Oh, tumblr. You really get me going sometimes.

[popkin16]

I know last time people told me to leave the trolls alone. But when it comes to SGA, when it comes to my ship, I can't. I am protective of my OTP and if people want to question it, then let them. I have no problems going on and on and on about them. Just ask my online friends - you cannot get me to stop talking about McShep. So I say bring it on - let me tell you my feels for McShep. let me make you regret opening that can of worms

Because when they’re together, they can let their geeky 12 year old selves out. By the third episode, Hide and Seek, they’re already playing together. They race cars and debate super heroes. They can bicker and be sarcastic and it’s never taken seriously by the other. If you look at them honestly, both men are assholes, and everyone else is too nice to deal with that side of them. Because they fit together - they work well together, they play well together.

When Jeannie and Rodney weren’t getting along in McKay & Mrs Miller, it was John that showed Jeannie the goodbye tape Rodney made in season one. Rodney said he’d go with John to his father’s funeral if he could - they have each other’s backs. Because John couldn’t let Rodney kill himself, wouldn’t let him say goodbye when Rodney was slowly losing his mind to Second Childhood. And on the opposite side, Rodney gave up his entire life to bring John home in one timeline, and when he was sick with Second Childhood, all he yelled for was John. And you know what? John came every time. He was always there.

They annoy each other, yes, but they also accept each other as they are. When they were kicked off Atlantis, they stayed in contact. When Rodney died in John’s dreams in Doppelganger, John was devastated. When John was being fed on by the wraith, Rodney was worried and terrified.

I get not shipping it. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea for whatever reason. You don’t like their chemistry, or you like their chemistry with someone else.

But to deny they have a friendship, a connection - that I don’t get. We see they’re friends. We see they care.

If you question why two people who are friends are shipped together, then you question more than just McShep, but every ship built on the foundation of friendship.

John and Rodney were friends. They watched whales together. Their dynamic was fascinating and fun.

And it was good.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/sapphirestar_/]

LET THERE BE A MCSHEP BROMANCE, SAID THE SHOW.

LET THERE BE A MCSHEP ROMANCE, SAID THE FANS.

LO AND BEHOLD, THERE WAS. AND IT WAS AWESOMESAUCE.

(read: mcshep is real shut up haters to the left, how can anyone deny their friendship? it's like saying sherlock holmes never cared about watson or kirk and spock weren't the ultimate spacebros, ugh.)

[popkin16]

THAT'S EXACTLY HOW IT WENT.

(Haha, I love your examples, because in my mind John and Rodney are on par with Kirk and Spock, Sherlock and Watson, Jim and Blair. But I'm a crazy OTP type)

[wanted-a-pony.livejournal.com]

Well, YEAH. Anyone who can't see at least the possibility of McShep is probably a moron.

[popkin16]

There's clearly something not right with a person who can watch and not even acknowledge the friendship between the two. LIKE WAT

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

god, that is exactly it.

[popkin16]

Essi knows what's up :P

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

so very true, bb. As much as it pains me to say, they don't have to ship McShep, but there's no question about their friendship. I mean, their friendship is such a fundamntal part of the show that it sort of makes me wonder if this guy has only seen the one or two episodes wherein there's pretty much "just" John or "just" Rodney and is basing all this off of that.

[popkin16]

I confess I don't understand how people can watch SGA and not ship McShep, but I realize it's not everyone's cup of tea :P

I mean, their friendship is such a fundamntal part of the show that it sort of makes me wonder if this guy has only seen the one or two episodes wherein there's pretty much "just" John or "just" Rodney and is basing all this off of that.

YES. THIS. How did they miss all the little things, all the big things? You don't race cars and play Ancient Sims with someone you don't like. The show makes it clear how far they're willing to go for each other.

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

It's like my mom and her erronious comment that SGA wasn't "funny" - well, if you'd only seen the 1.5 five episodes she has, you'd probably believe that too. But still. When I watch TOS I don't ship Jim/Spock, but I can't deny they are friends.

[popkin16]

*nod* when you only watch a few episodes, you don't get the full scope of a show.

Yes, exactly. Shipping something doesn't mean you can't acknowledge a bond between half of your ship and someone else.

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

I was just reading this article on shipping wars and am thinking how very sad this poor person must be to have posted this in the first place. She had to have no idea what can of worms she was opening....

I almost feel sorry for her.

Almost.

[popkin16]

Ooo, I'm going to read that article as soon as I finish answering this comment. If it had been back in its heyday, the person probably would have been buried under comments about why people didn't ship it and why people did.

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

she's probably still getting enough now to be sincerly regretful. As the article says, it's very much "McKeller vs the Internet" at this point

[popkin16]

I loved that part :D I had no idea there was fighting between John/Elizabeth and John/Teyla shippers though - not that I particularly care. But yeah, McKeller vs The Internet

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

To be honest? I could probably ship Elizabeth/Teyla more than I could John with either one of them, 'cause I just don't see it that much. Specially in light of all the McShep evidence.

[popkin16]

With Elizabeth I get unrequited emotion for John, but with Teyla, I could see where fans see some return interest. Not a lot, and it's pretty subtle, but I could see where some moments appear shippy.

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Elizabeth has some definiate unrequited emotion for John ("Conversion" is like dripping with this, don't you think? As well as Caldwell's for Elizabeth) but that's just my point.

It's aadarshinah law of shipping: the ship with the most evidence is the OTP. Evidence for John + Rodney > John + Teyla > John + Elizabeth, ergo John + Rodney = OTP. (though I suppose the positions of the last two could be reversed.)

[popkin16]

Conversion, yes! That entire arc. I agree about Caldwell's for Elizabeth too, that's always seemed pretty obvious to me. I really like your law of shipping XD I don't always follow it - sometimes I ship something based on chemistry alone. But I like it XD

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

Ah, but chemistry is included in my evidence. Just because travesties like Rodney/Katie Brown (and I totally blankedout on her name there for a moment, which should say something) and Rodney/Jennifer are "canon" doesn't mean that the evidence for them outways that for John/Rodney.

I like my law of shipping too. I shall have to find someone to make a pretty graphic for it and try to start my own own internet meme. *facepalms*

[popkin16]

Just because travesties like Rodney/Katie Brown and Rodney/Jennifer are "canon" doesn't mean that the evidence for them outways that for John/Rodney.

Especially in the case of Katie Brown, whom we saw, what, once or twice a season?

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

something like that.
::shakes head::

[hoktauri]

LOVE IT!!! Reblogged it! :-D

[popkin16]

Yessss. I'm so glad you liked :D I sort of rushed it, so it's good to know it's resonating with shippers XD

[ldyanne.livejournal.com]

*nods*

Exactly right!

[popkin16]

*nod* I'm pretty proud of it, considering I wrote it in something like 5 minutes lol

I don't get non-mcshep shippers

[ember-firedrake.livejournal.com]

THIS, ALL OF THIS. BEAUTIFUL.

[popkin16]

I THOUGHT I DID PRETTY WELL, CONSIDERING MY MAIN REACTION TO MCSHEP IS: DAS;KJF;ASKJ

[spikespet7.livejournal.com]

There is also.....opposites attract, LOL!

If we all enjoyed the same pairings that what a dull world this would be......

They clicked from the beginning for me. In reality, John and Rodney would be single together as friends, because I'm not sure there is a woman out there that could put up with either of them. John would be military until time to retire, and always putting his life before all but himself, and one day it will kill him.

Rodney's self centeredness would/will break him and Jennifer up (another pairing that I can't see and bow to those that do)

Ronon would find the need to marry and make little ones to carry on his people's traditions.

Teyla I would never see her with anyone other than the father of her child. He basically is the boys man parental unit it would seem since she goes on missions. We're not even sure the baby came with her to earth....

Rodney is the one that would speak to John's inner (hidden geek) and push him to do something with it if he would decide to leave the military.

I have a few friends that don't see McShep either and swear on the John/Ronon pairing. I tell them I forgive them, LOL.

The thing about true friendship is accepting friends with their faults knowing they accept yours as well......

Kimber

[popkin16]

opposites attract

VERY TRUE.

I was thinking about that, too. I truly believe that none of the women on SGA - or rather, in Stargate - would really work for either of them. Mostly because I picture Elizabeth and Teyla going for the more serious, mature types. Not that John and Rodney can't be serious and mature, but they they like to be twelve year old boys at times, and Elizabeth and Teyla would only be exasperated/annoyed over that.

I don't understand most Rodney pairings, to be honest. I get Rodney/Radek and Rodney/Carson, but Rodney/Ronon and Rodney/Teyla just makes *no sense* to me. I feel like they have more shippy scenes with John - and likewise, I don't get John/Radek or John/Carson.

I have a friend who's not really into shipping, but she admits she found McKeller cute. She never reads fics or draws shippy things for fun, though.

The thing about true friendship is accepting friends with their faults knowing they accept yours as well...

Exactly. And John and Rodney have that.

[zoemathemata.livejournal.com]

haha, anyone who reads this comment will be like WHY IS SHE POSTING ABOUT OWL!RODNEY

but I am!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bengalese_Eagle_Owl.jpg

Long story long - I started a wing fic story in which Ronon, Teyla, John and Rodney each end up with wings and I was googling who had what kind. John got like little hummingbird wings that were always flapping and vibrating. Ronon got batwings (and of course Rodney was like HE'S BATMAN OMG), Teyla got soft moth wings and Rodney got this huge MOFO wings and when I was googling to see what they would look like, I found this pic and I was like ZOMG it's RODNEY MCKAY IN OWL FORM. HE IS INTENSE JUST LIKE OWLS

and now it turns out, other people think so too!

I never finished teh fic. but I have hopes for someday......

[popkin16]

LOL AND RANDOMLY THERE WAS OWLS

Oh wow, that fic sounds like so much fun. I love the little details you gave everyone's wings - they're not just generic, all-the-same: John has a hummingbird's, which are constantly in motion. Ronon has bat wings, etc. I love that you've essentially given independent confirmation that Rodney McKay makes a fantastic owl :D

You are not helping with my wish to hire you to write fanfiction all the time, you know.

[zoemathemata.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if I didn't have a job, I'd probably not get any writing done! I'm one of those "If I'm busy, I get shit done" kind of people. as someone once said, when you do nothing, how do you know when you are done??

and hence I just lie about doing nothing! but when I have fic deadlines or when I'm busy, SHIT GETS DONE

Re: Rodney as an owl - yes! It's true! Independently corroborated!

[popkin16]

Awww. I just want you to write ALL THE FIC because you're awesome. And what better way to motivate people than to pay them? But I get what you're saying *nod*

Re: Owl!Rodney - I like to think it's basically a fact, now :P

[wanted-a-pony.livejournal.com]

...when I was googling to see what they would look like, I found this pic and I was like ZOMG it's RODNEY MCKAY IN OWL FORM. HE IS INTENSE JUST LIKE OWLS

Heh! Things I like best about that photo: 1) the owl's cranky "What!?!" expression; 2) the way the owl's ear tufts are turned sideways, like a cat who's pissed off. In fact I've always seen quite a few similarities between owls & cats... which also fits with Rodney, actually. ;-)


(Edited to add the icon that illustrates the point)

[zoemathemata.livejournal.com]

Cats and owls just have this disdain dripping from their expressions. Like 'why are you even bothering me right now. go get me a cheeseburger.'

[wanted-a-pony.livejournal.com]

THIS THIS THIS!

It's a fine line between rewarding the trolls, & promoting the OTP in the marketplace of ideas. Actually, I can see both John & Rodney paired with others (but not McKeller or Sparky, eeuuw) but, like you, I don't understand how anyone who's watched much of the show doesn't get that they're BFFs. Even if you don't ship them, how can you not see them 25 years down the line as two crochety, curmudgeonly roommates who love each other & would rather be catheterized than admit it?!? ;-D

[popkin16]

I can see some other pairings, they just don't appeal to me at all. I'm very much McShep OTP. I know some people absolutely hate Rodney, so I suppose in that case they'd ignore the obvious friendship. But this person doesn't appear to hate him, so I truly don't understand why they don't see it. How can you *not*?

YES, EXACTLY. Curmudgeonly roommates who purposely annoy each other and bicker all the time. Yes!

[esteefee]

I agree with a lot of your post, but this:
both men are assholes, and everyone else is too nice to deal with that side of them.

I don't think both men are assholes. Yes, Rodney is difficult, doesn't filter what comes out of his mouth, is abusive verbally at times, sometimes acts self-interested. But I don't think he's an asshole. And I certainly don't get why you think John is an asshole. Canon pointers? He ribs Rodney, but I don't remember any instances where he acts like an asshole toward people. John *is* a hard-ass when he needs to be, and makes some bad decisions, but that's a different thing. He cares about people.

And as far as other people dealing with them? Rodney and Radek have a great, bickery relationship for sure and 'deal' all the time. Rodney and Carson are pals and Rodney is truly broken up by Carson's death. John and Ronon spend canon time together, running and hanging out -- it's quite clear that it's a regular thing for them. John and Teyla spar regularly, and they both come to help him pack and move in the Return and show him physical affection. They are *friends*. I won't even go into John and Teyla's dialog in Sateda.

So, it irks me when people imply these guys are too isolated and assholish for anyone but each other...it simply isn't so.

I love John and Rodney's relationship to pieces, but it doesn't have to be the only relationship in their lives to be wonderful, you know?

[popkin16]

Hmm. I think in this case it's my fault - they have wonderful relationships with others, and I can see where other people find a basis for their ships. I personally think John and Rodney fit together better with each other than they do others, but that's likely my OTP instincts, I think. But both John and Rodney have done/said things that made me go "Wow, that was pretty mean." Like when Rodney says he won an award and could have been an actor, and John says he wishes he would've. That may have been all in good fun, but it seems mean to imply you wish the person wasn't around. And if I had to work with Rodney in real life, I'd *definitely* think he was an asshole. Having an asshole side to your personality doesn't mean you aren't lovable or likable, it just means you occasionally are an asshole - and assholes can find love just as much as genuinely nice people.

John and Rodney have their good/kind/nice moments - I don't mean to imply they're all asshole, all the time. But neither am I going to ignore that they've had moments where I've thought "What an ass," either.

I love John and Rodney. I love that they're layered and flawed, because it makes them more relateable.

[esteefee]

Right: John definitely makes a point of ribbing Rodney or purposely acting "cool" about what Rodney means to him, but Rodney likewise makes comments about Captain Kirk and belittles John's intelligence or constantly tells him to shut up. I don't ever see John making snide comments about anyone else. You haven't pointed me to any moments where John is an asshole to other people, is what I'm saying. So I can't really call John an asshole based on their mutual behavior toward each other. It's how they relate.

[popkin16]

Ah, I see what you're saying. It's true that most (pretty much all) of John's asshole moments tend to happen with Rodney, but that still makes him an asshole. It's like a bully who focuses on just one person to make fun of - it's not all that they are, they aren't *just* a bully, but they are definitely a bully.

[esteefee]

Whoa. A bully? Not if the bully is being bullied back? Rodney treats John in like kind. That's their dynamic. Are you seriously putting Rodney in, like a put-upon role here? There is nothing put-upon about Rodney McKay. If Rodney were a delicate flower, one to be hurt by their snarking, John wouldn't do it. That's my point. They seem to enjoy each other's banter. If you think it's sometimes hurtful, maybe you're projecting a little? Because *Rodney* doesn't seem hurt.

I don't think making a snarky comment can be defined as assholish behavior, anyway. It's not like John, oh, drugged Rodney against his will and made him clean his room. *cough*

(I blame the writers for that one, btw, not Rodney. I refuse to accept that one as real canon.)

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

Their friendship comes through on screen and off so I can't see how someone can say that they can't see them even being friends because it's very obvious how they are around each other.

[popkin16]

Maybe they only watched a few of the episodes, maybe in season one when they were *quite* the epic bros we get to know? Or maybe they watched a couple random episodes that didn't have much McShep?

Really, I have no idea.