Head Canons And Lister's Sexuality

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

We all have them, but some are more deeply entrenched than others.  The recent plethora of BDSM fic (thank you, Kronette and Felineranger) made me realise that I have problems imagining Lister as a natural, dyed in the wool submissive, which *spoiler* is a major aspect of "Lessons In Heroics", even though it's an alternate version of him.

(Kronette, this is not a criticism of your fic in any way.  You can write whatever the hell you like and I'm finding the story riveting regardless.) :)

Those who are following this story will know that, on the list of disquieting aspects, an alternate version of Lister being an enthusiastic sub is so far down it shouldn't even register, but somehow it does for me.  I think it's because his usual character is so anti rules and regulations that it's hard to imagine BDSM being a fundamental part of his sexuality.  Which isn't to say I can't see him enjoying it (as in "FSOS") but enjoying and needing are different.

I apologise in advance if my ramblings offend anyone.  I don't mean to imply that there's anything wrong with being a natural sub or Dom, just that it's not how I interpret his character.  I can imagine either of Rimmer though.

Does anyone else have head canons which you thought were casual until you read a fic which contradicted them?

Comments

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

As you know, I'm totally with you on the subby Lister thing. :)

For me though, it's Rimmer's sexuality. I've mentioned it before, but I find it really hard to imagine him as anything other than gay or asexual (and if so, homoromantic). And it simply didn't occur to me that anyone would think otherwise until I came across fic in which he happily is attracted to women. And before anyone mentions him happily being attracted to women in canon, well, no, we see him having SEX with women in canon, and doing a whole lot of what I personally have always seen as obviously "protesting too much". But I won't get into an essay about that here. *looks around* Unless anyone wants me to. :p

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I more or less agree with you regarding Rimmer - I certainly view him as overwhelmingly attracted to men rather than women, but it is canon that he cared for Nirvanah, even if he had to be dragged to her room like a nervous puppy. :p

I can also see a fair amount for evidence for viewing him as asexual and homoromantic. Please do get into an essay about his sexuality if you're so inclined. ;)

[kahvi.livejournal.com]

Well, that's just it - cared for. Of course he cared for her, but I have such a hard time seeing that affection as sexual or romantic. Even if I had seen the character as having any sort of attraction to women.

Not to go off on a tangent - though I suppose it's still perfectly on topic - LONG before I was into slash or even fic; when I first saw that episode as a child, and later as a young teen, the idea that Rimmer would somehow fall in love with Nirvanah that quickly never sat right with me. I distinctly remember being utterly annoyed by the implication. So I think it's clear that it can't be love, though I'm equally certain that someone like Rimmer, so canonically inexperienced and uncertain about his identity on so many levels, and so eager to be normal and conform, might see it that way.

Hee, I'll see what I come up with. :)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

If I've learned anything in 30 years of fandoms, it's that if there's something you can't imagine a character doing, someone else will. That's just the way of humans. ;-)

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

*Buffy quote* "Can she cram complex issues into a nutshell or what?" :D