Ode to Olivia Benson (Reply) [what may or may not be hard reality]

So this whole things started a few weeks ago, but I haven't posted at length about it because whenever I start I get distracted by episodes or fanfic.

In my quest to find something to distract me from the waiting (3Way DVDs and Defying Gravity) the lastest in the line (following Lois Lane, Calleigh Duquesne, and Laura Holt) is Olivia Benson. I took up SVU because I wanted some sort of cop show that didn't drive me crazy, and preferably had pretty women in it (that didn't have stupid romances with their bosses - looking at you Without a Trace) (didn't make me cry on a regular basis, looking at you Cold Case and Without a Trace) (was set in NYC without being CSI: NY, looking at you CSI: Miami) (basically something that felt like Sharon Bowers's Night and Day series), and I was already somewhat familiar with it. Now, going into it, I fully expected to fall for Abbie, or Alex, or even Casey, but Olivia was a bit surprising. I've always liked her well enough, I just didn't figure her for crush material; her eyes are too dark and she's too maternal.

However, it didn't take long for Olivia to solidify. Her dark hair and pseudo-butch attitude (I started with s8, or so, and worked my way back... it took a while to get to the super-butch s3 eps) were strong points in her favour, and Laura Holt had warmed me to up the idea of dark eyes. And the dark hair... *sigh* It's been much too long since I've had a proper brunette crush, I've missed it. Also, that thing where she's played by an actress who's a solid cryer is an intense relief. I don't discriminate against people who can't cry well (as any number of obsessions in the past have proven), but it is comforting to not have to be constantly wary of any potentially emotional scenes.

Also comforting; the almost instant realization that Mariska is not my type. Now, I've watched a few interviews, and she seems to be a great enough person, there's nothing wrong with her, she's just not my type. Some actors you instantly click with (it has nothing to do with who they are in RL, and everything to do with interviews and such), (Christina Cox, Dina Meyer, Tina Fey, Lucy Lawless), some are perfectly ok (Emily Procter, Gillian Anderson, Ellen & Portia), and some it just doesn't click with (Mariska, Stephanie Zimbalist, Tiffani Thiessen, Annabeth to some extent). Doesn't mean I have anything against them, they're just not my type (although I still love and adore them), even if they play characters who are. In this particular case, it's again something of a relief. I don't need a new obsession proper, I just need a crush to tide me over while I wait for Christina, and if I can keep this to just the character of Olivia, *so* much easier, no tracking down ancient guest spots on crappy TV-shows, etc etc.

Speaking of the character of Olivia, I'm about to admit something (a few things, actually) that will apparently get me lynched in certain circles (but I'm sort of assuming those people won't be reading this post, and if they try, they won't make it this far). While s1 baby cop Olivia is adorable, and hot butch Olivia in s2-4 is, you know, hot and butch, I really prefer the later seasons, with the longer hair, a few more lines on her face, and more crying. The longer hair is a no-brainer, I'm into hair (although the darker the better, not so much into those highlights she has), but not amazingly styled hair. Long hair in practical styles, however, bring it on!

The other thing is that I really really don't see Alex/Olivia. I mean, there's a moment there at the end of Loss, certainly, and another in Ghost, but other than that? (And also Alex? Belongs with Lorelai.) Not so much. Olivia has more chemistry with Casey, if you ask me, and it's still not a lot. (However, she did have lots of chemistry with Kim Delaney's and Marcia Gay Harden's characters, why isn't anyone writing fic for them???) So sadly, I've arrived at an Olivia/Elliot OTP. Which let me tell you, is bothersome. I don't appreciate having a het otp. And I could disregard this if the fanfic was decent, but most of the Olivia femslash IS NOWHERE NEAR DECENT. It's overly sappy, poorly written, and completely out of character. The poorly written is a biased opinions, what I consider well-written isn't necessarily what most people like, but I need to be able to "feel" the story while I read, and there aren't a lot of writers who manage that. Now, the out-of-characterness drives me to distraction. Olivia isn't gonna turn her entire personality around and be a sappy romantic feel-goody person just because she's in love. I HATE cute fic.

(I guess it should be mentioned that I'm the least romantic person in the world. I truly do not see the point of dressing up spectacularly for someone you're already involved with. I hate gifts that don't serve an extremely practical purpose. I hate romantic settings that exist for no other sake than themselves. I don't understand excessive cleaning when you've invited someone over you're well acquainted with. It just feels like pointless pretense to me, a pre-teen fairy tale version of what they think love is like (because I remember thinking these things were sweet when I was 11.). (Don't you feel sorry for my potential future wife?) And I especially hate when fic perpetuate these traits in characters that in my head have more of my view of the world. Comfortable practicality is my motto in life and love and fic.)

Now among the het fic, on the other hand, I've read a few really lovely pieces ("a few" - please note, I did not say 'all' or 'most' or even 'a good amount', I said "a few") that were in character (most of the time, and when it's not it's so well-written so they still ring true even if they're not quite as seen on TV), well-written, lovely, emotional, lots of UST. I love UST. The kind where there's issues and taboos and boundaries and shit. I haven't seen UST this good since Birds of Prey, and X-Files MSR before that.

Speaking of UST. I love UST. I do want it to eventually get to RST, but I love a good long epic case fic (or just well-written story, there doesn't have to be a case) with plenty of UST where there are problems. And is it just me, or is het better at UST? Or is it just that I prioritize differently? I mean, with femslash I can pretty much get into any gorgeous woman, but for a het pairing there has to be a pretty darn strong reason for me to ship them, and it's gotta be an emotional one (for her) because I'm really not gonna be into the guy for any other reason. And there are just more male and female characters that they set up for that kind of chemistry than there are women with other women. Barbara and Helena had it. Xena and Gabrielle. Cagney & Lacey. A few others. And then for all other femslash pairings you gotta create the tension for yourself in the fic, and that's so much harder than taking an existing situation.

Anyway. Back to Olivia and Elliot. Lots of potential for UST there. I read it. I don't necessarily want to, but I love a good UST story, with some angst, without going overboard. Why aren't there femslash stories like that? The femslash are all 'difficult case angst - comfort - sex - loveydovey 4eva'. Which can be good, but really, most of the time *isn't*!!! And there's no build-up either. It's all 'OMG I've loved you 4eva!', but it hasn't showed. Either write sex, sure fine, I've got nothing against sex, but let it be just sex, because if you wanna bring love into it, you gotta actually show the love and not just state it for the record. Which, again, is where the O/E has it easier, because we already know they'd sacrifice little children for each other. But still. *whine*

On with the pic!spam!

Ass-kicking boots, yes please.