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SGA 3x14 (or possibly 3x15): The Tao of McKay
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... yeah. Incoherent.
Now that I've managed to come back down to planet Earth ... this was weirdly like an SG-1 episode -- the whole feel of it, the weird changes happening to a team member (I never realized just how OFTEN that sort of thing happened to SG-1, compared to how often SGA has to deal with it, 'til we went back and rewatched SG-1 season 1 recently), and most particularly the team interactions. I ... guh. I mean, I NEVER thought we'd get anything like this in SGA. In a weird way, it kind of threw me a little bit. You know how it is, when you want something and then you get it and you're not absolutely sure that you wanted it after all ...? There were moments that felt a teeny bit out of character for Rodney. I know he's dying and all, but things like ... the scene in Teyla's quarters ... I just don't know if I could see him *doing* that. If it happened in a fanfic, I would have thought it was OOC.
On the other hand, maybe when you scrape away all the layers of sarcasm and defenses ... this is what you're left with. A genuinely nice person. I mean, yeah, we always knew Rodney was a decent guy deep down ... but this is the first episode where we see more than just glimpses -- where he's actually *been* nice and managed to keep it up for a significant part of the episode.
I have this wishlist for SGA. Things I'd love to see in an episode that I thought I never would. I ... think it's quite possible that very nearly everything on that list happened in this episode. There is exactly ONE item I can think of that wasn't in this episode. (In case you're curious ... Sheppard performing CPR on Rodney. Or vice versa. But I don't think we'll ever see that in this series. Everything ELSE, however ...)
The *one* thing in the whole episode that didn't make me DROP DEAD ON THE FLOOR was the not-so-subtle hints of McWeir. But you know what ... Rodney being Rodney, I can actually see the scene at the end as his attempt to make light (and make sense) of an utterly incomprehensible thing to him -- having a bunch of people tell him they love him. He has to rationalize it away as sexual desire, simultaneously feeding his ego *and* his insecurities. And in the end, they go to lunch as friends. Just like before.
There's really no point in listing everything I liked about the episode. Just start at the first scene and run through to the last. But there were two real standouts for me. When he's going through and doing his goodbyes and making amends ... there were two scenes in there that really made me ... well, stop and stare. And I think the timing of the whole sequence is entirely deliberate. Those two scenes are the bracketing ones, his goodbye to Zelenka and to Sheppard.
Zelenka's the very first one, because Zelenka is the person he has the most to make up for -- and while I kind of got the impression with some of the others that he was just trying to come up with something, ANYTHING that he could do for them, with Zelenka there really *was* something that needed to be done ... probably the hardest thing in the world to do: Apologize for being an ass for the last two and a half years. And he did it, and it was truly heartfelt.
The other scene was the one with Sheppard. Throughout all the rest of it, I kept thinking, "I can't WAIT to see what he does for Sheppard." But what made that scene stand out was that he didn't have to do anything at all. There was nothing between the two of them that needed to be said or done. Everything they needed had already *been* said or done. They were good. End of story.
I ... *still* can't quite get my mind around this episode. I think I will go die of squee now. see ya ...
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I did smile at the McWeir and I am waiting for the fic's to roll out.
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The thing about this episode, though ... what would you fic? Everything was THERE! Okay, yeah, I can think of a few tags that could be done. But we practically got everything that we normally get from fic!
GUH.
And LOL at the dialogue comment, because I was thinking the same thing during the episode! I actually kind of felt sorry for the actor in this one! Like with GUP ... I can just see poor DH sitting around learning about 400 pages of dialogue ...
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I was (metaphorically) on the edge of the seat going 'please let them do a scene with John, don't let them cheat us of that' and the scene was perfect, absolutely in keeping with what we know of those two. It cemented my conviction that they're best buddies but will barely admit it to themselves, let alone to each other or anyone else. Nothing to say, because beyond all their differences, those two *get* each other. And who else would you give your last requests to but the person you're closest too? Perfect. And toward the beginning, did John really need to *say* that he would keep an eye on Rodney? I mean isn't that his default position? LOL!
Oh and John admited to loving him in the way that friends do - by proxy and via the means of asserting his masculinity of course - but in his pwn way he made it clear that he agreed with what Elizabeth said! Am I getting subtextual here? Anyway, I can't wait for the better quality version so we can see the look on his face when Rodney's near his end...
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I LOVED THIS EPISODE.
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My god. Did I just watch that?
I think McKay was very in character throughout, keeping in mind that he was, in fact, undergoing a change. He was still arrogant and snarky, and determined to do whatever it took to solve the problem, even if it meant *gasp* unleashing his burdens by talking to his friends. The scenes with Shep are pure magic.
Many aspects of this episode are very deep, and very eastern philo oriented, hence the episode name, but the depth that was touched startled me. I'm not sure even the writers knew what they tapped into.
Too many squee moments to count! McKay was getting on my nerves, as he should, because the character is meant to be an ass. I don't think he came across as too soft or friendly, in fact this McKay is very like the McKay we first saw on SG1. Arrogant to a fault but very human, not quite as defensive as he is on Atlantis. This, as he came across in this episode, is definitely his core being.
It's given me a lot to think about while writing Sea'scape Three, that's for sure.
This episode I can sink my teeth into, provided I can slap McKay around a bit. LOL! Ronon was classic, absolutely brilliant!
AWESOME EPISODE!!!!!!!!!
Kam :D :D :D
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My god. Did I just watch that?
That was about my reaction. I swear they let the fanficcers write an episode! I know half the season has been that way, but this one ... I still haven't picked up my jaw off the floor.
And yes, I loved that all of the making-of-amends at the end was basically still Rodney in problem-solving mode -- if he'd just been dying of something relatively ordinary, he might not have reacted that way (although you never know, he still might've) but it really *was* a Rodney thing to do, approaching the whole thing analytically even when he's apologizing to his friends.
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I thought the scene with Ronon, the basis of it, was awesome, because it showed a great side of Rodney. With Zelenka, like you said, he had to apologise, that was obvious, and with Teyla we can assume he hounded Halling to get some info :), but Ronon. He had to think about that one, didn't he, find something that was meaningful, and I really loved that he did.
Of course, he was OOC (that's not meant to sound as rude as it does). He didn't have anything to hide anymore, and while I agree that the scene in Teyla's quarters was a bit strange, I couldn't have seem him go to Teyla and tell her how he felt, just blurt it out like he did for Zelenka. I suppose Halling told him that that particular thing would really mean something. So by offering the ceremony, Rodney could tell Teyla that he respected her and she was so important to him that he would take the time to sit and talk with her. The tea was weird, but I thought the roundabout way of getting his feelings out there was very much Rodney.
But John, and the slouch, and the not talking about it! They could've kept that scene going forever. :)
Also, Elizabeth was great, she didn't back down and just said what needed to be said. It was so "no, Rodney, don't diiiiiiiie" and I loved that. The scene at the end was well done, Rodney getting back into his Rodney suit, being obnoxiously adorable.
This episode was love!
And, darn, was The Hewlett hot (sorry, I felt it needed to be said, again, caaaaaaaaaps are coming up, you can bet on it)
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Throughout all the making-amends parts, I loved how he was still so Rodney -- barging into Teyla's quarters, apologizing to Radek and then running off leaving him in shock. Even when he's being nice, he's still got this bull-in-a-china-shop sort of attitude to him.
And the John scene, OMG ...
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More Teyla would have been nice, but in a way it wasn't needed so much. Teyla's affection for Rodney is quite clear to me, and it hasn't been complicated by past events. Rodney and Elizabeth's friendship has seen much stress and strain, so it was lovely seeing her fight and keep fighting for Rodney. It also seemed to bring them closer together - I think she saw a side of him she'd forgotten about and instead of leaving him to get his mid-afternoon snack by himself, she makes an effort to spend some non-work time with the man who wrote her a 500 page biography. Very lovely indeed.
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I just don't think I could possibly love this episode any more than I do. I'm kind of *still* in shock that TPTB gave us an episode like this. *squee*
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" But what made that scene stand out was that he didn't have to do anything at all. There was nothing between the two of them that needed to be said or done. Everything they needed had already *been* said or done. They were good. End of story.
That's what I loved the most about the scenes between John and Rodney - it just proved for me that both of them already know where they stand with each other. They don't NEED anythimg more - which is pretty much why I laugh at all the stories where Rodney is feeing so insecure because "John is so MEAN to him" or some other BS like that! What show are people WATCHING?!?!?!
I also feel the same way about the scene at the end where Rodney says "thank you" to Carson - that was all that needed to be said between them and AGAIN I ask why people think that Carson is mean to Rodney when Rodney obviously doesn't think so.
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I think that others may have more problems with the Carson/Rodney interaction simply because there's a lot less screen time given to that friendship (and Carson in general - his character's not been properly developed IMHO). And yes, I agree - Rodney doesn't think he's mean - but occasionally the timing of Carson's snark is perceived by viewers as being 'off'. I still struggle a little with the scene in 'Common Ground' - you know the one! I won't list reasons why here.
But Rodney himself is certainly no put upon victim.
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*nods* exactly! Also I think you have to take into consideration how men interact with each other and how women interact with each other ... totally different types of interactions.
I think that others may have more problems with the Carson/Rodney interaction simply because there's a lot less screen time given to that friendship (and Carson in general - his character's not been properly developed IMHO).
I started thinking about that the other day and I think you're right. For a lot of people all they see IS the snark so they don't see it as Carson being a friend to Rodney but the thing that bugs me about that is that Rodney is JUST as snarky with Carson as Carson is with Rodney so I don't see a problem.... *shrug*
I still struggle a little with the scene in 'Common Ground' - you know the one! I won't list reasons why here.
The one where Carson asks Rodney WTF he's doing after he makes an ass of himself in front of the Marines? Dude *I* was asking myself the same thing Carson did to be honest. Rodney really had no business doing that, seriously. Sure it was a cute moment but I agreed with Carson - "Rodney what are you on about?" was a fair question.
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I agree that the scene with Teyla did feel a little...off. Rodney is not one to stand on ceremony or ritual and what the impression I got was the tea ceremony was just that...a ritutal that had no pratical effect. I could that he would understand that is something that is important to Teyla and he might try to honor her by doing something that she would like, but even so. It felt just a little off-key.
I also agree with your comments about how the fact that Rodney didn't need to do or say anything to Sheppard or to Carson is proof of how important they are to him in that those are relationships in that he feels that everything that needed to said had been said. Even with the teasing and snark that went back and forth it we saw both John and Carson doing whatever they could to help save Rodney... even when he didn't want to or couldn't do what needed to be done. Rodney clear his mind? You'd have better luck asking my 17 mouth old niece to sit down and stay still for a minute...
But what I really loved was that right up until the end John was pretty much in denial. He wasn't going to say anything really mushy to Rodney because that is what you do when someone is going to die - and John refused to beleive that was going happen.
As for Radek - I did love Rodney's heart-felt apology to his co-worker and friend. I do wonder how long Rodney will continue to be nice to him. I think that he really has been trying to be a better person - it is just that snarkier side of him keeps coming out...And I think that for the most Radek understand. Rodney may drive him up a wall, but I do think Radek really does care for Rodney and he showed it by contiuning to find a way to fix what had gone wrong...
As for the people still think that John and Carson are mean to Rodney...I don't think there is anything that can be done to change their minds...and I really do not feel like banging my head againist that particular wall.
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Yeah. Off-key was my feeling on watching that scene, too. Now, don't get me wrong: I *loved* that the scene was in there and I adored Teyla's gratified and astounded reaction, and just the fact that Rodney would deliberately seek out something that *she* would like to do, rather than dragging her along on something *he* wanted to do. I don't think it was the existence of the scene so much as the execution of it. Something about it just didn't feel right to me. But I loved that it was there, and I don't mind a little awkwardness in return for the fact that it *was* there. It's so easy for this show, with its huge cast, to let certain character relationships slip under the rug -- I'm thinking here of the lack of a goodbye or hello scene in "Return" between Rodney and his Pegasus teammates. Just the fact that they had a meaningful goodbye/atonement scene here between Rodney and every single other character he has a canonical relationship with ... it simply meant the world to me.
But what I really loved was that right up until the end John was pretty much in denial. He wasn't going to say anything really mushy to Rodney because that is what you do when someone is going to die - and John refused to beleive that was going happen.
Oh yes, I loved that too. John's just not really emotionally equipped to deal with this sort of thing, I think. He deals by *not* dealing. I think this episode really gives a lot of support to my thought that in "Grace Under Pressure" he doesn't really seem overtly worried about Rodney in the jumper because he's not *allowing* himself to even contemplate the idea that Rodney's not all right. It's not that he doesn't care, at all -- it's just that in his mind, there is nothing to worry about, because he won't allow himself to contemplate the alternative. I think we see the same thing here, only it's more obvious because he finally gets pushed to the point where he can't deny it any longer.
And I think that for the most Radek understand. Rodney may drive him up a wall, but I do think Radek really does care for Rodney and he showed it by contiuning to find a way to fix what had gone wrong...
Oh yes, I agree 100%. Actually, I've never got the impression that Radek really needs or even wants an apology from Rodney for his behavior. You can tell in the beginning scene that Rodney's constant barrage of insults isn't bothering him at all ... he just lets it roll off him and goes on with his stories and the occasional bit of self-defense. (Oh, and one final, gratuitous dig at the "John & Carson are big meanies" people, and then I'll shut up: Rodney is an absolute bastard to Zelenka in every single episode in which they both appear. So where are the fangirls vilifying Rodney for being mean to Zelenka? I ask you?)
It probably *is* difficult to be in Radek's position, but we know from past episodes that he likes and cares about Rodney, and that he tends to hear what Rodney *means* more than what he says. The end scene in Duet comes to mind here, where Rodney thanks Radek for helping him in classic, condescending Rodney style ... and it's obvious from the look on Radek's face that he understands he's been genuinely thanked even though it's in the most insulting way possible. Or Radek's somewhat subtle defense of Rodney to Jeannie in McKay & Mrs Miller -- just the fact that he understands and accepts that Rodney tries to hog the glory, and doesn't even really seem to mind.
The apology was really more for Rodney's benefit than Radek's, I think -- he feels genuine remorse for his somewhat one-sided treatment of Radek, but I do think that he's probably going to let the guilt go now that he's actually admitted it. I fully expect them to go right back to the snarkiness and bickering after the credits roll on this episode, though. *grin* It's just how they are! It's kind of like he needed to say, just once, "You know I don't really mean this, right?" And now they can resume the cat & mouse game.
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Tao of Rodney
First, I have to agree, I loved this episode. While my two favorite characters are Zelenka and Sheppard, they had plenty of great scenes in this one. Honestly, the scene that made my heart go 'pitter-pat' was the one where a cursing, angry Zelenka got fried by a power surge and was rushed to the infirmary. To quote a previous comment: "Gah...."! Next favorite? Sheppard and Rodney in his quarters just before McKay collapses; yes, John is in complete denial. Plus, at the death-bed vigil, there's a lot of Sheppard's "never say die" attitude showing as he tries to coach Rodney into Ascension.
Secondly, in the OOC scenes where Rodney is trying to let go of his guilt and insecurities by saying/doing something meaningful for those he cares about: I actually have no problem with the Rodney/Teyla interaction. Perhaps he feels guilty about not learning more about his teammate's past and culture, and is trying to make up for it. Maybe he just wants to do something nice for someone important to him just to let them know, obliquely, that they ARE important...I don't know. Still, it felt right to me. The scene with Sheppard was perfect, even if I never would have thought of it myself. The one with Ronan was a little stilted, but I think that was intentional - Ronan intimidates Rodney just a little bit.
Actually, the interaction that was completely OOC to my mind was the one with Zelenka! Not that it happened, just the...phrasing...of the statements. If I had written a fanfic like that, my beta-reader would've completely re-written the dialog! For example, instead of, "You should not have had to endure the kind of abuse that you've taken from me in the past few years", the statement would have been more like, "I appreciate that you've put up with my...idiosyncracies...over the past few years" or something along those lines. At no time can I imagine Rodney saying, "...I am a petty, vindictive, jealous man. I supplement my own anxieties...by creating a bubble of hostility around myself". Instead, I would expect his statement to be more like, "I recognize that I can sometimes be difficult to work with, and that you have often taken the brunt of...my personality." He would absolutely have complemented Radek on his brilliance and his innate goodness, just exactly like he did on-screen. At the end of that little vignette, my mouth was hanging open just like Radek's! Still, I can only suppose that Elizabeth's instruction to 'read his own mind' resulted in his suddenly becoming more self-aware that he was ever prone to do in the past, which would account for all the strange behaviors.
One question, though; after he's returned to his normal genetic self, does he lose that self-awareness? He remembers everything that happened, yet seems uncomfortable with a hug from Ronan that exactly reflected the one he had given just hours before...Did he just sublimate all his revelations deep into his psyche because he was going to live?
Finally, potential plot bunnies (feel free to use any that start nibbling at your ankles)...
1) Radek's childhood - his brother burnt down their house and they lived in a tent in the dead of a Czech winter for three months? Do you know how cold that is?!?! We know now that he has a brother and a sister; could he have had other siblings that died during that experience?
2) After the lightning strike, how was Radek found, and by whom? We know McKay wanted to know where he was...
3) AU story where Sheppard gets zapped (either with or instead of Rodney). Maybe some of his Ascended girlfriends would show up to 'show him the way'?
4)Missing scene - what did Sheppard do/think while waiting for the med team to arrive after Rodney collapsed?
5)"Hyperspace Generator for the Puddlejumpers"? Too cool! You KNOW Sheppard would want to fly it! What kind of trouble could they get into now?
Wow, this is a long post. Hopefully I didn't offend anyone with my opinions on the McKay/Zelenka interaction - after all, they're merely that; my opinions. To each his own, no? If nothing else, it's different!
Re: Tao of Rodney
adding to your plot bunnies (awesome by the way) I wonder what happens after the episode between Zelenka and Rodney - that will definitly be an awkward situation. On the other hand I do think that they both would want things to get back to normal as quickly as possible and probably forget that the conversation ever happend. Well maybe not "forget" exactly - because it probably was nice for Zelenka to hear, even if he didn't need to hear it (he did try to stop Rodney after all) but at least put it out of their minds for the time being.
Re: Tao of Rodney
Re: Tao of Rodney
First off, I totally agree with you that if I'd written it, I would have used a much more emotionally restrained tone. I think that if I'd read a fic that had written it that way, I'd be thinking, "OOC!"
But in the show ... it worked for me, and the reason why is because I actually *can* see Rodney getting as hyper-analytical about himself as about everything else. If Rodney was going to actually overcome his social awkwardness enough to try to explain his behavior to someone else, I really *can* see him doing it like this -- as a completely excessive sharing-of-information. Plus, he may well have picked up some of this stuff from therapy sessions with Heightmeyer or others, and is simply repeating the phrasing that therapists have used about him.
Maybe I'm just rationalizing ... *grin*
And I actually think that he was just as uncomfortable with the hug that he initiated with Ronon -- notice how he looked around to make sure no one was watching? And in the second hug, his entire team and friends were standing around looking at him ... that's bound to send him into awkward-little-Rodney mode.
Hmm ... interesting plot bunnies! And I was wondering about those hyperspace generators for the 'jumpers, too. That has all sorts of intriguing possibilities ...
Re: Tao of Rodney
1) Radek's childhood - his brother burnt down their house and they lived in a tent in the dead of a Czech winter for three months? Do you know how cold that is?!?! We know now that he has a brother and a sister; could he have had other siblings that died during that experience?
Erm ... how cold is it? My family had almost the same experience when I was very young, only in rural Alaska. Our cabin burned down and my parents (and little me) ended up living in a tent in the woods in southcentral Alaska for TWO FREAKIN' YEARS while they built a new house. Fortunately I was too young to remember. My sister was born during that time, so then it was FOUR of us in a tent in Alaska. In fact, that part of the show made me laugh because I was thinking, Hey, that happened to us!
I don't have a clue what temperatures in Czechoslovakia are like, though. We didn't usually get colder than about -10F or so in that part of Alaska where I grew up, which is totally do-able in a tent. I'm in Fairbanks now, where we get -50F on a regular basis, and that's pretty damn chilly even WITH central heating. I actually *could* see a homeless family dying if they weren't prepared in a Fairbanks winter. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a tent at -50!
Re: Tao of Rodney
One question, though; after he's returned to his normal genetic self, does he lose that self-awareness? He remembers everything that happened, yet seems uncomfortable with a hug from Ronan that exactly reflected the one he had given just hours before...
Well there was one difference...When Rodney hugged Ronon, there was a purpose for it. He was doing to heal the scars on Ronon's back. And as been mentioned, Rodney looked around to make sure no onw was watching before he hugged Ronon. Ronon's hug was one of pure emotion - a "I'm glad to have to back" hug and was done in full of the team. So there were differences that explained why Rodney was slightly uncomfortable with Ronon hugging him, even if he had hagged Ronon only a few hours before.
Re: Tao of Rodney
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The only teeny, tiny complaint I have is about the second time in John's quarters. I wanted more hurting for Rodney and more comforting from John. I'm sure that just me though. I've been spoiled by fic, plus I'm a total h/c junkie (and yes, a bit sick too, wanting poor Rodney to hurt, I know). LOL Every thing else was absolutely wonderful and squee worthy. My favorite part was at the end when Ronon hugged Rodney. I can't even put into words why, but that made me go awwwww and squeeeeee a lot.
And now I know what Paul McGillion was talking about. I saw him at a con in September and when he was talking about season three, he said that he was levitated in an upcoming episode. He also mentioned that he had to wear a harness and told the guys that they didn't want to do that and that he had a high pitched voice for days. That all just makes so much more sense after seeing the episode. Well, mostly anyway. LOL
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I wouldn't have minded having a wee bit more of John's reactions after Rodney collapsed in his quarters. That would have been nice to see -- he does such a good job at expressing the understated worry and grief later on in the informary scene. But there was just so MUCH to squee about anyway ...