Pilots 101

[anamarya.livejournal.com]

First of all, I post this for damao2010 who's "internet access has gone crazy this week" and who didn't really managed to post it here from here phone. Some of you might have seen this post on her LJ. I'll just repost here so everybody can see it and contribute to the discussion.

Her post goes like this

On to today's topic...

There are a lot of people who don't get our fierce devotion to our ship. I'm convinced they just don't get pilots' particular language and codes.
Let's be honest. When most people beat each other senseless they are not saying 'I love you' .
So how about giving the non-initiated a few guidelines so they can translate pilots' verbal and non-verbal language?

And in order for this post to not be picture-less I'll add a couple of caps that describe what I think that Claudia meant here. So, have at it.



     

Comments

[useyourlove.livejournal.com]

Oh I really like this topic! A few months ago I tried to step back from my ship and all the people who disagree with me (i.e. a few months ago I was getting into huge ship wars in all of my fandoms).

What I discovered was that I really love the ships that rely on body language and unspoken things. Whether they sink or swim is heavily dependent on the chemistry and skill of the actors and requires really intense concentration. So basically they have to suck me in and make me want to watch and it's all in the watching for me. The people whose hardcore ships are opposite of mine ship the ships that rely on the words and the obvious meaning of actions rather than what is between the lines and what they aren't saying with the actions--or rather what the actions say underneath. So that now it's hard for me to say to people "HOW DO YOU NOT SEE THIS!?" because I'm more saying "You are definitely watching these shows in a completely different way than I do... and that's ok. But we're not going to be able to discuss any of this. So let's just not."

But uhn omg, Pilots are just so bad with their words. They never say what they mean or what they want. And it just erupts into violence or the cold shoulder or a shouting match that dances around what they really mean. Uuuunf. Oh my goodness. Yes, I love that about them.

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

I always kind of think of "i'm not that big of a dispstick" and "you have a brain?" and "the worst CAG in the history of CAG's" and "let me know when it's one of those times" and lame knee compliments and basically anything that would normally offend or confuse a reasonably prudent person means ILU in pilotsLand. *g*

It's also really hard because they don't actually say, well, much of anything. Not anything that matters, at least. So you kind of have to interpret from the negative space around them. Their expressions, how long she'll hold his stare, they way he's looking at her (because he's always looking), how hard his jaw is clenching, who is holding his or her breath, how much personal space is being invaded. This is their real language. Their bodies manage to say everything their voices can't.

[embolalia.livejournal.com]

"you have a brain?"

This one most of all. I love that moment so much :) And of course, "no takebacks."

Though thank heavens Lee finally finds his words for Stream of Stars. He has so much eloquence, he just usually can't summon it up around Kara!

[useyourlove.livejournal.com]

you kind of have to interpret from the negative space around them

I'm going to start using that. That is a perfect explanation and much more succinct than mine. It's all about the things that they aren't saying. Negative space, yes!

Also, the weird little jokey mean things they say are completely their way of saying "I love you." They never say those words except for a few times and then bad things happen. And so there are so many phrases they have that, to me, stand in for it. Not even just the little jokes, but the caring ones that they let slip sometimes as well.

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

I love that moment too. : )

He does! They both just totally lose their words around each other. It's really kind of sweet. And dysfunctional. But sweet too. *g*

[workerbee73.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like it. : ) I often think about pilots (and the show itself) in the context of negative space. It's often all about the subtext and what's not being said, which I love.

[useyourlove.livejournal.com]

Guh, me too!!!

[kballgetlost.livejournal.com]

Oh pilots...they aren't great with words (well very occasionally they are) but their body language says it all. They invade each others space and they are comfortable with it. Even from the very first time we see them meet.

Lets not even go into all the stares, glances, and sneaky looks they give each other. There are TOO many to count. But you can tell so much by just their expressions when they are looking at each other.

And when they do get it right with words? It's glorious. They manage their "I love you's" before the marriage of doom of course. And Lee's speech to Kara in Islanded. Also moments of just being there for each other. Examples: Lee saying he'd fly Kara's wing. Or when Lee is on one knee in the ring in UBEX after taking a hit from Helo and Kara urges him up with a soft but determined "Come on". I think that one might be my favorite. They are at each others throats the majority of the ep during the dance but in that one instance she is there for him. And that one little phrase negates all the other crap they say to each other leading up to the dance.