Have you been involved in fandom before? What is it about this fandom in particular that keeps you hooked (pun intended)?
JMo: Despite being a viewer from the beginning, I only began using Tumblr in October of 2014 (just after season 4 began). A few months later, I made a New Year’s Resolution to start writing again. Since that day, I have been a fan fiction writer, under the name of captainswanismyengame. And what keeps me hooked, you ask? Not only did Emma Swan and Killian Jones give me my writing muse back, it has also brought so many wonderful friendships my way. I can’t even begin to count the amount of friendships this show has given me, and I am so thankful for that every day.
Jenna R: I haven’t really been involved much in the fandom before this. I am an admin of one Facebook group and I tend to follow tumblr accounts but I’ve not really been actively involved much. I absolutely love being involved in this podcast and am so happy that people seem to be enjoying it so far. Sharing our CS love has been amazing! There are so many things that keep me hooked on this fandom. Firstly the show itself; it’s so exciting and dramatic that I just NEED to talk to people about it! I have also made some amazing friends in this fandom. I love the positivity there is and all the amazing and talented individuals that spoil us with fan fiction, videos, songs, art (the list could go on). It really does feel like a big family!
Lindsay: I was involved in the Lost fandom. It’s a show that helped me through my teenage years. The OUAT fandom can be turbulent at times. but its true core holds us all together. These real fans are a joy to speak and bond with, and make it all worth it. I’ve made friends for life thanks to this show.
Gabrielle: I have never been involved in any other fandom which surprises me! They’re so much fun now that I’m in this one. But that can depend on the show as well. I love how we all connect and are so friendly and open to each other’s thoughts and opinions, for the most part. There are a few bad apples, but that comes with the territory. When I went to the Fairy Tales convention this past June I met Sarah and Jenna from the UK there, and we’ve all become so close! I wouldn’t have made it through that weekend as smoothly if they weren’t there. I’ve met so many new friends that I would never have made if not for this show and I’m so thankful to Adam and Eddy for that. Friendships that will definitely be for a long, long time!
Kimberly: I’ve been involved in a few fandoms before. I’ve only had one that came close to as welcoming as the CS fandom. Don’t make me admit how long ago (or which one, but we will say that Eion Bailey was part of it as well!), but that’s what makes this fandom the best. Sure, we have a couple of bad apples here or there, but, on the whole, the CS fandom is one of love, kindness, and support. I’m constantly in awe of my shipmates, and what they bring to the fandom. I would say that my shipmates are what keep me hooked!
Sarah: I’ve been in various fandoms, for most of my life it seems. I would say I’m involved in the Potter fandom almost as much as Once. I’ve always been the type of person who wants to escape to a fantasy world (call it the Disney child syndrome). I think what makes the Once fandom so great and why I continue to stay involved is the friendships I’ve made. A lot of my Oncer friends I talk to on a daily basis. We are there for each other through tough times and there when we want to celebrate the happy moments. I’ve laughed and cried with them. I’ve traveled the world with them. I’ve gotten to have so many incredible experiences that I never would have had without all these amazing people in my life thanks to our shared love of CS. The CS fandom in itself is also the most creatively talented fandom that I’ve ever been involved in in regards to the art, fics, fanvids, merchandise, music, etc.
Raechel Ohhh yes. I’ve been involved in fandoms for far too long now but I’ve never been in one like the Captain Swan fandom. Everyone is so insanely supportive of each other and there for each other which is something of a rarity I think in fandoms. Completely strangers are there to listen if you need them, no matter what and I think that is such an amazing think that we come from all walks of life, everyone is a different age and yet here we all are because of two characters on a TV show. It’s crazy to me, but in a good way.
Justine: I was involved in the Harry Potter fandom for a while (I was even an admin of 2 Facebook fan pages), but this feels like a whole different wheel house. I think the thing that really keeps me hooked into the CS fandom is the incredible amount of talent we have in the fandom. From writers to artists to gif makers to video editors, there is no end to the amount of creativity within the fandom. It’s an inspiring place to be in. I never wrote fanfiction until 3 years ago because this fandom is so supportive of new people and I felt comfortable enough putting out my own work for other people to see for the first time.
Where do you see yourselves (and the podcast) at the end of Season 6 – and what milestone are you most looking forward to for Captain Swan?
JMo: Ideally, I just want us to keep doing what we are doing and hopefully to reach a wider audience. The fact that we are now on iTunes (which is absolutely surreal to even write) will hopefully gear us in that direction. And for Captain Swan, by the end of season 6, I want them to be stronger than they have ever been, both individually and in their love for each other. Oh, and for Killian to put a ring on it. 😉
Jenna R: That is a good question! We went into this podcast with few expectations. We just wanted to get together and discuss this amazing couple every week and have fun. I for one am surprised with how much people seem to be enjoying it. It didn’t occur to me that other people would be interested in hearing my thoughts! I hope that by the end of season 6 we still enjoy recording it and that we continue to be great friends! I think once the new episodes start airing there will be many exciting things to talk about and I can’t wait! The milestone I am most looking forward to for CS is them settling down. For me this includes moving in together and (if they choose to) getting married. I am not ready for marriage to happen yet as I believe they need to have some time to reconnect after the Underworld arc but when it does happen I am going to be fangirling so hard!
Lindsay: We’re having so much fun and I definitely see us still doing the podcast. We’re still new to this and by the end of season 6 I think we’ll be closer than ever. Some of us are going to conventions together. Captain swan is timeless and we’re not going anywhere.
Gabrielle: Hopefully by the end of season 6 we will have a whole lot more episodes of our podcast under our belt! I hope to go to several of the conventions next year as well, and I know some of the girls or pretty much all of us are going to go to Vancouver and/or NJ cons so I’m looking forward to maybe doing some live broadcasts or some special podcasts from the cons. Also, just to hang with them is what I’m most looking forward to. They’ve become like sisters now so us all being together would be epically fun! And for Captain Swan, I know most shippers would say marriage and a baby and though I do want that for them and hope to see it long before the show does come to an end, I’m most looking forward to them like Colin said – just being together and being a couple. If you look back from season 4 until now they haven’t been just a couple. They’ve had quite the journey just for them to have one date and then so much has happened in between with him dying 3-4 times and her becoming dark. But now that they are in a good quiet place and they just decided to be together, Emma has broken down her walls enough to admit that and want that, I would love to see them settle in their house. And hopefully some tacos or coffee time! They need that!
Kimberly: I’d really like to see us continuing what we’re doing. Spreading love and positive vibes in the fandom, with a little bit of fun. I think we’ve got a lot in store for people with season six, the upcoming convention schedule, and some more rewatches. CS wise, I’m looking forward to some sort of anniversary. A nice, quiet, domestic milestone. Quiet date night, dinner, and a cup of coffee at the end of the night.
Sarah: For the end of season 6 I would love to see our podcast having improved greatly on a technical level. Since we are still in the beginning stages we do run into technical problems often. I hope that we continue to develop and create a unique format that people can identify us with. Something we strive to do every week is to get the fans involved with the show so I hope that that is something we can continue to build on. Also I would love to someday do a live show! As for CS in season 6 I would love to seen them living together and continue to develop their relationship. I’m hoping for some nice domestic moments! I am not in a hurry for an engagement because I love watching them grow together and continue to break down walls. A season 6 finale engagement would feel right to me. I think we have some great things ahead for our couple in season 6!
Raechel: Honestly I don’t know where I see us. Would I love for our listeners to grow in numbers? Sure! But I think the biggest thing for me is spreading the positivity and keeping things fun. I feel like that’s one of our biggest points we like to drive home about this podcast. There is so much negative crap in the world today, and if we are able to just bring a smile to one person’s face, I think it’s totally worth it. I’m still kind of in shock with the amount of amazing feedback we’ve gotten and it seriously puts a huge grin on my face every time I get an alert for a new comment, or message, or subscriber. I love the fact that people actually enjoy listening to us because we certainly love talking! As for Captain Swan, like I said, I love a good slow burn and I think by the end of the season an engagement is in order. I don’t think anything needs to be rushed with them. They’ve been through hell and back, literally, so I’d love to have some quiet moments with them, domestic things and just overall being together with both of their walls officially down for good.
Justine: I see ourselves still doing the podcast, theorizing where we think season 7 will go and whatever new villain the writers cook up. And us fangirling over the next CS milestone (which I’m really hoping is an engagement!! )
You can check out the podcast here! And if you like it, don’t forget to leave a comment there or below!
Once Upon A Time returns to ABC on Sunday September 25th, at 8/7c.