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Editorial: Affairs with the Master Shipbuilder
One of my biggest pet peeves concerns Titanic fics where Thomas Andrews is involved in a romantic relationship with a female original character. I know you’re wondering why. Well, I’ll let you in on my top reason why: the real Thomas Andrews was married.
Now, I know what you’re going to say – Victor Garber’s Thomas Andrews didn’t wear a wedding band and never mentioned having a wife or child. In fact, I even remember reading or hearing somewhere that Garber’s Andrews wasn’t married (though I can’t tell you where I heard that because I don’t remember). If you look at it all that way, I suppose Thomas Andrews/OC fics are okay. I mean, these stories are supposed to be fics about the movie.
But it still doesn’t sit right with me.
It all feels so wrong, as if writing a fic about TA being with anyone other than his wife Helen is somehow disrespecting his memory, tantamount to having TA have an extramarital affair or something. I just can’t get used to it; I don’t think I’ll ever be completely comfortable with the idea.
There some exceptions, however. There are always exceptions. Whenever I come across a TA romance fic, I always regard it with more skepticism than other stories. But most of the time, I do give them a chance. If the story has some substance, I read it; if it doesn’t, I don’t. It’s as simple as that.
What is substance? 1) A real plot. There’s got to be a point to the story beyond wanting the main OC character to end up with TA. 2) The relationship has to be believable. I absolutely detest stories where TA takes one look at an OC and falls madly in love with her. 3) TA does NOT fall in love with Rose. I HATE those stories. I know there’s a line in the screenplay that says TA falls under Rose’s spell, but that does not mean they’re meant to be together. Rose is not supposed to be with TA – she’s there for either Jack, Cal, or the rarely seen Marty Stu. I can tolerate a creative Rose/Cal story, but please, please spare me from Rose/TA.
Not all TA/OC stories are bad, as I’ve said; but most are. If you decide to go the TA/OC route, treat with care. Please.
Now, I know what you’re going to say – Victor Garber’s Thomas Andrews didn’t wear a wedding band and never mentioned having a wife or child. In fact, I even remember reading or hearing somewhere that Garber’s Andrews wasn’t married (though I can’t tell you where I heard that because I don’t remember). If you look at it all that way, I suppose Thomas Andrews/OC fics are okay. I mean, these stories are supposed to be fics about the movie.
But it still doesn’t sit right with me.
It all feels so wrong, as if writing a fic about TA being with anyone other than his wife Helen is somehow disrespecting his memory, tantamount to having TA have an extramarital affair or something. I just can’t get used to it; I don’t think I’ll ever be completely comfortable with the idea.
There some exceptions, however. There are always exceptions. Whenever I come across a TA romance fic, I always regard it with more skepticism than other stories. But most of the time, I do give them a chance. If the story has some substance, I read it; if it doesn’t, I don’t. It’s as simple as that.
What is substance? 1) A real plot. There’s got to be a point to the story beyond wanting the main OC character to end up with TA. 2) The relationship has to be believable. I absolutely detest stories where TA takes one look at an OC and falls madly in love with her. 3) TA does NOT fall in love with Rose. I HATE those stories. I know there’s a line in the screenplay that says TA falls under Rose’s spell, but that does not mean they’re meant to be together. Rose is not supposed to be with TA – she’s there for either Jack, Cal, or the rarely seen Marty Stu. I can tolerate a creative Rose/Cal story, but please, please spare me from Rose/TA.
Not all TA/OC stories are bad, as I’ve said; but most are. If you decide to go the TA/OC route, treat with care. Please.