Thanks for that link. I am going through those pages and am finding the answers (of those posters) to my question.
Here is the conversation (and I realize it's between Carter and the "Jack" part of herself....but it still is Jack doing the talking....It is still confusing to me....maybe because I am a die-hard shipper. But then there is "the kiss" which tells all I need to know about Sam's true feelings for Jack. But if he is telling her to just let him go so she can be "happy", well it is a crusher.
CARTER: Came to give me a pep talk?
O'NEILL: That's what friends are for.
CARTER: Friends?
O'NEILL: Hey. This is you talking here. Might as well be honest.
CARTER: What if I quit the Air Force? Would that change anything or is it just an excuse?
O'NEILL: I would never ask you to give up your career.
CARTER: Because you don't feel anything for me?
O'NEILL: Carter.
CARTER: I'd let you go right now if I knew.
O'NEILL: That easy?
CARTER: I didn't say it would be easy.
O'NEILL: Then what's stopping you if you really wanna know?
CARTER: I'm trying.
O'NEILL: Maybe it's not me that's the problem here. Let's face it, I'm not that complex.
CARTER: Me?
O'NEILL: Sam. I'm a safe bet.
CARTER: As long as I'm thinking about you, setting my sights on what I think is unobtainable, there's no chance of being hurt by someone else.
O'NEILL: Jacob was right. You deserve more. I will always be there for you, no matter what. Believe me.
CARTER: So what now?
O'NEILL: Go save your ass.
Here is one response: Jack is a "safe bet" because he's unobtainable (due to regulations that forbid romantic relationships between two officers).
Because Jack and Sam can never be together as they are, Sam doesn't have to risk the possible pains/disappointments that a relationship in the "real world" encompasses. Especially in a relationship that means more to her than any other she has previously experienced......
And here is another interpretation -bascially the same thing.
I thought 'safe bet' meant that they couldn't have a relationship so it was 'safe' for her emotionally to fall for him cos it would never go anywhere, as opposed to a real boyfriend who might want more - like commitment, marriage and all that dangerous jazz.
I understand that take on it - but my take is that it's a safe bet because he loves her and there is no doubt about it.....but she cannot have him as things are....so it is "safe" for her to stay tied to him emotionally since she doesn't have to risk the pain of losing someone else. But as she said, giving up on Jack would not be "easy"
......and giving up on their relationship is not easy for us shippers either! Any other comments are welcome.