AUs are good too! Sometimes canon can lead to trouble. Like DW- there's so much of it and it's contradictory. NCIS's characterization of Tony depends on the episode, not the season. And Sheppard and McKay's interaction really changes through time.

I have my own versions of canon in my head- close to truthful (I hope anyway) but using the aspects I can work with. Like I ignore Ten's brusque dismissal of Jack. I don't like it when the Doctor's mean.