What yesterday taught me…

Silence=acceptance. When you see stuff happen and just stand by the sidelines you’re no better than the people causing trouble. I have a big mouth but will stand behind what I say. Others should try it.

I now have first hand experience to go into my next chapter of Modern Ross/Demelza and their dealing with harassment. It doesn’t have to be sexual; verbal and emotional is just as powerful IF we let it get to us. Those who attack are often insecure in their own world and so find strength in treating others poorly.

This story’s Demelza will take on the Goliath and of not win, at least will weaken them.

I could learn from her.

I’m calling on every Poldark fan who still follows my personal blog to report this person who is harassing Rockgirl and the other trolls to Tumblr. If you don’t say something you are just as guilty as they are for supporting targeted harassment.

I am what I am…

Seems a recent post brought out the dark side of someone. So much so to the point of regurgitating many of my posts, comments, opinions from various social media sites. I could be flattered that they kept track of everything I’ve ever done in a fandom. Or disturbed that they’ve kept track of everything I’ve done in social media. The ultimate attack, as they see it, was to reveal my real name. As I have nothing to hide, I’ve added it to this blog. If people are so interested in who I am, what I think, how I feel, etc. here I am. I won’t hide behind a pseudonym as others do. I will continue to post my writing and anything I feel as that’s what a personal blog is for. Hope my followers continue to do so and those who don’t like me or what I say, continue to scroll by. As for clairexmitchell or whatever other names she goes by on here, I give my thanks. Her words of attack spurred me to this. I have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. I stand by every opinion and thought as they are my own and I’m entitled to them. If she chooses to ridicule me, I can’t stop her. Maybe if others have the strength to stand up to her and others, fandoms would be a more pleasant place. ✌️

Not surprised Claire and her billion sock puppets are on the attack again. To her spies reading this: do know you’re supporting a toxic bully poisoning Poldark and Aidan Turner fandom.

I’m not the divisive one or the evil one for calling her out on her Eleanor Tomlinson haterade. SHE IS.

Cleaning out old FB messages/ conversations I found this from 2016.  A discussion with someone I no longer associate with for some vile comments about Poldark, Aidan and Eleanor. Yet only a few years ago she was a supporter of their friendship and even possibly more.  Oh and wanted to meet me.  How times have changed.  Maybe someone could remind Claire what she used to be like.  

Claire bullied me incessantly and it’s shocking to see that once she was actually nice and sane.

You know what? Fine. I’m done.

Self-righteous arseholes are arseholes.

It’s a blow when someone messes with your head like that. But when you allow someone to get in your head, the self-righteous, sanctimonious twat-waffles of the world win. I know full well it’s easier said than done to not let someone get in your head like that, because I’ve been there. 

Both of you are good writers. No. You’re great writers. 

That self-righteous twat can go hang. 

There is a discussion to be had in this fandom around fandom etiquette, I think. And I plan to instigate it. Because there are some codes of behaviour that fandoms generally have informally adopted in order to maintain harmonious communities, and this commmunity is often far from harmonious.

I find it laughable that this thread on Poldark Fandom Etiquette involves the VERY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HARASSED AND BULLIED ME ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND TUMBLR. 

I know my opinions on the show and the books are controversial, but the following people used personal insults and other underhanded methods to ensure that my dissenting opinion was mocked and silenced. These people bullied me for being a feminist who thought Ross is a rapist. They bully anyone who openly criticizes Ross’ character or the fandom’s excessive hero worship of Aidan Turner. They bullied me for defending my friends who also had dissenting opinions. They mocked me for supporting Hugh Armitage and shipping Hugh/Demelza.  They bulled the Eleanor Tomlinson fans. They bulled the Aidan/Eleanor shippers just for having a conflicting fantasy. There were people in this fandom considered “acceptable targets” because they didn’t fall in line with the group think. 

I’m naming names right the hell now. No hiding behind anons. And no one is going to like it because they’re some of the most popular people in this fandom. If you’ve never had an issue with them it’s because you agree with them. Try not agreeing with them and see what that gets you.: 

@mmmuses

@prairiechzhead

@xenalucy1/@clairexmitchell

Pot-kettle-Black

Love it when people who have consistently dished out criticism, unsolicited opinions and general advice are then on the receiving end of it and don’t like how it feels. They hide behind poor me and being a victim and blame their lack of confidence on others. Took me a long time to realize that the help being offered was actually an attempt to control. When I stepped out from that and found my voice, all of a sudden I was a bitch. But I’ve thrived. Even with criticism and pointed arguments. Some however are so used to being coddled and stroked that when the opposite happens they don’t know how to handle it. The person whose opinion sent them into a tailspin is mean and now the recipient is wounded for life. Guess what? The world is not made of rainbows and unicorns. It’s made up a sometimes harsh realities that we may not be used to but should learn to deal with.

And throwing shade against others under pseudonyms or under the pretense of protecting a friend is cowardice.

You’ve been called out to face some truths for the first time. It’s not pretty is it?

Welcome to the real world.

That anon on Ao3 was slightly rude but I understand where they were coming from.   

Poldark fandom has a serious problem when it comes to how fans in general handle opposing views. This is especially the case any arguments where modern sociology, politics, or in the anon’s case feminism come into play. Poldark fans often do everything except admitting that the person who is in dissent may have a valid point. They enforce groupthink through many measures, then react badly when independent thinkers challenge the agenda. Fans bully and get their friends to harass fans they don’t like. Fans ban dissenters from groups. They use the mute/block button to shut down discussion. People get their friends with anons/sockpuppet accounts to attack the dissenters. Fans gaslight and lie when they need to cover up for someone calling out their group think/views they find offensive. These same bullies pretend to be victims and attack and the cycle continues. 

As for the fic itself, I am also concerned that those defending it are openly supporting problematic ideas disguised as personal/creative opinion. Several scenes were treating Caroline and Demelza like second class citizens to satisfy the hot guys Ross and Dwight. Fantasies are the point of fanfiction, but this one and many others in the fandom rub me the wrong way often. They turn the show and the books from an exploration and questioning of the patriarchy into open support of women subjugating themselves to the desires of a man (and vice versa). One flaw I can find in the anon’s comments is that they forgot to mention how Ross and Dwight are also objectified in ways that are quite problematic as well. The male characters also read like pawns for lust. 

This anon’s comment should have resulted in a discussion about these issues but all I’m seeing from the same people who are enforcing group think in this fandom and shutting down the debates is more of the same behavior. 

The Four Swans, Book One, Chapter 7

When he drew near the house he thought he remembered seeing the roan horse once before – last week – and he was correct. As he went in Lieutenant Armitage rose. ‘Why, Ross, I hoped to see you but feared I would not. I must leave shortly.’ They shook hands and made polite conversation. Demelza, looking slightly flushed – a circumstance so rare that Ross couldn’t fail to notice it… They went chatting to the door, examined again the fleshy, dark green, heavy-leafed plant standing in its cloam pot beside the step, admired his horse, promised they would come and see him some time when he could get his uncle free of this election nonsense, watched him mount and clatter over the bridge and wave at a turn of the valley. … As they went into the parlour Ross said: ‘Does he touch you, my love?’ She half glanced up at him, with a glint of embarrassment. ‘Yes …’ ‘Deeply?’ ‘A little. His eyes are so dark and sad.’ ‘They light up when they look at you.’ ‘I know.’ ‘So long as your eyes don’t light up when you look at him.’ She said: ‘Who were those people he mentioned? Heloise, was it? Isolde?’ ‘Legendary lovers. Tristan and Isolde I know. I can’t remember who loved Heloise. Was it Abelard? My education was more practical than classical.’ ‘He lives in dreams,’ Demelza said. ‘Yet he isn’t a dream. He’s very real.’ ‘I rely on your wonderful common sense always to remember that.’

Lego Poet Laureate Hugh is the cutest!!!!

Poldark Podcast – Episode 3.09 Recording Prep

Aaaaaaaand that’s a wrap for series 3 of Poldark! 

The show ended only a few moments ago and we’re already getting things ready for this week’s recording – join us, won’t you?

We will have discussion questions as part of our weekly podcasts and would love to get your thoughts on them after you’ve seen the show. They are:

Send us your response via the inbox (text space limited) or reblog this post, making sure to tag it #poldarkpodcast by midnight, Tuesday, August 8, 2017. Don’t know when that is? Here’s a countdown timer for you!

Looking forward to hearing from you! @britishlyso  @princessofpoldark  & @poldarkmmmuses  

I’m warning y’all certain people probably shouldn’t read this. :)

Poldark Podcast – Episode 3.05 Recording Prep

OK, NOW we’re at the midway point for series 3 of Poldark! The show ended only a few moments ago and we’re already getting things ready for this week’s recording – join us, won’t you?

We will have discussion questions as part of our weekly podcasts and would love to get your thoughts on them after you’ve seen the show. They are:

Send us your response via the inbox (text space limited) or reblog this post, making sure to tag it #poldarkpodcast by midnight, Tuesday, July 11, 2017.

Looking forward to hearing from you! @britishlyso @princessofpoldark & @poldarkmmmuses

What did you think of this week’s episode? I loved it for making me cry, get super nervous, and laugh all in 1 hour and sometimes at the same time! SCENE Your favourite? Why? Ross' hallucination on the boat and the prison break sequence. I ADORED Demelza's voiceover calling Ross a vainglorious man because it was a pinch of Ragemelza returning. It was also a brilliant call back to Demelza's nightmare sequence in S1. Least favourite? Why? Morwenna breaking it off with Drake. Both of their reactions seemed off to me. I don’t think this season has gone into enough depth with their characters. CHARACTER Favourite new character? Why? Not new but Hugh Armitage!!!! He’s even sexier with the prison grime off of him. And his flirting with Demelza was super adorable. :) Least favourite new character? Why? Not really a new character but Ossie a.k.a. Reverend Creepworth. I can smell his sweaty forehead from here! What made you cheer? Caroline and Dwight’s reunion!!!!! A lovely mix of poignant and adorable. What made you want to throw things at the television/computer screen? When George class shamed and slutshamed Demelza at the ball. I get enraged every time any character insults Demelza with where he came from. What was your performance of the week? John Hollingworth for making us all ugly cry! Most favourite memory of Captain Henshawe #RIPHenshawe I want to say all of them but I especially adore Henshawe in S1 for standing by Ross when the mine was sure to fail. Any other observations you wish to share with us! I am absolutely enraged at Poldark fandom’s negative reaction to Hugh Armitage last night. I adore him even more now and I am ready to defend him against the entire fandom.

Poldark Podcast – Episode 3.04 Recording Prep

We’re at the midway point for series 3 of Poldark! The show ended only a few moments ago and we’re already getting things ready for this week’s recording – join us, won’t you? 

We will have discussion questions as part of our weekly podcasts and would love to get your thoughts on them after you’ve seen the show. They are:

Send us your response via the inbox (text space limited) or reblog this post, making sure to tag it #poldarkpodcast by midnight, Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

Looking forward to hearing from you! @britishlyso @princessofpoldark & @poldarkmmmuses

What did you think of this week’s episode? Another home run!! I actually stopped hating Ross for an entire hour and I don't know how to feel about that! SCENE Your favourite? Why? George Doucheleggan getting trolled by Ross when he came to arrest the "smugglers". He looked like Anger from Inside Out!! Least favourite? Why? I actually have two. First, the scene where Ross and the Carnes were giving out bread. Sam specifically went too far into Cardboard Bible Thumper which is too far from the books from even my lax with the novels point of view. Secondly, Demelza telling Morwenna that she can't hope for a life with Drake sounds hypocritical because the show removed some of the context of the times and Drake's character. The man imparts class and status and Drake doesn't have any money since we don't even see him mining. CHARACTER Favourite new character? Why? Clowance! She's Ross' little Princess! Least favourite new character? Why? Ossie Rapeworth. He's sweaty, he's creepy, and worst of all George knows it and tolerates him for more political connections. What made you cheer? Caroline and Demelza convincing the rich to pay for the grain for the needy. What made you want to throw things at the television/computer screen? Literally every Rapeworth scene. I want throw the demon in a vat of acid or a bonfire! What was your performance of the week? It's a tie between Christian Bassington for making us all want to hurl and Luke Norris for making us cry over Dwight in prison. Any other observations you wish to share with us! I find it interesting that we're seeing only Prudie helping Demelza around Nampara. Will they hire more people as a way to help the poor?

Poldark Podcast – Episode 3.03 Recording Prep

Episode 3.03 finished up about forty minutes ago and we’ve been burning up the DMs yammering about it. It’s time to get your thoughts and questions in for this week’s podcast recording!

We will have discussion questions as part of our weekly podcasts and would love to get your thoughts on them after you’ve seen the show. They are:

Send us your response via the inbox (text space limited) or reblog this post, making sure to tag it #poldarkpodcast by midnight, Tuesday, June 27, 2017.

Looking forward to hearing from you! @britishlyso @princessofpoldark & @poldarkmmmuses

In Defense of Sam Carne

I originally posted this analysis on Facebook since it’s not Poldark Costuming Project related, but I think it’s something people on Tumblr could like, so here it is. There’s some vague Spoilers but moreso for the books: 

A lot of the people who criticize Sam Carne as a “annoying evangelist” are missing the point in ALL versions of the story. Our modern ideas about religion and atheism really need to be set aside to understand what Winston Graham was doing here. The new season’s changes so far have kept Sam’s character as a man of deep faith. Graham was setting up another one of his parallel plot with Sam Carne. He is to church corruption and inequality is what Ross is to political/economic corruption.

The Anglican Church at this time in history was a dumping ground for the second and third sons of the gentry who couldn’t inherit the estate. You had to have education in order to even be CONSIDERED for a position in the Church. And church vacancies were purchased from politicians. A devout man without the means for paying for training was already out of contention. Remember, there’s no such thing as free education or scholarships for poor students with merit. The result of this system was that it echoed political corruption. These men didn’t have true religious devotion. For every Canon Sidney Chambers (yes this is a Grantchester reference) and Reverend Odgers who took their faith and their jobs at least somewhat seriously, there were 25 Reverend Whitworth’s. The Church gave them prestige, paycheck and free rent. Although Whitworth is an extreme, there were very many hypocrites like him. And the church pews were filled with people like George Warleggan, who is clearly too greedy as hell to be a good “Christian”. These Church leaders treated the poor with contempt and didn’t attempt to build community and faith. Many were committing a wide varsity of sins undercover and yet going to the pulpit every Sunday. 

The Methodist movement rejected Anglican hierarchy and focused on one’s relationship with God. Preachers consisted of ordinary people like Sam Carne who truly tried to live life according to the Bible. The Methodist message of equality of faith regardless of income level was highly appealing to the miners. Yes there was an emphasis on evangelism, but the bigger point is that the Methodists weren’t treating the poor one way and the rich another. No one was getting rich off having a Methodist leadership position. The people in charge were working for their fellow man and not out for worldly profit. The movement had a huge impact on the history of Cornwall, which Sam Carne represents. 

Although the new series has switched the timeline of events, Ross’ transition from being a rebel against the system to to a political figure who wants reform is quite similar to Sam’s situation. The magistrate position he turned down in the last episode was used to abuse the poor. Magistrates often gave the poor very harsh sentences for minor offenses or sentences of transportation of the colonies. Jim Carter all the way back in Season 1 is a great example of this. He was essentially jailed because he stole a food item for people who were going hungry. The justice system essentially blamed the poor for poverty or the results of poverty. Ross on the other hand most likely got off on his charges because he was a man of importance. There were also cases of rich people bribing judges for favorable outcomes. The members of Parliament at the time only represented the rich landlords since the common people couldn’t vote. Many people brought their seats or rigged elections. Think back to Unwin Trevaunance’s election in Season 2. For the book readers, you can also think about what George does to pursue more political power. The French Revolution and the growing abolitionist movement highlighted the massive gap between the haves and the have nots in England. Just as how the Anglican Church treated people unequally based on how much cash they had, the government did the same. 

There will be more developments this season with Sam Carne, but I do expect that we will see him as more than a “bible thumper”. He’s staging a rebellion against classism in religion and hypocrisy. 

^^ all of this.

And the reference to Osborne is important, because Osborne becomes a secondary character much like Sam, and the contrast between the two is stark and brutal. Like the contrasts between Demelza and Elizabeth, Ross and Francis, Ross and George, Sam and Osborne are placed deliberately in the same space of the narrative to really emphasise the difference between religion as a career and religion as a sincere, guiding belief.

Don’t forget, too, that Odgers isn’t actually a vicar: he’s a curate. That is, he is essentially subcontracted by a vicar to hold services in the vicar’s absence - because vicars were frequently in charge of several churches, and gained an income from each, even though they might only preach in one of those churches two or three times a year. The devout curate does the hard work, but can’t afford to educate himself and rise to be vicar; the educated vicar can hold several churches and profit from them without needing to stir from his ‘home’ parish. Thus one has a career, and the other merely a job.

Thanks for this extra info! I forgot that Osborne is a curate. Following the Grantchester example he’s essentially Leonard. Except Leonard’s “sin” doesn’t involve rape or abuse. And Sidney is far more involved in the church.

The vicar-curate system especially back in the day was another way to further the class divide. Often the curates were stuck dealing with the “poor” while the vicars dealt with the rich folks. Or those who were just phoning it in stayed in one place while the poor curates did all the work for less pay. And it’s obvious Whitworth is an ineffective curate. He’s just there because it’s a paycheck.

Poldark Podcast – Episode 3.02 Recording Prep

Episode 3.02 is in the bag – time to get your thoughts and questions in for this week’s podcast recording! 

We will have discussion questions as part of our weekly podcasts and would love to get your thoughts on them after you’ve seen the show. They are:

Send us your response via the inbox (text space limited) or reblog this post, making sure to tag it #poldarkpodcast by midnight, Tuesday, June 20th Pacific Time.

Looking forward to hearing from you! @britishlyso @princessofpoldark & @poldarkmmmuses

Poldark Podcast Season Three

We are mere hours away from the premiere of Poldark series three and are very excited to once again start our recap podcasts! Be sure to subscribe to your podcast service of choice so you don’t miss a single moment. Our goal is to have them published by Thursday each week.

We will have discussion questions as part of our weekly podcasts and would love to get your thoughts on them after you’ve seen the show. They are:

Send us your response via the inbox (text space limited) or reblog this post, making sure to tag it #poldarkpodcast.

Looking forward to hearing from you! @britishlyso @princessofpoldark & @poldarkmmmuses