sholio: sun on winter trees (SGA-Dusty from Whispers)
Sholio ([personal profile] sholio) wrote2008-09-05 11:15 pm

SGA 5x07-Whispers

The good: I love Dusty! I was delighted that she survived; she reminds me of a female Dixon (from SG-1). She's fun and snarky and competent and made me laugh, and I would love to see her come back again. I also liked that Porter wasn't absurdly young (I think she was pretty close to Beckett's age, actually), and she and Dusty seem to have the beginnings of a cute little friendship.

I liked having an episode that focused largely on background characters, and I liked seeing Sheppard interact with some of the people under his command. I also thought it was interesting that the team leaders appear to have a huge amount of autonomy to select and run their own teams; I know Atlantis is a pretty laid-back place, but it makes me wonder just how lackadaisical Sheppard is about his paperwork. *g*

The bad: Okay, basically, the entire episode relied on the characters behaving like complete and total idiots. I mean, I realize that this is always sort of a problem on this show (*pets show*) but in this case, it was completely distracting. I was embarrassed for them! Come on, people! No, you do NOT need to spend the night in the creepy abandoned village which the villagers just told you is haunted, and you do NOT need to go wandering around in small groups at night. It got to the point where I was *headdesking* every time YET ANOTHER person went off in the creepy mist by themselves. And just to make things worse, the Stargate was RIGHT THERE! How do they not have a contingency plan for this? When trapped offworld by hostiles, either a) hole up somewhere defensible until your check-in with Atlantis, and have a heavily armed puddlejumper sent through, or b) cluster all together and make a run for the conveniently nearby gate. It was hard to worry about them too much when help was a mere Stargate away.

Making matters worse, maybe this is just me, but I did not find the monsters scary at all. I found the general idea of them potentially scary, but when our heroes were armed with P90s and were up against what are basically 12 blind human beings whose only special abilities are super-hearing and the ability to scream -- Um. Yeah. Not scary. It is a very bad sign that I kept amusing myself during the episode thinking up ways to make the monsters more scary and intimidating -- such as, why bother giving them mist-producing glands when it doesn't do anything special other than interfere with flashlights (on a world that has no native-produced flashlights). What about poison gas? Sleep gas?

You could produce an incredibly creepy story using the idea of monsters with superhearing, where the heroes have to sneak around making no noise or they'll die. (I can only imagine what Steven Moffat would do with an idea like that.) This, sadly, was NOT that story.

I was also startled at how Vega's death was glossed over and never mentioned again. That was downright weird. I would have liked to have seen more reaction from Sheppard and from her teammates.

But in conclusion - DUSTY! I was totally fangirling her during the episode, and was thoroughly delighted that she didn't die, as I was expecting. I think Dusty and Porter need to have more adventures. :D

[identity profile] with-apostrophe.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 09:21 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I was surprised by how much I liked the characters. I'd got a bad impression about the actress who played Dusty from the photos I'd seen, but she was great.

The "romance" was a little sick making - I totally understand why Dusty wanted to get out of there.

The plot - have the characters not seen horror movies? Do they not have common sense? I too kept on thinking "Are you stupid? Don't go out there on your own!" Very, very poor.

Vega's death - maybe there was more about that but it got cut? Must check out JM's blog.

Oh and I can't believe that a moment has occurred that made me simultaneously want to slap Sheppard and Beckett - yep their little hand signal. BOYS! Still I did like Teldy's crack about the best and the brightest. Oh and John saluted again - albeit reluctantly.

I reckon Joe and David have "Must appear in every show" written into their contracts. Poor Rodney at the end - he must have his gossip....

[identity profile] brabbel.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
And let's not forget Sheppard's surprise at an all-female team - hello? Military commander anyone? Shouldn't he know the teams, or at least which teams his underlings are on?

Otherwise, quite a useless and typical redshirt-episode. I found the Carson-Porter-thing quite amusing, as well as Dusty's comments.

[identity profile] wneleh.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 10:08 am (UTC)(link)
Fifteen minutes in, I was rooting for the monsters. And plotting the angsty Carson/Ronon breakup that was the real reason for Carson's quick decision to leave Atlantis.

I *so* want this to be the Season of Squee, but this episode? Felt like it was there to balance out The Shrine.

[identity profile] spike21.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 12:01 pm (UTC)(link)
there was a fantastically creepy SF story from the 60s (I suspect it was Brabury) where a guy who hated extraneous noise converted his vaccuum cleaner to a noise-eliminating machine which he soon discovered actually eliminated the thing that made the noise. It got away from him and the scariest part was when it was stalking his baby son and he had to be absolutely silent to stalk it.

Umm... yeah, there was much ehhh in this episode.

[identity profile] ladyflowdi.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
The worst part, for me? Was John not realizing that a team under his direct supervision, being military commander and all, was comprised of all women. It smacked of unprofessionalism -- I didn't buy it at all. John wouldn't be the type of commander to not know who is on what gate team, should the need to, oh, I dunno, rescue them arise. The one who should have been surprised in that scene was Beckett.

The show had so many inconsistencies in it it felt like I was watching swiss cheese. John taking Beckett instead of Rodney to a Wraith lab. Leaving the two scientists with only one military escort. SPLITTING UP in the fog. John's very stupid plan to blow shit up. COME ON. Honestly.

[identity profile] sp23.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I've only watched half the episode so far, and had to give up, at least for the time-being. The illogic made my brain hurt. The fact that this was written by Mallozzi & Mullie makes me even more worried what we're going to get by way of the movie.

Was Dusty the Sergeant? Because, yes, I liked her.

Sheppard not knowing what personnel are on away teams is beyond stupid.

In conclusion, what I've seen of this episode so far pretty much sucks.

[identity profile] lavvyan.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
The plot - have the characters not seen horror movies?

Word. So much word.

[identity profile] shayera.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Agreeal. This was not a good episode. Which is annoying, even coming after The Shrine and all, maybe you expect a bit of a slump, but this? It played like some kind of boring and not-very-scary horror movie. Meh.

It did have some good scenes, though. I liked Dusty too. And Rodney's scenes where cute!

I'm torn between wishing they would have used the main team, so we could have had some team interaction, and glad that they didn't, so that Ronon, Teyla and Rodney didn't have to catch teh stupid. ^^

[identity profile] marf-the-river.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
This episode sure had stupid written all over it, but, oh my God. So. Funny.

Loved Dusty and that team's interactions. Loved Sheppard being his usual idiot self - 'I am your CO: if I say I'm going to stand beside the explosion, then I will!'

And then he lost the C4, and told Carson he had! ROFL And pressed some random button on a door in the Zombie!Facility. Oh, Sheppard, when will you learn. I eventually gave up on the creepy of this show, and just enjoyed the silliness. The theme to Benny Hill would have done wonders for this one.

As for the fact that John didn't know that Teldy's team was all-girl mentioned in comments: well, chain of command, anyone? I understand that, in general, military commanders don't interact with every single person they command. That's why there are a whole lot of officers hanging around - Lorne's not just there for his pretty eyes and witty replies. It also seems odd to me that John Sheppard would be expected to know every single person by name and sight, as he doesn't seem the type for micromanagement.

(Anonymous) 2008-09-06 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
It's the way the scene was played out. John is SO SHOCKED by the fact that there is an all woman team - which is stupid and just makes John look bad. If it had been something along the lines of him knowing there was an all woman team but had forgotten exactly which team it was I would have felt differently about it.

[identity profile] wildcat88.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Um, ditto? I think that covers it.

I LOVED Dusty too. Teldy as well. Tough, snarky girls RULE! I was also surprised that Sheppard didn't know who was on what team. He's always known every other soldier by name. Why does he suddenly not know who was on Teldy's team. OK, I'll give him not knowing Porter since she's a scientist, but the rest? And his sudden case of the stupids? He and McKay must have spent too many hours drinking with Carson during his week there. I found Porter cute but didn't see a lot of chemistry with Carson.

And why was Carson there? He comes for a week and decides he needs to go back to Earth? What happened to the year long contract? I guess if the Daedalus had the space. Still, that's a long trip for a week's work.

I didn't hate the ep. It's just a big meh.

[identity profile] brabbel.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Re: Sheppard's not knowing about the team.

I see your point - but we're talking about Atlantis, not some military post on Earth where there's much more flucuation. And sorry, but yes, I'd expect the military commander of on offworld outpost to keep tabs on the teams he sends through the gate. Furthermore, I'd say that an all-female team would make its rounds in the gossip-mill in such a close and small community as Atlantis.
ext_1637: (Default)

[identity profile] wickedwords.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Not to mention that they treated it as the first gate team to ever be comprised of only women. What, in five years, Atlantis never had an all-female gate team before? That makes me crazy.

I did like the zombies, though.

[identity profile] marf-the-river.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd expect him to keep tabs - read reports, know about injuries, fatalities, and what teams are out and why - but not necessarily know who's on Teldy's team. The gossip angle makes sense, though - Sheppard should have known at least because of that. I just didn't think it was unprofessional of him not to have known.

His reactions was perhaps written for laughs more than anything else! And it is John Sheppard - he makes no sense! :)

[identity profile] drufan.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
The problem with the episode, as you hit upon, was there was no jeopardy. I never felt the tension. I knew the team would survive just maybe not all of them. The only surprise was Vegas' death and only because we had been introduced to her before. it wasn't scary.

Carson and Porter's scenes were awkward and not in the cute adorable way. The dialogue and reactions just didn't mesh.

This was an episode that demonstrates the meaning of mediocrity. The one shining star being Sgt. Dusty.

[identity profile] perspi.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[livejournal.com profile] blackmare_9 called the mist exuded by the monsters MORONIUM OXIDE, and it's a hunting device because it makes the prey STUPID. Heh.

I didn't buy Sheppard as not knowing who's on his gate teams, and I didn't buy his understated 'crap' reaction when he lost one of his people, and I am irritated by Carson, but I LOVED Dusty, too. (And I agree, we could write a fantastic creepy story--I'd really love to see somebody remix this episode, and do it the RIGHT way. heh.)

[identity profile] kodiak-bear.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh god yes.

But I'm inclined to place the blame for stupid character moments at the feet of the writers when they happen.

Love for:

Sheppard and Carson boy-bonding over a mission with ALL GIRLS.
Sheppard not wanting to get buried under rubble...again.
The Sarge. Seriously, best thing to come out of this episode.

Hate (mmm dislike maybe, hate's too strong of a word):

The stupidity written into it. Sheppard not knowing who is under his command? Maybe if you command an actual military base, but Atlantis is more like a station and most station commanders meet their people at least once during their tour! Splitting up -- okay, when is that a GOOD thing? when there are creepy monsters hunting you as prey...no. So, cmon writers, take a stupidity check pill and call me in the morning.

The plot -- ummm, was there one? Because to me it seemed like running around in the fog, shooting and oh, yeah, making stupid decisions.

Teldy and Vega. Hmmmm. Not feeling the love for these 2D cardboard characters, but wait, one is dead, and her team didn't even bat an eye. Guess they didn't like her either. *ouch*

The village/villager. More of the campy, cheesy sets/stereotype.


It's kind of funny. I love my show, I really do, but JM and PM, no no no, if they are going to write an episode they need to...what am I saying, just, please don't write anymore. Do your producing thing and stop writing, for the love of god, because it's not good.



[identity profile] elyc.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
blackmare_9 called the mist exuded by the monsters MORONIUM OXIDE, and it's a hunting device because it makes the prey STUPID. Heh.

*hehe* That would explain it!! ^^

OMG - the story was so bad!!! I was headdesking the whole time because of this stupid horror-movie-behaviour! At the beginning I thought it was funny (the "Hello?"-Moment of this guy in the first minutes) - and then I realized they were SERIOUS about it!

And they bring Carson back for SUCH an episode?? That hurts!! *eyesroll*

But I liked Dusty - she reminded me of Cadman... ^^

[identity profile] obsessed1o1.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I so agree about john not knowing who was under his command...that bothered the bejesus out of me. As a character i think he would know and in that situation it should have been Beckett who remarked on the fact that it was an all female team after Sheppard had introduced them and then Sheppard could have made some smarky comment or maybe agreed with beckett and then had his "I wasn't saying anything!" line.

There's no reaosn why McKay couldn't have gone off-world with them...it would made for a really good interaction and how many jokes could you make about McKay having to be quiet or Mckay and Beckett running around the fog!!

The episode just made me cringe. I agree about the strong women felt they had to let everyone know just how capable they were..which bored me.

My only fave part was John telling them the plan and ordering them to listen and him losing his C4. Oh and him trying to lower that squeaky well bucket was funny...but yeah....i kinda expected more...

[identity profile] horridporrid.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I have to admit that I pretty much turned my brain off for this ep, cuz I was sure it would be kinda...vapid?

Solidarity for the power of low-expectations! :D I wasn't expecting much from this episode either (was pretty much sure there'd be a lot of stupid) so I ended up entertained. I wasn't ever scared, but I was entertained.

[identity profile] horridporrid.livejournal.com 2008-09-06 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked the "all girl" team. Not so much the initial reactions (this episode did Carson no favors), but I did like the team.

The story itself? For some reason its predictability didn't bother me. I totally agree that the horror-trope was banged pretty heavily, but I think John's joking about it mitigated a lot of that for me. Plus, while everyone was splitting up, they were professionals trained for this sort of thing, so it didn't seem ott stupid to me. Again, Carson racing out on his own (because he was worried about the poor helpless...Marine? I guess?) didn't do his character any favors for me. But...was that in character? I'm sort of afraid that it was.

But, like [livejournal.com profile] recycledfunk, I came in with really low expectations. I suspect that helped. A lot. :)

And just to make things worse, the Stargate was RIGHT THERE!

Wait... wasn't it not right there? I thought there was a huge hike, as well as some cliff climbing involved in the original trek from the 'gate?

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