Sam Carter/Amanda Tapping Discussion/Appreciation

[astrogeologist]

This is a terrific thread. Thank you Majorsal for starting this thread, and thanks to others for posting great comments, pictures and links to videos.

Sam is definitely my favorite character, and I really appreciate Amanda Tapping's portrayal of her. She is the main reason why I began watching the show, and why I continue to do so (as well as because of the great team interaction).

One of my favorite Sam moments is in Upgrades when she makes such an exquisite pool shot (I like the fact that AT actually did do this, twice!). I can't imagine anyone else but AT playing Sam.

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Clearing the table... of the money too...
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How cool is that?
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Photos are screen captures from the episode 'Upgrades'

[Sam fan]

Sam is wiked!!

[astrogeologist]

I love Sam... I think she's an awesome character, played by a talented actress.
I just hope that the addition of Ben Browder doesn't bump her back down to SG1's second in command. I like the idea of her as the leader and I want to see how it progresses throughout the future of the show.

Oh, me too! We have yet to even touch what she's capable of doing as Sg1's leader. I want to see her handle a really difficult decision (ala Red Sky). And how would she handle Daniel going off on one of his 'act first, think later' situations? And Teal'c being in his 'Jaffa revenge' mood?

SHOW Sam commanding Sg1! And I mean *really* show her. Show her struggle with a decision on her own. No Jack or another commander to get advice from; just Sam having to make the 'hard' decision on her own. Amanda would nail it!

I also like to see Sam exhibit her military competence - kicking butt, exhibiting her marksmanship skills, and being given the chance to be the Hand Signal Person In Charge.

We need some scenes where AT shows competence in the field - kicking bad-guy butt... saving lives... and commanding in the field! Hopefully, the writers will give us some of that in Season 9. Women in the military need some strong, competent, yet personable portrayals on TV and in the movies.

Here's to the promise of a Season 9 with scenes showing Carter competently in command.
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FIELD WORK

Photos are screen captures from the episode 'Nemesis'
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[jckfan55]

You have all made some really good comments. As for good "competent Sam" moments-- let's not forget how she matter-of-factly jumped out of the plane in Watergate. What a gal.

[astrogeologist]

By and large the writers have done pretty well by Sam. I think I heard some of that was due to AT's advice to the writers not to write her "as a girl" but as a team member. But I don't think a lesser actress would have gotten us so attached to Sam as a character. When I started watching I loved Jack's irreverence and the good stories. But Sam quickly became a favorite.

You have all made some really good comments. As for good "competent Sam" moments-- let's not forget how she matter-of-factly jumped out of the plane in Watergate. What a gal.

GERONIMO!

Photos are screen captures from the episode 'Watergate'
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[Skydiver]

one of the great things about sam is also about amanda and is mentioned in a recent interview/article with michael green burg

i'll paraphrase it but he mentions how amanda can be someone else just with her looks. by that i mean, teh expressions on her face can be used to differentiate different characters.

take entity for example. her face is so cold and set and mean. with jolinar she's angry and calculating and, under it all, scared to death
the look on sam's face in the end, when cassie comes, chokes me up every time

she doesn't necessarily need a wig or costume to make her 'twins' different....she can do it just with simple expressions and tone of voice.

that ain't easy. There are other actors who always play the same character, just with different names and wardrobes

[astrogeologist]

I loved the bit where she spat out the yellow cube.

OK, I couldn't resist...

I LIKE THE YELLOW ONES

THOR: Would you like sustenance?
SAM: (Thinks for a second) Yes! Thank you. I'm starving. (A tray appears)
THOR: I like the yellow ones.
SAM: (Talking a yellow one and biting it.) Oh, my God!
(She gets a look of disgust on her face, and spits the bite out into her hand.) Sorry. (Tries to smile)

Photos are screen captures from the episode 'Small Victories'
Transcript excerpt is from the Stargate SG-1 Transcripts Website
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[astrogeologist]

one of the great things about sam is also about amanda and is mentioned in a recent interview/article with michael green burg

i'll paraphrase it but he mentions how amanda can be someone else just with her looks. by that i mean, teh expressions on her face can be used to differentiate different characters.

take entity for example. her face is so cold and set and mean. with jolinar she's angry and calculating and, under it all, scared to death
the look on sam's face in the end, when cassie comes, chokes me up every time

she doesn't necessarily need a wig or costume to make her 'twins' different....she can do it just with simple expressions and tone of voice.

that ain't easy. There are other actors who always play the same character, just with different names and wardrobes

Her expressions are priceless!

AT can do more with a look, a tone, a gesture than any other actor. To borrow a phrase: she runs the gamut of emotion from A to Z

I thought Amanda was *wonderful* in Entity! My fave acting moment was in season 5's Entity. I felt her take on an alien life form was original and powerful. If I'm remembering this right, Amanda came up with the idea of how to perform her. How many times can you think of seeing an alien take over someone, but that person does not speak? All of the Entity's emotions showed through on it's face. That scene when Daniel and Jack are interrogating the Entity, and then Jack gets ticked and starts threatening the Entity... I was totally blow away with how wonderful Amanda pulled that part off. You could see her anger and frustration on her face, without one single word actually coming out of her mouth (and I'm not talking about the monotone voice of the voice synthesizer being used). You could see her facial muscles twitching, trying to hold back the rage it was not able to voice. This will always be my fave acting moment for Sam/Amanda.

Photos are screen captures from the episode 'Entity'

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[chocdoc]

Astrogeologist,

Thanks for all the great pictures. I really appreciate it--They are fantastic!!

Sam rocks!

[the dancer of spaz]

I wonder if I'm opening up a cans of worms here, but I'll go with it anyway. Hey... It's what I do.

My justification for asking this is because most of the people who have posted here seem to be of like-minds. If this is too off-topic, let me know!

I hope the questions haven't been asked before on this thread...

So, two questions:

1) How do you think they're gonna handle Ben Browder's involvement? I was thinking... It seems like he and Sam are gonna be around the same age, and are gonna be the same rank. Obviously you can't have two Lieutenant Colonels on one team. And, if AT/Sam is gonna be missing for five eps, that allows time for BB's character to lead SG-1. So, when she comes back... What? Will they work together or will BB leave and lead another team? He's supposedly gonna have a large role in the show, but... It seems a little shaky.

2) Credits. I'm thinking (and hoping) that they do all-new opening credits. Because Jack/RDA are pretty much gone ( ), Sam/AT will be gone for five eps, and the show's getting all of this "new blood," it would make sense for them to show how the series is changing so drastically. Anyway, I was wondering what you guys thought the layout was gonna be. I'm just curious. Surely BB won't get top-billing right? No offense to the guy, but I just don't think you can come in during the ninth season and get to the top of the totem pole.


Just wondering... I love speculation, in case you didn't notice.

[astrogeologist]

I wonder if I'm opening up a cans of worms here, but I'll go with it anyway. Hey... It's what I do. My justification for asking this is because most of the people who have posted here seem to be of like-minds. If this is too off-topic, let me know! I hope the questions haven't been asked before on this thread...

1) How do you think they're gonna handle Ben Browder's involvement? I was thinking... It seems like he and Sam are gonna be around the same age, and are gonna be the same rank. Obviously you can't have two Lieutenant Colonels on one team. And, if AT/Sam is gonna be missing for five eps, that allows time for BB's character to lead SG-1. So, when she comes back... What? Will they work together or will BB leave and lead another team? He's supposedly gonna have a large role in the show, but... It seems a little shaky.

Yes, this question has been mentioned on this thread several times. As the main premise of this thread is pro-Carter, most of the postings have stated that they want to see Carter in charge once AT returns....

If you are interested, the thread Sam Carter / AT - S9 was founded by folks who feel that Carter should definitely command SG-1 in Season 9 (and I wholeheartedly agree). The topic has also been discussed on several other threads.

In this thread 'Sam's a great character', the following specific posts discuss or mention the topic of Carter commanding in Season 9:
Post #125
Post #7
Post #14
Post #32
Post #33
Post #35
Post #39
Post #49
Post #61
Post #94
Post #136
Post #137
Post #138
Post #139
Post #140
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And the topic is probably mentioned in other posts as well, those were just the ones that jumped out at me as I scanned through the list.
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[astrogeologist]

Astrogeologist,

Thanks for all the great pictures. I really appreciate it--They are fantastic!!

Sam rocks!

Chocdoc -- you're welcome! I love photos and I get a kick out of picking out the shots that 'tell the scene' or 'capture the moment'

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[majorsal]

You have all made some really good comments. As for good "competent Sam" moments-- let's not forget how she matter-of-factly jumped out of the plane in Watergate. What a gal.

When I read the word jump, I thought you were going to say when she jumped/fell backwards through the stargate in the ep 2001. Now THAT is brave! Great moment (except for the way the guys barely reacted to it once she landed in the gateroom). I actually taped that end scene, because I thought it was so cool.

Sally

[majorsal]

I wonder if I'm opening up a cans of worms here, but I'll go with it anyway. Hey... It's what I do.

My justification for asking this is because most of the people who have posted here seem to be of like-minds. If this is too off-topic, let me know!

I hope the questions haven't been asked before on this thread...

So, two questions:

1) How do you think they're gonna handle Ben Browder's involvement? I was thinking... It seems like he and Sam are gonna be around the same age, and are gonna be the same rank. Obviously you can't have two Lieutenant Colonels on one team. And, if AT/Sam is gonna be missing for five eps, that allows time for BB's character to lead SG-1. So, when she comes back... What? Will they work together or will BB leave and lead another team? He's supposedly gonna have a large role in the show, but... It seems a little shaky.

I don't mind if he leads while Sam's away, but when she comes back, she should get her team back. I don't know what the writers have in mind for Sam next season, but she's earned commanding Sg1, so I don't want to see her lose it (even if the reason's her availability).

2) Credits. I'm thinking (and hoping) that they do all-new opening credits. Because Jack/RDA are pretty much gone ( ), Sam/AT will be gone for five eps, and the show's getting all of this "new blood," it would make sense for them to show how the series is changing so drastically. Anyway, I was wondering what you guys thought the layout was gonna be. I'm just curious. Surely BB won't get top-billing right? No offense to the guy, but I just don't think you can come in during the ninth season and get to the top of the totem pole.

My idea:

Amanda Tapping
Christopher Judge
Michael Shanks
Ben Browder
and Richard Dean Anderson

But if they don't get RDA to sign, then maybe they should only list him when/if he makes an appearance (as a guest star).


Sally

[THE BIG UNIT]

if RDA doesn't sign i think the credits will go either of these ways

Amanda Tapping
Christopher Judge
Ben Browder
And Michael Shanks as Daniel Jackson

or they list Shanks first because Amanda isnt in the first 5 eps

Michael Shanks
Christopher Judge
Ben Browder
And Amanda Tapping as Lt Col Samantha Carter

And by the way i would be really angry if Browders character took command, especially after everything she's done to finally earn it.