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This started out as a reply to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
lisayeager 's post here (friends locked) and got very, very, VERY long. Vague spoilers for season 8. Mostly just general charcter development, not plot points.
I think, in the grand ole scheme of things, Pete is incredibly important towards the character development of Sam. mylittleredgirl and familyarchives had this wonderful idea that Sam and Jack need to become friends, good friends, friends who if their relationship doesn't work out will still be friends. They aren't exactly friends at the moment because of work and ranks and the-love-that-dare-not-speak-its-name (theirs) and in order for their relationship to last there's got to be some personal, one-on-one friendship time, without the star-crossed lovers bit hanging over their heads.
I think Pete's sort of serving the same function on the show itself. Sam has been techno babble whiz kid for the last little bit. Before season seven, when was the last time Sam was personally, emotionally involved in something? Daniel dying? Before that? We don't get a lot of the real 'Sam', outside of Major Carter on the show. Hell, look at 'Ascension': the ep was about an alien living with Sam, about Sam's day to day life, and what did we learn about her? She's got a really good credit rating and she wears scarves. Ooo, and brushes her teeth before bed.
I think this whole Pete deal is a way for the writers to explore that other side of Sam we never get to see (I'd argue we've seen more of the personal side of Teal'c than Sam, which I think says a lot.). I also think it allows Sam to move on from being the girl whose romantic interests die within two episodes. I think Sam needs the confidence that if she allows herself to be overtly romantically interested in Jack, he's not going to croak (most likely by trying to save the world for her. See: Narim, Orlin, Lantash). Sam's got a bad history with relationships. Seriously bad. Like the worst record ever.
We know the producer and writer -type guys at SG are aware of this, seeing as Chimera was almost called "Black Widow Carter" and while that's funny, I think it shows a real awareness of some of the issues that have emerged surrounding Sam in the past little bit. She can't be dismissed as the brainy know-it-all who also happens to be a hot chick who has good chemistry with the male lead in every story. After 8 years the viewers demand more than that over simplification (I also think this issue is being addressed with Teal'c at the same time, as we see more of the personal side of Teal'c (Ishta) as well as his internal thought processes and what not (The Changeling) and CJ has said Teal'c gets 'chatty' this season.) Whether this is all a product of RDA being less available, I don't know and don't think it matters. I do think Pete is ultimately little more than a tool to foster a sense of self, of self-awareness, of self-confidence (AT has said that now that Sam is with Pete she's more comfortable and confident in her sexuality. I think that's true and maybe one of the end points of this story line) that we've never seen in Sam.
And yes, as a shipper, I ultimately think it's all a tool to get Sam and Jack together in the end. I do. The show guys in Vancouver are shippers (see: s4 and 7) and I can't imagine it's any coincidence that as soon as Pete showed up (or, as they were setting up the arrival of Pete, ie. Grace) the show got more shippy than it's been for the last three years.
I think what's confusing to a lot of fans is we've come to expect a certain amount of stability out of the show: Jack is the witty leader, Daniel the smart, ethical archaeologist, Sam the smart, tough scientist and Teal'c, the strong, steady silent warrior. TV Sci fi is a somewhat static genre, where roles get established early and don't change all that much (Star Trek, I think I'm looking at you). We don't quite know what to do when they start mucking around with the formula, when the leader suddenly can't lead the team like he used to, when the brainy know-it-all is finally at peace with herself enough to step away from the intellectual shell she's built herself and start seeing who she is outside of that, when the ethics guy does some pretty shady negotiating with the bad guys, when the quiet one gets chatty and grows hair.
But that's not the point of this, and while maybe I should stick to fiction (maybe? definitely) I think Pete is important to Sam's character development, and right now, I'm willing to allow the 'ship to take a back seat to that, because honestly, we need that development to have the ship be more than *kiss, fade to black*. And I want more than that.
I meant to write fic tonight. I really, really did.
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Fry: "Married?! Jenny can't get married!"
Leela: "Why not? It's clever, it's unexpected..."
Fry: "But that's not why people watch TV! Clever things make people feel stupid and unexpected things make them feel scared!"
Mwah.
*wanders off to bed*
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*snuggles up next to you and hopes the brilliant rubs off*
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"Dear Pete,
Thanks for getting Sam all assertive and at ease with her own womanliness so that I could have sex with her. Sorry she dumped you but, hey, it's obviously for the best.
Ha ha you are so lame.It's good that you were there in her hour of need.If I'd known that was all it'd take I'd have set her up with some poor schmuch years ago.
I have to go do sex with her now, kthnbai,
Jack
PS: Sam says hi."
*giggles like is twelve*
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Very well said. I'm a diehard S/J shipper, but I have zero problems with Pete for a lot of the same reasons you stated.
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1. Sam and Pete get hot and heavy.
2. Sam breaks it off maybe four or five episodes before the finale, maybe earlier but I doubt it.
3. Sam and Jack get all cute and puppy-dog-ish in the finale, possibly with fishing. Though I'm still not sure they'll ever have a kiss, and I'm also not sure I care.
Meanwhile, between 1 and 2, shippers' heads continue to explode (it's really icky) and TPTB cackle (a lot) while Sam and Jack share lots of meaningful angsty Looks (ohmigodthey'resocute!) and nippers SQUEEEEEE (a lot).
And I still think that 3 can change if they all get fed up with the nutjobs, though of course I hope it doesn't.
And yes, I think Pete is A Good Thing for Sam's self-confidence. Did I mention how freakin' hot she looked in New Order? I did? *ahem*
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Yep, that's about it!
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Second of all, many lovely comments to make:
(I'd argue we've seen more of the personal side of Teal'c than Sam, which I think says a lot.)
*Really* good point, and scary considering he just nods during most eps.
Oh, and you forgot Martouf and Jonas on the list of dead guys ;-) (just kidding!)
and I can't imagine it's any coincidence that as soon as Pete showed up (or, as they were setting up the arrival of Pete, ie. Grace) the show got more shippy than it's been for the last three years.
Also a *great* point. You *rock*! Definitely not coincidence, no.
The Star Trek comment! LMAO!!!
Lovely conclusion. And I hope you have time to write more today :-)
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*licks Futurama's writers*
*snuggles up next to you and hopes the brilliant rubs off*
You just want me for my Futurama DVDs!! WAH!
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And really, that's why I'm getting excited about this season, and why I think it will work, despite the fact that eight years is damn long for a show like this.
I think Pete is important to Sam's character development, and right now, I'm willing to allow the 'ship to take a back seat to that, because honestly, we need that development to have the ship be more than *kiss, fade to black*
Yes. And yes.
But as I've said elsewhere, the characters as individuals (and Sam especially) have always been more important to me than the ship.
*SMOOOOOOOOCH*
*sticks in memories*
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They have such a good foundation for this, though yeah, all kinds of things have gotten in the way. With a (temporary) cooling of the UST (right ... [snorts]), they should quickly and easily make the transition to real friends. And most of the time, couples who get to know each other before jumping into bed have a better chance at a long-term relationship. Well, Sam and Jack have had a good running start.
I think what's confusing to a lot of fans is we've come to expect a certain amount of stability out of the show
This could also, at the extreme end of the spectrum, be called "stagnation." It was a good formula for seven years, but now that there's more time to play, the writers are gonna play.
I'm finally coming around to seeing that this actually is probably a good thing ... or at least tolerable in the grand scheme of TV shows. (Remember, my other ship just went through one of the worst seasons a romance junkie like me should ever have to endure.) Pete's kinda grown on me (thanks,
And one other thing to think about is that we won't ever get to see as much of Sam and Jack as a couple as we will, it seems, of Sam and Pete ... just a fact o'life with this show. So getting to see Sam enjoying herself in a relationship feeds my mental archive of what she's going to be like with Jack. I like having that glimpse.
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Oh no! my secret is out! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
*smooches you to distract you*
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Here. This might help.
http://sg1michelle.homestead.com/lj/pants.wma
I heard you liked them for some strange reason. Well, we all have our own fetishes.
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*smoooooooches you a lot. To the point you may be uncomfortable with it*
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Awww! I *heart* you too!
*Really* good point, and scary considering he just nods during most eps.
*Dies* That's ridicoulously true.
Oh, and you forgot Martouf and Jonas on the list of dead guys ;-) (just kidding!)
Well. Martouf gets included in Lantash, I think. And Jonas didn't die to save the world for her, did he? ;D
Also a *great* point. You *rock*! Definitely not coincidence, no.
No such thing as a coincidence. *nods firmly*
The Star Trek comment! LMAO!!!Lovely conclusion.
Thank you. I only hope it comes true. :D
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Yes. Oh yes. Totally. I hope my expectations for this season are met, because if they are it will rock.
But as I've said elsewhere, the characters as individuals (and Sam especially) have always been more important to me than the ship.
I think Sam maybe the first character for me for whom this is true. Huh.
*SMOOOOOOOOCH*
*sticks in memories*
*SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCHES*
Yay! I'm in someone's memories! *does memory dance*
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Also very true!! If she would just stop worrying about the guys who are willing to get shot and/or die for her and starting caring about the one who's willing to *live* for her!
*sigh*
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Mystery Science Theater 3000 is good for what ails you. ;)
*smoooooooches you a lot. To the point you may be uncomfortable with it*
*slobbers*
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2. Mmmhmm
3. YES! And I'm not convinced I care either. I wouldn't say no, but I don't think I *need* it.
And the angst! Oh lord, the angst! *squees angster's squee of joy*
Did I mention how freakin' hot she looked in New Order? I did? *ahem*
Yes. Oh sweet jesus, yes. Ahem.
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Seriously, for me? The whole Pete thing just ratchetsit up. Because it's not just some intangible military standard standing in their way, it's a person who can take Sam away forever. And I love Sam, and I don't care if she's in love with Pete, you know she's thinking about the fact that having Pete forever means never having Jack. And thus the angst! *glee*
(Remember, my other ship just went through one of the worst seasons a romance junkie like me should ever have to endure.)
Oh, honey. *hugs my fellow Alias viewer* I'm so there with you. Trust in JJ. Trust in JJ. If we say it enough, it has to come true. *nods firmly*
And one other thing to think about is that we won't ever get to see as much of Sam and Jack as a couple as we will, it seems, of Sam and Pete ... just a fact o'life with this show. So getting to see Sam enjoying herself in a relationship feeds my mental archive of what she's going to be like with Jack. I like having that glimpse.
Yes. Yes. I like S/J being left up to me. I really, really do. I'm happy to see Sam grow and become something more from her realtionship with Pete because in the end, I think, it's all just build up for Sam and Jack to have a real, honest to goodness long lasting relationship. And I think I'm happy to have them leave it to me to imagine, because I won't fuck it up like they might in order to keep the angst up. They'll be happy with me, damnit. :)