----- Original Message -----
From: David Menard <deibu_kun@sympatico.ca>
To: Michael Noakes <noakes_m@hotmail.com>
Cc: <ffml@fanfic.com>
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2000 3:48 PM
Subject: [FFML] Re: [fanfic][R.5]Le Plus Ca Change Prt 6 [CORRECTED REPOST]
Michael Noakes wrote:
one part that rang somewhat false to me was
the confrontation between Shampoo and Ranma. Not that there might be
some
attraction between them after so many years; sure that's fine. But
during
the argument, it reads like you're playing fan-favorite with Shampoo.
She
gets the good arguments, she gets the power of conviction, and Ranma
loses
his footing after a few stuttered words. It just doesn't ring true.
Shampoo's arguments aren't even particularly strong, and the old 'we've
been
around for three thousand years' standpoint doesn't hold many logical
points
either. Ranma may not be a debater, but he's not a moron, and his
counters
are pretty damn weak. Maybe the plot needs Shampoo to hold the high
ground
after the discussion, but it would come off as a lot more believable if
Ranma at least -tried- to offer up a convincing counter argument.
IMHO, he did. Both parties involved had very valid and irrefutable
points.
Ranma followed his heart and married the girl/woman he loved.He made what
was to
him, the only acceptable choice in the situation. I don't disagree with
his
conclusion, merely his means to that end. He shouldn't have to justify
loving
Akane and wanting to commit exclusively to her in a perfect world. (Of
course,
the Ranmaverse is FAR from perfect, but you know what I mean=)
Just as Ranma's logic, even if it is emotionally based, is
indisputable, so
too to my mind is Shampoo's. She loved him, for good or for ill, and in
the
source material he generally treated her like garbage, or at the very
least
dismissively or an ego crutch. Does this make her arguments more valid
than his?
I don't know, honestly. Shamps KNOWS he was following his heart, and that
he
honestly didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings anymore than he had to. He
was
not, however, possessed of all the information that he needed to make an
informed decision. I honestly don't think he would have proceeded as he
did if
he was aware of what would happen to Shamps. That's not to say he would
have
agreed to marry her, but some sort of arrangement would have been
attempted, I'm
sure. He's too basically nice a guy to not try.
Thing is, Shamps went through a lot of pain thanks to his uninformed
decision and I think it's reasonable that she would have some
resentment/anger
saved up because of it. As far as I'm concerned, both parties are equally
wrong,
and equally right. I think the "soapbox" you detect isn't because Shamps
is a
fave of mine (though she is one of them, to tell the truth) but because I
really
get tired of Ranma's argument that he's not required to give a damn about
the
laws of the Amazons because he's either a) not Chinese or b) because the
Amazons
are "backward". Things don't work that way in real life. If I go down to
the
'States and rip off a car, and escape punishment by making it back across
the
border into Canada, I'm still guilty of the act, and could quite
reasonably be
brought to trial and be made to atone for my crime. I can't simply say
"well, it
doesn't matter, 'cause I'm a Canadian citizen, and besides, Americans are
'backward'. Whether I think the law is a stupid one, or if I was unaware
of that
particular ordinance makes no difference to the law. Ask a state trooper.
It's
always rung falsely to me, is all. If Ranma _really_ didn't wan't to marry
Shampoo, and gave a rat's ass about how his decision would affect Shamps,
who
has saved his (and Akane's) life several times, he could surely come to
some
sort of arrangement with either Cologne or Shamps herself that would save
face
for all parties involved. He _should_ understand about loss of personal
honour,
he's had ample opportunity to weather loss of face himself, thanks to
Genma.
I agree with your thoughts on Ranma and Shampoo for the most part, but I do
have a few questions and thoughts of my own.
I'm not an very knowledgeable about international law, but don't both
country's expect there laws to be treated the same, so if an American went
and committed a crime in Canada then fled across the border, Canada's
government would expect America to respect there laws? This could be fanfic
clich� but don't the Amazons not recognize any other laws except their own?
Shampoo also didn't seem to really care if taking Ranma would hurt him or
his family or friends.
I don't recall Shampoo or Cologne really showing much respect for Japanese
laws, they did use some drugs, assault, and other such things on Ranma and
other members of the cast.
Also wasn't the K of M given on Japanese soil, so from a non-Amazon
perspective is Ranma clear of that law as he wasn't even in an area subject
to Amazon law.
Well, I do feel that regardless if either of them were more right or wrong
they both did things that hurt the other and no one else helped matters very
much either.