Dial the Gate: Insiders

[sg_fignewton]

Because redial_the_gate is more than halfway through S10 and I really want to actually, y'know, watch the entire series before the comm ends

Comments

[aelfgyfu_mead]

"No, I know I can't control her, but that's pretty much par for the course. Sir -- Carter and I are the same rank, Teal'c's an alien, Jackson's a civilian. I learned a long time ago: I don't control anything."
That was almost the only thing in the episode I liked,

I'm very fond of Vala, reasonably fond of Cam and Landry, and I utterly hated this episode. It's dren.

[lolmac]

I offer no defense for Sam Written Stupid, but I'll chirp in to defend Cam in this instance.

I liked him from the start, largely because he wasn't a Younger Jack. I was primed to get pissy on that subject -- How dare they try to replace Jack?! -- and was startled and pleased to discover that they didn't. They introduced a different character, who had a distinct personality, and whose style of interacting with the others was his own. It did change the team dynamics, but at least it didn't try to fake the former dynamic.

As for the Ba'als . . . you now have me contemplating Extravagantly Costumed Crack. You fiend.

[sg_fignewton]

Mm, perhaps I wasn't clear. My problem isn't with Cam saying - I like that he recognizes that he can't lead those that refuse to be led. My problem is that without the dynamic of a leader, the team loses that cohesiveness, and to me, SG-1 suffers for it. YMMV, natch.

Extravagantly Costumed Crack is the only thing that S9-10 Ba'al is good for, so don't hesitate on my account!

[sg_fignewton]

Yes. I didn't like what it said about the team dynamic, but I liked Cam's honesty and perception in saying it.

Now, Aelf, don't be reticent! Let us know how you really feel. ;)

[11am_street]

Oh you're so right! Sam's decision was a terrible one, and it's sad to see how the writers seemed to have run our of imagination. Maybe they wanted a plan that had her give in, but clearly the stakes weren't high enough for that(the stakes that would tip the balance and make her cave, that is.)

Also, we do see Barrett again, but not in SG-1. I think he shows up in Atlantis, but I'm not sure if it's before or after this episode. I always assumed it was after. Could be wrong...

[sg_fignewton]

I know he's referenced somewhere as having recovered, which is good. He's the only NID decent guy we've got -- I'd hate to lose him! :)

If it was so important for Ba'al to get it, okay. Why it was important for SAM to be the one to give it to him...? Grrrrr.

[lolmac]

I'm going to indulge in the ultimate ego-trip of quoting myself here

[sg_fignewton]

That's a lovely bit of quote and well worth the ego-trip. I don't mind my beloved characters making mistakes -- it's their flaws that make them real. I do very much mind, however, when their only mistake is to have words put into their mouths by bad writers.

[redbyrd_sgfic]

Yeah. Even an inveterate canon-fixer-upper like me couldn't do much with this garbage. And you have an excellent point there on the outfits. Ba'al would totally have wanted to dress like Elvis.

Have we considered the possibility that for this episode, Sam has been replaced with a duplicate? That isn't as smart as she is?

[sg_fignewton]

Ba'al would totally have wanted to dress like Elvis.

For the WIN! Especially because this Ba'al could actually research Elvis for ideas, heh.

I just -- Sam. Argh. NOT HER.

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Even an inveterate canon-fixer-upper like me couldn't do much with this garbage.
And if you can't, I don't think there's any hope for the rest of us.

Clone!Sam! Oh noes!

[aurora_novarum]

I love that Cam line. I kind of liked the different dynamic that was set up with the team, so I disagree with you there.

I also liked to see Cliff Simon and Claudia Black play off each other...but that was a scene of much missed potential. Sigh.

I know we see Barrett again in the episode where Rodney McKay's sister gets kidnapped. (Which is cooly played by David's real sister Kate Hewlett). But they also mention him in Memento Mori and he shows up in Dominion.

[sg_fignewton]

I have no trouble with any of the actors. My problem tends to be with characterization.

Rodney McKay's sister gets kidnapped? I mean, I'm glad Barrett gets SGA time, but it's nothing to do with me. :)