So the discourse is that Portal (for whatever reason) now has a massive fanbase of people shipping Chell and Glados. Seems fine (if slightly inexplicable) but some have charged that doing this is simply playing dolls and fails to engage with the themes of the work.

I see where this argument is coming from but don't agree. For one thing, it doesn't escape my notice that fans could have focused on Bill Cypher style sexyman Wheatley, but we got an F/F ship instead! That's something, this could have easily been a Onceler selfship situation!

The other thing is that I think "you're not engaging with the work's themes" is kind of silly for a series whose newest installment came out fifteen years ago. I dunno if I really buy that Portal as a series is strongly anti-capitalist either, but I mean after so long with no new releases in this tortured Valve series, why not ship the protagonist and antagonist? Sounds fun.

Also some have charged that Glados is ableist and fatphobic which I guess is kinda true. But Idk, work it into their flirting somehow?