When I saw the show (season 1) I was, "wow, Rodney's an asshole! I didn't realize that!"
And that's where I go *blink*. I've seen that remark before, and I have a hard time understanding where people get that. Yes, Rodney is assholish at times. He's obnoxious and brash, and very often in your face...but an asshole? I don't get that at all. This is my problem with this story as well--though I enjoyed the story, Rodney isn't this frenetic and forceful when it comes to personal relations. We see on the show, from the very first episode, that he has quiet moments, small moments of caring and concern.
Some examples from Rising: As he explains to Jack how the ZPM works--he's very excited, but not at all abrasive or rude. He doesn't take exception to Jack's almost rude dismissal. Though he looks slightly worried when Elizabeth talks about the possible danger of the trip to Atlantis, he doesn't bemoan or contradict.
When everyone rushes in because John's activated the chair, he very calmly tells John what to do.
I really want to go on, but I'm practically quoting everything from this ep. He's slightly obnoxious when people don't catch on in a dangerous situation, but for example, when John calls him on the solution to finding the correct gate address, he immediately shuts up and gets to work. He's worried that Elizabeth is worried.
And it's not just the characterization from the first episode. Look at him smiling at the mice in Hide and Seek. Watch his friendly little wave to Carson in Poisoning the Well. There's his joy at a job well done, rounding up his scientists at the beginning of Hot Zone. His utter delight in solving a puzzle with in Brotherhood. The nice, quiet discussion between him and John as they sit, pondering the size of the city in Before I Sleep. Then there's his attempts to comfort Gaul, his worry over John, and the utter devestation on his face after Gaul's suicide in The Defiant One.
Really, the full-time verbal barage only occurs when he's stressed, and we see that at the end of the season, when the Wraith are coming. But Rodney's so much more than an asshole who does nothing but spew witty diatribes non-stop. That's what irritates me about fanon Rodney. Maybe some writers paint him too softly, but he's more than a one-note character. Give him a moment to breathe, please, that isn't a big emotional breakdown.
And my tiny comment on a tiny part of this comment
And that's where I go *blink*. I've seen that remark before, and I have a hard time understanding where people get that. Yes, Rodney is assholish at times. He's obnoxious and brash, and very often in your face...but an asshole? I don't get that at all. This is my problem with this story as well--though I enjoyed the story, Rodney isn't this frenetic and forceful when it comes to personal relations. We see on the show, from the very first episode, that he has quiet moments, small moments of caring and concern.
Some examples from Rising: As he explains to Jack how the ZPM works--he's very excited, but not at all abrasive or rude. He doesn't take exception to Jack's almost rude dismissal. Though he looks slightly worried when Elizabeth talks about the possible danger of the trip to Atlantis, he doesn't bemoan or contradict.
When everyone rushes in because John's activated the chair, he very calmly tells John what to do.
I really want to go on, but I'm practically quoting everything from this ep. He's slightly obnoxious when people don't catch on in a dangerous situation, but for example, when John calls him on the solution to finding the correct gate address, he immediately shuts up and gets to work. He's worried that Elizabeth is worried.
And it's not just the characterization from the first episode. Look at him smiling at the mice in Hide and Seek. Watch his friendly little wave to Carson in Poisoning the Well. There's his joy at a job well done, rounding up his scientists at the beginning of Hot Zone. His utter delight in solving a puzzle with in Brotherhood. The nice, quiet discussion between him and John as they sit, pondering the size of the city in Before I Sleep. Then there's his attempts to comfort Gaul, his worry over John, and the utter devestation on his face after Gaul's suicide in The Defiant One.
Really, the full-time verbal barage only occurs when he's stressed, and we see that at the end of the season, when the Wraith are coming. But Rodney's so much more than an asshole who does nothing but spew witty diatribes non-stop. That's what irritates me about fanon Rodney. Maybe some writers paint him too softly, but he's more than a one-note character. Give him a moment to breathe, please, that isn't a big emotional breakdown.