Root and Shaw became an official “I choose only you” couple at the end of 4.7 “Honor Among Thieves”.
Do I believe they were hooking up before that? No, I do not. All you have to do is look at how Shaw behaves. Look at how she behaves AFTER “Honor Among Thieves”. You can see that they have NOT been hooking up before.
This is the moment. After she turns down Tomas and says “there are things I care about here.”
Root is delighted. She knows Shaw means her.
When she asks her, Shaw denies it because Shaw cannot name the thing. Root knows. Shaw knows.
Now let’s focus on how their behavior has changed after this moment.
Shaw letting Root spoon her in 4.9. The devil you know.
A major one. Shaw flirts with Root. Shaw has NEVER flirted with her before. This to me is the clearest one. She doesn’t play with Root’s feelings. This is a huge signal that their relationship has changed.
Also, Shaw says: “Samaritan’s goons can come blast US into the next dimension. “ They are a unit.
This whole scene. Shaw speaks in relational language : “you’re killing the mood.” Can you imagine Shaw saying that to anyone else?
Root calls Shaw “sweetie” for the first time.
Root violates Shaw’s autonomy despite her knowing Shaw HATES that. (It’s the reason Shaw decked her last time, in 3.6 Mors Praematura. Which is how I read that they didn’t hook up then. Shaw wouldn’t sleep with her then deck her. Plus in 6741, Shaw says “ I couldn’t stand you when we first met.” Nothing in Shaw’s behavior says “lover” before 4.7. But I digress. )
Now on to 4.10. The Cold War. THE most domestic Root and Shaw episode.
Root openly watching Shaw eat 😍. Shaw is unbothered. Shaw teases her, saying : “ I wouldn’t want anything to happen….to the dog.”
Root draping herself over Shaw. Root stealing Shaw’s drink. Access has changed. They’re being playful.
This scene. Shaw openly panicking about Root going to see Samaritan alone. She packs half her weapons arsenal to go protect Root herself, despite her cover being blown.
A few scenes before she was talking about taking a vacation (Sameen “I don’t do quiet” Shaw is talking about taking a vacay!) , imagining a future with Root. The way she speaks changes. She says things like “kiss and make up.” Relational language, again.
So okay. This is my thesis on why I think that was the turning point for my beloved Root and Shaw
