Huh - I never did get the sense of release from the pilot thing, so this is fascinating. I mean, I can see the kinky as a way of release and I know I've seen it compared to flying in fic, but it still never read to me like canon. I'm finding all the different reasonings behind flying super-interesting. I don't know that I ever ascribed a motive to it, actually. I just assumed love of flying was because he loved flying. It's cool. But that's my personal bias, so of course that's what I think.

I also never gave two thoughts to his history (growing up, breaking out, the whole sitch with his father and brother). Which you'd think would stunt my characterization but I don't think it has (I hope it hasn't). I just... I know the way he is (which is different from story to story) but I don't know why he's that way. Soemtimes reasoning will come out in the fic, but mostly not. I guess that's a lot of what I see about Sheppard too - I don't see him being someone that dwells on his past, so while it may have formed him somewhat, I think a lot of his characterization comes from the choices he makes right now, you know? Which is, of course, my bias because that's mostly how I live my life.

I am just loving this whole conversation. It's really giving me a lot to think about with John and how people see him and why. Thank you. :D