Re: The Great Ship Debate
Well, I was going to clean house.. but that can wait while I write this up!
This is probably going to be in no particular order except the order I think of them in...
Grissom/Sara: My number one ship. From the second episode ever of CSI, I was hooked because there was this interesting dynamic of teacher/student that had become more... but as the seasons went on, I forgot about their teacher/student relationship. By season 3, when Sara actually asked him out, they seemed more like friends and coworkers, even though he was still her boss. She was no longer pretending to know things she didn't just to impress him, and I don't think she said "yes, sir" once during that whole season. Her timing was off, yes, but she tried. After that, season 4 and 5, they seemed distant. The flirtation was diminished, their coziness cut into either by the rift in their relationship or the producer's whims. "Butterflied" was a rough one, and, I think, part of the reason Sara stopped pushing as hard. She got a glimpse into his psyche, into who he hid from the world. And she was affirmed in her suspicion that he cared, but also crushed that his fears overwhelmed his desire to be with her.. and I think it hurt him, too, hence his sigh when Dr. Lurie walked out of the room. Here was a man who had taken the leap and gotten stung, just another reason NOT to leap, right? But, I think Grissom had to wonder if there was another side to that coin, if there was another option..
Season 5 came, fairly dry on the GSR front. Then, Nesting Dolls hit, and both Grissom and Sara were put on the spot. When he went to her apartment, he was forcing himself to take initiative. Grissom, as evidenced in almost all their other interactions, tended to back down, to wimp out on Sara. She was always the one pushing, trying, searching. He would get frightened, and let her get away. I think that's another reason we had the out-of-place conversation in "Snakes." At the end of it, Grissom seemed to be making an effort, so it made sense for him to show up at her door in Nesting Dolls. He was making the effort again. That was a turning point for them.
I've seen people bring up "Unbearable" and I honestly believe that moment of jealousy was meant to push the "triangle" they were trying to form. I've never been a fan of triangles for any show... Anyways, Sara was a bit jealous, but she swallowed her jealousy, entered the room, and went about her business. It showed growth. Then, in "Committed," after Sara had been attacked, Grissom had his back to the crime scene, his eyes on her, his attention given completely to her. Growth.
I love this relationship because the two characters have had the opportunity to grow together. Looking back at some of the earlier seasons, I get why I liked it then, and why I definitely would not like it now... the two characters are not the same people they were when it started, and neither am I... So, in short (hah), that's why I love these two together.
Sara/Nick
See, this is a fun one for me, because I do see some chemistry there, and were I not a GSR fan, I might sway Snickers. I've told my multishipper friends that quite often, that I could see where people might think Nick and Sara were good for each other. They both have fun, pick on each other personalities. However, I've never seen any moments I considered especially "Shippy" between them. Their characters seem to lend themselves to overt chemistry, but I never saw the extra spark to carry them into the romantic arena. That's not to say it still would not be possible, or that it would surprise me if TPTB decided to put these two characters together.
I guess that's what I'm saying: Nick is the only other guy I can really see Sara with if she's not with Grissom. It just works.
They balance each other out. When one is being overly passionate and engaged in a case, the other can reel them in. However, in season 6, I began to see their interaction as more platonic, more brother/sister.. and that was LONG before I heard any spoilers for "Way to Go."
Cath/Gris
I never saw this relationship as anything more than supportive. I just never saw any romantic aspect to it. And I know people of each of these ship groups can name a thousand other moments that were shippy to them just as I can name moments of my fav ships, I just, personally, never saw it. I entered the show with the very first episode, via my fiance's DVDs, so I watched from the beginning, and this relationship never seemed more than professional and friendly. Catherine and Grissom seem like best friends who have been through a lot together, but who have no romantic attachment. I definitely feel that Catherine has a great sense of Grissom and his wacko personality, but I don't think he's what she's looking for in a man.
Warrick/Cath
Which leads me to this ship, which I actually really enjoy watching on the screen. Before season 5, I never would have thought of these two together, but the actors bring a great heat and fire to their characters' chemistry. It feels electric. When, in one of the early episodes of season 5 ("Down the Drain?"), they had that "almost kiss" moment, I almost squeed. When they were betting about the basketball game and who would take who to dinner, that CHARM Warrick was exhibiting in her direction made me just love the relationship. He's always been good with Lindsey, keeping an eye on her when things were rough, and he's always been someone Catherine could cling to.
I think, if Catherine were in a major jam, she'd be calling Warrick before she'd call Grissom, and it's not about who is a better friend, it's about who she connects with more on that emotional level, and I think it's always been Warrick.
I hope Tina is out of the equation this season, as I was distressed she was thrown in to create the "triangle" effect, and it just went nowhere. If she is out of the equation, I'm hoping for some more juicy YoBling moments with that PASSION.
Sofia/Nick
I'm going to be honest, I didn't like Sofia to begin with because she was being used as a plot-device to establish a triangle. I absolutely abhor triangles on television shows, so, I was very close-minded about this character. However, season 5, with her not being used (except for a few moments) as the triangle point, I've actually warmed up to her. And I LOVE her with Nick. They had very few scenes together, but there is a warmth to their interactions, like Nick can relax when he's around her. Season 5 was rough on Nick, and he entered this season with a lot of fears to overcome, a lot of issues to deal with. All that seems to melt away when he is with Sofia.
There was a moment, close to the end of season 6, when Nick put his hand on Sofia's back as he passed her in the hall, and I thought it was just adorable. They have a coziness of two people who have just met, but feel like they've spent a lifetime together because it just WORKS.
Sofia/Gris
I think I would have believed it more if the producers hadn't gone the "Triangle/Catfight" route. And I have never seen Gris with anyone but Sara. I can see Sara with other guys, but can't see him with any other female... and I just like SoNic too much.
I do, however, think there were plenty of moments for this ship to find a following, which it has. There were some nice moments, there, when the producers were trying to make this ship come together. I just wasn't a fan.
Catherine/Nick
I never ever saw this until I started checking out the CatNip thread. Not kidding. Once I was in there, and people were naming moments, I could actually believe it could, maybe, happen. If I remember correctly, the original plan of the pilot was to showcase these two in a relationship. They have a nice flow to their interactions and conversations, but I think this relationship is more subdued than the heat of YoBling. Just my opinion.
I don't think there are any others I really feel confident to talk about. I've never seen "Lady Heather's Box" which is apparently the big LH/Gris episode, so I don't feel qualified to talk about it... so... yeah... I guess I'll shut up for now.