Amanda Tapping was gracious enough to take time out of her busy shooting
schedule for the new season to answer our questions. Amanda plays
Samantha Carter. We wanted to be in the know about what the future holds
for Stargate SG-1. So now you will be in the know too.
What is your favorite aspect of working on Stargate SG-1?
The people I work with, bar none. We have the best crew and a great
cast. I love coming to work every day because of the faces I look at.
What's your least favorite?
Shooting outside in the pouring rain, but that doesn't happen very
often. I don't know that I have a least favorite part. I love my job.
Sometimes it's weird doing the special effects stuff. It's really hard
because you don't know what you're looking at.
With sets as elaborate as the ones used on SG-1, what's the
funniest thing that has happened to you on the set?
I have a lot of fun making fun of Rick (Richard Dean Anderson).
Nailing him on the Macguyver thing last year was fun. But every day I
laugh, so I don't know what's the funniest. Every single day I laugh.
There hasn't been one day where I haven't laughed about something and
laughed loudly.
Is it hard being the only woman on SG-1?
At times it's very difficult because you want to
find your place on the team. I think in terms of the character Sam
Carter, she's found her place on the team and she doesn't have to
justify being there. For me, I want to make sure that I'm representative
of a lot of women out there, that people can relate to my character,
especially young women. That they find her interesting. I don't want to
say role model because I don't want to sound egotistical about it, but
if there is something in my character that the female audience can
relate to, then that's what important to me. It's hard to make sure that I maintain a well-rounded person and
that she just doesn't become the girl on the show.
Had you seen Stargate before taking the role?
Yes, I had. When I found out I was short-listed after auditioning in
Toronto the first thing I did was to rent the film and really watch it
because I don't remember the first time I saw it. I watched it real
closely over Christmas before I knew that I had gotten the screen test.
Do you think you have an advantage over Richard Dean Anderson
and Michael Shanks since you didn't take over a role originated by
someone else?
I don't know that I'd call it an advantage. I think in some way it's
easier because people don't have preconceived notions about what a
character should be. In other ways, it's more difficult because you're
introducing something new into the mix and you're not sure whether it's
going to be accepted. That sort of harkens back to being the only woman
on the show as well. Is this a woman that is going to be accepted in
this position? For me, it was probably harder not being an established
character because I have to make something out of nothing, essentially.
I mean the writers did that part for me, but bringing something that was
believable and compelling to this character was scary. I didn't know if
Samantha was going to be accepted or not.
What is in store for Samantha Carter this season?
I can't tell you that! I will tell you that there is a
big change in the second episode of our second season for Samantha. I
really can't tell you what it is because it'll blow the whole storyline.
It's pretty huge and it will change her. It won't change who she is as a
person, but it will change her perspective on things and her abilities.
I think it will give a more hardened goal in the second season. You'll
just have to watch to find out.
Without giving too much away, will there be anything further
concerning Jack and Samantha following Daniel's alternate universe storyline?
No, I don't think so. Rick and I talked from the first day and
talked with the writers. We really didn't want any love interest to
develop between the two characters, A) because of who they are in terms
of their military rank and B) it would change the entire dynamics of the
team. I think the team works as a family unit, as almost brothers and
sister. If there were a love interest to develop between any members of
the team, which would be me and any one of the guys, it would completely change the dynamics of our team and don't
think we'd work as well. So hopefully, noÉnot that Rick isn't a desirable man, but, uh, no.
Prevue's Chat With Amanda Tapping
By: Lisa Coleman
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