Sam Carter/Amanda Tapping Discussion/Appreciation

[astrogeologist]

Yeah it's the same silly reasons why Sam can fly a X-302, but we rarely get to see her in one unless she's flying shotgun.

This is my first attempt at making a gif. It's not perfect, but it was fun. I hope you don't mind Scarimor, but you did such a great job with the X-302, I couldn't see re-inventing the wheel again.

Spoiler:

Forever, this is a wonderful gif! Why did you hide it in a spoiler?

[astrogeologist]

I am obviously not expressing myself appropriately - first I did say that I was likely the only one disappointed with the interview so I am not going to respond to every post that challenges my posts on it or tries to convince me that my take on the interview is wrong - I was being honest and I already admitted I probably shouldn't have been since I knew what I had to say might not sit well.

I see this focus of ATs interview on vala (regardless of how it got to that point) as a little to convenient especially since so many people have expressed concerns, as I have, that the PR ploys and focus will be on BB/mitchell and CB/vala and this interview seems to me to be just that - it quickly veered in that direction - perhaps a better title should have been "S10 -- How Sam and vala will Connect" as it had nothing to do with the decade Sam (or AT for that matter) spent on SG1 or what substantive contributions the character has made or will make.

There was a great opportunity to address "A DECADE WITH SAM" to focus on Sam and to address several issues that have been out there regarding Sam, as well as Daniel and Teal'c, since S9 was in first-run like what role is Carter going to play, will she be a core character, will she have substantive parts to play, will she once again be a core member of the team, and a perfect time to address issues that have continued to elicit criticism and concern and a perfect opportunity to get some insight into Carter, and Daniel and Teal'c, for S10 and what we get, once again, is vala.

Bink, I responded to your posts over in the Whingenuts thread

you know...

i'm not really sure how i feel about this interview. not from amanda's pov, but that i'm having a horrible time accepting this *new* show and it's new ppl. because i don't like the statis of the *new* team... i know i've complained about mitchell not fitting in, and that season 9's team wasn't a team at all, and that i'm having MAJOR issues with sam not leading it solo... i don't know if 'fixing' mitchell or fixing the team dynamics is going to work with me. it might, but i don't know if i can *ever* deal with sam not being solo leader of the team anymore. so the team dynamics... will it 'ever' be a team to me again? and i'm not just talking about jack being gone, but that now *2* ppl are going to be there and give sam/daniel/teal'c even less time to own that team....






sally

Sally, I agree with you wholeheartedly.

But as always, Amanda was a class act (even though none of the questions really dealt with Sam to a great degree) in the interview, and I think we have to take her at her word since we have no reason not too.

The interview just reinforced to me again how she approaches these things - proactive and positive (look at the Janet/Sam thing which she's trying to do with Sam/Vala) to try to get the result that she wants. I agree with Deevil - she's a true class act.

AT makes me ashamed of my negative feelings and reactions to how things played out in Season 9 - and to how they are apparently continuing in Season 10. A part of me has walked minigeek's 'plank of hope', and I am hoping that it's going to turn out that Carter is given sole command of SG-1 (even though she doesn't have to be the lead character that takes 90% of the cool heroics and storylines). And a really small part of me has walked the treacherous and creaky plank of hope that Mitchell is busted back to Major. Hey - it's not *just* emotion speaking here... it could make a wonderfully meaty storyling for Mitchell's character - they could write an episode where Mitchell disobeys orders, doing what he thought was right (and heroic), but it turns out that he didn't have all of the information - and his decision and actions were ultimately detrimental. Written correctly, he wouldn't be a fool or an idiot, he'd be a guy who was trying to do the right thing - and it didn't pan out the way that he thought it would. It would lend angst and drama and depth to his character.

Long, creaky, shakey, thin plank of hope. Stop shaking my twig! Hey, you with the hacksaw - back away!

And you know what guys, those spoilers do suck somewhat from a Sam loving perspective, but you never know

Spoiler:

the new spinoff just might be about Sam afterall.. I mean the puzzle pieces are lining up in a way that fits. Could be a giant leap, but it's keeping me optimistic. We have a con with AT & RDA with a name we're not allowed to know yet. We have talk of a movie and another spinoff.. so to me it's not outside the realm of possibility that some of this is going to come together in Carter's favour. Could be wrong, but that's what my gut says.

Oh, look Deevil's on the long, creaky, shaking plank too! Uh oh... I don't know if it can handle the...<Cr-r-r--a-a-ck-k-k>....

P.S., Is it just me or does she seem much more ramped up about the show and her role in it? Like she's experiencing a renewed vigor? Like she knows stuff we don't and is genuinely excited about what's going to happen?

Is it just me then?

Oh okay.

And Uber too??!!! Uber??? Really??? Ermm... got any duct-tape? We need to bolster this branch...

[astrogeologist]

I think there were some words gone awry in there, PR, but I think I caught your drift. In any event, wasn't it the case that O'Neill was NOT a pilot when the series began, then he suddenly had pilots wings later on? (Whereas dialogue in the very first episode established that Carter was indeed a pilot, even if the props department got it wrong.)

That's how I understood things, too, DEM. In the original movie there weren't even any hints at O'Neill being a pilot. But later, in the series, he had to be the cool jet-jockey all-around air-force hero. I was always blown away by the seeming double-standard; that is, folks would pick on Sam as being presented as too good at too many things, but then Jack's repertoire just grew and grew - and it was apparently OK, because he was the main male hero of the show. He was the ultimate Black Ops hero soldier, later he becomes a top-notch pilot/jet-jockey, they throw in the motorcycle in a throw away line in Season 9 (cuz he's manly, of course, he's got one too), he's the Asgard's hope for the future of their race (and they clone him and put a marker in his genes), he's got the rare Ancient gene, he's a marksman of sniper caliber... anything I've left out?

[astrogeologist]

An F16 is a Falcon actually and like the F15 Eagle can be a one or two seater depending on the model. So It's still open as to whether Sam is a pilot or 2nd seat. This is just from memory, I'm not at home this weekend so I don't have all my neat bookmarks to quickly check stuff out.

In Season 8's Covenant, Sam flies front seat and takes over the controls at one point (to prevent then from augering a hole into the ground at the hands of the rich playboy).

[Lizlove]

In Season 8's Covenant, Sam flies front seat and takes over the controls at one point (to prevent then from augering a hole into the ground at the hands of the rich playboy).

Yeah but that's normal. I mean the rich playboy doesn't know the bird as good as Sam does. But that's the first time I ever saw her front seat or am I missing something like always?

That's how I understood things, too, DEM. In the original movie there weren't even any hints at O'Neill being a pilot. But later, in the series, he had to be the cool jet-jockey all-around air-force hero. I was always blown away by the seeming double-standard; that is, folks would pick on Sam as being presented as too good at too many things, but then Jack's repertoire just grew and grew - and it was apparently OK, because he was the main male hero of the show. He was the ultimate Black Ops hero soldier, later he becomes a top-notch pilot/jet-jockey, they throw in the motorcycle in a throw away line in Season 9 (cuz he's manly, of course, he's got one too), he's the Asgard's hope for the future of their race (and they clone him and put a marker in his genes), he's got the rare Ancient gene, he's a marksman of sniper caliber... anything I've left out?

Isn't Sam a marksman too? *shrugs*
What you described is typical of TV shows. The main character = THE Man = The Hero *thinks about JAG*. The women can do remarkable things too but it's rapidly forgotten. Sam is appreciated in her field because she isn't only a soldier, she's a scientist first. And that fact gives her a softer image. But you see and feel she struggled a lot with the men in the AF. Her attitude in COTG showed that clearly.
And I think it was- a period where women still were considered as background in the military. They still are now, even if not so much, but it isn't as visible anymore.
I'm sure if Sam was affected somewhere else, she still would have to face the same problems she did her whole life as an AF soldier. I'm almost sure at a 100% that some persons at the SGC still think of her as a piece of meat. Sorry for my crude words.

[astrogeologist]

One positive spin I can put on the motorcycle spoiler is that if it turns out really cheesy at least AT won't be tainted with it.

Spoiler:

That's basically been the one good things that I got out of how they orchestrated Season 9... by taking command of SG-1 away from Carter, and by taking the show away from the Big3.. and by giving it all to Browder and his new character - then the fallout flak and disappointment from those folks who weren't going to be happy with 'No Jack'... most of that fallout and blame for the Season 9 couldn't be dumped on Sam. Where it probably would have landed if they'd left Carter in charge of SG-1 and written Season 9 poorly. So... by taking command away from Carter, and by moving Sam into the background, they also moved her out of the 'target zone'. Is it just me, or does there seem to be more Sam/AT fans appearing as Season 9 developed?

has done the impossible which is to pretty much put the Sam and the Daniel fans on the same side of something

That would be along the lines of what I was feeling was happening

I think that with the way the show was in Season Nine and the way it looks like being in Season Ten, there could end up being a divide in the fandom between those who liked the "old" show and characters and the fans of the "new" show and characters since, instead of trying to integrate Mitchell and Vala into the show and providing something that everybody can enjoy, TPTB have smashed the show to smithereens and rebuilt it around their shiny new characters, virtually ignoring the old characters and their fans.

Pretty bizarre approach isn't it?

[tara3583]

Thanks guys.

Mandy - I was *really* hoping that would come across.


(Sorry, tried to post this last night with the full length bit, but the forum died right after I posted and I couldn't log in - here's the detail part now)

Wow Mini i hope Amanda gets to see this, they really are great, well done!

[ReganX]

Spoiler:

That's basically been the one good things that I got out of how they orchestrated Season 9... by taking command of SG-1 away from Carter, and by taking the show away from the Big3.. and by giving it all to Browder and his new character - then the fallout flak and disappointment from those folks who weren't going to be happy with 'No Jack'... most of that fallout and blame for the Season 9 couldn't be dumped on Sam. Where it probably would have landed if they'd left Carter in charge of SG-1 and written Season 9 poorly. So... by taking command away from Carter, and by moving Sam into the background, they also moved her out of the 'target zone'. Is it just me, or does there seem to be more Sam/AT fans appearing as Season 9 developed?

Spoiler:

I actually feel rather sorry for Ben Browder and Claudia Black - since Mitchell and Vala are the most visible changes, though not the only changes, or even the most damaging, should Season Ten be the last and end on a low note, as it looks likely to, there'll be a lot of "It all went downhill when they brought those two onto the show", which will hardly do their reputations any good.

[astrogeologist]

I see I’ve come up on a milestone post—yikes! I’m going to use the opportunity to have an unadulterated gush.

Samantha Carter--a great character. She’s brilliant yet loveable. She’s beautiful yet modest. She’s brave and selfless. She’s a kick butt warrior and totally feminine. She’s a hero.

Amanda Tapping—talent and star quality without a “star attitude.” She’s made Samantha Carter the character we know and love. She cares about her character and has made us care too. She’s made the most of sometimes small opportunities, but she cares about more than just her part of the show. She’s a class act. Thanks Ms. Tapping for many hours with a character we care so much about.

Stellar post, jckfan!

[Lizlove]

Spoiler:

I actually feel rather sorry for Ben Browder and Claudia Black - since Mitchell and Vala are the most visible changes, though not the only changes, or even the most damaging, should Season Ten be the last and end on a low note, as it looks likely to, there'll be a lot of "It all went downhill when they brought those two onto the show", which will hardly do their reputations any good.

Spoiler:

It won't be a problem for the new fans of Stargate or those that already liked Vala, BB or CB. It's mainly what some older fans are thinking, especially the Sam,Daniel and Teal'c ones. And a lot of the Jack fans aren't as 'in' the show anymore since he left.

[ReganX]

Spoiler:

It won't be a problem for the new fans of Stargate or those that already liked Vala, BB or CB. It's mainly what some older fans are thinking, especially the Sam,Daniel and Teal'c ones. And a lot of the Jack fans aren't as 'in' the show anymore since he left.

Spoiler:

I was thinking more about the casual viewers.

[Lizlove]

Spoiler:

I was thinking more about the casual viewers.

Spoiler:

Casual viewers? Well then I guess they're not as into Stargate as we are. And if they really don't like it then nothing is stopping them to not watch anymore. Personally if I don't like a show anymore then I stop watching. Or does casual viewers means something different for you?

[scarimor]

This is my first attempt at making a gif. It's not perfect, but it was fun. I hope you don't mind Scarimor, but you did such a great job with the X-302, I couldn't see re-inventing the wheel again.

Spoiler:

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! You made my F-302 spin! Superb! Loop the loop next, ok?

I'm going to put Teal'c in one of those things next - he's feeling left out

[ReganX]

Spoiler:

Casual viewers? Well then I guess they're not as into Stargate as we are. And if they really don't like it then nothing is stopping them to not watch anymore. Personally if I don't like a show anymore then I stop watching. Or does casual viewers means something different for you?

Spoiler:

People who would watch the show if it's on, but who wouldn't be chatting about it online, going to conventions, buying DVDs, etc. I'd say that the online fanbase makes up a very small percentage of the total number of people who watch the show.

[scarimor]

An F16 is a Falcon actually and like the F15 Eagle can be a one or two seater depending on the model. So It's still open as to whether Sam is a pilot or 2nd seat. This is just from memory, I'm not at home this weekend so I don't have all my neat bookmarks to quickly check stuff out.

The two seat model's for pilot training, no? Maybe you can check and clarify.