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SGA 4x03: Reunion
I really liked this episode. I liked the way that they played up the conflict, both within the team and with their new leader, but not in a forced or "here's the good guys, here's the bad guys" kind of way. (Speaking of bad guys, I saw the betrayal coming a LOOOOONG ways off, and I kinda hoped that just for once the "long lost old friends who woo away the main character" would turn out NOT to be total bastards and he'd choose to come back on his own. But still, the beat-down was awesome and the "Where are your friends/Right here" exchange was love.)
But anyway, one of the things I really like about this show is that the characters don't always march in lockstep. They are very different people, with different drives pulling them in different directions. It was nice to see those conflicts come to the fore ... but without breaking up the friendship, awwww.
The introduction of Carter into a leadership role was, IMHO, perfectly done -- she's assertive but not obnoxious, kind of uncertain, trying to make her authority felt without pushing too hard. And TEAAALLLL'C! (Sorry. Fangirl moment. *squees quietly*) Anyway, I loved the tearful goodbye scene with Carter and Teal'c; it's too bad that we didn't see all of SG-1, but I really loved that we did get that peek into her life back on Earth and her sorrow at leaving her team behind. (And honestly, if it had to be just one of them, I loved that it was Teal'c, because ever since "Undending" I've been totally grooving on his friendship with her and even sort of vaguely shipping them a little bit, to the extent that I ever do anyhow.)
The one thing that bugged me a little about the Carter introduction is that the military thing is never even mentioned, and I'd think that would be a really big deal -- because it was always a fairly big deal that Atlantis was a civilian expedition, not a military one, and having an active member of the U.S. military in charge, even if she's not officially acting in that capacity ... it is a big thing and it would change the way that other Earth governments relate to Atlantis, I'd think, as well as the whole feel of the place. One of the things I always liked about SG-1 is that they did deal with that stuff, the political behind-the-scenes and the way that other nations felt about the U.S. having a Stargate monopoly. That it wasn't addressed here, even in so much as a throwaway line of dialogue, felt like an oversight.
However, they did bring up John's desire to rescue Elizabeth, and again, I just loved the way that scene was played -- you got the idea that he'd been holding back on a rescue mission because of his responsibility to Atlantis, but now that he was no longer in charge, he's jumping back into "no man left behind!" and oh, the look on his face when she told him no -- he is not happy, and I foresee many ... interesting discussions in their future.
And speaking of John, and facial expressions, and body language -- once again, wonderful handling of the subtle-yet-strong friendship dynamic ... the scene in the cafeteria, and then the one where Ronon tells him he's leaving the team ... oh, John. (And Rodney taking Ronon's painting, and then giving it back using Teyla as a proxy ... I loved that, because it's so subtle, especially since we never saw Rodney in that scene at all -- and yet so blatant, because it's a horribly ugly painting and not even remotely the sort of thing Rodney would ever want, which means that he only wanted it to remember Ronon by, but doesn't want to give it back to his face because that would mean admitting it. Awwwwwww!)
And more awwwwww! for the scene where they wake up in the Wraith cell, because was it just me, or did John squeeze Rodney's hand when he's waking up? I re-watched that scene, er, a few times, trying to catch that bit (the hands are mostly behind the cage bars, unfortunately) but that's sure what it looked like. If he didn't squeeze his hand, then he certainly had his fingers resting against Rodney's ...
And more awwww! and also, squee! for more Teyla/Ronon friendship scenes. I loved that she accompanied him offworld to check out the rumors of more of his people. And her little smack-down in the gym to get him to open up and talk about what was bothering him ... HEEEEEEEE!
Zelenka has gotten much better at doing offworld stuff, hasn't he? This is the guy who was freaking out in Duet ... and now he's accompanying the military on a raid on a Wraith research lab! (Although he didn't seem to have a gun, which is probably just as well.) But he did have a life signs detector, which was very much a WTF? moment ... but then I got to thinking: has it EVER been established in canon that those only work for someone who has the gene? For three years, I've assumed so when I'm writing fic, and even used it as a plot point in "Fading Sun". But -- have they EVER said, or shown, that only gene-bearers can use them? I can't think of a single time ... it's just that we've only ever seen John or Rodney with them, but that just might be circumstance.
I think that's everything ... well, that and I really liked the one Satedan guy who got away, and I thought he had a fascinating dynamic with Ronon and Teyla both -- so I hope he comes back!
Now I'm off to read other episode reactions and chat about 'em. *g*
But anyway, one of the things I really like about this show is that the characters don't always march in lockstep. They are very different people, with different drives pulling them in different directions. It was nice to see those conflicts come to the fore ... but without breaking up the friendship, awwww.
The introduction of Carter into a leadership role was, IMHO, perfectly done -- she's assertive but not obnoxious, kind of uncertain, trying to make her authority felt without pushing too hard. And TEAAALLLL'C! (Sorry. Fangirl moment. *squees quietly*) Anyway, I loved the tearful goodbye scene with Carter and Teal'c; it's too bad that we didn't see all of SG-1, but I really loved that we did get that peek into her life back on Earth and her sorrow at leaving her team behind. (And honestly, if it had to be just one of them, I loved that it was Teal'c, because ever since "Undending" I've been totally grooving on his friendship with her and even sort of vaguely shipping them a little bit, to the extent that I ever do anyhow.)
The one thing that bugged me a little about the Carter introduction is that the military thing is never even mentioned, and I'd think that would be a really big deal -- because it was always a fairly big deal that Atlantis was a civilian expedition, not a military one, and having an active member of the U.S. military in charge, even if she's not officially acting in that capacity ... it is a big thing and it would change the way that other Earth governments relate to Atlantis, I'd think, as well as the whole feel of the place. One of the things I always liked about SG-1 is that they did deal with that stuff, the political behind-the-scenes and the way that other nations felt about the U.S. having a Stargate monopoly. That it wasn't addressed here, even in so much as a throwaway line of dialogue, felt like an oversight.
However, they did bring up John's desire to rescue Elizabeth, and again, I just loved the way that scene was played -- you got the idea that he'd been holding back on a rescue mission because of his responsibility to Atlantis, but now that he was no longer in charge, he's jumping back into "no man left behind!" and oh, the look on his face when she told him no -- he is not happy, and I foresee many ... interesting discussions in their future.
And speaking of John, and facial expressions, and body language -- once again, wonderful handling of the subtle-yet-strong friendship dynamic ... the scene in the cafeteria, and then the one where Ronon tells him he's leaving the team ... oh, John. (And Rodney taking Ronon's painting, and then giving it back using Teyla as a proxy ... I loved that, because it's so subtle, especially since we never saw Rodney in that scene at all -- and yet so blatant, because it's a horribly ugly painting and not even remotely the sort of thing Rodney would ever want, which means that he only wanted it to remember Ronon by, but doesn't want to give it back to his face because that would mean admitting it. Awwwwwww!)
And more awwwwww! for the scene where they wake up in the Wraith cell, because was it just me, or did John squeeze Rodney's hand when he's waking up? I re-watched that scene, er, a few times, trying to catch that bit (the hands are mostly behind the cage bars, unfortunately) but that's sure what it looked like. If he didn't squeeze his hand, then he certainly had his fingers resting against Rodney's ...
And more awwww! and also, squee! for more Teyla/Ronon friendship scenes. I loved that she accompanied him offworld to check out the rumors of more of his people. And her little smack-down in the gym to get him to open up and talk about what was bothering him ... HEEEEEEEE!
Zelenka has gotten much better at doing offworld stuff, hasn't he? This is the guy who was freaking out in Duet ... and now he's accompanying the military on a raid on a Wraith research lab! (Although he didn't seem to have a gun, which is probably just as well.) But he did have a life signs detector, which was very much a WTF? moment ... but then I got to thinking: has it EVER been established in canon that those only work for someone who has the gene? For three years, I've assumed so when I'm writing fic, and even used it as a plot point in "Fading Sun". But -- have they EVER said, or shown, that only gene-bearers can use them? I can't think of a single time ... it's just that we've only ever seen John or Rodney with them, but that just might be circumstance.
I think that's everything ... well, that and I really liked the one Satedan guy who got away, and I thought he had a fascinating dynamic with Ronon and Teyla both -- so I hope he comes back!
Now I'm off to read other episode reactions and chat about 'em. *g*
no subject
I'm writing a tag for this story already (!) with Sam and John and hopefully a bit of Rodney as well, discussing the fact that McKay is now wanted by the Wraith personally... I hope future episode(s) will address the whole Wraith after McKay thing too, but who knows?!
Of course my favourite line was cut (yep, been reading Joe's blog again!). The replicator was originally going to talk to McKay, but they cut it as it made the replicator less scary. Basically it tells McKay to let it go, he's like no way, it's like you don't have to be afraid of me and McKay replies:
“Still, I'm one of those equal opportunity fearers.”
LOL! Pity they had to lose that, but I agree it would have made the replicator less scary in the later scene when it does get free... oh well!
And personally, I love the Sam and Rodney scene in her quarters too and am suprised people have a problem with it - it's just so *them* (McKay especially!).
Gonna have to go watch it again soon - I don't think I'll pick up on the hand holding/touching bit in the cell scene as I'm on youtube until it airs in the UK (therefore small screen) and my friend sends me a copy to watch (cos I don't have Sky One anymore due to them bullying the cable channel... looong boring story...)
no subject
I actually missed that line (I wasn't that interested in the Replicator scene, so I skimmed over it) so thanks for mentioning it -- that's SUCH a Rodney comment! *g*
And, yeah, I'm not really sure why people are bothered by the Sam/Rodney scene, personally.
no subject
Balcony Scene
Not as good as some that I've read, but hopefully acceptable!