Fringe: Shipping

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Obidala

The Star Wars prequels were a disappointment to me, so I never really got into the fandom. To be honest, besides Harry Potter, Tori Amos and Smallville I've never really been involved with ANY fandom. I'm a fan of a lot of things but I'm not really part of the fan community for those things.

Today on livejournal I discovered Obidala. This is the paring of Obi Wan Kenobi - who is probably my favorite character of the series as a whole, and Padme Amidala former Queen of Naboo and Senator. I snagged a whole bunch of icons from the LJ fan community for this paring. I was THIS close to registering at an Obidala forum. I stopped myself because I was only registering there for the manips and also because I don't know how much of an Obidala shipper I am.

As I said, I adore Obi Wan Kenobi in both the prequel and original series. This probably is the main reason I would ship this pair. Second, Anakin Skywalker's development in the Prequels was disappointing to say the least. So maybe there's a little bit of anti-Anakin motivation. But when it comes to the actual characters in the actual story... I like the idea of there being tension between them but... I don't think they are really suited to one another.

Honestly, Obi wan seems to be one of those people who is genuinely content to be single. These people exist! I think. He is completely fulfilled by giving his whole life to being a Jedi. I don't think... love is really... interesting to Obi Wan. I'm sure he's a romantic but for himself... I don't see it. In Obi Wan and Amidala I see a strong friendship and mutual respect. I feel that they are pretty much on the same page with their ideal etc. They are of similar temperments. But I DO like the tension.

In conclusion I, romance junkie though I am, do not ship Obidala, but I am an Obidala appreciator. I really want to get a look at those manipulations. :D

Changes...

I have a lot going on online and I realized that I really need to figure out a clear purpose behind each of my online endeavors. To that end, this blog - formerly known as "A Healing Love" - is hereby renamed "Romance Junkie." Once again I'm gonna mention borednow... I'm starting to realize what a huge influence she is on me. LOL! Well she is my best internet friend. I decided to focus this blog on shipping and romance of all kinds and a lightbulb went on above my head. What does borednow call herself?! I wanted to rename this blog and I knew that her nickname for herself in regards to shipping (favoring certain relationships) would be the perfect title. So I asked her what her nickname was.

...

She calls herself a romance wh*re. Is that a bad word? I'll bleep it out anyway.

I ... haven't earned that title but I thought about my addiction to cookies and decided that I'm more of a romance junkie. I'm certainly addicted but... yeah.

I'm going to talk about Chimmy (The relationship on Smallville between Chloe Sullivan and Jimmy Olsen) again tonight though.



My love for Chimmy has grown and by that I mean changed but not lessened or increased. In the course of writing a Chimmy essay, I realized that Chimmy isn't just a healing love as I originally thought. Not that Chimmy as a healing love would have been bad. I do think that Chloe has grown in positive ways as a result of being in a relationship with Jimmy AND I think that Chloe's heart did heal a great deal while she was with Jimmy. I think, looking back on Chloe and Jimmy's relationship, that it's more complicated than that. It's not just about what Jimmy has done for Chloe. Over the course of their relationship it certainly became something Chloe fought for as well. Chloe/Jimmy is A Sorta Fairytale.

"It was almost love. It was almost always." It was glorious and they had hopes for forever and those hopes were dashed. Alas and goodbye.

I have a new ship!

Gareth and Lynette from Arthurian Legend.



I'm reading Tennyson's Idylls of the King about Arthurian Legend. When I first started reading about Gareth and Lynette, I didn't quite know what to make of them.

You can read the section about them for yourself - HERE

I liked Gareth. He was determined to become a soldier but his mother, the Queen, couldn't bear to have him go. Finally after he makes a great argument to her about how unseemly it is for him to stay by his mother's side well into his manhood, she lets him go... on one condition. That he not tell anyone his name and work in Arthur's court as a kitchen boy. For a crown prince this is... very humbling to say the least. Humiliating. His mother was sure that he won't do it. But he did! Cheerfully. It made me love him more.

So he entered King Arthur's court as a kitchen boy. Sir Lancelot really liked him but Sir Kay hated him. Kay was horrible to him and gave him more work than the other kitchen boys etc. Gareth worked hard and cheerfully despite his true identity and Sir Kay's cruelty. (I think T.H. White used a little of Gareth for Arthur's back story. Maybe not. I don't know much about Arthurian Legend in all of its forms.) After awhile, just as Arthur and Lancelot uncovered Gareth's true identity, Lynette entered Arthur's castle. She needed a knight - preferably Lancelot - to slay three errant (evil) knights who were holding her sister Lyonors under house arrest until she married one of them. Arthur sent "the kitchen knave" to save the day. Lynette was horrified and insulted that the King would take the threat to her kingdom so lightly as to send a kitchen boy to deal with it.

I was shocked by the way Lynette boldly expressed her displeasure. She rode off without Gareth and when he followed, she turned on him and insulted him. She said he stunk of the kitchen and that there was no way he would be able to defeat the knights. After he defeated the first knight I was sure that she would give some sign of gratitude or something! NO. She said that for a moment she couldn't smell the kitchen but when the wind picked up he stunk as badly as ever. Lynette insulted him again and again. Gareth was long suffering, kind and gentlemanly in the face of her horrible words. She seemed like such a snob. I thought about Buttercup from Princess Bride. But Lynette was not as dumb as Buttercup and I didn't think she was flirting.

Lynette ranted and railed at Gareth the entire trip to her castle. He's not a noble. He should turn back now. Insult after insult. Scorn, scorn, scorn. I started to hate her. I thought of Lois Lane on Smallville (and in general) and the way she banters with Clark. I felt that I was getting - in the person of Lynette - insight into why some people hate Lois Lane. I saw a stuck up, rude woman insulting a heroic guy because she's mistaken his true identity. There was no humor in it. It wasn't sexy. Gareth vanquished the second guy... Lynette ranted. Third guy... Lynette ranted... and then I realized. She loves him.

I'm not sure when it happened (it'll be fun to read again and find out exactly when) but if Lynette really hated Gareth as much as her words expressed, she would have just shut up and waited to be proven right. I realized Lynette was trying to get Gareth to leave so he would not be killed. <3 style="text-align: left;">
The horrible insults that Lynette hurled at Gareth really made a nice contrast to her change of heart. I'm going to have to go back and read again to find the exact moment of transition. But during the last fight, Lynette cheered for Gareth. When Gareth won, she payed him a kingly compliment in a very humble way. She didn't know that he was noble, she didn't know anything more than that he was a kitchen knave. I started drawing hearts in my book.

I talked to borednow about my tentative new ship and it turns out she's dead gone on them! She sent me a link to "The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf." At the link there was an excerpt from the book. I read the first couple of chapters. From the little I read it expands on the story and combines it with another story about Gawain.

The expanded version by Gerald Morris does not end with Gareth marrying Lynette. I suppose Tennyson diverted from Sir Thomas Malory when he had Gareth marry her. Ah well. I haven't read Le Morte De Arthur yet - though I own it, so I cannot comment of Beaumains and Lyonours.

For now - Gareth and Lynette FOREVER!

Chloe Loves Jimmy - Season 8 Moments

This is a list of Chimmy moments from Season 8. I'm focusing on Chloe Sullivan's feelings for Jimmy Olsen. It's pretty obvious how much Jimmy has cared for Chloe the past two years. Even with the events of “Turbulence” and “Eternal” there’s no doubt in my mind that Chloe cared deeply for Jimmy and wanted her marriage to last.

I would rather have had Chloe and Jimmy break up because of the issues already causing problems in their relationship: Jimmy’s insecurities, Chloe’s secrets, the way Chloe underestimates Jimmy, the imbalance of devotion (Jimmy’s more devoted to their relationship than Chloe). And I dislike what Davis’ manipulation is bringing out in both Jimmy and Chloe’s characters. But I will enjoy looking back on all the gloriously happy Chimmy moments and I’ll enjoy the few Chimmy crumbs (if there are any) to come.

Odyssey

Unrealized Ambitions!

I adore Chloe and Jimmy on Smallville! I have so many things I wish I had the time and energy to do here but it's not happening. I don't know if it will happen. But before I go into that here's what's been going on in my Chimmy world recently.

I recently read an article on a Hollywood star magazine website with Aaron Ashmore and he talks about his character, Jimmy Olsen. He talks about Jimmy's relationship with Chloe but what really caught my eye was the emphasis he places on Jimmy and Clark's relationship. That's the area of Jimmy Olsen that Aaron is most excited about and wishes there were more of on the show. This is exciting because "Identity" was one of the best Jimmy Olsen episodes on Smallville. I agree, Jimmy was really in his element in dealing with Clark and learning his secret. If Chloe and Jimmy's marriage doesn't make it, at least there's the Clark/Jimmy relationship to be explored.

Yes I said "Marriage!" SQUEE! There have been so many episodes and a very long hiatus since I last posted. Little did I know, when I posted my little Chloe/Jimmy manip so long ago that they would actually get married! I was a little sad that the marriage was more setting than subject of the episode "Bride." I was still so happy to see Chloe make that committment to Jimmy. She looked so lovely, and I looked up Barn Weddings, they are a fall wedding trend. I found a wonderful article about Barn Weddings. I'll have to post it later.

I read an old article from Smallville Magazine about Chloe and Jimmy. It was so sweet and reminded me once again why I ship this delightful couple. I am currently brainstorming about a way to celebrate Chimmy for what may be their very last Valentine's day as a couple on Smallville. I'll figure something out.

So now to the topic of this post. When I made this blog I really dreamed of doing an episode by episode Chimmy celebration, complete with pictures and funny comments and gushing. I wanted to write articles about Chloe and Jimmy and post my artwork featuring the couple.

Perhaps one day I will accomplish this... even if it's long after the show has ended. We'll see...

Thoughts about Chimmy: A Healing Love

I decided to start this blog because I wanted a sort of sanctuary where I could talk about Chloe and Jimmy's relationship on Smallville to my hearts content. On a few of the Smallville websites I frequent, I'm one of a very few number of Chloe/Jimmy fans and sometimes I would get the sense that I was talking to myself. So I thought a blog would be ideal.

I thought and thought about what to call it but I finally settled on the title of "Healing Love."

One reason is obviously the magical Chimmy scene from "Gemini." Chloe and Jimmy broke up near the beginning of Season 7 because Chloe couldn't open up to Jimmy about her meteor powers. In "Gemini" on pain of death, Chloe tells Jimmy the truth. He not only accepts her, he kisses her!

Near the end of the episode Chloe tries to downplay the kiss. Jimmy won't let her. They have a conversation about Chloe's secret after which Jimmy says he hopes that she can accept herself. Chloe shows him her meteor power by healing his hand. That moment grabs my heart so tight. It's such a lovely moment of Chloe exposing herself to Jimmy. She gives him this tentative look as she's healing him. Will he run away? What will he do? Jimmy hugs her. He doesn't let on that he's a little shaken by it all. Wonderful. So that's the first reason.

Secondly, I've thought of Chloe's time with Jimmy as a healing time for her. When Chloe and Jimmy first started dating again in "Wither" and the cluster of episodes after that, I thought it would just be a time for Chloe to have fun and go on dates with a guy who adores her. I thought that after a bit of time passed Chloe would outgrow Jimmy and let him down easy.

As time went on it became clear that Jimmy was deeply in love with Chloe. He was so thoughtful and romantic. He was very sensitive to her feelings and desires. By the time I decided to start a blog, Jimmy had proposed to Chloe! What a surprise. Even as I was starting "A Healing Love," I didn't know if Chimmy would last but I thought that Jimmy Olsen was healing her heart.

For so many years Chloe has loved Clark. She's loved him romantically. She's had a school girl crush on him. She's believed in him and had faith in him as a superhero. As his sidekick and brother in arms she's loved him and fought with him against various foes. She's poured so much of herself into Clark Kent. I don't believe that this kind of selflessness ever comes back void. But she never reaped the rewards that she wished for: Clark's romantic love. I think this created a wound of rejection in Chloe's heart.

As much as Clark cares for Chloe, (Post Season 2's "Heat") he never crossed the line of friendship and entered into romantic territory with her. Most of the time he dated Lana Lang. Clark had no doubt that he was in love with Lana, that she was the one, that there relationship was meant to be. Again, wounding Chloe's heart - unintentionally if not completely unawares.

Then comes Jimmy pouring love and attention into Chloe's life. Jimmy shows such care and thoughtfulness toward Chloe; he's always doing special things for her. It seemed to me that Jimmy loved Chloe as much as Clark loved Lana. She was his number one choice. I felt deep down that soaking up Jimmy's TLC, Chloe was healing from all the rejection she felt from Clark over the years. Jimmy's love for Chloe and Chloe's growing love in return has been part of a crucial emotional healing process for Chloe. Maybe it's even been a time of sexual healing for her, who knows? If she's been feeling at all loved as a woman, at all sexy in the past couple of years, it's because of Jimmy Olsen. That's huge.

I'm a long time Chloe Sullivan fan. Once upon a time, for a short time I was a Chlarker. Even after I stopped shipping Clark and Chloe I still held on to hope for Chloe's sake. Chloe has that effect on some fans (myself included). You just want all her dreams to come true. But as time went on I felt that Chloe was giving too much without anything coming back into her life to feed and nurture her. I think that Jimmy Olsen has done that for Chloe in Seasons 6 and 7 and now 8.

Chloe and Jimmy's relationship is most certainly a healing love.

:D

And Because Love Battles

"Maxima" was a great episode of Smallville.

Superficially, I got to vicariously make out with Clark Kent on a DP desktop and in an elevator.

From a Superman standpoint Clark saved Jimmy physically and was supportive emotionally. He stood firm against temptation (Maxima). He fed Shelby. He hasn't given up on saving Chloe from Brainiac. It was great.

From a shipper standpoint it was FANTASTIC. It wasn't superficially fantastic from a shipper POV. The shipping developments were in depth.

Chlark friendship grew by leaps and bounds. Clark's world was rocked by the force of how much Chloe loved him back in the day. If he could miss that, he fears that he'll me "the One" when she comes along. Chloe finally gave Clark the fever letter, shutting the door on that place in her heart. She declares that Clark is her "bff" and that he "blew it" with her romantically.

Lois and Clark have come face to face with what we've all (Clois Fans) been celebrating since the Season Four finale. There's something there. Passion, Connection, Destiny... I dunno what it's called. But they were looking at it and Lois... didn't want to look away. I think Clark's still confused.

Chimmy cleared the air on Jimmy's insecurity about Chloe/Clark friendship AND Chloe's latent feelings for Clark. Also, it was revealed that Jimmy reads Pablo Neruda. I'm over the moon about this revelation. Here's a poem that's perfect for Chimmy and Clois. I feel that my fave Smallville ships have gotten their fair share of HATE, intense HATE in SV fandom. Really though... it made me feel better about Chimmy. I felt that it was perfect for them.

And because Love battles

And because love battles
not only in its burning agricultures
but also in the mouth of men and women,
I will finish off by taking the path away
to those who between my chest and your fragrance
want to interpose their obscure plant.

About me, nothing worse
they will tell you, my love,
than what I told you.

I lived in the prairies
before I got to know you
and I did not wait love but I was
laying in wait for and I jumped on the rose.

What more can they tell you?
I am neither good nor bad but a man,
and they will then associate the danger
of my life, which you know
and which with your passion you shared.

And good, this danger
is danger of love, of complete love
for all life,
for all lives,
and if this love brings us
the death and the prisons,
I am sure that your big eyes,
as when I kiss them,
will then close with pride,
into double pride, love,
with your pride and my pride.

But to my ears they will come before
to wear down the tour
of the sweet and hard love which binds us,
and they will say: “The one
you love,
is not a woman for you,
Why do you love her? I think
you could find one more beautiful,
more serious, more deep,
more other, you understand me, look how she’s light,
and what a head she has,
and look at how she dresses,
and etcetera and etcetera”.

And I in these lines say:
Like this I want you, love,
love, Like this I love you,
as you dress
and how your hair lifts up
and how your mouth smiles,
light as the water
of the spring upon the pure stones,
Like this I love you, beloved.

To bread I do not ask to teach me
but only not to lack during every day of life.
I don’t know anything about light, from where
it comes nor where it goes,
I only want the light to light up,
I do not ask to the night
explanations,
I wait for it and it envelops me,
And so you, bread and light
And shadow are.

You came to my life
with what you were bringing,
made
of light and bread and shadow I expected you,
and Like this I need you,
Like this I love you,
and to those who want to hear tomorrow
that which I will not tell them, let them read it here,
and let them back off today because it is early
for these arguments.

Tomorrow we will only give them
a leaf of the tree of our love, a leaf
which will fall on the earth
like if it had been made by our lips
like a kiss which falls
from our invincible heights
to show the fire and the tenderness
of a true love.

Pablo Neruda

borednow - my bestest Internet friend!

I'm going to take a slight detor from Chloe and Jimmy's relationship to gush a bit about my fellow Chimmy lover and best internet friend, borednow. I met her on a Clois fansite.

*Violins Play*

It can be pretty lonely on the internet. People are often unfriendly and harshly opinionated. Even on a wonderful site about Clois, it's possible to feel misunderstood. I often feel misunderstood and lonely online. But where else can I do stupid stuff like over analyze Smallville?

*Upbeat big band music plays*

Well, it was in this spirit that borednow and I became friends. borednow refused to follow the herd in worshiping Jonathan Kent and burning Lionel Luthor in effigy. borednow expressed her displeasure when a prominent personage on a forum used the word “slut.” All this painted a virtual target on borednow’s head for a little while around the forum. I doubt that she cared. But I did and I sent her a little PM saying that I got what she was saying and sent her Karma (the forum equivalent of a thumbs up and wink). Smiting is flipping the bird at someone; or maybe making a disgusted “ug” sound at them and sneering. From there we started chatting through PM about who knows what. Later she comforted me when I was bludgeoned for making flippant comments about the influence of Kristin Kruek’s acting on Lana Lang’s character.

We've been internet friends for more than a year now. Wow! Time flies.

We share Smallville shipping preferences, so that's been fun. borednow had introduced me to many wonderful things: Girl Genius, Fruit's Basket, See's Chocolates and so much more. I will continually add to the collection below. It'll be like my little treasure trove of borednow fun!

Yay! Three cheers for google chat. By the by did you know that a google is the large number consisting of the digit 1 followed by 100 zeroes? Yup! It was coined in 1902 by nine-year-old Milton Sirotta (Can you imagine naming your son Milton! Milton Bradley made board games.) nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner. Thanks ask.com!

Frozen Solitude

This blog entry is brought to you in part by borednow's Leo Moon
(Yes I’m aware that best-est is NOT a word but… borednow gives me the warm fuzzies.)
Thanks to World's Finest, karenjade, Our Mystery and others for the screencaptures.

Chimmy before ZOD

Retconning Heat

Chloe and Jimmy as a couple on Smallville can actually be traced back as far as the Season Four episode "Unsafe." This episode explores the themes of love, sex and marriage. The episode deals with the question, "When is the right time in a relationship to consummate your love (have sex)?" Alicia Baker and Clark Kent (under the influence of Red K) face this question. Lana Lang faces this question with her boyfriend Jason Teague who is older than her (college age). She goes to Chloe Sullivan for some relationship advice and we find out that Chloe faced this question herself years ago...

"UNSAFE" - Season Four, Episode Eleven

Chloe Sullivan is typing away at THE TORCH for the evening and Lana Lang tentatively enters.

Lana: Hey.
Chloe: Hey. Missed you in A.P. Lit today, what happened? You decide you just couldn’t face the love songs of J. Alfred Prufrock? [Continues typing away cheerfully.]
Lana: No. Um… I went to go see Jason.
Chloe: I’m sensing it didn’t go so well. Sorry, a poker face isn’t exactly your strong suit. [stops working] What’s up?
Lana: I think I’ve finally figured out why he’s been so cryptic. He doesn’t think that I’m ready for THAT kind of a relationship.
Chloe: What? What kind? [Lana looks but says nothing.] Oh that kind. Oh. Ok. [clears throat] Wow That answers a question I’ve been dying to ask you all semester.
Lana: Does everyone think that we…
Chloe: Lana, you were alone with him for three months in Paris.
Lana: Right… um… Well, we haven’t. But I’m starting to think that I’m ready.
Chloe: First off, don’t do this just because you’re afraid to lose him if you don’t.
Lana: It’s not that. It’s just, Jason is in college and I think that he’s used to relationships that are… that are a little more adult.
Chloe: Ok well, at the risk of going after school special on you, two thirds of all people under the age of 18 regret doing it too soon. [slowly] And on behalf of that two thirds just be sure that you’re really ready.
Lana: Wait a minute, are you saying that you’ve…?
Chloe:Yeah, during my internship at the Daily Planet. His name was Jimmy. He was very cute in a bow tie kind of way. You know, I mean, it was a summer infatuation that I thought was the real thing.
Lana: Do you wish you hadn’t done it?
Chloe: Sometimes. I mean it wasn’t awful by any means but it just wasn’t special. And as cliché as it sounds it only happens once… so… Just make sure Jason is the one you want to remember forever.

Thus is Jimmy Olsen introduced to the world of Smallville. Hang on! Chloe says she met Jimmy, "during my internship at the Daily Planet." This would be during the summer break between Episode One (Vortex) and Episode Two (Heat) of Season 2.

"HEAT" - Season One, Episode Two

Before the summer break, Chloe and Clark decided to remain friends, at Chloe's suggestion (Episode 2-1 Vortex). After his initial disappointment Clark is fine with the arrangement and in "Heat" lusts after Lana. Chloe, however cannot conceal her disappointment and sadness. "Heat" is the first episode after summer break. Chloe has returned from Metropolis and is still discontent with her "friendship" status with Clark.

It's the first day of school. Lana Lang heads up the stairs to her next class as Chloe Sullivan walks up to Clark Kent. He is gazing after Lana Lang. Admiringly? Chloe thinks so.

Chloe: Good to see some things never change.
Clark: [visibly delighted] Chloe! [He hugs her.]
Chloe: Hi.

Chloe grins, but as soon as her face is out of sight her grin fades. Clark breaks the hug and she plasters the smile back on her face, feigning casual ease.

Chloe: Yeah, fresh from the wilds of Metropolis and the Daily Planet Internship Program.
Clark: Pete said you were a big hit. I thought we’d lost you for good.” Clark is eager to catch up.
Chloe: Well, my dad decided to give Lexcorp another shot, so here I am, back in the boonies.

Chloe’s smile fades as Clark, laughing takes her arm, pulling her towards him so he can give her a side hug.

Clark: Well, I’m glad you’re back.

He can't keep the smile off of his face.
Chloe: Yeah, I could tell from the voluminous emails you sent.
Clark: Yeah, sorry. With the farm and… you know…

Chloe listens to his apology but it quickly dissatisfied with his answer.

Chloe: [quickly, cutting him off] Don’t worry about it, Clark, it’s not a big deal.

Clark can tell that she’s hurt.

Clark: Well… I’m – I’m really excited to hear all your stories.

Chloe lashes out.

Chloe: Yeah actually, you know what? There aren’t any stories. Oh except that I did meet this really hot intern from Metropolis High. It was great. [She grins wide.] He made me forget all about Smallville for three whole months.

Clark is shut down. Chloe glances back to see if the blow landed. Then heads to class.

This scene pushes the first mention of Jimmy back to the episode "Heat" in Season Two! OK... Chloe was embellishing a bit to make Clark jealous but still very cool. Unfortunately there's a snag. In a later scene Chloe opens up to Lana about her feelings for Clark and her summer in Metropolis.

Chloe Sullivan opens up to Lana Lang in the Talon.

This scene takes place in the Talon. Lana is eager to hear all about Chloe's summer Internship in Metropolis. Chloe isn't so eager to tell about it.

Lana: So it must have been fun spending the entire summer in Metropolis.
Chloe: Yeah it was really nice to get away. Sometimes a little distance can just, give you a new perspective on things you’ve done, you know. Mistakes you’ve made.

[Lana immediately knows what Chloe is talking about.]

Lana: Going to the spring formal with Clark was not a mistake.
Chloe: Yeah it was. I let myself indulge in my feelings for him and I ended up getting hurt.
Lana: At least you were brave enough to take the risk.
Chloe: Oh yeah that’s me. Cupid’s cannon fodder. *they laugh* Three months. (pause) I thought I’d be over it by now, but when I saw him in the hallway all those feelings just came back. I even made up some lame story about meeting a guy in Metropolis to try and get a rise out of him.
Lana: Clark still really cares about you Chloe.
Chloe: I know. But he cares about you more.
Lana: I don’t want Clark to come between our friendship.
Chloe: Me neither. So what are we gonna do about that?
Lana: Define ourselves by what we do, not who we date.

Chloe agrees with Lana's words of wisdom and they smile at one another until Lex enters to interrupt the scene.

According to this scene the story Chloe tells Clark is completely made up, she never met a guy in Metropolis. If the writers forgot about this by the time the made it to "Unsafe" or decided to retroactively change the continuity. This is a "retcon."

For those who don't know what "retcon" means here's a definition thanks to the Double Tongued Dictionary." Isn't that a great name for a dictionary?

RETCON
v. to retroactively revise (a plot, storyline, character, event, history, etc.), usu. by reinterpreting past events, or by theorizing how the present would be different if past events had not happened or had happened differently. Also n. Subjects: English, Arts & Literature, Entertainment, Jargon

Editorial Note: Long common in comic books, but now used in historical fiction. Etymological Note: retroactive + continuity

Why did the writers make this change? Just to fit the themes of "Unsafe?" Did they make the decision in Season 4 to bring Jimmy Olsen onto the show in a couple of years?

Although I dislike lazy writing, I like this change. I think Chloe Sullivan is attractive. I never liked the fact that her love live was non-existent/off screen for so long. It's nice to think that she had fun during the summer after the "just friends" talk with Clark even if it wasn't a hot fling. It's kind of fun to think that Chimmy has been a part of the show since season two.

Thanks to keakack.com, elegant-kristin.com and allisonmackweb for the lovely screen captures.

My Smallville/Chimmy Story

My Smallville Beginning: Disdain, Luthors, Finales and Fandom

When I first heard about a television show based on teenage Superman I thought, "Why would anyone ever do such a thing?" It sounded like a really dumb exploitative idea. Not only that, but it was a show that would come on the WB and I was a snob when it came to the WB. I wasn't impressed with teenage soap operas. Occasionally when flipping through the channels I would stop to pay homage to the gorgeousness of Tom Welling, but I did NOT watch the show.

Fast forward three years. I'm flipping through the channels and I see Lex Luthor having an argument with his dad. His father Lionel had him trapped in a mental institution and Lex insisted that he wasn't crazy. By the end of the episode Lionel fried Lex Luthor's brain, rendering him forgetful and docile. 0_0!!! I was astonished. I was upset! I was nauseated. THIS gutsy show was Smallville?! I had to check this out. I went on a quest to find the first DVD set on ebay. I found it and bought it.

I watched the first season and was immediately charmed but the beautiful cinematography, the very high quality production values, the small town feel and the strong family values. The cast was wonderful over all. I felt that the Kent Family was the heart of the show. I liked Clark Kent and wanted to see him become Superman. Though I'd originally intended to only watch the first season and continue with Season 4 live, the season finale of season one left me burning to find out what happened next. I ended up buying Seasons 1, 2, and 3 on DVD.

I wasn't too happy the first time I watched Season 4. Lois Lane?! That upset me. Lois Lane had no business appearing in Smallville yet. But I watched the season and ended up buying the Seasons 4 DVD set. Lois grew on me, though I still grumbled about the uncreative writers. Lois and Clark's interactions were funny and refreshing. I drifted during season 5. Lois was still around. She wasn't as bad as I'd thought initially but they really didn't know what to do with her. It was during this time of drifting that I discovered the online Smallville fandom. Wow! There were and are good and bad things about this group of fans. I read reviews and laughed really hard as I saw that lots of fans felt the way I did about the show. I discovered SPOILERS and recaps. At this time also, my sister started watching the show and became my Smallville buddy. So many of the fans were saying "Lois Sucks!" just as my sister was saying, "Lois Rocks!" After a bit of teatering between the two strong opinions. I landed in the middle. I like Lois! I went from a skeptical grumbler to a crazy optimistic person who just laughed at the silliness. I was ready to head into Season 6 - spoilers and all.

ChimmyFan becomes a Cloiser: Shipping, Haters and Trying to Stay Positive Through It All.

So I bought the Season 5 DVDs and was really optimistic about Season 6 once I found out that it was happening. Re-watching seasons 4 and 5 in anticipation of the new season made me a Lois/Clark shipper. Falling in love with Lois and Clark as a romantic couple on Smallville aka Clois meant that I had to find an online home where I could freely express my joy. Most of the online fandom I'd frequented was very hostile toward Lois Lane. The same snarky EVOL-ness that was funny when directed toward Clana, was really hurtful and unpleasant when directed toward my ship. I found an online home and finished the registration process right after the episode "Sneeze." With my new crazy optimism I could endure the barn door epiphany (love it now) with a laugh. It also helped to remember one of my favorite episodes from Season 3: Perry.

I went from trying to understand Lois haters, to having my feelings hurt and hating Lois haters, to enjoying making fun of Lois haters (which I still enjoy from time to time) to just realizing that opinions differ. There's really no right or wrong in an opinion just in the way you express your opinion and how you treat others while expressing it. I guess I had a golden rule epiphany, which is a good thing. There were a lot of fun things about Season Six. I felt that I didn't enjoy them as much as I might have if I'd been spoiler free. So for Season 7 until now... I avoid spoilers as much as possible.

Why Chimmy?

While Season 6 aired I was a spoiler junkie. I heard that Chloe was going to get a new boyfriend, Jimmy Olsen. Some fans were remembering that Chloe mentioned dating someone named Jimmy back in Season 4. I was VERY exicited! Chloe Sullivan has always been one of my favorite characters on Smallville. She was fourth on my list behind Sarah Polley, Kelly Martin and Alison Hannigan as one of those yummy talented actresses that you simultaneously want to eat up, get to know and BE. The moment I met her I thought of Willow. She was a sunshiny blond version of Willow to me. Much more outgoing and fashionable but... the amazingly cute exposition queen behind the computer.

Chloe crushed on Clark. I didn't really get into it much after season 1. Chloe's crush created lots of yummy moments between Chloe and Clark. It make subtext fun. But it also meant that there were a lot of sad, angsty moments as Clark was... deeply in love with Lana Lang. Who knows why. *shrug* As someone who thought Clark should have dated Chloe instead of Lana, it was a LONG five years. I was thrilled that Chloe was FINALLY going to get a boyfriend. I was ready for her to be adored and have some romantic fun.

Jimmy arrived on the scene and I was... unsure. Then Chloe smiled and I was hooked.

Chloe's reunion with Jimmy Olsen and her SMILE!

Screencap from the erstwhile SVfan.com

So I was a Chloe/Jimmy fan because I loved Chloe and wanted some enjoyment for her. I expected that Chloe and Jimmy would date a while, Chloe would have fun but grow out of Jimmy, she'd let him down easy and move on. Little did I know that this quirky little couple would completely steal my heart.