Death is kinda, y'know, to be expected when you have people that are, y'know, living. And if you (the reader) don't know that by this point, then god, you have much bigger issues than character death warnings on a story. Well, that's me, then! If I want death, I read the news. I don't expect major character death often on Stargate, and every one of them has upset me (I include some recurring characters under "major character"). If someone warns for "dark content" or "apocafic" or "intense violence" or even "upsetting content/violence," I've been warned, though I haven't been spoiled for a character death. If I'm reading a PG (or perhaps even a PG-13) story with no violence warnings or "mild violence" and a character dies, I am ticked. Yes, this has happened to me, repeatedly. I don't think I actually complained to any of the authors--but I don't think I'd have been wrong to suggest a higher rating or a stronger warning.
When I read an R story, especially with warnings of violence, and a character dies, then I'm upset, but I have no business complaining. If I read an R fic tagged "apocalypse" or "dark" and I don't expect someone to die, then clearly I've lost my mind.
Occasionally, I read stories with a character death warning, and then I'm braced for it; I usually don't know who will die, and I have only myself to blame if I don't like it. I've never felt the warning ruined the story for me, and I do wish more people would put some warning (any of the ones I've listed or others: dark, intense violence, grave bodily harm, apocafic, etc.).
As you say, header information all has to be taken together. I've gotten better at reading between the lines and figuring out when character death may be implied.
But if I want death, I'll watch Caprica (which I do NOT plan to watch) or the news. I go to fandom to be happy.
no subject
Well, that's me, then! If I want death, I read the news. I don't expect major character death often on Stargate, and every one of them has upset me (I include some recurring characters under "major character"). If someone warns for "dark content" or "apocafic" or "intense violence" or even "upsetting content/violence," I've been warned, though I haven't been spoiled for a character death. If I'm reading a PG (or perhaps even a PG-13) story with no violence warnings or "mild violence" and a character dies, I am ticked. Yes, this has happened to me, repeatedly. I don't think I actually complained to any of the authors--but I don't think I'd have been wrong to suggest a higher rating or a stronger warning.
When I read an R story, especially with warnings of violence, and a character dies, then I'm upset, but I have no business complaining. If I read an R fic tagged "apocalypse" or "dark" and I don't expect someone to die, then clearly I've lost my mind.
Occasionally, I read stories with a character death warning, and then I'm braced for it; I usually don't know who will die, and I have only myself to blame if I don't like it. I've never felt the warning ruined the story for me, and I do wish more people would put some warning (any of the ones I've listed or others: dark, intense violence, grave bodily harm, apocafic, etc.).
As you say, header information all has to be taken together. I've gotten better at reading between the lines and figuring out when character death may be implied.
But if I want death, I'll watch Caprica (which I do NOT plan to watch) or the news. I go to fandom to be happy.