Hi Moscow Watcher, I think it's great that you contacted Scott Allie directly and I hope his direct responses helped calm some of your worries about Spike's potential treatment over at Dark Horse.
I feel a bit infamous myself for being the one who started the "I Support Scott Allie" thread (angearia aka Emmie from SlayAlive), but I just wanted to respond since you mentioned us in your letter to Scott.
I don't want to give ammunition to forum members who declared themselves your supporters and who now defend your position by calling Spike rapist and murderer.
One member did call Spike a "rapist-killing vampire", but that post was immediately followed by other members in defense of Spike and his path to redemption. The belief that Spike is a rapist-murderer was not the point of the "I Support Scott Allie" thread, but rather people wishing to show they respect the integrity of Scott's position and his professionalism. This support is not a specific endorsement of his opinions about the characters, but that he has the right to his opinion and the belief that his professionalism keeps him from abusing the character's development. Whatever that opinion may be. Sadly, it appears this message was not made clear enough in the thread.
I think your writing to Scott Allie directly was the best possible way to approach this situation. From the horse's mouth. And that is really what I found upsetting with the "infamous thread" - that some unflattering and insulting personal speculation was taking place without any real evidence. And it had an unfortunate negative spiral that was unattractive on both sides of the argument.
I don't mean to steal your thunder, but I do want to reach out to say that I hope the "Support" thread isn't seen or interpreted as a divisive fandom agent - I didn't intend it as such, but rather a positive show of support and respect. I wish you the best and I hope you will still visit SlayAlive.
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Date: 2008-06-13 11:22 am (UTC)I feel a bit infamous myself for being the one who started the "I Support Scott Allie" thread (angearia aka Emmie from SlayAlive), but I just wanted to respond since you mentioned us in your letter to Scott.
I don't want to give ammunition to forum members who declared themselves your supporters and who now defend your position by calling Spike rapist and murderer.
One member did call Spike a "rapist-killing vampire", but that post was immediately followed by other members in defense of Spike and his path to redemption. The belief that Spike is a rapist-murderer was not the point of the "I Support Scott Allie" thread, but rather people wishing to show they respect the integrity of Scott's position and his professionalism. This support is not a specific endorsement of his opinions about the characters, but that he has the right to his opinion and the belief that his professionalism keeps him from abusing the character's development. Whatever that opinion may be. Sadly, it appears this message was not made clear enough in the thread.
I think your writing to Scott Allie directly was the best possible way to approach this situation. From the horse's mouth. And that is really what I found upsetting with the "infamous thread" - that some unflattering and insulting personal speculation was taking place without any real evidence. And it had an unfortunate negative spiral that was unattractive on both sides of the argument.
I don't mean to steal your thunder, but I do want to reach out to say that I hope the "Support" thread isn't seen or interpreted as a divisive fandom agent - I didn't intend it as such, but rather a positive show of support and respect. I wish you the best and I hope you will still visit SlayAlive.