My Honest Opinion On Janine and Egon - Unhealthy
Now, before we get into this, I want you to know, I don't hate Janine, I have enjoyed her character plenty of times, particularly in the first movie. I also do not completely hate the ship. However, I do have a list of reasons why I personally don't ship Egon and Janine, or at least have any interest in it. My major reason for not really enjoying this ship...is that I just think it's unhealthy.
- One of the main reasons is that Egon never expresses any actual interest in Janine outside of her being a friend. Sure they have plenty of moments together but that doesn't automatically mean Egon wants to have that kind of relationship with her.
- The Real Ghostbusters series is what really hurts my opinion on the ship. Now, I know many adore them in the show, and I am showing absolutely no hate or judgement on them, I can't see what they see, this is just the way I see it. I just feel like Janine comes off as too...obsessed with Egon. She pushes his boundaries, especially with physical touch and flirts despite the lack of response, which should be a hint that Egon might not be all that comfortable with the gestures. I also feel like she takes the lack of response of interest to her gestures a little too personally. Now, I'm not shaming anyone at all who has gotten their heart broken or at least a little hurt when their crush didn't like them back, we all have emotions and it doesn't feel good to get rejected. I'm only saying this because if Janine does this all the time, I feel like the first few times should've been a hint that she needs to back off a little with the attempts. Also, that one episode with the genie, when she wished that Egon would fall in love with her...that's just...messed up. It completely stripped Egon of his autonomy. I don't want to bring this up, but it something that should be talked about every now and then. If the genders were switched, it would get a completely different reaction. Men and boys have just as much right to say yes or no to any kind of relationship just as much as women and girls. All people have the right to choose whether or not they want to be in a relationship or just hook up. Janine definitely was in the wrong for doing this. Now, does Egon ever show interest in the series. Well, yes. The only reason I don't see it is because it's too inconsistent, and not very clear.
- In addition to the Real Ghostbusters, there is also one moment in the Extreme Ghostbusters. Now I have not watched this whole series (I'm an original Ghostbusters team lover all the way) so I only have one moment to go on, but I'm just gonna say in the very first episode, Janine shows up at Egon's classroom. I think it's Garret that recognizes Janine as someone who used to work for the Ghostbusters. Egon confirms this and notes her occupation. Janine goes on to say how she likes to think their relationship was more than that...in front of his students...which isn't really appropriate.
- In the IDW comic books, their is no flirtation, just Janine's unspoken longing and disappointment. Now, we all wish the person we like would like us back and it's okay to feel disappointment. Just the way Janine deals with it...not great. First of all, she is dating this guy named Roger Baugh, who is an intellectual like Egon, only more outwardly emotional and romantic. Well, at one point, Egon asks her if she was trying to make him jealous. Note, this tells us that Egon is aware that Janine has feelings for him. He elaborates that everytime he didn't respond to her advances, she would start a relationship with another man with similar though small or superficial qualities to Egon until she lost interest and the cycle would repeat. This is very problematic. Dating someone solely to make another person jealous is very unhealthy and even manipulative. It disrespects and hurts the current partner and stifles honest communication. Another thing, Egon actually says in the comics that he did or does notice her flirting and advances, but he was preoccupied. And he could just be disinterested. Most of all, there is one comic where Janine just runs up and pulls him in for a kiss that startles Egon. This was in a moment where the Ghostbusters were captured and stuck in another dimension where they are gone for months, at least for the rest of the characters. To clarify, Janine was in a state of relief and joy. However, just rushing up and kissing him while she is dating someone else, when they don't have that kind of relationship, and not even asking if it was okay first...just...doesn't sit right with me. If the roles were swapped would people still find this cute?
In conclusion, I'm just not a fan of the ship. Now do I hate it, no. I actually think it's cute sometimes, in the right circumstances. And do I think it's unhealthy in every version, no. I actually enjoy Janine in the movies and even the comics, even though their relationship in the comics is a Rollercoaster. Also, I do not think Janine is intentionally using other men. Maybe she is trying to move on but she is so hung up on Egon she can't fully commit to a good relationship with another man. Also, and I'm not calling Roger a bad guy, but their were moments Roger wasn't really considerate of the fact that Janine does not have a normal job and crazy things do happen in her life and he doesn't seem to handle the crazy and unusual well. However, he is still a decent guy and definitely had a right to be upset that Janine kissed another man while they were dating. Also, Egon is not obligated and he has the right to not reciprocate Janine's feelings. I understand it's really hard to tell how Egon feels about things like this because he does not process emotions like most people, nor does he fully understand social norms, and he's sometimes not even interested in them. However, he is not a child, he is a grown man. He says it himself he is aware Janine likes him. Whether he doesn't respond is because he doesn't know how to respond or genuinely doesn't see her like that, we can't tell. What we can tell is everytime Egon doesn't respond. Janine keeps trying or tries to get over it in unhealthy ways. This is not a Janine bashing post, I think she just doesn't realize what she is doing is unhealthy and hurting others. I think if Egon and Janine communicated openly, it would be a lot better. I loves the characters, just not interested in the ship.
Thank you for reading. If I missed something or made an unfair point, feel free to politely correct and inform me.