Non-consensual aphrodisiacs in SF: Difference between revisions
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* ''[[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. | ||
* ''While not SF, "Veronica Mars" explores this topic repeatedly. | |||
=== In Literature === | === In Literature === | ||
Revision as of 10:19, 6 February 2007
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 rapes 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 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, 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
- Alienated: Cameron's pheromones and Isabelle's pimple.
- Farscape: freslin, in "Scratch 'n Sniff"; Grayza's Heppel oil.
- Torchwood (TV series): Owen Harper's perfume in "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.
- While not SF, "Veronica Mars" explores this topic repeatedly.
In Literature
Related Topics
- Pon farr (Star Trek)
- "Aliens made them do it"
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