Why everything is Rodney's fault
Ya know, I have had a strange day when it comes to meta and almost meta today. First, there's the post by
mmmchelle about how though most of us jokingly do the 'It's all about me!' some are serious and, honestly, fandom isn't really about one fan sitting at a computer wondering why a person with a busy life didn't respond to their comment. Then I read a meta by
cereta in which she talks about why Stargate Atlantis is so damn popular, and so damn big, and expanding. It's like Rising was the Big Bang take II or something. And of course, the comments on there.
So, it has occurred to me a couple times today, and I've seen others point it out, that there is one very important factor when it comes to SGA.
Rodney McKay, PhD
It's all his fault. Seriously. The man is a complete and utter geek, and for that matter, the man who plays him is also a geek. He's a bit abrasive, a large proportion of fans might be hot for his bod, but, realistically you have to admit he's not conventionally good looking. That role falls to John/Joe (and they do it very well, too).
And, despite the fact the man is a genius, with brain powers way beyond our comprehension, and despite the fact that he has nipples to rival any one else, he's us. It's not just that the cast of SGA are in general more accessible to us, though they are, it's the fact that up on that screen is one of us. Someone we can identify with.
The man isn't overly heroic in the conventional sense, but he does what he has to even when he's scared to death to do it - so he is actually brave. He hasn't go the best social graces in the world, he probably got picked on at school, he's a bit of an outsider, and he's a geek. Wave your hand if you identify with that. He gets into something, that's it, he's been caught hook, line and sinker, no hope of escape. Remind you of anything?
And there's also the habit us fans have of pairing people off. He's the jeans, or the lil' black dress of Atlantis. He goes with everything. Yes, John has a reputation of being a slut, but it's Rodney who you can pair up with anyone and make it believable. Rodney and John, probably the biggest of the slash pairings... works. Rodney and Carson, works. Rodney and Zelenka, works. I've seen a Rodney and Ronon, and that worked too. In the 'het verse, there's Rodney and Weir, which works too. I haven't seen any Rodney/Teyla, but that's only cause I don't hang around in het circles, but I know it could be done, and done well.
Probably the two main OT3s in SGA fandom, McKay/Weir/Sheppard, and McKay/Sheppard/Becket... both have him in it. In a pairing, his name comes first (resulting in them all sounding like McDonalds meals). McShep, McWeir, Mc.... anything else you care to put it in.
And so you end up with a guy you identify with, a guy who is a geek, a guy who has nipples that make the world turn round, and you have a guy who you can pair with anyone of your choice. A guy who you can't help but love. All in the same, lovely, snarky package.
Rodney McKay.
And so, I'm going to say, Stargate Atlantis is all about Rodney, and it's all Rodney's fault that this fandom is so big. Never before has there been a character that we can all relate too so much, and pair up so well at the same time.
Daniel was great, and I love him, but he's not us. He's a geek, sure, but he's so high up, so.... the man has an Ancient trying to get him to join her every five second for Valen's sake. This is a man who is a true hero, and who we look up to.
Rodney.... isn't.
In conclusion, it is all Rodney's fault. Entirely.
Blame him.