Sam Carter/Amanda Tapping Discussion/Appreciation

[KatG]

About that leadership talk Landry and Mitchell are gonna have:

You know how the PTB are always acknowledging the opinions of the fans with cute little references here and there in the show?

Well.

Anyone here remember the very first line of dialogue spoken by our new fearless leader(Landry)?

Anyone? Anyone?

It was "Cocky sons of a *****es! Marines. I've never liked them."

Right away that put me off Landry. This is the man entrusted with the lives of servicemen?

Anyways.

What if The PTB use the canon intolerance of Landry to give a nod to... well, maybe not a nod, per se, more like, give the finger to the fans by having him admit to Mitchell that women are all right, and that Carter is exceptional at what she does, but that he'd never put a woman in command -just not natural, blah blah, use the ***** word, etc.

I mean, if that's how the PTB really feel about women....

Oy Gracie. What a thought. I sure as heck hope they don't do that, because it just might be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

[KatG]

Sally, of course I wasn't at shoreleave, but the gist I got from several of the reports I read afterward was that this was an ongoing (as in current) issue. Something to the effect of Amanda feeling that they needed to either do something (as in get those two together) or not do something (as in resolve it to the negative).

One way or the other, there needs to be a decision, because as long as they drag out a half-baked 'what if' scenario, then each time it's brought up in canon, Sam (the character) loses a bit of her integrity because she's portrayed as being angsty and indecisive. She loses strength by being forced into a melodramatic corner and it's OOC for Sam to not know what she wants at this point.

It would seem that Amanda would rather the writers made a definitive choice (one way or the other) and made that choice clear so that Carter would no longer be portrayed as weak and irresolute each time the issue of her feelings for Jack (or his for her) emerged.

I think Amanda would stand behind either decision, frankly, she'd make it work for Sam, but it definitely seems that she (Amanda) would prefer that Sam was able to move forward and away from the perpetual and (perhaps even frustrating) mawkish limbo they keep hammering on where Sam and Jack are concerned.

I would be so bold as to imagine that shippers and non shippers alike would even agree on that point, too.

The old euphemism: " $$$$ or get off the pot. " most definitely applies!

mg

I agree. I wasn't at Shore Leave either, but that's what I'm getting from the reports. And at this point as much as I would love Sam/Jack to get together, I'd be happy just to see settled one way or the other.

[KatG]

omg, don't give them ideas! i really, REALLY hope one of the writers isn't a fan of baywatch...





seasons 1-6: prime rib, with the works.
seasons 7-8: steak and potatoes.
season 9: mcdonald's happy meal. (with the toys being the bend-her-anyway-you-like vala action figure, and the hero-at-large/super fighter! mitchell action figure)

i want prime rib.






sally

At this point, I'd be happy with steak and potatos.

[minigeek]

omg, don't give them ideas! i really, REALLY hope one of the writers isn't a fan of baywatch...

Oh come on. I fully expect to see RDA as a featured panelist on the very next episode of: "America's Got Kewl Skillz". WHY NOT?

[Gate gal]

Yeah. That sucks. Personally, I think someone should have asked her whether Teryl was a better kisser than Claudia, I mean I know *I* have always wondered about that... Oh well.

Oh, you are so bad!

[starprops]

I know exactly which ep you are talking about (although don't ask me the title of it) - and I agree wholeheartedly. When I think of Janeway, the images from that episodes are the ones that pop into my head!

I think the Voyager episode you described was called, "Macrocosm"...

[the dancer of spaz]

Tony Amendola was interviewed by M Reed of Eclipse Magazine, too...

Tony Amendola made his first Stargate: SG-1 appearance as Master Bra’tac in the season one episode ‘Bloodlines’. EM asked Amendola what he remembers most about that very first time on the set of Stargate: SG-1.

"When you first come on the set of a series as a guest star, it’s sort of difficult because you are like the new kid on the block,” Amendola says, but then his face lights up with a smile as he remembers his first meeting with actress Amanda Tapping who plays series regular Lieutenant Colonel (then Captain) Samantha Carter. “Amanda was sort of the welcome wagon and was very nice.”

...

Dude. I was (sort of) kidding yesterday when I said we should do a tally of how many guest stars, co-stars, etc. say these kinds of things, but now... I'm beginning to wonder.



EDIT: And I know I always bring it up, but I just broke 3700 posts.

[minigeek]

EDIT: And I know I always bring it up, but I just broke 3700 posts.

Congrats, Spazzy! Way to have 3700 things to say!

[the dancer of spaz]

Congrats, Spazzy! Way to have 3700 things to say!

And half of them were kinda deep! Beyond the "Well saids!" and the "I totally agrees!" of course.

[minigeek]

And half of them were kinda deep! Beyond the "Well saids!" and the "I totally agrees!" of course.

I totally agree. Well said!!

What?
I need to get to 2000 posts so I can make my own avatar, dammit.





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[Coley]

I see there has been a lot of discussion on the leadership issue and season 9 and 10. A lot of great comment and interesting discussion!

There is no doubt about it the people who brought on board CB and BB in their current character guise have made a bit of a howler (IMO). I sort of think that Cooper was thinking about creating his new show when he signed them both.

The signing of both these stars together to me smacks of relying on the actors to make a show rather than creative writing and great acting. It would have made more sense to have one or the other, but 2 direct from Farscape smacks of grabbing in a desperate plea to make something a success.

Anyway grab for BB got BB now write a character for him – the lead character as well. It seems that was probably decided way back in season 8 – (that Sam wouldn’t lead when RDA finally left).

That was the big mistake. Grab and actor then quickly write a character – for an ongoing SG1 series. They have failed to create a lead character that fits the actor or fits the show (IMO) they had to make him a super hero – to account for the fact that he would lead the team above Sam. But BB is not RDA – How do you follow the character of O’Neill – make him the same (the best leader in SGC worthy of leading SG1), but different enough to make it interesting – that is what they have struggled with and where they have failed. It would have been far easier to write a new part – such as a new member of SG1 – the character could then have been so many things – a clown, brave, snarky, a renegade, a loner, an expert – he could have had so many edges to shape into the show and to round over time – and to jazz the audience. Oh but that would have left a female in charge – couldn’t have that now could we!!

The character Mitchell is a huge disappointment to me. He is just a nothing – So far.

To add to the “hero” status he suddenly in one episode acquired specialist fighting skills, skills which took Teal’c the best part of his long life to acquire – a bit too convenient if you ask me and a bit too teenage boyish for me to take an interest. The one liners on the whole are also going down a more immature route.

For me it would have been better for Mitchell to be totally the other way. Very serious, very precise, very focused and very strict. (But not unlikable). That way they could have shown him easing up over time – and Sam being surprised that there was someone in the SGC more serious about the job than her.

The same is true of Claudia. I think they rushed into the Vala character eyes wide shut. They will struggle getting her to fit into the team how she was portrayed in season 9 - unless they want to make a complete ass out of Stargate Command – and the US Air Force for that matter. But if they change her too much, perhaps the new fanboys who like to turn on the telly and see sci fi mixed with cleavage will turn to another show – they really have captured the fickle market with Mitchell and Vala.

They have also thus backed themselves into a corner with Sam. They knew how to write an SG1 ep with the big 3 and a strong Carter. But now there is Mitchell – who is the lead, plus Beau B and other characters to bring into the mix. I just don’t think they know how to write Sam into the shows anymore. Maybe that is what they meant when they said we don’t know what to do with Sam. How do you write for her not being a big part of the show? They have really upset the apple cart!!

It is sad, but it is done. Maybe they will make a better job of things in season 10. But hearing that there is not too much “team” in the new series already leaves me totally disinterested and even more unwilling to pick up my season 9 eps and finish watching them!

The writers should have sat down and thought about potential characters for a long time before they made any changes and introduced new lead characters. Then cast for the appropriate actor. You never know – they may have got a bigger name than BB interested.

For me SG1 is ruined – totally ruined and I haven’t enjoyed the season 9 eps I have watched. Others will like it – and that is fine by me. It just isn’t the sort of show I’m interested in.

[Rachel500]

I see there has been a lot of discussion on the leadership issue and season 9 and 10. A lot of great comment and interesting discussion!

There is no doubt about it the people who brought on board CB and BB in their current character guise have made a bit of a howler (IMO). I sort of think that Cooper was thinking about creating his new show when he signed them both.

The signing of both these stars together to me smacks of relying on the actors to make a show rather than creative writing and great acting. It would have made more sense to have one or the other, but 2 direct from Farscape smacks of grabbing in a desperate plea to make something a success.

Anyway grab for BB got BB now write a character for him – the lead character as well. It seems that was probably decided way back in season 8 – (that Sam wouldn’t lead when RDA finally left).

That was the big mistake. Grab and actor then quickly write a character – for an ongoing SG1 series. They have failed to create a lead character that fits the actor or fits the show (IMO) they had to make him a super hero – to account for the fact that he would lead the team above Sam. But BB is not RDA – How do you follow the character of O’Neill – make him the same (the best leader in SGC worthy of leading SG1), but different enough to make it interesting – that is what they have struggled with and where they have failed. It would have been far easier to write a new part – such as a new member of SG1 – the character could then have been so many things – a clown, brave, snarky, a renegade, a loner, an expert – he could have had so many edges to shape into the show and to round over time – and to jazz the audience. Oh but that would have left a female in charge – couldn’t have that now could we!!

The character Mitchell is a huge disappointment to me. He is just a nothing – So far.

To add to the “hero” status he suddenly in one episode acquired specialist fighting skills, skills which took Teal’c the best part of his long life to acquire – a bit too convenient if you ask me and a bit too teenage boyish for me to take an interest. The one liners on the whole are also going down a more immature route.

For me it would have been better for Mitchell to be totally the other way. Very serious, very precise, very focused and very strict. (But not unlikable). That way they could have shown him easing up over time – and Sam being surprised that there was someone in the SGC more serious about the job than her.

The same is true of Claudia. I think they rushed into the Vala character eyes wide shut. They will struggle getting her to fit into the team how she was portrayed in season 9 - unless they want to make a complete ass out of Stargate Command – and the US Air Force for that matter. But if they change her too much, perhaps the new fanboys who like to turn on the telly and see sci fi mixed with cleavage will turn to another show – they really have captured the fickle market with Mitchell and Vala.

They have also thus backed themselves into a corner with Sam. They knew how to write an SG1 ep with the big 3 and a strong Carter. But now there is Mitchell – who is the lead, plus Beau B and other characters to bring into the mix. I just don’t think they know how to write Sam into the shows anymore. Maybe that is what they meant when they said we don’t know what to do with Sam. How do you write for her not being a big part of the show? They have really upset the apple cart!!

<snipped for space>.

I personally think Mitchell could be a good character if they wrote him better. They swing from him saving the day (usually at the expense of an est character and not just Sam) to acting so inexperinced/rash that it makes you wonder why he has the leadership. He hasn't been a 'nothing' to me; for me his characterisation has just been confused. I hope they write him better in S10. Certainly BB deserves better.

I also hope they write better for Sam too in S10. I think they struggled with the new dynamic in S9 because of the idea of creating a Stargate Command series rather than an SG1 series. If you move to an ensemble cast of 7-8 its difficult to give everyone equal air time and ultimately one or two favoured characters by the writers get the lions share. (see Trek for details).

I don't think it helped that AT was out in the first part of the Season (although I wouldn't deny her her maternity leave); they struggled with reintegrating Sam in S9 and I truly think if Sam had been around from the beginning of S9, we would have had an entirely different Season.

[WhatFateAlmondRoca]

I totally agree. Well said!!

What?
I need to get to 2000 posts so I can make my own avatar, dammit.





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Go, Mini!

[Skydiver]

i've said it too many times and i'll say it again, MAJOR mitchell would have pretty much fixed all the issues folks seem to have with cam.

a green, newly minted major would have the enthusiasm and sense of adventure. he'd have that wide eyed enjoyment. he'd make mistakes (hey, sam's made her share) and he'd learn from them

Major mitchell could have JOINED the team and fit right in.

Lt Col Hewo sticks out like a sore thumb.

[WhatFateAlmondRoca]

Oh, thanks for reminding me. A preteen (girl) got up there and asked how many boyfriends Sam has had... And no, I'm not kidding. AT seemed to struggle, got some help from the audience, but in the end, I believe she said, "I don't know."

That's when I actually started to get a little annoyed. I wasn't so much annoyed with the young teen who seemed to be asking a question of a woman she admired; but I was annoyed at the fact that it's really gone so far.

I think that somewhat speaks to what Amanda was saying about the unresolved 'playing at ship', if you will, being a distraction. You save the world, blow up suns, get the Stargate to work, host a Tok'Ra and bazillion other amazing things and all people want to know is 'how many boyfriends', 'how many kids' and other stuff. I remember sitting in a new group of people and we were going around talking about ourselves. I talked about everything I have going and then the room was silent. Group moderator said, "anyone have any questions for her?" One woman asked "do you have children???" I was annoyed, the moderator was annoyed. It was annoying.

Annoying because its more about 'how do you resemble ME and what I think women are about' versus wow let me take this opportunity to discover all the facets of who you are including human relationships, intellect, challenges in the workplace, family dynamics and all the other things that make a person a person (and therefore a character a character). People get fixated on one thing and neglect to see the whole picture and they can miss out.

I do agree with those who have said '$$$ or get off the pot already'. Its a part of who Sam is and playing at it and playing it up (at times) and failing to resolve it *could* somewhat distract from the rest of what Sam Carter is all about. I personally see it as an underdeveloped poorly played at aspect of the character of Sam Carter. Failing to develop it naturally results in people 'taking it too far' because dangit! People Want To Know Already!

They need women writers! Did I mention that?