SGA Fanon vs Canon issues

[kriadydragon]

This is basically a more organized accumulation of issues previously discussed in my journal, collected into something more thought out and less tainted by heat-of-the-moment frustrations. Spoiler free.

1. Trinity Tags  - I think everyone already knows the dislike I feel toward trinity tags. The big issue for me, however, is not so much them being "poor picked-on Rodney" fics (I can't really blame anyone for using angst fodder where they see it). My issue is "John is such a jerk for not trusting Rodney."

Throughout many Trinity tags I've come across, there seems to be the prevalent idea that no trust = no forgiveness, and that John saying Rodney had to earn his trust back was in the wrong. Personally, I think John was completely in the right. Trust isn't something to be taken lightly. It's not something you hand out like candy. It's fragile, for some more than others. Sheppard offered his trust to Rodney because he believed in Rodney, and Rodney shook that belief when he gave into his ego rather than listening to reason. In turn, trust was lost. So does that mean John hasn't forgiven McKay just because he said he didn't trust him? We actually had a discussion in one of my church classes about trust and forgiveness. Just because you forgive someone who broke your trust doesn't mean you have to immediately start trusting them again. In fact, you have every right to withhold your trust until that person earns it back, if you want. Sounds harsh, yes, but be the one who had their trust broken and you might end up singing a different tune. McKay almost got them killed - not because it was an accident, not because of some unforeseen flaw - but because he'd made a choice. And if John does have trust issues as many believe (Hot Zone, Epiphany) then, no, he's not going to up and start trusting again.

Sheppard offering McKay a chance to earn his trust back is forgiveness, and I hate that so many portray it as not being forgiveness. They're not taking into consideration Sheppard's side of things, either focused more on making him the bad guy or on making both boys in the wrong. Some fics have handled the latter well, focusing more on trust issues and trying to fix them. Others make it more out that John was just as much in the wrong for taking his trust away from Rodney as McKay was for blowing up a solar system.

Personally, I think any trust issues John has with McKay is over his ego, anyways, and not the man himself.

2. Kirking - I've mentioned this in another post: Tony from NCIS and Dean from Supernatural get more action than John.

    - Sanctuary: Sharing as "Glowy Sex" is more of an in-the-eye-of-the-beholder thing. IMO, since there's no exchange of fluids - only thoughts - no risk of accidental pregnancy or STDs, no moaning or groaning or screaming, and is described as sharing personal thoughts and moments, I see it more as a combination of showing home movies (because home movies always have plenty of embarrassing moments that you wouldn't share with anyone except those close to you) and a very personal heart-to-heart talk. In other words, a fancy way of getting to know each other. But that's just how I see it.

- Epiphany: though nothing is shown, it can't be denied that something had happened between Teer and John. Still, it may just be me, but it seemed like Teer was coming onto Sheppard way more than Sheppard was coming on to Teer, and she was the one to make the first move. All in all, Sheppard certainly wasn't acting like the horny womanizer many anti-kirkers try to claim him to be.

- The Tower: Ah, the infamous Tower, fuel for the Anti-Kirkers. I am of the firm belief that aboslutely nothing happened between John and Mara(?). I would think someone admitting to wanting to get pregnant a rather big mood killer, and Sheppard hadn't been looking too eager for a roll in the hay after Mara had told him of her intentions. And since Mara's intention was procreation, any mention on John's part concerning protection would have killed the mood for her. Also (and this is more just my opinion) I took John's "I even got the girl... but turned her down" as, "no, I didn't sleep with her, so no illigitimate children for me."

These are the only three episodes I can think of where anti-Kirkers would argue John having had any sex. The rest of the time it's been flirting, and not even heavy flirting when compared to characters from other shows (*cough* Dean Winchester *cough*). He doesn't even flirt with the woman in the Brotherhood. Instead, he helps Rodney in getting the girl. Then there's Teyla, who he has such profound respect for he gladly admits to her always being able to kick his butt. Not really something a horny womanizer would easily admit to.

3. Sheppard is Suicidal: One suicide run and suddenly he has mental problems. I've discovered plenty of evidence to the contrary.

    - Aurora: Sheppard was all nice and gung-ho about getting in the pod until Rodney started talking about the possible damage the pods could cause. Suddenly, John wasn't so enthusiastic.

    - The Long Good-Bye: John hesitates, looking nervous, before stepping toward Thalen's pod.

    - Common Ground: Even old and years closer to death, John still fights to get home, refusing to give up.

4.  McKay insulting Sheppard's  intelligence:  Something that has a tendancy of jarring me when reading a story is when Rodney calls John an idiot, or says something else condescending toward his intelligence out loud. Though I can see Rodney doing so mentally, I just can't see him doing that to John's face. After all, John has been the one to come up with a lot of life-saving ideas.

    - The Siege part 3: Getting the wraith to believe Atlantis was destroyed. John's idea, Rodney makes it happen.

    - The Hive: attacking the rival hive to get the two ships to attack each other. John's idea.

    - Echoes: Using the ZPM to power the Daedalus shields to divert the solar flare. Crazy, yes, but it worked. John's idea.

     - The Brotherhood: figuring out the sequence to place the tiles. John, plus the confession that he passed the MENSA test.

Just a few examples, but what it all comes down to is that McKay has too many reasons to respect John's intelligence. And for a man who places high I.Q.s on a pedestal, belittling John's intelligence just doesn't seem like something Rodney would do. Question Sheppard, yes. Be surprised by Sheppard displaying strong intelligence, yes. Call him an idiot or stupid... I can't see that happening.

Then there's all that snarking the two do. Rodney verbally throws something at John, John verbally throws something back. Sheppard doesn't let Rodney belittle him. Heck, he doesn't even let Rodney give into self-doubt or "it can't be fixed." So it stands to reason John wouldn't put up with Rodney calling him an idiot.

This is also why I have a problem with stories that portray Sheppard as less than intelligent (either oblivious or overly foolhardy).

5. The all knowing McKay, and he knows it: I've always had a bit of an issue with Sheppard-angst stories that use McKay's condescending know-it-allism as a quick fix. I do think Rodney quite capable of helping someone emotionally. What I can't stand, however, and what I also feel as out of character, is the easy (yet somewhat insulting) manner McKay uses to help John tame his demons, then the smugness that follows.

I'm sorry, I can't buy it. I know McKay is the kind of character who "tells it like it is," but that doesn't always make him right, especially where another's emotions are concerned. He's not a people-person, isn't used to dealing with people on an emotional level, and so goes all awkward or open-mouth-insert-foot about it (The Return Pt. 1: Carson breaks down, about to go into tears, and McKay is annoyed by it. Childhood's End and McKay and Mrs. Miller: not good with kids. Duet and Sunday: him and Katie Brown.) There are some stories that use a McKay-quick-fix that leave me surprised that Sheppard hadn't decked him, or that the situation wasn't made worse. Again, I think Rodney capable of being able to help "fix" someone, but if it's going to happen, it's going to happen (IMO) one of two ways.

- awkwardly, where there's a lot of stumbling and trying between the two before he gets it right.

- smugly, maybe being in the right but handling it wrong or just being in the wrong, thus screwing it up, followed by awkward and getting it right.

That's not to say he wouldn't get it right the first time. Some stories, however, have him handle things in a way that has him practically verging on being a Mary Sue.

Comments

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

Also in Childhood's End, when Keras asks Sheppard if he'd willingly give his life to protect his people if it were necessary, John replies with an emphatic, "It'd have to be really necessary."

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Dang! Forgot that one.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I agree with them all....I tend to runaway anytime I sense a hint of such bad characterizations. McKay is insulting but not of Sheppard's intelligence.

Same goes with Trinity fics I avoid them because of the reasons you stated.

Don't get me started on the Kirking, you have seen my argument about that and I tend to kindly jump on that topic anytime I see it.

And yes, Sheppard isn't suicidal, never thought he was.

Though one day I'm going to pose my own question about writers who think Sheppard would hide his injuries....to me unless its a special case, that isn't the Sheppard we've seen on the screen. Might post that for discussion tomorrow.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Though one day I'm going to pose my own question about writers who think Sheppard would hide his injuries....to me unless its a special case, that isn't the Sheppard we've seen on the screen. Might post that for discussion tomorrow.

Yay, discussions! I like discussions, they're a good way to vent.