Campfire Chat #1

[srsly-yes.livejournal.com]

Howdy Campers!

Do you know what time it is?! Why it's time to break out the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars, and raise our conversation to an all-time sugar high.

Today's topic: The Saddest Man in New Jersey

That's what RSL called Wilson during the series. Now that it's over let's revisit the concept. What is it about Wilson that makes him sick!fic fodder? Is it built into the character or does RSL bring that "certain something"? What makes us pick up on it? With the finale we know even tptb saw and wanted to exploit it. Is it because Wilson is House’s sole support system, and the key to House’s vulnerability, or is it intrinsic to Wilson?

Bonus questions:

• When did you first discover Wilson was a prime candidate for suffering?
• Was it unfair what tptb did to Wilson?

As in years past, please feel free to air your opinions and discuss amongst yourselves.

And don't forget to pass the bag of marshmallows to your neighbor.

Comments

[rividori.livejournal.com]

I think that what makes sick!Wilson fic interesting is that throughout the series he's appeared healthy and untouchable in a way that makes us want to put him in that situation to explore how he'd react. Even with his depression we don't really get a deep insight into how he's feeling, maybe only bursts of something and then everything is back to normal and it's the next week, next episode, next case. And writing this type of fic allows for more exploration. I think TPTB exploited Wilson's physical and emotional health towards the end because he is tied to House, it's something else to push at House's character and to see how it would affect him, otherwise I don't really see why they needed to do that to Wilson. Maybe it's because he's seemed such an invincible character that they decided to do that, to show House that he can't take it for granted that Wilson's always going to be there for him, which they hinted at.

I discovered sick!wilson through this comm and the sickwilson_fest. It was more stories to read! And it seemed to make sense. A Wilson who is sick, hurt and suffering means there should be a caring and loving House somewhere around.

[srsly-yes.livejournal.com]

Even with his depression we don't really get a deep insight into how he's feeling, maybe only bursts of something and then everything is back to normal and it's the next week, next episode, next case. And writing this type of fic allows for more exploration. I think TPTB exploited Wilson's physical and emotional health towards the end because he is tied to House, it's something else to push at House's character and to see how it would affect him, otherwise I don't really see why they needed to do that to Wilson. Maybe it's because he's seemed such an invincible character that they decided to do that, to show House that he can't take it for granted that Wilson's always going to be there for him, which they hinted at.
Yes, exactly. It was very clever and daring of DS (the f*****r) to do the opposite. Instead of House and Wilson to the end of time, he created imminent loss. What would DS do if he made a House MD special or a movie as some interviewers proposed?

A Wilson who is sick, hurt and suffering means there should be a caring and loving House somewhere around.
My absolute favorite kind of fic. However, it's good to remember that sick!Wilson fics could be about Wilson suffering on his own or receiving comfort from a different character. Blasphemy, I know. Off the top of my head, I can't really think of many in our archive except an AU with Chase and Wilson, Grey Gardens (http://kohlrimmedeye.livejournal.com/97159.html).

[rividori.livejournal.com]

I think I'd be wary about a movie or special. I think where it ended was good enough if that's the way they had to end it at all.
And thank you for the story link. It was always good when Chase and Wilson had scenes together since there seemed to be so few.

[srsly-yes.livejournal.com]

So many reunion shows are disappointing, but I wouldn't be able to stay away if RSL was in the cast.

I just checked quickly through Grey Gardens. Not sure if it's all linked correctly. It is complete. There are also sequels: April Fools (http://fanfic100.livejournal.com/2657534.html) by kohlrimmedeye who wrote the original, and Natasha (http://paperclipbitch.livejournal.com/32455.html) by paperclipbitch. Btw, I do recollect House and Cuddy were very caring about Wilson in GG. I didn't mean to discount that when I recced the fic.

[geekygecko.livejournal.com]

kohlrimmedeye and paperclipbitch are the same person. I e-mailed her way back in the very early days of the comm to ask her about that. :)

I used to have them cross-referenced on the author's thread, and just haven't fixed it back that way after Natasha (http://paperclipbitch.livejournal.com/32455.html) was recently unlocked again. I'll go do that now. :)

[srsly-yes.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I hadn't realized that.

Sorry to put you to the trouble.

[geekygecko.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I just discovered that the post had been unlocked 2 days ago during some routine behind-the-scenes housekeeping, and just hadn't gotten around to putting everything back like I had it. So thanks to you, it is now. :)