SGA:4x16 - Trio

[sholio]

That was awesome.

This is what I WANT from this show. Neat little episodes that showcase the Pegasus Galaxy. Danger that doesn't always have to rely on bad guys. Tightly plotted, well-written episodes that make me laugh and squee and gasp. Fun character interactions, and unexpected heroism, and little indications that the characters all have lives outside their work. Girl bonding! Rodney joining in girl bonding! Missions that go wrong in goofy and dorky and unexpectedly dangerous ways. It just makes the place feel real.

This show has been rocking the women this season. I think this is seriously one of my favorite episodes this season, even though none of my usual "favorite" character relationships were showcased. This is the show I want to watch each week -- no big giant space battles (though they're fun from time to time), just ultra-dorky space explorers bumbling around and succeeding in spite of themselves -- moments of real person heroism rather than big grand gestures.

I want more like this. MORE MORE MORE.

Comments

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

What I did like about this episode is the way Keller was written in the last half. At the beginning she acted as mousy, weak and whiny as she has most of the time which irks me to no end...but like a breath of fresh air, I think the real Keller emerged. One that is a little feisty, confident, genuinely funny and likable.

Even the last few mins she was even flirty with a real sense of snap. I like that Keller, please keep to her or develop her that way without resorting to woe-is-me back story. Funny thing is I'm writing Keller now a decent amount and I felt I was doing a disservice because it was a hybrid of what I saw on screen and a few elements I thought could be fleshed out..so yay on this.

The episode was neat, I loved the set and adored the girl talk. You're right it was a slice of life episode without the need for bad guys. I did find it slow though, but thats just me.

I agree Martin G is one of the best writers on the staff, I can only hope he'll use his talents and use his magic on a Teyla or Ronon episode or mix the cast up again like this. He's proven he can do Sheppard and Rodney though I'd love to see him do something more focused on John.

I'm happy Rodney has one few the best writers, I love his Rodney because Martin's Rodney is the most fleshed out. Equal parts snark, heroism, intelligence, quirks and gentle heart. Maybe Martin will spread the love to the rest of the cast in season 5.

[d_odyssey.livejournal.com]

I agree with most of what you said. Keller was better at the end, but for some reason she still annoys me. I like the episode, but found it dragging and the ending predictable - the building falling just as Rodney swings to solid ground. That said, I did like the character driven aspect to the episode, the three working together and Rodney McGuyvering the tube.

"Martin's Rodney is the most fleshed out." Martin Gero writes great Rodney - it is his alter-ego I think. As you said, it would be great to flesh out the psyche and background of the rest of the team for next year. More of this kind of tightly written, character driven episodes would be welcome too.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Keller still annoys me, but if we get more of her written like we did in that last half, I could really grow to like her. She's the weak link in the cast and if she's going to stay then I WANT to like her more.

It'll be up to the way she's written.

[d_odyssey.livejournal.com]

Yes! I don't hold any grudges against the character or the actress. I, too, want to like her. It is the uneven writing that makes the character grate on me. They do need to keep her strong and add maybe a little maturation. She really needs to have the grounding and compassion that a doctor needs - at least a television doctor. With a stronger character, the whiny voice probably wouldn't bother me so much. It really does come down to the writing. Good point.

[friendshipper.livejournal.com]

Yes, I liked Keller a lot in this, and I hope it sets the trend for the way she'll be written in the future. I love the way Gero handles the cast; he's one of very few writers in TV sci-fi who doesn't shy away from doing slice-of-life eps even in an action show, and I actually love that, but I do think it leaves him having a little trouble figuring out what to do with the more action-oriented characters. One thing he's said in interviews is that he wants to do a team road-trip episode but has found it a tough sell to the studio brass. Oh, I SO hope they let him do that in season 5!

I actually loved the balance that we've gotten in this string of "set-piece" episodes, especially with the back-to-back airing of this one and "Outcast". Basically, almost every character has been spotlighted in this little run of character eps (with special bonus backstory and storyline continuity!) -- well, except for Teyla, but it's rather obvious that Rachel's on a reduced schedule right now. What I really love about this season is that they've delivered a whole lot more than just the "Sheppard and McKay show", but they've managed to do it without sidelining or downplaying the Sheppard/McKay friendship, which is still my favorite character relationship on the show. They really do seem to be doing a marvelous job of handling a fairly large ensemble cast. If they can carry this through into next season, I will be one happy fangirl.