Non-consensual aphrodisiacs in SF: Difference between revisions

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'''Non-consensual aphrodisiacs''' are a staple of [[SF]], often paired with the "[[aliens made them do it]]" [[cliché]].
'''Non-consensual aphrodisiacs''' are a staple of [[SF]], often paired with the "[[aliens made them do it]]" [[cliché]].


They are a method of contriving [[sexual activity]] between characters who would not otherwise be having sex together, and therefore a [[rape]]-enabling plot device. However, science-fiction stories which address the [[rape]]s committed by means of non-consensual aphrodisiacs are rare, and this plot device is used for the reader's titillation. Usually within a very sexist framework.
They are a method of contriving [[sexual activity]] between characters who would not otherwise be having sex together, and therefore a [[rape]]-enabling plot device. However, science-fiction stories that address the [[rape]]s committed by means of non-consensual aphrodisiacs are rare, and this plot device is most often used for the reader's titillation, usually within a very sexist framework.


They are different from consensual aphrodisiacs in that they do not merely enhance sexual desire or performance, but interfere with a character's ability to give consent to sex, and/or by provoking uncontrollable sexual behaviour.
They are different from consensual aphrodisiacs in that they do not merely enhance sexual desire or performance, but interfere with a character's ability to give consent to sex, and/or by provoking uncontrollable sexual behaviour.
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They are the [[SF]]nal equivalent of what are called "date-rape" drugs, or roofies, in modern mundane parlance, and have a variety of names.
They are the [[SF]]nal equivalent of what are called "date-rape" drugs, or roofies, in modern mundane parlance, and have a variety of names.


A common example is having a character who exudes overpowering [[pheromones]], affecting all those around them, although this effect is often sex-linked, and/or limited by [[sexual orientation]]. These "natural" sources of non-consensual aphrodisiacs also exist in synthetised or technological forms: sprays, beverages, pills, etc...
A common example is having a character who exudes overpowering [[pheromones]],<ref>See, e.g., "Alienated"; X-Files episode, "GenderBender".</ref> affecting all those around them, although this effect is often sex-linked, and/or limited by [[sexual orientation]]. These "natural" sources of non-consensual aphrodisiacs also exist in synthetised or technological forms: sprays, beverages, pills, etc...


Telepathic and other forms of [[mind control]] also overlap with this category.
Telepathic and other forms of [[mind control]] also overlap with this category.
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* ''[[Alienated]]'': Cameron's pheromones and [[Isabelle's pimple]].
* ''[[Alienated]]'': Cameron's pheromones and [[Isabelle's pimple]].
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'': chocolate bars in "[[Band Candy]]" revert [[Rupert Giles|Giles]] and [[Joyce Summers]] to their teen selves and they have sex (the candy makes people act irresponsibly and is not strictly an aphrodisiac).
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'': chocolate bars in "[[Band Candy]]" revert [[Rupert Giles|Giles]] and [[Joyce Summers]] to their teen selves and they have sex (the candy makes people act irresponsibly and is not strictly an aphrodisiac).
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]], 6th season episode "[[Dead Things]]" -- the trio develop a magical device to control any person, and try to make Warren's ex-girlfriend their sex slave
* Buffy season 2 "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" S2 - Xander does a love spell to try to get Cordelia back; these things never work out.
* [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy]] S4 episode - "Beer Bad"
* [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy]] S4 episode - "Where the Wild Things Are" ...
* [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy]] S7 episode "Him" (magical letterman jacket)
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', 6th season episode "[[Dead Things]]" -- the trio develop a magical device to control any person, and try to make Warren's ex-girlfriend their sex slave
* ''[[Farscape]]'': [[freslin]], in "[[Scratch 'n Sniff]]"; [[Mele-on Grayza|Grayza]]'s [[Heppel oil]].
* ''[[Farscape]]'': [[freslin]], in "[[Scratch 'n Sniff]]"; [[Mele-on Grayza|Grayza]]'s [[Heppel oil]].
* ''[[Torchwood (TV series)]]'': Owen Harper's perfume in "[[Everything Changes (Torchwood episode)|Everything Changes]]".
* ''[[Torchwood (TV series)]]'': Owen Harper's perfume in "[[Everything Changes (Torchwood episode)|Everything Changes]]".
* "[[The X-Files]]", first season episode "[[GenderBender]]" - While pursuing a series of mysterious deaths, Scully is nearly overwhelmed by deadly pheromones from a member of a religious group.
* "[[The X-Files]]", first season episode "[[GenderBender]]" - While pursuing a series of mysterious deaths, Scully is nearly overwhelmed by deadly pheromones from a member of a religious group; 6th season episode "Three of a Kind", Scully is given an intoxicant which makes her very flirtatious.
* ''While not SF, "Veronica Mars" explores this topic repeatedly.
* "[[A Comedy of Eros]]" episode of [[Xena: Warrior Princess]], when Cupid's arrows strike many people randomly; "[[For Him the Bell Tolls]]" (Aphrodite makes Joxer an irresistible magnet for affection)
* While not SF, "Veronica Mars" explores this topic repeatedly.


=== In Literature ===
=== In Literature ===
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* [[Pon farr]] (''Star Trek'')
* [[Pon farr]] (''Star Trek'')
* "[[Aliens made them do it]]"
* "[[Aliens made them do it]]"
* [[Rape]]


{{stub}}
==References==


[[Category: Sexuality Themes]][[Category:Technology Themes]][[Category: Violence Themes]]
<div class="references-small" {{#if: {{{colwidth|}}}| style="-moz-column-width:{{{colwidth}}}; column-width:{{{colwidth}}};" | {{#if: {{{1|}}}| style="-moz-column-count:{{{1}}}; column-count:{{{1}}} }}};" |}}>
<references/></div>
 
 
[[Category:Sexuality themes]]
[[Category:Technology themes]]
[[Category: Violence themes]]
[[category:Themes and tropes by name]]

Latest revision as of 10:29, 8 June 2010

Non-consensual aphrodisiacs are a staple of SF, often paired with the "aliens made them do it" cliché.

They are a method of contriving sexual activity between characters who would not otherwise be having sex together, and therefore a rape-enabling plot device. However, science-fiction stories that address the rapes committed by means of non-consensual aphrodisiacs are rare, and this plot device is most often used for the reader's titillation, usually within a very sexist framework.

They are different from consensual aphrodisiacs in that they do not merely enhance sexual desire or performance, but interfere with a character's ability to give consent to sex, and/or by provoking uncontrollable sexual behaviour.

They are the SFnal equivalent of what are called "date-rape" drugs, or roofies, in modern mundane parlance, and have a variety of names.

A common example is having a character who exudes overpowering pheromones,[1] affecting all those around them, although this effect is often sex-linked, and/or limited by sexual orientation. These "natural" sources of non-consensual aphrodisiacs also exist in synthetised or technological forms: sprays, beverages, pills, etc...

Telepathic and other forms of mind control also overlap with this category.

Pornography makes a lot of use of this plot device, and some real-life advertising campaigns (ex: the Lynx/Axe body spray) depict the effects of their products as such.

Examples

On Television

In Literature

Related Topics

References

  1. ↑ See, e.g., "Alienated"; X-Files episode, "GenderBender".
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