Affinity (and lowdown)
Sep. 8th, 2004 01:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
woodfaceI just saw Affinity and I'm a bit torn about it. Part of me is happy, part of me is partly sad.
First off, let me just say that Teal'c's love life is messy and I don't even want to think about it. ETA: And Daniel really has a beer belly. Now that that's out of the way...
So Pete proposed to Sam. The proposal in itself was sweet even if the "I transefered to Colorado" sounded like badfic. Sam's reaction said a lot. She didn't smile and you saw her panic. But then who wouldn't be surprised after only half a year dating.
Oh and the "sorry for stalking you"? Can I thwap TPTB? They should not have responded to fandom like that. That was just dumb and a hasty and hollow excuse at it. Sure, they made it sound as if everything has been talked over but the viewer (this viewer anyway) is still left with the feeling that Sam doesn't know about the back up check he did on her. I guess the issue was hereby brushed off and poorly too. *sighs* Dissapointed there. Hope they prove me wrong later on.
Anyway, Sam's reaction. Her ramble to Teal'c and Daniel spoke a lot. She's feeling pressured. She's seeing this perfect image everywhere while what she has with Pete isn't that. Perhaps isn't even what she imagined herself. What struck me though was that she seemed to actually like it better being single.
Then we move on to the conversation with Jack. First off, I love the new relationship between them. There is a new ease and a new way of relating to each other. By taking command of SG1, Sam is exploring her abilities as a leader and at that same time she understands Jack more. Jack is being the proud General who sees his protegé blossom and he's ready with advice and support. It's just a great dynamic. And the conversation about Pete showed that as friends, they have been allowed to move on too. Sure, Sam still has to report to him but not as much as the 2IC that she used to be. Jack is able to express more of his thoughts and so has she. Their promotions have allowed them to be more open with each other and be more friends.
Sam showing him the ring though. Ouch, that has got to hurt. You see Jack close up for just a second before he makes up his mind to be happy for her. She tells him all her doubts, doubts she'd probably have with him too. She's Sam, of course she thinks too much about this. Analyses everything. And yet, the shipper that I am wants to think that she is looking for excuses to say no. Asking Jack for an excuse to say no. Her "what about you" question seems to prove that. Multiple layers here. Or is it me again? Because just for a second she seems to ask where he fits into her accepting Pete's proposal. Where do they go? And then you realise she's actually talking about Charlie and Sara. Seriously, was that just me? I need to think some more about Jack's answer.
And then the end. I'm a bit confused by Sam's sudden acceptance. I found Pete's reaction cute though and he wasn't pushy during the entire ep at all (be that a lesson for the fic writers out there who have written him so badly, extrapolating or not). So I'm torn because Sam seemed happy and can you possibly not be happy for her? It was cute and sweet. Even if the 'yes' came out of the blue and made no sense to me. But then, emotions rarely do. Even if the shipper in me was cringing.
Conclusion: I like a happy Sam. I think Jack does too.
ETA: Sad about the hate mail note in the lowdown. But I loved RDA's reply that "Apparently Pete isn't a threat to O'Neill".
First off, let me just say that Teal'c's love life is messy and I don't even want to think about it. ETA: And Daniel really has a beer belly. Now that that's out of the way...
So Pete proposed to Sam. The proposal in itself was sweet even if the "I transefered to Colorado" sounded like badfic. Sam's reaction said a lot. She didn't smile and you saw her panic. But then who wouldn't be surprised after only half a year dating.
Oh and the "sorry for stalking you"? Can I thwap TPTB? They should not have responded to fandom like that. That was just dumb and a hasty and hollow excuse at it. Sure, they made it sound as if everything has been talked over but the viewer (this viewer anyway) is still left with the feeling that Sam doesn't know about the back up check he did on her. I guess the issue was hereby brushed off and poorly too. *sighs* Dissapointed there. Hope they prove me wrong later on.
Anyway, Sam's reaction. Her ramble to Teal'c and Daniel spoke a lot. She's feeling pressured. She's seeing this perfect image everywhere while what she has with Pete isn't that. Perhaps isn't even what she imagined herself. What struck me though was that she seemed to actually like it better being single.
Then we move on to the conversation with Jack. First off, I love the new relationship between them. There is a new ease and a new way of relating to each other. By taking command of SG1, Sam is exploring her abilities as a leader and at that same time she understands Jack more. Jack is being the proud General who sees his protegé blossom and he's ready with advice and support. It's just a great dynamic. And the conversation about Pete showed that as friends, they have been allowed to move on too. Sure, Sam still has to report to him but not as much as the 2IC that she used to be. Jack is able to express more of his thoughts and so has she. Their promotions have allowed them to be more open with each other and be more friends.
Sam showing him the ring though. Ouch, that has got to hurt. You see Jack close up for just a second before he makes up his mind to be happy for her. She tells him all her doubts, doubts she'd probably have with him too. She's Sam, of course she thinks too much about this. Analyses everything. And yet, the shipper that I am wants to think that she is looking for excuses to say no. Asking Jack for an excuse to say no. Her "what about you" question seems to prove that. Multiple layers here. Or is it me again? Because just for a second she seems to ask where he fits into her accepting Pete's proposal. Where do they go? And then you realise she's actually talking about Charlie and Sara. Seriously, was that just me? I need to think some more about Jack's answer.
And then the end. I'm a bit confused by Sam's sudden acceptance. I found Pete's reaction cute though and he wasn't pushy during the entire ep at all (be that a lesson for the fic writers out there who have written him so badly, extrapolating or not). So I'm torn because Sam seemed happy and can you possibly not be happy for her? It was cute and sweet. Even if the 'yes' came out of the blue and made no sense to me. But then, emotions rarely do. Even if the shipper in me was cringing.
Conclusion: I like a happy Sam. I think Jack does too.
ETA: Sad about the hate mail note in the lowdown. But I loved RDA's reply that "Apparently Pete isn't a threat to O'Neill".
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no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 12:28 am (UTC)Their promotions have allowed them to be more open with each other and be more friends.
When AT first said that their promotions would allow them to get closer, I didn't get it, but now I do. It's a good thing that this allows them to get closer as friends (as you described) and maybe even see more of the possibility of what they would be like together in another situation.
Seriously, was that just me? I need to think some more about Jack's answer.
No, not just you. And wasn't the shipper music playing? As you said, it was intended to have multiple meanings, but I think the one we want it to be is actually the one it will end up being!
And yes, I think Jack wants Sam to be happy, but I don't think she actually is. I think she thinks she is temporarily, but that it's not really what she wants. And if Sam gets to be happy, then I want to see Jack happy, too!
no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 12:49 am (UTC)Phew! I was wondering because sometimes I see things other people don't seem to as I want to read into things too much.
I think she thinks she is temporarily, but that it's not really what she wants.
I think for the moment she does want it and that she is happy. But yeah, she still has that perfect image in her head that Pete isn't totally responding too. And quite possibly Jack wouldn't be able to fill that either but I do think that Pete will allow her to make the image more realistic... so Jack can fit into it *g*
And if Sam gets to be happy, then I want to see Jack happy, too!
He will be if she is.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 12:56 am (UTC)That's a happy, shippy thought :-)
He will be if she is.
Not quite what I meant!, but I think they're getting there...
no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 11:26 am (UTC)That's me!
no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 11:26 pm (UTC)*huggles*
Therein lies the silver lining
Date: 2004-09-08 03:10 am (UTC)And therein lies the silver lining. They began to relax around each other a little when Pete entered the picture, but it all really started to come together after their promotions. How many times have we observed that they claim to be friends but don't allow themselves to be as comfortable as friends are. Now their relationship is more relaxed and more open. I've never seen Jack as Sam's confidant before, but this episode shows that side of their relationship. *Help, I'm being attacked by a giant squee*
Re: Therein lies the silver lining
Date: 2004-09-08 10:24 am (UTC)Hopefully it's an attack of a fic squee!!!
:-)
Re: Therein lies the silver lining
Date: 2004-09-08 08:05 pm (UTC)Re: Therein lies the silver lining
Date: 2004-09-08 11:26 pm (UTC);-)
Re: Therein lies the silver lining
Date: 2004-09-08 11:23 am (UTC)Re: Therein lies the silver lining
Date: 2004-09-08 07:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 02:11 am (UTC)http://www.livejournal.com/users/jerie/51359.html#cutid1
They pretty much dovetail with what you've said.
I like, though, what you said about the change in Sam and Jack's relationship since the promotions. I hadn't really noticed that as I thought the change happened last season - about when Sam started dating Pete, or maybe it was after "Grace" - not sure, but they seemed a lot warmer toward each other the last half of S7. Whenever it happened, Sam and Jack have a deep friendship that is really being shown recently. I like that.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 11:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 03:20 am (UTC)http://www.livejournal.com/users/alliesings/90961.html?nc=15
/shameless plug
Asking Jack for an excuse to say no. Her "what about you" question seems to prove that. Multiple layers here. Or is it me again?
Lots of layers, because my mind came up with three or four right away, although I have to say that Charlie didn't enter my mind until I read reviews. And I don't know what Sam was thinking when she started with the "yes" bit, but that was the cutest Pete scene, even though it made no sense, it was cute.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 11:22 am (UTC)Three or four? Do share!
no subject
Date: 2004-09-10 06:13 pm (UTC)This is where I'm torn as well. I've been a Sam fan ever since I started watching the show. She has been a terrific role model for me given my desire to go into aviation and maybe the USAF. I look up to her so much.
However, I'm also a huge Sam/Jack shipper - ever since I finally admitted it to myself after a very long period of denial! - so the relationship between Sam/Pete has always bothered me. Yes, I want to be happy that Sam is happy, but at the same time there's still that niggling feeling that won't go away because of the S/J ship. I've resolved to just go with whatever happens - if Sam is happy, then hey, I'm going to be happy for her even if I don't particularly like the S/P relationship. Make sense? :)
no subject
Date: 2004-09-10 06:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-11 06:14 pm (UTC)