A meme!

[aragarna]

Snagged from veleda_k


Give me one or more characters, and I'll tell you:

First impression
Impression now
Favorite moment
Idea for a story
Unpopular opinion
Favorite relationship
Favorite headcanon

Suggestions of fandoms: White Collar, Person of Interest, Harry Potter.

Comments

[treonb.livejournal.com]

Mozzie

[pipilj.livejournal.com]

john reese

[icecreammilktea.livejournal.com]

Let's have PETER BURKE :D

[veleda-k.livejournal.com]

Joss Carter

[sheenianni.livejournal.com]

Sameen Shaw

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

First impression: My first impression was probably that he was just relly weird LOL And that he was Neal's sidekick (in the sense that he'd be a secondary character). Also, because of the way he was introduced in the Pilot - in the dark, and saying he got in using his fist... My very early impression of Mozzie was that he was a little dangerous. Darker than what he actually was. And at first, I didn't give Mozzie much thoughts...

Impression now: ... But my love for Mozzie never ceased to grow season after season. Which is probably largely due to what Willie Garson brought to the role - and the writers letting him shine. For all his speeches on "this is not a life for us, there's no happy endings for guys like us", Mozzie is actually a big softy who craves for a family and human connections. Except because he had to survive in a hostile world, he convinced himself he didn't need anyone - and he actually learned to only rely on himself.

Favorite moment: I was going to say "every single time Mozzie is driving Peter nuts" but actually, it might the unexpected times where he doesn't. So I'll go with that scene in the truck with Peter in Checkmate, "Survival is overrated. And I find myself reminded that an unshared life is not living." " So you're saying you care?" "Mozzie: About Mrs. Suit. And... " Which is not only Mozzie admitting he cares but also very defining of his state of mind, and what I was saying above.

Idea for a story: Mozzie babysitting Little Neal and Theo, and it all goes very out of control and then he has to face both Diana and Peter...

Unpopular opinion: I would say that, in a way, Mozzie is a better criminal than Neal, because he can be stronger, more ruthless, if necessary. Mozzie has what it takes to be a criminal - he understands that people get hurt when you con or steal them, and he accepts that. He can cut ties and move on.

Favorite relationship: Mozzie and Peter. Both for when they're driving each other crazy, and for when they're here for each other.

Favorite headcanon: Mozzie went to Paris as soon as he found out that Neal was alive, only to give him the silence treatment, and drink ALL of Neal's wine.

[angelita26]

This looks like fun!!

Sara Ellis :)

[leesa_perrie]

Elizabeth Burke.

[sapphire2309]

Neal Caffrey!

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

First impression: I think originally when I first started watching POI casually on TV, I saw John Reese as a big badass. You know, kicking asses, crashing cars... And, he is a big badass, but that's only part of the story. And that's not the one that made me fell in love with him. I don't particularly care for badass heroes. Even though I admit John is exquisitely handsome when he kicks asses.

Impression now: So, so much love. Now that I have a better picture of John, I understand him a lot better. And what strikes me in John is that he's so fundamentally a selfless hero. He'll *always* put someone's life before his own. That's just who he is. That's his strength and his weakness, he needs to save everyone, all the time. Also, despite everything that has happened to him, he still believes in the good in people. He's always ready to give you a second chance if you want one - but you better mean it, because he's also a good read of character, he'll know if you lie, and he doesn't take lies and betrayal very well...
Oh, also, he's loyal to a fault to the persons he trusts or feels responsible for.

And John has always been a good guy, even when he was at the CIA. He joined the CIA because he believed they were protecting their country, defending the innocent (and in a way, they are), and he was ready to do the dirty job of the CIA if he had to, in the name of good. He didn't particularly like it, but precisely because his hero complex and because he's a good guy, he was ready to sacrifice his own morale for that. And it cost him, a lot. Actually it almost destroyed him. Because he's too much of a good guy to do such shady work. He's good at killing people, but saving people he's what he's meant to do.

Favorite moment: Oh gosh there are so many. Let's say that one of my many favorite is the scene in 1x10 where he's been shot and is going down the stairs and he's thanking Harold for giving him a second chance, and he's telling him not to risk it. All that scene is so telling of John, and a lot of the defining moments in the show, for John and his relationship to Harold, are just a variation of this one.

Idea for a story: LOL well, I have quite a few ideas nurturing at the moment. I'm working on saving him from the rooftop, I also have an idea for a missing scene between John and Fusco when Fusco is rescued from the tunnel is S5. Oh and I've vaguely considered the idea to write a little story of John when he was homeless with Joan. But that might be a little too heartbreaking...

Unpopular opinion: I seem to have a lot of unpopular opinions in the John Reese fandom! I liked Iris. They should have handled the breakup a little better but that's still a story line that I really enjoyed, if only because we got to see a softer side of John.
Also, I liked the ending. Yes it hurt, yes I cried, but to me, there was no other way to end the show. And this is exactly what I was hoping for, if John had to die.

Favorite relationship: John and Harold. John's unbreakable loyalty, the way they care about each other, and understand each other...
In close second, John and Fusco. I really liked how their relationship unfold, from distrust to a real partnership.

Favorite headcanon: The afterlife is quite complicated as he can't choose between Jessica and Joss...
And more seriously, I do think he killed Peter Arndt.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

First impression: In the Pilot, Peter Burke first appears as your typical law enforcement guy. Bossy, righteous, Columbo coat, good at his job, but will need the genious of his consultant, like in so many other shows... That is, until he proves that you should *never* underestimate him. Peter Burke is a lot smarter and educated than he looks. Also, he had a very understanding wife... but at least he makes the effort to make up for the missed dinners.

Impression now: He's perfect. Or close enough. He's my ideal man. Caring, down-to-earth, simple. His heart is always in the right place, and he always tries to do the right thing. The right thing morally, and the right thing for the people he cares about. Two things that, when your friends are criminals, might get a little complicated.

Also, he's normal. He's not a broken hero (see John Reese right above lol), so that makes him... more accessible, easier to identify and connect with. I'm never going to be John Reese. But I can try to be Peter Burke, in a way.

Favorite moment: Well, I think for my favorite moment will remain the opening of Checkmate. I think of the whole series that's the season opener (or mid-season, the gaps were just as long) that lived up to my very high expectactions the most. But I can still remember vividly the moment I watched those first five minutes. And that scene, Peter on the phone with El, oooh the feelings... *heartbreaks*

Idea for a story: Oh jeez, there's that one that I keep pushing back and will probably never write at this point, where Peter appears to be a corrupt cop and he's on the run, and Neal hears about it, and doesn't believe it, because damn, he's learned the hard way that nothing will ever make Peter Burke a dirty cop... It's all beautiful and awesome in my head, but... Well, epic and plot, and too late...

Unpopular opinion: I think Peter's reactions throughout S5 were perfectly justified and understandable. Yes, it hurts to see Peter and Neal at odds, but that doesn't mean Peter was wrong.
Also, since we're talking about unpopular... I find it really wrong all those slave AU fics, because it kinda tells how much people see Peter has a person of power over Neal, which is a total misread of their relationship. Neal is not a slave, he's not really even a prisoner. He's there, and he remains in his 2 mile radius, because he chose to play by the rules. On paper, Peter is the boss, and it is true that Neal looks up to Peter a lot, as the father figure he needs, but that doesn't make Neal a slave nor Peter a master. It has always rubbed me the wrong way. And Neal has as much power over Peter as Peter can have over him.

Favorite relationship: Hmm though. Peter&Neal, Peter/El, Peter&Mozzie. All of them.

Favorite headcanon: A long time ago I mentioned that one of my headcanon was that Peter kept the baseball card Neal gave him in his wallet. Not because it's him, but because it was a touching gift from Neal.
Also, Peter's lucky tie, which as Egyptian stuff on it, is a parting gift from his friends at Quantico when he was nicknamed "the archeologist", along with that plastic apple - because he got the job in the big Apple. One day I'll write that story...

[icecreammilktea.livejournal.com]

Aye I agree that Peter Burke is *the* perfect man - I love how steadfast and dependable he is too (characteristics which many fics like to emphasise, but I’ve come to realise that they simply build unrealistic expectations for real life :( Hahaha)

S5 wasn’t too enjoyable for me - the conflicts between Neal and Peter tore at my heart. But I agree that Peter wasn’t in the wrong - he has a decidedly *different* idea of “right” and “wrong” from Neal - something that the show has repeatedly emphasised too - and that he has to live with what Neal decided for him couldn’t have been easy. That said, I’m not blaming Neal either; I do think BOTH Neal and Peter were stuck between a rock and a hard place for their respective decisions. I can only imagine how guilty Neal must have felt, and I can understand why he thinks he did the right thing too. So… Sigh.

I think if fans are unhappy with Peter, it’s only because we’re used to White Collar making us *happy* rather than angsty and conflicted. If you contextualise the characters in real life rather than in fluffy fic and show, yes Peter’s unhappiness is perfectly reasonable - BUT WHITE COLLAR. WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO US T_T

Anyway, I actually skipped the entire slave section on whitecollarhc - I’ve read fics of Peter rescuing Neal from slavery, but never Peter owning Neal as a slave (— so I can’t really comment on it either). To be sure, fics can very well be gratuitous, but yeah the dynamics between Peter and Neal in the show aren’t even remotely close to slavery.

I love your headcanons! Ah, Peter. is. perfect. <3 Write those fics when you have the time to!! It’s never too late!

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

First impression: She was awesome. And somehow very Peter Burke-like. It was stated early in the show that her morale compass was pointed in the right direction. She was one of the rare good cops in a sea of dirty cops, but she was still smart enough to see that The Man in the Suit wasn't a bad guy.

Impression now: She wan't as Peter Burke-like as I thought. I don't really like the turn her character took in season 3. Her crusade against HR, and the way she ended up protecting Elias. I wasn't a big fan or Elias and never really understood why he had such a privileged relationship with Team Machine. And if I can accept Harold or John protecting a mobster, I find it harder to swallow coming from the morale-compass cop of the show.


Favorite moment: Her very last words. "John, don't let this..." Gah gets me everytime... *cries*
Oh! And the season 4 episode where she comes back. Though she's actually a projection of John's mind, so that's not *really* Carter...

Idea for a story: Not really.

Unpopular opinion: Interestingly, I think Carter was the only character on this show for which joining Team Machine didn't do any good. Everyone else became someone better, but not Carter. She was already a perfectly good and strong person before, and I'm not sure it was beneficial to her to join them.

I still really like her character, and every time I watch an old episode I realize how much I miss her. But I liked her better at the beginning.

Favorite relationship: Carter and John, definitely. I'm not sure I'm totally sold of the romantic turn their relationship took at the last minute, but they still definitely had a great chemisty together.

Favorite headcanon: Sometime after her death, John would start regularly go and check on Taylor, and they developed a similar relationship with him than with that other teenager in Wolf and Cub. John has an easiness with kids, and they would probably both find comfort in each other.

[veleda-k.livejournal.com]

I find it really wrong all those slave AU fics, because it kinda tells how much people see Peter has a person of power over Neal, which is a total misread of their relationship. Neal is not a slave, he's not really even a prisoner.

To be fair, slave fics are infinitely more about someone's kink than they are about any sort of commentary on power hierarchies within the canon. Of course, most of fandom's view on the Neal and Peter relationship is largely stupid and wrong, but slave fics don't come so much from a place of, "Neal is like a slave in canon, and I'm going to write fic that shows it!" but rather, "Uff, wouldn't it be so hot if Neal were a slave?"

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

That's true, but given how many "normal" fics tend to show Peter has an abusive jerk and Neal an hopeless woobie, and given the fact that Neal is *always* the slave unless it's called "reverse" slave fic - as if it was in the order of things that Neal should be the slave - it all rubs me the wrong way.

If I really consider things, it's probably more the combination of 2 different things. I don't like the concept of "slave fic" as a kink, and I'm annoyed by the general perception in a lot of fic of Neal has someone fragile and needy.

*shrugs* Well, the question was about unpopular opinion... ;-)

[pipilj.livejournal.com]

I love John Reese I think the scene with the baby is one my favorite scenes it is first time we saw a softer side to him. It is a pity most of the characters had slightly tragic stories.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Aww yes, the episode with the baby is one of my favorite. Adorable and heartbreaking.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

First impression: I guess my first impression was that she was like a mini-Reese. Strong, badass, with a good heart (probably more strong and stable mentally than John though)

Impression now: OMG SHAW IS AWESOME! Seriously, how can you not find her super awesome in the way she escaped Samaritan, and remained so strong after all those horrible simulations?

Also, I can identify with her on a certain degree. I'm not as "animal" as she can be, but I like how she is just herself and doesn't care. And even though I'm not type II sociopath, or whatever her disorder was, I, too, have a hard time expressing my feelings. I do have feelings, I just don't always know how to express them, or how to react in certain social interactions. So, I really like Shaw for those aspects of her personality.

Favorite moment: It has to be when she shot Lambert. Oh the satisfaction! I swear I squeed!

Idea for a story: It would be very interesting to explore Shaw's relationship with The Machine/Root. Would they create their own virtual world?

Unpopular opinion: I don't think I have anything unpopular to say about Shaw.

Favorite relationship: Shoot of course! To be honest, I like Shaw and Root individually, but neither of them are my favorite but I absolutely ship them together! That's where they "work" the best in term or character dynamic in the show, I think.

Favorite headcanon: I can't think of anything special.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

First impression: My very first impression was that she was fun. I liked her. She was one of those delightly well rounded guests on the show. My second first impression - mostly through season 3 was that she was only there to get Neal half naked. And as much as I appreciate the perfection of Matt's body, it really wasn't subtle, and I found Sara to be a boring - pretty but boring - decoration.

Impression now: I warmed up again to her once she got back to be working with the team, as Sara, and not as Neal's plus-one. I really like how strong, smart and honest she is. She's independant and can handle herself. I don't particularly care for hte barbie-type, but you gotta admire her for being able to be all that, while on high heels.

Also, I think she's perfect for Neal, cause their relationship is an honest one. They've always known who they were and they loved each other exactly for that. And she's has a strong enough character that he won't take advantage of her, which will benefit both of them.

Favorite moment: I'll go with Burke's Seven when she offers to Neal to prank Peter with the voice thingy. LOL

Idea for a story: Sara comes back to NY at some point in the future, because I want Neal to be near the Burkes and his grandson, and I also want Neal and Sara together. So even though it would appear easier for Neal to be the one to move to London, I like it better if everyone is back to NY.

Unpopular opinion: I think, in the real world, Sara would *NOT* go back to Neal after the finale. There's only so many times she can accepts his deceptions. And Sara doesn't take that very well. So I'm not sure she would actually forgive him for what he did. Peter, Mozzie, yes. Sara? No.
But I need my happy ending, so I still pretend that she would. ;-)

Favorite relationship: I really like Neal/Sara. As a ship, that's totally the one I'd go for. But I also really like Peter and Sara, in the few scenes they have together. It's probably just that Hillary and Tim had a great chemistry together.

Favorite headcanon: See the story idea above.

[treonb.livejournal.com]

You make me love him even more :-)

I think he was supposed to be a darker character, and thank goodness it didn't stay like that. Though it does come out at times, like you say. He's more ruthless.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

First impression: Oh what an amazingly understanding wife! Though let's face it, she's so damn lucky!

Impression now: Oh but she does know how to stand her ground when needs be.
In short - Elizabeth is awesome. Strong, smart, fierceful. And if she can be very understanding of Neal, she's also very possessive of Peter (which is only the mark of very strong love).

Favorite moment: Well, I do love all the little tender moments between El and Peter, or course. But if I were to pick a moment when she's awesome on her own, I'll go with the way she conned Keller's goon and managed to escape.

Idea for a story: El and Mozzie's wine chronicles. All those stories they share when they're just tipsy enough to talk too much...

Unpopular opinion: She had every right to ask Neal to lie, and I've never understood why people made such a big deal of it. I mean, she didn't ask him to kill someone or steal something, she just asked him to lie. That's not even a crime!

Favorite relationship: d'oh! Peter/El

Favorite headcanon: drawing a blank here. Can't think of anything, sorry!

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

First impression: My original impression of Neal, and for 3,4 seasons, was that Neal was actually a good man that had just followed the wrong path. Criminal, and conman, that's what he became to survive, and he doesn't know how not to be a conman. But he has a big heart, and he wants to change, and Peter is the one he trusts would show him the way.

Impression now: The Neal from S5 and 6 is conflicting with the image I had of Neal before. I'm not so sure anymore he really wants to change. He did things in S5 and 6 that are rather incompatible with what was said of Neal before... Oh and also WHAT A FREAKING IDIOT !!

He still has a good heart - he does all the wrong things for the "right" reasons. At least to protect the people he loves. He's just a tad short sighted, and tends to just jumps out of the frying pan into the fire ALL the time, because he has this idea that he'll always be able to solve the next mess somehow.

Favorite moment: The beginning of Checkmate. It's subtle, but very telling of Neal's character. He doesn't shy away from his responsibility, he takes the heat and doesn't try to justify anything. And more importantly, he's there for Peter. Physically. There's that moment in the empty werehouse, Peter freaks out, and Neal makes one step closer, to stay in Peter's view, show he's there.

Idea for a story: Do you watch Person of Interest? I want to do a Neal version of Terra Incognita. Neal, alone, in Paris, gets hurts, and Peter's "ghost" appears to him and helps him hold long enough to make it. (Peter's not dead, just, he is in a different life now, and he's not coming, because he thinks Neal is dead...)

Unpopular opinion: Well, the fact he is not my favorite character is probably not the most popular opinion LOL (don't get me wrong, I still love Neal, just not as much as Peter ;-) ). Also, I think he was more of an ass in season 5 than Peter. The "we're not partners anymore" was meant to hurt, and it hurt Peter, and it was all so that Neal could go steal something...

Favorite relationship: Neal & Peter! Isn't that why everyone watches the show?

Favorite headcanon: Neal didn't mean to come back, but he just wasn't strong enough.

[leesa_perrie]

I think that's my favourite moment too! El is soooo smart and competant! :D That story idea sounds great too!

I have to be honest and say I reacted badly at first to El asking Neal to lie, but someone pointed out that maybe she didn't understand what that would mean to Neal. And now, well, I think she was just trying to protect Peter and didn't realise that it would just make Peter more determined to find out what Neal was up to. Can't blame her for trying to protect Peter, so I'm okay with it.

[sapphire2309]

I actually think that Neal from S5 and S6 can be reconciled with pre-s5 Neal. I feel like at the beginning of s5, he took Peter's reminder that he's a criminal really hard, despite how true it is, and misunderstood the emotion behind that declaraction (like the rest of fandom, haha). I feel like he lost faith in Peter, and mid-S6, when he started to gain it back, all his plans were laid and it was too late to take it back.

But yes. WHAT AN IDIOT. WHY WOULD YOU HURT THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE LIKE THAT. WHYYY.

Awwwwww, I forgot that moment! Checkmate <3

Your story idea is awesome :D

Owwwww, yeah, I forgot that heartwrenching moment.