Yes, that's the thing - I like the Clark in my head, even if I don't like Clark as he's become in canon. (Heck, I don't much like canon-Lex these days either, but I still love *my* Lex!) And I do try to see the positive things Clark does in canon; I don't seek out the worst explanations for all his behavior. Usually I just write off anything annoying he does as bad writing!

Rodney's not a manipulator, no - and I don't think he would've gone to John at all had he suspected that John might sacrifice himself. I agree with friendshipper above that Rodney subconsciously might've gone to John hoping for another solution - but I think the main reason he went to John was because he was counting on John finding a way to let him do what needed to be done. I don't think Rodney fully grasps Sheppard's double standard when it comes to self-sacrifice - that he's allowed to do it, but his team is not. Rodney thought Sheppard would understand (and if John had been SG-1, he might've; but this is John!) What cinches it for me is after John refuses him, Rodney tries to break into the lab anyway - he was going to go through with it anyway. Which I think John understood, and that's why he moved so fast...