Big Bang/Exchange Fic Discussion #1

[spnanonhaven]

Post your threads for Big Bangs and exchange fics here.

Format like so:


SUBJECT: Title [Pairing, Rating] by AUTHOR
CONTENT: Art by whoever

http://url of the master post on the BB comm.

Comments

Re: J2_EA: The Prince, the Other Prince & the Pea [R] by ancastar

[(Anonymous)]

ayrt That's a lot of very good points, and it would have been an interesting and fun fic if it had examined its own implications the way you do here.

I don't mind traditional fairytale tropes in and of themselves, however there are good ways and bad ways to use them. Here the romance was at the center of the fic, rather than a stock reward after three trials or a curse is broken, etc, and that is one reason why I find it unsatisfactory.

In traditional fairytales, we can accept "and then they met and immediately fell in love" as an excuse for a plot for one to save the other or as an ironic/naive substitute for "and then they met and decided to marry for political expediency/decided to fuck/decided to get to know each other and gradually grew to respect and care for each other".

But this is not a traditional fairytale, it is a love story, and the falling in love is supposed to be the substance, not the handwavy part.

What's more, the fic claims to be partially based on The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen, which is not a traditional fairytale. It is a modern short story using fairytale trappings to satirize cultural ideas of feminine desirability.

Re: J2_EA: The Prince, the Other Prince & the Pea [R] by ancastar

[(Anonymous)]

ayrt

Now I'm really interested in a meatier sequel, where Jensen has to become politically savvy very quickly because the nobles are starting to riot thanks to their preferred leader being so aptly disposed and the king not being prepared to rule after decades of inforced silence. I'm pretty certain that anyone who can't figure out some form of sign language or to write a note down (unless the curse covered any form of communication, which it didn't, or there's some sort of brain injury going on, which there wasn't) isn't really going to be capable of running a kingdom.

Plus something with the issues in finding an heir because the Queen had reasons to look down on someone from a far distant swamp who wouldn't know their culture or their ways. Jared has reason enough to want to learn, but why would the people accept a foreign ruler who happens to be related to the prince consort but shares no nationality with them?

And Jensen and Jared discovering that it's one thing to fall in immediate lust but swinging a relationship when the only thing you know about the other is that you have mutual sexual attraction is considerably difficult.

Preferably with some mutterings and discontent from the commoners and minor nobility who weren't in with the Queen at the fiat that no one can marry until Jensen does, because that really is a stupid thing to request.

With more about magic and wizards! About the dangers of curses! With towers and trolls and fairies and swans and all of the other fairy tale elements, because those shouldn't be forgotten even if the story did become grimmer and political.

I think you hit the nail on the head about why the story, while cute and fun, doesn't quite satisfy. It is framed as a love story and not as a fairy tale.

Re: J2_EA: The Prince, the Other Prince & the Pea [R] by ancastar

[(Anonymous)]

ayrt I almost feel as if I had read that sequel after reading your ideas :)

Re: J2_EA: The Prince, the Other Prince & the Pea [R] by ancastar

[(Anonymous)]

What's more, the fic claims to be partially based on The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen, which is not a traditional fairytale.

I'm not reading it, because I'm not a huge fan of the show (though I like the music), and I hate AUs that are copies of the original so it annoys me that the author apparently lifted dialogue. However, I think you're letting your feelings for HCA color how you see this. I don't see anywhere where the other claims it was based on "The Princess and the Pea." The author claims it was based on Once upon a Mattress. Once upon a Mattress is based on "The Princess and the Pea," and it's quite correct to note that for people who might not be aware of the connection.

Re: J2_EA: The Prince, the Other Prince & the Pea [R] by ancastar

[(Anonymous)]

ayrt

The author has changed the header. When I read it it mentioned "Hans Christian Anderson". I'm glad that the author has changed it to "I'm sure Hans Christian Andersen never intended this…" - thanks, ancastar!

I don't mind the fic not being based on "The Princess and the Pea" at all. I was telling the anon I replied to above that I think the author made a choice to use the fairytale convention of true love at first sight, even if that choice was only whether to copy "Once Upon a Mattress" or not. My point was that using that convention was not a given and did not serve the story well.

Re: J2_EA: The Prince, the Other Prince & the Pea [R] by ancastar

[ancastar.livejournal.com]

Actually, that's not true. The link language always read "I'm sure Hans Christian Andersen never intended this…" I did, however, correct the spelling. Thanks for pointing that out.