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Eh.
I did some predictions and fun over on my blog, but since I know most of my fandom friends (are any of you still reading this? I still love you all!) don't got there, I figured I'd right my thoughts here. These are a fan fic fanatic's reactions.
Purely Plot
Seriously? That's the deal? It was sort of like scavenger hunt, I guess. The whole thing with the Hallows felt rather tacked on and unnecessary. There was enough with the Horcruxs. And what was with the deaths? The only one that we get a real reaction to (besides Snape) was Dobby's and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in finding him to be one of the most annoying creatures ever. Despite it's girth and long camping scenes, I actually found it rather rushed. I would have liked a bit more focus on the end battle and cut-aways to what was going on at Hogwarts. Neville's story would have been interesting. I also wish we knew a bit more about Draco. Why does he live and apparently without repercussions? Did they just not lock up all the ex-Death Eaters?
Character Development
This has always been my biggest sore spot with Rowling's writing because it is so uneven. Sometimes, the characters are so flat that they're barely there (was it necessary to have Ginny shoot down Cho's offer to help Harry? We get it, already. No one cares.) or rich and complex considering it's children's literature. This time around brought the same uneven characterizations. Harry gets rounded out while Ron and Hermione become sketches of themselves. Snape gets a nice back story to flesh him out and even Regulus gets a bit of rounding out. But she undermines that by beating Lupin's character into an unrecognizable pulp (bet she was wishing she hadn't killed Sirius for that one as that was who he was acting like) and then kills him off screen.
Actually, I found that the biggest turnoff because I kept flipping backwards to find his death and when I finally figured out (give me a break it was 3am) that she hadn't even bothered telling anyone he'd died, I was pissed. He's a long standing character with a rich background, Harry's only living tie to his parents. And he's just flicked off like a switch. Molly Weasley gets more time in the sun then that.
Pairings
Boring and predictable and also oddly, mostly off screen. The horrible epilogue that shows everyone neatly paired off in a sexless, child-full peace time train waiting. Although, I did like that the kid’s name was Albus Severus, nice touch that. Lupin and Tonks are neatly killed off and lots of fandom people cheered. This right-field, no explanation pairing went the way it should. Severus and Lily…eh. I kind of saw it coming. It was one of the better written passages in the book. Didn’t like it, didn’t love it.
What I think it means for fandom:
Having a cap on the series usually means the beginning of the end, even if that end takes a very long time coming. Buffy, for instance, continued to be a thriving fandom (helped along by Angel) for several years after it’s end and it hasn’t quite died yet, but it is no where near as robust as it was when it was running. HP will probably be sustained for a long while, supported by movies 6 and 7. Given it’s tremendous popularity, it will probably remain consistent for years to come. Hopefully the best writers will continue to ripen and create new, better works.
I think slash-wise (which is all I’m qualified to talk about) there will be a huge influx of afterlife fic. Way too many beloved characters are dead for it not too. Snape/Lupin will most likely rule there with a side order of Snape/Albus. I’m sure there will be an onslaught of alternative universe, rewrites and after the epilogue style to unwrite the horror of the het and character death. There was some nice implications of Harry/Ron. Adults were shunted to the side even more then usual, so not sure what to make of that. I hope we see some really rich third generation fics (I’m ready for some Albus Severus/ Scropius(sp?) ).
Best moment: Regulus redemption at the sacrifice of the last of Sirius’ good guy credibility.
Worst moment: Every bit of Molly Weasely.
Purely Plot
Seriously? That's the deal? It was sort of like scavenger hunt, I guess. The whole thing with the Hallows felt rather tacked on and unnecessary. There was enough with the Horcruxs. And what was with the deaths? The only one that we get a real reaction to (besides Snape) was Dobby's and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in finding him to be one of the most annoying creatures ever. Despite it's girth and long camping scenes, I actually found it rather rushed. I would have liked a bit more focus on the end battle and cut-aways to what was going on at Hogwarts. Neville's story would have been interesting. I also wish we knew a bit more about Draco. Why does he live and apparently without repercussions? Did they just not lock up all the ex-Death Eaters?
Character Development
This has always been my biggest sore spot with Rowling's writing because it is so uneven. Sometimes, the characters are so flat that they're barely there (was it necessary to have Ginny shoot down Cho's offer to help Harry? We get it, already. No one cares.) or rich and complex considering it's children's literature. This time around brought the same uneven characterizations. Harry gets rounded out while Ron and Hermione become sketches of themselves. Snape gets a nice back story to flesh him out and even Regulus gets a bit of rounding out. But she undermines that by beating Lupin's character into an unrecognizable pulp (bet she was wishing she hadn't killed Sirius for that one as that was who he was acting like) and then kills him off screen.
Actually, I found that the biggest turnoff because I kept flipping backwards to find his death and when I finally figured out (give me a break it was 3am) that she hadn't even bothered telling anyone he'd died, I was pissed. He's a long standing character with a rich background, Harry's only living tie to his parents. And he's just flicked off like a switch. Molly Weasley gets more time in the sun then that.
Pairings
Boring and predictable and also oddly, mostly off screen. The horrible epilogue that shows everyone neatly paired off in a sexless, child-full peace time train waiting. Although, I did like that the kid’s name was Albus Severus, nice touch that. Lupin and Tonks are neatly killed off and lots of fandom people cheered. This right-field, no explanation pairing went the way it should. Severus and Lily…eh. I kind of saw it coming. It was one of the better written passages in the book. Didn’t like it, didn’t love it.
What I think it means for fandom:
Having a cap on the series usually means the beginning of the end, even if that end takes a very long time coming. Buffy, for instance, continued to be a thriving fandom (helped along by Angel) for several years after it’s end and it hasn’t quite died yet, but it is no where near as robust as it was when it was running. HP will probably be sustained for a long while, supported by movies 6 and 7. Given it’s tremendous popularity, it will probably remain consistent for years to come. Hopefully the best writers will continue to ripen and create new, better works.
I think slash-wise (which is all I’m qualified to talk about) there will be a huge influx of afterlife fic. Way too many beloved characters are dead for it not too. Snape/Lupin will most likely rule there with a side order of Snape/Albus. I’m sure there will be an onslaught of alternative universe, rewrites and after the epilogue style to unwrite the horror of the het and character death. There was some nice implications of Harry/Ron. Adults were shunted to the side even more then usual, so not sure what to make of that. I hope we see some really rich third generation fics (I’m ready for some Albus Severus/ Scropius(sp?) ).
Best moment: Regulus redemption at the sacrifice of the last of Sirius’ good guy credibility.
Worst moment: Every bit of Molly Weasely.