Oh, dear. Another episode with plot chasms (not just holes). So I only watched it once.
Where to begin? Well, what about the fact that Ronon's and Teyla's movements were monitored while they were off Atlantis. Otherwise, how could he have been ambushed.
Grammar nitpicking time: Writers, how can you have Teyla say "with Torren and I" (oh, so wrong) and then "Torren and me" (correct - as the object following the verb)?
The setup to the ambush (with the hidden trigger) is way too complicated. What if Ronon hadn't stepped on it? ::shakes head::
Back on Atlantis, the rest of the team has to remember to ask Mom ... okay, Dad (aka Richard) ... for permission to go out and play (find Ronon).
I find the emphasis on whether Teyla's planning to return to the team tedious and there was way too much time spent focusing on it throughout the episode. Or was it just TPTB being obtuse again about working mothers.
Poor Richard. The setup with the doors was in the previous episode and the joke (I'm not laughing) happened in this one. So, is Atlantis having a hissy fit against him personally? ::sighs:: I also noticed how badly his uniform jacket fit him, with the loose wrinkles near the neck. Later on in the season, the wardrobe department will put shoulder pads into the jacket, making him look as if he finally has some authority.
Oh, poor Richard again, losing his beloved Yorkie in the divorce. It sounds as if he loved that dog more than his wife. Once again, I wonder at how TPTB view romantic relationships. Say with a certain amount of cynicism?
Ronon is fed on and rejuvenated. ::shudders:: And, yet, it doesn't affect me as much as John's being fed on in Common Ground. I know one thing I'm having a problem with is the lighting. It's just too dark for me to see things clearly.
It seems weird to see only John and Rodney at breakfast in what I call the abridged Mess. The transcript seems to indicate that the healthier selection of foods is due to Richard's influence. But, considering it's late morning, I'd think it's just that the hot foods are no longer available.
So, Rodney's been up all night thinking about Ronon's situation. He's tried "pacing, snacking, bathing"! Once again, TPTB are toying with the McSheppers when they have John declare, "I'm not takin' a bath with you." Uh ... why even put those words in John's mouth? Just because Rodney was asking for a fresh perspective shouldn't automatically mean he was inviting John into the tub with him. Though, hey, if TPTB want us to think that way, who am I to object? ::snickers::
Back in Wraith territory, Ronon's still defiant, while Tyre is starting to act desperate for his next fix (his reward) whose supply seems to have run out for him. I find this to be an example of a really bad trope: that the so-called bad guys don't keep their promises. The trope is usually seen when criminals double-cross each other and the viewers are meant to understand that it's not in their nature to act with any honour. AFAIC, this is a juvenile way of thinking about personal interaction.
In any case, Tyre is so screwed and left behind. I'm wondering what he would have done during his withdrawal if he hadn't been found by the rescue teams and brought back to Atlantis. Would he have killed himself? But he's restrained, so he won't have a chance to hurt himself or others.
Oh, no. Time for another existential and totally unnecessary discussion between Teyla and John about her role on the team. ::groans:: Rodney and Jennifer are smart to sneak away for lunch.
Ronon's conscious again, but the problem is that we have no real sense of time passing, unless we're actually told about it. As Ronon screams in one part of the galaxy....
... so does Tyre as he's going through withdrawal. It's actually sweet to see Richard asking if there's nothing he can be given for the pain; but John who is usually the pragmatic one insists on no sedatives for the fastest recovery period.
For a change of pace, let's have some mommy/daddy semi-conflict. And have the daddy say it's okay for the mommy to be more than a mommy. [Yes, I'm being cynical ... again.]
What a turn of events. While Tyre wants to help the Lanteans rescue Ronon, Ronon has capitulated and is now allied with the Wraith. Sorry, but I just don't buy it. I think the undefined passage of time is also a reason.
And Richard is put into the same position as he was with clone-Carson. Can Tyre be trusted not to lead the Lanteans into a trap. But he agrees. Then Teyla just happens to come by at the right time, insists on joining the rescue team and saddles Richard with baby Torren. Oh, ha-ha – NOT. And since when is the Mess now referred to as a "cafeteria"? Are we back in high school?
Hey, it was a cool idea to actually hide the C4 they were distributing, so that it would be less likely to be noticed.
Whee – it's time to use the Wraith transporter system. I think it's only the second time we've seen it in action.
Oh, this is unpleasant and horrifying, to see the rescue teams surrounded while Ronon's siding with the Wraith. Even worse, Tyre seems to have double-crossed the Lanteans as he grabs Teyla. But talk about juxtaposition. While John called Ronon "buddy", Ronon punches John in the face. So, now, Tyre and Ronon seem to be buddies and the Wraith seems to be welcoming Tyre back.
We're in familiar territory with a doubting Rodney vs a certain and determined John where it comes to rescuing Ronon and getting back to Atlantis. But while Rodney's trying to formulate a plan in his mind, John is summoned. And the Wraith head honcho wants him to kneel. I loved John's tossed-off response: "You know, what'd be really creepy and unexpected is if you knelt instead." It's so John at his defiant best.
The following bit is just far too weird and not convincing. Oh, not Tyre chopping off the Wraith's feeding hand – that was sensational. No, it was the fact that John had not one but two guns in his waistband, so he can shoot the Wraith. Uh ... so nobody bothered to frisk them before sticking them in a cell?
The poor lighting once again prevented me from seeing the fight between Ronon and Tyre.
So, question time. When Tyre said he had to get something, I thought it was to get his sword. But I suppose that's when he just happened to free Rodney and Teyla and told them where to go to free Lorne's team???
Trivia question time: why does it always seem that Ronon has to be stunned repeatedly before he's knocked unconscious? It's not as if he were the Hulk or superhuman!
Unfortunately, the Lanteans have only a temporary advantage. There are simply too many Wraith. So ... what to do? Oh, just threaten the head honcho with the destruction of the facility, when Tyre grabs the detonator. But then he trades his freedom for the lives of the others, though only John seems to understand his plan after Tyre's handed the sword over to him.
Once the others have left, the Wraith head guy mocks Tyre for turning his back on an incredible gift. Uh, Wraith guy? Just how stupid do you believe Tyre is? Especially after you've already questioned his worth and denied him his reward? Tyre – now free of the psychological and physical influence of the enzyme – has his final chance to choose (thereby confirming what Solen Sincha said earlier, that everyone still has the freedom - to choose to die). And presses the button.
Back on Atlantis, we see Ronon in the same detox and withdrawal process. It seems more painful for me to watch, because it's Ronon and he means more to us. It's lovely to see the team solidarity, first from the observation level, then we see Rodney chattering away about his youth and his first piano teacher, while sitting next to Ronon's bed.
When Rodney realizes that Ronon is lucid, he rushes out, yelling, "He's back. He's back." That's so sweet!
What's not so sweet – again – is the thing with the conference room doors not working for Richard, until Rodney moves toward them. ::sighs::
The final scenes are connected with a lovely suite of music which was composed by Joel specifically for this episode. We're supposed to take it that this is the music Richard is playing in his quarters while he's relaxing, dressed in a suit and tie (as he assures Teyla is relaxing for him) and drinking wine).
Teyla returns to her quarters and has a family moment with Kanaan and Torren.
Rodney's relaxing in a fluffy bubble bath in his spa-like tub until he suddenly gets an idea, so impatiently reaches behind him for his tablet.
Then, the saddest scene to end the episode. John visits Ronon in the infirmary and holds out Tyre's sword in its scabbard. Both men look at each other without saying a word. Finally, John leaves after laying the scabbard by Ronon's body. Ronon unsheathes the sword and weeps as he's surrounded by memories.
I'm still not convinced by the way Ronon was turned. For one thing, he didn't seem to have the ability to deceive his friends, the way Tyre and the others originally deceived him. He appeared to be far more bloody and ruthless in his antagonism toward them. Are we supposed to accept that as a sympton of his recently being turned ... or is it another attempt by TPTB to show Ronon's barbarity. It's not the first time (or last, as we'll see later in the season) where TPTB give Ronon some unflattering character traits.
One other possibility is that the way Ronon was turned was the harder way and that the Wraith might employ their on-again/off-again mind reading skills to smoothe the harshness of a purely chemical, enzyme-based turning. Of course, that's something we'll never know NOW.
I'm still not impressed with Kanaan, although he does seem to show an affinity to being a caring daddy. But, as a romantic partner for Teyla, nuh-huh. It's just not convincing.
I know TPTB have usually failed us when it comes to future repercussions. I don't remember what's going to happen in the next few episodes, but I don't think there's going to be all that much awkwardness between Ronon and the rest of the team.
I can't really think of anything else, so that's a wrap.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
Comment 1
Date: 2012-12-29 09:03 pm (UTC)Where to begin? Well, what about the fact that Ronon's and Teyla's movements were monitored while they were off Atlantis. Otherwise, how could he have been ambushed.
Grammar nitpicking time: Writers, how can you have Teyla say "with Torren and I" (oh, so wrong) and then "Torren and me" (correct - as the object following the verb)?
The setup to the ambush (with the hidden trigger) is way too complicated. What if Ronon hadn't stepped on it? ::shakes head::
Back on Atlantis, the rest of the team has to remember to ask Mom ... okay, Dad (aka Richard) ... for permission to go out and play (find Ronon).
I find the emphasis on whether Teyla's planning to return to the team tedious and there was way too much time spent focusing on it throughout the episode. Or was it just TPTB being obtuse again about working mothers.
Poor Richard. The setup with the doors was in the previous episode and the joke (I'm not laughing) happened in this one. So, is Atlantis having a hissy fit against him personally? ::sighs:: I also noticed how badly his uniform jacket fit him, with the loose wrinkles near the neck. Later on in the season, the wardrobe department will put shoulder pads into the jacket, making him look as if he finally has some authority.
Oh, poor Richard again, losing his beloved Yorkie in the divorce. It sounds as if he loved that dog more than his wife. Once again, I wonder at how TPTB view romantic relationships. Say with a certain amount of cynicism?
Comment 2
Date: 2012-12-29 09:13 pm (UTC)It seems weird to see only John and Rodney at breakfast in what I call the abridged Mess. The transcript seems to indicate that the healthier selection of foods is due to Richard's influence. But, considering it's late morning, I'd think it's just that the hot foods are no longer available.
So, Rodney's been up all night thinking about Ronon's situation. He's tried "pacing, snacking, bathing"! Once again, TPTB are toying with the McSheppers when they have John declare, "I'm not takin' a bath with you." Uh ... why even put those words in John's mouth? Just because Rodney was asking for a fresh perspective shouldn't automatically mean he was inviting John into the tub with him. Though, hey, if TPTB want us to think that way, who am I to object? ::snickers::
Back in Wraith territory, Ronon's still defiant, while Tyre is starting to act desperate for his next fix (his reward) whose supply seems to have run out for him. I find this to be an example of a really bad trope: that the so-called bad guys don't keep their promises. The trope is usually seen when criminals double-cross each other and the viewers are meant to understand that it's not in their nature to act with any honour. AFAIC, this is a juvenile way of thinking about personal interaction.
In any case, Tyre is so screwed and left behind. I'm wondering what he would have done during his withdrawal if he hadn't been found by the rescue teams and brought back to Atlantis. Would he have killed himself? But he's restrained, so he won't have a chance to hurt himself or others.
Oh, no. Time for another existential and totally unnecessary discussion between Teyla and John about her role on the team. ::groans:: Rodney and Jennifer are smart to sneak away for lunch.
Ronon's conscious again, but the problem is that we have no real sense of time passing, unless we're actually told about it. As Ronon screams in one part of the galaxy....
... so does Tyre as he's going through withdrawal. It's actually sweet to see Richard asking if there's nothing he can be given for the pain; but John who is usually the pragmatic one insists on no sedatives for the fastest recovery period.
For a change of pace, let's have some mommy/daddy semi-conflict. And have the daddy say it's okay for the mommy to be more than a mommy. [Yes, I'm being cynical ... again.]
What a turn of events. While Tyre wants to help the Lanteans rescue Ronon, Ronon has capitulated and is now allied with the Wraith. Sorry, but I just don't buy it. I think the undefined passage of time is also a reason.
And Richard is put into the same position as he was with clone-Carson. Can Tyre be trusted not to lead the Lanteans into a trap. But he agrees. Then Teyla just happens to come by at the right time, insists on joining the rescue team and saddles Richard with baby Torren. Oh, ha-ha – NOT. And since when is the Mess now referred to as a "cafeteria"? Are we back in high school?
Hey, it was a cool idea to actually hide the C4 they were distributing, so that it would be less likely to be noticed.
Whee – it's time to use the Wraith transporter system. I think it's only the second time we've seen it in action.
Comment 3
Date: 2012-12-29 09:26 pm (UTC)We're in familiar territory with a doubting Rodney vs a certain and determined John where it comes to rescuing Ronon and getting back to Atlantis. But while Rodney's trying to formulate a plan in his mind, John is summoned. And the Wraith head honcho wants him to kneel. I loved John's tossed-off response: "You know, what'd be really creepy and unexpected is if you knelt instead." It's so John at his defiant best.
The following bit is just far too weird and not convincing. Oh, not Tyre chopping off the Wraith's feeding hand – that was sensational. No, it was the fact that John had not one but two guns in his waistband, so he can shoot the Wraith. Uh ... so nobody bothered to frisk them before sticking them in a cell?
The poor lighting once again prevented me from seeing the fight between Ronon and Tyre.
So, question time. When Tyre said he had to get something, I thought it was to get his sword. But I suppose that's when he just happened to free Rodney and Teyla and told them where to go to free Lorne's team???
Trivia question time: why does it always seem that Ronon has to be stunned repeatedly before he's knocked unconscious? It's not as if he were the Hulk or superhuman!
Unfortunately, the Lanteans have only a temporary advantage. There are simply too many Wraith. So ... what to do? Oh, just threaten the head honcho with the destruction of the facility, when Tyre grabs the detonator. But then he trades his freedom for the lives of the others, though only John seems to understand his plan after Tyre's handed the sword over to him.
Once the others have left, the Wraith head guy mocks Tyre for turning his back on an incredible gift. Uh, Wraith guy? Just how stupid do you believe Tyre is? Especially after you've already questioned his worth and denied him his reward? Tyre – now free of the psychological and physical influence of the enzyme – has his final chance to choose (thereby confirming what Solen Sincha said earlier, that everyone still has the freedom - to choose to die). And presses the button.
Back on Atlantis, we see Ronon in the same detox and withdrawal process. It seems more painful for me to watch, because it's Ronon and he means more to us. It's lovely to see the team solidarity, first from the observation level, then we see Rodney chattering away about his youth and his first piano teacher, while sitting next to Ronon's bed.
When Rodney realizes that Ronon is lucid, he rushes out, yelling, "He's back. He's back." That's so sweet!
What's not so sweet – again – is the thing with the conference room doors not working for Richard, until Rodney moves toward them. ::sighs::
The final scenes are connected with a lovely suite of music which was composed by Joel specifically for this episode. We're supposed to take it that this is the music Richard is playing in his quarters while he's relaxing, dressed in a suit and tie (as he assures Teyla is relaxing for him) and drinking wine).
Teyla returns to her quarters and has a family moment with Kanaan and Torren.
Rodney's relaxing in a fluffy bubble bath in his spa-like tub until he suddenly gets an idea, so impatiently reaches behind him for his tablet.
Then, the saddest scene to end the episode. John visits Ronon in the infirmary and holds out Tyre's sword in its scabbard. Both men look at each other without saying a word. Finally, John leaves after laying the scabbard by Ronon's body. Ronon unsheathes the sword and weeps as he's surrounded by memories.
Closing thoughts
Date: 2012-12-29 09:32 pm (UTC)One other possibility is that the way Ronon was turned was the harder way and that the Wraith might employ their on-again/off-again mind reading skills to smoothe the harshness of a purely chemical, enzyme-based turning. Of course, that's something we'll never know NOW.
I'm still not impressed with Kanaan, although he does seem to show an affinity to being a caring daddy. But, as a romantic partner for Teyla, nuh-huh. It's just not convincing.
I know TPTB have usually failed us when it comes to future repercussions. I don't remember what's going to happen in the next few episodes, but I don't think there's going to be all that much awkwardness between Ronon and the rest of the team.
I can't really think of anything else, so that's a wrap.