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Whether it be a horror flick or a whodunnit, the primary reason the show either works or doesn't is the writer/writing staff. For each and every television show (excluding those old-fashioned ones that only had the one writer) you'll find one writer that is continually both above-par and sets the bar for everyone else. In SGA that writer is the always witty, always entertaining Martin Gero. Tonight I'm going to go through each episode he wrote in the first season and hopefully precisely why each show is a cut above the rest.
Episode #6: Childhood's End
So first off, this was the first show I really wanted to watch twice through, to pick up all the little details. First we need to mention the general plot of this episode which not only works, but actually makes a lot of sense in the long run. Next we have the first real flirtation of the series. First McKay and the energy reading, then Sheppard and Keras. Then there was the Rodney being really mean to small children arc, that continues at least through the second season (cause it's so damn funny). Then there's the village itself which is whimsically beautiful. Finally we have precisely how self-deprecating Martin Gero was about this episode. He was like, 'dude this episode sucks' and I'm like, 'c'mon man, this is the first really good episode of the series.' Oh and I love how much Rodney wanted to steal the ZPM...from small children...and the mocking of religion...classic.
Episode #10: The Storm
Yes the title is completely lacking in originality. But...we have a genius plot...genius writing...genius-ness all around. Ok, so we have to mention that Gero was not the brains behind the initial invention of the Genii, but, but he did one almost better, and actually brought them back into the picture nice and early. This way they'll always be in the back of every watcher's mind as a potential villain. He also created the best character of all time in one Acostos Kolya. (I like the man but cannot call him anything but his full name.) There are problems with this episode, but the little details far outweigh the negative aspects. There were notes all over the place, left by John, left by Rodney. I heart notes. And the use of the life signs detector always wins points in my book. I love that both Tori Higgenson and David Hewlett put up with the pouring 'rain' to make an artistic masterpiece. One last thing I have to mention: the McKay Zelenka dialogue in this epi was positively brilliant. I honestly think this first part was at least as good as the second.
Episode #11: The Eye
Okay, in this let's mention the beauty of a mostly bearable Dr. Beckett. The man is usually so annoying I don't know what to do with myself, but seeing him yelled at over and over again never gets old. And then there's the beautiful Rachel Luttrell really kicking some ass. If you ask me, this is the episode where Teyla really is fully developed. I love the McKay/Weir dynamic here with the whole 'why did you tell him it would only last fifteen minutes' thing and the whole 'I need your code' thing. Very funny. And the John killing off all of the Genii men like so many bugs on the windshield is just so brilliantly brutal and is another great character moment for Joe Flanigan.
Episode #13: Hot Zone
I so wanted to see this episode after reading all the fics revolving around it. And although many episodes really let me down because of pre-reading, this is not one of them. Rodney...god Rodney just proved he doesn't cave under pressure. He was beautiful and heart-wrenching in this episode. Seeing him in charge of all of those people and really doing right by them, and then seeing his fair-well speech to his sister--brought tears to my eyes. I love how once again Beckett seems the buffoon. And the introduction of Biro is very nice. I also love how John was completely in the wrong here, and again I'm left with the 'I wish Elizabeth would have been more severe with him' feeling.
Episode #16: The Brotherhood
This is one example of how I wish Gero would/could always just go with his gut. The opener on this was a mixture of boring and confusing. I think the boring is pretty self explanatory. 'It's a bunch of old monks. It's wraith. Wonder who will win. Monks? Wraith? Monks? Wraith? Monks?' The confusing comes in the fact that we don't know what is being beamed up with the monks. 'Is it a ZPM? Is it one of the keys to the puzzle? NO, of course not, that's just what they'd be expecting us to do.' If he would have used his own opener: (a) it would have been a highly amusing opener and hooked people on more readily than the one recommended by the creators (b) it would have been a good deal shorter and have given more space for Rodney love to occur. Not that I wanted to see him end up with that sad excuse for a hairdresser, but still. Other than those two things the episode was one of the best I've seen. Other high points: the addition of Chuck to the staff and the B-story focusing on Zelenka.
Episode #18: The Gift
Well this wasn't my favorite episode, but we do have some good group scenes and we have the wonderful addition of Kate Heightmeyer. The dream sequences here were pretty much crap, but we really can't blame one Martin Gero for that. I do think it was quite interesting to see how each of the team members reacted to Teyla's predicament.
Episode #19: The Siege (part 1)
McKay in this was positively breathtaking. I love how beautiful the acting was by all of the guys in the weapon's platform. Even Ford was pretty damn hilarious in this, and you don't see that so very often. This is one of those very rare three-part episodes where the first part is very nearly as good as all the rest.
And there you have it, the weekly reasons why we should love him. So here are my conclusions on his general abilities. Martin Gero brings out the best and the worst of each character on a weekly basis (most especially to be seen in one Rodney McKay). Martin Gero established each of the characters as who they are, faults and flaws as well as inner beauty that shines through. Martin Gero has wicked sense of humor. And it shows. Each and every one of his episodes has enough funny places to make my sides split. Martin Gero is the one factor that separates SGA from SG1. And look at the difference there. So Martin Gero, my hat's off to you, my good man. One last, but possibly most important item, he is fantastic at show commentaries, hiding information in anecdotes and thrilling us with his natural humor.