Well, I definitely agree that one should be able to criticize, but like you, I don't see the point. And actually, I think the significant other parallel is a good one, since it seems like frequently it IS the lack of an alternative; I've noticed that with people like that, they stay with someone they bitch about because they're afraid they won't be able to find someone else, and I guess it's the same with shows.

But really, I think that's SO not true with sf/fantasy...I mean, this is pretty much one of the best times for sf/fantasy fandoms evar, just because there are so MANY shows and TV series and books and such and they're all quite accessible through the magic of the intarbutt. So I just can't buy that as a good reason to stick with something you hate. The only real reason I can see for staying in a fandom for something you no longer enjoy like that is if you really like the people, and even then it's not THAT difficult to keep friends once you move out of a fandom if they genuinely like you and you both do want to maintain contact (especially on LJ-based fandoms, it's as easy as hitting "friend user").

I guess I see it as a phenomenon almost like those people who write FF7 fanfic having only read plot summaries and looked at fanart; what's the point of being in fandom if you're not a fan of the source material? It's like being an atheist monk, it seems kinda ridiculous and defeats the point. XD