Rodney McKay
Other Names for Character: Meredith Rodney McKay
Appearances: SG1, SGA and SGU
Brief Overview
Rodney McKay, PhD (Physics), PhD (Mechanical Engineering) is best known as the chief scientific advisor to the Atlantis Expedition. He's played by David Hewlett.
Screencap from Season 4 Promo shots
Basic Information
Born Meredith Rodney McKay in 1968, McKay is known as Rodney to everyone except his sister Jeannie, who still calls me 'Meredith' or 'Mer,' and Dr. Daniel Jackson, who briefly calls him Rod. McKay is a brilliant Canadian astrophysicist, and one of the leading experts on the stargate, wormhole physics, Asgard technology, Ancient technology and nanite technology. He's known for his rapid-fire speech patterns and acerbic nature.
Rodney McKay made his first appearance in the world of Stargate on the SG-1 episode "48 Hours." Before arriving at the SGC in "48 Hours" he was stationed at the Area 51 facility where he became one of the premier experts on the Stargate network outside of Stargate Command.
With the discovery of Atlantis's location in the Pegasus Galaxy, McKay was assigned to Dr. Elizabeth Weir's expedition to Atlantis, serving as chief scientific adviser. Not a natural carrier of the Ancient Technology Activation Gene (ATA gene), he became the first human subject of Dr. Carson Beckett's experimental gene therapy, which was successful. He soon became a part of the primary reconnaissance team of Atlantis, led by Major John Sheppard and joined by Lieutenant Aiden Ford and Teyla Emmagen of the Athosians.
In one of the pinnacle character episodes for McKay, "Trinity," he lost Sheppard's trust when he refused to listen to Dr. Zelenka and assured both Weir and Sheppard that he could make a piece of Ancient technology ("Project Arcturus") work on an alien planet. The device exploded and destroyed 5/6ths of the surrounding star system.
Over the course of the series, audiences encountered two main alternate versions of McKay. The first appeared in the the Season 3 episode "McKay and Mrs. Miller." This version of McKay, who went by Rod, was more outgoing and social than his counterpart. The second version appeared in the Season 5 AU episode "Vegas." This version of McKay attempted to persuade the John Sheppard of that AU to help them.
The only family McKay was shown to have was his sister, Jeannie Miller (née McKay), who was played by David Hewlett's sister, Kate. The two of them are similar in intellect and interests, but were estranged for a time after Jeannie gave up what Rodney felt was a promising career in science to have a family.
McKay's interests outside of science include chess and music. In the Season 6 SG-1 episode "Redemption," McKay told Samantha Carter that he played piano as a child, but turned to science after his piano teacher told him he was a "fine clinical player" but had no sense of the art.
Key Scenes & Episodes
Rodney McKay made appearances in all three Stargate shows, and he and John Sheppard are the only Atlantis characters who appear in every episode, with McKay having more screen time. Any list of key episodes is therefore bound to leave off an episode that someone considers important. With that caveat, some of the episodes that are commonly agreed to be important to McKay's character development include:
*48 Hours(SG-1) - McKay is introduced at the SGC and attempts to thwart Carter's plans to save Teal'c, believing that Teal'c is already dead. When Teal'c is saved, McKay is banished sent to Russia to help them develop naquadah generator technology.
*Redemption, Part 1(SG-1) - McKay returns to the SGC to help save the planet when Anubis turns the Stargate into a doomsday bomb.
*Redemption, Part 2(SG-1) - At the end of the episode, Carter and McKay share their mutual affection for each other when Earth is saved from Anubis's attack.
*Rising, Part 1 - McKay studies Ancient technology at the Antarctic base before joining the expedition to Pegasus, where he sees the doom they all face if they don't find a new power source for Atlantis.
*Hide and Seek - McKay successfully receives the gene therapy and can now interface with Ancient Technology. We see his brave side at the end of the episode when he risks himself to save the city from the unknown entity.
*Underground - McKay uses his genius to help the Genii improve their nuclear weapons program, only to learn that the team's new ally is really an enemy.
*Hot Zone - McKay faces his own mortality at the hands of a nanite virus, which prompts him to regret his broken relationship with his sister.
*Letters From Pegasus - On the eve of war with the Wraith, McKay records a heartfelt message to his sister back home.
*The Siege, Part 1 - McKay leads a team to repair an Ancient weapons platform, and loses one of his men in the process.
*Duet - An encounter with Wraith technology leaves the mind of a female Marine stuck in McKay's head
*Trinity - Overconfident that he can solve a problem even the Ancients could not, McKay works with an experimental power generator...and destroys most of a solar system when he cannot shut it down. Possibly could win an award for most fic'd episode.
*Grace Under Pressure - McKay is trapped in a sinking Puddle Jumper beneath Lantea's great ocean and creates a hallucination of Carter to help him survive.
*The Pegasus Project(SG-1) - McKay joins Carter and Mitchell on a mission to thwart the Ori's invasion plans by connecting to the Milky Way Supergate from the Pegasus Galaxy.
*Progeny - When the team discovers a civilization of human-form Replicators, McKay believes he can rewrite their base code to eliminate their aggressive nature.
*McKay and Mrs. Miller - When his equally brilliant sister devises a math proof that could make his own project possible, Rodney must return to Earth and reconcile with her.
*Tao of Rodney - An Ancient device turns McKay into a highly advanced human, vastly increasingly his intelligence--and threatening to kill him as he approaches Ascension.
*Sunday - McKay and the rest of the team suffer a great personal loss when Chief Medical Officer Carson Beckett is killed in the line of duty.
*First Strike - McKay and Zelenka have to come up with a plan to save Atlantis when the Asurans attack the city with a satellite.
*Miller's Crossing - McKay travels back to Earth after his sister is kidnapped, only to get captured himself.
*Be All My Sins Remember'd - McKay comes up with a plan to finally deal with the Asurans once and for all, and creates Fran, a Friendly Replicator ANdroid.
*The Last Man - Forty-eight thousand years into an alternate future, a holographic McKay helps Sheppard get back to his own timeline.
*The Shrine - McKay loses all his knowledge and memories, reverting to a child-like state, after an alien organism invades his brain, and only radical surgery can save him. The "Flowers for Algernon" of SGA.
*Brain Storm - On Earth with Jennifer Keller to witness the triumph of Malcolm Tunney, a scientific rival, over global warming, McKay instead finds himself in a race to shut the machine down when it gets out of control, and Jennifer surprises him with some personal information.
*Vegas - In alternate reality Rodney McKay persuades Detective Sheppard to help neutralize a Wraith that threatens the safety of Earth.
Major Fannish Tropes
General Fannish Tropes
*Hurt/Comfort(H/C) - One of the most common fannish tropes is hurt/comfort, whereby our beloved character has the tar beaten out of him, is tortured, is whumped, is emotionally traumatized, etc., and then the comfort starts, usually when other members of the team come forward and profess their feelings either by their actions or their words or both. A fan classic, and one that's frequently applied to Rodney. It has its own community at rodneymckayhc . You can use the tags to browse for exactly what you want.
Still need more Rodney!Whump? Check out the FF.net Fic Listing for it here! (mostly gen)
*Genderswap - This can be anything from "Always a Girl Meredith McKay" to Rodney being transformed into a woman for a short period of time. Genderswap can by fluffy and fun or it can really delve into how we view gender as a society and offer insightful commentary on it.
McKay-Specific Tropes
* Post Trinity Phenomenon - This a fantastic collection and overview compiled by iibnf. In this trope, John Sheppard and/or all of Atlantis cannot forgive McKay's mistake at Doranda. McKay is shunned/treated badly/ignored/ by Sheppard/All of Atlantis. This can and does include: Lemon chicken being served in the mess, people shunning him, people refusing to assist him with work or medical care, and general nastiness all around. At iinbf's list the stories all have ratings for their angst level, the higher the 'lemon chickens' awarded, the higher the angst factor.
* The Deranged McKay Masterlist - Part 1 compiled by korilian - This is a collection of Deranged McKay fiches dealing with "serious mental health problems" and "nervous breakdowns"
* The Deranged McKay Masterlist - Part 2 also by korilian - This set focuses on the "OMG they broke Rodney" trope and the "Flying HIGH" list.
* Rodney's Miserable Childhood Masterlist - Let us all bless korilian with long life and never ending LJ credits for she also has a master list for Rodney's Miserable Childhood.
*Mensa AU - The AU where Rod McKay (McKay and Mrs Miller, Season 3) is from. In this AU, Rod is more outgoing, charming and charismatic than Rodney. Also, this AU features a Mensa!John Sheppard.
*Musical Genius - There are also a number of stories where Rodney is some sort of musical prodigy/genius. This stems from his own comments in Redemption Part 2, SG-1, wherein Rodney noted to Sam Carter that his piano teacher told him at 12 that he was "A fine clinical player, he said, but no sense of the art whatsoever."
*Vegas AU - The AU where Detective John Sheppard doesn't work for the SGC and Rodney tries to convince him to help them neutralize a Wraith threat.
Primers, Meta, and Guides
For McShep, please see the McShep guide. (Coming soon.)
*Rodney McKay page on Fanlore. Background, Meta, Links (Created October 2008, last updated - ONGOING) - A very good intro to McKay which also includes biographical information, meta on his Mary-Sue/Marty-Stu perception, fanon vs. canon, fanfiction links and vids.
*Stargate Wiki Rodney McKay page - Overview, Biography, Alternate Timelines, Personality and Traits, Relationships and Friendships, Behind the Scenes, External Links (Created UNKNOWN, last updated - ONGOING) - This page has more pictures than its plain Wiki cousin, and includes references to nearly all the episodes. If you want a comprehensive look at McKay without watching an episode, you'll get it here.
*Rodney McKay on Wikipedia - Character biography, Personality, Conceptual History, Reception, References and External Links (Created March 2005, last updated - ONGOING) - Wikipedia, how I love thee. Contains biography, notes on history of the character. I liberated a lot from here.
*Rodney McKay on MGM Official Stargate page - Bio, Pics, Vids (Created 2004(?) Last updated UNKNOWN) - Not as good as fan run sites, but pretty pretty pics.
*Rodney McKay on Gateworld - Biography and Key Episodes list (used to generate the guides). The episode list here links to each episode it mentions, an excellent feature.
*Rodney McKay on Syfy - This is a mixed biography of McKay and David Hewlett, but the website is good for pics and videos of the show.
Fanworks Sampler
Fan Fiction
*Freedom's Just Another Word For Nothing Left To Lose by synecdochic (Implied McShep) - What can be said about this fic that won't pale next to it? It's gorgeous and haunting and real. A look at Rodney after Atlantis. The author's summary reads: "SGC finally stops calling him by December. Rodney celebrates by writing a final exam for his relativity class so difficult that it reduces four students to tears in the exam hall. Upon reflection, he decides to be merciful and offer partial credit."
*-.-. --- -. -. . -.-. - .. --- -. by mad_maudlin - An Ancient device turns Rodney deaf and blind. I loved this H/C story, especially John and Radek communicating with Rodney in the only way they can.
* The Ratio of Burning by stillane - Rodney comes back damaged. They handed over a fully functioning, loudmouthed genius with a penchant for sarcasm and slight irrationality. They get back a fully functioning, polite savant with a penchant for silence and serenity. This story sticks with me because of the team's emotions about a McKay who's not quite right.
* Rescue by tigs - "I am the most dangerous man you will ever meet." - Rodney rescues his team! A chance for Rodney to be a bad-ass. I loved this take on Rodney and how brave he is for his team. And why he truly is the most dangerous man you'll ever meet.
*Wit's End by Grey Lupous - A tightly packed, intense take on the time loop trope, only this loop's only SEVENTEEN minutes. Rodney is at his best and worst in this story as he races against time to figure out how to save his team.
*Athosian for Beginners by trinityofone - No longer able to rely on the gate translation device, Teyla finds an unlikely companion/confidante in Rodney McKay. A wonderful look at the softer side of Rodney, while still maintaining his character.
* Academic by miss_porcupine - Domenika Marzione - Rodney is captured by the Genii, and uses his time with them as an opportunity to completely undermine their research program. This story does a great job of showing Rodney using his native strengths as a scientist and academic fight the Genii without requiring him to act as a soldier or warrior. (~2000 words)
* Consequences by chaps1870 - A heartbreaking Post-"Trinity" fic where Sheppard's treatment of Rodney really comes to a head. Short but angsty, you'll wish there was a sequel while loving the way the ending rips your guts out.
*Remorse by michelel72 - Angry at Rodney's actions (or lack thereof) during SG-1: 48 Hours Sam Carter uses an Ancient device to teach Rodney what the meaning of team really is. This is a great look at how much Rodney has changed since we first met him.
* I, Rodney by alex51324 - This is a fantastic take on a classic sci-fi trop, the Robot.
*fanfic100 Table on Rodney by x_varda_x - What a feat! Most are gen, a few are het but all feature a whumped!Rodney.
Links to tags at major archives and collections:
*Rodney McKay Character Tag on Wraithbait
*General Link for Area 52 - No distinct tag for characters unless relationship selected.
*Rodney McKay tag on Archive of Our Own
* Rodney McKay tag on Stargate Fic Rec
*SGA_Newsletter tags - No distinct Tag for McKay himself, only pairings.
*SGA Newsletter Delicious - No distinct tag for McKay himself, only pairings
* Rodney McKay Hurt Comfort LJ - A comm focused on H/C for Rodney.
Fan Art (manips, icons, drawn art, comics, photocomics, photography, etc.)
* Objectifying Rodney McKay (/David Hewlett): A Picspam - Simply droolworthy. The detail! the comments! Fantastic.
* David Hewlett will have an ass in heaven. Hallelujah - a Picspam on the glory that is Mr. Hewlett's, er, well, ass.
*Hewlett daily LJ - Contains more than just McKay, but you get a lot of good McKay shots.
*Rodney McKay Club on DeviantART - For realz, I googled and found this and fell in love. I'm not sure how active it is, but it's worth a look for sure.
*Dr. McKay Icontest - LJ for Rodney McKay icon making.
*Heck Yeah David Hewlett @ Tumbler
*Rodney McKay tag at Tumbler
Fan Vids
*Pretty Fly for a Jedi by DaveChicken - You can download the zip and watch at your leisure!
* The Meaning of Life by obfreak
*Stress by Clucking Bells - here about halfway down the page.
* What is Eternal by gnine - Oh my heart! The angst! The epic Rodney!
Links to tags at major archives:
* McKay at Atlantis Vids
*McKay at Kawhoosh
Other Fan Works
*Make your own Rodney McKay Paper Doll! - I think there's more than one outfit for him now, too.
NEED SOME HELP READERS - at some point, I know someone posted a SUPER CUTE photo of a crocheted McKay doll (and matching Sheppard doll), but I can't find it! Does anyone have the link?
The editors would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute suggestions and feedback on this page.
Additional feedback, including suggestions for other things that should be included, can be left here as a comment or emailed to the editors at sga.guide.mods AT gmail DOT com. General feedback on the Alternative Guide should go here. Thank you!