What Section VII is...

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

When this comm was first created, my inspiration was, not surprisingly, the show itself.  The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is about the two men (or three if we're counting the top guy), and their exploits in defense of world order.  I chose Section 7 because it  is the propaganda department, that place where all of the virtues of the organization are extolled, created or at least considered.  



When we write MFU fiction, our varying points of view certainly color the worlds we create or perhaps re-create.  There are several big issues that come into play when discussing that which is non-canon in nature:
Marriage
Slash
The Return Movie

I include the movie because there is still a remnant of unbelievers who have chosen to ignore it and do not consider it truly canon.  I disagree, but that's beside the point.  It is still controversial to some.

Marriage is not part of canon where MFU is concerned, unless of course we're talking of Napoleon's first wife who is deceased.  Stories that have married off Illya and Napoleon are, while often entertaining and well written, not canon.

The biggest and most controversial has to be slash.  Some can't see the boys as gay, others don't see them any other way. I'm not in the business of convincing anyone of anything, but the bottom line where canon is concerned is that the men are heterosexuals who are often portrayed as having been intimate with women, and not because it was part of the job.  Do what you will with that, write what you want, it matters not to me.  

What does matter is that this comm is about remaining close to canon in spirit and word, as much as possible.  Do we take liberties?  Yes, it's impossible not to, otherwise we're simply regurgitating what was written in 1965.  I'll watch episodes if that's what I want.  Still, the atmosphere of being somewhere within the parameters of what was given us is how I envisioned this little patch of MFU togetherness.  If you like that, then I'm happy to have you here and hope you return because it is a nice place for reading and sharing a bit of MFU.

If, however, you think it is too limiting, that's fine as well.  As much as the series was appropriate for all ages (I am sure most of us were between 8 and 12 when we first watched this show), Section 7 is also best when it reflects that attitude.  I don't want to offend anyone, but I also don't want to compromise the original intent of this comm.  We're in it for fun and creative expression, but sometimes there are a few rules.  Other comms don't adhere to the ones that were agreed upon for this little spot, which makes a lot of playground space for all sorts of stories.  

So, I just thought I'd talk about that, in case there's some confusion.  It's not complicated, it isn't about anything other than staying true to canon or the concepts that canon present to us.  I hope that works for everyone.

The Community  Profile for Section VII

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is the iconic 60's television show that broke the mold on dramas and spy stories. The continuing fascination with the show stems from the cool gadgets, fast cars and handsome stars of this innovative classic. Section VII refers to the department within the organization that dealt with Public Relations and Propaganda, a fitting place to find fan fiction and photos that present our heroes in new dramatic missions and engaging photos of their best moments.
The site is dedicated to our love of all things UNCLE, and strives to maintain itself based around canon and concepts that are easily associated with canon. If it was on the show then it works on Section VII; in other words, appropriate for all and easily connected to the original series.

Comments

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

The biggest and most controversial has to be slash.

Actually one of the biggest controversies used to be whether or not Illya was a Soviet. Some couldn't accept him that way and preferred he was a defector which of course, threw off the entire point of the U.N.C.L.E. organization.

This one was fought for years despite all the little cues in the first season dialogue [including Illya in his uniform in Nepture Aff).

I'd be interested in hearing if it's still controversial but perhaps, with the release of the DVDs and the internationality of our membership now on the internet, it's no longer a question to debate.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Funny that would never have occurred to me. I agree that it seems clear he is not a defector, although it does make for a good story once in a while where fleeing the KGB is required ;)

[carabele.livejournal.com]

I don't think that Illya is a Soviet is controversial any longer. With the ending of the Cold War, I believe that aspect lost any negative overlay and became part of what is seen as a positive overlay with regard to the fantasy of an organization like U.N.C.L.E.