Fandom for February: Day Five

[teylaminh]

Had a lazy one today. I do however appear to be HUNGRY, despite having eaten three hours ago, which is either because I've been eating less during the week (I only had one day where I came in over 2000 calories, woo!) or because I'm coming down with something - it's hard to tell. I have another week of work to get through and then three days off, then I just have the rest of February and March to survive before my April leave...

Anyway, without further ado:

Day 05 - A Ship That Reminds You Of Someone

This one was quite tricky, and I've already broken the non-repeating fandom rule, but in any case, here it.

Janeway and Chakotay from Star Trek: Voyager

Yup, that's right, one of the ships that was destroyed by Day 02's choice. ;)

This is one of those pairings which brought me into the fandom, rather than vice versa. The first episode I ever saw was "Resolutions", in which Captain Janeway and her first officer, Commander Chakotay, are stranded on an alien planet having contracted a virus, which will only remain benign if they stay on the planet. Needless to say, it's a shippy episode, and unfortunately it ends when the Doctor discovers a remedy so they can come back to Voyager. Damn him. :P

They name the planet in question New Earth (obviously, because this is Star Trek), where they live a simple life of camping, gardening, building boats, etc. They partway adopt a native monkey. There are Inappropraite Neckrubs and the infamous Indian Legend conversation, and also a token Awkward Bathtub Scene. It ticks every single cliched box, but it's AWESOME. This is a shot from the episode:-


Picture source: Alpha Memory

So yeah. This fandom basically found my weak spot and stuck a knife in. The Janeway/Chakotay pairing was always there, bubbling away under the surface, for another five seasons... at least until Robert Beltran (Chakotay) apparently got bored of it and wanted something more interesting to do. I don't know whether I'm more angry with him for being a brat, or the writers for pandering to his whims and ignoring their own canon. But I've already ranted about that in this meme and going over it again doesn't make it sting any less.

Janeway and Chakotay had their moments. There was always that familiar sense of anticipation whenever Janeway was sitting in her Ready Room and the door alarm would sound. Was it Chakotay? Because if it was, the likelihood was they'd have a Serious Conversation and give each other Meaningful Looks. That was the entire basis of their relationship; that and Chakotay becoming amusingly jealous whenever Q turned up.


Picture source: Trek BBS

I don't know when this is from, but the (rather ironic) placement of Seven in the background would place is post season 4, at least.

I think I mentioned on the 2nd day post that unfortunately, Chakotay/Seven kind of ruined this pairing for me, because I could never forgive Chakotay. There was always this unspoken rule, I think, that Janeway didn't want to let herself get involved whilst they were still lost in the Delta Quadrant, and that as soon as they finally got home, all that would change, the barriers would come down. I was pissed off that Chakotay clearly ran out of patience, considering he was so obviously in love with her for so many years. Even though the pairing burnt out for me, it does remind me of better times, and more specifically, it reminds me of two people.

Those two people are Katie (doec) and Traci, though I've lost touch with the latter. I met them both shortly after starting at university, and spent many long hours geeking out over Voyager and J/C, and writing fanfics (namely our own 'season 8' once we'd fixed the finale our way. :P) Considering I'm still friends with Katie ten years later (although we have still failed to meet in person), I think this post should really be a salute to the longevity of internet friendships, and the reason they often come about. Even though I met both Katie and Traci via the Zen Room (the Rocky Horror chatroom), it soon became apparent early on in both friendships that we also shared Voyager as an interest, and J/C even more so. I am endlessly impressed by the power of the internet, and of smaller things within it, to bring people together. I remember J/C with fondness now because of that, rather than the pairing's history.

As a final note, here's a random picture from another of my favourite episodes, "Bride of Chaotica". (Chakotay isn't in the shot, but that's no great loss. :P) I like it mostly because it's shot in black and white, but also because it's very well-written, incredibly silly, and a nice relief from some of the more plot-driven episodes. The basic premise is that 20th century obsessive Tom Paris has a holoprogramme of an old 1950's science fiction show, and Janeway for whatever reason ends up playing the eponymous Bride of Chaotic:-


Picture source: Gracefully Clumsy on Tumblr

I only post this because (a) it's awesome and (b) on the back of this, Kate Mulgrew would make a frelling amazing Norma Desmond. I have no idea if she can sing, but visually she's ideal. :)

Okay, apparently I now have food so I shall end this post. :) I might do a double one tomorrow to get the extra day in, but I'll see how it goes...

Comments

[carrie-lh.livejournal.com]

Gahd, the Zen Room was great!! <3.

That is a gorgeous shot, the last one. She looks so classy, so regal, go her!! Though, from what I've seen of the show and of her... She kinda always looks classy and regal, she just has that demeanor about her.