This post does not contain any Doctor Who spoilers. Please read with confidence.Â
I’ve recently become a fan of the BBC’s Doctor Who. Thanks to my wife encouraging me to watch it with her. We’ve worked our way through 7 of the relaunched seasons and have just started on the classic Doctor Who. The 8th season of the reimagined Doctor Who aired on BBC America this past weekend (August 23, 2014). I have yet to see it, but can’t wait to do so!
Spoilers have been a big topic among Doctor Who fans online for the many months leading up to this past episode’s release. The gap from the last episode of season 7 (aired in December 2013) until this new season started of 8 months. That’s a lot of time to ask other fans questions online and speculate!
That got me thinking. Is it really that bad of a thing to post spoilers online? The internet is known for ruining the hopes and dreams of those trying to avoid spoilers for a movie, show or sports game that people can’t see at the time of release. This commercial is perfect example of some of the great lengths people go to in order to remain spoiler free:
People have all sorts of rules about sharing “spoilers” online.
“If it’s a TV show, live-tweet it. Who cares? Movies are something else entirely.”
“A week after a show is aired its okay to share plot points online. Never live-tweet something.”
“Sports are the worst. It’s impossible to not know who one right after a game is over. I wish I could tape things and not hear about it until after I’ve watched it.”
Our society is a 24/7 news and commentary zone. If it’s popular and you haven’t already seen it you’re going to hear SPOILERS about it. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear someone online complain about the latest [insert the name of your favorite show here] episode being ruined for them because they haven’t had a chance to see it yet. Come on, really? Why have you not had a chance to see it yet? If you are going to be seriously devastated to learn about that outrageously shocking plot twist then maybe you should have been more keen on seeing it live in the first place.
I love knowing all I can about a film or tv show before I actually get a chance to watch it. I attend movie theaters to see the previews. I follow Star Trek and Star Wars movie rumor sites like its my full-time job. I. Can’t. Get. Enough. Maybe that’s why I don’t understand people who hate spoilers.
There are apps that help people to avoid spoilers while online, but they don’t always work. Want a way to avoid spoilers that doesn’t involve blocking your chatty online friends?
Power down your phone & stay off the internet.
The problem is, that isn’t really a sure-fire way either. Everyone has those family/friends/co-workers who chat about what’s popular in entertainment. So, instead of viewing those who share spoilers as inconsiderate, start viewing people who share spoilers as people looking for a connection with you. It’s a form of small talk. Talking about that latest movie or sports game is simply someone trying to make conversation with you and add value to the relationship you can hopefully enjoy.
What do you think? Hate spoilers? Love them? Tell me what you think in the comments.
I hate spoilers. HATE them! I don’t understand why anyone would want to know the whole plot – including key twists, developments, and ending – before actually watching something. A basic principle of following a narrative is wanting to know what happens next. Why have we not had a chance to see it? Because it’s not been released in our territory yet, so unless you’re advocating illegal downloading, we have little choice but to avoid spoilers. Game of Thrones was the worst, even though it was as quick as possible – I pretty much had to avoid social media all day until it aired in the evening here (UK) 8-12hrs after US.