So, when is a spoiler NOT a spoiler?

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

Let's say a show is currently in production, and new episodes air on Mondays...I'd always heard that it's perfectly fine to discuss it a couple of days after the episode airs. So you don't "spoil" it for others, obviously.

But what's the "spoiler rule" for shows that haven't been in production for a long time? (It's only recently that I've wondered about this)

Thoughts?

 

[Puppet]

It depends on the person. I mean, if I'm speaking to someone who has never watched Buffy, I pause to find out if they plan to watch it in the future before I start spoiling it. Shows are best watched when you don't know what's coming, is my opinion.

But some things you expect people to know. 3 different BtVS reactors on YT were shocked that Angel was a vampire, but I would never keep that to myself, cause the natural assumption is that people know this. He had his own damn spin-off, for crying out loud!

Honestly, though, I really think it's different based on the details in each situation.

 

[nightshade]

I think it depends on the age and how known it is, if it's based on a classic book, like one most read in school, then I think talking about it is fine, it's an old book! For me personally I try not to enter Puppet's art thread as I know that she may do art based on the spn eps I haven't seen, that not for her to censor because I haven't seen them, that up to me to do it, as the episodes have aired.

It's like the Game of Thrones thread, I've never seen that, and for me as someone that hasn't seen it I could say it's full of spoilers, however I also don't plan on watching it so have no issue reading the thread.

 

[November]

Supernatural is such a hard one! If its more than 3 seasons ago, I dont consider it a spoiler. I mean, look how fast GoT spoilers get out there at time of airing! Yet people get pissy because they havent kept up with their own fandoms.

Like Nightshade, I'll avoid topics of shows I havent got access to yet. I am super keen on The 100 but do not trust other forums to not spoil for things that havent aired yet in titles.

 

[Taake]

It depends on the person. I mean, if I'm speaking to someone who has never watched Buffy, I pause to find out if they plan to watch it in the future before I start spoiling it. Shows are best watched when you don't know what's coming, is my opinion.
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Agree with this.

Otherwise, I'm not sure what the rules are, technically, for spoilers. If a show is over a year old at least, then I think it is your own responsibility to do your best to avoid spoilers, and maybe entire discussions, rather than impose a spoiler-free zone on others. Though I kind of think that even if it's been a week since the episode aired, I know I did my best to stay away from GoT spoilers when I was still watching it.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

If Amber Bunny Slippers was to tell me what Dean (Supernatural) had for Christmas last year it would come under the need for a Spoiler Warning. But if she had already told me it wouldn't be. Then again if Amber was to tell me what Diana wore on her arm that would not be need a Spoiler Alert as I doubt most folk would know what we were on about and I've already seen that film. However there might be the problem of me forgetting that she had told me so I might think it should have had a warning even when it shouldn't.

 

[The Bronze]

In person you can just check before speaking, simple enough. Online I'd say over a year is fair game, use discretion for the more recent stuff.

The golden rule being if anyone spoils Game of Thrones before I've had a chance to see the latest episode they should be slapped by the nearest person to them.