Yay, I have a working computer AND speakers, so the rewatch is back to the traditional way. Just too bad it had to be THIS episode which I can't stand. I'll be back in about an hour - I guess - with some overall impressions.
Ugh. This episode recalls many of the faults of TPTB and their sexist writing, not to mention how they probably think of women in general. I'm really trying not to go off on a rant here, but....
So, I guess they had to get some more use of their medieval-shmedieval show-off-the-cleavage costumes. Why not set another episode on a backwards world with a monarchy and let's see how this bunch lead charmed lives?
It seems as if this is not only a matriarchal but also a matrilineal society, as there are SO many women with some men in the background. In which case, why are the women wearing such boob-popping gowns (similar to my question about Larrin's outfit in Travellers)? Yes, I know the real answer is to attract all the 13-year old boys watching TV who'll be mesmerized by the sight of all those boobies. ::rolls eyes::
There must be something about the ATA gene that it is passed down to girl children only on this world (as Harmony mentions queens, but she only mentions kings when it comes to choosing a mate – however it would seem that their status is below a queen's and they don't seem to live long either).
Does it not seem strange that the Lanteans have been trading with this world for several years, but this is the first time that John and Rodney have met all of the princesses – and Rodney does remind us that normally they would have been served an adequate breakfast by Flora. Sloppy writing and thinking.
Once again, we have a world which is ruled based on the ATA gene and yet the system is shrouded in mumbo-jumbo and mystery. Unless the cover words “meditation” and “prayer” were for the benefit of the unknowing populace. What chaos would have resulted if a prospective queen were to make it to the site and the pendant would NOT initialize because of age or Ancient equipment failure? Um ... other than in this episode where there was sabotage? The entire system of succession would be in jeopardy. So ... what was the secret method by which Harmony was chosen? Strongest expression of the gene? Who administered the test? A loyal court vizier (love that word) who shrouded the test in mystical language? Though, if one of the sisters was willing to get the heir out of the way and rule in her stead, is she deliberately overlooking the requirements and going for selfishness instead? Selfishness and I'm-the-Queen-so-I-can-have-you-beaten are such lovely traits, are they not? Harmony exhibits them well. The only good thing about her is that she had some useful outdoors training. And, speaking of the outdoors, it was really pleasant to see some natural water in the episode (don't know if it was a pond, lake or river) rather than just those same blasted Vancouver trees.
I realized when looking at the episode list that this was right after Quarantine and Rodney's failed marriage proposal. So what does he do in this episode? Oh, yeah: call “dibs” on an unseen princess. Because that's how grown-up men act. [Oh, don't get me started.]
Does anyone find Harmony's 13-year old bratty behaviour charming? Seriously, trying to play John against Rodney, the fake crying, the powerbar snatching got really old. And just what kind of an upbringing did she have that she would immediately go after a stranger (albeit a good-looking one) as a potential king? Ugh. Does that tie in with that heavy gender imbalance? At least Rodney's observation that she seemed to be more mature than the type of women who usually fall for John was slightly amusing, even if it just underlined Rodney's jealousy of John. Again.
I'm doing my best to forget about all the scenes with Harmony in them. Also, more mumbo-jumbo about the Beast. ::sighs::
So ... Harmony's smart enough to start a fire, kill a small bird and then attract attention by roasting it? Arrgghh.
By the time our intrepid trio makes it to the ruins, they find a disturbed crystal tray, so Harmony's pendant doesn't light up. Yet, she doubts her worthiness instead of accepting the scientific explanation Rodney gives her. Yeah, sure, because it's all about the gods bestowing power and divine right. ::rolls eyes::
Getting back to why our boys were safe as well, did the older sisters know they had the ATA gene, or was it just luck that they got to the ruins without being attacked by the Beast?
Well, at least I got a real kick out of the Luke-and-Han-rescue-Leia parody. “Good. Real good.” Never gets old.
And, of course, when the episode first aired, we all called John the pretty, precious princess (or, uh, the one true queen). Lots of lol!!!
Meanwhile, Harmony's still spouting off on treason and bravery and I want to put a sock in her mouth. Even more so when she reveals that very special painting a few days later after she's been crowned. Of course, Rodney's eating up his moment of glory while John glowers in humiliation.
This whole episode was a waste of time IMO. It was fairly cheap, as our boys were all by their lonesome with a whole bunch of hired extras. Totally forgettable, and I so wish I could.
If there's a glimmer of a redeeming feature, it's that John tried to pass along his knowledge and experience of how to be a caring and effective leader. Hey, I'd take John over Harmony ANY day. Will she ever have the opportunity to learn to be different, or is that society far too insular to ever progress? I think you know exactly where I stand.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-10-27 01:07 am (UTC)Preamble
Date: 2012-10-27 01:55 am (UTC)Comment 1A
Date: 2012-10-27 03:11 am (UTC)So, I guess they had to get some more use of their medieval-shmedieval show-off-the-cleavage costumes. Why not set another episode on a backwards world with a monarchy and let's see how this bunch lead charmed lives?
It seems as if this is not only a matriarchal but also a matrilineal society, as there are SO many women with some men in the background. In which case, why are the women wearing such boob-popping gowns (similar to my question about Larrin's outfit in Travellers)? Yes, I know the real answer is to attract all the 13-year old boys watching TV who'll be mesmerized by the sight of all those boobies. ::rolls eyes::
There must be something about the ATA gene that it is passed down to girl children only on this world (as Harmony mentions queens, but she only mentions kings when it comes to choosing a mate – however it would seem that their status is below a queen's and they don't seem to live long either).
Does it not seem strange that the Lanteans have been trading with this world for several years, but this is the first time that John and Rodney have met all of the princesses – and Rodney does remind us that normally they would have been served an adequate breakfast by Flora. Sloppy writing and thinking.
Once again, we have a world which is ruled based on the ATA gene and yet the system is shrouded in mumbo-jumbo and mystery. Unless the cover words “meditation” and “prayer” were for the benefit of the unknowing populace. What chaos would have resulted if a prospective queen were to make it to the site and the pendant would NOT initialize because of age or Ancient equipment failure? Um ... other than in this episode where there was sabotage? The entire system of succession would be in jeopardy. So ... what was the secret method by which Harmony was chosen? Strongest expression of the gene? Who administered the test? A loyal court vizier (love that word) who shrouded the test in mystical language? Though, if one of the sisters was willing to get the heir out of the way and rule in her stead, is she deliberately overlooking the requirements and going for selfishness instead? Selfishness and I'm-the-Queen-so-I-can-have-you-beaten are such lovely traits, are they not? Harmony exhibits them well. The only good thing about her is that she had some useful outdoors training. And, speaking of the outdoors, it was really pleasant to see some natural water in the episode (don't know if it was a pond, lake or river) rather than just those same blasted Vancouver trees.
Comment 1B
Date: 2012-10-27 03:20 am (UTC)Does anyone find Harmony's 13-year old bratty behaviour charming? Seriously, trying to play John against Rodney, the fake crying, the powerbar snatching got really old. And just what kind of an upbringing did she have that she would immediately go after a stranger (albeit a good-looking one) as a potential king? Ugh. Does that tie in with that heavy gender imbalance? At least Rodney's observation that she seemed to be more mature than the type of women who usually fall for John was slightly amusing, even if it just underlined Rodney's jealousy of John. Again.
I'm doing my best to forget about all the scenes with Harmony in them. Also, more mumbo-jumbo about the Beast. ::sighs::
So ... Harmony's smart enough to start a fire, kill a small bird and then attract attention by roasting it? Arrgghh.
By the time our intrepid trio makes it to the ruins, they find a disturbed crystal tray, so Harmony's pendant doesn't light up. Yet, she doubts her worthiness instead of accepting the scientific explanation Rodney gives her. Yeah, sure, because it's all about the gods bestowing power and divine right. ::rolls eyes::
Getting back to why our boys were safe as well, did the older sisters know they had the ATA gene, or was it just luck that they got to the ruins without being attacked by the Beast?
Well, at least I got a real kick out of the Luke-and-Han-rescue-Leia parody. “Good. Real good.” Never gets old.
And, of course, when the episode first aired, we all called John the pretty, precious princess (or, uh, the one true queen). Lots of lol!!!
Meanwhile, Harmony's still spouting off on treason and bravery and I want to put a sock in her mouth. Even more so when she reveals that very special painting a few days later after she's been crowned. Of course, Rodney's eating up his moment of glory while John glowers in humiliation.
This whole episode was a waste of time IMO. It was fairly cheap, as our boys were all by their lonesome with a whole bunch of hired extras. Totally forgettable, and I so wish I could.
If there's a glimmer of a redeeming feature, it's that John tried to pass along his knowledge and experience of how to be a caring and effective leader. Hey, I'd take John over Harmony ANY day. Will she ever have the opportunity to learn to be different, or is that society far too insular to ever progress? I think you know exactly where I stand.