Samantha Carter: Mary Sue or Role Model?

[campylobacter]

In the same mimetic vein as the entry posted by fanfic author & friend lolmac Looking for Daniel in all the right places wherein she asks for advice from "ardent Jacksonians" about how to write Daniel, and what's good or bad in the way he's depicted in canon & in fanfic, I'm asking the Samantha-stans, Carter-istas, Sam-fanatics & Stargate fans on my F-List (anons, too!):

How do you write Sam Carter in character?

I've been STUCK on TWO fan fiction stories in which I can't resist writing from this amazing military astrophysicist's PoV, but am having major anxiety that I might get her wrong.

1. What is it about Sam that you love?
2. What makes you squee?
3. What do you most love to see her do?
4. What are the elements of a Sam story that you love the most?
5. What do you really like seeing her do in fic? On the show? Both?
6. What is the most epic of Sam WIN?
7. What annoys and pisses you off when you see it in fan fiction?
8. What are the stupid/shallow/careless misinterpretations of Sam that must be avoided?
9. What qualifies as Sam!Fail?
10. Any other pointers, tips, criticisms, & pet peeves also welcome!

RELATED: Meta: The Evolution of Samantha Carter (or Why I Love Sam) by rachel500
http://rachel500.livejournal.com/165064.html

Comments

Re: sam, sam, the sunshine woman - 1/2

[campylobacter.livejournal.com]

lololol YOU ARE JUST INVITING TROUBLE.
I collect trolls. Because I am one. ;D

she's really quite introverted
That's true; Sam's more than happy to let Daniel step forward & greet newcomers & aliens, to not speak until spoken to (military culture), and to party down with a side science project (or vintage motorcycle) during her downtime.

Strong Female Character who Talks Tough and Hits Hard....silly stereotype
I have serious issues when people say "strong female character", because it presupposes that females are not, by default, "strong". SEE: The Betty White quote http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lslx524zXM1qaqni4o1_500.jpg

One of my favorite "Sam in command" moments is in "Spirits" when she's leading SG-1 in Jack's absence, and makes sarcastic quips such as "My, what big eyes you have". Just as Jack would. asdfghjkl;

getting flustered the first time Vala tells her she's hot hohohoho
HAAA! Or her reaction when Janet says "libidinous" in Hathor. uuuhhhhhhhnnngg

puts her fear aside to get the job done
Aw man, that penultimate scene in "2001" where she's all "if I cut this rope, I might survive, but with a broken spine, so here it goes anyway". *glomps her with snuggles when she rolls down the ramp*

competent!Sam wouldn't be a stretch in terms of others' writing; some people have some, uh, creative ideas about Sam's character
Yeah, because all the times in canon when she's NOT competent... um. Er. When she's unconscious? There's that fanon trope that she can't cook for shit. (But she CAN bake Cam his macaroons!)

Cuddle with Teal'c
Because I kinda started watching SG-1 backwards (Unending got me hooked, so I viewed S9&10 before going back to S1 to watch in order) Sam/Teal'c is my 1st het ship for her. <3

she's done being jerked around and signals this by ramming a guy's head into a car door
Or in Foothold: "Maybourne, you are an idiot every day of the week, why couldn't you have just taken one day off?!" *swoon*

Re: sam, sam, the sunshine woman - 1/2

[franthewndrhrse.livejournal.com]

The Betty White quote was super fantabulous.