I just wanted to say that I completely agree with your theory about why popslash is so very AU theory. Almost all the other major fandoms (quite possibly all) have enough leeway for us to introduce all sorts of bizarre things without anyone lifting an eyebrow (Harry Potter, for example, is set in a magical world, which provides a handy explanation for pretty much everything). Popslash seems to be in a totally different world of its own, where reality is abandoned and distorted. In a lot of ways, I always feel popslash is the most acceptable way to write Mary Sues, because we don't really know all the much about the characters involved, not really.

Anyway, thanks for reccing this, I shall start reading it immediately!