Not My Canon!

Summation

As the final post of my retrospective, I think it's important to look back before reaching a conclusion. From the start, I've been trying to build a case by compiling all available information about the state of the fandom and the production of the play. Then make an assessment on whether I can prove why it failed in the eyes of the fans based on that evidence. I wanted to see if these elements established a pattern of neglect and greediness; not by using one isolated fact to substantiate my claim, but by showcasing every additional piece of evidence as a twig of kindling being added to a fire that's been building smoke for some time.

I know. "Who is this guy to criticize?" I'm an amateur critic. A researcher with a serious case of Apophenia - willing to see what others have said, include it with my own connections, and develop a sequence of events into a narrative that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. I speculate a great deal, and have never sought direct quotes from those involved. But I'm also not a sycophant, one of these obsequious Potterheads with whom I've gotten into pointless debates, where logic and facts and history and real quotes go unacknowledged, because they are hopelessly devoted to JKR. And, as I've said before, fandom is psychologically aligned with cultism. And cults are built on faith. I know I use hyperbole often, but let me just do it again to reiterate that J.K. Rowling is not a god. She is not unaccustomed to blunders. But despite her horde of intense devotees, I actually don't think that faith in JKR is misplaced.

She is an extremely intelligent and intuitive person. She is an author and a philanthropist. Beyond those qualities, JKR is a savvy business woman. Becoming the highest paid author in human existence didn't happen by accident. She wields immense power in the entertainment industry, tremendous financial power. And she knows this, which is why she wrote three books simply for charity, and started LUMOS, a charity of her own. There is no doubt in my mind that JKR has turned away many bad ideas, even ones her fans would have loved. And after so much time dealing with these sorts of people, JKR can most certainly spot a bad idea from a mile away. So, we can confidently say, as a final summation, that J.K. Rowling would never get involved in a Harry Potter business venture without desiring the outcome. Let me say that again. Rowling is more astute than most. If she goes into a situation where she knows what's going to happen, it means that she wants that thing to happen.

Enter the crux of why I want to show her leniency. The outcome she first desired by taking on the play could not have been...what we got in the end. I think that the origin of the idea was something she thought was removed enough from her book series that it felt safe to explore, with no fear that it would be considered the 8th story. Based on all she created, we know that Harry's story was always meant to be seven books (seven years, seven Horcruxes, the most magical number, etc...). Watch any of her interviews following the publication of Deathly Hallows. Harry's story was complete, the pressure was off, and she was relieved.