Team Switzerland
This is my opinion and mine alone.
I am not a IRL shipper and I'm definitely not an anti. I am a woman who has had good, close male friends my whole life. Friends, both gay and straight, who I have made inappropriate jokes with. Men who I have made inappropriate comments about whether I was or ever had been intimate with that person even if they had another SO at the time said comments were made. For most of my life, I have been more of what is termed one of the guys than one of the girls. This is not to say that I do not have close female friendships and it also does not mean I would go after someone else's man. It is just that more often than not, I form closer bonds with men than women in friendship especially when I was younger.
The men I am and have been friends with if they had SOs, they usually became my friend also. They understood the dynamic between my male friend and myself. If the SO did not or had a problem with it, then I adjusted my behavior or removed myself from the situation. Yes, sometimes it hurt me to do so but I understood the boundaries and would not get between my friend and the person they loved.
This being said, no matter whether S&C are in a relationship with each other or other people is none of my business. What is my "business" is whether or not they entertain me each week on a show I adore playing characters who have been beloved for decades on a channel I pay to watch.
So far they have exceeded expectations and I've been satisfied.
Now, for the are they aren't they question I don't know. But as for Team Switzerland (aka me), I put this out there.
These are 2 actors who have an incredible chemistry on a TV show that shows incredible intimacy between a married couple that will hopefully cover 9 plus seasons or however many books Diana writes.
This is a TV show that could not show the intimacy it does in the perspective it does 10 to 15 years ago because it just wasn't how TV was done. This is why it took so long for a screen adaptation to be able to happen.
So S&C were cast and because of the fandom being as passionate as it is, toss in the rise of SM, and you have 2 relatively unknown actors thrown into a shit storm. One that they've committed by contract to at least 5 seasons of (I think that's right) where they have to deal with fan expectations, speculation, and be downright vulnerable together on a regular basis in front of crew and then the audience.
No one knows what this experience is like for them except each other.
Here is the part I'm thankful for for the both of them. They seem to genuinely LIKE and CARE about each other. They are committed partners in this project. They are passionate about the work they do on Outlander. And THANK GOD FOR THAT!!!!
How many times have we heard of co-stars who despise each other and the long term work suffered for it? You might be able to get through a movie despising your romantic lead, but on a long term TV show it ends up being unbearable for everyone. (Cough Castle Cough)
So, this brings me to a difference between my male friends and the S&C dynamic. Any SO they have, would be someone who would have to be a person who is respectful and understanding of the working relationship and friendship they have together because it affects S&C's livelihoods and careers. If someone doesn't get it they'd be out. Period. They can't afford to damage their working relationship for a SO. Sorry but true.
This is Hollywood, we don't truly know these people. We have our perceptions of them and yes PR people play those perceptions up and yes play on us. It is part of the game. Understand that is true for every actor and actress in Hollywood. It doesn't just apply to S&C.
Does this mean that I think the whole shrimp thing is just PR? No. I actually think that these are genuine interactions between genuine friends who happen to be coworkers. If there is anything more between them that is their business and they will share it with the fans in their own time if they care to. Otherwise, I take the whole thing as they found Pornlander subtitle gate to be hilarious and took the piss out of each other for fun. If it generated pub for their show that is still awaiting green light for S5, then happy bonus.
In my opinion if either of them have a SO, that person understands and probably laughed at and encouraged shrimp gate.
I also don't understand people getting pissy about them asking for money/promoting charitable causes they care about. Most actors and actresses in Hollywood do it all the time, Princess Diana dedicated her life to it, but I don't see these facts mentioned when someone criticizes S&C for it. As a consumer, it is up to you to spend your money how you see fit. Not just because your favorite actor said to.
Anyway that's my 2 cents that no one asked for. Lol. If you disagree that's fine, just disagree kindly.
Please excuse any typos as I typed this on my phone.