SGA: THE SEED and BROKEN TIES
ezust called and convinced me to give The Seed a quick run-through via the FF button for a couple of choice John/Ronon scenes. Specifically where Ronon is all concerned and holding John down during the what-the-hell-ever virus procedure they were testing on John for what-the-hell-ever reason they were doing that. And then, natch, John in sick-bay and the first question he asks upon regaining consciousness is, "How's Ronon?," or something like that. Lovely. :D
As for the plot itself, a Wraith ship growing out of Keller, yada-yada-don'tcare. The SFX were kinda creepy, though. And I did love the fact that John was prepared to shoot her in the head if ultimately necessary. Sadly, it wasn't ultimately necessary. On the upside, there was a lot less Keller in the episode than the previews made it look. They should slap tendrils on her every week if that's what it takes.
Teyla looked good running around with a big gun again. Is it my imagination, or did they tone down Zelenka's accent? And what was going on with Carson's hair? Did he fall into a vat of shoe polish?
Regarding Broken Ties and the writers' inability to come up with anything other than separating Ronon from the herd, by force, and then having the herd run off and rescue him - hasn't that, quite literally, been the premise of every single Ronon episode we've had since the character appeared? They just keep replaying the same one-note plot device every single year. And I was confused about the part where Wraithed-up Ronon saves John by chopping off the Wraith's hand. Was Ronon supposed to be fighting the influence there, because neither the actor nor the writing made that clear. Just one second he was all Wraith-ho!, and the next not, and the next Wraith-ho! again.*
*(nymphaea1 sets me straight below about my misinterpretation of that scene. Whoa, I really screwed up on that visual!)
So that was weak, but I do think Jason did a credible job suffering through the effects of withdrawal - certainly better than he would have done three years ago. He did look like he was in pain. *ack*! And every moment Ronon is in pain, so is John. *sniffle* Of course, the whole entire freaking episode for me hinges upon one single word ... SHEPPARD! The first thing, the first name out of Ronon's mouth when he finally comes through the other end of the withdrawal. The writers certainly have ramped up the John/Ronon goodies lately. Then again, as ezust pointed out to me, when Ronon showed up, he imprinted himself upon John; and like a swan, he apparently imprints for life. Fine by me - and, apparently, fine by John. *swoon*! :):):):):):):):)
I thought the discussion between John and Teyla was fine, if sort of a redux of last year's hidden pregnancy news. But John was correct, Teyla had to make a decision and she couldn't expect the team dynamic to flounder indefinitely waiting for her to hem and haw. She's either a team member or not. Plus, by-the-book Woolsey wouldn't allow her to pick and choose when she wanted to participate on missions and when she didn't. Woolsey was pushing John to replace her anyway - and John couldn't make the decision for her. Cut bait or fish, Teyla.
Which brings us to Kanaan the Meek and Mild. I continue to find the relationship between he and Teyla rather unbelievable. They've never sold me on this thing, being that it was a creation of desperation anyway (unexpected actor pregnancy). There's no passion between the actors or characters. Frankly, if I didn't know better, I'd say they were just neighbors or roommates or even siblings. That being said, we do need Kanaan to stick around for a while because Atlantis needs a live-in nanny, as we all knew Teyla would opt to go back to the team in the end. However, I wouldn't be surprised if at some dangerous point in the future, Teyla will send Torren off with Kanaan to keep the child safe. Then we don't have the baby problem anymore.
As for the plot itself, a Wraith ship growing out of Keller, yada-yada-don'tcare. The SFX were kinda creepy, though. And I did love the fact that John was prepared to shoot her in the head if ultimately necessary. Sadly, it wasn't ultimately necessary. On the upside, there was a lot less Keller in the episode than the previews made it look. They should slap tendrils on her every week if that's what it takes.
Teyla looked good running around with a big gun again. Is it my imagination, or did they tone down Zelenka's accent? And what was going on with Carson's hair? Did he fall into a vat of shoe polish?
Regarding Broken Ties and the writers' inability to come up with anything other than separating Ronon from the herd, by force, and then having the herd run off and rescue him - hasn't that, quite literally, been the premise of every single Ronon episode we've had since the character appeared? They just keep replaying the same one-note plot device every single year. And I was confused about the part where Wraithed-up Ronon saves John by chopping off the Wraith's hand. Was Ronon supposed to be fighting the influence there, because neither the actor nor the writing made that clear. Just one second he was all Wraith-ho!, and the next not, and the next Wraith-ho! again.*
*(nymphaea1 sets me straight below about my misinterpretation of that scene. Whoa, I really screwed up on that visual!)
So that was weak, but I do think Jason did a credible job suffering through the effects of withdrawal - certainly better than he would have done three years ago. He did look like he was in pain. *ack*! And every moment Ronon is in pain, so is John. *sniffle* Of course, the whole entire freaking episode for me hinges upon one single word ... SHEPPARD! The first thing, the first name out of Ronon's mouth when he finally comes through the other end of the withdrawal. The writers certainly have ramped up the John/Ronon goodies lately. Then again, as ezust pointed out to me, when Ronon showed up, he imprinted himself upon John; and like a swan, he apparently imprints for life. Fine by me - and, apparently, fine by John. *swoon*! :):):):):):):):)
I thought the discussion between John and Teyla was fine, if sort of a redux of last year's hidden pregnancy news. But John was correct, Teyla had to make a decision and she couldn't expect the team dynamic to flounder indefinitely waiting for her to hem and haw. She's either a team member or not. Plus, by-the-book Woolsey wouldn't allow her to pick and choose when she wanted to participate on missions and when she didn't. Woolsey was pushing John to replace her anyway - and John couldn't make the decision for her. Cut bait or fish, Teyla.
Which brings us to Kanaan the Meek and Mild. I continue to find the relationship between he and Teyla rather unbelievable. They've never sold me on this thing, being that it was a creation of desperation anyway (unexpected actor pregnancy). There's no passion between the actors or characters. Frankly, if I didn't know better, I'd say they were just neighbors or roommates or even siblings. That being said, we do need Kanaan to stick around for a while because Atlantis needs a live-in nanny, as we all knew Teyla would opt to go back to the team in the end. However, I wouldn't be surprised if at some dangerous point in the future, Teyla will send Torren off with Kanaan to keep the child safe. Then we don't have the baby problem anymore.