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 - 2/2

[gingasaur.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't believe how many "Why I don't get S/J" posts I've read where people talk about Scorched Earth as some bastion of Sam's clouded judgment. It's not even close to being a fair example because of exactly what you said: Jack gave her a direct order. If she disobeys, then she's an incompetent officer. If she obeys, then apparently she's still an incompetent officer. You can't just wave around a lose/lose situation and call it irrefutable. Plus, yes, it's pretty evident how vehemently she disagrees.

You have to wonder why no blame gets placed with Jack for ordering to kill Daniel, but wait, no you don't. It all comes down to people looking for reasons to hate Sam. So it's like, let me see if I've got this right: she's too perfect, and therefore needs to make more mistakes. But hang on, she's also "pining" and therefore needs to never make any mistakes that could translate as her intense want of Jack's cock. ???