Stargate Fic Recommendations

Rec Category: Episode Related (Other)

Pairing: None; Daniel & Jack Friendship; Vala; Teal'c; Landry
Category: Drama; Hurt/Comfort; Humor; Gen; Ep Related
Warning: mild language
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: http://web.tampabay.rr.com/aelfgyfu/MeadHall.html

Link to Story: My Dinner with Vala

Why This Must Be Read:

Some of my recent recs have been a bit dark, so turning to lighter and enjoyable fare, Aelfgyfu's My Dinner with Vala is a must read.

Written from Jack's point of view, this is a missing scene from Season Nine's "The Ties That Bind", because with Daniel and Teal'c and Hank in Washington, of course they have to stop by and say hello to Jack. Vala is necessarily along for the ride. Her impressions of Tau'ri culture, cuisine and the show characters are wittily incorporated into the dialogue, as well as Daniel's continuous frustration at being in her presence. Looking back now, with the darker turns of Season Ten, it's fun to see this lighter banter. Vala is irrepressably Vala, and a complicated and sympathetic figure, even though Daniel seems to be the one in the most pain. Daniel's meal choices seem a bit of a childish way to get back at Vala, but are amusing, more so when it backfires for the interplanetary savvy Vala Mal Doran.

Several canon questions are referred to and answered in a manner that stays within canon, but isn't heavy handed fanwanking. We learn more about Sam's time at Area 51. Daniel's beard of early Season Nine is questioned...via Jack's teasing. First impressions of Mitchell. Landry makes a fantastic straight man to the Jack Daniel and Vala show, with Teal'c along, unperturbed as always.

Written early in Season Nine, Mitchell's character was seen as a bit more straight laced than he eventually became, at least to Daniel's early impressions. There's a nice balance of light hearted fare and deeper angst. In a way it's odd to see the guys having a heart-to-heart in the men's room of a public restroom, but somehow it works. The angst does not become too maudlin, and the humor does not descend into camp.

It's also a fascinating spin now that Vala's character has recently been flushed out more in "Morpheus". I have no problem seeing "My Dinner with Vala" as still part of canon. My Dinner with Vala definitely makes an enjoyable missing scene meal for any fan of Season Nine, Jack, Daniel, or Vala.