Still, it's a general aspect of the show that Rodney's pain is seen as exaggerated, unimportant, self-serving, even when it's obviously real.
The episodes where this *doesn't* happen, where McKay is just allowed to be great are such a breath of fresh air. Or where it is *intelligently* played for comedy, like Siege I when Grodin turns on the gravity early, or even Grace Under Pressure where he gets it himself - they are so much better than the ones where it's inappropriately done, like Phantoms.

But hey - that's why characters have US, right? To correct all the wrongs done to them by their originators. (And, considering the plethora of whump out there, to beat the hell out of them ourselves).

I really do wish the writers showed a bit more ... awareness though. It makes me sad to realise I care more about their creations than they do.