The fandom of “Once Upon A Time” is a very unique group of people. Unlike other fandoms, this one has an extremely active online community. We thrive on new interviews, interaction with anyone involved with the show, and of course, filming news and spoilers. It’s exciting to be “in the know” and build up that anticipation. However, the reality is, it comes at a great cost. Surprises don’t have the same impact once it’s spoiled. We are emotional; the entire fandom’s emotions can flip on a dime over the smallest things. We get angry when we find out something we don’t want. Entitlement and status reign supreme when you hold valuable info over others and choose to play them out like chess pieces on a board. The game becomes rigged and the fandom suffers as a result.
Last night, mass hysteria hit social media (mainly Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram) when certain pictures from this upcoming episode leaked. There was also a post that listed a set of demands for a certain couple and tagged some actors, show runners, and even an online producer. I’m happy to say I was separated from the madness because I was watching the premiere of Captain America: Civil War which you should definitely see at some point! When I came back from it, I saw the uproar and a new civil war break out amongst fans. This morning, one actor chose to embrace & tweet out one of the leaked pics. Maybe it was to soften the blow with some humor, I’m not sure. As a courtesy to the fans who are oblivious to the news or fans who do not want to be spoiled, I will refrain from discussing the details of the spoilers. Suffice to say, Sunday is going to be an intense day.
To the account who leaked the photos, I really don’t understand what you were trying to accomplish in doing that. You have robbed fans of surprise and an emotional response to this episode. Those moments have been cheapened and therefore the impact has less weight. You have ignited a new war that may not be stopped until common sense enters fandom which unfortunately is rare.
To the person that posted her list of demands for a couple and tagged various people in it, stop tagging writers, actors, and journalists. Amongst fans, fine. The show is written as it is and there will always be things we want that won’t get touched on. Online communities is where the fan things we want can live & be created, OUTSIDE THE SHOW.We all have our wish lists of things we want but at the end of the day, if we got everything we wanted it still wouldn’t satisfy.
To the fans devastated by the spoilers, I am truly and deeply sorry. It has been speculated for months, but nothing compares to having your nightmares become reality. I’m a fan as well, and it pains me to see the hardcore fans of those characters in pain. Sunday is going to be rough and I will cry along with you. But please, for the love of what this show is rooted on, please don’t lash out to others, including the writers. I know it hurts, but spreading hate is not going to make things any better, only worse.
To the fans who are happy by the spoilers, stop boasting and provoking other fans to wrath. A year ago, you were devastated with finale spoilers that made your hiatus miserable. Now that you are of that, it’s not ok to kick others while their down. And don’t give me that karma excuse. There is no place for that.
Last but not least, to the fandom as a collectively whole, we have become our own worst enemy. What started out as a fun community has turned into a battleground. It shouldn’t be like this, but this is what happens when we obsess over something: we want everything before we can handle it. Things need to happen in its time. Which is why I am personally looking forward to hiatus after I send in my final review of the season. I think we all need time to cool down and reevaluate before jumping back in Season 6, though I imagine many of you are deciding whether to come back at all. I hope no one stops watching this show, but you can if you wish.
This fandom is precious to me. I wouldn’t post this if I didn’t care. I love you all. Spread love. Have hope.
Once Upon A Fandom 