6 Reasons Why Shawn and Gus's Friendship is Totally Fantastic

Even though Psych has been off the air for a few years, that doesn't lessen the love that Sky and I have for it. It remains a masterpiece of a comedy, and we will continue to love it even when there are no new episodes. But through all of this, the part of the show that has stuck out to us the most is Shawn and Gus's friendship. Why is it so wonderful? Here's why!

1. They're total goofballs.

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Shawn and Gus enter American Duos together. They pretend to be former models together. They solve crime together. And they have fun doing it. They add excitement to whatever they're doing, and they realize that serious things do not always have to be serious. They love life, and that's what makes their friendship so compelling and interesting to watch. They're hilarious, and they've taught me some things about friendships and life.

2. They don't care what people say.

Sure, people they know think they can be overly silly. People think they need to take everything more seriously. But do they care? Absolutely not. Because they do life in a way that they know works. Their friendship is strong. They solve every case they try. They're smart and talented, and man, they can be ridiculous if they want to.

3. They care about each other. 

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They may not always give voice to how much they care about each other, but despite that, they really do. Shawn and Gus have been best friends since middle school, so their bond is strong. They're practically inseparable, and they will always be there for each other. Even when one of them is going to get married, the other will still be there right beside him. Always.

4. They know each other seriously well.

Shawn and Gus know each other so well and can predict almost everything that the other is going to do. I wouldn't be surprised if they finished each other's sandwiches sentences.

5. They accept each other as they are. 

Shawn and Gus know each other so well, even each other's flaws, but they don't really care. While there's plenty of teasing involved, ultimately these two friends accept each other's various quirks and idiosyncracies.

6. They go together.

Shawn and Gus are opposites in such a way that they just make sense. Shawn's hyper personality and Gus's nervousness combine beautifully, and they work best as a team. It's like peanut butter and jelly. Green eggs and ham. Bert and Ernie. Bucky and Steve. Gus and Shawn. They are a perfect friendship and a perfect unit, not to mention a perfect crime-solving duo.

Do you like Psych? How do you feel about Shawn and Gus's friendship?

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'Til the End of the Line: Five of Sky's Favorite Fictional BFFs

Friendship is one of the most important things in the human race. As C.S. Lewis said, “It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” In fiction, friendships can be just as important as real ones. They make us laugh, make us cry, and inspire us to be better friends ourselves. Here are a couple of my favorite fictional friendships.

1. Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

Obviously, the main friendship in Captain America: The Winter Soldier is Steve and Bucky, but one friendship I think  is also important is that of Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson.

They first meet while working out in Washington D.C. (A perfect place for Captain America to live, really.) 

Their paths continue to cross, and Sam invites Steve to a meeting for war veterans. Though their circumstances are definitely different, Sam and Steve relate to each other because they’ve been through wars and seen terrible things. A lot of Sam and Steve’s friendship is shown offscreen, but they’re obviously close enough that when Steve needs a place to hide, he goes to Sam’s house. Sam welcomes him in without hesitation, and that’s when Sam officially joins Team Cap.

In the end, Sam agrees to go with Steve to find Bucky, something that’s pretty incredible when you consider that Sam is putting his entire life on hold to find someone he’s never even met. (I have a lot of feels about Sam Wilson, but that’s another post entirely.)

Steve and Sam are my favorite because they relate on a personal level, because they’re loyal to each other, and because Sam is a friend to Steve when he needs one most.

2. Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings)

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One of the very first friendships I was introduced to was that of Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings. While they weren’t extremely close at the beginning of the story, they become closer as they go on an extremely difficult journey to Mordor.

 

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One of the reasons this friendship is inspiring to me is because of Sam. He is particularly loyal to Frodo, even to the point of giving Frodo his own food. In their darkest moments, Sam is there, saying there’s good in this world and it’s worth fighting for. And when Frodo can’t walk anymore, he gives the infamous line: “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

 

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Likewise, Frodo is grateful for Sam’s companionship, and is glad that Sam is with him, “here at the end of all things.”

In the end, I’m grateful Tolkien let us get a glimpse into the lives and friendship of these two resilient, amazing hobbits. Sam’s loyalty to Frodo means a lot to me personally, and I believe they’re one of the greatest friendship stories I’ve ever experienced.

 

“...and I don't plan to.”

3. Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation)

Amanda and I did a post once about why Ron Swanson makes a great workplace proximity associate, and one example of this is his friendship with Parks and Recreation’s protagonist, Leslie Knope.

As different as they are, Leslie and Ron have a great friendship. Over the course of the show, Ron is always in the background of Leslie’s endeavors, quietly supporting her. Though he has a distaste for the government, he’s behind Leslie in her quest to make Pawnee, Indiana a better place. Leslie helps Ron as well and draws him out of his shell.

She gives him gifts, encourages him to pursue new opportunities (such as dating), and even sends him to an island in Scotland because she knows he’ll love it. When the other is down, they give each other pep talks. They inspire each other to be better people.

While they’ve had their ups and downs, which included not speaking to each other for a while, Ron and Leslie always find their way back to the comforting, easy, and strong friendship they’ve always had.

4. Jemma Simmons and Leo Fitz (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the iconic duo from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., known jointly as Fitzsimmons.

Best friends since they met at the S.H.I.E.L.D. academy, Fitzsimmons were truly inseparable. They met some difficulties in season 2 when they were separated by both physical distance and emotional problems. Ultimately, though, they rejoin forces and become the best friend team they always were.

Jemma and Fitz are perfect together. They complete each other and often meld together to seem like they’re the same person. Jemma grounds Fitz’s more emotional side with her logic, and yet when Jemma is emotional, Fitz grounds her, too. They’d do anything for each other, as evidenced in the season 1 finale, and their friendship has stood firm through all the trials S.H.I.E.L.D. has faced lately.

Is it possible that their friendship will become something more? I have no idea, but one thing’s for sure: I hope they never have to live without each other, and I hope we never have to live without them. (Hear that, powers-that-be? Please don’t kill either of them.)

5. Rick Grimes and Michonne (The Walking Dead)

When Rick Grimes first met Michonne, I’m sure friendship was the farthest thing from his mind. Rick and his group were gearing up for a war, and he was cautious and wary about bringing Michonne into the fold. The whole group, including Rick, distrust Michonne for a good portion of season 3. They keep her around because they need her skill with a katana, but it’s a slow road towards Michonne’s acceptance. Ultimately, however, Rick learns to trust her after Michonne has proven time and time again that she’s on their side.

As time goes on, Michonne becomes an incredible asset to the group, and Rick learns to trust her implicitly. At one point only Rick, Michonne, and Rick’s son Carl are trying to survive together, which is when Rick and Michonne really get to know each other. Rick consults Michonne on what her opinion is on things and begins to see her as an equal.

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In season 5, Rick and Michonne become deputies and that’s when it appears that Michonne really is his right-hand woman. In the season 5 finale, Michonne acts as someone to hold Rick accountable. She ends up knocking him out before Rick does something he regrets, which was a bold move that saved a lot of lives.

Rick and Michonne are examples of two strong people that become stronger together. I’d like to give major props to the writing team for that! Rick and Michonne are fantastic and their desire to work together to protect the ones they care about is so amazing. As the seasons go on, I look forward to seeing where their plotlines go, both individually and together.

What do you think of these friendships? Who are your favorite fictional BFFs?

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'Til the End of the Line: Favorite Fictional BFFs

When it comes to fandoms, there are always characters we fall hopelessly, head-over-heels in love with. There are many reasons some of our favorite characters become our favorites. One of these reasons: the characters that surround them. Their pals. Their buddies. Their best friends.

Best friends shape us into who we are simply by sticking by our side and spending time with us. If a character doesn't have a best friend to lean on during the rough times, I pity him or her. One of my favorite things of fandoms is finding the special pair of friends. The ones that stick together, the ones that make me want to be a better friend, the ones who will stick through the thick of things. The characters that will be with each other "'til the end of the line."

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I present to you a short list of some of my favorite fictional BFFs, or BROTPS. There are many, many more I could have chosen, but I tried to narrow it down to the ones that have captured my heart in incredible ways.

1. Merlin and Arthur (BBC's Merlin)

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Never has a BBC show ruined me like Merlin has. And it's all because of this pair of weirdos: Merlin and Arthur. While most of the show might reveal these two to be at odds, there is still a deep sense of trust between them. They disagree, Arthur thinks Merlin is an idiot (and he tells him on many occasions), and Merlin is constantly trying to save Arthur's life while cursing him under his breath.

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But by the time the show ends (the agony), there is definitely a strong bond of friendship between these two, and it crushes my fangirl heart in so many ways. They trust each other, they laugh with each other, and they save Camelot. Oh, and in addition, they both get along with the Knights of the Round Table, which is a wonderful gang of friends I love as well.

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2. Lucy Pevensie and Mr. Tumnus (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)

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The Chronicles of Narnia will always hold a special place in my fangirl heart. From a young age, I felt connected to Lucy Pevensie, the youngest of the four siblings who travel to Narnia through the wardrobe. After all, Lucy is the first to believe--and to keep believing--and the first to discover Narnia.

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Her friendship with Mr. Tumnus is memorable for a number of reasons. He was the first one she met in Narnia. He probably told her the first stories about this magical land she'd stumbled upon. In addition, Lucy forgives Mr. Tumnus when he reveals his true plan--to kidnap her for the White Witch. When he's turned into a stone statue, Lucy doesn't give up hope that she will be reunited with her friend.

3. Liesel Meminger and Max Vandenburg (The Book Thief)

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There are many reasons The Book Thief captured my heart (and shattered it). The friendships between Liesel and Max is one of the biggest reasons. I'm a big fan of friendships between characters with a wide age gap. There's something inherently beautiful about an older character getting along with someone younger, even stepping back into childhood to make a child smile.

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Max and Liesel are this beautiful friendship. She gives him weather reports, he makes her a book. They tell each other secrets and they don't give up on seeing each other. Liesel risks her life for Max and I know Max would do the same for her.

4. The Four Hobbits (Lord of the Rings)

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I tried to narrow down my favorite friendship of Middle Earth and found myself at a crossroads. There are many wonderful friendships and strong bonds developed over the course of the Lord of the Rings, but none compare to the bond between the four hobbits that set out from the Shire. Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. All of them have captured me to the point I can't choose a favorite.

I could split the four up into pairs (Frodo/Sam, Merry/Pippin) to discuss my favorite aspects of their BROTPS. But I can't. Without the four, the story would change. Even if Merry and Pippin don't go with Frodo and Sam all the way to Mordor, they're still vital to the story and the completion of the anti-quest.

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Together, the four left the Shire. Together, the four fought for the Shire. And together the four make an incredible friendship bond that cannot be severed. If anybody is searching for a quality friend they should find someone with the strength of Frodo, the loyalty of Sam, the bravery of Merry, and the heart of Pippin. Because hobbits are truly amazing creatures.

5. Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes (Captain America)

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You knew this was coming, didn't you? How could I talk about fictional friendships without mentioning these two punks (or jerks, whichever you prefer)? The answer: I couldn't.

Depending on whether you're reading the comics or watching the movies, their friendship may be slightly different. But one truth remains: they have a deep friendship that cannot be compared. They are loyal to each other, brave for each other, and above all willing to do whatever for each other.

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In The First Avenger, Steve single-handedly enters a Hydra base and releases all the prisoners in order to find Bucky. Bucky, in the midst of explosions and potential death, doesn't leave Steve's side. They grew up together (in the movies), they fight together, and they learn together.

In The Winter Soldier, even during confusion and chaos, Bucky saves Steve's life. He might not know why, but he does know that he has a special connection with Steve. And that no matter what, they're with each other "'til the end of the line." 

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Who are your favorite fictional best friends? What makes them so admirable to you?

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