Atlantis: Lifeline
Yes, spoilers; if you haven't seen the ep, please come back later!
This time I read other people's reviews first, and I find myself agreeing with a lot of things that tipper_green, aurora_novarum, and wraithfodder said (hope y'all don't mind me citing you!). I have both rants and praise, though more praise this time.
Rants first:
Okay, I still have a serious problem with how they reactivated Elizabeth's nanites, but I can put that aside for this episode; what's done is done. So I have a new rant: what the frell did Sheppard think he was doing? I think the decision to go for the core was foolish, and obviously so. If they just took off with the ZPM, they could save Atlantis; if they didn't make it, or didn't make it in time, they'd lose the city, and quite possibly some of the people. Trying to reprogram the Replicators has met with very mixed success in the past, mostly because they can reprogram themselves! They could go to all this risk, and a few hours later the Replicators rewrite their own code, and it's all for nought! Sheppard risks not only the lives of everyone in the Jumper (and why didn't they take some Marines?) but the city of Atlantis and the lives dependent upon it. Brilliant Husband and I spent the whole second half of the episode objecting to this development.
I think it could have been better written. Two possible fixes: if we had a good (brief, I know; cut making Bill Lee into a clown, and you get another minute or two!) fight about what was the best plan, with some better reasons laid out for doing the incredibly risky new plan, I might have bought it. Instead, everyone kind of goes, "okay." Or better still: if John and Ronon had not been able to get the ZPM (too well guarded, in a central location, doesn't unlock for humans but only for Replicators), then they'd have two reasons to go to the Core, and I'd accept that. And yes as tipper_green says, it makes no sense to leave Rodney on the Jumper; the operation is too complicated to replay over the radio. Moreover, the first thing the Replicators should have done when they detected a problem was to dampen communications! They're Replicators; surely they can block the signal! Or at least tap into it to find out what the plan is!
Another complaint: when Rodney goes into "This is it, we're all going to die" mode, the last thing you want to do is ask him repeatedly, "How's it going?" or "Are you sure?" Just quit it, Sheppard!
Final complaint: if you can see the Replicator planet on long-range sensors, you're too darned close. (Can I get a bumper sticker that says that?) For crying out loud! I know they wanted to get the payoff in the episode, but they should have left (or sent) a cloaked spy satellite or something. They cannot see what the Replicators are doing from their new home.
Okay, the good parts! Praise!
Elizabeth gets a proper send-off--and I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her! Yes, as aurora_novarum says, Elizabeth seizing control of the Replicators is very similar to Daniel's actions in "Threads," but it worked for me. I think Torri has been underutilized as an actress, and she finally got some great material. I love every scene she's in, from the time they come to her in the infirmary to tell her the plan (she tugs down the stupid gown over her legs) and she calmly says she'll do it, then tells Sheppard not to hesitate to use the kill switch, right to the very end, when she's surrounded--and still calm. Even if she dies, or her life as she knows it ends, she makes that sacrifice worthwhile. I thought Torri was not the best actress when she started, but she gave all her scenes in "Lifeline" real power. Way to go, Torri. I'll miss you! (Come back soon!)
Joe Flanigan: I think some of John's bits were miswritten a little, but Joe did a great job. John's face when he grapples repeatedly with the risks to Elizabeth versus the risks from Elizabeth--wonderful. I thought Sheppard was unduly harsh with Rodney several times, but then, he's still furious that Rodney disobeyed him and reactivated the nanites. I'll buy that. He should have put it aside for the mission, but Sheppard has always tended to let emotions cloud his judgment.
Ronon and Teyla: not a great episode for them. Ellis: man, I like this actor. He doesn't get a lot of lines, but he makes the character memorable. I still like Caldwell and want to see him more, though!
I love how Elizabeth tricked Oberoth. I did not immediately realize what was going on (instead, I was shouting at Rodney for leaving the Jumper doors open). I love Rodney discovering the old code ("the Holy Grail!"). I loved the effects, and there were some nice plot twists (though, like tipper_green, I'd rather Rodney had gotten the hyperspace working and they'd saved themselves).
Always nice to see Radek.
Last and best: David Hewlett is the best. Don't tell me he's a supporting actor. He's the reason I watch the show! Yes, he whined and complained. Hey, how much sleep has the poor guy gotten? The others need to give him a break! He kept that city going, kept nearly everyone alive, and they're still yelling at him! Of course he points out everything that could go wrong. It's his job. Then he does his best to improve the odds, and he saves them again. Rodney is The Man. I really felt for him when he had to use the kill switch, even though I was dead sure it wouldn't work. David has such an expressive face. (And the hair! His hair was standing on end for the whole episode! I kept expecting some crack from Sheppard.) His voice when he hears Sam! With a crush like he's had, it must be awfully hard to deal with the actual person showing up (saw some of that in "The Pegasus Project" already); I hope he's getting over it. I do wish he'd been in the final scene of the episode.
This time I read other people's reviews first, and I find myself agreeing with a lot of things that tipper_green, aurora_novarum, and wraithfodder said (hope y'all don't mind me citing you!). I have both rants and praise, though more praise this time.
Rants first:
Okay, I still have a serious problem with how they reactivated Elizabeth's nanites, but I can put that aside for this episode; what's done is done. So I have a new rant: what the frell did Sheppard think he was doing? I think the decision to go for the core was foolish, and obviously so. If they just took off with the ZPM, they could save Atlantis; if they didn't make it, or didn't make it in time, they'd lose the city, and quite possibly some of the people. Trying to reprogram the Replicators has met with very mixed success in the past, mostly because they can reprogram themselves! They could go to all this risk, and a few hours later the Replicators rewrite their own code, and it's all for nought! Sheppard risks not only the lives of everyone in the Jumper (and why didn't they take some Marines?) but the city of Atlantis and the lives dependent upon it. Brilliant Husband and I spent the whole second half of the episode objecting to this development.
I think it could have been better written. Two possible fixes: if we had a good (brief, I know; cut making Bill Lee into a clown, and you get another minute or two!) fight about what was the best plan, with some better reasons laid out for doing the incredibly risky new plan, I might have bought it. Instead, everyone kind of goes, "okay." Or better still: if John and Ronon had not been able to get the ZPM (too well guarded, in a central location, doesn't unlock for humans but only for Replicators), then they'd have two reasons to go to the Core, and I'd accept that. And yes as tipper_green says, it makes no sense to leave Rodney on the Jumper; the operation is too complicated to replay over the radio. Moreover, the first thing the Replicators should have done when they detected a problem was to dampen communications! They're Replicators; surely they can block the signal! Or at least tap into it to find out what the plan is!
Another complaint: when Rodney goes into "This is it, we're all going to die" mode, the last thing you want to do is ask him repeatedly, "How's it going?" or "Are you sure?" Just quit it, Sheppard!
Final complaint: if you can see the Replicator planet on long-range sensors, you're too darned close. (Can I get a bumper sticker that says that?) For crying out loud! I know they wanted to get the payoff in the episode, but they should have left (or sent) a cloaked spy satellite or something. They cannot see what the Replicators are doing from their new home.
Okay, the good parts! Praise!
Elizabeth gets a proper send-off--and I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her! Yes, as aurora_novarum says, Elizabeth seizing control of the Replicators is very similar to Daniel's actions in "Threads," but it worked for me. I think Torri has been underutilized as an actress, and she finally got some great material. I love every scene she's in, from the time they come to her in the infirmary to tell her the plan (she tugs down the stupid gown over her legs) and she calmly says she'll do it, then tells Sheppard not to hesitate to use the kill switch, right to the very end, when she's surrounded--and still calm. Even if she dies, or her life as she knows it ends, she makes that sacrifice worthwhile. I thought Torri was not the best actress when she started, but she gave all her scenes in "Lifeline" real power. Way to go, Torri. I'll miss you! (Come back soon!)
Joe Flanigan: I think some of John's bits were miswritten a little, but Joe did a great job. John's face when he grapples repeatedly with the risks to Elizabeth versus the risks from Elizabeth--wonderful. I thought Sheppard was unduly harsh with Rodney several times, but then, he's still furious that Rodney disobeyed him and reactivated the nanites. I'll buy that. He should have put it aside for the mission, but Sheppard has always tended to let emotions cloud his judgment.
Ronon and Teyla: not a great episode for them. Ellis: man, I like this actor. He doesn't get a lot of lines, but he makes the character memorable. I still like Caldwell and want to see him more, though!
I love how Elizabeth tricked Oberoth. I did not immediately realize what was going on (instead, I was shouting at Rodney for leaving the Jumper doors open). I love Rodney discovering the old code ("the Holy Grail!"). I loved the effects, and there were some nice plot twists (though, like tipper_green, I'd rather Rodney had gotten the hyperspace working and they'd saved themselves).
Always nice to see Radek.
Last and best: David Hewlett is the best. Don't tell me he's a supporting actor. He's the reason I watch the show! Yes, he whined and complained. Hey, how much sleep has the poor guy gotten? The others need to give him a break! He kept that city going, kept nearly everyone alive, and they're still yelling at him! Of course he points out everything that could go wrong. It's his job. Then he does his best to improve the odds, and he saves them again. Rodney is The Man. I really felt for him when he had to use the kill switch, even though I was dead sure it wouldn't work. David has such an expressive face. (And the hair! His hair was standing on end for the whole episode! I kept expecting some crack from Sheppard.) His voice when he hears Sam! With a crush like he's had, it must be awfully hard to deal with the actual person showing up (saw some of that in "The Pegasus Project" already); I hope he's getting over it. I do wish he'd been in the final scene of the episode.