Sam Carter/Amanda Tapping Discussion/Appreciation

[KatG]

Speaking of Jonas (slightly off topic), there is a pole on GW. His fans are trying to get him back.

In the words of President Hayes "Never going to happen." Something went on behind the scenes with that whole situation, and whatever it was it wasn't good. Sadly I don't think Jonas stands a chance.

[the dancer of spaz]

In the words of President Hayes "Never going to happen." Something went on behind the scenes with that whole situation, and whatever it was it wasn't good. Sadly I don't think Jonas stands a chance.

Nope. Jonas (and Corin) was a victim of politics.

[Lizlove]

Robbed is right. I've read that TPTB had wanted BB for a long time. (I've got nothing against BB, this is a mini rant to TPTB) So they finally get him. AT is conveniently off having a baby. Instead of holding her and her character's rightful position, they give it away. Amanda has invested years of her life to the show! Her character worked hard and deserved to (still)lead. But they needed to have BB. They just had to have him! I almost feel like they've kick Amanda to the curb. I know they haven't-she's still on the show and doing a great job with what she's been given. But talk about a lack of respect.

I don't really think it's a lack of respect, more of a lack of imagination. When they had BB they imediatly thought about what they could do with a new character and they forgot the others by doing that. They simply don't know what to do with the oldies anymore because they feel they evoluated a lot during the last decade and don't need any adding of 'personality'. So why not put all the energy on the newbie? It's easier than to come up with some more background for Sam. A shame, really!

[jckfan55]

Aw. Looks like you need some lurve.

Spoilers for Off Topic Content Meant to Make jckfan (and me) SMILE:

Spoiler:

Positively Therapeutic!

[L.A. Doyle]

I don't really think it's a lack of respect, more of a lack of imagination. When they had BB they imediatly thought about what they could do with a new character and they forgot the others by doing that. They simply don't know what to do with the oldies anymore because they feel they evoluated a lot during the last decade and don't need any adding of 'personality'. So why not put all the energy on the newbie? It's easier than to come up with some more background for Sam. A shame, really!

While I do think they aren't respecting her character or AT as much as they should, given what she's contributed to the show, I definitely see a lack of creativity too.

[Uber]

Positively Therapeutic!

They kinda key in on the big ol' honkin' hole we sense in the character interactions, don't they?

[Lizlove]

While I do think they aren't respecting her character or AT as much as they should, given what she's contributed to the show, I definitely see a lack of creativity too.

Well the forgetting others is interpreted as a lack of respect. It just isn't really concious on their part. At least I hope so *frowns*
Sam desserves much more, just like AT who literally devoted herself for a decade to her personage. More than anyone should have done.

[Tok'Ra Hostess]

Well that is my believe to...I also don't think anything else that the glowing thing happened. Ok they shared some great moments with eachother...They had a great friendship going on with eachother but nothing more than that...Ok Orlin did have some feelings for Sam and Sam liked him very much and maybe within time she might actually have loved him. But for me that was it, nothing more

Spoiler:

And what Landry implied is just not true, it can not be true, cause if it was we must had some evidence in the ep. Assencion but there was nothing there... You can not see anything in the ep. and we only know it because Landry said it in the Fourth hourseman.

Anybody remember the timeline between Sam and Orlin's walk in the park and her confrontation with Simmons? That's the only possible time span when these two could have gotten "intimate."

So, from "You like me, I can tell," to "intimate." Anyone wanna walk us through that?

[Tok'Ra Hostess]

So, it could be a question of point of view...

Spoilers for S9 Fourth Horseman

Spoiler:

If Martin Wood sees that as a sex scene, it would explain Landry's reaction...

Personaly, I didn't see it as a sex scene...

D'uh! Tell me about it!

"There is no "us," Orlin," says it all, for me.

[KatG]

Yup, ssshhhhhaaaallllooooow.

Gawd! I never used to be so negative about the show. It's just... so... frustrating to see such interesting concepts so poorly realized.

I prefer Atlantis to SG-1 now precisely because, in amongst all the action and SFX and stuff, the main cast actually get to react to each other.

I think the pools draining myself.

[RepliCartertje]

Ok for what it is worth my views on things:

Spoiler:

I don't think it was a lack of creativity or it wasn't even disrespectfull against AT...It was just a lack of time and a lack of ep. IMO
they had to deal with a lot of new characters...and that is never easy. especially cause IMO they knew that there would be fans who wouldn't like the changes that were unavoidable. I mean with RDA gone they had to have at least a new General. And maybe also again a 4 teammember. And with AT going for a few ep. they also needed a 4 teammember again and the preference was a woman. So they came up with it and while they were at it they also thought a regular doc would be nice. so that makes a lot of new characters that the fans didn't know about. And the rest of the characters already had a backstorie. So in their oppinion, they needed to give the rest also a backstorie. So that is what they did. I mean the relationship between Landry and Cam: I mean that was totally unnecessary but that makes them more human and the fans can better relate to them.
Than we get to know Vala and what she was...and how she still is.
Also Cam has his share of his personal life...
So not much time left for the old characters to let them have their backstorie. I think if there were more eps or more time for every ep. We wouldn't have that problem. I really don't think TPTB did it on purpose. they just want the explore the other characters to, and because we don't know a thing about them they tried to do it as quick as possible. So instead of just giving some hints about it they focussed on it...On their backstories. and that is why IMO stargate has so much changed. Because of the fact that it became more of the Cam/Vala/Landry/Lam show.
And I think with season 10 we have more change of that not being the case anymore because we know a lot about the new teammembers. So they just fit in like the rest of the team. they don't need that attention anymore.

[L.A. Doyle]

Ok for what it is worth my views on things:

Spoiler:

I don't think it was a lack of creativity or it wasn't even disrespectfull against AT...It was just a lack of time and a lack of ep. IMO
they had to deal with a lot of new characters...and that is never easy. especially cause IMO they knew that there would be fans who wouldn't like the changes that were unavoidable. I mean with RDA gone they had to have at least a new General. And maybe also again a 4 teammember. And with AT going for a few ep. they also needed a 4 teammember again and the preference was a woman. So they came up with it and while they were at it they also thought a regular doc would be nice. so that makes a lot of new characters that the fans didn't know about. And the rest of the characters already had a backstorie. So in their oppinion, they needed to give the rest also a backstorie. So that is what they did. I mean the relationship between Landry and Cam: I mean that was totally unnecessary but that makes them more human and the fans can better relate to them.
Than we get to know Vala and what she was...and how she still is.
Also Cam has his share of his personal life...
So not much time left for the old characters to let them have their backstorie. I think if there were more eps or more time for every ep. We wouldn't have that problem. I really don't think TPTB did it on purpose. they just want the explore the other characters to, and because we don't know a thing about them they tried to do it as quick as possible. So instead of just giving some hints about it they focussed on it...On their backstories. and that is why IMO stargate has so much changed. Because of the fact that it became more of the Cam/Vala/Landry/Lam show.
And I think with season 10 we have more change of that not being the case anymore because we know a lot about the new teammembers. So they just fit in like the rest of the team. they don't need that attention anymore.

You have some good points there.

But what I mean is the whole leadership issue, the new lead thing... They take it away from someone who has worked so hard for 8 years, both actress and character. It's like me working my butt off at my job and then, say, I have an accident and have to leave. I come back, but someone with no experience has my job. I'm expected to work under this person and be happy with it. Or being with a company for years and maybe that promotion is right there, but so-and-so from another company downtown waltzes right in and takes what I deserve. It would hurt and definitely make me think I wasn't valued. Not only do I feel for Amanda, I do for MS and CJ as well.

They didn't HAVE to get 3 or 4 new characters. They chose to. And they shouldn't have taken on more than they could handle.

Oh, I'm being negative tonight. I'm sorry! Maybe I'll go watch ITLOD and be happy. Very, very happy.

[RepliCartertje]

You have some good points there.

But what I mean is the whole leadership issue, the new lead thing... They take it away from someone who has worked so hard for 8 years, both actress and character. It's like me working my butt off at my job and then, say, I have an accident and have to leave. I come back, but someone with no experience has my job. I'm expected to work under this person and be happy with it. Or being with a company for years and maybe that promotion is right there, but so-and-so from another company downtown waltzes right in and takes what I deserve. It would hurt and definitely make me think I wasn't valued. Not only do I feel for Amanda, I do for MS and CJ as well.

They didn't HAVE to get 3 or 4 new characters. They chose to. And they shouldn't have taken on more than they could handle.

Oh, I'm being negative tonight. I'm sorry! Maybe I'll go watch ITLOD and be happy. Very, very happy.

Spoiler:

No I get your point of view totally but I just try to give a positive spin on everything. as for the leadership issue...well that is something totally different. I mean I still can not understand why Sam didn't protest against it, ok I know she can't but she always could show her feeling about it against Teal'c or Daniel...but she never did that. But on the other hand she was in area 51 and didn't think she would be back to SG1, so they looked for the best man for the job of leading SG1 and they choose Mitchell because of all he has been through in Antarctica...It was more like a reward, a little present for him. So he had his own team...but there was no one in it so he went looking for some teammembers and at the end he only found the original members. and IMO I don't think Sam intended (sp?) to stay on SG1 forever it just happened. So I think that explains Mitchell as the leader and not Sam. Cause IMO she wanted to go back to area 51 after beachead but than she saw that is was really serious so she didn't do that and stayed with SG1. By that time they could not change leader anymore so it stayed like it was. And Mitchell became the leader and Sam didn't
And as much as we don't like it maybe that is why Mitchell is the leader. And if you look at it in that way...maybe it is a logical thing that has happened. And I don't say that TPTB were right by doing it like that but it is totally understandable.

ooh and have fun watching ITLOD...that is one of Amanda's greatest acting work!!! I really love her in that ep. Especially when she is talking to jack...

[astrogeologist]

Spoiler:

I understand what you are saying Astro, but by not giving any explanation at all it just confirms that Carter wasn't worth their time to come up with a solid reason for her absense. Nor was she worth it to write a storyline justifying her demotion to a 2IC position.

When Michael left the show in S6, we were giving an explanation as to what happened to Daniel. An entire episode revolved around his injury, his death, his ascension, and his teammates loss. We continued to see him throughout season six and when Michael returned they spent several episodes explaining what had happened to his character. When Corin left the show, they again wrote several episodes explaining what happened to Jonas.

However for Sam, even though she was gone for nearly two months, all we were given were a couple of lines of dialogue. No grand story. No worry or concern. No fallout. Just a couple of little lines in the first episode to explain where Sam had gone and then an "Oh hi Sam", when she finally returned in Beachhead. I understand you feel that by putting a voice to what happened on the show that it shows that Sam was not worthy of command, but in my opinion by not giving some sort of explanation they are basically saying Sam was not worthy period. Forget the leadership issue. We all know it will never be changed. Whether it was sexist or not. Whether we agree with it or not, I seriously doubt the writers will ever remove Mitchell from his position as leader and why would they?

They've managed to totally ignore the fact that Sam was gone for nearly two months and they even managed to take an episode that should have celebrated the return of Sam and turned it into one that glorified Vala. They completely ignored the fact that she was once the leader of SG-1 or refused to even hint that Daniel and Teal'c still respected and supported her. In fact, Sam's been written to show absolutely no interest or concern for her old position at all. So why on earth would the writers even attempt to make Sam leader of SG-1 again?

One can say that's it's all about timing. They didn't have time to write a decent explanation regarding Sam because they were forced to introduce a whole new enemy. Well you know what? We had five freaking episodes with Daniel and Vala that really told me very little about the Ori other than the fact that they are the new bad guys.

Spoiler:

Now we know that Michael will be away four episodes this year due to family leave and from what I have read the writers haven't simply written him out of the storyline line with no explanation. We won't simply hear from one of the guys that Daniel is off on a special archeological dig. No from what I have read they have written the storyline around his absense so that Daniel's absense has purpose and I can almost guarantee you when Daniel finally does return he will be welcomed back to SG-1 in the position he had before he left and the characters will show an interest in what happened to him.

In the meantime, the writers will continue to rewrite Sam's life in order to make her appear even more unworthy of the position she once had on SG-1. They will continue to dumb her down and put her in situations where instead of saving the day, she will be the one in need of saving and they will continue to ignore all the important things that made Sam such a great character. Because in my mind, they just don't consider her worthy of their time any longer. They really don't know what to do with her character anymore.

So while I completely understand what you are saying Astro, I don't agree with it. Because in my opinion, Sam might as well have been invisible for the past two years because that is the way they have treated the character. They have overlooked every wonderful quality she used to have and ignored her as if she were invisible. And as long as the writers continue to ignore all these aspects about Sam, then she will continue to be invisible and unworthy.

Actually I agree with just about everything you said. Everything except for wanting to see them provide a canon rationalization for writing Sam out of command (because that validates it). That's the only thing I disagree with. The rest of what you said - I think you nailed it!

ETA: And I like your description of MS's absence and how it was handled - because that's part of why I expected such a great storyline to come out of AT's absence. I really thought they were going to come up with something... well.. *really* supercool. Unbelievable how boring the reality turned out to be - such a non-event. You stated that very, very well.

[L.A. Doyle]

Spoiler:

No I get your point of view totally but I just try to give a positive spin on everything. as for the leadership issue...well that is something totally different. I mean I still can not understand why Sam didn't protest against it, ok I know she can't but she always could show her feeling about it against Teal'c or Daniel...but she never did that. But on the other hand she was in area 51 and didn't think she would be back to SG1, so they looked for the best man for the job of leading SG1 and they choose Mitchell because of all he has been through in Antarctica...It was more like a reward, a little present for him. So he had his own team...but there was no one in it so he went looking for some teammembers and at the end he only found the original members. and IMO I don't think Sam intended (sp?) to stay on SG1 forever it just happened. So I think that explains Mitchell as the leader and not Sam. Cause IMO she wanted to go back to area 51 after beachead but than she saw that is was really serious so she didn't do that and stayed with SG1. By that time they could not change leader anymore so it stayed like it was. And Mitchell became the leader and Sam didn't
And as much as we don't like it maybe that is why Mitchell is the leader. And if you look at it in that way...maybe it is a logical thing that has happened. And I don't say that TPTB were right by doing it like that but it is totally understandable.

Makes sense. But still, wouldn't it also make sense to put the person who knows what's going on in charge if she's available? Someone with experience?