#but i'd like to be friends with some rina shippers--

[rosesradio]

i wish i could be friends with some rina shippers because they seem really cool until they like. relentlessly hate portwell :’)

[saw-x]

i find PWs very delusional from a narrative perspective because they have been telling you PW was going to end the minute it started by highlighting their different life stage. Gina’s brother calling him brother figure. Ashlyn calling Gina her sister and EJ her cousin in the same sentence. Carlos mentioning he is going to college (in front of Ricky). Gina basically saying "she didn’t get it" when he started rambling about college applications. Let’s not forget how season 2 started with EJ wanting to grow a beard and how the kids "all seem like kids compare to him now" and Gina is the same age as those he thinks look like kids. Now, there’s a huge dissonance between them because Gina is experiencing camp and a boyfriend for the first time while EJ is seeing camp as his way to end childhood. It doesn’t matter that there’s only 2 years of difference because their mind space is not the same. Gina is still thinking as a teenager with so many experiences left to explore and EJ is thinking he needs to have fun because is his last chance at being a kid. It doesn’t add up. PWs are ignoring all of these and paying attention to the wrong things. Instated of making senseless comparisons between Ryan and Ricky or Val and Sharpay, they should be talking about what the show is telling them and it’s not good.

yeah its funny that they call rinas delusional all the time yet they are some of the most delusional people i've encountered. they ignore literally every narrative plot point about pw not being compatible and they are constantly doing mental gymnastics to come up with the most random of reasons to ship pw and hate rina. whenever i read one of their posts i get baffled... like are they even watching the show. almost everything they say is so off base.

for example, i saw a post the other day that said if they break up pw for rina it would be stupid because pw know how to communicate. when have they shown pw are good communicators??? was it when jamie porter said gina thinks of him as a brother and instead of talking to her about it he thought it would be better to outright reject her, make her feel like crap about herself and cut off contact from her. at no moment did he communicate with her - they only solved the problem because ashyln talked to gina. if they are talking about the couch scene (literally only 1 scene in the show whereas rina has showed better communication in the car scene, the 'do what makes you happy' scene, the valentines day scene and so on)

and on that point they love to say ricky treated gina horribly in s2 and he 'made her cry' but love to ignore what ej did to her in the s2 finale and what ej did was way worse as it was deliberate. idk ej's reaction to the brother comment has always really rubbed me the wrong way because it almost feels like he discarded her because he thought he wasn't going to get anywhere romantically with her. say what you will about ricky but he values gina and he would always want her around be it as a friend or something more.

back on topic - pw shippers watch the show very selectively and ignore the very obvious signs that they aren't going to work out. honestly i don't really care if they ship pw (i just ignore their posts) but i'd rather they just say that they don't like rina instead of coming up with 'reasons' that rina is bad because none of them make sense. they constantly contradict themselves - e.g. shipping ricky with therapy, but being fine with shipping ricky with val or jet or nini.

if pws actually paid attention to the show and talked about what the show was telling them they wouldn't have anything to cling to for their ship. so instead of accepting where the writing is heading they choose to find a couple of generic shots of couples and hope that ricky is ryan and val is sharpay. its so ridiculous lol

i'm sorry this turned into a rant but the behaviour of pw shippers really baffles me, because i don't understand why people would be so rabid about a ship that has obviously been written to fail.

[amesscott]

I am already seeing people say the EJ is going to ruined his relationship with Gina from Rina Shippers. EJ did some stupid stuff when he was with Nini but that doesn’t mean he is going to act the same way with Gina. EJ has become a better person since Nini broke up with him by admitting his mistakes and being more honest. In recent interviews Matt Cornett mentioned that E.J. is trying to making his relationship grow with Gina and have a good relationship with her. 1/2

It seems like to me that EJ is ready to be fully committed to Gina and really wants their relationship to last no matter what happens in the future. EJ has hinted he has dated several girls before Nini I am pretty sure EJ has never been in a serious relationship before and wants Gina to be his first serious girlfriend. I think EJ will either go to his cousin Ashlyn or his childhood friend Val at camp if he ever needs relationship advice on how to make his relationship work with Gina. 2/3

The reason why I said EJ will probably go to either Ashlyn or Val at camp if he ever needs relationship advice is because he is close to both of them. We have already seen EJ turned to Ashlyn for advice in the past. It was recently revealed that Val is EJ’s childhood friend from camp and she is majoring in psychology in college which means Val probably gives good advice. I think EJ will probably go to Val for either advice on college or relationship advice or both at camp. 3/3

Hi, Anon! Oh man, I’ve been trying to just stay on the Portwell tag here on Tumblr, like it’s the safest space at the moment WAHAHA ‘cause I’m sure the Gicky shippers are having a field day with the new scenes in the trailer. Good for them!

Anyway, I agree with your points!

"EJ did some stupid stuff when he was with Nini but that doesn’t mean he is going to act the same way with Gina."

Exactly, Anon! Like you've said, EJ has come such a long way from that! Additionally, I'd like to think that if the Jaime incident taught Portwell anything, it's that pushing each other away isn't the way to go, but talking to each other is!!

"It seems like to me that EJ is ready to be fully committed to Gina and really wants their relationship to last no matter what happens in the future. EJ has hinted he has dated several girls before Nini I am pretty sure EJ has never been in a serious relationship before and wants Gina to be his first serious girlfriend. "

Yes, I agree! If there's anything consistent with the interviews regarding Portwell, it is that they really want the relationship to thrive and that they are going to do their best to be good partners to each other.

Gina and EJ are characters that have been shown to be adamant about the things that they want, so now that they're a couple who wants the same thing for their relationship, I have high hopes that they're gonna get through whatever this season throws at them, together.

Also, absolutely yes to everything about EJ bonding with Ash and Val! Oh, how I've missed the Caswell cousins bonding, like their little moments in "Spring Break" added years to my life. Also, Ash is the #1 Portwell shipper, I will die on this hill, so of course she would do whatever she can to help her two favorite people out.

Also, Val being older and a psych major is really interesting! Definitely presents a new dynamic with EJ, since he's the oldest and is the first one among his close friends to graduate high school and to experience all the uncertainty about the future that it comes with. I think Val can add a new perspective, like you said, about life after high school, college and possibly his relationship with Gina. I imagine she'd be just as supportive about Portwell as Ash is, maybe commenting about how he's different with Gina compared to his past girlfriends (like Nini) and that she's happy for them! Bonus points if Val gushes to Gina about the way EJ talks about her, to help alleviate any insecurities that Gina may have had regarding her relationship with EJ.

[xo-alie-xo]

PORTWELL LONG GAME OR RINA SLOWBURN.

You can only choose one poison.🍷

Listen up my Wildcats.🐱

We all ship each character with happiness. No matter how much you love to hate them, a majority of us simply adores the characters and want the best for them. Then comes relationships and it's okay to ship our favorites.⛴

I'm a diehard Rina shipper and I know in my heart that they are series endgame. The set up, the natural chemistry, their mutual understanding, the surprises and angst literally put me on chokehold. So I'm 100% a Rina shipper till the end. I'm here for the slowburn and their development rather than one shots. They are worth the pain. 😭❤

Let me start with Ricky Bowen now.

Ricky shouldn't to be with Gina because he's hurting her mentality. He's not insensitive on purpose. Like when he tried to stop Big Red from telling her his message to Nina because he KNOWS it'll hurt her.

If you think, that Ricky didn't understand clearly when Gina confessed, think again. He shushed her. Kept their thing a secret from everyone. He knows he feels some type of way and she feels something too. But this boy is so used to safeguarding his childhood norms and has very little adaptability. Hence, he pretended to ignore everything between them because his home stability was falling apart and he clinged on to Nina, his constant childhood love.

He's a traumatised 16-17 year old boy that needs to heal and grow. This episode was heartbreaking because he had to accept that he had to let Nina go because their once upon a time fairytale had become toxic.

People change. I'm not the same person I was when I was 16 lmao. Being together as childhood lovers means growing together and accepting each other's growth. Which Ricky couldn't. He clutched to the idea of Nini. Even his love confession. It was sooo sweet but all he did was focus on their history.

This boy needs time to heal and maybe seek professional therapy. It would be so DAMN HISTORIC if Disney decides to take psychological issues seriously and show how he's dealing with his anxiety, pills and psychotherapy. He needs to breathe before he can be with any girl for that matter. He's hurting and isn't trying to hurt anyone on purpose. Including Gina.

Him asking her for advice on Nini was a dumb, insensitive move. But he's trying to find a way to build some supportive friendship that they shared in early season one.

As for now, this boy needs to get his own grip on life and heal.

As for our Queen Gina

In Gina's confession, she focuses on their future. She basically said, "I wouldn't quit on a possible future of us being together despite obstacles. Because I never quit. But moving away isn't in my control." Ricky deep down knows this, encouraged her to say it, teary eyed, despite right after getting back together with Nini. Gina is his future. She went to his new house. And I also have this feeling that when she was given a chance to stay, she stayed partly because of Ricky. She left a chance to be with her mom because she prioritised their relationship. Because she never quits. 💪🏼

But she came back and found out Ricky has gotten back together with Nini.😭 What she doesn't know is Ricky got together with Nina before her confession, and after Gina kept dodging his messages. She's hurt and questions why she returned because she isn't particularly close to anyone. Hence, she was so silent at the after party. She thinks it'll be fine, "she'll live", and finds other reasons to find permanence. Her arc this season has been settling down in East High, despite the pain of losing and being 'betrayed' by Ricky, she finds other reasons to stay. 🏡

This kind of contrasts her with Nina. Nina left her dream school and came to Salt Lake because she missed her established home, and not just because of Ricky. Nina returned and was loved and embraced by Ricky Bowen.💕 Gina came back to a semi new place called Salt Lake because of her promise of a future to Ricky. But she got stabbed and she bled. 💔🗡

Think about her situation. She feels confused, alone, heartbroken, out of place and seperated from her mom. She's broken and hurting too. And she doesn't need more from Ricky's accidental or intentional 'sick burns'. That's the one line where he was such a jerk and I can't defend him here. 😠

Here comes the Caswells.

Her second family. A place of healthy stability. A home that accepted her. Ashlyn, her roomie and her confidante. EJ, the misunderstood boy who saw her value and bought her plane ticket.

Let's get to EJ.

At first, I wasn't too keen on seeing Portwell's development. But then that video chat where they talk about the possibility of her staying and him convincing her. Had me sold for a solid brother-sister relationship. Few episodes later, when Gina's pain seemed to be oblivious to everyone, he was the only one who asked her how she was, and saw her glow. The comfort she must've felt.

Not that she needs a man's validation, but she must be feeling like a second choice and feeling a little insecure because of Ricky. But EJ lifts her up and I genuinely saw her smile. This boy has her back whenever. The man she can lean on and truly sees how special she is. She no longer feels alone now that she has his entire fam and other friends. She genuinely feels a place of belonging and happiness when she's the apple of his eye. Notice how happy she is? How happy this boy is? She's going through her own issues and she has found ground with EJ.

I was very doubtful when they started hinting at a romantic direction. Because EJ would be used as plot device again for a girl to get to Ricky.😤 This man doesn't deserve to be second best to anyone, just like Gina.😑 That's why I'm still hesitant on shipping them at least temporarily. EJ needs to be something even more special to Gina. They need to show each other how special and treasured they are to each other despite feeling like rejects. They are each other's source of comfort.

I'm sure they can keep EJ at East High for the next season. Whether it's the drama club, or the AV club or going to a local college. So he will be there for Gina. I don't know how they can work out a relationship with much distance as Rini's fell out when she moved away. So, if EJ leaves again, it'll again shake up Gina. Her being worried whether he'll date college girls, second thoughts, etc. I don't want them to go through that. And if they do move on to romantic Portwell, make sure it's not plot device for Rina. So you can either have Portwell endgame or Rina Endgame.

Basically I want Gina to be treated so right that she understands she doesn't need Ricky. And when he does ask her out, and he makes her feel like a second choice or a rebound, she says NO. Because EJ has helped regain her self assurance. Eventually I want Gina to confide in EJ about her and Ricky. EJ is jealous but also angry about how Ricky has been hurting her. And becomes damn protective of his 'babe'. Ricky gets jealous of their relationship, restarting Ricky and EJ's old rivalry. But this time, it's not because Gina is his girlfriend, but because she's EJ's best friend who he has a crush on and wants what's best for her.

If it's meant to be Rina endgame

EJ- RICKY, YOU IDIOT! You have no clue how to treat her right. You don't put her first. You mislead her. Get the hell away from her! She's too powerful and beautiful, she doesn't deserve your scraps. I know how she feels for you. I wish I were you. I would treat her like a queen. I don't mind even waiting years till she's ready. She deserves that. You're so lucky you have even a small chance that I may never have. So get your act together, prove you're worth it to win her over. All I want is for her to be happy. Even if it's with someone else. And maybe then I'll stop threatening you to stay away from her.😠

Ricky- .....I don't know what I'm more scared of. Change, or losing the girl I fell for or YOU. Okay, losing her but you're a close second.😬

If it's Portwell endgame.

Ricky- I messed up. Make sure you don't mess up with her. You'll regret it forever.

EJ- I'd rather get hit by thousand basketballs than ever hurt her. I'll be her plus one and her best friend until she's ready to be with me. I know she's ready now too. But I want her to know I'm willing to wait till she graduates before we make it official. I'm in it for the long game.

As for their age gap. I'm 100% sure Portwell won't kiss this season. If they do, it'll be next when Sofia turns 18. They are professional actors who are cast because they are the perfect fit for the role and are expected to carry out the storyline. But I suppose fearing some outbursts, they might delay Sofia kissing anyone till next season. It's so weird because Olivia was maybe 17 when Matt was 21-22 when they kissed in season one. But no one had a problem with that. But for this, they do. Remember, they are professional actors. They are acting! Sometimes, actors are over 10 years apart (but above 18) and act as romantic partners.

As for their characters, they are only two years apart. That's hardly any difference once you're over the age of 18. Age of consent is 16. But adults above 18 are only allowed to have sex with adults above 18. So, age isn't a problem here because EJ is a gentleman and is genuinely interested in her and isn't trying to get in her pants. So age isn't the issue when it comes to dating. It's the maturity. Gina is very mature and gives very sound advice. But I can see EJ being patient enough till she turns 18 just to kiss her because he loves her. 😚

As for the Ashlyn remark, "You look like a kid to me rn". He was JOKING.😂 Don't take things out of context. I tell my cousin sister that all the time. But she's three years younger than me and a grown adult. I don't see her as a kid but it's just a cousin teasing her younger cousin that's she's a little immature. I'm Matt's age and I'm very mature for my age and since I was a teenager, I always matched up with boys a little older than me. Now that I'm in my early 20s, I've dated boys even close to 30. So age is just a number.

EJ dating Gina and giving her quick kisses is fine. But to have a strong sexual element in their relationship (including making out), he'll have to wait till she's 18+. And I'm sure for that he'll wait till she's ready even past her early 20s. Age is really just a number and we can't help who we fall in love with. Trust me, I've been there.😂 So I can see EJ feeling conflicted about his feelings that are clear at this point.

They might not be a perfect fit, but they make each other sooo happy. They deserve a lot more than a short lived fling.😟 They are either endgame or Rina is. You can't have both as a Rina unless you're an EJ hater who wants him to exist as plot device. Nope! He's sooo much more precious than that.

But Jack on the other hand....I'm okay if he's the one to make Ricky or EJ jealous. Because he's just been introduced and it's okay if a character is used, but only once, for someone else to realize their feelings. 💁🏽‍♀️

In short.

Ricky needs help and needs to be on his own. No girlfriends allowed.🙅🏽‍♀️🚫

Needs to give both Gina and Nina space for them to grow on their own too.🌳

Ricky needs to understand the core of his problems and become more adaptable via therapy. Maybe the psychologist will point out his unresolved feelings for Gina, or he will conclude it himself. And in comes Ricky-pining-for-Gina season three.

Ricky needs to fully get over Nina before he moves on to anyone. Same for Gina if Portwell were to happen. No one deserves to be second choice.

Gina isn't Ricky's cushion. She's a living person with strong feelings for him and shouldn't be subjected to share his pain. She already struggles with her own issues.

Ricky needs to stay single till he wins back Gina and prove he's worth it. He needs to show even if another girl wants him, he'll never quit on Gina ever again. Even if he has to watch her be with someone else. *cough parallels*.

It's either romantic Rina then Portwell endgame OR Portwell flirty besties but Rina endgame. You and I can choose only one because my boy EJ shouldn't be used as plot device for a girl to leave for Ricky ever again.

Portwell's age difference can be practically solved and isn't much of an issue unless they get hot and heavy before Gina turns 18 which is impossible considering this is Disney. 🤣🤣

Jack and Gina will be plot device material and purely so sentimental to us OG Andi Mack fans. More than any ship, this is what I'm looking for. Sort of an Andi Mack crack ship for season 3a. It's gonna be soooo funny. 😍😂

I respect everyone's ship. I see what you're seeing. And I'm not going to invalidate your ship. But unless it's done right, I won't jump from the Rina ship. I liked Rini. I like Portwell. I like AU Juffy crackship haha.😂 But as for me, I'm still holding on to Rina slowburn.

Preparing myself for the pain. 😭🔥

(But if I had to pair two characters without Disney getting in the way, it would be Gini. The power duo. Undeniable chemistry. They can be written so well because of their layered relationship and contrasting personalities.🤩 The classic rivals to friends to lovers. But that's a talk for another day lmao.)

Thanks for reading my opinion, Wildcat!🐱❤