On the use of OTP...

[butterfly]

So, I actually have different kinds of OTPness.

1. Ultimate and complete One True Pairing, cannot picture either one of the characters with anyone else as long as the option to be with their OTP exists. Doctor/Rose falls into this category, as well as Zoe/Wash (from Firefly) and Fraser/Kowalski (due South). With the Doctor and Rose, their OTP nature is practically the foundation of the new series of Who for me. I really can't picture either of them truly falling in love with anyone else with the same passion that they feel for each other. Max/Logan on Dark Angel also falls into this category for me.

2. Couple I care about most on the show, but can picture with other people while still considering the first to be my primary OTP. McKay/Sheppard from SGA falls into this category. Buffy/Xander also fits into it.

3. Serial OTP -- on SG-1, my OTP for seasons 1-3 is Daniel/Sha're. For seasons 4-7, it's Daniel/Jack. And for seasons 8 and onward, it's Daniel/Vala. During each person's specific time period, s/he is the only person that I ship with Daniel.

What do y'all mean when you say 'OTP'?

Comments

[measi.livejournal.com]

I really, REALLY like this definition of OTP, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Honestly, I think this is the only way that I can definite OTP in my personal shipping preferences - because I do multi-ship, and I am a bit squicked by the idea of people not being allowed to find love again after loss.

[spiletta42.livejournal.com]

I am a bit squicked by the idea of people not being allowed to find love again after loss.

As a dedicated OTPer, let me just say I agree with you there -- obviously the surviving partner needs to move forward eventually, and that's not what I personally mean when I say OTP. The thought of one of them losing the other is what hurts so bad, not the possibilities later. I'm not one to hate Kennedy because I'm mourning Tara (actually, bad example, I love Kennedy) or hate Vala because I loved Sha're (um, another terrible example, I love Vala a ridiculous amount). Let me try that again.

*suffers nervous breakdown from imagining the hypothetical deaths of fictional characters*

Like, if Mary Jane died, Spider-Man would probably end up with Felicia Hardy, and I'd be fine with the Felicia part of that, but furious and hurt for years over the death of MJ.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I agree. I mean, a large part of the reason that my OTP for Daniel/Sha're only goes through S3 is because... she dies. And I want Daniel to be happy. And I 'shipped Willow/Oz and then also Willow/Tara after Oz left.

In the case of the Doctor, it's not so much that I don't think he should fall in love again after Rose as that I find it unlikely. Because from the way he behaved, Rose came across as a once in a thousand years kind of love and I'm not sure I believe he'll make it through another thousand to find someone else.