Spoiler freeeeeee! Free as the wind bloooooows!

[icarus]

I scanned my flist today, and jlh wrote about Harry Potter and the Half Blood Pince spoilers and what's general knowledge and how everyone should avoid spoilers and --

-- I realized that my Stargate obsession is well-timed. Even the things that were general knowledge were new to me.

So!

If you want to avoid HBP spoilers... come with me... to the dark side of Stargate. Roam the so very obviously gay relationship between a hardassed colonel and a smart-mouthed academic. Enjoy the tensions surrounding Don't Ask Don't Tell and high action scifi adventure.

Hide in the Stargate for the next week. It does, after all, send you halfway across the galaxy.

Here I will rec long, involving, beautifully written stories that are recommended by all and sundry. The Stargate readers will be disappointed as "everyone" has read these. But! You shall be diverted, saved from spoilers...

... and halfway across the galaxy.

The show runs in a near continuous loop on the SciFi channel. Pop in. Watch one show. Then you're ready for slash. There are two Stargate shows: Stargate SG-1, and Stargate: Atlantis. The Jack/Danielness is on the former (the original).

Basic premise: the Air Force got their paws on ancient alien technology abandoned on earth that allows us to step through and go to other planets. It's called a Stargate and is way coool.

It turns out there are bad guys out there (surprise!), namely a race of snakey creatures (see? you Slytherins are already at home) that bore into humans' necks, wrap around the brainstem and take over their bodies. These beings are arrogant bastards (ah, the Malfoy fans sigh in relief) who feel humans are lesser beings and enslave them throughout the galaxy.

What? Why are there all these humans out there, do you ask? Because these snakey creatures (called the Goa'uld) grabbed humans from our planet as slaves when they ruled Ancient Egypt, until a human uprising overthrew them (hurrah Gryffindors!) and buried the Stargate. So human life evolved on our planet but was scattered throughout the galaxy. Many of these human worlds are primitive because of Goa'uld domination, but a few are far advanced, having never experienced the Dark Ages, etc. (And see how the Ravenclaws perk up at such an interesting historical context. Yes, it's more social science fiction than science fiction.)

Theme: Pandora's box has been opened, and now we're in over our heads.

On To The Slash! So what's the basics behind Jack and Daniel? Bottom-line -- Col. Jack O'Neill's young son accidentally killed himself with Jack's gun. The military needed someone willing to die if what they found through that Stargate was Bad News (that's the military for you). The rock-jawed and sarcastic colonel was depressed and perfect for the job. (Ah, themes of self-sacrifice and self-destruction... the Sirius fans are overjoyed.)

Dr. Daniel Jackson, Ph.d., was an Egyptologist laughed out of the field for his (accurate) crackpot theories. Broke and essentially too arrogant and earnest to not ruin himself, the military scooped him up for the Stargate program. He got the thing to work, with no clue the military was willing to destroy whatever they found on the other side. For the bright-eyed and innocent intellectual, it's all a fascinating adventure. (Did I mention he was painfully good-looking?)

He and the colonel, er, don't hit it off. (Oh, you Snape/Harry fans say "tell me more...")

Eventually they come to a common ground and friendship that reawakens the colonel's will to live. And you slashers can read that any way you want. ;)

On the show, these two flirt. Whether it's the colonel making eyes at Daniel across the briefing room table, or laying his hand on Daniel's shoulder and saying "go to your happy place, Daniel," or the way they angle towards each other and stand sooooo easily in each other's personal space, they're close. For Daniel's part, he's appealingly disconcerted, gazes admiring and worshipful, then argumentative -- and oh, these two can fight. They have opposite views on almost everything, and their arguments are as passionate and intense as their... cough... friendship.

But Enough Of This Backstory - Where Can I Hide?

Dr. Jackson's Diary by Anais - NC-17. Maya fans, you have found your temporary home in this hysterically funny bordering on slapstick loooong piece.

The Steak Series by Keiko Kirin - NC-17. If you love slow-building awkward sex, hide here.

Out of Season By Anna - NC-17. Rich and complex, gorgeously written. A wonderful place to lose yourself.

The Other Half By Anna - NC-17. This is the best slave story I've ever read. Jack is given a gift, one that he is reluctant to give up.

Pavlov by Kalimyre - NC-17. Very. How are you with dubious consent? Yes, this is definitely one for the Harry/Snape fans: pure sex.

Reveille by Lady Of Shalott - R or NC-17, I don't remember. Okay, so dubious consent is pretty common in this world. This one has the added bonus of plot, humour, and some abuse of that power.

Ciphers by Destina Fortunato - PG, pre-slash. Did you love Contemporary Magical Innovations or Transfigurations? Here we have a plot and circumstance that is just as interesting.

Loki's Curse by Jonah in the Whale - NC-17. Gentle and slow-build, perfect for the Remus/Sirius fan in any family.

Grown Men Don't Freak by Annie D and Katryne - NC-17. Ah, denial can be so entertaining. For you Ron/Draco fans who love Ron's reaction of utter disbelief.

Double Bed by Komos a.k.a. Paian - NC-17. Very direct, very male. There's an edge to this story that will appeal to the Snape-fan.

Sinner's Grove By Martha -- NC-17. Some non-con for you amanuensis1 fans.


Almost 100 more stories for you.

But what do these guys look like, do you ask? Fortunately lizardspots has drawn lovely art for we HP fans.

Come take a Stargate vacation and emerge refreshed, rejuvenated, and spoiler free.

Comments

[turtlespeaks.livejournal.com]

Have I mentioned lately that I love you!? Like, a lot?

Cause, yeah, I do. *dives head first into the wonderful fics* THANK YOU!!

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

You are so very welcome. :D

Wow. I think I'm going to enjoy HBP a lot more than OotP. Order of the Phoenix was really ruined for me because I knew going in that one of the characters was going to die: I spent the entire book stressing over who it would be and couldn't get into it.

This time -- I don't wanna know.

Icarus

[dustandroses.livejournal.com]

Damn! I love it. What a good idea. I almost wish I wasn't in the fandom already, so I could join all the HPers as they find a new obsession! Although I have to admit, there were a couple on that list that I haven't read yet. Thanks for the recs... *g*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

The two fandoms make a nice contrast to each other: HP has all these sleek young kids getting their first tastes of adulthood; Stargate has adults with baggage and marriages and history. You know a staggering amount about the HP characters, especially Harry. With Jack and Daniel, you're outside looking in, so you have to delve between the lines and weave a backstory.

I don't mean to steal HP readers, but I really think this is a good way to step back, avoid the flurry, and sink into Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince like a nice long bath.

Icarus

[monzz.livejournal.com]

This is presented so well, even the most hardcore Potternut could understand it. If only I wasn't already caught up in the snarkiness of J/D already. *grins* There are a good few here I haven't read yet, and shall make plans to do so.

Thank you so much for setting this out in idiotproof format, for the certain people like me far too frazzled because HPB is coming in about 10 days or so. Nine days and six minutes for me....

And Lizard's art? To die for. :)

[monzz.livejournal.com]

Oh, and maybe it's just me... the link to Sinner's Grove doesn't work.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh now that's interesting. Which ones haven't you read?

Hear, hear on Lizard's art. She's just so talented.

Icarus

[cynnamon37.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Just...thank you!! :) I'm relatively new to the SG-1 fandom, having kind of back-ended into it from Stargate Atlantis, and am now almost as addicted to it as Atlantis and House. Again, thanks for the fic recs...Some I've read, but many I haven't, so lots of reading to look forward to! Yay!

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh good, you're welcome. These are all fairly long, involved stories that, depending on how fast you read, should keep you busy for the next five days or so.

Let me know when you surface. I have 23 stories I need to add to the rec-list, one of which is particularly excellent.

Icarus

[brandinsbabe.livejournal.com]

oh sweeeet!
i have so much reading to do now hehe :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Dive in!

I really do have to update that rec-list.

Icarus

[feygan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links! I'm ashamed to admit that I'm not that hot to read the next Harry Potter book. I guess I'm just scared I'm going to be disappointed, like with Anita Blake. And, you know, I somehow find myself more into the fan-side of HP than the canon. It's bad when you like a fanfic story better than the official books.

Oh yeah, and Stargate? I've totally been sucked into the Atlantis side of things. I've even started a links post at my LJ. I've gone through most of the Jack/Daniel stuff, and now I've been seduced by the McShep. You should check them out. The Dark Side of the Gate; join us and I will be your daddy ::heh::

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*grins* I don't have cable so I've never seen Atlantis and probably won't until it's on network television. I know Atlantis is really hot right now but, Jack/Daniel... how can you go wrong?

Icarus

[tigerlilly2063.livejournal.com]

Love your little illustration. Never tried to compare Stargate and HP before, but I do see it now. There's something for everyone.

Unfortunately I'll have to hide into Stargate for more than a week since the book's coming out here only at the beginning of October and I stubbornly refuse to buy the english version 'til all of them are out and I can get a nice package. *sigh*

Hmmm, lovely list of fics. Know a few of them but there's still so much to read for the next months. *gets lost in the J/D-loveliness*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's gonna be rough. You're gonna have to avoid all the new HP fanfic for months. *collects more Stargate stories* We'll have to stock up.

Icarus

[ness-va.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links - I need a way to stay distracted or else I'm going to end up spoiling myself for HBP!

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Yep. I'm trying to avoid both spoilers, hints from JKR, and speculation. Last time I totally ruined the fun of reading OotP by worrying over who was going to die. This time -- nope. Not gonna speculate. Not gonna think about it.

Icarus

[lizardspots.livejournal.com]

*laughs and laughs*

A wonderful piece of propoganda to help out those poor HP fans who need to do something with themselves before HBP comes out. Haha. I love the comparisons - they'd never have occurred to me if you hadn't mentioned. Cool. 'Sinner's Grove' so is the SG-1 version of AJPW.

:O I don't think I've read 'The Other Half'! *adds to reading list*

*goes off to pimp this post* :D

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Hee! You're welcome. I've learned my lesson about reading about the book from last time. No speculation. No spoilers. No hints.

I prefer suprises, and never shake my Xmas presents to see what's inside.

Icarus beckons to the woebegone HP readers: "let your woes begone."

I don't think I've read 'The Other Half'! *adds to reading list*

Good heavens, really? Oh, it's lush, it's long, it's slavery, the sex is hot -- what are you waiting for?

Icarus

[dementedsiren.livejournal.com]

You are lovely.

Not to mention you had me laughing my ass off. Jack-as-Sirius!

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Sarcasm? Impishness? How can we miss it? ;)

Icarus

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

I followed lizard's trail but ... I would like a fic focussed on Jack, which probably has to be from Daniel's pov then. So far I only ever found J adoring D and I'd like to see the other side - any recs there? :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

If you want a fic focused on Jack and written from Daniel's POV, you want to read Dr. Jackson's Diary (above) and Grown Men Don't Freak (above). Both are hilarious and present a Daniel that is absolutely fixated on Jack. Another is paian's For Now (http://www.livejournal.com/users/paian/3499.html). Blisteringly hot Jack there, also written largely from Daniel's POV. Ohsogood.

I love Jack, and for me, what works are fics written and steeped in Jack's POV. There are a lot of stories that could be said to be written from Jack's POV, but in truth, Jack just acts a window frame for the reader to drool over Daniel. My favourite type of Jack-fic is one written and steeped in "Jackness." I'll give you a sample of what I mean: The Package (http://www.livejournal.com/users/paian/3499.html), NC-17 by Chelle, and riotously funny Sometimes Love Can Be Painful (http://www.area52hkh.net/asp/pough/painful.php) by Pough. Those are both quite short, and if you like the Jack-focus there (where although he's sleeping with Daniel, it's really about Jack) I can give you many, many more.

Icarus


If you

[b-c-draygon.livejournal.com]

Thankyou. Just .. thankyou. I want to stay away from the spoilers! So thanks SO MUCH for this. *happy sigh* This will get me through until I go away on holiday (for a week over the time when HP&tHBP comes out) and then when I come back (when my mother will be reading my copy. >.<) So TAHNKS!! ^^ *adds to memories*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome. Dive in. *g*

For me, I'm avoiding spoilers, hints, teasers (and oh how JKR loves to tease), and even speculation, which will draw me out of the story while I'm reading it (because I'll be standing outside determining whether my guesses were right instead of just devouring it).

This book I intend to enjoy. ;)

Icarus

[psycho-tabby.livejournal.com]

Wow! Thats such a great idea. Thank you so much!

[whisperelmwood.livejournal.com]

I've only ever read Anais' diary, so this list is great - thanks for it ^^ (it was high time I started reading more Jack/Daniel anyway)

[lizardspots.livejournal.com]

Two author recs for you: Pepe (http://www.pepesplace.co.uk/PepesStargateStories.htm) and Joy (http://home.kendra.com/urania/stargate_sg1/sgfiction.htm). Much with the hot sex. Pepe's a little too fond of bottom-slut!Daniel, but the scorching hotness and great writing makes up for it. Only read two fics by Joy (Pornfic, and Reality In Reverse) and both were amazing in totally different ways. Very diverse writer.

*runs*