And here I was thinking that it didn't have to be sex to be rape, which is why I've given up on the whole argument
I think I do know what you mean*, but linguistically I'd go with rape as specifically implying sex.
Violation is the word I'd use to describe the non-sexualised side of this abuse of power and control. I don't think it's any less serious, but I think rape specifically implies sex; it can be used metaphorically, sure, but that's not the same as being an umbrella term.
(*and on a related note, my discomfort with RPF is along these kind of lines - that RPF about Jensen Ackles going shopping, walking the dog and phoning his mum to talk about birthday plans is just as intrusive and usurpy as a PWP about him and his co-worker. It's the same kind of disrespect and liberty-taking, regardless of whether the fictionalising is licentious.*)
I consider that sex is necessary in order for me to classify it as rape, but I originally thought Juliebird's comment was referring to the notion that Topher is serving as a pimp when Sierra goes out on her missions, so he is a rapist by proxy - facilitating the personality/mind wipes.
But that's the broader picture. In the most recent ep, her role was not a sexual partner - thank goodness - for once.
on a related note, my discomfort with RPF is along these kind of lines
that is a very interesting insight. I feel the same way about RPF.
violation -- that's the word I'd use. Everything about the dolls is changed for a convenience for someone else. I'm not sure you can really get consent for it either.
"Abuse" and "violation" are both good words for what is going on. Rape is only one kind of abuse, only one way the dolls are violated.
Interestingly, the perspective from TWOP is that there was sex involved in the Sierra-Topher imprint.
thing is, Topher didn't specify the gender of the imprint he wanted when he asked for one. And Matrix man didn't know why he wanted the imprint, so I assumed that he wanted a buddy and not a sex partner.
I take it back- Couch Baron made quite a few jokes at the start of the recap that insinuated that he thought they did the deed, but then at the end:
And I should add that I was sure the first time around they had offscreen sex, because it's Topher, and how could I not think that, but despite all the jokes I made, on second viewing I don't think they did, both because the entire plotline comes off as very geekily wholesome, and because it's Fox and I frankly think they would have shown it if it had happened.
