Romancing McShep: Interviews.
Feb. 4th, 2020 09:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
melagan posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
romancingmcshepA while back MermaidMayonnaise posted a McShep-centered Q&A. (you can read it here) I thought this was a grand undertaking and asked if she'd mind if I took this idea and ran with it.
A few of you may remember some of these questions from the oldmcshep_match challenge.
The following questions are for anyone that would like to participate. Answer as few or as many as fits your comfort level.
When did you first discover John and Rodney?
Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash?
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard?
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)?
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)?
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep?
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney?
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing?
A few of you may remember some of these questions from the old
mcshep_match challenge.The following questions are for anyone that would like to participate. Answer as few or as many as fits your comfort level.
When did you first discover John and Rodney?
Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash?
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard?
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)?
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)?
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep?
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney?
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-04 04:11 pm (UTC)Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash? Very first ep I saw was The Shrine, which, as we all know, is nothing but slash. ::grins::
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard? Rodney is all id and John is all quiet self-sacrifice and they just really fit together well. Plus, John is smart enough to keep up with Rodney and not everyone can say that.
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)? That's tough. I guess Rodney a little more so? I've been told I write him super well, so I must relate to him on a deeper level. LOL! Or maybe it's just wish fulfillment because Rodney just says what he wants and doesn't worry about how people might feel about it.
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)? Over on AO3, where I have 344 posted SGA works.
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep? I was very much on the edges of fandom until the 2009 Alice movie on the Syfy channel. That's the fandom I started writing in. The Sentinel is where I branched out into slash. But it's SGA that has my heart from now till forever.
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney? Ppfft. Neither. LOL! But Rodney will always have a surprising moment of thoughtfulness. And I think John is secretly very romantic but unwilling to put himself out there.
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing? Keepsakes, by
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-05 05:33 pm (UTC)Good lord... Talk about baptism by fire!
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-05 06:29 pm (UTC)Actually, I'd read so many ep-related fics that I just had to watch that one first. Then I went back and watched the rest in order.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:38 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-08 02:57 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:51 pm (UTC)Aww, thank you!
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-04 05:30 pm (UTC)Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash?
The first episode I watched: Echoes. I'd read a lot of fanfic by then, mostly McShep, so I was predisposed to see it. I was surprised at how obvious it seemed. That same week, I ordered the first two seasons on DVD, and a friend sent the first half of season 3 on disc. Safe to say that was the first time I binge watched anything. I knew I'd found my forever home when I watched Rising and the sparks were already flying between Sheppard and McKay.
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard? They're guys. They're not superheroes, not magicians, not terribly special in any way. Just guys doing their best in a really wacko situation. I love when they're written that way, when they deal with each other that way, when they're just trying to be the best they can, in a whole other galaxy.
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)? John. OMG, I'm such a John girl. I love Rodney too, don't get me wrong. But I love John Sheppard through and through.
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)? I'm on AO3, fiction and art:
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep? I started in fanfic back in the 1970s, reading both fanzines and Star Trek tie-in novels. Star Trek started it all for me.
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney? They're equally abysmal.
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing? AO3. By the fans, for the fans. And DW. Here's where all my friends gather.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-05 05:43 pm (UTC)"Oh look, an email from Jeannie, she's asking..." He lets his voice trail off as he realizes the weight of the words on the screen.
John looks up from his book. "What?" When Rodney doesn't speak up, John leans over to see if he can see the laptop screen, though Rodney pushes it to the side. "She's asking what?"
Rodney sighs. "Asking what I got you for our anniversary."
"Anniversary?" John grabs the laptop and clicks on the calendar. "Oh yeah." He hands the laptop back, then leans over and kisses Rodney on the cheek. "Happy anniversary, Rodney."
Rodney smiles, then goes back to his email as John settles in with his book.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-05 06:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 06:50 am (UTC)You made me literally laugh out loud. This is so them!!!
.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:48 pm (UTC)<3 <3 <3
(no subject)
Date: 2020-03-14 10:14 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-03-16 07:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:41 pm (UTC)I keeled over laughing when I read this. So very true.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-07 12:57 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-04 07:15 pm (UTC)Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash? Probably "Thirty-Eight Minutes"
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard? How incredibly awkward they are. It's not a "twoo lurve" or anything perfect, it's two awkward people who finally figure out they fit together nicely.
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)? I can't pick. Both!
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)? On AO3 now; older stuff is on Live Journal (same username)
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep? I was already writing SG1 fic when SGA came on the air and the move there was seamless.
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney? John, because he has better role models. My head canon is that for all of John's dubious relationship with his dad, his mom and dad loved each other and John knows what that means.
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing? There's really too much to pick from... I'm going to cheat and go with a category, the "Atlantis Big Bang" fic (a bunch of which are on AO3 here: https://archiveofourown.org/tags/Stargate%20Atlantis%20Big%20Bang%20Challenge/works) gives a good picture of some of the those amazing fic.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-05 07:34 pm (UTC)I don't think I've ever heard it put more succinctly. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-08 02:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:43 pm (UTC)Yes yes and extra yes. Aw, man, I love stories that show that journey.
Thanks for the link!
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-05 11:01 am (UTC)Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash? Rising! I had my slash goggles well in place from the first episode, which is surprising as I fully expected to hate McKay because I thought he would be the show's 'buffoon' character.
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard? The way they act like an old married couple :) The bickering, the playing games together, all of it :)
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)? Rodney is my favorite but John is a close second.
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)? Tarlan on AO3 for fiction, and on my DW account for art.
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep? I feel like I've been in fandom forever! I started writing when I couldn't find the stories I wanted to read - no decent internet in those days, just fanzines. I had seen all of Stargate SG-1 but never felt inclined to write fanfic for the show. The moment I saw SGA and McShep I was hooked :)
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney? I think they can both be romantic once they are no longer oblivious to the other person :) I think their romance is in the small gestures of friendship rather than in flowers and candy.
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing? There are far too many fantastic works to determine a favorite in any category. Check out A03 for McShep stories (hundreds of them!) and YouTube for some amazing music vids.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:46 pm (UTC)Plus that regular life-saving thing. :)
Flowers? I just saved your life--again. Why would I bother with flowers?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-05 04:08 pm (UTC)When did you first discover John and Rodney? I started watching Atlantis a few years ago, can't remember exactly when but it was probably some time in 2016.
Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash? TBH when John pushed Rodney off the balcony, and it got more and more slashy with each season. It's funny, I wasn't in the fandom when I watched SGA for the first time, it wasn't until I finished Season 5 that I thought hey, maybe there's some fanfic with John and Rodney. I figured there would be a few thousand fics or so. Boy was I surprised to find it was the top SG ship of all time. Clearly I'm not the only one to pick up on the subtext.
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard? They bring out the best in each other and temper each other's flaws.
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)? I relate to Rodney a great deal so if pressed I'd pick him. Only just.
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)? AO3
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep? I was a fan of SG1, I skipped SGA when it came out (life was busy, I didn't have the head space for a new fandom) and I did a rewatch of SG1 a few years back. I think that's what got me to watch SGA and I was hooked from episode 1.
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney? I think John is more romantic in the traditional sense, but Rodney is romantic in the "I built you a death star" kind of way.
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing? It has to be A Farm In Iowa by Sheafrotherdon. I re-read the whole 'verse a few times a year. It's kind of my happy place in fandom.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:55 pm (UTC)I'm so glad you found those few McShep stories. *g* And happier still that you're writing in the fandom.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-08 03:01 pm (UTC)This made me LOL. Truly!
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-05 08:04 pm (UTC)Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash? I saw the slash in the vids, which made me watch the show--starting at 101--so I did this fandom backwards!
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard? They fit together like a jigsaw puzzle: where one of them has a notch, the other has a tab to fit it.
Who's your favourite, John or Rodney (or both)? I'm a relationship fan, so it's both of them. I do get particular fun from Rodney, since I'm Canadian, but I also love John's mix of dork & killer in one very attractive package.
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)? All my SGA fic and vids are at the AO3 here.
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep? In grad school in 1998, I read a book of essays on science fiction that had an essay on this thing called K/S slash in Star Trek, which introduced me to the idea of transformative fandom. I'd always assumed fandom was just about writing stories that were the same as what we see on screen, meaning most of them would be het, and I had no interest. As soon as I discovered slash was a thing, I jumped on the internet and searched for my favourite shows, which led me to mailing lists and early archives. SGA/McShep came along a few years later.
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney? I think they're about equal, only their idea of "romantic" isn't necessarily what many might consider romantic! I mean, their idea of a romantic date is apparently running highly competitive races against each other w/ their toy cars. XD
Favourite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing? I have to say the vids that enticed me into the fandom in the 1st place. Older vids that I'm not sure are still online any more by Mamoru, Lilas, Sin, SKR, and others. I still watch them regularly.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 03:59 pm (UTC)It's so cool that you found your way here via vids. Fandom is awesome like that.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 04:39 am (UTC)Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash? The very first one, since I went into it with slash goggles firmly on. But by Hide and Seek I was like, "Damn, okay."
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard? Is it a cop-out if I say everything? I like the way they fit together like two puzzle pieces. I love how they bicker. They found a home and family on Atlantis, which they both really needed. John's smart enough to keep up with Rodney. He soothes Rodney's edges and can make Rodney shut up and listen. Rodney gets past John's walls. He worries about John, even if it comes out in an aggressive, "You're so dumb" kind of way. I love that they're older characters and such guys.
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)? I really do dearly love both of them, but I love Rodney more.
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)? On ao3.
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep? I discovered fandom back in 2001, when I was 12 years old. My fandom friend linked me to Kaneko's Intersections, which I enjoyed even if I wasn't sure what was going on. I started watching the show already shipping it, but damn if they didn't seem super obvious to me. I remember reading that The Shrine was a BIG EPISODE for the boys, but my friend urged me not to skip to it because the build up makes it so much more of a gut punch. I listened and held off, and ow.
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney? Both? Or maybe neither. I don't really see them as the type to care about anniversaries. It's in the everyday things with them. John makes sure Rodney eats and actually gets sleep. Rodney frets about John's safety. If they think/see/hear about something cool the other person might like, they'll get it for them, no special reason.
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing? sjaf;kas only ONE? There's no way I can pick a favorite story or artwork. So: Run Baby Run by randommindtime. I cannot even with that video, as the kids used to say.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-06 04:05 pm (UTC)I think this one of the best ways I've ever heard it described.
Now I am full of thinky thoughts.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-07 05:54 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-08 03:03 pm (UTC)I want to draw hearts around this and press it into a journal. <3
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-09 06:41 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-09 01:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-08 02:56 pm (UTC)I’d been introduced to SGA by a friend of mine, but at the time, I didn’t have cable and no access to broadband. My friend would send me snippets of dialog, and links to stories, but for some reason, only parts of certain stories—the rest would be cut off. When I asked her about it, she told me (rather smugly) she didn’t think I “was ready” for the entire stories, which annoyed me. One day I looked up the story name and author (it was something by The Huntress, the one where Rodney is trapped in the elevator with a pregnant woman, I think), and BOOM. My introduction to slash. Prior to that time, I’d only the faintest inkling of what slash might be (from reading old Star Trek stories and recognizing the pre-slash vibes but not knowing what to call it). Once I saw the on page chemistry between John and Rodney (still hadn’t seen any of the episodes at this point), I was hooked. From then on, 90 % of the stories I read were McShep.
Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash?
Coming to it late as I did, and having read before watching, I already had my slash goggles in place when I finally began watching the series. But it was Hide and Seek showed me what everyone else had seen because John and Rodney were having *fun* with the protection device. I pictured Rodney as having a blast because not only was he testing cool alien devices, but doing it in an increasingly dangerous manner—the kinds of things the “cool” guys did without any fear. It occurred to me that Rodney didn’t have many close friends, especially since he dominated his colleagues intellectually (and verbally), and this made me fall harder for the pairing.
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard?
I love the fact their strengths and weaknesses offset each other. That they are equals. That they each are leaders in their own way, and misfits as well. That they are both pretty messed up when it comes to relationships and yet their friendship is one of the most enduring relationships they’ve ever had. I adore the fact that for all John's striking looks, in some ways Rodney is more confident than John when it comes to taking personal risk, and that John seemingly cares not for personal safety, while Rodney is afraid everything will kill him. From a creative standpoint, they are perfect together on screen and on paper.
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)?
Tough question. I identify with both characters in many respects. I’d have to save John edges out Rodney for favorite, however. I can appreciate John’s difficulty with authority, his strained relationship with his family, his lone wolf need not to show weakness or a need for others because he learned a long time ago the best way to give away your power was to care for someone. At the same time, I strongly identify with John’s sense of responsibility, and his need to protect what he cares about, even if he can’t admit that he does. It doesn’t hurt that John is so pretty, either. I mean, seriously. I could just stare at John Sheppard all day.
When I am feeling stressed or lacking self-confidence about relationships, I empathize with Rodney. The Brave Little Toaster who keeps putting himself out there, even when he gets trounced for it. So depending on my mood or the story I’m trying to tell, I tend to tell it from one viewpoint or another.
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)?
Probably 99% of it is on AO3 now. Anything that isn’t probably isn’t a significant story, just a little vignette or drabble on my abandoned LJ.
https://archiveofourown.org/users/sgamadison/works
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep?
See comment above about said friend introducing me to fanfic archives. Her attempt to gatekeep and feed me only the information she wanted me to have wasn’t confined to whether or not I was “ready” for slash, I’m sad to say. I owe her a great deal for her introduction to SGA in particular. Finding SGA and McShep was a huge deal for me creatively, and helped rekindle a passion for writing I thought had died a long time ago. But when she could no longer control my access to fandom, our friendship ended.
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney?
Rodney, definitely Rodney. But only when he puts his mind to it. Then watch out. Can you imagine being the focus of all that attention? John on the other hand can be casually romantic without putting much effort into it because he can skate by on charm and good looks. John’s like the student who always got straight A’s without trying because the school was so easy, who fumbles when enrolled in a challenging school until he buckles down to do the work.
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing?
I stumbled across a fanvid on YouTube well before I’d ever seen the show. It was Elizabeth/John and featured “She’s a Little Too Good For Me” by Bryan Adams. I didn’t have broadband, only dial up, so it would take FOREVER for the vid to load and buffer, but I watched it over and over for months. Not because I shipped John and Elizabeth but because I wanted to watch this show.
Once I discovered McShep, all other ships (and stories) paled in comparison. I read McShep exclusively, tentatively penned a few gen stories, then got stuck on one until I realized it wanted to be slash. My firstMcShep story was Touched, and just about everything I’ve written since then has been slash. https://archiveofourown.org/works/119336
But I devoured the McShep archive at Wraitbait, Area 52, and on LJ. I reread stories by amireal, neevebrody, melagan, selenic76, chellefic, the grrrl, lantean_drift, starry_diadem, bluespirit_star, pir8fancier, xanthe, and more. Vida_boheme made the BEST fanmixes, both for my stories and others—I listen to her soundtrack mixes to this day. Bluespirit_star did the most amazing artwork for many of my stories just for the sheer joy of it.
I’m not sure I can point to one story or artwork or vid. That’s like trying to name a favorite episode or a favorite moment in fandom. I miss all of it. I love all of it. The time I spent in SGA was one of the best times of my life, and so much of what I have today is as a result of my time spent there.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-08 03:56 pm (UTC)WORD
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-08 10:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-13 08:06 pm (UTC)Which episode were you watching when you first saw the slash? As I started reading fanfiction before I started really watching the show, I saw the slash right from the beginning and seeing the start of a beautiful relationship.
The best thing about McKay/Sheppard? Just … them! Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett just played out such wonderful characters. Rodney's snark and bluster, John's wry humour, loyalty and self sacrifice. They made a great pair as head of the military and head of science and despite their different backgrounds and characters they matched each other for intelligence and dedication to their jobs. Yin and Yang.
Who's your favorite, John or Rodney (or both)? I don't think I have a favourite, I love so much about both characters.
Where can people find more of your work (McShep or otherwise)?
Livejournal: https://starbuckssue.livejournal.com
AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/StarbucksSue
What got you into fanfic/SGA/McShep? It was kind of a natural progression. Investing in a satellite dish in around 2002 opened up my viewing options and I discovered The Sentinel. Googling something one day I discovered Sentinel fanfiction quite by chance. Ever since then I have actively searched for fanfiction for many of the shows I have watched. The Sentinel, JAG, Stargate SG1, NCIS, Stargate Atlantis.
Who do you think is more romantic? John or Rodney? I don't think either of them are 'hearts and flowers' type romantics. I see them more as showing their love by doing little things for each other, like John taking Rodney coffee and his favourite foods when he's working late in the labs, or Rodney finding some new toy or weapon or puddlejumper enhancement for John.
Favorite story/artwork/vid/creative fanthing? Oh gosh there are so many, I'm really not sure I could just pick one. I've been trying to pick one ever since I saw this post on 4 February but there are just so many great stories and artworks out there, we are so fortunate in this fandom.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-02-13 08:57 pm (UTC)I have often thought that if different actors played Sheppard and McKay what we saw on the screen would be vasty different and nowhere near as delightful.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-03-01 10:05 am (UTC)