odd request

[wisdomeagle]

So I have S9+10 of SG-1 and S2+3 of SGA and I'm trying to convince myself to finally, finally watch them -- I saw the first half of 9/2 quite some time ago and would really like to finish but... don't want to be disappointed, I guess. Not that I have very high expectations of either, but I do want to be able to participate in SG-1 fandom again without constantly ducking my head to avoid spoilers, and I'd like to be able to list it as a fandom I can write when I sign up for 'thons, and yeah. So I have talked myself into that.

The thing about SGA is... guys, I really do not like McKay/Sheppard. I actually, um, really don't like Sheppard, period, but I know that going in and am on board to deal with that. I know my OTP is never gonna happen and am content with that too (although the first half of S2 was not so happy on that front), but... I think I'm mostly worried that, based on fandom's reaction, S2-3 continued to be the McShep show. And that's great for y'all, I'm glad that my friends have something they enjoy, but... will someone tell me (spoilerfreeish) that if I didn't see McKay/Sheppard in S1, I won't see it in S2-3 either?

Thanks.

[ETA: Yes, it might be worth mentioning that my OTP is McKay/Weir and I love them SO MUCH that I can't speak rationally about them.]

Comments

[rosewildeirish.livejournal.com]

There are moments that could read as ship, yes. But you can also read them as friendship. Which is how I see 'em. What keels those moments for me is the voice that won't shut up that goes, "Awww, fuck. The McSheppers are going to be alllllll over that scene."

However, they're pretty good at giving similar moments to most ships. I honestly don't think TPTB are trying to force any ship down our throats, except ones that are mostly off-camera and serve to disprove McShep, mostly.

...that help?

[wisdomeagle]

That does help, thank you.

What keels those moments for me is the voice that won't shut up that goes, "Awww, fuck. The McSheppers are going to be alllllll over that scene."

Yeah, I'm worried about that too. Unfairly, probably, because I try to be very to-each-hir-own, but it just really pings me wrong. I don't know why!

I'm glad you responded because I know you also have... issues with the ship.

[rosewildeirish.livejournal.com]

Hee. "Issues" being "God I can't see it in canon and having it shoved down my throat by ppl who can't understand that I don't see the ship and moreover, don't want to see the ship"...yeah.

I still manage to enjoy the show. I simply have to throw that little voice into a deep, dark hole and then fill it up. *g*

[poisontaster]

The thing about Atlantis is that you can "see" the ships really however you want. McShep people tend to see all of SGA through a McShep filter. I look at SGA generally through a Ronon filter, though I don't have an OTP, exactly. *shrugs* If you're looking for fic, it's a hard and long uphill battle, but in terms of watching the show...it's only McSheppy if you look at it that way, you know? Or that's how I think of it, anyway.

[wisdomeagle]

If you're looking for fic, it's a hard and long uphill battle

Ah yes. That much I remember! God, it's been so long since I've been active in this fandom.

[poisontaster]

You know and the thing is, I don't hate McShep. I've been known to read more than a few McShep stories in my time. But it's also very hard to not be bitter (for me, at least) if you're looking for GOOD fic with any other pairing. It's hard not to be bitter when the McShep has such a stranglehold on the fandom. *sighs*

So you didn't say...who's your OTP? It's McKay/Weir, IIRC, right?

[wisdomeagle]

Yeah -- honestly, I've been chuffed to see that there is at least some non-McShep stuff on recs lists and such -- nothing in the OTP (and I've been reading most of that that I see, spoilers or no).

And yes, McKay/Weir is my OTP. I draw little hearts around them and try not to be bitter about the lack of love they get in fandom.

[inlovewithnight.livejournal.com]

It's not the McShep show as much as fandom makes it out to be. I don't see McShep either, and I enjoyed s2 and s3 on the whole. And I continued to not see it. :)

[wisdomeagle]

:) Thanks!

[malnpudl.livejournal.com]

There's a lot of narrative focus on John and on Rodney, naturally, since they're the two Big Stars, but the show doesn't ram subtext down your throat for this or any other pairing (except for a couple of het pairings that the writers fumble with a bit in canon, in their usual clumsy fashion). They're teammates and sometimes seem to be friends, but there are also times when they don't even appear to like each other very much. I'm mostly pleased in later seasons that they've given us the sort of (presumably platonic) friendship that I'd expect between male teammates after a few years of working together, since that seemed a long time coming.

Me, I love John/Rodney, but I get that need satisfied in fic. The show gives me enough raw materials that I can choose to build a ship (so to speak), if I want to. But only because I go looking for it.

[wisdomeagle]

(except for a couple of het pairings that the writers fumble with a bit in canon, in their usual clumsy fashion).

Oh, 'Gate. I think I'd blocked out how awful they generally are at such things.

I'm mostly pleased in later seasons that they've given us the sort of (presumably platonic) friendship that I'd expect between male teammates after a few years of working together, since that seemed a long time coming.

I have heard rumors that they're finally calling each other by first name!

Thanks for commeting. That does help.

[such_heights]

I didn't see it at all in S1, even though I was actively looking for it, but I did later on, though I certainly don't think it's blindingly obvious. And you never know, Sheppard might grow on you a little - in general, to be honest, I think the later seasons are a lot better, with more developed characterisation etc.

[wisdomeagle]

And you never know, Sheppard might grow on you a little

Part of me certainly hopes so -- it would be nice not to grit my teeth every time the main character shows up onscreen -- and part of me has just been disliking him so long that I think I might be permanently stuck in this mode.

Your comment does suggest to me, though, that maybe I should skip rewatching S1. (On the other hand, I am blinded by the McKay/Weir in S1, so I would not object to rewatching certain pieces...!)

[rosewildeirish.livejournal.com]

There's a vid I can try to find if you want, that really kind of makes Sheppard out to be all kinds of awesome. I...honestly don't care a huge amount for him either, but. I liked the vid.

[mari4212.livejournal.com]

The McKay/Sheppard isn't rammed down your throat in canon any more than it was in the first season, so it's not that bad on that.

My main issues are that Weir gets relegated to the background for the majority of season two and three. Well, that and Sheppard continues to drive me nuts.

Do at least watch Tao of Rodney and Grace Under Pressure, as both of them are excellent episodes that deserve a good deal of praise. Tao of Rodney even has a bit of McKay/Weir in it.

Overall, there are some episodes that are definitely excellent and well worth seeing. Then there's a few episodes, especially in season three, that were problematic to the extreme for me and I had to stop watching them midway through. And I stopped watching the series altogether after the first episode of season four and really haven't regretted it overall.

[wisdomeagle]

Thank you! I think your reactions probably match mine pretty much -- I'm glad to hear there is stuff to look forward to, though.

I have casting spoilers about S4 that make me sad, although I have no objections to certain people being brought on... *sigh*

I really am disappointed that Weir goes background, because I really, really love her.

But! I am reassured that there is good Rodney and even little bits of Rodney/Elizabeth to look forward to.

[atlas-one.livejournal.com]

I really do not like McKay/Sheppard.

Me neither.

[wisdomeagle]

:)

[zinelady.livejournal.com]

Personally, I like about anyone with Rodney. I'm not that big of a fan of John unless he's with Rodney. I'm not big on John/Ronon or John/Lorne and I can't stand John/Elizabeth. But I don't mind Elizabeth/Rodney. I think my favorite is Rodney/Radek. They are so much fun when they geek out together, finishing each other's sentences. I also adore Carson.

There is some McShep moments in the later seasons, but nothing that can't be ignored if you're not so inclined.

[wisdomeagle]

Thank you! I also love McKay/Zelenka.

[toasteronfire.livejournal.com]

There are plenty of McShep buddy moments in s2 and s3. I'd say there's even more in s4. But they're presented in a manner where McShep slashers can read into it and nonslashers (like me) can read it as friendship.

I'd say that s3 was far better for McWeir shippery goodness - be sure to check out Tao of Rodney and Progeny for some nice moments. Tao in particular is one of the shippiest eps for them period and an all around great ep to boot. There are some cute scenes sprinkled throughout both seasons too.

[wisdomeagle]

Thank you! That's very helpful. I'll look forward to those episodes when I hit them in my massive mainlining glee.

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

I never saw any McSheppy canonicalness until this season (4). And I'm always looking for the non-canonical pairings. So I think you're good for a while.

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

Oh, oh, oh. And wait until the Teyla/Weir explodes in your face. Because YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.