they're mostly getting flack from over-the-top shippers, while Haley, Elle, Emily, Jordan, Ashley and Beth were at varying points treated with an appalling amount of suspicion and out right hatred. So, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Want to rip my throat out? I'm not trying to come off as rude, I would love to better understand why so many people find fault with such seemingly innocuous women.

Comments

[thecowboycliche.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree with you to a certain extent.

I really feel that most of the hate for Beth is from shippers who are bitter that their ship will never happen, apparently because of her presence. I'd like to point out that their ship isn't going to happen in canon regardless of her presence because the show runners have already made that clear. Personally, I really like Beth and think she's great for Hotch. But she doesn't ruin any ships of mine, so maybe that's why.

As for Ashley, I liked her. I feel like a lot of the hate for her was because she "replaced" Paget and AJ and because the writers didn't do her character any justice. Her introduction and characterization were poor, I feel. They could have done so much better with her but for whatever reason chose not to.

I think this show is strange in a way.. we all get very attached to our favorite characters (Reid is my baby. Don't touch my baby.) but the show originally wasn't designed to focus as much on the profilers. It was supposed to focus on the cases. It's gotten to the point where having seven main characters means that they're almost fighting for attention. And shipping... that's a natural part of fandom, tbh. Because the show gives us absolutely none of that and has told us to not expect any, we kind of build them up ourselves to the point where we're all fiercely loyal to them. This show's got 4 good looking male leads, each different in their own way. Sometimes fangirls don't like to think about women other than the ones they've chosen as being with them, so when these women get introduced there's automatic hate.

Now I hate to bring this up, but... you guys do realize that with Paget leaving, it's likely we're going to get a new female character on the show to "replace" her, so to speak. So the drama isn't over.

[gen-is-gone.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Those were my feelings on Ashley, and I was annoyed at CBS's casting because I do think that choosing an actress that physically similar to the woman she was replacing was an insult, intentional or not. But I thought that from a non-Doylist perspective, (that is, not considering the Real Life wank) she had potential at least.

Wait, what about Paget leaving?!

[thecowboycliche.livejournal.com]

Yes.. at the end of the season. You didn't know that? :|

http://criminalxminds.livejournal.com/1847542.html

[gen-is-gone.livejournal.com]

Crap! After everything!?!

[citjara.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It's so saaaaaaad.

[paksenarrion2.livejournal.com]

The reason I didn't care for the Seaver character?

I didn't find her believable at all. The BAU is a prestigious posting and to think that a cadet that hasn't graduated yet would get one of those coveted postings? All because her father was a serial killer? Was too big of a contrivance for me. If she was a genius like Reid, maybe. Or had a politically connected parent like Prentiss pulling strings.

Now I feel bad for the actress and how she was treated by the rude fans-some of the tweets/emails she received were horrible and the people that sent them should have their internet taken away for ever. It was in no way her fault that JJ and PB got let go, or the story line she was given to play. She got hired for a job and played it to the best of her ability. I personally don't think she is that great but more power to her for having the guts to be an actress and to put herself in the public eye. People can be really vicious.

[thecowboycliche.livejournal.com]

Yeah I totally agree. She really had no reason to be part of the BAU but that was more the writer's fault than anyone else. They just.. didn't try with her. They basically threw her to the wolves.