Passages (Beauty and the Beast letterzine)

Passages (March 1988-1989) is a letterzine with eighteen issues. It hailed out of Nebraska, US and was the first letterzine devoted to the Beauty and the Beast universe.
Description from Datazine #54: "A forum for comments, critiques, discussion and exchange of ideas for anyone interested in The Beauty and the Beast universe."
The letterzine ceased just as fans were getting information that the last season was going to have a different direction and tone. These fans did not yet know the extent of these changes, and their optimism that TPTB would "do the right thing" was combined with their wariness. See the progression in the comments in individual issues. Also see Things Began to Heat Up: February 1989.
See List of Letterzines for similar fanworks.
==The Attention of TPTB==
The letterzine had the attention and support of TPTB. 
In "Passages" #16/17 (July 1989), the editor wrote: "I would like to thank Mr. Roy Dotrice and Mr. George R.R. Martin for their gracious support of this publication. A thank you is so little in return for their timely gestures."
Ron Koslow was quoted in Pipeline v.2 n.8 (August 1989) about the show's retooling and different direction in the third season: 
==The Issues==
See these subpages for details about individual issues, including quoted opinions and summaries of fannish views on topics current then, and now. 
Passages (Beauty and the Beast letterzine) Issues	Passages (Beauty and the Beast letterzine) Issues	Passages (Beauty and the Beast letterzine) Issues	Passages (Beauty and the Beast letterzine) Issues	Passages (Beauty and the Beast letterzine) Issues
Issues 001-002 	Issues 003-004 	Issues 005-006 	Issues 007-008 	
Issues 009-010 	Issues 011-012 	Issues 013-015 	Issues 016-018 	
==Editor's Note: October 1988==
From issue #6: 
==Some General Fan Comments==
 
 
 
==Some Specific Topics Discussed==
* there was much discussion about how viewers and fans were treated by showrunners and TPTB regarding the show's plotting, characterizations, and threats of cancellation. (Note: George R.R. Martin addressed some of what he saw as the realities of these things two years later in an interview in Starlog and in 1992's Lionheart Exclusive Interview: George R.R. Martin.) 
* while many fans were satisfied with the show, many fans expressed their unhappiness in the direction the show was going in terms of plotting and characterization; these fans in turn were told to tone down their criticisms as, 1) they should be grateful for what they had, 2) even at its worst, the show was better than other things on television, 3) if TPTB heard about these opinions, they might have their feelings hurt and take it out on the creative elements of the show
* there were many retyped reprints of articles from newspapers and magazines in this newsletter, and fans commented upon them; the article that garnered the most comments (all of them outraged) was one by John Lofton called Strangest beast that he ever saw... on TV; one fan described Roy Dotrice reading this article aloud at a convention in early 1989
* general indignation at how the show is discussed by reporters and reviewers
* the appeal of the show, the appeal of Vincent Wells, and to a lesser extent, the appeal of Linda Hamilton
* the writers' strike that affected this (and many other shows)
* the show's shift in which night it was shown
* MUCH detailed discussion of episodes
* the interruption by news announcer, Dan Rather, during a show which frustrated many fans
* the pursuit, use, and joy of VCRs and fans' new-found power to control their viewing in this way
* various encouragement by fans to voice their opinions to TPTB 
* a growing unease about the possibility of the show being taken off the air
* while none of the letters criticized Linda Hamilton/Catherine Chandler, there were allusions to this happening elsewhere; one fan wrote: "Catherine-bashers beware! Vincent would slash you if he knew what you said about his girl!"
* discussion about the literate, intelligent content of the show appealing to literate, intelligent fans and why this was an anomaly in other television shows that were vapid, cheap, full of violence, full of explicit sex
* discussion about how the show had been deemed a "women's show" and did that fact hinder it?
* there were some very detailed and lengthy descriptions of visiting and observing the show being filmed, of meeting the actors at conventions, at publicity events, and other venues
* fans were quite open in how the show made them feel: 1) less lonely, 2) accepted for who they are, 3) how they'd never felt that way about another show
* some fans discussed their faith and what they felt to be the Christianity of the show, with a few comparing Vincent to Jesus
* fans often criticized other shows on television for their vapidness, violence, and excessive attention to sex
* two big topics, 1) was Vincent a man or a beast, 2) would Vincent and Catherine share an intimate kiss, and possibly more -- and were the writers and PTB avoiding this intimacy due to pressure from the network and general society due to issues of perceived bestiality?
 
* there was much discussion about the power of the Neilson Ratings, about power of sponsors, and for some fans, a dawning realization that viewers of shows were mostly valued as consumers
* did Vincent have a tail?
==Things Began to Heat Up: February 1989==
For more on this topic, see Beauty and the Beast Fans and TPTB.
Up until early 1989, fans' comments in in earlier issues had been almost universally appreciative and generous in their praise of the show. Criticisms were moderate and stated in fairly non-inflammatory ways. 
But fans were beginning to become wary of the direction the show was going. The writers' strike didn't help things, the poor reception of the show in dismissive reviews made them angry, and fans were getting contradictory messages from TPTB regarding plot and characterization. 
Many letters by fans expressed fear that the show they'd come to rely on and identify with was going to either change, or not return to the screen.
Fans' comments included statements about writing letters, about "storming" network offices, and other actions.
In February 1989, the editor of "Passages" included an editorial in issue #10, something she had not done before. 
 
==August 1989: The End of the Road==
From the editor in the last issue:
==References==
Category:1988 Zines
Category:1989 Zines
Category:Beauty and the Beast Zines