verushka70

I'm in the middle of a slow burn, angst with a happy ending, explicit Scott/Kip fic. I'm 13K+ words in and about halfway through. It's basically S1E03 (and their parts in S1E05 and S1E06) but entirely from Scott's fucked up perspective.

I watched the series first - and then I began the books. I really hoped, after seeing the series, that Scott's history and backstory would be covered in depth in the one novel devoted to Scott and Kip. But they really weren't. 

This was frustrating for me, mainly because Francois Arnaud's performance hints at so much, at depths of personal trauma and fucked-up-ness and internalized homophobia that he has to overcome before that joyous kiss on the ice in S1E05. I wanted to read those depths. But they are not in the book. 

This is nothing against Rachel Reid. I am not a romance reader. When I read novels, they tend to be mystery, horror, fantasy/sci-fi, or literary novels. Detailed world-building, including of the characters' internal worlds, is necessary in these genres. I read Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh the summer between 8th grade and freshman year in high school. I read E. M. Forster's Maurice and Herman Hesse's Demian* in high school. These set a high bar for introspective, slashy fic - one that Romance, as a genre, doesn't meet (for me) because it often feels like there is only enough depth to the characters so that, whatever their current angst or problems are, they're typically solved/overcome (often rather easily) by the end of the book. 

And I get that: it's all in service to the trope. I get that people enjoy that and that that is enough for many, maybe most, people. The Game Changers novels are clearly for those people. I simply happen not to be one of those people. The Scott Hunter I saw in the series simply wasn't the Scott Hunter on the page. I wanted more of Scott's inner world and personal history - it's sketched out in Game Changer, but only in broad strokes because Game Changer serves the romance, not Scott untangling his deep-seated fears and issues that led to his hyper-closeted existence. (The guy only has sex with men <i>on other continents</i>, never North America let alone New York, ffs! but in the book, these issues are solved by twue wuv.) 

The same is true of most of the characters in the Game Changers series of books. (I'm on Book 5, Role Model, now.) 

There just wasn't the depth or exploration of character and backstory in the novel, that seeing the series and the excellent acting had led me to expect and hope for.

So I decided to write it myself.

I tried the Scott/Kip Discord, briefly, but I don't know anyone on it and I don't think anyone saw my request in the midst of the ongoing conversations between people who clearly all knew each other.

So I thought I'd ask here.

If anyone would be interested in beta-ing, I can be reached at verushka70(at)Gmail(dot)com.

verushka70

I meant to get back to you on this and finally I am. Holy smokes: I downloaded HR for a friend (ride_4ever) & I have to say, I have now watched all 6 episodes probably 6-7 x but I've watched S1E03 (& the end of E5 & beginning of E6) about 10-11 x because Scott/Kip kilz me ded, omg, the angst of Scott & Kip's romance is so well done.

The whole series is so well done: well directed/edited, incredible soundtrack. But Jacob Tierney was adaptor/writer/director & it was entirely Canadian-made: that's why it is so good. (I loved Letterkenny.)

I've read the first 4 books & I feel like Game Changer #1 was the best. They're OK but not revelatory or even particularly great. But I am not a romance reader & they are squarely that, albeit m/m. imo the TV series elevated the source. Reid uses weird metaphors & over-the-top cliches, real buzzkills in the midst of hot sex scenes, imo. Toes curl, eyes roll back into people's heads, etc. I get it: the sex is amazing, you can stop now.

The TV series is a different animal (thankfully, imo). Can't wait for S2 which Tierney is writing now. I love Shane/Ilya, too; S1E04 also kilz me ded: that scene in the club is pure angst, longing, pining. Plus it was filmed so perfectly: slow motion gyrating people around Shane & Ilya standing stock still on the dance floor, devastated, staring at each other, holy smokes. *chef's kiss*

imo HR is as good as it is because it was an entirely Canadian production. In one interview Tierney stated that when shopping HR around, HBO told him they'd take it IF he toned down the sex. (That would basically gut the source; it's ALL ABOUT the sex, ffs, tho ofc the sex is what hooks you/the characters as the relationships develop). So Tierney took his toys & went home & made it his way on a shoestring budget from Canadian government & provincial funding. Then he shopped it around again & HBO was like *grabby hands*

imo that was the right decision. HR has its flaws, sure. But it would've been ruined by Hollywood, imo: dumbed down & de-sexed, cast with name actors who can't act, instead of the current cast. I'm SO glad HBO didn't get their hands on it & Tierney maintains total creative control.

Really insulting = HBO is arty Skinemax & has been for a long time. If it had been loaded with bouncing boobs & the same exact kind & frequency of sex acts & positions, just hetero instead of gay, HBO would've jumped on it from the start. Anyone who's ever seen White Lotus or GoT knows this. That means HBO's notes on toning down the sex were rooted in homophobia. Bunch of bastards. I kinda wish they didn't get to reap the rewards of what is ultimately as good as it is DESPITE them, rather than because of them.

I so hope Scott/Kip feature in S2. I know I'm in the minority there and 99.9% of the HR craze is over Shane/Ilya. Well, I'm old, I like older characters (not that Scott/Kip are remotely old, but they're oldER; I used to write for older_not_dead when still active), François Arnaud/Scott is 40 (& if he stops coloring his hair, he'd be a silver fox!), & the angst is to die for with Scott/Kip.

I am intrigued to find out what they'll do in S2, since they messed up the Scott/Kip book timeline (Tierney & François Arnaud admitted in interviews). Tierney has said Shane/Ilya feature in S2 but I recently read François Arnaud said he'll be filming for S2 soon, so at least I know Scott/Kip are in it & not completely absent. I am so GLAD ride_4ever asked me to get HR for her on the downlow; I might never have seen it if I hadn't, or at least not for months or years.

So. Sorry for gushing about HR & Scott/Kip all over your comment section. ride_4ever hasn't watched HR yet, but after her interlibrary loans & holds give her access to the books, she plans to start reading & watching too.

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