Did Xander tell Angel about the AR scene (which had occurred in Seeing Red)?

This came up as a question in a post by shapinglight in regards to a fic she was writing. But I got curious...so a poll:

Do you think Xander told Angel about the AR scene in Seeing Red? (Assuming of course, Xander interacted with Angel after Chosen. Because honestly that's the only time I think he could have told him.)

Note: "The Question should read: Do you think Xander told Angel about Spike's attempted rape or AR of Buffy? (Obviously he couldn't have done it in Seeing Red - Angel was tied up with Holtz and Connor at the time.)

[Poll #1815236]

Things that take you out of a story....

Was thinking about this...in response to two different posts on my flist about fanfic - one was contemplating whether Angel and Spike would discuss the AR scene in Buffy, and the other was about why AU fic doesn't work.

What takes you out of a story?

It's an interesting question. I remember a short story I wrote in undergrad about my grandparents. My grandfather had had three brain tumors removed. I inserted this into the story. But it did not work for one of my classmates who'd read it. She had a relative who died of brain cancer, just one tumor, and felt offended by my story. The three brain tumors felt like overkill to her. It took her out of the story. Short of my bringing in evidence that this was real, which I could have done because it was, it was not real to the classmate.

Which brings up the next question - when does it ruin the story for you? Or does it?

For many people online, the AR or attempted rape sequence in Seeing Red took them out of the story. It wasn't so much that they did not buy the fact that Spike might attack Buffy, but how that sequence was shot. Buffy was shown as being unable to fight Spike off after what amounted to a minor back injury in a graveyard. Considering Buffy fought Spike off with little effort in various episodes, with far greater injuries, including fighting a hell-god, and Angelus, this was difficult to believe. Also Spike attacked Buffy in her bathroom of all places. Entering it much like he might a living room. And we, the audience, had never really entered this room before.
Plus the sequence was shot in black and white, drenched of color, and as if it were in a different show. It, in short, took many viewers out of the story. And with it, their suspension of disbelief. It was difficult after that episode for the viewers to trust the writer, they stopped.

In tv land, this event is often called a "jump the shark" moment. It's when the viewer questions the story being told and finds themselves thrust outside of it. A huge wall suddenly exists between the viewer and the tale. They can no longer escape into it - instead they are critiquing it. Their critical faculties have become engaged and have in effect hijacked their viewing experience. It's no longer enjoyable.

It happens all the time to me with fanfic...I'll be reading along, and suddenly a character does something that just does not work for me. ( Read more... )

Off to bed.