McKay's reactions to a whumped Sheppard

[kriadydragon]

I have a story in mind that one of these days I'm going to write... maybe Saturday if I'm up to it. It's Shep whump and I'm leaning toward it being from McKay's POV. Plotting it has gotten me thinking about the various reactions of fanon McKay witnessing Sheppard being hurt: Selfish, angry, worried and trying to hide it, worried and not trying to hide it, and uncertain and awkward.

So many reactions...

We've seen snippets of Rodney worrying about John, trying to offer comfort (or so I've heard since it's mostly been in season four) but, for the most part, it's always been the other way around with John helping Rodney out.

So, canon-wise, how would Rodney act around a physically or mentally, or both, hurt Sheppard? I've read a lot of stories where he either reacts in anger that's trying to cover concern, naively in that he acts normally with a few awkward or frustrated moments, and worried and angry without the anger hiding the worry. Oh, and not to forget the loathsome know-it-all-ism of McKay the emotional answer man, but I refuse to get into that one again.

Personally, I always felt there would be awkwardness on Rodney's part when it came to Sheppard being seriously hurt in body and soul. Maybe, in seasons one and two, he might have tried to avoid Sheppard in order to avoid an awkward moment. In season three and now four, I can see him trying to help Sheppard but feeling himself inadequate in doing so. But that's just how I see it. Some people write him reacting with frustration and anger - not necessarily at Sheppard - and sometimes I can see that kind of reaction as plausible, while other times I can't, all depending on the level of anger.

I'd like to get other people's opinions on Rodney's possible reactions to a whumped Shep, especially from those who have seen season four. 

Comments

[obsessed1o1.livejournal.com]

I see Mckay as awkward and using their now established banter as a way to keep Sheppard going. It's difficult to explain...he'd be good at comforting but he'd have an edge of panic. Able to reassure Sheppard that he's going to be fine but do it by threatening, (As a joke) that he has to stay alive so they can finish their chess game or so Sheppard can help him with his gene. He wouldn't be the one applying medical knowledge...he might have a go, but i see him as the stand back, awkward, low level panic type. I think Definat one, Doppelganger and Common ground...oh and 38 minutes all demonstrate how McKay reacts to Sheppard being injured!

Does that make sense? LOL!

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I can see him trying to help Sheppard but feeling himself inadequate in doing so.

This is how I see him, but it really depends on the situation.

If Rodney is forced to take care of Sheppard until help arrives I see him doing a decent job of it. He's had four years of dealing with medical emergecies-- by far he's no expert, but he knows basic first aid. I could see him being extremely nervous and yes awkward but caring if needed. Panic moments yes...anger maybe at those whomever responsible.

Typical McKay is sharp one moment a real nervous reaction then nicer the next, depending again the given situation.

If this is post crisis it still depend on John's condition. If its serious then I see him using humor in a bad way to encourage John..maybe even guilt to goad him on.

If its season 4, they've lost Carson and Elizabeth..loosing Sheppard would be a very emotional, upsetting situation.

[sholio]

What makes this a difficult question to answer is that I think it depends very much on circumstances; there's not just a "one size fits all" answer (any more than there is for any of the other characters). Did Rodney cause the situation and/or blame himself for it? Is it a situation in which he can actively work towards a solution, or is he forced to sit by and be helpless? Are there medical professionals around, so he can pass off responsibility to someone else, or is it just him so he has to deal with things? Is it a situation in which his natural bluntness is likely to help or hinder? Is he out in the field or back on Atlantis?

I think that after "Miller's Crossing" I'm a lot more inclined to believe that McKay *could* be emotionally sensitive when the situation calls for it. In that episode, he comes to see Sheppard in the aftermath of Sheppard being responsible for someone's death. First off, it's just sweet that he'd want to do that -- he's obviously not avoiding the issue. At first he tries to push for answers about what really happened. Then he backs off, realizing that Sheppard doesn't want to talk about it; he then reinforces Sheppard's rationalizations about why it's not his fault, and then takes him to get something to eat. (Which is, incidentally, more canon verification that Sheppard prefers "coping through normalcy" when he's upset, i.e. he *wants* to be treated normally, distracted, and bantered with, rather than having a heart-to-heart, and Rodney's more than happy to oblige.) But this episode makes it clear that Rodney does worry about Sheppard's emotional well-being and is capable of being sensitive enough to figure out how Sheppard wants to deal with the situation, and act accordingly.

But the thing is, I think a good writer can sell me on nearly anything, depending on circumstance. And I really do think that ANY of the characters -- but especially Rodney, as mercurial as he is -- would respond differently under different circumstances. In McKay's case, I would see him reacting with anger and frustration to feelings of guilt and helplessness; I'd also see him wanting to pass off medical or psychological issues to the professionals if there are any of them around. But I think there's a lot of support, on the show, for the idea that Sheppard leans on Rodney for emotional support, and that Rodney's not just going to abandon him unless he's either banned from Sheppard's vicinity or given a good reason why he can help Sheppard better by staying away from him.

Because of Rodney's analytical approach to life, in a long-term recovery situation I could see him reading everything he can get his hands on about Sheppard's condition (whatever it is) and nitpicking the way he's being treated -- maybe even drawing up his own recovery plan based on what he's read and getting frustrated when people won't follow it; I can totally see Rodney turning into an insufferable armchair psychologist in a misguided attempt to help. ("Aha! That's stage two -- denial! Don't deny it; you're clearly on your way to stage three!") On the other hand, I don't think he'd push it too hard if someone pointed out what he was doing. Case in point here is Common Ground, his little "get out there and find him, men!" speech in the gate room, where he's basically reacting to a situation where he's totally out of control by trying to be IN control even though it's a situation that's utterly outside his realm of expertise.

In an emergency, I think Rodney is absolutely capable of doing whatever he has to do to save Sheppard or someone else, up to and including field surgery if he has instructions. He might bitch about it, but he'll get it done without hesitation, even if it means risking his life. In a more relaxed situation, I think he's more likely to second-guess and doubt himself -- I think the way you describe it above, trying to help but feeling inadequate about it, is pretty much how I see it. He's his own worst enemy when it comes to interpersonal relationships. But he would really *want* to help. If whatever happened to John was something particularly awful, I think he'd have trouble overcoming his own horror, but he'd try.

[sholio]

If its season 4, they've lost Carson and Elizabeth..loosing Sheppard would be a very emotional, upsetting situation.

Yeah, there's a good point -- Rodney's reactions are going to be colored by his own worry and fear, too, and if he really thinks that he might lose John, his terror/anxiety/anger over the situation might cause him to lash out or appear unsympathetic. Kind of like in "Tao of Rodney", John refusing to listen to Rodney's last requests -- the more sympathetic thing would be to listen and promise to do what he wants, but John's having so much trouble coping himself that he can't deal with it except through denial.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Because of Rodney's analytical approach to life, in a long-term recovery situation I could see him reading everything he can get his hands on about Sheppard's condition (whatever it is) and nitpicking the way he's being treated

Yes, yes...I think this is very Rodney as well. To feel helpful and in control I could see him trying to research whatever he could and as you said nitpick whatever theory given.

In the end, I still see Rodney as very capable of showing concern and even tenderness if needed....bitching before or afterwards. After season 4, there are very few that he truely cares about, even if he'll never say it outloud but like John its all in the actions.

[sholio]

Yeah, I think losing Carson and Elizabeth has made Rodney more open with the people who are left, and I think the writers have done a good job of showing that; for example, thanking Radek for being concerned about him in Mortal Coil, or going to see Sheppard in Miller's Crossing, or falling asleep at Katie's bedside in Tabula Rasa. He's really *trying*, and I think there are things that fan writers can do with McKay now that would've had me rolling my eyes in past seasons that are far more plausible now. I *could* see him playing nursemaid to Sheppard; he might bitch about it, but he'd do it.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Okay so you and kriadydragon have your work cut out. Hop to it. Let's see this :-P

K

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

What makes this a difficult question to answer is that I think it depends very much on circumstances; there's not just a "one size fits all" answer (any more than there is for any of the other characters).

That's why I asked it. I wanted to get other people's take on Rodney reacting to someone else's emotional trauma. I feel I confine myself to one single reaction - Rodney being sympathetic and awkward about it. I most definitely think he can be sympathetic but, like you said, different circumstances are going to produce different reactions. I've read stories where his reactions - anger especially - are exaggerated so that it's hard to realize that he's not being self-centered and inconsiderate, he's just worried.

So some reactions I tend to shy away from completely. For what I have in mind for the story, I need to expand on how I usually have him react, give it a little more depth since it's going to be his POV.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

If its season 4, they've lost Carson and Elizabeth..loosing Sheppard would be a very emotional, upsetting situation.

I've been exploring that a lot, lately - Elizabeth and Carson are gone, so it feels only natural Rodney would be scared about losing Shepaprd (thuogh he would try to hide it.) I have a story in the works dealing with that (the end, however, is eluding me) and the story I have in mind I want to touch on that very subject.

I really hate being a season behind because it sounds like season four has all the fodder for the stories I want to do. Thank goodness for transcripts.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I know you're on dial up but my pal Mandy is from New Zeland and is on dial up, too. It takes a whole day to download an eppy but she just lets it d/l all night Sunday and into Monday then she has it.

Ever thought of that?

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it makes perfect sense, and I agree. As Friendshipper said, Rodney would go for what passes as normal since Sheppard would want normal, which means banter and snarking.

I think Definat one, Doppelganger and Common ground...oh and 38 minutes all demonstrate how McKay reacts to Sheppard being injured!

They give a good idea, but I was thinking more face to face. We know how Rodney reacts during the crisis, but how would he act around an injured and hurting John after the crisis, especially if there's mental trauma involved? And especially in later seasons like three and four, where their friendship is a lot stronger compared to seasons two and three.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I have, actually, but first we need to get speakers. I think I'll try to do that next month, depending on how much they cost.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

You can plug in headphones where the speaker connection goes..I think thats better....Its how I re-watch eppys.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Tried that. We use Linux and it's an incredibly anal program when it comes to hardware. It recognizes all sound devices except headphones. *Rolls eyes* go figure.

[reen212000.livejournal.com]

And I really do think that ANY of the characters -- but especially Rodney, as mercurial as he is -- would respond differently under different circumstances.

I love that word. Mercurial. Rodney McKay, in my mind, is the definition of this word. Changeable, erratic, animated, and let's not forget quick-witted. Not necessarily volatile or flighty, but he can be.

Favorites you already know...
The Reluctant Hero (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2895398/1/The_Reluctant_Hero)

Running on Empty (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2929045/1/)

But you've written so many very good ones yourself!

[sholio]

Another thing that occurs to me is that I'm not really sure how post-trauma Sheppard would react to things, either, or want other people around him to react to him. Here again I've seen a variety of ways that different authors (or the same author in different stories) handle Sheppard's reactions to things when he's in the throes of PTSD -- wanting to be alone, wanting to have his team around him 24-7, wanting everyone to treat him normally or needing special handling, being able to articulate his needs or not, being unable to handle sudden changes of environment or being able to tolerate it, feeling like he's a danger to others due to flashbacks or just being kinda catatonic ...

So I think it would make a big difference how Sheppard is being characterized -- what he wants, how easily he is able to articulate his needs (whatever they may be in a given story) and how well Rodney can pick up on that and respond to it. Some reactions of Sheppard's are probably going to be a lot easier for Rodney to deal with than others -- a Sheppard who's capable of talking and joking, for example, is probably going to be a lot easier for him to respond to than a Sheppard who's freaking out at loud noises and trying to hide under the bed.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Very true. I've always felt it accurate that Sheppard would want things back to normal as soon as possible, so would prefer normalcy. On the other hand, I would think a certain level of compassion and caution required as well. I've read stories where Sheppard is acting petulant because he's hurting and frustrated, and the others will, of course, reprimand him for it - sometimes even laugh at him if he's acting childish. I've always felt that wrong. There's establishing normalcy, and then there's pushing normalcy to the point that you end up provoking rather than helping.

I find it interesting to explore. But, until recently after reading season four spoilers, I've never taken into more careful consideration the various ways McKay might react to different situations. Especially with how long he's been around Sheppard, now. How he might have reacted to something in season one or two probably isn't how he's going to react to that same situation in season three and four. For that reason, if I want to write a season four piece that involves a hurting Sheppard - mentally and/or physically - how I had Rodney react in a season two or even three piece I'll want to do differently for that season four piece.