OH MY GOD.
Vala on Atlantis is possibly the best idea ever. I like that when they start the decent to the city, the Atlantis theme is playing in the background. Nice touch. "Moment's over! Let's go save the galaxy." The slow pan over to Daniel's little yearning face! Aw! This was the first ep that I actually paid attention to the new opening credits. They look nice. And any show where you have Sam Vs Rodney in a meeting is going to be a good one.
"If he speaks again, I'll shoot him."
"Don't shoot me! You know I can't help myself."
OMG the Mcshep flying in that. And then Vala opens her big mouth that Carter needs Rodney's help. I wonder if she did that in ignorance, or if she just knew it would be a slam at Sam. I wouldn't doubt it if it was.
John carrying around the lemon, and then letting Mitchell borrow it was priceless.
Vala and Daniel's interactions continue to be the reason I watch SG-1. Most of this new Orii stuff just doesn't do anything for me. They really feel like they're trying too hard.
Perfection in the continuity with bringing up Grace Under Pressure, and McKay thanking Sam. I like how of course it also went to the bad place and that she was disturbed as well she would be. Good character bit there. I loved it.
Daniel's line "I think I had her in grade five." Was cute, and if you think about what she turned out to be and his time ascended, it gives that cute throw away line a nice twist.
The CGI this ep was great, BTW. That black hole was phenomenal. I like that Mitchell has no patience for McKay. I think the two of them would be fun after they got to know each other. I like how irritating McKay was on the ship. Stuff that's grating to SG-1, who haven't seen the change in Rodney in person like the Atlantis guys have, are perfectly acceptable to Shep and the rest. I think that's why he comes out a little harsher in this ep than he would in an Atlantis ep. It's playing off of SG-1 and Sam's expectations. I like that Sam gives an embarrassed look when Rodney (unawed by the gate/black hole business considering all he's been through so far in Pegasus) goes to get a sandwich. It's like she feels responsible for him, or the science that they both represent. He's embarrassing her professionally. Nice touch. I like the fact that I didn't catch on to the lowered voice thing until we heard Mitchell over the radio. They had to make that distinction because Chris just talks that low, it's hard to tell. Hee.
Vala's "toasting with exotic beverages" line made me giggle. And I like that later she calls Daniel "darling."
Mitchell threatening McKay with the lemon was brilliant.
It's cool that Morgan Le Fey knows Daniel personally and calls him out on it when he figures her out.
And how cool is it that we have an episode with Walter AND Chuck? I really wish we could see them talking to each other. I'm sure they'd have a lot of commiserating to do.
Vala makes a surprisingly good interrogator. After all, as a good lier herself, she knows all the tricks. That was a really good use of her character. Another CG note, I like the design of the Orii ships. They're very alien looking with that floating power source in the middle. The pacing for this ep with cutting back and forth between the black hole and Daniel and Vala's interrogation of Morgan was good. But I must say they outdid themselves with the supergate blowing up the ship. "We just blew up an Orii ship by destroying a Wraith ship?" Yes, Rodney, and it was very cool.
All in all a good ep. It's sad that it takes the Atlantis crew to make me get really excited about an SG-1 ep. This whole Orii plot line has done nothing for me. Basically, I'm just watching for the cute Vala/Daniel bits at this point, so it was nice to have a whole ep that I could enjoy.
The exposition at the beginning about the gate harvesting was kind of chunky, but I did like McKay's grudging admittance that it was Sam's idea. I'll admit that I'm not a huge Richard Kind fan. He rubs me the wrong way, which actually worked out well for this character, so good casting I guess. I still say they should have kept the original title of "Delicious Fat Guy".
Props to the writers and everyone for actually including a jibe at Shep's hair! I about died! It's fucking canon now! Too funny!
I'm glad to see Carson in this ep. I've missed him! I love you Paul! His entranced look during Lucius' story was just adorable. Paul really hammed it up this episode, and I highly approve. Drugged up Beckett is great. The running gourds gag was kind of iffy.
"Smitten?"
"I had another word in mind."
They really are playing up the gay in this ep with Beckett. So very cute.
Anybody else notice that Shep and McKay go off by themselves for hours "searching for gates". FIC NOW PLEASE!
Attentive Beckett! Hee! I also like Chuck's relaxed "Heeey!" when Rodney and John get back. Cute! Zelenka's little wonder-face and more Czech! Yay. I can't wait to find out what he was saying. The allusion to The Stepford Wives was good.
And Torri got a chance to do a little broad comedy which was interesting. Her line reading of "Carson is right...AGAIN!" made me smirk. As did Ronon's soft little "[He's] A very wise and kind man."
But then we get to the good part. Rodney and John all alone vs all of Atlantis! That Catwoman conversation could not be anymore perfect. So cute! And John becoming the "bad guy" was also fun.
Liz: "He's really a good man."
Lucius: "I don't see it."
And then you just know that leaving Rodney alone was a bad idea. The pan around from John at the gate to Rodney and Lucius in Liz's office was nice. There's very much a Pod People feel when John confronts them. And of course he gets Ronon's gun in his face. That wasn't very bright. I mean Rodney had already admitted that Ronon had held him against the wall, against his will, until he was one of the converted. But I don't mind that John loses Rodney because watching him and Beckett squabble like children for attention was just too much.
It's good that John redeems himself with his plan. His "Buck up, Carson!" was great, but Paul really stole the scene. His breakdown was hilarious. He really is a good comedic actor.
"Fly Lucius! Fly!" has got to be one of my new icons. David nailed that line. The fucking SINCERITY on his little woobie face! HA!
And just when I thought it couldn't get any better... they end it with Shep cleaning Rodney's room. Because honestly, who else would he use the influence of the drug on? TOO PERFECT.
This was an exceptional night for the Gates. I can't wait for the downloads! :D