The Great SyFy Rewatch: Day 51
Day 51 / 2276Days Until I Ship
Today was "Inquistion" and "The Prodigal."
So I had to go the Big City today, thus cutting into my SGA-watching time significantly, but I got to watch these two, which is something. The high today was also only 97, which is something else, but still.
Anyway, "Inquistion" is a mixed bag. As a rule I hate courtroom episodes and loathe clip shows, but this is actually kinda a solid episode. We have Woolsey being a bit of a hero in this one (a law-style hero, but still) and this exciting Coalition that's formed in the Pegasus galaxy that I really wish we could've seen more of. I can see why they'd want to throw the Expedition on trial, but I kinda wanted them to argue okay, so we cost the galaxy two million lives, how many have you guys lost through your inactions, huh? Which I know is like blaming the victim, but still, you can imagine that factoid haunts John sometimes. Plus, we've not had an evil Genii plot in a while; after S1 & S2, I kinda feel like we needed another.
As for "The Prodigal"? It's one of my favourite episodes. Forget all the cool allusion you can make to the ENT episodes "Demon" and "Terra Prime," which are conceptually similiar episodes with Trinner's character in Teyla's place - this is just a cool episode. It is everything an SGA episode should be. You've the boys racing cars and well, being themselves, and Teyla being Supermom and basically a positive female role model, of which there are always too few; and Ronon being a BAMF for plot-y reasons, and even Woolsey being a bit of a hero as well. And then you get the start of the whole Ronon/Ameila thing, which makes so much more sense than Ronon/Keller it's not funny, and of course the McShep (that goodbye in the puddle jumper anyone?) and even a hint of Teyla/Woolsey (if you squint). Then you get the death of Michael - at Teyla's hand, which is just, well, not irony of the highest sort, but something close to it. Poetic justice, or something. Plus Michael being evil for non-contrived reasons and Lorne and Zelenka being BAMFs as well? This is one of my favourite episodes. Period.
Random thoughts include: 1) Clip episodes are almost always a mistake. 2) I seem to be seeing all sorts of rare pairings in this rewatch. IDK why, but I'm enjoying it. 3) Ronon's wig this season is just stupid. They should've just let him keep the short hair. It works better. 4) Ameila - now there's another background character I can get behind. I know Ronon only likes Keller because she reminds him of his dead financee, but that's never a good reason to start a relationship. At least Ameila shows some signs of sharing some interests with him. 5) Michael, Michael, Michael. Didn't anyone ever tell you plans for revenge always go wrong? It's best to carry out your original plan and destroy your enemies when you're too strong to be fought. Didn't you learn anything while you were human - didn't you watch a single movie or something? 6) I love the final scene of "The Prodigal". It's such a family moment that you really do get the sense that these people are family, which is probably reduntant, but, well, it shows something.
Some puzzling was accomplished today, but the big news is I have to go to St. Louis to visit relatives on the 6th thru the 10th. IDK what the internet/computer/writing situation may yet be. But I hope to finish SGA at least before then, and, hopefully "Fradator," so....
/brief meta
I enjoy "The Prodigal". For all the things you mentioned - the boys racing cards! Teyla being a BAMF! Michael finally coming to an end, and by Teyla's hand. I like the Ronon/Amelia - I could see them making it as a couple, and they do make more sense than Ronon and Keller. But then, Keller doesn't make much sense with anyone, given her inconsistency.
As for the Collition itself? I think without the Genii influence it could be a very good thing. But the Genii are a militant people - a desperate people, often appearing to lack in compassion, or, at least, the witherall to take advice and/or critique by others. That doesn't make for a good, stable goverment unless you've an Empire. And Empires are usually bad things.
/end meta
"The Prodigal" IS amazing, and Keller needs consistancy. Or, at least, a stable personality. (Damn you, you male writers. How geeky you must be to be so severly swayed by a pretty girl - cue mckaysmonkey's meta on The Big Bang Theory gang writing for SGA)
When I first learned about the Coalition, I had this idea of Atlantis remaining cut off from Earth, and after their decisions have wide-spread consequences (like Michael or the Hoffan drug), they decide to implement the Coalition, sort of like a United Nations. And the fic would be about Atlantis adjusting to being on their own for good, or thinking they're on their own for good. But I realized it'd involve a lot of politics, and those can't hold my interest.
How geeky you must be to be so severly swayed by a pretty girl - cue mckaysmonkey's meta on The Big Bang Theory gang writing for SGA
I had an idea to continue that, but I couldn't figure out a way to implement it. Or get around Sheldon. Because I could see Penny getting Leonard to agree on John/Rodney, but Sheldon?
Have Leonard "sneak in" the wrong script? And since you know Sheldon doesn't interact with people, he could not find out until the scene's already been shot, or, at least, the producers are so gung-ho that it's impossible to change?
I agree. Atlantis isn't innocent. But what's the quote? "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." They have the power, they use it. They'd be more at fault if they did nothing when they could. (Cue me thinking deviously ahead, to see if I can make this episode work in the AJ 'verse as a trial of the Ancients for their crimes. Hmmm.)
So, no, the Coalition isn't wrong to blame them. But until they have the power to back up their words, they're inconsiquential. Just like the UN, for all I believe in it, is ultimately doomed to failure unless it can be given the teeth it needs. (Cue other thinky thoughts I'm looking forward to writing).
I agree - it'd be much worse if they stayed in Atlantis and just ignored the rest of the Galaxy and the peril it was in.
I think the idea of the UN - and the Coalition - is a good one, but theory and application are so different. And as you've said, the Coalition would need power to back it.
LOL Good luck with your thinky thoughts :D
On a related note, I met the actress Sharon Taylor, who plays Amelia at a British Sci Fi con and she's really nice.
I think your pairing list for S5 is currently:
Ronon/Amelia
Teyla/Woolsey
Carson/Keller
and of course John/Rodney.
plus did you have Lorne/Zelenka too?
Amelia does seem very nice. Plus I like the name. Amelia. Very pretty. Ameila/Ronon makes far more sense in every way.
don't need all of them - just see where the muse leads you.
One day there'll be some bandwidth left over for me.
(says that sitting in parents' basement, after fighting with the router to get it to work faster)
but anyway, that's what my evil laugh would be like. that first minute or so.
I wouldn't mind, but I'm not your average mum who just does email and facebook - I actually use this connection to work from home 2 days a week.
but your son sounds like my brother. Like, cut and paste like him. Can't you excerise parental rights or something and limit him to like, IDK, three internet-enabled devices at once? (longshot I know, but still)