MEME: Platonic Best Friends
Apr. 29th, 2010 11:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
quaggy
List 10 platonic male/female relationships in fiction that you enjoy.
Rules:
1. They interact in canon, preferably in a significant (apply your own interpretation of such) way.
2. They are not related. They can, however, view each other as surrogate family.
3. Neither has confessed or implied romantic love for the other in canon.
4. They have not dated, been married, had sex, or made out in canon, on purpose, and of their own free will.
5. A popular fanon ship is ok (though preferably not your ship) but a canon pairing you wish were just friends is out.
6. Try to avoid using the same character or series twice.
I really couldn't resist this one. It was an excellent exercise for me, since I'm such an utter "best friend" shipper. If a male & female character have close friendship in canon, chances are that I'll be shipping them sooner or later, canon or not. I liked proving to myself that I actually can enjoy a male/female friendship without wishing there was more. As it turned out, all ten pairing were from television shows, though 3 of them you've probably never heard of. While some of these pairing on the list are (or at least could be) active ships, I just like their relationship as is.
1) Danny & Dana (Sports Night)
Dan is everything you want in a friend. He unfailingly loyal, but will call Dana out when he thinks that she's wrong and does it in a way that is respectful and even supportive. Dana, for her part, is just as loyal and depends on Dan as her moral compass. She truly believes that if she looses him as a supporter, then she's really out of line. And the guy bought her spackle to make her laugh, for crying out loud! In fact, Dan and Dana have everything that normally turns me into an avid shipper, but for some reason, I can't. (And not because their names match.) In a show where all romantic relationship got messy sooner or later, I like their uncomplicated friendship as it is.
2) PG & Kenny (My Boys)
I love the dynamic of PG with all of her boys, but Kenny is the one who's friendship qualifies. (Andy is her real brother. Bobby is her canon pairing. I ship her with Brandon and that's pretty canon too considering that they kissed.) Well, Mike technically counts too, but he's such a man-child, PJ spends more of her time looking after him than anything else. Kenny and PJ can depend on each other as equals. They're another pairing that would actually make a pretty decent ship, if the show hadn't offered much better canon pairings for both. (Interestingly enough, I think that Kenny & PJ might have started out dating, but even if they did I highly doubt it was serious.)
3) President Bartlet & Mrs. Landingham.... and Debbie Fiderer too (The West Wing)
Bartlet's relationship with Debbie was different from Mrs. Landingham, but they were similar in the same way: both Debbie and Mrs. Landingham were able to call the leader of the free world on his bullshit (which he loved) and anticipate what he needed, often before he did. For Mrs. Landingham, it was because they had known each other since he was a boy and with Debbie, it was because she was Debbie. Mrs. Landingham was Jed's rock in turbulent world of governing a country. Debbie had big shoes to fill, but she wore them well.
4) Buffy & Xander (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
Yes, Xander had a bit of a crush on her in the early days, but Xander was always there for Buffy, which is exactly who you need when you have to save the world repeatedly. I especially like their relationship Season 7, because they both were more mature and had a relationship independent of Willow. (Not that I don't adore Willow with every fiber of my being.) This isn't the quote I was looking for, but I think it sums their relationship perfectly:
Xander: I've been through more battles with Buffy than you all can ever imagine. She's stopped everything that's ever come up against her. [Buffy and Faith walk in] She's laid down her life -— literally -— to protect the people around her. This girl has died two times, and she's still standing. You're scared? That's smart. You got questions? You should. But you doubt her motives, you think Buffy's all about the kill, then you take the little bus to battle... I've seen her heart, and this time, not literally. And I'm telling you, right now, she cares more about your lives than you will ever know. You gotta trust her. She's earned it.
Faith: Damn. I never knew you were that cool.
Buffy: Well, you always were a little slow
5) Shuji, Nobuta & Akira (Nobuta wo Produce)
I tried very hard to pick one-on-one relationships rather than a group dynamic, but you just can't separate the OT3 of Shuji, Nobuta and Akira. There were romantic undertones at time, but surviving high school and growing up to be good, strong individuals was far more important. Akira, for example, had a crush on Nobuta, but was able to put it aside because their friendship mean more that anything else. They did what was best for each other and it easy to imagine tht no matter where their lives take them or how far apart they are, they will always remain as close as they were when they were kids.
6) Mal & Zoe (Firefly/Serenity)
Like Sorkin, Joss Whedon is excellent at creating warm believable male/female friendships, especially in a work setting (which is interesting since they both have some of the same problems with their long-term romantic pairings.) Mal and Zoe were literally comrades-in-arms and maintained that relationship in their post-army lives. They have a high-functioning professional partnership. And while both actors are very very pretty, it's believable that they wouldn't be able to see each other in a romantic (or even in a sexual) light.
7) Zuko & Toph (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
To be honest, I think I like the fanon relationship more than what appeared in canon, but I view that as yet one more thing the creators messed up on by the time the series ended. (It's okay. I have fandonme's stories as my canon instead.) Zuko and Toph are very alike and have many of the same issues. Plus, it's nice thinking that Zuko has found a sister that's not psycho.
8) Eun-chan & the Coffee Prince guys
While her blossoming romantic relationship with Han-kyul is the reason to watch this Korean drama, Eu-chan's relationship with the rest of the (all-male) staff was extremely sweet (and difficult to choose one friendship over the other three). They bickered, played pranks and encouraged each other. It didn't matter if they thought she was a guy or knew that she was a girl, Eun-chan was the sun to their circling planets. I think my favorite scene was all the teasing when they found out that Eun-chan and Han-kyul were finally, officially together. (Seriously, I need to rewatch this show. I don't know why I keep putting it off!)
9) George & Rube (Dead Like Me)
I purposely avoided any parental-like relationship, but I have to make an exception for Rube and George. I think anyone who's ever had a close professional relationship with a mentor, will recognize bits of it in the Rube & George dynamic. I love how at the end of the series they acknowledge that while George isn't Rube's daughter, some of those fatherly feelings bleed over into their relationship and that's okay.
10) Nico & Ichiro (Sexy Voice and Robo)
Of all the Asian dramas on my list, this show might be the most obscure. It's definitely the weirdest. Nico is a very mature middle schooler. Ichiro (better known by the nickname "Robo" that Nico gave him) is a dweeby anime-loving man-child. Together they solve crime. (Yes, I kid you not. Only in Japan.) There should be something creepy about their relationship since Robo is in his 20s, but instead it's totally sweet, mostly because Robo is so unthreatening. He like an incompetent older brother. But what's even sweeter is that Robo (the supposedly immature one) knows that their time handing out together like this can't last. Nico is still a child, but soon she will be in high school and their relationship will be inappropriate. Plus, she'll need the chance to be a normal teenage girl. So when she starts to grow up, Robo lets her go... and grow away from him.
Honorable Mention: Dexter & Deb (Dexter)
These two would be much higher on my list, but they aren't just like family. They ARE family. Legally, Dexter is Deb's foster brother, but every other way but (thankfully for Deb) biologically, they are true brother and sister. They are the most important person in other's life. (And we won't get into what Dexter did that proves that.) They need and depend on each other, to the point that I think if you combined them you might actually get a stable, emotional healthy person.
Rules:
1. They interact in canon, preferably in a significant (apply your own interpretation of such) way.
2. They are not related. They can, however, view each other as surrogate family.
3. Neither has confessed or implied romantic love for the other in canon.
4. They have not dated, been married, had sex, or made out in canon, on purpose, and of their own free will.
5. A popular fanon ship is ok (though preferably not your ship) but a canon pairing you wish were just friends is out.
6. Try to avoid using the same character or series twice.
I really couldn't resist this one. It was an excellent exercise for me, since I'm such an utter "best friend" shipper. If a male & female character have close friendship in canon, chances are that I'll be shipping them sooner or later, canon or not. I liked proving to myself that I actually can enjoy a male/female friendship without wishing there was more. As it turned out, all ten pairing were from television shows, though 3 of them you've probably never heard of. While some of these pairing on the list are (or at least could be) active ships, I just like their relationship as is.
1) Danny & Dana (Sports Night)
Dan is everything you want in a friend. He unfailingly loyal, but will call Dana out when he thinks that she's wrong and does it in a way that is respectful and even supportive. Dana, for her part, is just as loyal and depends on Dan as her moral compass. She truly believes that if she looses him as a supporter, then she's really out of line. And the guy bought her spackle to make her laugh, for crying out loud! In fact, Dan and Dana have everything that normally turns me into an avid shipper, but for some reason, I can't. (And not because their names match.) In a show where all romantic relationship got messy sooner or later, I like their uncomplicated friendship as it is.
2) PG & Kenny (My Boys)
I love the dynamic of PG with all of her boys, but Kenny is the one who's friendship qualifies. (Andy is her real brother. Bobby is her canon pairing. I ship her with Brandon and that's pretty canon too considering that they kissed.) Well, Mike technically counts too, but he's such a man-child, PJ spends more of her time looking after him than anything else. Kenny and PJ can depend on each other as equals. They're another pairing that would actually make a pretty decent ship, if the show hadn't offered much better canon pairings for both. (Interestingly enough, I think that Kenny & PJ might have started out dating, but even if they did I highly doubt it was serious.)
3) President Bartlet & Mrs. Landingham.... and Debbie Fiderer too (The West Wing)
Bartlet's relationship with Debbie was different from Mrs. Landingham, but they were similar in the same way: both Debbie and Mrs. Landingham were able to call the leader of the free world on his bullshit (which he loved) and anticipate what he needed, often before he did. For Mrs. Landingham, it was because they had known each other since he was a boy and with Debbie, it was because she was Debbie. Mrs. Landingham was Jed's rock in turbulent world of governing a country. Debbie had big shoes to fill, but she wore them well.
4) Buffy & Xander (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
Yes, Xander had a bit of a crush on her in the early days, but Xander was always there for Buffy, which is exactly who you need when you have to save the world repeatedly. I especially like their relationship Season 7, because they both were more mature and had a relationship independent of Willow. (Not that I don't adore Willow with every fiber of my being.) This isn't the quote I was looking for, but I think it sums their relationship perfectly:
Xander: I've been through more battles with Buffy than you all can ever imagine. She's stopped everything that's ever come up against her. [Buffy and Faith walk in] She's laid down her life -— literally -— to protect the people around her. This girl has died two times, and she's still standing. You're scared? That's smart. You got questions? You should. But you doubt her motives, you think Buffy's all about the kill, then you take the little bus to battle... I've seen her heart, and this time, not literally. And I'm telling you, right now, she cares more about your lives than you will ever know. You gotta trust her. She's earned it.
Faith: Damn. I never knew you were that cool.
Buffy: Well, you always were a little slow
5) Shuji, Nobuta & Akira (Nobuta wo Produce)
I tried very hard to pick one-on-one relationships rather than a group dynamic, but you just can't separate the OT3 of Shuji, Nobuta and Akira. There were romantic undertones at time, but surviving high school and growing up to be good, strong individuals was far more important. Akira, for example, had a crush on Nobuta, but was able to put it aside because their friendship mean more that anything else. They did what was best for each other and it easy to imagine tht no matter where their lives take them or how far apart they are, they will always remain as close as they were when they were kids.
6) Mal & Zoe (Firefly/Serenity)
Like Sorkin, Joss Whedon is excellent at creating warm believable male/female friendships, especially in a work setting (which is interesting since they both have some of the same problems with their long-term romantic pairings.) Mal and Zoe were literally comrades-in-arms and maintained that relationship in their post-army lives. They have a high-functioning professional partnership. And while both actors are very very pretty, it's believable that they wouldn't be able to see each other in a romantic (or even in a sexual) light.
7) Zuko & Toph (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
To be honest, I think I like the fanon relationship more than what appeared in canon, but I view that as yet one more thing the creators messed up on by the time the series ended. (It's okay. I have fandonme's stories as my canon instead.) Zuko and Toph are very alike and have many of the same issues. Plus, it's nice thinking that Zuko has found a sister that's not psycho.
8) Eun-chan & the Coffee Prince guys
While her blossoming romantic relationship with Han-kyul is the reason to watch this Korean drama, Eu-chan's relationship with the rest of the (all-male) staff was extremely sweet (and difficult to choose one friendship over the other three). They bickered, played pranks and encouraged each other. It didn't matter if they thought she was a guy or knew that she was a girl, Eun-chan was the sun to their circling planets. I think my favorite scene was all the teasing when they found out that Eun-chan and Han-kyul were finally, officially together. (Seriously, I need to rewatch this show. I don't know why I keep putting it off!)
9) George & Rube (Dead Like Me)
I purposely avoided any parental-like relationship, but I have to make an exception for Rube and George. I think anyone who's ever had a close professional relationship with a mentor, will recognize bits of it in the Rube & George dynamic. I love how at the end of the series they acknowledge that while George isn't Rube's daughter, some of those fatherly feelings bleed over into their relationship and that's okay.
10) Nico & Ichiro (Sexy Voice and Robo)
Of all the Asian dramas on my list, this show might be the most obscure. It's definitely the weirdest. Nico is a very mature middle schooler. Ichiro (better known by the nickname "Robo" that Nico gave him) is a dweeby anime-loving man-child. Together they solve crime. (Yes, I kid you not. Only in Japan.) There should be something creepy about their relationship since Robo is in his 20s, but instead it's totally sweet, mostly because Robo is so unthreatening. He like an incompetent older brother. But what's even sweeter is that Robo (the supposedly immature one) knows that their time handing out together like this can't last. Nico is still a child, but soon she will be in high school and their relationship will be inappropriate. Plus, she'll need the chance to be a normal teenage girl. So when she starts to grow up, Robo lets her go... and grow away from him.
Honorable Mention: Dexter & Deb (Dexter)
These two would be much higher on my list, but they aren't just like family. They ARE family. Legally, Dexter is Deb's foster brother, but every other way but (thankfully for Deb) biologically, they are true brother and sister. They are the most important person in other's life. (And we won't get into what Dexter did that proves that.) They need and depend on each other, to the point that I think if you combined them you might actually get a stable, emotional healthy person.
