it's because you still get the satisfaction of the plot-driven framework while basking in the luxury of focusing on the characterisation. the things that make characterisation happen are taken care of, and all you have to do is explore them and reap the (fannish) benefits.

and i understand, because very few books/movies/television shows actually give me a fannish urge at all, even if i love them. i mean, i would never write "in treatment" fic. i doubt i would even read any. i wouldn't write "crime and punishment" fic either -- i just really like it, admire, would want to talk about it. i'm just surprised i haven't even heard anyone talking about it -- i mean, i've heard people talk about shows like "big love", so why not? (somebody made a "big love" joke on the meme yesterday, saying nick briggs was the star of a show called "briggs love" and we were all married to him. obviously i was not against the concept of this show).