Episode review and reaction post for Atlantis 1.8 - The Furies

[deinonychus_1]

Okay, so it’s no secret that I’ve been looking forward to that episode ever since we heard there was going to be a Pythagoras-centric episode. Having watched it a few times (actually, four times in three days at this point!), I thought I’d share a few thoughts about the episode and the characters in general. Oh, and there might be a little bit of

Comments

Response part 2

[halftime1030]

I have to admit I would have liked to see more reaction from Jason and Hercules to the revelation, although it was a nice touch that as soon as Nilas was taken by the Furies, Jason immediately grabs Pythagoras and drags him back into the middle of the group to protect him. And perhaps I am viewing it with fangirl goggles in wanting more obvious reaction, because on subsequent rewatches I have come to the conclusion that Mark Addy nails it perfectly. After Pythagoras desperately pleads with Arcas to believe that it was an accident, Hercules says everything you need to know about his relationship with Pythagoras with an expression and three words - “I believe you.” It’s an understated moment, and it’s great to see a more serious side to their friendship, which has so often come across as an affectionate, old-married-couple comedy double act in previous episodes.

I completely agree. Hercules is a lot of bluster and comic relief, but when he’s serious and subdued he is quite amazing and genuinely caring - which really explains why Pythagoras “puts up” with him and all his antics.

And I ADORED Jason’s “He’s the kindest man I’ve ever known” *melts into a puddle of fangirlish goo*

It did end far too quickly for my liking - it would have made a GREAT two-parter! But then again, if it was all resolved satisfactorily - what would fanfic writers have to write about and “fix”?

In something of an aside, this episode also raises an interesting continuity issue. In episode 6, when Circe demands that Jason kill her sister in return for Hercules and Medusa’s lives, Jason and Pythagoras have a conversation about what to do. Jason says “I don’t think I can do it. I’m not a murderer.” Pythagoras replies, “I know I couldn’t.” We now know Pythagoras has killed someone, the distinction presumably being that what he did was an accident, whereas Jason is talking about deliberate and premeditated murder.

Perhaps with the hindsight afforded by episode 8, Pythagoras’s comment can be seen as a reflection of the fact that he knows the guilt of having killed someone by accident, so he really does know that he couldn’t bring himself to do it deliberately.

I think that’s it exactly. He doesn’t really view himself as a murderer as it wasn’t premeditated but he does understand what it’s like to have the blood of another on your hands.

Although they do get bonus points for riding off into the metaphorical sunset like that.
Very true!

Re: Response part 2

[deinonychus_1]

The Pythagoras/Hercules friendships is one of the comedy bromance triumphs of this series.

I don't much care for episode 5, and all the stuff with Ariadne and her brother, but that ep is worth watching purely for the Pythagoras-Hercules comedy double act with the beetle all the way through it, and Pythagoras being so long-suffering at Hercules's antics.

Mark and Robert play off each other brilliantly in every scene where they're together. I only hope we get some outtakes on the dvd, because I get the feeling they spent a lot of time having a laugh while filming.