SGA! Now! With 187% more acting!
Let it be said and acknowledged freely: I mock where I love.
I hereby admit that I Love and often Mock my weekly dose of Space Opera (especially the often questionable writing and The Flannigan's Very Special Acting Choices.)
But this! THIS! I think it's fair to say that the SGA writers, the entire ensemble, and Joe in particular, suddenly busted out the Sekrit Stash of SKillz with
Common Ground
1) The easy stuff:
The leather jacket? Brings ALL the girls to the yard. Never stop wearing it. In fact, I am going to need a written excuse for its absence in the last two weeks.
Sheppard, TIED UP? GAGGED! OK - Maybe there is something wrong with me that I was like "ding DONG!" at that sight, but let's face it, it's not something that isn't wrong with ALL THE REST OF YOU as well.
Just to kick that one up a notch - Sheppard tied up, gagged, anticipating, and then suffering in manly silence through Genii torture? EVEN BETTER It's only a scratch, ma'am indeed.
Ronon actually whimpered at the sight of John in pain. Or growled. Possibly that was a growl. I am not one to quibble. I think it's clear to everyone that I personally lean a little towards Ronon/Rodney, but I have to say, using hth_the_first's weird about each other paradigm, the show itself is Ronon/John all the way. (Many examples could be inserted here, including the line "if you were half the man that He is"...and my favorite "Is that an order?" from Season 2.) Or maybe the show is RONON/john, because Ronon's man-crush on John is unmistakable, while John may just love Ronon like "family". Whatev's - I'll take whatever gets Ronon to whimper.
(on an acting note, and they are legion for this ep, was "the whimper" a) scripted, b) all methody-emotional-truth in the moment impulse, or c) a genius bit of up-staging of every single other actor in the scene by Jason Momoa?)
Rodney - cutting through the conversation with Kolya getting down to the essentials - I could go on for paragraphs about this, because Rodney's love is SO TRUE, but instead I will await the fics that must be on the way: the sequels of spirit to all the fantastic post-Storm Rodney-torture fics.
2) CANONIZED!
The Genii's standby motto: We torture our prisoners at every opportunity! Discuss. (I mean really - it may be that Kolya is just one sick fuck, but it seems to me that the Genii as a group like the way pain looks on the Atlantis Team. Just like me). It sure made a lot of fanfic ring true.
Reciprocity! It's what's for dinner! I feel that I have fannon back-up on the idea that the Wraith can give back what they take, although I couldn't name a story off-hand. (perhaps now is a moment for a bad!fic! teen-girl Elia -or whatever KayleeWraith was named - and her eating disorder...). And, oddly enough, it didn't feel like a cop-out. I loved Halling-Wraith's meaningful yet mysterious "our worshipers" which Sheppard clearly is not, "and our brothers" which brings up a whole THING. Or set of things, really
Next Week! The Multi verse is filled with an infinite number of Rodneys! Hooray! If Alternate Rodney manages to reveal a romantic relationship that our Rodney is not enjoying (Other than with Sam Carter, which would just be a cop out - although I accept the inevitable Het) it will be The Best Episode Ever! I'd even take Katie Brown in this kind of scenario, although Cadman would be infinitely more interesting.
3) Ethical Leadership Choices! They're the new black!
I am so proud of Elizabeth! She didn't betray an ally! Good job Elizabeth! You make a much more interesting leader when you can make the tough choices. Also, although sometimes it's fun to pretend that Sheppard is just fucked-up re: his sense of importance in the world (see: 5000 fics where Rodney accuses him of being suicidal), I actually prefer a reading of his tendency towards self-sacrifice as a bone-deep conviction that the needs of the many (say it with me) outweigh the needs of the few. I like seeing an Elizabeth who can think that way also, who can see past her own emotional impulses and make decisions about Doing The Right Thing, even when her heart (and her puppy named Ronon) are obviously inclined in another direction. It makes the leaders of Atlantis seem as though they might just be qualified for the job of running Earth's only outpost, diplomatic mission, military and humanitarian base in the Pegasus Galaxy.
John! You overcame fear and loathing and instinct, made a treaty with a Wraith, and KEPT IT, even once you had the upper hand.
It turns out that to be an effective leader you have to have skills at strategy as well as tactics, and you have to have an innate ability to get people marching in the direction you point. We don't see Sheppard effectively being the boss of people much, which is sad, but which is more than made up for by this: Sheppard the Negotiator. I was a little bit tempted to include this paragraph in the Canonized! Section, because really - it made me believe in a John Sheppard shot down over Bosnia making his way through hostile territory, building what alliances he could, and making it to safety.
Ladon! You shaved off your beard! Wait...that's not what I meant. Let's try: Ladon! You came straight to Atlantis and worked honestly to smooth out a diplomatic problem (Points off for clearly going back to Genii-ville and torturing those two guys. Although I hear torture is the Genii Way).
4) Villains are People Too! It's really weird. This week there were three bad guys on stage, and they all turned out to have dimension to their characters. Halling The Wraith was the real tour de force in this category, but both Ladon and Kolya where given motivations and flashes of vulnerability which made it possible to believe that they are not the villains in their own stories. That is a key point for writers to master, and the SGA team did it with style this week.
5) The acting.
I'm just going to take a moment here and say: Well done Joe. I didn't think you had it in you. I am glad that I was wrong.
Also - Halling-Wraith? Wow. just wow. He was fantastic. His voice -which is nice as Halling - when put through the Wraith-Filter was just amazing. He communicated such a wonderful and ultimately subtle range of feelings and ideas through the Wraith makeup and with his voice and body. Bravo. I would venture to say that having such a solid scene-partner was part of why Joe was so good in this ep (not dogging any of our regulars here, or indeed the achievement that Joe made with his very own self) acting at it's best is a collaborative art form - kudos to the both of them for working with each other so effectively.
Ladon was great as always. There was no way to be quite sure if he was lying or telling the truth. I liked his snark in the face of his acknowledgment that Ronon is dangerous to him. I liked the new no-beard look.
Kolya. Well. He was good. The writing especially did some nice things with him - gave him an opportunity to show his respect for John as a warrior. After listening to the DVD commentary for The Storm/The Eye, I get the feeling that Robert Davi is the most annoying method actor of all time. (actually, it's hilarious listening to the guys on the commentary talk about how truthful and dedicated the guy is. Also, about how he hit the actress paying Sora in the face for REALS yo'.) So sometimes when I am watching him act, even when it's good, all I can see is how totally fucking annoying he must be - but he did a good job here.
Special Mentions:
Teyla - strained and horrified, and undoubtedly feeling guilty about the way she hooked them up with the Genii in the first place. Oh Teyla.
Carson - the hurt showing on his face as he tried not to say "he's going to die" out loud.
Chuck! You talked a lot! You called people by name and then they avoided saying yours back to you! I vote for a spin-off series all your own, something like "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" - the parallel stories of the minor characters of Atlantis.
6) I am sad that
Major NoName was on the rescue team instead of Lorne. Oh Lorne, I am sorry you were shipped off to The 4400 in order to punish you for your twin forbidden passions for David Parrish and Elizabeth Weir. It seems especially unfair because of how very very gay the new guy seems.
Kolya kept dialing in from the gate on the planet where he was holding Sheppard, and they were't able to a)trace the call or b) star 69 him. Have we ever had a technical explanation saying that you can't tell where a wormhole originates? That seems weird. And possibly something that was directly contradicted in Coup De'tat
All in all a truly fantastic episode. Really great work from every member of the team. I hope they do it again!
In other news...
The 129 word limit still stands on my primary computer, I am borrowing one at the moment, just to get my LJ fix.
Also - I meant to record Counterstrike as well, because I wanted to see how Morena Baccarin did as a Big Bad, but I had to work all night and messed it up. Did anyone see it? If so, what did you think?
I hereby admit that I Love and often Mock my weekly dose of Space Opera (especially the often questionable writing and The Flannigan's Very Special Acting Choices.)
But this! THIS! I think it's fair to say that the SGA writers, the entire ensemble, and Joe in particular, suddenly busted out the Sekrit Stash of SKillz with
Common Ground
1) The easy stuff:
The leather jacket? Brings ALL the girls to the yard. Never stop wearing it. In fact, I am going to need a written excuse for its absence in the last two weeks.
Sheppard, TIED UP? GAGGED! OK - Maybe there is something wrong with me that I was like "ding DONG!" at that sight, but let's face it, it's not something that isn't wrong with ALL THE REST OF YOU as well.
Just to kick that one up a notch - Sheppard tied up, gagged, anticipating, and then suffering in manly silence through Genii torture? EVEN BETTER It's only a scratch, ma'am indeed.
Ronon actually whimpered at the sight of John in pain. Or growled. Possibly that was a growl. I am not one to quibble. I think it's clear to everyone that I personally lean a little towards Ronon/Rodney, but I have to say, using hth_the_first's weird about each other paradigm, the show itself is Ronon/John all the way. (Many examples could be inserted here, including the line "if you were half the man that He is"...and my favorite "Is that an order?" from Season 2.) Or maybe the show is RONON/john, because Ronon's man-crush on John is unmistakable, while John may just love Ronon like "family". Whatev's - I'll take whatever gets Ronon to whimper.
(on an acting note, and they are legion for this ep, was "the whimper" a) scripted, b) all methody-emotional-truth in the moment impulse, or c) a genius bit of up-staging of every single other actor in the scene by Jason Momoa?)
Rodney - cutting through the conversation with Kolya getting down to the essentials - I could go on for paragraphs about this, because Rodney's love is SO TRUE, but instead I will await the fics that must be on the way: the sequels of spirit to all the fantastic post-Storm Rodney-torture fics.
2) CANONIZED!
The Genii's standby motto: We torture our prisoners at every opportunity! Discuss. (I mean really - it may be that Kolya is just one sick fuck, but it seems to me that the Genii as a group like the way pain looks on the Atlantis Team. Just like me). It sure made a lot of fanfic ring true.
Reciprocity! It's what's for dinner! I feel that I have fannon back-up on the idea that the Wraith can give back what they take, although I couldn't name a story off-hand. (perhaps now is a moment for a bad!fic! teen-girl Elia -or whatever KayleeWraith was named - and her eating disorder...). And, oddly enough, it didn't feel like a cop-out. I loved Halling-Wraith's meaningful yet mysterious "our worshipers" which Sheppard clearly is not, "and our brothers" which brings up a whole THING. Or set of things, really
Next Week! The Multi verse is filled with an infinite number of Rodneys! Hooray! If Alternate Rodney manages to reveal a romantic relationship that our Rodney is not enjoying (Other than with Sam Carter, which would just be a cop out - although I accept the inevitable Het) it will be The Best Episode Ever! I'd even take Katie Brown in this kind of scenario, although Cadman would be infinitely more interesting.
3) Ethical Leadership Choices! They're the new black!
I am so proud of Elizabeth! She didn't betray an ally! Good job Elizabeth! You make a much more interesting leader when you can make the tough choices. Also, although sometimes it's fun to pretend that Sheppard is just fucked-up re: his sense of importance in the world (see: 5000 fics where Rodney accuses him of being suicidal), I actually prefer a reading of his tendency towards self-sacrifice as a bone-deep conviction that the needs of the many (say it with me) outweigh the needs of the few. I like seeing an Elizabeth who can think that way also, who can see past her own emotional impulses and make decisions about Doing The Right Thing, even when her heart (and her puppy named Ronon) are obviously inclined in another direction. It makes the leaders of Atlantis seem as though they might just be qualified for the job of running Earth's only outpost, diplomatic mission, military and humanitarian base in the Pegasus Galaxy.
John! You overcame fear and loathing and instinct, made a treaty with a Wraith, and KEPT IT, even once you had the upper hand.
It turns out that to be an effective leader you have to have skills at strategy as well as tactics, and you have to have an innate ability to get people marching in the direction you point. We don't see Sheppard effectively being the boss of people much, which is sad, but which is more than made up for by this: Sheppard the Negotiator. I was a little bit tempted to include this paragraph in the Canonized! Section, because really - it made me believe in a John Sheppard shot down over Bosnia making his way through hostile territory, building what alliances he could, and making it to safety.
Ladon! You shaved off your beard! Wait...that's not what I meant. Let's try: Ladon! You came straight to Atlantis and worked honestly to smooth out a diplomatic problem (Points off for clearly going back to Genii-ville and torturing those two guys. Although I hear torture is the Genii Way).
4) Villains are People Too! It's really weird. This week there were three bad guys on stage, and they all turned out to have dimension to their characters. Halling The Wraith was the real tour de force in this category, but both Ladon and Kolya where given motivations and flashes of vulnerability which made it possible to believe that they are not the villains in their own stories. That is a key point for writers to master, and the SGA team did it with style this week.
5) The acting.
I'm just going to take a moment here and say: Well done Joe. I didn't think you had it in you. I am glad that I was wrong.
Also - Halling-Wraith? Wow. just wow. He was fantastic. His voice -which is nice as Halling - when put through the Wraith-Filter was just amazing. He communicated such a wonderful and ultimately subtle range of feelings and ideas through the Wraith makeup and with his voice and body. Bravo. I would venture to say that having such a solid scene-partner was part of why Joe was so good in this ep (not dogging any of our regulars here, or indeed the achievement that Joe made with his very own self) acting at it's best is a collaborative art form - kudos to the both of them for working with each other so effectively.
Ladon was great as always. There was no way to be quite sure if he was lying or telling the truth. I liked his snark in the face of his acknowledgment that Ronon is dangerous to him. I liked the new no-beard look.
Kolya. Well. He was good. The writing especially did some nice things with him - gave him an opportunity to show his respect for John as a warrior. After listening to the DVD commentary for The Storm/The Eye, I get the feeling that Robert Davi is the most annoying method actor of all time. (actually, it's hilarious listening to the guys on the commentary talk about how truthful and dedicated the guy is. Also, about how he hit the actress paying Sora in the face for REALS yo'.) So sometimes when I am watching him act, even when it's good, all I can see is how totally fucking annoying he must be - but he did a good job here.
Special Mentions:
Teyla - strained and horrified, and undoubtedly feeling guilty about the way she hooked them up with the Genii in the first place. Oh Teyla.
Carson - the hurt showing on his face as he tried not to say "he's going to die" out loud.
Chuck! You talked a lot! You called people by name and then they avoided saying yours back to you! I vote for a spin-off series all your own, something like "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" - the parallel stories of the minor characters of Atlantis.
6) I am sad that
Major NoName was on the rescue team instead of Lorne. Oh Lorne, I am sorry you were shipped off to The 4400 in order to punish you for your twin forbidden passions for David Parrish and Elizabeth Weir. It seems especially unfair because of how very very gay the new guy seems.
Kolya kept dialing in from the gate on the planet where he was holding Sheppard, and they were't able to a)trace the call or b) star 69 him. Have we ever had a technical explanation saying that you can't tell where a wormhole originates? That seems weird. And possibly something that was directly contradicted in Coup De'tat
All in all a truly fantastic episode. Really great work from every member of the team. I hope they do it again!
In other news...
The 129 word limit still stands on my primary computer, I am borrowing one at the moment, just to get my LJ fix.
Also - I meant to record Counterstrike as well, because I wanted to see how Morena Baccarin did as a Big Bad, but I had to work all night and messed it up. Did anyone see it? If so, what did you think?