Sam Friendly Zone

Why do we need a Sam Friendly Zone? Good question.

The Stargate online fandom is vast, with many different people who have different tastes and likes about the show. Some people like one certain character, others like certain pairings, and still others just enjoy the entire team. While this can lead to interesting discussions, sometimes it also leads to arguments, as this is a fandom with very strong opinions about the show, the characters, and the ships. Unfortunately, these divergent strong opinions sometimes lead to character bashing. And Major Samantha Carter is always a favorite target.

For example, it's not uncommon to hear that is Sam is too perfect, or too cold, or too smart. Or that she's pining for her Commanding Officer, Jack O'Neill, and should just get over this teenage crush that makes her weak and useless and stupid. Then there are others who think now that she apparently has, she's destroyed her integrity as a strong woman. And some of those people think she's at best a hussy, at worst a whore, and has betrayed Jack O'Neill by getting a life and dating Pete Shanahan. And while yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion, the childish name-calling and a demonization of the character has gotten entirely out of hand.

This is why when Jennghis Kahn wrote me in response to yet another round of Sam-bashing and suggested we needed a 'Sam Friendly Zone', I right away jumped on the idea. Whatever Amanda Tapping and The Powers That Be have in mind for her, Sam Carter is still one of the strongest female lead characters in the science-fiction genre. Placing a 'Sam Friendly Zone' banner on your website or journal means that you respect the character. It doesn't matter if you're a shipper, a slasher, or something in between. All that matter is that you like the character for who she is, and not who everyone else thinks she should be.

Jara Dax & Splash_the_cat