PoA Shipping (was ... Review - MINOR SPOILERS)

[GulPlum]

At 17:12 02/06/04 , bugaloo37 wrote:

>If the fate of the H/Hr ship depended on one movie, I might agree
>with you, but since it does not, IMO, I think your claim is a little
>presumptious.

The claim wasn't mine, but I'll defend it. I don't normally participate in 
shipping debates because, well, for one thing I'm not really that 
interested (most blokes aren't really into it) and secondly, in the books, 
there are no real indications one way or the other with regard to R/Hr or 
H/Hr (or, at the very least, conflicting signals).

Ships evolve if they are to be realistic. In that sense, one HP book or 
movie certainly isn't enough to indicate one way or another how things are 
going to turn out in the end, which is what we're talking about. The 
movies, on the other hand, and certainly CoS to a small extent, and PoA 
most definitely, aren't hedging their bets at all.

>I have not seen the movie, but I have read many reviews of it.  Some of 
>the reviews I have read, have stated that the R/Hr ship in the movie, is 
>more or less relagated to little more than comic relief-which is all well 
>and good, since these characters are supposed to be only 13 years old.

Not strictly true. The chemistry between the characters (note, I'm not 
talking about the actors!) is not just comic relief at all. The chemistry 
usually *shows* itself in comic ways, but we are clearly meant to see that 
chemistry.

>However, the relationship of Harry and Hermione is shown as being more 
>mature, caring and supportive- a friendship that is growing stronger and 
>closer.

Exactly. The H/Hr (and Hr/H even more so) relationship throughout all three 
movies has been on a straight line showing a deepening friendship, respect 
and trust. Nothing more. The same is NOT true of Hermione and Ron (or 
vice-versa). Hermione and Ron are playful towards and about each other in a 
way that Harmione and Harry are not.

>Speaking only for myself, this H/Hr shipper is glad to know that the H/Hr 
>relationship has not been trivialized as the R/Hr ship, according to the 
>reviews I
>have read here and elsewhere, has.

Neither relationship has been "trivialised". Both relationships are 
*different*, based on a different kind of chemistry between the characters, 
on a different level.

>As for the foreshadowing, does anyone out there really seriously think 
>that the importance of any particular ship is worth foreshadowing?

As I said above, "foreshadowing" isn't a helpful way to look at it. What is 
not only important, but actually a necessity, is to show a realistic 
"evolution". And I for one see the movies showing distinct evolutionary 
paths for these relationships.

>IMO, the media and WB have put a great deal of emphasis on the "shipping" 
>aspects of this movie and only give slight attention to its deeper 
>signifigance as far as Harry is concerned.

The reason the media, etc, have put a great deal of emphasis on this 
subject is because the FANS do! And the media do it to the actors as well 
as the characters. Personally, every time an interviewer asks members of 
the cast if they have girl/boyfriends, I want the reply to be "none of your 
business".

>Again, IMO, this can be seen as a money making ploy and little else. After 
>all,
>how interested would a 12 year old or younger be in Harry's psyche and how 
>its effected with all the new information he gathers in POA?

Most (older) teenagers, never mind 12 year-olds,  aren't really interested 
in analysing that aspect. They are, however, interested in the characters' 
romantic attachments - look at any TV teenage soap opera to see how much 
time is devoted to psychological analysis and how much to romantic 
inter-relationships. So don't blame the media, blame the shallowness of the 
target audience.

As for the movie-makers, they have to satisfy both those with an interest 
in "deeper" aspects of the running plotlines, AS WELL as the romantic 
stuff, which is an integral part of being a teenager. They would be 
irresponsible if they did NOT address this aspect.