Sam Carter/Amanda Tapping Discussion/Appreciation

[scifi_girl]

yeah I know I am really loooking forward to that ep. I hardly can wait... I just hope I don't get dissapointed by it cause my hopes are to high...

i know, im crossing my fingers that i wont be disappointed. im trying to be optimistic

[kes]

Yes, it's tonight. and spoilers for Morpheus:

Spoiler:

From the Albuquerque Tribune (Albuquerque, NM): What's on tonight: Friday

By Mary-Ann McBride
July 21, 2006

The team gets very, very sleepy on "Stargate SG-1" (9 p.m., SciFi).

Nap time comes after Daniel (Michael Shanks) finds a gate address that could lead us to a powerful ancient weapon.

Earth is in desperate need of that weapon because we are seriously getting our butts whipped by the Ori. The god-impersonating baddies have invaded several more galaxies and so far there's nothing SG-1 can do about it.

SG-1 travels through the gate and discovers a village in which all the inhabitants died of a mysterious illness.

Unfortunately the team gets infected, too. Despite mainlining caffeine, they become loopy from sleep deprivation and, one by one, the unimportant members of the expedition fall into a deep sleep.

A Starbucks could make so much money on that planet.

Back on Earth, Vala (Claudia Black) undergoes a psychological evaluation to determine if she is fit to join the Stargate Command.

In a typical Vala move, she uses the Internet to cheat on her evaluation. She also tries to use her feminine wiles but is thwarted when her lies are exposed by a pesky polygraph.

Poor Vala. And here I thought she was an outstanding liar.

Cool. Thanks for the info. Cant wait to see it! Sounds pretty cool.

[SunKrux]

One of the things we also have to keep in mind is that Vala was the host for the symbiote Qetesh. According to Eqyptian mythology, Qetesh was worshipped as the goddess of sacred ecstasy and sexual pleasure. She is depicted as a naked woman standing on a lion, with the crescent moon (representing the night) on her head. She was also shown holding snakes (representing the penis) in her right hand and lotus flowers (representing the vulva) in her left. Over time she had eventually became considered an aspect of Hathor, who had by that time become a goddess of pleasure.

I think had the writers actually went back to their mythological backgrounds and written a story to delve into these aspects of Vala's past, it would have been much easier for many of us to deal with the way she behaves.

We know that Hathor was on Earth and disappeared for over 2000 years according to Stargate canon. Perhaps we will find out that after Hathor's disappearance that Qetesh actually came to Earth and lived as a Goddess for quite some time. It will be interesting to see if the writers actually delve into this sort of background for Vala tonight.

Honestly, I think having been the host for the Goddess of sexual pleasure sort of gives credence to Vala's OTT behavior. It's just really sad that they writers didn't feel that any of us really needed to get any background information in the first six episodes of season nine, perhaps then we would have shown a bit more empathy for what she has had to go through and why she behaved the way she did. Yes they gave us brief glimpses into Vala's past, but overall I think they did a poor job of trying to make us like her.

I think the writers could do an amazing episode where Vala actually opens up about her past. I just couldn't imagine her describing the things she has been forced to do as a host of Qetesh to one of the guys, but I really think Vala could open up to Sam with such detail and I think it provide Amanda and Claudia with a very emotional and touching storyline that could allow their characters to bond.

Kat - nice post and like you I think had the writers taken the time to give us even a HINT of what Vala went through as host to Quetesh, some might feel differently.

Coley - I don't think Kat's post is an excuse for the writers...but something the writers SHOULD have done. No, no woman should think that that kind of behavior is proper, but the problem is...there are women in rl who ARE like Vala of S9 and quite frankly, they have reasons for their behavior. Does it excuse it, inmho, it doesn't. Does it explain it and help others see why they behave that way, you betcha.

That's the issue at hand for the few of us who like Vala in spite of that behavior, we feel there must be a reason for WHY she was/is a sex kitten. But nooooo, the writers just shoved her and her sex kitten ways down our throats and expected (yes I do believe they expected the fans to fall in love with her) us to love her instantly. Boy were they wrong.

How does this relate to Sam, well like Kat said...I don't see Vala opening up with one of the guys about what she experienced watching from inside her body what Quetesh did. Since she knows (or should know by now) that Sam was also a host, she might try to open up to Sam. Would I want it to be easy, no that would be too quick and dirty for the writers. I want angst damnit! I want Vala and Sam to bond over the major thing they have in common, former hosts.

[SunKrux]

One thing: Vala is NOT Earth human. So applying Earth standards to her is big mistake.

I wouldn't say it's a mistake, but unfair.

[NearlyCircular]

Continuing Sky's Plot Bunny saga, problem number 2 - a possible resolution

Spoiler:

Still have to figure out how she gets into the LA ship, but let’s say she’s inside doing her Michelin Man routine when she senses naquadah. There’s an undercover Tok’ra aboard because they’ve now turned their attention to the LA in hopes of getting some of those cool Goa’uld ships for themselves. Sam enlists the Tok’ra’s help in getting out of the space suit and together they rescue Teal’c. Of course the Tok’ra dies in the attempt because they’re part of the old Stargate and should never be mentioned again.

NC

[DEM]

Continuing Sky's Plot Bunny saga, problem number 2 - a possible resolution

Spoiler:

Still have to figure out how she gets into the LA ship, but let’s say she’s inside doing her Michelin Man routine when she senses naquadah. There’s an undercover Tok’ra aboard because they’ve now turned their attention to the LA in hopes of getting some of those cool Goa’uld ships for themselves. Sam enlists the Tok’ra’s help in getting out of the space suit and together they rescue Teal’c.

Hmm...

Spoiler:

how does she enlist the Tok'Ra's help? I mean, by what means? It's been my understanding that those boots are weighted; if that's so, she wouldn't be able to walk very easily.

Of course

Spoiler:

the Tok’ra dies in the attempt because they’re part of the old Stargate and should never be mentioned again.

Heh.

[astrogeologist]

So... I've been trying to figure out why the ratings would have dropped... why folks who tuned into Season 9, wouldn't tune into Season 10? I know why I stopped watching, but I didn't watch most of Season 9 ( monitored things through spoilers and forums and waited to see if there was anything that I wanted to watch - there wasn't)... so if there were folks who actually watched most, lots of, or all of, Season 9... most of the episodes... through to the season 9 finale... why wouldn't they tune into Season 10's premiere? If you were someone who liked Season 9, why wouldn't you tune into Season 10? -- it looks to have even more of what was in Season 9...more Vala, more Ori, lots of Mitchell - and TPTB ahve stated that they wrote and/or sketched out a lot of the next season immediately after Season 9 wrapped, so it follows the same lines as Season 9...TPTB (and BB) tout Season 10 as Season TWO... so, again, if you liked Season ONE (Nine), then why not tune into Season TWO (Ten)?

I'm not trying to ridicule anything here - or be sarcastic... I am genuinely trying to figure this out. I don't understand what message the fans are sending. If they liked Season 9, why aren't they tuning into Season 10?

There's a thread discussing the Season Premiere ratings, and there it has been postulated that the season premiere of Stargate suffered from lack of advertising, but that doesn't quite do it as an explanation for me... as a loyal scifi fan, I was always aware of the general time of the year that the season premiere should show up, and once that time neared, I would look up the actual air time - ahead of time. And TV Guide and such are great at noting such things, so it's difficult for me to believe that folks were clueless that Stargate's season premiere was airing (at roughly the same time that it has in July for years).

Every time I watched a Star Trek season ending cliffhanger, I was really looking forward to the season premiere months later. Even if I knew how things were going to work out... even if I didn't actually care for their current storyline, the months of waiting always made me tune into the season premiere.

So what's going on here in StargateLand?

I know where my preferences lie... and I know how I feel about the 'new direction' of the show... and it's tempting to think that there are a lot of other fans and viewers who feel the same way that I do. But if that's so, then why did so many tune in for Season 9 (One)? And, again, where are they now?

I just don't get it. Can anyone explain this to me?

[Coley]

Kat - nice post and like you I think had the writers taken the time to give us even a HINT of what Vala went through as host to Quetesh, some might feel differently.

Coley - I don't think Kat's post is an excuse for the writers...but something the writers SHOULD have done. No, no woman should think that that kind of behavior is proper, but the problem is...there are women in rl who ARE like Vala of S9 and quite frankly, they have reasons for their behavior. Does it excuse it, inmho, it doesn't. Does it explain it and help others see why they behave that way, you betcha.

That's the issue at hand for the few of us who like Vala in spite of that behavior, we feel there must be a reason for WHY she was/is a sex kitten. But nooooo, the writers just shoved her and her sex kitten ways down our throats and expected (yes I do believe they expected the fans to fall in love with her) us to love her instantly. Boy were they wrong.

How does this relate to Sam, well like Kat said...I don't see Vala opening up with one of the guys about what she experienced watching from inside her body what Quetesh did. Since she knows (or should know by now) that Sam was also a host, she might try to open up to Sam. Would I want it to be easy, no that would be too quick and dirty for the writers. I want angst damnit! I want Vala and Sam to bond over the major thing they have in common, former hosts.

No I didn't explain myself. I didn't think Kats post was an excuse. I think the chosen host is an excuse for the writers. Sorry Kat!!

My whole point is the show and it''s runners peddled Vala as fun. I didn't see anything in the season 9 eps to point to her being a victim. The writers created her and were enjoying the ride.

I remain apalled.

If they want to change their slant in season 10 I'm all for it as I've said many many times before

[Coley]

I wouldn't say it's a mistake, but unfair.

Err if you want to get picky - the writers have already humaised her into a human male fantsy.

Why would any alien wear cleavage revealing outfits? That is a human trait, so she is already humanised. Her form is humanised. She looks human.

The mistake is on the part of thinking Vala's behaviour is fun. She virtually wiped out a whoile race of people through her own greed and selfishness, she's a thief and a liar, oh but if you flaunt your wares around and flirt and spout sexual innuendo that doesn't matter cause your fun.

[Coley]

I've posted a lot of comment about my views on season 9 in the last few days and just a small part about Vala.

Perhaps the Vala fans can post their fave Sam moments of the last 9 seasons? Come on Sunny it was your suggestion? And I apologise if you have - I have skipped a couple of pages!!

[SunKrux]

No I didn't explain myself. I didn't think Kats post was an excuse. I think the chosen host is an excuse for the writers. Sorry Kat!!

My whole point is the show and it''s runners peddled Vala as fun. I didn't see anything in the season 9 eps to point to her being a victim. The writers created her and were enjoying the ride.

I remain apalled.

If they want to change their slant in season 10 I'm all for it as I've said many many times before

Coley - sweetie you know I love ya. ((((Coley))))

I do agree that TPTB did shove the fun aspect down our throats, hence so many dislike/hate/anti towards Vala.


I hope that they realize (not that I'm holding my breath on it, mind you) that they frelled up BIG TIME and backpeddle and give us more background into explaining Vala's behavior in S9, during S10.

But you know what they say...if wishes were fishes....

[SunKrux]

Err if you want to get picky - the writers have already humaised her into a human male fantsy.

HEY! I'm on your side, remember.

Why would any alien wear cleavage revealing outfits? That is a human trait, so she is already humanised. Her form is humanised. She looks human.

The mistake is on the part of thinking Vala's behaviour is fun. She virtually wiped out a whoile race of people through her own greed and selfishness, she's a thief and a liar, oh but if you flaunt your wares around and flirt and spout sexual innuendo that doesn't matter cause your fun.

But the thing for me is that part of Vala is fun...the quirkyness and the "kid who says what everyone else is thinking". The mild flirting was fun to...but it was the CONSTANT sexual innuendo that got me...hence the "sex kitten" comments I've made.

[SunKrux]

I've posted a lot of comment about my views on season 9 in the last few days and just a small part about Vala.

Perhaps the Vala fans can post their fave Sam moments of the last 9 seasons? Come on Sunny it was your suggestion? And I apologise if you have - I have skipped a couple of pages!!

No, no, my idea was what stuff of Amanda's work would you put on her Demo reel to help her land that next BIG/GREAT job.

As for fav Sam moments of S9...

Don't remember the eps title, but Cam has gotten them all captured by the Alliance and the bad guy yakking away and either him or Cam calls Sam "Mary Poppins" and Sam's reaction...

Sam walking in the door just as Jack tells Landry that she's coming back.

Sam realizing that Orin was a kid now.

Cheesy but good...all the SAMS!


Now for her demo reel...
Again, not good with eps titles...
The eps when Sam takes Cassie down to the bowels of the SGC to leave her there because of the bomb in her...the elevator scene before she decides to go back.

The eps where they all go a little nuts from something and Sam nearly jumps Jacks bones in the locker room.

The eps when Sam is made a "wife" of some nomadic guy and fights for her freedom.

Any thing from Grace.

*eyes get all glassy and stares off into the distance because THAT kiss plays in her mind...

















I'm sorry...what was I saying?

[Coley]

I know where my preferences lie... and I know how I feel about the 'new direction' of the show... and it's tempting to think that there are a lot of other fans and viewers who feel the same way that I do. But if that's so, then why did so many tune in for Season 9 (One)? And, again, where are they now?

I just don't get it. Can anyone explain this to me?

I tuned in hoping it wouldn't be as bad as I thought it would be. I tuned in hoping there would still be something I liked to keep me watching. I hoped to see some good strong Carter moments, mainly team based eps. I tuned in hoping the Cam would be a great character and an acceptable leader of SG1. I tuned in hoping Vala wouldn't be as bad as I thought she would be, I tuned expecting some great creative writing.

I tuned out halfway through the ep which they plagarised from Star Trek TNG after being frustrated about the first 5 eps because they were totally focused on the worst character ever shown on SG1 (IMO ), after seeing that the supposed new lead of the show' had a character didn't seem to know exactly who he was about and didn't seem to be featured at all in the first 5 eps, after seeing Daniels character reduced from a sensitive, intelligent soul who would be captivated by someone as innocent as Sha're to someone who can't help himself over Vala. I tuned out seeing nothing of Sam which would interest me in her character at all if I was a first time viewer, etc etc etc!!

[NearlyCircular]

Hmm...

Spoiler:

how does she enlist the Tok'Ra's help? I mean, by what means? It's been my understanding that those boots are weighted; if that's so, she wouldn't be able to walk very easily.

Hey! Do I have to figure it all out myself? I thought this was a group effort. Or maybe we're all so used to plot holes that I figured no one would notice.

Still,

Spoiler:

thanks to you, now I have an old song running through my head, (Nancy Sinatra's only hit, I believe) "These boots are made for walking and that's just what they'll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you."

Ok, how about this. During the attack, the LA ship lost its artificial gravity, although ag is another of those "minor" things that never gets mentioned in Stargate. So Sam's weighted boots are actually an advantage.

NC