On a forum a little while ago someone generally asked what makes a shipper. What makes people watch shows with an eye on who should pair up with whom romantically.
I consider myself a mild shipper. I may feel chemistry between characters or a pull between characters but I won't HAVE to ship them. For example, I enjoyed the chemistry between Mulder and Scully for YEARS but was content to see them as friends/colleagues until the SHOW began to develop more between them. It's story before shipping for me. Usually. OK maybe the X-files is a bad example because the chemistry between Mulder and Sully was the back bone of the show. Otherwise it was a conspiracy theory flavored monster of the week show.
Anyway all this is to say that I'm NOT a crazy shipper. Yes I enjoy - thoroughly enjoy - a good romance. And when one catches hold it DOES NOT let go! But I don't HAVE to ship to enjoy a story and the STORY ALWAYS comes first. Not judging people who are different just... I don't want to be misunderstood. Actually I hope no one reads my blog(s) so this is mainly just to relieve my own feelings.
SO all that rambling is to say that I stopped by a Fringe Forum. I didn't join but I wanted to relieve my anti-Peter/Olivia feelings.
I don't ship Peter/Olivia - not in any universe. I didn't want Peter to disappear but... I hate them together as a romantic couple. They give me the squiggies.
From the beginning, it took me a while to warm up to Peter's character. It took me a while to buy his character. Joshua Jackson - I adored him for the three seconds that I watched Dawson's Creek. I wanted Joey to be with Dawson, but I loved Pacey... and the way JJ played him was very hot. However with Fringe... there was something very boyish to me about Peter. He was so much more interesting in relation to WALTER than to ANYONE else, including Olivia. I would rather they have continued a kind of weird clashing attraction between Olivia and Peter rather than actually developing it into romance.
Anyway I think I finally started caring about Peter at the end of season 1. That was when he started to finally seem badass and not just like the dude in distress. Don't get me wrong, I love that Olivia was always saving the day but... I wanted to see more about Peter. His criminal past? I just didn't buy it. I needed to see him more in action. I loved when Peter ran away determined to find out more about Alternate Walter or whatever.
I adored Olivia from the jump. In fact, Olivia is so fascinating, she doesn't need to be in a romance. I think she could drive the show as a single woman or a woman with a revolving door of potential love interests. She is entirely badass all by herself with her soft heart, and her kind eyes, and her keen mind and her magical hair. I don't need to see her diminished by having to be in a romance with Peter and needing Peter to access her magical powers etc. OK. I love love. I love the power of love but to me the love that Olivia and Charlie had as partners FAR outshines whatever she could ever have with Peter. IT JUST DOES. And it does it EASILY. Peter/Liv is just SO FORCED.
Peter/altLivia was smoother. It was more natural. It was a bit more fun... but even there... I just... it doesn't work for me!!! GRR!!
So I was reading on the forum and lots of the posts had me bouncing in my chair and giggling. But then they started talking about how Romance doesn't belong in Sci-Fi. Say what?! That's bollocks. It's not romance in general that doesn't belong in Fringe - though seriously the platonic relationships on the show are so rich and wonderful that it really DOESN'T need romance. It's the fact that Peter and Olivia have NO romantic chemistry. I hate to say it but Peter isn't man enough for Olivia. This must be how Chlarkers feel about Chimmy. LOL! But seriously, Peter/Olivia is well written and well developed but I DON'T FEEL IT!
They just seem uncomfortable playing it. GRR! I despise it.
Then what else is maddening... all my alternative ships are squashed on the site. I will never join.
1. Olivia Dunham - badass. She's badass all by herself.
2. Walter Bishop - badass. He's badass all by his fractured self.
3. Walter/Peter - the backbone of this mother.
4. Walter/Olivia - So damn interesting.
3. Olivia/Broyles and Olivia/Charlie it's a tie and it's so very wonderful.
4. The Trio and The Quartet: The Trio is of course Walter, Olivia and Peter. I never tire of them working together. Oh my goodness it IS the show. The Quartet is when Astrid is around and she's always around yo.
5. Nina Sharp - She is so badass all by herself - oh wait - Nina Sharp and her GLOVE(s). XD
6. Walter and Belly - Oh my goodness they giggle. They giggle together. I will NEVER get over how awesome this is.
7. AltLivia, Lincoln and AltCharlie - They are magical together yo! I adore them. The AltQuartet is when AltBroyles is added in. RIP Badass AltBroyles.
8. Walter/Astrid. She mothers him. <3
None of the above are romances. I ship them yo. Partnership them.
I don't ship anyone on this show. Why, when the partnerships are so amazing? But if ships start happening my brain starts buzzing. Here are a few of the buzzes.
So if one ship and only one ship HAD TO HAPPEN on this show it should have been...
9. Nina/Broyles. The people on that forum ship Nina/Walter. Are they on DRUGS?! Maybe Nina/Walternate except wait, Nina totally had William Bell's lovechild offscreen.
10. Nina/William Bell - this is effing canon. It just is.
11. Olivia/Charlie. They go so deep. RIP Charlie. You're gonna be fine. Let's see Peter send Olive a message from beyond the grave.
12. Peter/Astrid. There were vibes randomly in season 1 one time. The very cutest Fringe Icon I have is Peter hugging Astrids afro. I want to see them making passionate love before I'll ever be down with Peter/Olivia love saving the universe. *sigh*
13. There is one actual ship I kind of like: AltLivia/Lincoln. But AltLivia is so into Peter. She had his lovechild onscreen. *sigh*
Other:
14: Olivia Dunham & Her Strut - OMG. OMG Yes.
15: Observers/Meddling
16: Walter/Food - let this ship never, ever end.
17: Walter/Drugs
18: Olivia - crazy powers
19: Broyles is Vulcan - he just is.
20: Walternate/Power
Ah that feels good. I've probably left off some important points but... I'm thoroughly relieved. Those people were shipping Astrid/Rachel. I don't even know who the frak Rachel is. Ug.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Catherine Tate and David Tennant
Real people shipping is creepy and weird.
I have only fallen into this trap once and that was because I love the idea of Borednow and Anthony being together and picking oranges and being geeky. They are real people I actually know. BUT if I were to real people ship AND if they weren't married/in relationships then I would real people ship Catherine Tate and David Tennant. They are magical together.
NOW they are in a show together in the West End in London! Universe if I'd known this was going to happen I would have gotten a good job YEARS ago!
I could post videos from google all day. Love them! <3
I have only fallen into this trap once and that was because I love the idea of Borednow and Anthony being together and picking oranges and being geeky. They are real people I actually know. BUT if I were to real people ship AND if they weren't married/in relationships then I would real people ship Catherine Tate and David Tennant. They are magical together.
NOW they are in a show together in the West End in London! Universe if I'd known this was going to happen I would have gotten a good job YEARS ago!
I could post videos from google all day. Love them! <3
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Chimmy for 500 Miles
My favorite song from Abnormally Attracted to Sin by Tori Amos is 500 Miles.
It reminds me of Chloe and Jimmy!
He walked 300 miles
Just to bring me bread
His body like a sculpture
Almost decorated
and I’ll wake him as the dawn does
and we’ll break it on the bus
saying, “this was made for us, love”
In lovers communion for 500 miles
And in 500 miles will he break
Break me again?
In lovers communion for 500 miles
And in 500 miles will we brake
Even break
Step it up
Grab your phone
Get your suitcase
There is no time to waste
A big adventure awaits
Sad news, France suffered a late snow
The blooms break through the ice
In San Francisco
A guitar man finally confessed
He left that actress
Over the lakes with hearts touched by frost
We fought in the Land of the Midnight Sun
I lost myself
I lost myself
I walk 300 miles
Just to bring
To bring him bread
In love some gifts are simple
Others I underrated
So I’ll wake him as the dawn does
And we’ll face what any lovers must
Blueness pales within a flames lust
In lovers communion for 500 miles
And in 500 miles will he break
Break me again?
In lovers communion for 500 miles
And in 500 miles will he brake
Even break
will we brake
Even break
Brake
Even brake
Don’t slow down
We might not even break
In the song, it sounds like the lovers are taking a chance on each other. Daring to speed along together knowing they might crash... but don't slow down we might not even break! They broke but still... I love that they took the chance. <3
It reminds me of Chloe and Jimmy!
He walked 300 miles
Just to bring me bread
His body like a sculpture
Almost decorated
and I’ll wake him as the dawn does
and we’ll break it on the bus
saying, “this was made for us, love”
In lovers communion for 500 miles
And in 500 miles will he break
Break me again?
In lovers communion for 500 miles
And in 500 miles will we brake
Even break
Step it up
Grab your phone
Get your suitcase
There is no time to waste
A big adventure awaits
Sad news, France suffered a late snow
The blooms break through the ice
In San Francisco
A guitar man finally confessed
He left that actress
Over the lakes with hearts touched by frost
We fought in the Land of the Midnight Sun
I lost myself
I lost myself
I walk 300 miles
Just to bring
To bring him bread
In love some gifts are simple
Others I underrated
So I’ll wake him as the dawn does
And we’ll face what any lovers must
Blueness pales within a flames lust
In lovers communion for 500 miles
And in 500 miles will he break
Break me again?
In lovers communion for 500 miles
And in 500 miles will he brake
Even break
will we brake
Even break
Brake
Even brake
Don’t slow down
We might not even break
In the song, it sounds like the lovers are taking a chance on each other. Daring to speed along together knowing they might crash... but don't slow down we might not even break! They broke but still... I love that they took the chance. <3
Chloe as Elaine
I read a little bit more of Idylls of the King by Tennyson. It's wonderful. The latest story was about Lancelot and Elaine and it's very Chlark in a lot of ways... or at least the way I've seen Chlark all these years. I see a lot of Smallville's Chloe Sullivan in Elaine... especially when my interpretation of her character is influenced by the things some of her more zealous fans say about her love for Clark. Comparing Chloe to Elaine is a lot like comparing her to the Little Mermaid except that Elaine's love is recognized and mourned/celebrated while nobody knows about the Little Mermaid's suffering. If Chloe does play the little lovesick martyr on Smallville, I'd rather she have the Little Mermaid's ending. Yes that's me being spiteful. I don't want Chloe to be like either of these people. I'd rather her be like Martha on Doctor Who. "I'm better than this! PEACE OUT!"
Lancelot and Elaine/ Clark and Chloe
And the sick man forgot her simple blush,
would call her friend and sister, sweet Elaine,
Would listen for her coming and regret
Her parting step, and held her tenderly,
And loved her with all love except the love
Of man and woman when they love their best,
Closest and sweetest, and had died the death
In any knightly fashion for her sake.
Elaine/Chloe
But now it is my glory to have loved one peerless, without stain; so let me pass, my father, howsoe'er I seem to you, not all unhappy, having loved God's best and greatest, tho my love had no return.
It is no more Sir Lancelot's fault not to love me than it is mine to love him of all me who seems to me the highest.
Lancelot/Clark
I swear by truth and knighthood that I gave
No cause, not willingly, for such a love.
Fair she was, my King, pure as you ever wish your knights to be.
To doubt her fairness were to want an eye,
To doubt her pureness were to want a heart ---
Yea, to be loved, if what is worthy love
Could bind him, but free love will not be bound.
Chlark vs. Clana
Ah simple heart and sweet,
Ye loved me, damsel, surely with a love
Far tenderer than my Queen's.
The poem goes on and on about Elaine's funeral - fit for a queen. I think that would make some very zealous Chloe fans happy, though it would disgust me.
This whole comparison makes me begin to fashion my own tale in my imagination. Clark Kent does fall for Lana Lang the Queen and they have a forbidden love even while Chloe nourishes Clark's parched and aching heart with her tears shed for unrequited love. Chloe's disappearance and funeral drives Clark further into dispair.
So groan'd Sir Lancelot in a remorseful pain, not knowing, he should...
Soon meet his match. Lois/Lynette arrives and disdains Lancelot/Gareth/Clark's help. My happy ending. <3
Lancelot and Elaine/ Clark and Chloe
And the sick man forgot her simple blush,
would call her friend and sister, sweet Elaine,
Would listen for her coming and regret
Her parting step, and held her tenderly,
And loved her with all love except the love
Of man and woman when they love their best,
Closest and sweetest, and had died the death
In any knightly fashion for her sake.
Elaine/Chloe
But now it is my glory to have loved one peerless, without stain; so let me pass, my father, howsoe'er I seem to you, not all unhappy, having loved God's best and greatest, tho my love had no return.
It is no more Sir Lancelot's fault not to love me than it is mine to love him of all me who seems to me the highest.
Lancelot/Clark
I swear by truth and knighthood that I gave
No cause, not willingly, for such a love.
Fair she was, my King, pure as you ever wish your knights to be.
To doubt her fairness were to want an eye,
To doubt her pureness were to want a heart ---
Yea, to be loved, if what is worthy love
Could bind him, but free love will not be bound.
Chlark vs. Clana
Ah simple heart and sweet,
Ye loved me, damsel, surely with a love
Far tenderer than my Queen's.
The poem goes on and on about Elaine's funeral - fit for a queen. I think that would make some very zealous Chloe fans happy, though it would disgust me.
This whole comparison makes me begin to fashion my own tale in my imagination. Clark Kent does fall for Lana Lang the Queen and they have a forbidden love even while Chloe nourishes Clark's parched and aching heart with her tears shed for unrequited love. Chloe's disappearance and funeral drives Clark further into dispair.
So groan'd Sir Lancelot in a remorseful pain, not knowing, he should...
Soon meet his match. Lois/Lynette arrives and disdains Lancelot/Gareth/Clark's help. My happy ending. <3
Monday, July 6, 2009
Real Men according to Tori Amos
Tori Amos in a recent "What I know about Men" article for The Guardian.
[...]
For a man to get off on a woman screaming, the wires have got crossed somewhere. When you're dealing with men with real power they only want you if you're willing. It's about the dance between the male and female. Real power is about exchange, not subordination. For some people a powerful man is a bully. He's powerful because he scares people. And I would say that's not a powerful man - that's an intimidating man, a man who uses intimidation tactics. A powerful man is a man that knows who he is and doesn't need to manipulate people to get what he wants.
[...]
The birth of my daughter was my healing. I claimed my body back. I stopped being a victim. And I happened to marry a man who, because he's British, was not ingrained with that religious seed that America can scatter. He believes in a woman's right to her own sovereignty. It took the love of a good man. When I was reverting back into my, let's say, perversions, he would say: "Let's go get an ice cream. I am not going to enable you. If you can only come as a wanton woman for hire, because you feel dirty and shamed, then no. Women are goddesses." And I know that and I believe that. I chose a man who believed that too.
<3
[...]
For a man to get off on a woman screaming, the wires have got crossed somewhere. When you're dealing with men with real power they only want you if you're willing. It's about the dance between the male and female. Real power is about exchange, not subordination. For some people a powerful man is a bully. He's powerful because he scares people. And I would say that's not a powerful man - that's an intimidating man, a man who uses intimidation tactics. A powerful man is a man that knows who he is and doesn't need to manipulate people to get what he wants.
[...]
The birth of my daughter was my healing. I claimed my body back. I stopped being a victim. And I happened to marry a man who, because he's British, was not ingrained with that religious seed that America can scatter. He believes in a woman's right to her own sovereignty. It took the love of a good man. When I was reverting back into my, let's say, perversions, he would say: "Let's go get an ice cream. I am not going to enable you. If you can only come as a wanton woman for hire, because you feel dirty and shamed, then no. Women are goddesses." And I know that and I believe that. I chose a man who believed that too.
<3
Friday, May 29, 2009
Chloe and Jimmy
This essay about Chloe and Jimmy (Smallville Romantic Relationship) was published for a week at Devoted Fans Network - Devoted to Smallville. It's a website and forum for fans off all things... TV shows, films, actors etc.
"Love doesn't make the world go round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
--Franklin P. Jones
"Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile..."
--Unknown
The Chloe/Jimmy relationship on Smallville began in the season six premiere (“Zod”). Chloe Sullivan, still on edge from almost being torn apart by looters at the end of season five, shoots at a mysterious person creeping into her area of the deserted Daily Planet basement. Chloe is shocked to see that it is Jimmy Olsen, an unexpected blast from her past. But when he cracks a joke about never calling her back, Chloe’s shocked face relaxes into a smile. Later, during strange tremors caused by Zod, Chloe saves Jimmy from being brained by a monitor. At the end of the episode, Jimmy asks if Chloe would like to accompany him on a dinner date at the vending machine and she agrees to with a beaming smile. I smiled and laughed along with her. Chloe Sullivan had her own love interest at last.
“Been such a long time, I forgot that I was fine.”
--e. badu ~ Kiss Me On My Neck
Chloe Sullivan had been on Smallville since the very beginning, but as of season five had never experienced a lengthy romance. Chimmy had the potential to be a fun, light-hearted love affair. Chloe is fun, intelligent, ambitious and beautiful; it just didn’t make sense that her love life was virtually non-existent. Chloe is also such a giving, hard working person. To watch her working so hard toward her dreams and helping solve mysteries week after week but never getting – in the words of Erykah Badu – any water for her flowers was really frustrating. Finally, with the introduction of Jimmy Olsen, Chloe had someone truly devoted to her, someone who adored her, lavished her with attention and made her laugh. Jimmy seemed wonderfully young at heart and perhaps too immature for Chloe. Nonetheless, I appreciated Chimmy as a healing love for Chloe; a relationship that would possibly last for a season and then end amicably. I couldn’t wait to see Chloe having fun, laughing, going on dates, enjoying someone and being enjoyed – in short, I couldn’t wait to see her having a vibrant love life. Chloe would fall in love with this goofy, quirky, fun guy and be loved abundantly, unquestioningly, unconditionally in return. She would have a bit of off the clock fun and romance and then come out of her relationship with Jimmy (after a friendly breakup) renewed, refreshed and ready for action. In the process we would get to know a new iconic character, the future best friend of Clark Kent. I hoped Chloe and Jimmy would both look back on their relationship fondly.
We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.
--Anonymous
Sure enough, Chimmy brought light hearted romantic comedy to [i]Smallville[/i]. In the three year span of their relationship Jimmy treated Chloe to vending machine dinner dates and creepy stake out make out sessions. He never missed an opportunity to encourage Chloe in her career (sometimes Chloe encouraged him right back), share a big scoop and was even willing to risk his life to take the perfect pictures for her articles. Jimmy planned surprise fancy dinner dates complete with whipped cream dessert. He surprised Chloe with delightful bouquets and unsucky Valentine’s Day thank you cards. He put up posters when she was missing and anaconda squeezed her when she was found. Dip kisses, ipods, surprise movie dates at work, hard to get tickets to wonderful events, chocolate muffins, boxes full of memories, acceptance hugs, the last thing we do on earth elevator kisses, surprise uneaten breakfasts, awkward tangos, heart felt wedding proposals, post engagement party redecorated apartments, breakfasts in bed and beautiful barn weddings; this delightful relationship was a refreshing change of pace from the doom and gloom aspects of the show. Jimmy appreciated Chloe as a desirable woman rather than a super hacker or a useful information source or… any of that. He proudly wore his love for Chloe on his sleeve. An episode with Jimmy Olsen was pretty much guaranteed to feature a smiling, happy and adored Chloe Sullivan. A hopeless romantic and very thoughtful, Jimmy treated Chloe like a princess. Obsessed with photojournalism, Jimmy eagerly included Chloe in every lead that he came across (or wanted to). Good times and bad times, Jimmy was always open and honest about his feelings for Chloe and where he stood regarding their relationship. I quickly began to see that I’d initially underestimated Jimmy Olsen and Chloe Sullivan had too.
Make me laugh; say you know what you want
You said we were the real thing
So I show you some more and I learn
What black magic can do
Make me laugh; say you know you can turn
Me into the real thing
So I show you some more and I learn…
--Tori Amos ~ Jackie’s Strength
Apart from his romance/friendship with Chloe, I saw that Jimmy was a wonderful character in his own right – long before “Identity.’ In “Fallout”, Jimmy took the initiative and investigated Lex Luthor. He persevered and schemed his way into a meeting with Lex. Once in the Luthor mansion, he used Lex’ own arrogance against him to nail a huge scoop on Lex Luthor’s schemes. The bit of information Jimmy photographed was instrumental in saving the world. Chloe and Jimmy – mainly due to Jimmy’s enthusiastic urging – became a sort of comic relief investigative team. In “Subterranean,” “Static,” “Noir” and “Sleeper” they work together to help save the day. It’s cute, quirky, awkward and fun. Jimmy enthusiastically included Chloe in his highest dream – to take Pulizer Prize winning pictures for a Pulitzer Prize winning article (Chloe’s article in Jimmy’s daydreams). He often encouraged Chloe to pursue stories which helped her push through hardships in her personal life and her preoccupation with superhero support on more than one occasion. I saw in Jimmy a bit of Gabe Sullivan – with his innocent enthusiasm, endearing dorkiness and down to earth charm. I saw a bit of early series Chloe Sullivan in his eager ambition and sunshine. In the Smallville Season Six Companion, Caroline Dries says, “When I write [Jimmy] I picture him as a magician, pulling tricks out of his sleeve all the time. He’s just high energy. He’s really good at delivering quippy lines, and he’s just a truthful character. You see he’s not scared of emotion.” Holly Harold says, “If there was ever a super hero waiting to be discovered I think that it’s Jimmy Olsen.” I completely agree. Watching Jimmy working with Lois Lane and even Clark Kent here and there – I could see that Jimmy had skills to bring to the table when it came to investigating. Not to mention he lightened up the show considerably when he was around. When I thought of Jimmy’s hard work, ambition, kindness, intelligence and goodness combined with the love he had for Chloe, I fell in love with Jimmy Olsen, gradually, as Chloe did.
“Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by.”
--Carl Sandburg quotes
Chimmy was a romance unlike any other shown on Smallville. In Chloe and Jimmy’s relationship I could enjoy and appreciate the celestial delight of simple pleasures. It was about finding joy in the everyday, in normal things and the way love can sometimes sneak up on you in unpredictable ways. I enjoyed seeing Chloe slowly charmed into dating Jimmy and then slowly falling in love with him. Jimmy wooed Chloe. Over time Chloe went from being impulsive and casual in “Wither,” to cautiously considering in “Subterranean,” to the geek love of “Static,” to being completely won over in “Noir.” Chloe missed Jimmy in “Prototype.” She didn’t know if Jimmy could handle her secrets in “Cure” and was pleasantly surprised and relieved that he could in “Gemini”. Chloe decided to try romance with Jimmy again in “Hero.” Chloe enjoyed awkward make up breakup tango in “Sleeper.” After some major bumps in the road, Chloe finally came to believe that Jimmy – quirks, insecurities and all – was the perfect guy for her. She decided to call it forever in “Odyssey.” Both Chloe and Jimmy glowed with joy during “Bride.” Chloe thought Jimmy would be her happily ever after. I hoped so too.
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.”
--Horace
Alas, the weather in Chimmyville was not always sunshine and cloudless blue skies. Their relationship had to continually dodge the bullets of their pasts, secrets & lies, Jimmy’s insecurities, Chloe’s priorities, and Chloe’s lack of self examination. Despite Chloe’s growing regard for Jimmy, it quickly became clear that Clark would always be her top priority. No matter what Chloe said it seemed that Jimmy would always have insecurities about her true feelings for him. The ups and downs of their relationship were frequent and often dizzying. The Chloe and Jimmy secrets and lies broken record continued to play over three seasons; they would break up to make up again and again. Also, there were the problems created by outside forces. Chloe died again and again due to her healing powers. There were killer aliens on the loose. Chloe lost her memory and was possessed by Brainiac. Chimmy had plenty of flaws but these hardships also revealed unexpected depth of love and commitment between them. Despite being rather naïve and wearing his heart on his sleeve, Jimmy was shrewd and assertive when he needed to be. He called Chloe on her lack of self reflection often. At the end of Crimson he ended their relationship he felt Chloe wasn’t being honest with him or herself about her feelings. No passive aggressive guilt tripping there. When Chloe and Jimmy were going through rough patches in season six, he looked out for her well being and didn’t want her to get her heart broken (“Trespass”). After their break up in season seven Chloe opens up about her deepest secrets and Jimmy is a supportive friend (“Gemini”). After learning the truth, Jimmy wants to fight for a world in which meteor infected people like Chloe can live openly and without fear (“Hero”). The first half of season eight, Chloe fought for Chimmy and defended her relationship with Jimmy to a doubtful Lois Lane and a skeptical Davis Bloom. No, angst couldn’t completely extinguish the light and levity Chloe and Jimmy brought to the show when they were together. As I watched Chloe and Jimmy weather the storms of adversity and doubt again and again, I decided that I would go down with this Chimmy ship – no white flag.
Love in marriage should be the accomplishment of a beautiful dream, and not, as it too often is, the end.
Alphonse Karr
If you love me let me know. If not please, gently, let me go.
--Anonymous
Things have taken a major downturn for the Chloe and Jimmy relationship. They aren’t a couple anymore and it ended in such a horrible, hurtful way. But I’ll never regret taking this three year journey with Chloe and Jimmy. There’s a part of me that will certainly rewrite history after the ceremony in “Bride” and imagine their happy honeymoon and beyond. As on the show, I imagine that they would have ups and downs. Chloe would have other pursuits, secrets that were not hers to tell. She would underestimate Jimmy sometimes and they would argue. Jimmy would have insecurities and be jealous over Chloe’s time and attention. However, when push came to shove their love for each other would pull them through: a love not blind to faults and flaws, a love that saved every petal of a single rose; a love worth remembering post lobotomy; a love that could support a friend with an enormous secret and wish for a world where she wouldn’t have to hide; a love that ran home to the Talon after a horrifying incarceration; a love that passed a psycho cosmo death quiz. This ship may have dashed itself against the rocks of Doomsday, but it’s a voyage Chimmy fans will never forget. To quote Chloe: Chloe and Jimmy’s relationship wasn’t perfect and that’s perfect for me.
"I miss you even more than I could have believed; and I was prepared to miss you a good deal."
--Vita Sackville-West
"Love doesn't make the world go round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
--Franklin P. Jones
"Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile..."
--Unknown
The Chloe/Jimmy relationship on Smallville began in the season six premiere (“Zod”). Chloe Sullivan, still on edge from almost being torn apart by looters at the end of season five, shoots at a mysterious person creeping into her area of the deserted Daily Planet basement. Chloe is shocked to see that it is Jimmy Olsen, an unexpected blast from her past. But when he cracks a joke about never calling her back, Chloe’s shocked face relaxes into a smile. Later, during strange tremors caused by Zod, Chloe saves Jimmy from being brained by a monitor. At the end of the episode, Jimmy asks if Chloe would like to accompany him on a dinner date at the vending machine and she agrees to with a beaming smile. I smiled and laughed along with her. Chloe Sullivan had her own love interest at last.
“Been such a long time, I forgot that I was fine.”
--e. badu ~ Kiss Me On My Neck
Chloe Sullivan had been on Smallville since the very beginning, but as of season five had never experienced a lengthy romance. Chimmy had the potential to be a fun, light-hearted love affair. Chloe is fun, intelligent, ambitious and beautiful; it just didn’t make sense that her love life was virtually non-existent. Chloe is also such a giving, hard working person. To watch her working so hard toward her dreams and helping solve mysteries week after week but never getting – in the words of Erykah Badu – any water for her flowers was really frustrating. Finally, with the introduction of Jimmy Olsen, Chloe had someone truly devoted to her, someone who adored her, lavished her with attention and made her laugh. Jimmy seemed wonderfully young at heart and perhaps too immature for Chloe. Nonetheless, I appreciated Chimmy as a healing love for Chloe; a relationship that would possibly last for a season and then end amicably. I couldn’t wait to see Chloe having fun, laughing, going on dates, enjoying someone and being enjoyed – in short, I couldn’t wait to see her having a vibrant love life. Chloe would fall in love with this goofy, quirky, fun guy and be loved abundantly, unquestioningly, unconditionally in return. She would have a bit of off the clock fun and romance and then come out of her relationship with Jimmy (after a friendly breakup) renewed, refreshed and ready for action. In the process we would get to know a new iconic character, the future best friend of Clark Kent. I hoped Chloe and Jimmy would both look back on their relationship fondly.
We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.
--Anonymous
Sure enough, Chimmy brought light hearted romantic comedy to [i]Smallville[/i]. In the three year span of their relationship Jimmy treated Chloe to vending machine dinner dates and creepy stake out make out sessions. He never missed an opportunity to encourage Chloe in her career (sometimes Chloe encouraged him right back), share a big scoop and was even willing to risk his life to take the perfect pictures for her articles. Jimmy planned surprise fancy dinner dates complete with whipped cream dessert. He surprised Chloe with delightful bouquets and unsucky Valentine’s Day thank you cards. He put up posters when she was missing and anaconda squeezed her when she was found. Dip kisses, ipods, surprise movie dates at work, hard to get tickets to wonderful events, chocolate muffins, boxes full of memories, acceptance hugs, the last thing we do on earth elevator kisses, surprise uneaten breakfasts, awkward tangos, heart felt wedding proposals, post engagement party redecorated apartments, breakfasts in bed and beautiful barn weddings; this delightful relationship was a refreshing change of pace from the doom and gloom aspects of the show. Jimmy appreciated Chloe as a desirable woman rather than a super hacker or a useful information source or… any of that. He proudly wore his love for Chloe on his sleeve. An episode with Jimmy Olsen was pretty much guaranteed to feature a smiling, happy and adored Chloe Sullivan. A hopeless romantic and very thoughtful, Jimmy treated Chloe like a princess. Obsessed with photojournalism, Jimmy eagerly included Chloe in every lead that he came across (or wanted to). Good times and bad times, Jimmy was always open and honest about his feelings for Chloe and where he stood regarding their relationship. I quickly began to see that I’d initially underestimated Jimmy Olsen and Chloe Sullivan had too.
Make me laugh; say you know what you want
You said we were the real thing
So I show you some more and I learn
What black magic can do
Make me laugh; say you know you can turn
Me into the real thing
So I show you some more and I learn…
--Tori Amos ~ Jackie’s Strength
Apart from his romance/friendship with Chloe, I saw that Jimmy was a wonderful character in his own right – long before “Identity.’ In “Fallout”, Jimmy took the initiative and investigated Lex Luthor. He persevered and schemed his way into a meeting with Lex. Once in the Luthor mansion, he used Lex’ own arrogance against him to nail a huge scoop on Lex Luthor’s schemes. The bit of information Jimmy photographed was instrumental in saving the world. Chloe and Jimmy – mainly due to Jimmy’s enthusiastic urging – became a sort of comic relief investigative team. In “Subterranean,” “Static,” “Noir” and “Sleeper” they work together to help save the day. It’s cute, quirky, awkward and fun. Jimmy enthusiastically included Chloe in his highest dream – to take Pulizer Prize winning pictures for a Pulitzer Prize winning article (Chloe’s article in Jimmy’s daydreams). He often encouraged Chloe to pursue stories which helped her push through hardships in her personal life and her preoccupation with superhero support on more than one occasion. I saw in Jimmy a bit of Gabe Sullivan – with his innocent enthusiasm, endearing dorkiness and down to earth charm. I saw a bit of early series Chloe Sullivan in his eager ambition and sunshine. In the Smallville Season Six Companion, Caroline Dries says, “When I write [Jimmy] I picture him as a magician, pulling tricks out of his sleeve all the time. He’s just high energy. He’s really good at delivering quippy lines, and he’s just a truthful character. You see he’s not scared of emotion.” Holly Harold says, “If there was ever a super hero waiting to be discovered I think that it’s Jimmy Olsen.” I completely agree. Watching Jimmy working with Lois Lane and even Clark Kent here and there – I could see that Jimmy had skills to bring to the table when it came to investigating. Not to mention he lightened up the show considerably when he was around. When I thought of Jimmy’s hard work, ambition, kindness, intelligence and goodness combined with the love he had for Chloe, I fell in love with Jimmy Olsen, gradually, as Chloe did.
“Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by.”
--Carl Sandburg quotes
Chimmy was a romance unlike any other shown on Smallville. In Chloe and Jimmy’s relationship I could enjoy and appreciate the celestial delight of simple pleasures. It was about finding joy in the everyday, in normal things and the way love can sometimes sneak up on you in unpredictable ways. I enjoyed seeing Chloe slowly charmed into dating Jimmy and then slowly falling in love with him. Jimmy wooed Chloe. Over time Chloe went from being impulsive and casual in “Wither,” to cautiously considering in “Subterranean,” to the geek love of “Static,” to being completely won over in “Noir.” Chloe missed Jimmy in “Prototype.” She didn’t know if Jimmy could handle her secrets in “Cure” and was pleasantly surprised and relieved that he could in “Gemini”. Chloe decided to try romance with Jimmy again in “Hero.” Chloe enjoyed awkward make up breakup tango in “Sleeper.” After some major bumps in the road, Chloe finally came to believe that Jimmy – quirks, insecurities and all – was the perfect guy for her. She decided to call it forever in “Odyssey.” Both Chloe and Jimmy glowed with joy during “Bride.” Chloe thought Jimmy would be her happily ever after. I hoped so too.
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.”
--Horace
Alas, the weather in Chimmyville was not always sunshine and cloudless blue skies. Their relationship had to continually dodge the bullets of their pasts, secrets & lies, Jimmy’s insecurities, Chloe’s priorities, and Chloe’s lack of self examination. Despite Chloe’s growing regard for Jimmy, it quickly became clear that Clark would always be her top priority. No matter what Chloe said it seemed that Jimmy would always have insecurities about her true feelings for him. The ups and downs of their relationship were frequent and often dizzying. The Chloe and Jimmy secrets and lies broken record continued to play over three seasons; they would break up to make up again and again. Also, there were the problems created by outside forces. Chloe died again and again due to her healing powers. There were killer aliens on the loose. Chloe lost her memory and was possessed by Brainiac. Chimmy had plenty of flaws but these hardships also revealed unexpected depth of love and commitment between them. Despite being rather naïve and wearing his heart on his sleeve, Jimmy was shrewd and assertive when he needed to be. He called Chloe on her lack of self reflection often. At the end of Crimson he ended their relationship he felt Chloe wasn’t being honest with him or herself about her feelings. No passive aggressive guilt tripping there. When Chloe and Jimmy were going through rough patches in season six, he looked out for her well being and didn’t want her to get her heart broken (“Trespass”). After their break up in season seven Chloe opens up about her deepest secrets and Jimmy is a supportive friend (“Gemini”). After learning the truth, Jimmy wants to fight for a world in which meteor infected people like Chloe can live openly and without fear (“Hero”). The first half of season eight, Chloe fought for Chimmy and defended her relationship with Jimmy to a doubtful Lois Lane and a skeptical Davis Bloom. No, angst couldn’t completely extinguish the light and levity Chloe and Jimmy brought to the show when they were together. As I watched Chloe and Jimmy weather the storms of adversity and doubt again and again, I decided that I would go down with this Chimmy ship – no white flag.
Love in marriage should be the accomplishment of a beautiful dream, and not, as it too often is, the end.
Alphonse Karr
If you love me let me know. If not please, gently, let me go.
--Anonymous
Things have taken a major downturn for the Chloe and Jimmy relationship. They aren’t a couple anymore and it ended in such a horrible, hurtful way. But I’ll never regret taking this three year journey with Chloe and Jimmy. There’s a part of me that will certainly rewrite history after the ceremony in “Bride” and imagine their happy honeymoon and beyond. As on the show, I imagine that they would have ups and downs. Chloe would have other pursuits, secrets that were not hers to tell. She would underestimate Jimmy sometimes and they would argue. Jimmy would have insecurities and be jealous over Chloe’s time and attention. However, when push came to shove their love for each other would pull them through: a love not blind to faults and flaws, a love that saved every petal of a single rose; a love worth remembering post lobotomy; a love that could support a friend with an enormous secret and wish for a world where she wouldn’t have to hide; a love that ran home to the Talon after a horrifying incarceration; a love that passed a psycho cosmo death quiz. This ship may have dashed itself against the rocks of Doomsday, but it’s a voyage Chimmy fans will never forget. To quote Chloe: Chloe and Jimmy’s relationship wasn’t perfect and that’s perfect for me.
"I miss you even more than I could have believed; and I was prepared to miss you a good deal."
--Vita Sackville-West
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Random Romance
I've collected about 20-30 Spock/Uhura icons from the new star trek film. I haven't used any yet but I uploaded one onto my Livejournal. After Spock loses his planet and his mother Uhura accosts him in the elevator. She kisses him all over his face but most of the caps are of this very tender, soft looking kiss. That kiss went straight to my heart. The rest of the time I was as weirded out as the rest of the crew. LOL!
I watched Beauty and the Beast the other night with Chatchienne. Oh what a beautifully romantic film. This film is the true, fine wine form of Gothic. As Chat said, the way the Beast says - Ma Bette... and the way Avenant says - Belle and the way Belle calls over and over again for - ma Bete! Oh so romantic. <3 
I've been reading Idylls of the King by Tennyson and I've got to say that the story of Vivian seducing Merlin is one of the most depressing ever.First off I just didn't want to see Merlin humiliated like that. I think of Merlin as this all powerful meddler in events, shaper of eras, creator of kings. I didn't want some evil chick from King Arthur's court to sit on his lap, whisper in his ear and steal his magic from him. I just didn't want to see him made such a thorough fool of.
I guess this reveals that deep down Merlin was very lonely and longed for love in his old age and to be seen as a man. It comforted me when Tennyson described Vivian as a fairie. It's not as bad for Merlin to be fooled by a cruel fairie as just a regular woman. Then again part of me really likes Vivian. She's sort of a female Iago. She has no aim in ruining everyone's lives - no goal. She's just doing it because it delights her.
I'm going to imagine that Merlin at least got a wonderful goodnight kiss. Even the woods whispered "fool" as the spell settled on the wizard and he drifted off to sleep.
I watched Terminator on Saturday and I loved the chemistry between Blair Williams and Marcus Wright. Some people on line complained that there was no sex but I liked that. I liked the innocence of warming by the fire together. It was fun to see this hard warrior woman melt in his arms and listen to his heartbeat. I loved it. <3 In the end she fought for him and when pressed his forehead to hers... it was better than a kiss.
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