Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Love Lobos

Heavens, I seem to have angered a whole lesbian fandom inadvertently. And one that I like a lot, at that. So yesterday, when I tweeted my surprise at Isabel & Cristina of the Spanish series “Tierra de lobos” leading the AfterEllen.com Cutest TV Couple of 2011 over Brittany & Santana of “Glee,” I did so with honest surprise. But there was no judgment, other than to say, you know, wow. And, yes, I voted for Brittana because they are one of my original ships. I really wasn’t much of a shipper before they came along, to be honest. I mean, maybe Mulder & Scully and Willow & Tara and the requisite Tina & Bette (and sundry other “The L Word” ships to a lesser degree). But otherwise, I was still a fairly passive TV watcher devoid of very strong shipper feelings. And then, bam, cheerleaders who scissor came along. So, you know, you always respect the first who made you start acting like a crazy person and entering the fandom in a big way.

So, hence, I expressed what I thought was playful surprise at the poll results so far. Thing is, “Tierra de Lobos” is a European show shot in Spanish and AE is (while it reaches a vast international audience) a U.S.-based site written in English. Anyway, that’s a long way of saying that my surprise does not mean I don’t have respect for the Isabel & Cristina (or Crisabel, ‘cause we’re all shippers here) storyline and fans. Quite the contrary. And when I tweeted, “Way to represent, Spain.” I meant, seriously, way to represent. It’s no small feat for a relatively small international show to overtake a crazy publicity snowball like “Glee.”

Again, no offense to the lovely Crisabel fans out there. Now that I’m neck-deep in shipper waters, I have to say I really root for all lesbian fandoms – actual and subtextual. And I don’t entirely understand the mentality of fandoms fighting against each other. I want all the ships to do well because more lesbian representation on TV, in all its forms, is a good thing. I also think finding subtext is just good fun, a way to help gay up the world just to our liking. And while I have my personal favorites, that certainly does not negate your favorites. Nor do I want to denigrate one fandom to pump up another. I mean, I don’t even really talk smack about Dyson from “Lost Girl.” Though I will talk smack about Finn Hudson. Oh, yes, I certainly will.

As for Crisabel, I flipped for them the moment Isabel looked through that doorway and couldn’t take her eyes off Cristina bathing as light streamed gently in over her body. (p.s. How beautifully lit is that show? So beautifully lit.) And I swooned when they finally kissed, like for real and not a make-believe neck nuzzle. And now that I’m all caught up through the betrayal, hurt, discovery, convents, S&M nuns, rescues and reunions, I have to say it is one hell of a ship. And the actresses who play Isabel & Cristina (Adriana Torrebejano and Berta Hernández, respectively) could not be more gorgeous and gorgeous together. Also, God bless that show for always finding a convenient way to get all of its gorgeous ladies to strip down to their petticoats – for the plot, of course.

If you want to catch up, here are the first few key Crisabel encounters, and then you can follow along from episode 2X07 up through 2X12 yourself here with English subtitles. (p.s. There be actual boobies ahead. And ladies kissing. Yay!)


So, no, they were not my vote for Cutest TV Couple this time. But, man, are they every something. And, because no proper fandom discussion would be complete without a proper fanvid, enjoy.



Te quiero, Crisabel fans. Te quiero. Las quiero, Crisabel fans. Las quiero. (Clearly, I do not speak Spanish and the language barrier is half the battle.)

38 comments:

Althena said...

Oh Snarker, what would be do without u? Your writing is like, oh wow, u know.
P.S
I doubt if I'll be the first (but hopefully the last) to ask this: Marry me?
We'd swim naked in uncluttered beaches, dine on fresh african fruits & stare at gorgeous sunsets while scouting fanvids. Bliss huh?

Florence said...

Really, Crisabel is leading the poll on AE? Wow that's awesome.
I'm full of European pride right now that such a small Spanish show can "defeat" Brittana. And yes shipper wars can be very intense and ridiculous. Like you said,the more lesbian couples on TV, the better for our representation.
But still: Crisabel es una magnifica pareja.

Simone said...

I feel ashamed for my fandom (Crisabel 100%) that you had to practically write an essay to apologize for something so meek.
I have been shaking my head ALL DAY at the personal attacks just because you *GASP* dare to have a personal preference!!!
noshedidn't!!!*

I don't even know who you are really (sorry lol) but I am truly sorry that anyone in any fandom -no scratch that- that anyone could be so belligerent and obnoxious over a tweet no less.
*endless facepalm*

You didn't offend all of us sweetums :)

CharmedLassie said...

I only discovered Isabel and Cristina two weeks ago but they've quickly overtaken everyone else for me at the moment. Doesn't matter that it's subtitled, the chemistry just sets the screen on fire.

Kim M said...

Ok..I must say I find all of these so called shipping wars to be rediculous and very petty. Instead of embracing everything lesbian, we are arguing over "Our" favourites...really? It's a sad, sad state of affairs when you have to worry about mentioning who you like most without having tons of crap laid on your shoulder. I was a lover of Brittana before they were even named Brittana. And if I have to worry about saying it...well that is just B.S. I also love Doccubus and many more but I will not argue the point nor get offended if someone does not feel as I do. It seems like fandom has turned into a Tiger Beat(does tat magasine till exsist?)article about Beiber,or which couple teens prefer in the Twilight series. Rediculous and juvenile.It seems to me it is time to grow up a little and let shippers ship who the hell they want to...PEACE

Pamilla Ore said...

I agree. I mean as in kuddos to anything actually being able to best Glee which seems like a pretty big thing. I too love the Crisabel ship even though it is only a recent thing. It is one interesting point though that when we take something like Lobos or even my favourite Lost Girl we do not need to "fanatise" the blanks in as compared to Glee. Maybe it is a testament to American television networks. Um, sorry about the tangent but I liked what you had to say.

JJ said...

Watched the clips on here and I have to say, I've never so desperately wanted to learn another language as I do right now! Damn my anglophonism!

Anonymous said...

Well that is just stupid that people would jump down your throat over a dumb poll.

Mac said...

Thank you for this, Ms. Snarker. Personally, I didn't find your tweets towards Crisabel fans offensive at all (I'm one myself!). This is an opinion poll, not a battleground. Why the hate when you manage to be respectful, classy AND give us gorgeous, scantily clad/nude women in this post? Bless your heart, you do that every week.

You've always shown respect and adoration for any well-written, well-acted characters that positively and realistically represent our community. Keep doing what you're doing and may all ships, either in main-text or sub-text, sail well.

Big Shamu said...

....what???.....

Anonymous said...

those tdl writers know just what to do

Shasta said...

Oh wow, I totally need to find this show! Pretty ladies in old-timey clothes who stare longingly and kiss each other? Yahoo!

Anonymous said...

I too, think its silly that people got all up in arms about your tweet Snarker. Nothing offensive about it. Peeps get all up tight about their ships though, sheesh. ;) I'm in the US, but have followed this relationship on YouTube (I love technology) and its a beautiful story. The two actresses are amazing in it. New episode airs tomorrow. Yay for updates! But I am also super! impressed that, like you said, for AE being based in the US that a Spanish speaking soap has such a following on it. Crazy. But hey, good for us lesbians. :D Represent!

Holly said...

I am in neither camp in the Brittana v. Crisabel battle, but I'm all for conviviality and good manners. So, in that spirit of paz y amistad, I offer a little correction of your Spanish: you do not want "te quiero" (which is singular you, i.e. one person), but rather "las quiero" (Latin America) or "os quiero" (Spain) in which "las" or "os" refers to "all you Crisabel-loving ladies".

Melinda said...

I'm neutral myself, but I think it's amazing that we can even have shipper wars. When I was just a young sprout, the only TV representation we had was Martina Navritilova's tennis matches. And finding decent LGBT-themed movies in video rental stores was a huge struggle. (The Blockbuster near my home straight up refused to carry LGBT titles.) So, I hope all the ships keep sailing. I'm really loving all the representation.

TheWeyrd1 said...

I do love most of the ships going on... Even the totally gay but not gay ships...heh. But omg, the Crisabel ship I wanna ride! So to that end this is a much better YouTube channel for all the back story of Isabel (and it's VERY worth it): http://www.youtube.com/user/NosotrasG

Jay said...

uh... is this a lesbian ship we're talking about or the justin beiber-ites. Yikes. When the heck did this happen?

Anonymous said...

Sanity prevails!!! :D

I am relieved to see that you are over that nasty (not to mention havoc wreaking!) little infection of yours Snarks darling!

Althena to everyone’s favourite ‘lesbian lothario’: “Marry me?”

How sweet! Darling, do get in touch if you would like some tips as to how you should set about cracking that charming but notoriously stubborn exotic wee coconut! :D (I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; I am a SUCKER for romance!) I say though, you do seem to making a fair stab at it all on your own! :D

“Really, Crisabel is leading the poll on AE? Wow that's awesome.”

Darling, they are up to 31%! Damn those Spaniards; is it not enough for them to conquer all comers at the football?! Must they also conquer all comers at the lesbianism too?! What am I saying?! Olé! :D

Oh, do I love a good clean fight, don’t you darlings?! We British adore sporting contests. The more gladiatorial the better! We are also suckers for the underdog. I can honestly say without fear of contradiction, that I have never met two more desirable underdogs in my entire life! Woof!!! :D *Cough ahem* Crashing on!

“Ok..I must say I find all of these so called shipping wars to be rediculous and very petty.”

And yet, -as I am discovering- they are so much fun are they not?! So much fun! Darling, you are taking it all far too seriously! There is a whole lot of fun to be had out of all this, and so far as I am concerned at least, there is nothing whatsoever petty about it! (Caveat: it might well get petty (not to say a little violent!) should I ever happen upon that rogue Murphy in some dark alleyway or other and I happened to have my cricket bat to hand! Oh what I wouldn’t give for a chance to wipe that smug- *Cough ahem* Crashing on!)

“I too, think its silly that people got all up in arms about your tweet Snarker. Nothing offensive about it.”

Of course there was nothing offensive about it! No, it was just that poor Snarks (no doubt at the mercy of her medication!) did something that given her links to AE was, how should one put it? ‘A teeniest bit unprofessional’? It is all very well stating ones preference, but attempting to rally troops behind your chosen candidates when you have intimate links (oooer! :) ) to the organisation that is running the poll? A clear case of conflict of interest? If not a clear case, then something approaching one surely? Anyway yes, it is all rather silly and dear Snarks has more than made amends.

Hasta la vista darlings!

PD

PS May the best couple win!

PPS “PD, you wouldn’t happen to have some money wagered on this would you?” Um… Maybe…? :D

Lau said...

I'm spanish and i don't watch "Tierra de Lobos". Should i be ashamed? Maybe... But i don't usually watch spanish tv shows although i do follow Dorothy S and thanks to her i've found this show and now i'm catching up and loving Crisabel.
I just wanna say that I completely understand Dorothy's surprise yesterday after seeing the poll results. As much as i was! I mean, come on, a spanish show beating "Glee"?! Cool, but totally shocking! Glee is huge!! But i guess so is the international lesbian community so even cooler for us! :)
And Dorothy, u absolutely don't need to apologize, i'm with you here... and everywhere!

Anonymous said...

People will miss out on the beauty of this storyline if they don't watch Isabel's story from the beginning. I would argue the story is really Isabel's -- her realization that she is gay, her sexual awakening and then falling for Cristina. So, I urge everyone to instead watch on this YouTube channel for Isabel's full journey. That's what makes the story, for me: http://www.youtube.com/user/NosotrasG#p/c/21884F05D0EBA599

Anonymous said...

BTW, I'm not into shipper wars. But I'm more worried that lesbians think Glee deserves any kind of accolades for their horrible, double standard non-treatment of Santana's sexuality and refusal to take Brittany and Santana seriously as a couple. I truly have found Glee's treatment of Santana and women offensive, personally. I don't understand shipping that much, to be honest. Glee -- the show and writers -- is what I have a problem with and I wish AfterEllen would be willing to criticize it a bit more. If people don't like Tierra de Lobos, that's really not my business or concern (although I honestly think if those who haven't seen it watched Isabel's story all the way through, they'd love it). I think any bad feelings I've had about the poll is strong reluctance as a lesbian to praise Glee, nothing to do with any pairings. But I appreciate your post and clarification, Dorothy!

Again, I encourage everyone to watch Isabel's story pre-Crisabel too. How can you not root for Isabel after seeing this? All videos are here: http://www.youtube.com/user/NosotrasG

Anonymous said...

And last comment, I do think Santana and Brittany are a very cute couple... or they would be. I guess I "shipped" them in that I was really pulling for them to be together. But I've given up on Ryan Murphy and his crackerjack team of idiots. So in short, I don't blame anyone for their Brittana love! I am on board! I love both Crisabel and Brittana.

Casquita de Sueltos said...

I won't speak for anyone else, but the problem I had with your tweet last night wasn't related to the "Way to represent" comment, but rather to the feeling that you were openly taking sides while claiming not to do so. It wasn't just a question of saying who you voted for but you especifically encouraged the "Brittana Army" to respond and, knowing how devoted that fanbase is, it certainly looked like you wanted them to turn the poll in their favour.

And while that's certainly your prerrogative, I can't help the feeling that promoting Brittana is supporting blatant discrimination and double standars and that the more "the best/cutest/most wonderful lesbian couple" polls they win the less incentive Murphy and Co. will have to change their tune and try to portray them as an actual couple, one that acts like a couple onscreen.

I don't want shipper wars, at all, but the Brittana fandom tends to devour everything else when they put their mind to it. For once, something different was getting recognition and your tweet seemed to imply it shouldn't be let to. Maybe not what you meant, but that's how it looked like from my corner. Above everything else, it was disappointing.

notafanuntil said...

@Simone

Please do the Crisabel fandom a favour and speak for yourself. Because now you've written this, we, the non-obnoxious and non-belligerent fans of Crisabel, have ended up feeling ashamed for you.

egghead said...

Oy vey, Isabella. I am afraid she is one of those that resembles my first love - the one I will never forget - I was imprinted and a "goner" I was, and forever will be. So natch, I was quite drawn into the Crisabel utuber this A.M.
(Damn those freaky witchy sadistic nuns! Filthy closet Queens. I've never approved of your fashion sense.)

Don't feel bad Ms. Snarker, or is it Ms. Dorothy, ( I forgot) I think we know where your heart is.

In the meantime, total transalantic (hands across the water) solidarity with the Spain. :)

Now back to Crisabellla!

This is why I like coming here, I learn something new everytime.

egghead said...

Also there . . .

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all sweet, sweet lesbiana!

Anonymous said...

I don't think crisabel fans have anything to fear from the brittana fans right now. The whole fandom is pretty much shell shocked and disillusioned by the shoddy treatment from murphy and his bumbling posse of noob writers in he past 3 weeks. Not that they're abandoning ship but i think alot of people are tired and bitter from raging at the show. Hard to find motivation to support your ship when the writers are openly mockin you.

Glad for the crisabel fans. At least your ship actually gets to act like a couple and more! Your ship gives me PepSi feelings. :)

Anonymous said...

Shipping wars are for losers ;)

Having said that, some people care about the result and I can see why they would feel it is wrong for you to call for votes for one couple.

You do have thousands of followers on twitter.

Anonymous said...

Don't apologize, Ms. Snarker. You did nothing to apologize for.

Anonymous said...

FYI, Telecinco is removing the videos of Crisabel and Isabel's story on YouTube. So people might not be able to watch right now. They will be relocated though. I can post the link once the whole storyline is available elsewhere.

Stay tuned for video links...

Anonymous said...

So so so amazing!!! This is me, my dream fantasy right there. Very beautiful. Thank you!!! :) Couldn't have found this w/out you.

Anonymous said...

I'm a 32 year old, grown ass woman, who truly enjoys watching Glee & gets all giddy over the Santana+Brit storyline. It's so way cute, I can't help myself. This has caused me to even dabble in the britanna stuff online... I found out very quickly how serious these Shipper People get. I mean, shit, these people are hard core. Cool people with ahhhhmazing memory. Passionate and like, really invested. obsessively in a I bet the crisabel fandom? - I bet they've rigged the poll and got all defensive thinking you were on to 'em.

Rida said...

I was a lover of Brittana before they were even named Brittana. And if I have to worry about saying it...well that is just B.S. I also love Doccubus and many more but I will not argue the point nor get offended if someone does not feel as I do. It seems like fandom has turned into a Tiger Beat(does tat magasine till exsist?)article about Beiber,or which couple teens prefer in the Twilight series.
love poems

alex dumas said...

Thank you for that link!

Anonymous said...

So after going back and watching the whole Crisabel story. I wish there was a way I could go back and change my vote because I will always love Brittana but Crisabel is about to be my new favorite ship. I feel like I'm begging the glee writers for scraps while getting a full banquet from Tierra de Lobos.

Rachel R. said...

thanks for the link, I'm totes gonna watch this show now! holy cats that's hot!

Anonymous said...

You are clearly missing out.No Mirandy fiction?! But, They are so pretty!!
Seriously, It has some of the most talented shippers ever.

Jane Doe, M.D. said...

glad you finally wrote about the couple! I've been following since their story began to develop.
I LOVE ALL LESBIAN STORIES, ALL OF THEM!!! The writing in Tierra de Lobos just happens to be freaking amazing!!!! I mean love, anger, convent, escape!!! The drama is fantastic!!! I'm catching all update on onemorelesbian.

CAN'T WAIT FOR EPISODE 13!!!