Critical Fan Case Studies

About

Critical Fan Case Studies are a series of blogpost-styled analyses into specific aspects of critical fan practices and uptakes. Each can be read as standalone or in tandem with the larger narrative of the dissertation. These short snippets pull together the data, theories, and arguments from across the CFT.

Across these case studies, themes of fans critiquing and resisting systems of power emerge. How do fans critically uptake generic conventions in both mainstream media and fandoms?

Missandei Deserves Better

A screenshot of Game of Thrones, Season 8 (2019). It depicts Missandei before her execution. She is looking down towards the camera, which is angled up to show her and the sky. Her hands are bound in chains.

How did fans take up, or not take up, Missandei's death? How are fans critically challenging white supremacy both in Game of Thrones and the fandom?

Ship is canon!

A screenshot from the final scene of The Legend of Korra. Korra and Asami stand facing each other, holding hands, and gazing into each other's eyes. They are back lit by a yellow spirit portal, which envelops them in a yellow glow.

How did fans uptake Korra and Asami's growing relationship across the seasons? How did critical fans resist normative representations of gender and sexuality?