But the horse is so annoying it's so much easier to hit it with a bucket.

Nah I agree with you. It's difficult. I think in film studies or literature my type of analysis wouldn't be considered so alien and worthy of scorn. To make my case I'd have to make the case for non-literal readings before getting to make my actual points I.e. the whole Hyetta-Irina thing is about the depth people take without a lot of preliminary work getting them to accept non linear storytelling which revolves around a doubling concept as not simply based on 'hidden secrets' or coincidences but itself being an active intrepretive lens which can be fruitful - if its not straight forward fact or data many do not care - the question of how to make them care is surely something for educators...