Canon vs. Fanon, part 13: Infirmary Fanon

[sg_fignewton]

Welcome to a new edition of Canon vs. Fanon! And hello to the newcomers to my flist. :) I hope you’ll join the discussion - agreements and arguments are always welcome.

This time, we’re taking a look at the Little Doc’s domain: the infirmary, a favorite setting for drama, hurt/comfort, and angst. Certain basic staples of story-telling appear in

Comments

[caladria]

I'm new to these, but they're fascinating - especially over how utterly and completely wrong I am about a lot of things *g*

In In the Line of Duty, Janet says, "If a Goa'uld can infest a human with no detectable physical signs, then we're gonna have to start giving all personnel who go through the Gate an ultrasound or an MRI", which granted is only a suggestion but perhaps fanon should get a biscuit, even if its only a digestive.

[sg_fignewton]

Oh, it's been a long and fascinating journey for me, too - including discovering some concepts that I was positive were canon and was rather chagrined to discover were only fanon! :)

And oooh, nice catch! I clearly must go check that one out at once. :)

[sg_fignewton]

I just checked the transcript, and you are 100% right. Kudos! I will edit immediately, with all credit to you. :) That must be the real canonical source for this. Unfortunately, there's never a single reference to it, in action or dialogue, ever again, so...

[redbyrd_sgfic]

See my comment below wrt the SGC learning from their mistakes....

[redbyrd_sgfic]

Hmm. Interesting that MRIs are used so often and for such a variety of things

[redbyrd_sgfic]

RE: why MRIs- I believe they're unparalleled in terms of the detail that can be seen and the amount of information that can be collected. The ultrasound may be cheaper and faster, but I think the information collected is less detailed.

[sg_fignewton]

True enough. And while I snickered at your helpful list of things the MRI could detect, like robots. :) But the ultrasound makes sense to start with; if a problem shows up, then switch to the MRI. There has to be a limit, or post-mission check-ups for every problem they've ever encountered would last as long as the missions themselves.

[sg_fignewton]

early season SG-1 does display several instances of learning from their mistakes

Why, yes, they do! A pity that trend didn't continue. :p As you say: fter the Reetu, I believe they say they intend to install a device to detect out of phase creatures (though they seem to have forgotten this when Nirrti shows up with the phase shifting device). To be fair, I imagine this is a case of "rewrite canon to suit the plot," much like poor Bill Lee's fluctuating level of competence.

I agree it makes sense, and that the statement of Janet's can be allowed as canon - just like everyone leapt on Hathor's statement about how a symbiote can inflict pain on its host, which, I believe, is never supported by any other statement, but is certainly accepted as canon. There's a difference, though, in that symbiotes-inflicting-pain is a relatively rare topic, while post-mission exams happen every time they walk through the Gate. In eight seasons after ITLOD, there isn't a single reference to MRIs in post-mission check-ups, ever. Even for guests - we get

[aelfgyfu_mead]

I love the whole idea of this item! Writing fanfic, I frequently find myself going, "Wait--have they ever really done or said that on the show?" and I think the results are about 50/50! I will have to go back and reread Parts 1-12

[aurora_novarum]

If I might ask a question (and if I mightn't, just ignore this): I have similar problems with SGA. I don't remember Carson ever threatening anyone with needles (though he might; I won't rule it out!). Does Rodney in fact call Carson a voodoo doctor or witch doctor and make jokes about rattles? (Or ethnic jokes involving sheep?)I think you're scaring me from SGA fanfic. LOL

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Oh, no! I don't want to scare you away from SGA fanfic! I can recommend at least a couple of good SGA writers: Friendshipper, aka Sholio (most of her stories are at City on the Ocean's Edge: Stargate Atlantis Fanfic; Tipper; and, at The Jumper Bay (gen) and Wraithbait, Jennamajig. (Wraithbait has everything--gen, ship, slash--but Jennamajig writes gen, which is what I read.)

It's just that Rodney and Carson are my two favorite characters, so I've been looking especially for stories centered on them, so I'm running into those two jokes an awful lot--more than if I were reading a bit more widely (but dang there are loads of SGA fic coming out! Way more than SG1 these days!)

(Acting Rule #1. Do not stab executive producer with sharp objects)
I didn't know Teryl Rothery actually stabbed RDA; I thought she said in one interview she was so nervous she couldn't do it, and the hands in the scenes are actually that of a male medic they had on-set, because she couldn't deal with even fake needles! But your version and mine are notmutually

[sg_fignewton]

Welcome to your first canon vs fanon post, then! And if you seriously plan to go reread the other twelve, I suggest you put aside a large block of time - not so much for the posts themselves, but the discussions in the comment threads are always fascinating.

You can ask any question you'd like! I can't necessarily answer, though. I don't follow SGA. But abyssinia4077 does, and she might be able to help.

And YES. Word to everything about the appalling lack of professionalism this fanon suggests about Janet. When someone is at your mercy, even jokes about unnecessary pain are seriously unfunny. She's shown a great sense of humor when she's not actually acting as the Little Doc, but threats like that would never be issued from a position of authority.

[leviathanmuse]

Full Alert. The Russian authorities take a blood sample from Daniel to determine whether or not he is infested with a Goa’uld. This is the first canon suggestion that a simple blood test can be used to detect a symbiote.

Most likely this is to detect whether or not there is naquadah/protein marker in the bloodstream, which would, most likely indicate a Goa'uld. And since Daniel is known to have not been snaked, they would have reason to believe that his blood should contain no naquadah or marker. So, if it had, they would have known he'd been compromised. Of course, a test like this wouldn't work on Sam, because they know she already has naquadah/protein marker in her bloodstream.

[sg_fignewton]

Yes, indeed - I suggested as much (kinda vaguely), that the blood test might have been for naquadah. And a quick blood test would surely be more cost-effective and less time-consuming than a full MRI. But, again, there's no real canon for regular blood-work tests for naquadah at the SGC, either. And did you catch aurora_novarum's very intriguing observation upthread, that it was a Goa'uld that ordered Daniel's blood test in Full Alert? The blood test might have been a smoke screen - something the Goa'uld ordered for all personnel and righteously insisted they also give him in order to "prove" that he wasn't infested. Who knows? :) Because, in the end, all this theorizing is fanon - not canon.

And welcome to the discussions!

[leviathanmuse]

Yes, I did catch that observation. Most likely he did it to slow down Daniel to give themselves more time.

My guess would be that most exams for Goa'uld are probably pretty cursory, especially if nothing is obviously wrong (as in they go to planet, return on time, no damage, etc). I would think the more thorough exams would be reserved for situations where there was obvious trouble and prolonged contact with Gou'ald/Jaffa.

[sg_fignewton]

Yep, that's how I would imagine it going, too: a baseline test that could flag potentional problems, something routine that would be more than enough for non-dangerous planets.

Of course, "non-dangerous" is an oxymoron on Stargate, but you can't have everything. :)

[holdouttrout]

I love these. Now, if only we could get EVERYONE to read them. It really is a fascinating little bit of collective consciousness.

Ice chips? Really? I don't think I've seen that one.

*considers*

Well, maybe once or twice...

As far as "happy juice" goes--I don't mind it if it's a throwaway line, but it's gotta be appropriate, and said by Jack in as bitter/sarcastic a manner as possible. ;-)

[sg_fignewton]

Ice chips? Really? I don't think I've seen that one.

::cackles::

You, missy, have missed out on entire libraries of hurt/comfort fic!

Sadly, the "happy juice" line isn't usually sarcastic. It's meant to be comforting. Also, often (not always) paired with frequent usages of "Danny."

Glad you're enjoying the discussions!

[holdouttrout]

"Danny" drives me nuts. It's a limited-time deal! And it makes him sound about 2 years old.

*lets go of fannish rage*

It's true--hurt/comfort as a genre appeals to me if it's done well, but otherwise...not so much my style.

[sg_fignewton]

I don't remember if you were around for the Dannyboy post... :) But hoo boy yes, I hate it.

Hurt/comfort is sort of like... well, generic chocolate. Not very good, maybe, but you can't help yourself from taking another, and another, and another. When it gets OTT, though, it's time to hit the "back" button and try something else.