Proposal Triumphalism

[snacky]

For the past few weeks there has been a lot of proposal triumphalism, with Jilliam supporters feeling they have "won" over all the "artificial delays" (though at under 100 eps, MM didn't delay nearly as long as most shipper arcs). One enthusiast put the proposal on an hour-long loop on YouTube. Here's another video, where the proposal moment overlays the shrill musical crescendo: One step closeeeeeeeeeer~



I don't mean to dis the video itself, since it's pretty good for the far-too-small world of MM fanvids, and elise1898 is one of the talents there-in.

What I do want to say is that this proposal is not necessarily a good thing for the future of Murdoch Mysteries as a show. There are people who watch it without any interest in the romance at all. I'm personally a fan of the romance, and shipping plays an important role in building an invested fan base. But I also think the voices of the people who worried that a wedding will end the shipping arc, and thus kill the show, should be taken seriously. Even with some efforts to promote George/Emily and the ensemble cast, Murdoch Mysteries is really about one man: William Murdoch. Tying up the arc for him is tying up the arc of the show in general.

Passionate shippers might say "well I got the wedding, I don't really care what happens after that" - but this is really inconsiderate toward other fans of the show who want to continue to enjoy good mysteries and ongoing character development. While some might say a show has reached a natural ending point after 7 seasons, this overlooks the fact that each season had half the normal amount of eps, and MM doesn't even have enough eps to reach the minimum for syndication yet.

I don't want to rain on the parade: the proposal was terrific, and I'm looking forward to the wedding (and what weird goings-on that will inevitably surround it). I just hope people will be able to keep in mind the price we might be paying for our "triumph": and if completing the shipper arc does kill MM, I hope fans will keep that experience in mind for the next show they obsessively ship: when you say "marry now OR ELSE" you might also be saying "end the show now OR ELSE".

[lovemondays]

I still don't buy in to your belief that Jilliam's marriage will be the death knell. There's still lots of material for shippers to enjoy...all the adorable newlywed looks, touches, restraint of public displays of affection and the biggest hook of all, will Julia get pregnant? All this and imaginative crime solving awaits after the wedding.

[snacky]

May 31, 2014 3:41:36 GMT lovemondays said:

I still don't buy in to your belief that Jilliam's marriage will be the death knell. There's still lots of material for shippers to enjoy...all the adorable newlywed looks, touches, restraint of public displays of affection and the biggest hook of all, will Julia get pregnant? All this and imaginative crime solving awaits after the wedding.

That's one season at the most! I want 10 more seasons!

Especially now that TV viewers have been cheated by this 13 episode half-season business. MM is actually only less than 4 seasons long, in traditional TV show terms. T_T

It's too young to die.

But I do agree that a big plot arc could be squeezed out of the pregnancy issue. As discussed in other threads, they might even use the religious issue to string along the marriage itself. I'd also like to see Julia rise to some professional glory on her own steam (while continuing as a proponent for women's rights, of course).

In terms of keeping young fickle shippers who are only interested in "will they get together", MM may find it a struggle to keep their audience.

[lovemondays]

The writers can stretch it out believably and if they do go into a long arc about religion holding up the wedding there's no reason that Wm and Julia can't be enjoying some canoodling and nookie to keep the fickle shippers happy.

It's not going to die. Yet. Let's not put that energy into the universe!!

[snacky]

May 31, 2014 4:14:53 GMT lovemondays said:

The writers can stretch it out believably and if they do go into a long arc about religion holding up the wedding there's no reason that Wm and Julia can't be enjoying some canoodling and nookie to keep the fickle shippers happy.

It's not going to die. Yet. Let's not put that energy into the universe!!

Nookie is not the same thing without the question of whether or not they will ever get married.   There's a symbolic End of Chapter that comes with consummation.

There's going to have to be another Office Romance, and I doubt George/Emily will ever quite be the It thing.

[lovemondays]

I like George/Emily but not so much as a romance. Best friends is actually more believable to me.