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secondbeatsongs · 3 years

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you mentioned sam’s home life earlier- can we hear your thoughts on that?

(previous iCarly posts: 1 - 2 - 3)

hell yeah, let’s dig into what we know about Sam Puckett.

firstly, unlike many of the other characters in this show, Sam’s absent parent is actually mentioned! (shocking, right?)

Sam talks about her father a few different times, but every time she does, it’s...not good. and, it’s always a part of a joking and/or snarky comment about something else.

one example is in s04e10 (iParty With Victorious). in this ep, Carly says (about a guy she’s worried might be cheating on her), "He told me I'm one of a kind!" and Sam responds with, "Yes, and my dad once told my mom he was coming back!"

another mention is in the finale (iGoodbye) when Carly asks Sam’s opinion about her going to live with her dad, and Sam says, “Dude...if my dad asked me to spend some time with him in Italy, I’d say - well, first I’d say ‘Oh, so you’re my dad...’ - and then I’d go.”

between these snippets, we can see a clear (but upsetting) picture - Sam doesn’t know who her father is, and it’s because he abandoned her.

cool, so, off to a dark start! but don’t worry - it only goes downhill from here.

a major part of Sam’s character is her love of food - and that’s great! it’s cool to see a female character have that personality trait, because that’s pretty uncommon. but although her relationship with food is often played for laughs, I think there’s a serious concern here that nobody in the show really talks about.

Sam raids the Shays’ fridge almost every time she comes over. Sam hoards food in her pockets, and reacts violently when people try to take food away from her. Sam eats very quickly, to the point where it’s almost dangerous.

these signs all point to one thing: Sam has experienced food insecurity from a very young age.

I mean hell, Sam and Carly’s very first interaction with each other happened when Sam tried to steal Carly’s tuna sandwich, because she didn’t have a packed lunch of her own (shown in a flashback in s01e17).

and when Sam got a decent amount of money for the first time in s01e18 (iPromote Tech-Foots), she hired her own personal chef. why, you may ask? because (and this is an actual quote from the episode), “Well, my mom doesn’t feed me...”

unrelated rant: speaking of s01e18, it’s absolutely wild to me that this show had an episode where the moral can be boiled down to “1. don’t take money to promote products that you haven’t personally used, and 2. smart technology is often dangerous or, at the very least, unnecessary.”

back then (in 2008), it seemed like kind of a weird thing to teach to children, but considering how influencers and sponsorships and easily-exploitable smart tech have flourished in the years since, I feel like more people probably should have taken that episode’s message to heart...

anyway, back to the topic at hand. here’s something you might have forgotten: Samantha Puckett is not an only child! she has a twin sister named Melanie who shows up in exactly one episode (but is mentioned in a few others).

Melanie is everything that Sam isn’t - she goes to a fancy boarding school, she gets good grades, and she’s the only mentioned member of the Puckett family that doesn’t have a criminal record. and here’s something else we know: Melanie is their mother’s favorite child.

this actually comes up in s04e02 (iSam’s Mom) when Sam’s mother (played by Jane Lynch, by the way!) yells at Sam, “Why can’t you be more like Melanie?!”

we can see from all of this why Sam hates Melanie so much - she’s spent her whole life being compared to her, while at the same time being raised very differently. Sam was abused and neglected by their mom, and had to fight to survive - but it seems that Melanie didn’t have those same struggles.

I’m not saying that Melanie had it easy (I mean, they were both born on a bus, and did probably have some shared trauma from when they were young), but at the very least, being at boarding school meant that she escaped a lot of their mother’s anger and neglect.

personally, I’m of the belief that Sam’s mistreatment stems from her mom’s own self-hatred. on some level, Pam Puckett hates herself, and so she takes that out on the child that most resembles her - Sam - while rewarding and praising the child that she most wishes she could be like.

it’s fucked up. Sam’s entire life is fucked up...which is why she needs Carly as much as she does.

when Sam and Carly met, they were 8 years old, and both of them had already been through so much. Sam’s mom was neglectful and abusive, and Carly’s mom had died. in the show they’re painted as polar opposites, but it’s not really surprising that with their shared trauma, they’d find in each other a deep and lasting friendship.

I think Spencer saw that too. he saw this scrawny, angry little 8-year-old trying to fight her way through life, and he knew that he had to help her. that’s why the Shay fridge is always well-stocked for when Sam comes over, and it’s why he doesn’t really mind when he finds her in their apartment when Carly’s not home.

I know I talk a lot about Spencer Shay, but I really think that he’s the glue that holds this entire show together. he may be a big goofy man-child, but he’s also the main role model for three kids, only one of whom he’s related to. sure, he’s done some weird and messed-up stuff, but I truly cannot shut up about the good that he’s done, and the impact he’s had on these kids’ lives.

and speaking of...

I see this ask, and I appreciate it. I’m still convinced that Spencer’s closeted for a reason (as I mentioned in my other post), but I do think that Spencer would see Sam and know that she wasn’t straight. the queer energy just bleeds off of her, mixed in with all of the anger and desperation that’s kept her alive.

the real question is, does Sam have the self-awareness to realize this about herself?

maybe. I like to think she does, especially near the end of the show. the signs have been there from the start: Sam got jealous almost every time Carly had a boyfriend, or even another close friend. she once got a job at the Pear Store just because Carly said that Freddie looked cute in his uniform. if Sam spent a moment in introspection, I think she’d figure it out.

but I also think it might be hard for her for another reason: she’s never really seen what a healthy relationship looks like. all of her friends’ parents are either divorced, widowed, or otherwise separated, and Sam’s mom is...I mean, she’s a mess. Pam Puckett’s been engaged eighteen times, and she’s fucked so many Italian guys that Sam learned how to speak fluent Italian, and yes, that is a canon fact (s04e01).

even when Sam dated Freddie, it was awkward and forced. they were basically two kinsey-5s trying to turn their mutual hatred for each other (and maybe even their mutual crushes on both Shay siblings) into a relationship, and when things got tough, they crashed and burned.

my point here is that when you haven’t seen healthy relationships, it’s harder to figure out if that’s something you might want. and if you do want it, it can be hard to reconcile what you’re feeling with what you think society expects from you, based on the relationships that you have seen.

and it’s not just about dating - Sam hasn’t seen many examples of healthy behavior in general. most of the adults in Sam’s life either ignore her, treat her like a criminal, or are themselves criminals! when it comes down to it, the only good adult role model that Sam has is...Spencer Shay.

Spencer knows that Sam is a troublemaker, but he never once tries to stop Carly from being friends with her. Spencer encourages her interests, offers her advice, and helps her out when things are rough - like the time she was having recurring nightmares about soup being stolen from her (which again, ties back into the food insecurity thing).

and in the series finale, Spencer gave her what is maybe the most important gift she’s ever received - he gave her a way out. he gave her that motorcycle, and told her she had a good heart, and that set Sam free.

Spencer saw the kindness (and the queerness) in her, even under the layers she’d built up to protect herself, and he gave her a way to carve her own future.

because of this, Sam got one of the happiest endings in the show. although her future was uncertain, she got to escape her abusive mom and create a new life for herself, under nobody’s terms but her own.

I just think it’s neat.

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robertmarch82 · 8 years

Text

TEA recommendations

GENRES

Fluff

· Family - Catch a Falling Star by @CharmedRumbelle

· Comfort - All of Me by @mariequitecontrarie (SeaStar1330)

· Fix-It - Just A Dream by @woodelf68 , Higher by @woodelf68 , Wedding Dance by @woodelf68 , Bae and the Bear and the Bow by @wierdogal , What Happens at the Well Stays at the Well by @junoinferno

· Reunion - Remember by @toseehowthestoryends

Smut

· Kink - Red Lights by @rufeepeach , Playtime by @worryinglyinnocent

· Romance - Always one more time by @Bad_Faery , Candy Girl by @mariequitecontrarie (SeaStar1330), Neverland by @emospritelet

· Comedy - Mr. Good Mood by @lizandletdie , Dutch Courage by @rufeepeach , Others by @applejackcat

· Threesome - Fire and Ice by @Emospritelet ,

· PWP - Pixie Dust by @Emospritelet , Red Lights by @rufeepeach

· Best BDSM -

Angst

· Why? - Doubt by @standbyyourmantis , The Unresolved by @Of_Princes_and_Savages

· Death -

· Oops - @Inheritance by @rufeepeach , One Year by @teacupsroses , The Call by bellegold/afewmistakesago

· Hurts so good - The Course of True Love by @Emospritelet , Future's So Bright by @thatravenclawbitch , Neverland by @Emospritelet , The Unresolved by @Of_Princes_and_Savages

· Romance

· Best Date - Inheritance by @rufeepeach , Four’s a Crowd by @prissyhalliwell

· Best Courtship - Neverland by @Emospritelet , left the following comment on by @BarPurple , Skin Deep by @bookwormchocaholic , Night to Forget by @charmedrumbelle

· Best Bed Sharing - Upon Reflection by @rowofstars, A Life Unexpected by @charmedrumbelle

· Best First Meeting - Painting Layers of Love by @stillsearching47 , Candy Girl by @mariequitecontrarie

GENERAL AWARDS

· Best One-Shot - Stutterer by @b-does-the-write-thing , Do You Have A Name by @mariequitecontrarie (SeaStar1330) Six Degrees of Separation by @worryinglyinnocent , Others by @applejackcat

· Best Drabble - Spinning by @woodelf68 , Wedding Dance by @woodelf68 , It’s An Open Secret That Belle is Mr. Gold’s Mistress by @thatravenclawbitch , Another Tragedy by @b-does-the-write-thing

· Best Post-Ep fic - Pillow Talk by @charmedrumbelle , Dutch Courage by @rufeepeach

· Best Comedy - Working Out by @rowofstars , Mr. Good Mood by @lizandletdie , Intervals by @rowofstars , Five Times Belle Felt Like An Idiot In Front Of Her Hot Neighbor (and One Time She Got a Date Out Of It) by @lizandletdie

· Best Movie AU - Catch a Falling Star by @CharmedRumbelle

· Best Historical AU - Persuasion by @handwithquill , Better to Face the Bullets by @ishtarelisheba

· Best AU - Catch a Falling Star by @charmedrumbelle

· Best AU!OUAT - Buried Treasure by @emospritelet

· Best Series - Skin Deep by @bookwormchocaholic , Fourteen Days by @mariequitecontraire

· Best Crossover - The Gift of a Curse by @worryinglyinnocent

· Best Holiday Fic - Seven Days of Christmas by @mariequitecontraire

· Best Remix - Pixie Dust by @Emospritelet

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

· Best Golden Lace - Buried Treasure by @Emospritelet

· Best Crack!Fic - Beep Beep, Bitch by @applejackcat

· Best Drama - The Unresolved by @Of_Princes_and_Savages , Star-Crossed by @CharmedRumbelle, Pixie Dust by @Emospritelet

· Best Supernatural - His Price Is Her by @applejackcat , Avonlea Castle by @scribbles-by-kate , Black Pearls and Glass Walls by @tinuviel-undomiel

· Best Season Rewrite - The War Within by still-searching47

· Best Trend - All of Me by @MarieQuiteContrarie

· Best Prompter -

Events

(All fics in this category are limited to 2016 events)

· Rumbelle Secret Santa - Tuesdays in the Cave of Wonders by @Shipperqueen , New beginnings by @judymulder , A Dragon’s Heart by @worryinglyinnocent

· Rumbelle Christmas in July - Made to Measure by @emospritelet , The Nanny by @thatravenclawbitch , A Change of Heart by @mariequitecontrarie , We Are Both by @magnoliatattoo

· Rumbelle Revelry - The Woman in White by @mariequitecontrarie , The Mysterious Incident of Shadowhearst Manor by @of-princes-and-savages , Until Last I See You by @magnoliatattoo

· Mantis’ Menagerie (will be known as May Day Menagerie from 2017 on) - Once Bitten by @lizandletdie

· Monthly Rumbelle (Non-smut) - Fresh Start by @woodelf68 , Trick Or Treat by @woodelf68 , Six Degrees of Separation by @worryinglyinnocent

· Monthly Rumbelle (Smut) - Reflections by woodelf68 , Cave of Wonders by @WorryinglyInnocent , In the Moment by @rowofstars ,

· Great Rumbelle Blow Off - Look Back in Anger by @Emospritelet , One Year by @teacupsroses , Spinner’s Helper by @ishtarelisheba , Head over Heels by B_does_the_write_thing

· Rumbelle is Hope - Driving Lessons by @wierdogal , Little White Lie by @thatravenclawbitch , Spinner’s Wife by @ishtarelisheba , The Cat Burglar by @tinuviel-undomiel

CHARACTER AWARDS

· Best Belle - Inheritance by @rufeepeach , Mr. Good Mood by @lizandletdie , Working Out by @rowofstars

· Best Dark One!Belle - Some Soul of Goodness by TwylaMercedes , Beauty within the Beast by @of-princes-and-savages

· Best Lacey - Buried Treasure by @Emospritelet

· Best Barely Legal!Belle - Heat of the Moment by @thescholarlystrumpet

· Best Dark One - Thrall by @Little_Inkstone

· Best Mr. Gold - The Unresolved by @Of_Princes_and_Savages , Inheritance by @rufeepeach, Catch a Falling Star by @charmedrumbelle

· Best Spinner!Rumple - Some Soul of Goodness by @TwylaMercedes ,Slings and Arrows by @rowofstars , Woes of War by @ethereal-wishes

· Best Woobie!Rum - Red Lights by @rufeepeach , Always one more time by @Bad_Faery, Catch a Falling Star by @CharmedRumbelle

· Best OC - BattleMorgan le Fae from A Different Battle by @toseehowthestoryends

· Best Rumbelle Child - Star-Crossed by @CharmedRumbelle

· Best Villain - Nurse Mills from Better To Face The Bullets by @ishtarelisheba

Art

· Best Cover Art - @licieoic for The Ice Queen

· Best Graphic Art: Gif sets, photosets, etc. - Rumplestiltskin Aesthetic by @rowofstars , Yes, I’ll Protect You by @golden-rumbelle

· Best Fan Art - ”Let It Snow” by @Frenchroasted

· Best Comic/Graphic Novel - Tale as Old as Time by @ethereal-wishes

· Best Artist - @licieoic

BEST ANYELLE FIC - Tiger Lilies by @Emospritelet , Turn!Turn!Turn! by @sfiddy , A Pleasure to Burn by @of-princes-and-savages

BEST ANYEM FIC - Wedding Belles by @thatravenclawbitch , The Third Wheel by @junoinferno

BEST RUMBELLE FIC - The Unresolved by @Of_Princes_and_Savages , Catch a Falling Star by @CharmedRumbelle

BEST AUTHOR - @of-princes-and-savages , @emospritelet, @bad-faery, @cartoonjessie , @suchadearie @CharmedRumbelle

Rumbelle Fandom Lifetime Achievement award: @emospritelet @MarieQuiteContrarie @violetfaust @pinchtheprincess @woodelf68

Newbie Spotlight: @of-princes-and-savages

Would you help me to fill the rest? :-)

#rumbelle #TEA #the espenson awards #espenson awards

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