Levels of canon (heavy on the Homicide/L&O/Bab5 references)

[kellinator]

Last night TNT was again airing the first Law and Order/Homicide crossover, Charm City/For God and Country, and it hit me at some point near the end: I am convinced that at some point during that crossover Tim Bayliss and Claire Kincaid got it on. Or at least made out passionately in the alley behind the Waterfront.

It got me thinking about the different levels of canon and subtext which relate to interpersonal relationships between characters. They don't have to mean sex but they usually do because what's the big deal about showing two characters are buddies? Shows will usually come out and show that. There are a few types:

• Official Canon: It happened onscreen and there's no denying it. Example: Sheridan and Delynn, Falsone and Ballard *retch*. Personally, I think people are least interested in these because it happened, we know it happened, reading between the lines is much more interesting. (Note: I am still only halfway done with Babylon 5. If you spoil me, I will gut you.)
• Semi-Official Canon: You thought you could read it between the lines, and then one of the head honchos confirmed it in an interview. Examples: Jack and Claire, Susan and Talia, Tim's love for Frank
• Official-in-My-Head Canon: You think you can read it between the lines, nobody's made it official but you're still convinced. Examples: the above-mentioned Tim and Claire, Munch and Kay (at least on his side), Alex and Olivia
• Because-I-Said-So Canon: There's absolutely no evidence, but that's not stopping you. Examples: Most slash, almost anything edie22 writes, anything I write in which Munch and Kay are actually having sex.

So, what are your favorites in the last three categories?

Comments

[noir-moll.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, apparently Jill Hennessey didn't they ever did it either.

I think the story is that Jill played the situation like they didn't and Sam played the situation like they did. Anyway, in his big-ass coffee table book, His Highness, King Wolf confirmed Jack and Claire had an affair.

I am convinced that at some point during that crossover Tim Bayliss and Claire Kincaid got it on.

Oh, they so did it. There was entirely too much sparkage between them to let it all go to waste.

So, what are your favorites in the last three categories?

Hee. You asked for it. Actually, I'll cover all four categories.

Official Canon: Cassidy and Benson. OK, this one is weird and bears some explanation. Cassidy was the wet-behind-the-ears character on SVU. I think he was meant to be the audience's representation. He was definitely my representation in "Closure". Brian was never a favorite of mine, but my heart broke right along with his when Olivia made it clear she wasn't interested in pursuing a relationship. Dean's hurt puppy look said it all. Given that, I'm glad the tryst never went anywhere. Even though I felt bad for Brian, it was interesting to see the woman being the love 'em-and-leave 'em type.

Semi-Official Canon: Tim's love for Frank is a favorite of mine, too. I love Bayliss and I'm in awe of Pembleton and I loved their partnership, so it just makes sense to me.

Official-In-My-Head-Canon: This is too, too obvious: Alex and Olivia. I worshiped Cabot from the first episode I saw her in, although, I must admit I didn't buy into the A/O 'ship 100% until "Loss." I was a hopeless convert after that and started looking for the least little sign of HoYay during all the reruns. It's amazing how much of it there is if you look hard enough.

Because-I-Said-So Canon: Stabler and Cabot. I loved, loved, loved the antagonism that occurred between them early on. Those shouting matches were so hot. Plus, I got this stubborn idea in my head that Elliot and Alex possibly had a one-night stand after "Execution". And, even if they didn't, I still say those two had UST to burn.

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

Oh... wow. I had never thought of Stabler and Cabot, and though I get totally annoyed with the teenyboppers at Fanfiction.net who are totally obsessed with Stabler divorcing his wife and getting with Benson, Stabler and Cabot has possibilities in a really dark and twisted way... Dammit, I never write smut, and thanks to you, I'm thinking about writing kinky smut!! My reputation will be ruined...

And yeah, totally with you on the gender role-reversal with Olivia and Cassidy.

[noir-moll.livejournal.com]

Word on the teenyboppers at ff.net comment. I can't get behind E/O to begin with; and, the way most of it is presented over there is heinously wrong. When I consider Stabler and Cabot, their chemistry is the complete opposite of that gooey romantic stuff that pervades E/O fic. It's all about the adversarial tension. In my opinion, outside of hot, cathartic sexual encounters, Alex and Elliot are pretty incompatible relationship-wise; they'd drive each other crazy. Although, I actually think Alex would be difficult with anybody and that includes Olivia. But I digress...

I would be pleased as punch if you took a stab at some kinky A/E smut.