In Deep Ship!
Explore fan favorite couples who didn't get their happy ending. Two sisters journey through the top ships from fandoms across the internet. Emily and Rachel scour AO3, tumblr and message boards to find the one-true-pairings that get your blood pumping and explore why they make us obsess.
GriddleHark | Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb Series| “One Flesh, One End, bitch”
Bone magic, swords in space and a ship that reaches beyond death. Join us today for a dive into Tamsyn Muir’s unfinished Locked Tomb series (Gideon the Ninth and sequels), a sci-fi/fantasy horror murder-mystery with meme-heavy humor and a final book still unreleased. We explore the relationship betwwen Gideon Nav and Harrowhark ("GriddleHark"), lifelong enemies from the dying, cultish Ninth House who become necromancer and cavalier in Canaan House’s lethal “escape room” trials to become Lyctors. They build trust, share trauma, and ultimately Gideon sacrifices herself so Harrow can survive, triggering later soul/memory twists across books tw...
Wuthering Heights | HeathCathy (Heathcliff and Cathy) | "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."
Making obsessive situationships hot since 1847. Join us as we dive into the dark and twisted world of 2026 Wuthering Heights film adaptation—written and directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie. We focus on the iconic ship Catherine Earnshaw/Heathcliff. We compare the movie’s glossy “goth Bridgerton” vibe and major changes—softening Heathcliff, cutting cruelty, and ending halfway through the book—against the darker, more gothic elements from Emily Bronte's novel (ghosts, grave-related obsession, and haunting). We recap key romantic/steamy scenes, discuss why fans love the pair’s intensity and bond. But no conversation would be complete with discussin...
Phantine | Phantom of the Opera | "You alone can make my song take flight."
Let your darker side give in as we delve into the sizzling love story of Christine Daae and the Phantom (Erik) from the hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical: Phantom of the Opera. Join us as we go down once more to the dungeon of Rachel's childhood obsession and revisit the moments that got our hearts racing and made us swoon. We'll also explore the novel by Gaston Leroux, the 2004 Phantom of the Opera movie, fan fic and fan discourse from r/box5 to get to the bottom of why the Phantom has held such power over us theater-goers for...
Love and Deepspace Valentine's Day Special | “I don’t want to be saved. I want to be chosen—by you.”
What's better than one Valentine? Five! We're digging into the fantastical and expansive world of Love and Deepspace during this most romantic time of the year. We're learning how this mobile game combined the oteme genre, gacha mechanics and ASMR mouth sounds to build the virtual boyfriends of women around the world. We'll meet Xavier, Rafayel, Zayne, Sylus and Caleb then dive into their in-game story, myths and what makes them melt hearts. Stay tuned to find out who your girls Emily and Rachel are maining in this supersized episode.
We couldn't find an attribution for our...
BakuDeku | My Hero Academia | “I spent my life chasing after you.”
“We are here!” …to talk about one of the most volatile ships in anime history. Today we're throwing on our hero costumes and diving headfirst into My Hero Academia’s most explosive ships: BakuDeku—aka Katsuki Bakugo and Izuku Midoriya. We're digging through our piles of hero analysis notes to track this couple from childhood companionship to super rivals and eventually reluctant teammates. We unpack the volatile chemistry, power imbalances, character growth, and the moments that made fans go feral. We break down why this ship inspires both ride-or-die devotion and serious criticism, pulling from fan theories, discourse and long-standi...
Byler | Conspiracy Theory or the Greatest Love Story Never Told? | Stranger Things | "Crazy Together."
We're connecting the dots, like so many string lights, to get to the truth behind Byler, the popular Stranger Things ship of Mike Wheeler and Will Byler. We will disect the pair's top moments in order to follow the clues as defined by diehard Byler stans. Along the way, we discuss Stranger Things Season 5, Conformity Gate and the Duffer Brother's take on queer representation. We will of course dissect the characters' complex relationship, and analyze how Byler jumped from the screen to fuel the fan frenzy. Stay tuned for their revamped one true pairing scoring and join in on...
Merry Shipmas! Our Favorite Fan Ships of 2025
Join us as we celebrate all the love that got us through the year. We'll revisit some of our favorite (and least favorite) ships of the year. We'll also dig into AO3 numbers to see what ships had fans in a chokehold this year. And finally, we get a visit from the Ghost of Shipmas' Yet to Come as we predict what ships to watch in 2026.
Oh and we reveal some big changes for the podcast! Including, a new name!
Thank you for an incredible first year of Ship Happens!
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The Ship Tumblr Couldn't "Let it Go" | Jelsa | Frozen & The Rise of the Guardians
It's cold, so let's dig into a frosty couple in our final official ship of 2025! We're diving into the fandom phenomenon of shipping Elsa from Frozen with Jack Frost from Rise of the Guardians. We explore the origins, tropes, and fan theories that bring these two ice-powered characters together, despite belonging to different animation studios. They discuss the potential romance dynamics, cultural impact, and critical reception of the fan-favorite ship 'Jelsa,' while also addressing some of the intense fandom controversies. With a mix of humor and deep dives into fan fiction, this episode is a must-listen for shippers...
Rhink | Good Mythical Morning | "I so enjoy making memories with you."
Join us for our first foray into the dubious world of shipping real life people with special guest host Laura of Impolite Society podcast.
Together we dive into the fan-driven phenomenon surrounding Rhett and Link from Good Mythical Morning. We explore the origins of the 'Rink' ship, the deep friendship between the two YouTube stars, and the boundary between fan fiction and reality. The discussion includes reactions from the fandom, criticisms against the ship, and Laura's personal insights as a long-time fan.
This week's art is by @mythicalgays, originally shared to Tumblr.
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Shadowgast | Critical Role | “You were not born with venom in your veins.”
Join the party as we embark on an adventure into the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Today we're talking internet sensation 'Critical Role' and fan favorite ship of 'Shadowgast' from the show's second campaign. We explore the relationship between Caleb Widogast, a human wizard with a tragic past, and Essek Thelyss, a drow wizard with a penchant for gravity and time magic. We cover their meet-cute, complicated relationship, and eventual romance, highlighting key moments and fan reactions.
This week's artwork is by @nohtora. See more of their work.
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Bachelorette Buffy's Slayer Showdown | Bangel vs. Spuffy Finale | "Love makes you do the wacky."
It's time to walk through the fire to get the bottom of who is the ultimate lover for the slayer. It's part 2 of our Buffy the Vampire Slayer Bachelorette spooky special series. Today we'll look at the top moments for Spike and Angel to see how to two vamps measure up. We'll dig into the romance, the heartbreak, the support and, most importantly, the spicy! We'll end the episode with a few rounds of good old debate to decide which vampire boyfriend comes out on top.
This week's Spuffy artwork is by @sanshodelaine and Bangel study is b...
Bangel vs. Spuffy Spooky Special | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | "Love isn't brains, children, it's blood."
In honor of spooky season, we're entering the world of cult classic Buffy the Vampire Slay. Join us as we once and for all decide Buffy's ultimate love interest. We'll compare the fan-favorite ships of Buffy and Angel (Bangal) versus Buffy and Spike (Spuffy) to see who comes out on top. We'll cover the fandom drama between the two ships and kick off the debate by examining their meet-cutes, ship names and fan engagement through fanfiction. Come back next week for an in-depth, part two showdown to definitively determine Buffy's one true pairing. Stay tuned!
We couldn't...
The Greatest Love Story You Forgot About | Kissin' Kate Barlow / Sam the Onion Man (Holes)
Can you fix the emotional damage this love story caused us? Join us as we throw it back to elementary school to revisit the couple that cursed a town, fueled an incredible revenge story, saved a couple of teenagers and caused us to fight tears at school. Today we're talking Katherine 'Kissin' Kate' Barlow and Sam the Onion Man from Holes, the 2002 movie and 1998 by Louis Sachar. This story may have only taken 10 pages of the book, but it lives forever in our hearts. We recount the tragic tail of a frontier town teacher and the folk medicine man...
Wolfington (The Bad Guys) | "Believe it or not, I'm rooting for you, Wolf."
Being bad has never been this good! Dive into the world of 'The Bad Guys' this week as we discuss the fan-favorite ship between Mr. Wolf and Diane Foxton. We'll explore the chemistry, banter, and dynamic of this unlikely couple, as well as the broader furry fandom and its impact on the popularity of the ship. From analyzing their interactions to comparing them with other famous anthropomorphized couples (who could this be??), get ready for an in-depth look at what makes Mr. Wolf and Diane so irresistibly shippable.
This week's artwork is by @qiuchi923. See more of t...
Raelspeth (One Dark Window) - "Can I kiss you? Not on your mouth."
For a dark, gothic vibey time, join us for a steamy adventure with a Nightmare that rhymes. Today we dive into the romantic fantasy world of 'One Dark Window' by Rachel Gillig. We explore the main characters, Elsbeth and Raven, and their complicated romance involving magic cards, secret powers and hidden identities.
We discuss their mixed feelings about the book, touching on its strong points like atmospheric writing and compelling side characters, while also critiquing its insta-love elements and underdeveloped main couple chemistry.
We also have our first listener notes! We respond to feedback from a...
The Most Vanilla Ship Ever?? Zelink (Legend of Zelda)
It's dangerous to go alone, take this podcast with you! Join us as we stumble through the sweeping lore behind the Legend of Zelda universe, much like Link stumbles through Hyrule after a century-long slumber. We will unpack the holy trinity of the Zelda universe and why the ship leaves us wanting more... and if there might be a spicier alternative from the darker side of the Triforce? We follow the Zelink breadcrumbs Nintendo sprinkles throughout Zelda's lore and the game's history to reach our ultimate One True Pairing score.
Tiktok that Rachel references: https://www...
Polytrix (KPop Demon Hunters) - "You know together we're glowing."
This is what it sounds like when we tackle the Netflix sensation KPop Demon Hunters. We're glowing as we explore our first-ever polycule with Polytrix, made up of Rumi, Mira and Zoey from the sensational Huntrix. We don't quit until we've shared our experience with the movie, how fans put these three together and why Polytrix shines among the many KPop Demon Hunter fan ships.
This week's artwork is by @lenaskzorel. See more of their work on the app formally known as Twitter.
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WildeHopps (Zootopia) - "You know you love me."
Here's comes the sexiest animated animals since Robin Hood and Jessica Rabbit Join us as we dive into the beloved online ship 'Wild Hops' from Disney's Zootopia. We will dig into key canon moments, analyze character dynamics and explore fan reactions, including controversies and passionate fan fiction. The podcast also touches on notable moments in their partnership, the characters’ impact on pop culture, and predictions for the upcoming sequel.
This week's art is by u/relaxable. You can see more of their WildeHopps work on Reddit.
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Dramione (Harry Potter) - "I will always covet more of you"
Boil, boil, we're ready for some trouble. 😈 Today we delve into the popular yet controversial Harry Potter ship: Dramione, the fanfic-driven romance between Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. We'll dig into the origins, criticisms, and fan fiction adaptations of this ship to explore how Dramione transcends the original books to become a fan favorite, despite its problematic roots and the perpetual Harry Potter controversies. With mentions of popular fanfictions, Tom Felton's charisma, and the ship's irresistible tropes like enemies-to-lovers, they dissect why Dramione captivates so many fans.
Today's cover art is by an unknown (to us) artist. Our...
The Hayffie Hunger Games Extravaganza
The odds are in your favor today, as we dig into two controversial couples from the Hunger Games universe. Join us as we delve into 'Hayffie' — the ship between Haymitch Abernathy and Effie Trinket from the Hunger Games. The episode explores the dynamics between the two characters, discussing their contrasting personalities, shared trauma and potential romantic connections, in canon and through fan fiction. We decide if there's any legs in the source material or if the ship is just based on the chemistry between Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks, whose off-screen rapport fueled the Hayffie ship in the fan co...
CaitVi (Arcane) - “Ready to get your hands dirty, cupcake?”
Reluctant partners to lovers? Immersion into a vast and storied world? And a big, metal fist? Count us in. Dive into the sizzling chemistry, the intricate backstories, and the dramatic plot twists of Arcane and Piltover's Finest: Caitlin and Vi. Join us as we break down their shipping journey from League of Legends Champions to the beloved TV series, touching on pivotal scenes and fan fiction that bring this ship to life.
This week's art is by @luneillusoire. Find more of their work.
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Steddie (Stranger Things) - "You Got this One Big Boy"
Explore the pairing that turned a fandom 'upside down.' Emily and Rachel dive into the unexpected yet fan-favorite ship of Steve and Eddie from Stranger Things. The podcast explores the dynamics between the two characters, how fan fiction has elevated their relationship, and the themes and tropes found in these fan-created stories. They discuss notable scenes, the chemistry (or lack thereof) on screen, and how the fandom has interpreted and expanded their connection through creative storytelling. Amid the discussion, they touch on the competitive nature of shipping wars and the broader impact of fan fiction on pop culture.<...
YenRalt - "I Love What You Are"
Dive into the steamy and contentious romance of Geralt and Yennefer from The Witcher series. Join us as we explore the magical entanglements, personal traumas, and rocky history that define this iconic couple. But wait—could Geralt’s true love actually be another, like a beloved bard perhaps? Tune in for a fun, insightful debate packed with video game, TV show, and book references, all while the hosts navigate fan opinions and spicy scenes.
Today's art is by @zuyuancesar. Find more of their work on Instagram.
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Priestbag - "It'll pass."
Hotbag? FleaPriest? What ever you call this couple, they still sizzle. In this episode, we're talking Fleabag and Hot Priest from 'Fleabag' by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. We'll break down memorable moments, such as the tension-filled first meeting at Fleabag's family dinner scene and the intimate, moving moments between the characters. The hosts debate whether the relationship was genuine love or self-sabotage, exploring different perspectives from fan discussions online. They also touch on the broader themes of personal growth and the struggles of maintaining faith and devotion. With a heaping helping of Andrew Scott fangirl-ing. The episode concludes with their individual o...
Gelphie - "What is this Feeling?"
Let's pop the bubble on Oz's hottest fan ship. This week, we dive into the fabulous world of Wicked and it's two leading ladies: Elphaba and Glinda (Gelphie). We'll cover how the two opposites attracted, if they cross the finish line of the the enemies to friends to lovers arc and why this couple captures fan imaginations. We'll recount top moments and what the fandom thinks of these two Shiz students.
This week's art is by @starenflugart. Find more of their art on Tumblr.
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Nandermo - “You Belong with Us.”
Grab your creepy paper, we’re diving deep into the fan-favorite duo, Nandor and Guillermo, from the mockumentary series 'What We Do in the Shadows.' We explore the onscreen chemistry that captured fans’ imagination, how this grew into one of the internet’s most popular ships, and whether the writers baited fans with hints these two were OTP. They also discuss what makes this couple so captivating and why their eventual lack of romantic closure left a lot to be desired. Tune in for a thorough analysis, some humor, and a lot of vampiric nonsense.
This week's...
HuskerDust vs. Chaggie: A Hazbin Hotel Ship Showdown
This week, we break down the most talked-about couples from Hazbin Hotel, definitely on purpose and not because we forgot who we were talking about. We'll cover the sizzling dynamics between Husk and Angel Dust, and the steady love of Charlie and Vaggie. We discuss how this show went from crowdsourced internet darling to Amazon Prime-time feature. You might be a loser baby but that doesn't stop us from digging into the couples' origin stories and chemistry and why fans love them.
Cover art by @zexal-bunny20. You can find more of their art on Tumblr.
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SpideyPool - “He was my nuisance!”
Spideypool, Spideypool, does whatever a joking bromance from 2006 turned sweeping heartmate romance does. Join us for a dive into the world of mouthy mercs, web slingers and the 'Spideypool' phenomenon. In this episode, we discuss the dynamic, hilarious, and maybe romantic relationship between Spider-Man and Deadpool. From their comic book origins to their tantalizing on-page chemistry and devoted fanbase, we examine why fans can't stop dreaming about these two superheroes getting together. Along the way, we'll explore canonical clues, fandom theories, and whether Marvel's beloved couple will end as another case of queerbaiting or true lovers.
This...
Saurondriel - “You Bind Me to the Light”
Join us for a dive into the 'Rings of Power' and the surprising ship between Galadriel and Sauron, dubbed Saurondriel or Haladriel. We will debate the pair's chemistry, key moments, and manipulation in their relationship, with Emily's strong disdain and Rachel's cautious optimism. From analyzing their meet-cute-on-a-raft to Sauron's dark propositions, they break down why this ship has fans buzzing. Get ready for a mix of deep lore, pop culture ships, and fiery opinions in this spicy episode!
This week's cover art is by @mvashnic. See more of their work on Tumblr.
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Reylo - “You’re Nothing…. But Not to Me.”
Join us for a deep dive into the world of Star Wars and it's most sensational couple: Reylo. We explore the dynamic between Rey and Kylo Ren and discuss the impact of this controversial ship on fandom, explore various fan fiction phenomena, including the significant number of published works inspired by Reylo, and explore why this pairing has sparked both admiration and backlash among fans. We will cover fan theories and breakdown the epic moments that led to an unforgettable kiss. Perfect for Star Wars enthusiasts and fan fiction lovers alike!
This week's art is by @afterblossom. S...
Feylin - “I love you, thorns and all.”
In this episode of the podcast, hosts Rachel and Emily discuss the fan-favorite and contentious ship of Feyre and Tamlin from 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'. They explore the dynamics of the romance, the evolution of the story across the series, fan reactions, criticisms, and the polarizing love triangle that changes in later books. Tune in for a humorous and insightful breakdown of why some ships sail and others sink.
This week's artwork is by @frostbite.studios. Find more of their work!
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Zekina - “I’m Gonna Get Ya Girl”
In this debut episode of 'Ship Happens,' hosts Rachel and Emily explore the surprisingly endearing potential romance between Tina Belcher and Zeke from 'Bob's Burgers.' The sisters dive into key moments that hint at a deeper connection, discuss fan theories, and analyze why this ship has captured the imagination of the show's fandom. Tune in for a fun-filled discussion that highlights the unique chemistry of Zikina and sets the stage for future ship explorations.
This week's artwork is by u/Tamia221. Check them out on Reddit.
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Introducing Ship Happens!
Episodes coming this January!
Text the Ship Happens Sisters!
Send us your thoughts or couples you'd like to see at shiphappenssisters@gmail.com.
