Susan/Talia
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Talia Winters/Susan Ivanova |
| Alternative name(s): | Russian Winter |
| Gender category: | f/f |
| Fandom: | Babylon 5 |
| Canonical?: | yes |
| Prevalence: | popular |
| Archives: | |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Susan Ivanova/Talia Winters is a femslash pairing between the Babylon 5 characters Susan Ivanova and Talia Winters. Though the relationship was mostly just subtext, it is often mentioned being one of the first lesbian relationships on television.
On Tumblr, the pairing is sometimes known as 'Russian Winter'.
Like all pairings in this fandom, it was affected by J. Michael Straczynski's ban on fanfic while the show was still on the air.
Canon Relationship
"We had it growing since the very first episode of the first season. The relationship was about all of that mutual antagonism that really means they're attracted." [1]
The relationship between Ivanova and Talia is a textbook example of belligerent sexual tension. Ivanova, whose mother committed suicide after having her telepathy suppressed by the PSI Corps, was immediately suspicious of Talia, a telepath loyal to the Corps. During the first two seasons of the show the two slowly grew closer, their relationship culminating with Talia spending the night in Ivanova's quarters.
When Andrea Thompson, the actress who played Talia, decided to leave the show, the relationship was brought to an abrupt end: Talia was revealed to have been a brainwashed spy who had only been trying to get close to Ivanova.
Even though the nature of the relationship was still ambiguous when it ended, there was a scene later in the series where Ivanova confessed having loved Talia.
Fandom
Common Tropes and Genres
- Angst
- Deathfic
- Because of the nature of the canon relationship, much of Ivanova/Talia is fix-it fic
- Hurt/Comfort
Fanon and Themes
Fanworks
Fanfics
- Swordplay by Leyenn
- The Vorlon Gift by atsammy
- This Night by Lara Nicosia
- Rocket Queens by openended (Pacific Rim crossover)
Fanvids
- Hallelujah by morgaine7 (2005)[2][3]
- Ice by Katharine, Media Cannibals Tape 3: Partners in Crime (1997/1998)
- Rules for Lovers by janetcarter (2018)
Meta
- I Was Made to Love You, Archived version, Shipper's Manifesto by T.W. Lewis (January 2005)
Archives and Communities
- babylon 5 stories at Passion and Perfection
- Rogue Sanctuary (a femslash fanfiction archive)
- Susan Ivanova/Talia Winters at AO3
Mailing lists
References
- ^ J. Michael Straczynski, SciFi Universe, March 1996
- ^ Morgaine. By the way.. I actually did a new vid!!!, 17 June 2005. (Accessed 28 June 2014)
- ^ The Babylon 5 Zone at Chez Morgaine via Wayback. (Accessed 28 June 2014)