Poisoning the Well Week

[em_kellesvig]

Sheppard facing off with Steve the Wraith -- again.

Sheppard has a complex relationship with the Wraith throughout the series. While he's very aware of the danger they present, face to face, he taunts them, resists them, defies them to the point of irreverence. He plays mind games with them: sometimes, he wins; sometimes, it's a draw; he never loses, not even to the queens. He'll bargain with them, make use of them, work with them when necessary, but he never forgets what they are, never takes them less than seriously.

Given what we learn about John Sheppard and his family in "Letters from Pegasus" and "Outcast", I wonder if he sees the Wraith as the ultimate authority figures and he's using the skills he learned in dealing with his father to defy the Wraith.

Yes, rebellion is strong with this one. Why not rebel against a whole species?


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"Poisoning the Well" 1x07

Comments

[wanted-a-pony.livejournal.com]

Yeah, now that you said that I can see a hint of "Fuck You, Dad" in his expression.... Tho' I bet John would be horrified if anyone suggested his emotions toward Wraith (except, perhaps, the one who helped him escape from the Genii) resembled family feelings in any way!

[em_kellesvig]

Oh, he'd be completely horrified! But that doesn't mean he doesn't use what he learned as a very effective tool. And even then, he may not realize that's where and how he learned what he's doing. After all, they're just humanoid bugs, right?

Oh, Sheppard, you're such a complex man.

[aadarshinah.livejournal.com]

you know, I never thought of it that way, but I can defintely see what you mean.

[em_kellesvig]

And what safer -- or more effective -- outlet for all that teenage defiance, all that gamesmanship, all that mocking and maneuvering he learned from good old Dad? What better enemy than a real enemy to pit his wits against? He has the tools; why not use them?

[popkin16]

I think John just enjoys being a pain in the ass ;) But endearingly so. Er, for anybody not an authority figure, I mean. I'm sure authority figures don't find it endearing at all.

[em_kellesvig]

As John said when Col. Ellis suggested he take over as expedition leader: "Then I'd be The Man and who would I have to rage against?"

Oh, John.

[popkin16]

I love that line so much. It's so John, and the way Joe delivers it...yes, perfection XD