DPP: Expectations

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

Today, a discussion about what we expect in pilots fanfic and how we characterize the "fixes" to pilot problems. Like everyone, I've read a lot of k/l fanfic that moves their relationship to a better place using some similar tropes. One of those tropes is that Lee changes to be more patient and trusting and uses the "drip-drip-drip" approach to getting Kara to trust him. Given the prevalence of this trope, I'd like to ask you all a question that someone once asked me:

Do we expect too much of Lee?

In other words, do we expect him to be endlessly patient and accepting and willing to wait Kara out on her fears? If so, why? Secondarily, if we do, is that fair?

Additionally, if their genders were reversed, would we expect Lee to wait for Kara in the same way or would we consider that unfitting or stereotypical for a woman to wait for a man to sort out his issues?

I have a lot of "maybe??" responses to these and can see the answers being quite fic/situation specific, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

In giving your thoughts about the idea, consider your OWN expectations and then consider the body of work in the BSG fandom: Does it uphold the expectation that it is Lee who changes to make their relationship work? Also, if you are a writer, what other ways have you "fixed" their relationship to make it work?

This question is in no way designed to judge any character or opinion that anyone has. I expect everyone will be kind and thoughtful in their responses. Thanks!

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WISHING WELL UPDATE:

WISHES FULFILLED!
Wish granted for sci_fi_shipper: Scar and EoJ icons (shareable) by kl_shipper1.

UNCLAIMED WISHES
We have many pilots shippers whose wishes have not been claimed! Here is a list of the wishes requested. (I've summarized the longer ones, so please check the link for specifics.)

Wish for "Crack!vid of LMFAO’s ‘Sexy And I Know It’ starring one, Leland Adama" HERE.

Wish for "Humor piece from Kara’s POV post-poof as she watches life on Earth go on without her" HERE.

Wish for "pretty, colorful cool Kara-centric icons" HERE.

Wish for "pre-mini ficlet featuring Kara, Lee, and Karl" HERE.

Wish for fic of Zak realizing Kara and Lee have feelings for each other and doing something about it HERE.

Wish for "ficlet about Kara and Lee when they've grown old" HERE.

Wish for "fic about Lee learning the origin of Kara's callsign" HERE.

Wish for "Kara finds out Lee's marrying Dee and it's enough of a shock to make her try to interfere" HERE.

Wish for "a BSG vid to the song Unsettled Scores" HERE.

Wish for "post-canon Kara/Lee + Bill/Saul family fic" HERE.

Comments

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

They're both so immature really. Well, very interesting blends of maturity and immaturity. They have such authority and such a burden of responsibility, yet they're both in their 20s!! (In real life, if not canon--since their ages are never specified--but logistically I imagine their age around the same as the actors.)

I'm not sure if that's too easy. I do think you're right though, there is a burden relieved with his speech in Crossroads. I do wish at that point, when Kara came back, that he'd really practiced what he'd preached so to speak, and truly embraced her, made a stand, didn't go off to the quorum. I wish Kara had learned a few things too with her death (or near-death if we're theorizing an AU) about letting go of fears, and taking a chance and deserving happiness. <3 Mainly I wish their "journeys" had not kept them so separate in the final season(s) but if they'd been together, they so would have gotten together for good I think. And the writers weren't feeling that. IDK. It's hard to reconcile what canon gave them with what I think they should have had in that point in their story/arc/lives.

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

It's hard to reconcile what canon gave them with what I think they should have had in that point in their story/arc/lives.

I think this is the issue. As Kara/Lee relationship watchers, many of us saw them as really very ready to be together after Kara came back. Then RDM shipped Lee off to Colonial One (or wherever he lived) and Kara off to the Demetrius with her husband. He wrote them apart and then never brought them back together in a romantic sense. We looked for it, wanted it and believed that they were absolutely ready. I will never not believe that they were absolutely meant to be together.