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Because the muses won't cooperate, I'm bored. Because I'm bored, I'm writing this.
I wish Outcast would air, and I hope to heaven it's a good back-story for John. Because a back-story, I think, would make him so much easier to write. Back-stories help ground a character, give us a source from which to base why he does what he does, and why he acts the way he acts; as well as help us predict how he would react to certain situations. Sheppard is a difficult character to grasp, made even more difficult since, at times, the writers don't seem to know how to handle his character.
I'm not claiming to be a Sheppard expert. After writing Castles in the Sky, along with what's been going on in season four (transcripts are most helpful) I feel like I've gotten to know him a little more. But everyone sees a character in a different way. These are just some things I've observed in Sheppard, things that are probably obvious to everyone, or simply based on my own personal views of him. So some things you may agree with, some things you may not, and that's okay. They're all subject to change depending on what future episodes reveal.
- He ain't kidding when he says he'd do anything for anyone of his team (Millers' Crossing). IMO, Sheppard's greatest weakness is the welfare of others, his team especially. Slap him around and he'll take it with a grin (Travelers). Smack his team around long enough and he just might fall apart. Same goes with forcing him to watch the suffering of others, even if they're just strangers. That's why I feel that to break him, he has to be weakened both physically but most epescially emotinally. Forcing him to witness the hurt of someone else will eaither drive him insane or shatter him into a million pieces, especially if that someone is a member of his team.
- He's a guy who does what has to be done, but would prefer doing what results in a happy ending. In other words, he would rather try to save everyone, but knows and - eventually - accepts when it's not possible. Sometimes he can't save them all, and he knows that, but a little peice of him dies inside when that turns out to be the case.
- His Mensa intelligence lies in problem sovling. As seen in episodes like the Siege 3 and Echoes, he can come up with some pretty slick solutions for saving the day. He plans it, and McKay makes it happen.
- The majority belief when it comes to his emotions is that he keeps them tucked away deep inside. He's not emotionally closed-off, more like emotionally shy, maybe even naive, IMO. There are times when I've gotten the impression (Sateda when he's talking to Teyla, Sunday when talking about how Beckett's death hasn't hit him yet, the numerous times he's been hugged) that it's not so much that he's afraid to express his emotions, but that he doesn't know how to. Sort of like having an idea for a beautiful painting in your head, but unable to put it on canvas because you don't know how to paint. However, though he's not so great at expressing certain emotions, he's still an emotional guy in that he's passionate and compassionate. So when he does express himself - reacting on emotions - it's going to be in the form of anger, resolve and/or action. Instead of offering comfort, he offers solutions, or takes it upon himself to do something about the issue (McKay and Mrs. Miller - showing Jeannie the video of Rodney.)
As for him being the one offered emotional comfort/support, that's where things get tricky. He wouldn't want pity. He would run - maybe even get hostile - if forced to open up against his will. He's probably the type who needs space and time to work things out in his head. I buy that he probably has quite a skeleton-packed closet, although I get the feeling that he's good at dealing with trauma so long as he was the only one affected by it (i.e. no one else was hurt or killed). He's probably a "I'm alive and that's all that matters" type. However, that doesn't make him stoic and unflappable, just practical. There are a lot of people good at dealing with difficult situations, but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect them in some way. Sheppard and Iratus bugs, for example. He's always saying he hates them, but you can also tell he's afraid of them (Vengeance - the way he stares at the iratus bug in the tube, and keeps on staring.) I also wouldn't be surprised if he had a minor aversion to his chest being touched (Common Ground). I'm of the firm belief that he really is a positive thinker, and by focusing on the positive, it's easy for him to put certain traumatic events behind him.
So I also buy that's he's probably the type who wants to forget about the bad that just happened and move on with his life. It's only when the bad happens to others that he doesn't let go. Wow, that was a long one. But an emotional John, I think, is the hardest of all his aspects to really grasp and get right.
- I do think he has trust issues (Trinity, Hot Zone). Maybe he wants to trust, tries to trust, but like with expressing his emotions has a difficult time doing so. He may or may not be a little bit of a control freak, I'm not quite sure. Wouldn't hold it past him, though.
- his relaxed personality is neither a facade nor laziness. It's just the way he is. He's a positive thinker, which means he doesn't sweat the small stuff. He'd rather look on the bright side of life, but he doesn't let it distract him. He has a dry humor of the kind that makes people (mostly Rodney) do a double take until they finally realize it was just a joke. That same wit he also uses as a weapon. Sarcasm is how he maintains control when control is taken from him. So, yeah, for him humor is a coping mechanism.
- I think John and Rodney's friendship is based on them accepting each other for who they are and not expecting them to be something more or less. Being on the same team has forced them to get to know one another. John's ability to give as good as he takes when it comes to sarcasm made Rodney's personality not only something that he could handle, but also something that amused him (Rodney's gullibility when it comes to Sheppard's dry humor.) Maybe, in the beginning, Rodney saw Sheppard as nothing more than a pretty-flyboy grunt, but the more he got to know him, the more he was caught off gaurd by who Sheppard really was, and the more he came to respect them. Sheppard may be iffy when it comes to Rodney's ego, but has unwavering faith in his abilities and in him accomplishing the impossible when the chips are down. I think Sheppard does trust Rodney with his life, even though he sometimes says otherwise (Aurora, when he's getting into the pod).
Rodney confessed to Carson being his best friend, but there had so better come a time when Rodney calls Sheppard the same, because they are best friends with a brother-like relationship: John is the older brother, Rodney the younger.
- When it comes to John and women, the opinions are so varied that's it's pretty much a controversy. Some opinions are based on Sheppard's flirting and his reaction to a pretty face, some on individual opinions of men in general, some because - it seems - people are looking for a way to hate John, and I swear some opinions are nothing more than over-the-top man-hating gut reactions (*Gasp!* he's flirting. That pig! Treating women like objects!) Sheppard is a flirt and a charmer and a sucker for a pretty face and hot body. He's a guy, plain and simple. However, I always say that Sheppard strikes me as a lonely guy, content to an extent in being solitary but wanting something more. All the women he's flirted with he's shown some sort of caring toward (Sanctuary - he goes back to help Chaya save her planet. Tower - he makes sure Mara is all right. Travelers - saves Larrin even though she had the crap beat out of him.) He has a chivalrous side. And, sometimes, he doesn't flirt at all (The Brotherhood, though who knew what happened before the episode began. The Seer.)
Like with humor, he isn't above using his charm as a weapon (not that it really works.)
I, personally, don't see him as being into one night stands, but that's my own personal view. Many are of the opinion that Sheppard regreted sleeping with Teer - that he did it as a way to move on and accept his current fate - and I find that believable. To me, it seemed like he just didn't have that much of an interest in Teer. So I can see him having regreted sleeping with her since his fate wasn't to remain in the cloister after all. He's attracted to a pretty face and a hot body, but I feel that even though his first marriage didn't work, that doesn't mean he isn't still looking for a meaningful relationship.
That's all I have so far, mostly because I'm too tired to think anymore. Please see comments below for further insight into Sheppard.
I'm not claiming to be a Sheppard expert. After writing Castles in the Sky, along with what's been going on in season four (transcripts are most helpful) I feel like I've gotten to know him a little more. But everyone sees a character in a different way. These are just some things I've observed in Sheppard, things that are probably obvious to everyone, or simply based on my own personal views of him. So some things you may agree with, some things you may not, and that's okay. They're all subject to change depending on what future episodes reveal.
- He ain't kidding when he says he'd do anything for anyone of his team (Millers' Crossing). IMO, Sheppard's greatest weakness is the welfare of others, his team especially. Slap him around and he'll take it with a grin (Travelers). Smack his team around long enough and he just might fall apart. Same goes with forcing him to watch the suffering of others, even if they're just strangers. That's why I feel that to break him, he has to be weakened both physically but most epescially emotinally. Forcing him to witness the hurt of someone else will eaither drive him insane or shatter him into a million pieces, especially if that someone is a member of his team.
- He's a guy who does what has to be done, but would prefer doing what results in a happy ending. In other words, he would rather try to save everyone, but knows and - eventually - accepts when it's not possible. Sometimes he can't save them all, and he knows that, but a little peice of him dies inside when that turns out to be the case.
- His Mensa intelligence lies in problem sovling. As seen in episodes like the Siege 3 and Echoes, he can come up with some pretty slick solutions for saving the day. He plans it, and McKay makes it happen.
- The majority belief when it comes to his emotions is that he keeps them tucked away deep inside. He's not emotionally closed-off, more like emotionally shy, maybe even naive, IMO. There are times when I've gotten the impression (Sateda when he's talking to Teyla, Sunday when talking about how Beckett's death hasn't hit him yet, the numerous times he's been hugged) that it's not so much that he's afraid to express his emotions, but that he doesn't know how to. Sort of like having an idea for a beautiful painting in your head, but unable to put it on canvas because you don't know how to paint. However, though he's not so great at expressing certain emotions, he's still an emotional guy in that he's passionate and compassionate. So when he does express himself - reacting on emotions - it's going to be in the form of anger, resolve and/or action. Instead of offering comfort, he offers solutions, or takes it upon himself to do something about the issue (McKay and Mrs. Miller - showing Jeannie the video of Rodney.)
As for him being the one offered emotional comfort/support, that's where things get tricky. He wouldn't want pity. He would run - maybe even get hostile - if forced to open up against his will. He's probably the type who needs space and time to work things out in his head. I buy that he probably has quite a skeleton-packed closet, although I get the feeling that he's good at dealing with trauma so long as he was the only one affected by it (i.e. no one else was hurt or killed). He's probably a "I'm alive and that's all that matters" type. However, that doesn't make him stoic and unflappable, just practical. There are a lot of people good at dealing with difficult situations, but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect them in some way. Sheppard and Iratus bugs, for example. He's always saying he hates them, but you can also tell he's afraid of them (Vengeance - the way he stares at the iratus bug in the tube, and keeps on staring.) I also wouldn't be surprised if he had a minor aversion to his chest being touched (Common Ground). I'm of the firm belief that he really is a positive thinker, and by focusing on the positive, it's easy for him to put certain traumatic events behind him.
So I also buy that's he's probably the type who wants to forget about the bad that just happened and move on with his life. It's only when the bad happens to others that he doesn't let go. Wow, that was a long one. But an emotional John, I think, is the hardest of all his aspects to really grasp and get right.
- I do think he has trust issues (Trinity, Hot Zone). Maybe he wants to trust, tries to trust, but like with expressing his emotions has a difficult time doing so. He may or may not be a little bit of a control freak, I'm not quite sure. Wouldn't hold it past him, though.
- his relaxed personality is neither a facade nor laziness. It's just the way he is. He's a positive thinker, which means he doesn't sweat the small stuff. He'd rather look on the bright side of life, but he doesn't let it distract him. He has a dry humor of the kind that makes people (mostly Rodney) do a double take until they finally realize it was just a joke. That same wit he also uses as a weapon. Sarcasm is how he maintains control when control is taken from him. So, yeah, for him humor is a coping mechanism.
- I think John and Rodney's friendship is based on them accepting each other for who they are and not expecting them to be something more or less. Being on the same team has forced them to get to know one another. John's ability to give as good as he takes when it comes to sarcasm made Rodney's personality not only something that he could handle, but also something that amused him (Rodney's gullibility when it comes to Sheppard's dry humor.) Maybe, in the beginning, Rodney saw Sheppard as nothing more than a pretty-flyboy grunt, but the more he got to know him, the more he was caught off gaurd by who Sheppard really was, and the more he came to respect them. Sheppard may be iffy when it comes to Rodney's ego, but has unwavering faith in his abilities and in him accomplishing the impossible when the chips are down. I think Sheppard does trust Rodney with his life, even though he sometimes says otherwise (Aurora, when he's getting into the pod).
Rodney confessed to Carson being his best friend, but there had so better come a time when Rodney calls Sheppard the same, because they are best friends with a brother-like relationship: John is the older brother, Rodney the younger.
- When it comes to John and women, the opinions are so varied that's it's pretty much a controversy. Some opinions are based on Sheppard's flirting and his reaction to a pretty face, some on individual opinions of men in general, some because - it seems - people are looking for a way to hate John, and I swear some opinions are nothing more than over-the-top man-hating gut reactions (*Gasp!* he's flirting. That pig! Treating women like objects!) Sheppard is a flirt and a charmer and a sucker for a pretty face and hot body. He's a guy, plain and simple. However, I always say that Sheppard strikes me as a lonely guy, content to an extent in being solitary but wanting something more. All the women he's flirted with he's shown some sort of caring toward (Sanctuary - he goes back to help Chaya save her planet. Tower - he makes sure Mara is all right. Travelers - saves Larrin even though she had the crap beat out of him.) He has a chivalrous side. And, sometimes, he doesn't flirt at all (The Brotherhood, though who knew what happened before the episode began. The Seer.)
Like with humor, he isn't above using his charm as a weapon (not that it really works.)
I, personally, don't see him as being into one night stands, but that's my own personal view. Many are of the opinion that Sheppard regreted sleeping with Teer - that he did it as a way to move on and accept his current fate - and I find that believable. To me, it seemed like he just didn't have that much of an interest in Teer. So I can see him having regreted sleeping with her since his fate wasn't to remain in the cloister after all. He's attracted to a pretty face and a hot body, but I feel that even though his first marriage didn't work, that doesn't mean he isn't still looking for a meaningful relationship.
That's all I have so far, mostly because I'm too tired to think anymore. Please see comments below for further insight into Sheppard.
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Date: 2008-01-17 02:25 pm (UTC)From:One of the tricky things with his background is gonna be that the background JF had in his head and used as motivation for Sheppard turned out to be different than what the writer's eventually came up with. So the question becomes will his motivations makes sense once Outcast airs?
He plans it, and McKay makes it happen.
Unless McKay isn't available, then it's usually pretty darn close to as good at making things happen, as seen in Hot Zone and Common Ground, but most notably Grace Under Pressure and Travelers. As an officer, he's trained to delegate, so he usually does, leaving himself available to deal with other problems that might arise (ie. the bad guys returning while McKay is trying to reroute the power in Condemned.)
He may or may not be a little bit of a control freak
Officers in the military usually become control freaks, even if they weren't before they become officers, but more importantly (especially with Sheppard, I think), people with trust issues nearly always become control freaks, even if they didn't start out that way. So I would expect Sheppard to be a control freak, though he might hide it well when dealing with (some) superior officer (he clearly doesn't hide it well when dealing with all superior officer, ie. he's pretty good with Sam and letting her be in command, but he was lousy at it with Liz - it took effort, often visible effort, to let her make the command decisions - and not so great, sometimes, with Caldwell.)
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Date: 2008-01-17 02:29 pm (UTC)From:(no subject)
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Date: 2008-01-17 03:48 pm (UTC)From:(no subject)
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Date: 2008-01-17 05:42 pm (UTC)From:I think John and Rodney's friendship is based on them accepting each other for who they are and not expecting them to be something more or less.
People who fully understand this dynamic, can write them successfully. Which, I hate to say, is why some slash works. My yardstick is pretty high regarding slash; I'd rather see them as very close firends. They have such a friendship that, I think personally, no woman can enter. Now, do they have to have sex? No. But they know better how to take care of each other, especially emotionally. A shared look, a pat on the shoulder... It's not huge, but enough for some people.
Sheppard is a flirt and a charmer and a sucker for a pretty face and hot body. He's a guy, plain and simple.
I am so glad that he's a flirt! Albeit, a lonely flirt, but at least he's still interested. And the best scene ever? No Man's Land. John is sitting between Rodney and Zelenka (I think), and a woman catches his eye. What makes me happy about John, women, and the writers, is that TPTB have put him with a variety of women. Beauty is the only thing they had in common.
It's one of the most appealing things about the Stargate 'verse, variety of characters. I think Stargate is more "rag-tag" than the original BSG. And I gotta say, the last scene with Larrin in BAMSR was excellent. Definitely an attraction, but rather cautious on both sides.
So when he does express himself - reacting on emotions - it's going to be in the form of anger, resolve and/or action.
Can I just say Joe is a great actor when it comes to this? He can either show everything or nothing. Case in point, Teyla's announcement of her pregnancy. His reaction was perfect. There was no way Sheppard was going to take it in stride. There was someone else he had to protect, and a lop-sided happy grin wasn't really going to work this time. Seriously, I thought he was gonna bust something. He's gonna fall apart one day, and I hope TPTB let us see just a little bit. Just one itsy bitsy nightmare. Pleeeeeassse? But he's gotta get a bigger bed to writhe around in, 'kay?
Umm... I think I'm done.
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Date: 2008-01-17 05:47 pm (UTC)From:That is, if you're still interested...
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Date: 2008-01-17 10:18 pm (UTC)From:There's one area where I disagree somewhat ...
IMO, Sheppard's greatest weakness is the welfare of others, his team especially. Slap him around and he'll take it with a grin (Travelers). Smack his team around long enough and he just might fall apart. Same goes with forcing him to watch the suffering of others, even if they're just strangers.
His team, definitely. Strangers, not so much. I'm thinking here of "Letters From Pegasus", where he's the one who wants to stay hidden and let the village be culled, while Teyla's the one who pushes to save her friends. There are a few other scenes -- e.g. "Irresponsible" where he wants to shoot Kolya despite the risk of hurting civilians, with Teyla arguing for caution, or "Underground" where he carries out his mission on the hive ship rather than stopping to rescue people.
I'm not saying he's callous about other people, nor that he's the only one on the show who does that sort of thing -- Teyla doesn't want Keller to stop to help an injured man in "Missing"; Rodney would rather try to escape from his kidnappers than help a dying girl in "Miller's Crossing". But I definitely think he's been shown to be capable of making ruthless decisions in a tough situation, and one of the things he seems to be really good at is compartmentalizing. You kinda have to, in his line of work; if part of your job involves shooting people, you can't be that affected by other people's pain (with an obvious exception for people you really care about). And if it's a choice between, say, rescuing a torture victim or carrying out a mission that'll benefit Atlantis, he's been shown in the past to go for the latter.
As was discussed above, he *does* work better, or maybe more smoothly, with Sam than he did with Elizabeth, and perhaps part of that is because they think similarly -- she understands the need to make tough decisions sometimes, up to and including killing people, in a way Elizabeth (as a civilian) didn't. "Hot Zone" is a good example -- he killed the plague carrier rather than trying to save him (if I remember the sequence of events correctly) in order to stop him from infecting everyone else. I think Carter would've understood the necessity of that in a way that Elizabeth didn't.
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Date: 2008-01-18 05:21 am (UTC)From:I never knew there were those out there that hates the character and thought he was a womanizer... I never got that impression about him at all.
IMO, I'm not sure he wouldn't be into a one-night stand if it were offered. He is a guy after all, just a 'choosy' or selective one. I think he has a certain taste in women and if the girl don't fit the bill, he's not into it.
You wrote a great synopsis of Sheppard, thought. Spot on.
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