sga_squee | Rewatch: Outsiders

twinsarein.livejournal.com posting in

Sheppard and his team pay a surprise visit to Dr. Carson Beckett who is providing medical services in a small village. There are many refugees there, fleeing Wraith culling and the Wraith themselves are there but not feeding on anyone. It seems the refugees are all infected with the Hoff virus and any attempt at feeding will kill them. The residents themselves are divided on the fate of the refugees with some wanting to offer them protection and another faction wanting to turn them over to the Wraith in return for being left alone. The team's attempt to take the refugees off planet and back to Atlantis inevitably leads to a conflict with the Wraith. Written by garykmcd

[Poll #1899588]

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From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

There were some sweet things amid the morality tale. In a village looking very rough with scenes of manual labour, there are schools for children. Uh, considering that we're in another galaxy and the language variations courtesy of the Stargates, should Carson's nurse have known what “amoxicillin” was? Awwww, Carson has visitors as in our favourite Team who've arrived to deliver some much-needed supplies.

In The Last Man, Earth bureaucracy condemned so many people to misery and death simply because they were in another galaxy, so it's reassuring to see that Atlantis is providing Carson with the medical supplies he needs to heal people. Here it's a bunch of refugees from Balar who survived the Hoffan plague but are coming down with a whole bunch of infections. OTOH, I concluded the exchange didn't have to be one-sided charity. It's possible these people have the ability to trade for medicines using their mined resources.

Hmmm, so Carson tells funny stories about Rodney to the nurse. That's sweet. And shows how the relationship exists from the cloned template who never actually had that relationship before he was discovered and rescued. That IS some remarkable cloning technology (as is the Asgards').

Please note that Rodney makes eyes at Novo, the nurse, because I'll mention it near the end. Anyway, Rodney's acting all delicate at the prospect of eating something “goat-like”. Sheesh! Has he never eaten Indian food in North America? Okay, okay, I guess his citrus allergy made him more tentative when trying different cuisines. But John's all in favour of them having dinner together, if only to hear some of those funny stories.

While they're walking, Rodney's shocked to hear that Carson doesn't miss being on Atlantis, nor its creature comforts. But it's so sweet to hear how welcome Carson's visits are, how well he's treated ... and that he's beginning to feel that he's making a difference. But he can't talk more, as there's a scream and we see a bunch of Wraith guards. John makes sure he and the others are hidden.

It's really weird seeing Wraith just walking about on a planet, not killing anyone. Well, considering why they perhaps can't means they'd be foolish to feed. The message to Elson (who speaks for the the villagers) is to surrender the survivor refugees over or the village will be destroyed.

When Team and the others return to the house Carson's been using as a clinic, Novo, a refugee herself, asks why the Wraith need to hunt even the survivors. So Carson reveals the big secret. What I'd like to know is whether the Hoffan immunity can be passed on via childbirth. Because that would make a huge difference in upping the danger level for the Wraith.

Anyway, a bunch of Balarans come in, including a man with a name (Sefaris). The village council is having a private meeting to see whether to turn the refugees over. So, John's going to join the meeting to offer them an alternative plan. Yay, heroic (leave no one behind) John!

At the meeting, John meets Jervis, a nasty man (perhaps the casting was a bit too IC), who wants to know if the refugees knew they were bringing a “curse” with them. He gives me the creeps. He has a distinct way of looking at things. There are the rightful inhabitants ... and the others are “outsiders”. Even if they've integrated into the life of the village.

John's interrupted from the argument by a call from Ronon and Teyla. Ha! Ronon's overconfidence in estimating how easily they could overcome the Wraith is tempered by Teyla's opposite reaction. John listens to Teyla. John proposes they take out the Wraith at the gate and evacuate everybody. Jervis won't budge. It's good to hear at least one voice of compassionate reason – that it could have happened to this world and, if they hand the refugees over, they're no better than the Wraith! John adds the warning about making deals with the Devil, that there's no guarantee they'll be honoured.

Oops. There's an obstacle to the evacuation plan, as more Wraith guards show up at the gate. John's explanation for more time is not being taken very well. So, Jervis decides to storm out of the meeting and do things his way. Uh-oh.

From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

Jervis and others grab guns and go hunting for the Balarans. They're captured, even the two we know by name.

Then Jervis and his gang of thugs break into Carson's clinic where Elson is helping to pack things away. The Team raises their weapons as they're threatened. Hey, Jervis is just doing his thing to save the village and insists with a sneer that it's their business to handle things their way. Well, Elson reminds Jervis that this isn't exactly their way. And Jervis replies that it was being kind to the refugees that got them into trouble in the first place.

This is where I finally started cheering for Carson. [Yes, I've been pretty hard on him and how he's caved in to threats while ending up instituting a lot more misery.] That was brilliant, to stand up to Jervis, saying he should just shoot the (especially sick) refugees and save the Wraith the trouble.

Amazingly, Jervis backs off. But it's too late, as we learn that there are a bunch of Balarans being offered at the moment to the Wraith. We see Novo and Sefaris in the group.

The team has locked up Jervis and his goons, though not before Ronon stuns them. I agree with his commitment and zeal!

Rodney comes up with a cute plan, to hide the Balarans in the mine. After all, there's this track, so nobody will get lost. [Actually, it was a very nice looking track.]

Back at the gate, Sefaris shows his true colours, indicating how someone who's an outsider and hunted can try to save himself by offering a different outsider in exchange. It's really despicable that he'd do it to someone who's done nothing but good for everybody. As his first attempt at bargaining is rejected, Sefaris narrows it down to saving only himself, while the others are damned. I can just imagine the horror Novo feels at being betrayed by a fellow refugee and friend.

Back at the clinic, Rodney makes a funny. Sure, sure, bring that Sherpa with you next time. But, Rodney, you're not in the Himalayas.

And then comes the double-cross where Rodney and Carson are both taken by the Wraith. And, then, the triple cross, where the Wraith commander doesn't honour the bargain with Sefaris. Oh, what a tragedy. NOT.

Um ... what's the probability (like one in a thousand) that John would cut back to the village and just happen to see Carson and Rodney unconscious before being whisked up by a Dart? I mean ... really!

Gee, Rodney sure loves waking up on a Hive ship. And trying to get free. So far his prior experience is not impressing Carson.

When they're dragged before the Wraith commander, they're given an offer they can't refuse. So Carson will work in the creepy lab (it's those weird screens) on finding a way to identify the toxin. To spare the planet from being blown up.

Back on the planet, John pays Jervis a surprise visit, considering how he sneaks up on him. Interesting to see how Jervis denies having anything to do with Carson being taken: “The doctor has been nothing but ... good to us.” It sounds like a nice assertion, but the flip side is the belief that only those who are helpful deserve to be protected. And Jervis, as much of a rat as he is, does understand how base humanity can be, when he suggests the betrayal could have come at the hands of one of the Balarans. But Jervis just can't keep his mouth shut. I'm sure John really would have liked to strangle him. But John's better than that.

Meanwhile, Carson's having an existential crisis, though Rodney's trying to pull him out of it by applying a dose of pragmatism. Finally I'm happy to hear Carson refer to the “Do no harm” creed. The problem is how ... now.

From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

Carson demands to be taken to the Hive commander. Rodney doesn't like to be left in the dark and threatens to go through Carson's stuff while he's gone. Oh, Rodney.

Woo-hoo. Look at Carson standing up to the Wraith commander. It's a good thing Carson had a backup plan. The acting of agony was a good distraction. But, yay, the commander's dead-dead-dead. Just one quibble that I'll refer to in a moment. Carson says he just injected himself with the virus. Well, that's how I interpreted it. But he tells Rodney a slightly different story.

What a surprise for Rodney to now be rescued by the dashing hero, Dr. Beckett! So, here's the confusing explanation from Carson: “I have the Hoffan drug, Rodney. Michael must have given it to me as a defence against the Wraith.” I'm presuming that THIS is the truth and what Carson told the commander was just meaningless words as he waited for the commander to die.

Anyway, all the boys have to do is destroy the research until the death is discovered.

Once they've destroyed the data, they move elsewhere on the ship. Rodney finds an area with lots of consoles, so starts hacking into them. Because they're in a fairly open space, Carson's going to have to pretend to be John and keep Rodney safe. This is all sorts of hilariously brilliant!

I just loved it when Rodney managed to get through to John via an alien communications device. And, once again, how convenient for Rodney to be on the Hive where he can sabotage the ship's weapons. ::rolls eyes:: But, in the end, Rodney's humanity is stronger than his sense of self-preservation. Because, hey, he's done heroic things before. Though he doesn't want John to forget where they are. ::giggles::

Here's another confusing point for me. Elson overhears John's conversation and looks worried. So am I to think that his visit (to see Jervis in the jail where he leaves the keys and says that Jervis was right) was intentional ... until I learn that it was a trick? Not sure about that one. Okay, belay that. Elson had to know he was tricking Jervis.

Well, the other Wraith finally got around to finding their dead commander. So let's have some silly banter between Rodney and Carson while Rodney's trying to disable the weapons. As usual (on SGA), Rodney's mostly protected by the console and Carson ends up being a far better shot than the guards.

Then they run, headed for the Dart Bay. So ... Rodney thinks he can fly a Dart because he's flown a 'jumper. Carson's incredulous reply is priceless: “I've been to Tokyo before – doesn't mean I can speak Japanese!”

But Rodney's all confident of his untested abilities. Luckily, they actually manage to find the Dart Bay. After Rodney climbs in, Carson does as well. It's ... uh ... a tight squeeze. And the canopy won't engage. More hilarious banter ensues. When the crunch time comes and Carson reminds Rodney that they need to hide, Rodney gets that lightbulb moment. Yay!

From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

Back on double-cross land, Jervis and his hoods lead a Wraith and several guards into the mine. Yadda-yadda. Except there aren't any Balarans hiding there ... just this small block of C4 with pretty blinky lights. Uh-oh. Mine chamber go boom – and it looks really cool seen from above ground.

So the confusion over Elson's active participation is cleared up. He knew he was leading Jervis and his yokels into a trap. In the end, he allowed his own people (who were intent on evil) to die in order to save the innocent Balarans.

Back on the malfunctioning Hive, things aren't going well. They've gotten word of the explosion, their troops guarding the gate aren't responding and ... oh yeah, their weapons aren't working. Plus the two prisoners are missing. What to do, what to do? Send in the clowns? Nah, but send out the Darts.

Things are a little hairy-scary as the team is trying to evacuate the villagers when the Darts show up. Especially when it seems as if Teyla will be swept up. But, instead, Carson and Rodney are rematerialized next to her. Yes, folks, it's official. Rodney. Is. A. Freaking. Genius!!!!!

Anyway, they all manage to hurl themselves through the gate just as a Dart's beam sweeps up toward it. They're safe. Yay!

Back on Atlantis, Rodney wanders over to visit Carson in his lab. He'd love to have some interaction with the friend he sees so rarely. But Carson's too busy getting ready to go with the resettled villagers to a new planet. When Rodney asks why Carson can't just take the research with him, we all learn that people on Atlantis are FINALLY being sensible and more careful. So ... Richard won't let Carson take the data off Atlantis. ::cheers Richard::

Carson apologizes for brushing Rodney off and Rodney grumps that he didn't want Carson to complain that they never saw each other. [And isn't that a sweet reversal of Sunday. Even if Rodney can never bring original Carson back, he can be a better friend to the clone.]

Awww. Carson decides he can actually spare the time to eat – after all, he is a bit hungry – so walks off with Rodney. He's pestering Rodney for details of his personal life ... is he seeing anybody, etc., etc. As he confronts a stammering Rodney (who IS obviously seeing someone), I will remind readers of Rodney's not-so-crude but also not-so-gentlemanly behaviour at the beginning of the episode, where he seemed to be interested in Novo. My only conclusion is that the writers just have Rodney as a boorish boob etched in their brains and can't help but include examples in episodes, even when otherwise he's acting very honourably. ::shakes head::

From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

There have already been a number of episodes on the show that have delineated the different strata of society, the ruling class from the peasants or world against world. These have been abhorrent and definitely show the basest aspects of human behaviour.

Yet this one touched me deeply and brought with it parallels to Nazi Germany, mostly to the concept of the other and how people were encouraged to turn in any outsiders taking refuge among them.

It was equally apparent that the hideous behaviour was also being displayed by the outsiders. That was quite a parallel: Jervis vs Sefaris. The interesting thing is that they were both punished equally by fate.

And then we have the heroic, egalitarian Lanteans. I loved the look of disgust that John in particular glared at Jervis. And this is where I will say wonderful things about John and his leave no one behind philosophy. In some ways, John is a very simple man. People need help, he'll help. He doesn't question whether they deserve help or if they can pay him. He just does it.

I feel that John's sense of personal integrity is so high that, even if Sumner had been the only one captured by the Wraith, John would have gone after him, all the while knowing that the Military commander generally despised him for his inability to follow orders. Or the dishonour of the black mark.

And then I wonder how John could be so passionate about saving people unless he'd experienced himself what it was like to be ... left behind.

His father was very wealthy, so John grew up with the privilege that money brings with it. Yet, he turned aside the seductive glamour of wealth to lead his life as he wanted. He didn't attend the university his father had decreed was suitable and he joined the military. Not just the military, but the Air Force.

The other thing about big business is that generally for there to be a winner, there has to be a loser. I'm sure that John would have found some of his father's business practices to be unsavoury and another reason he didn't want to follow in dad's footsteps. We've already seen that Dave felt much more comfortable to live and work within the trappings of wealth.

I also wonder if John took the Mensa test but never joined because he didn't think it was necessary to set himself formally above the majority of the populace. That it was enough to simply know that he was really smart.

So John became the other deliberately and allowed the experience to affect the way he accepted others and how he treated them.

I also get a Biblical feeling of John as the (okay, give me a break just because I'm making a play on words) shepherd who leaves his flock just to search for the one missing lamb.

And, once again, I'm wondering how left behind John felt in the Sanctuary when he thought nobody would come for him. For all his self-assurance, it's fascinating to see the doubts that cling to the dark corners of John's soul.

Ooh. Just remembered, reminded by “dark corners”. John will kill to protect his own, but it's enlightening to see how broad his definition is. So, I was intrigued to see how Elson's definition of “own” had changed. Elson's definition of “own” had always seemed to be wide enough to encompass outsiders. In the end, Elson agreed to sacrifice his own because Jarvis and his men had deliberately became outsiders ... less than human ... by straying from honour and compassion. [Whoa! I didn't even know I was headed there.]

Of course, the most visible outsider in the episode was Carson. He felt no ties of kinship to remain on Atlantis, so did his best to redeem his soul (for the things both original and clone Carson had done). I think he really did like the simpler (rough) life, instead of being surrounded by sterile labs and a sophisticated city. Also, he was probably relieved he wouldn't turn any unexpected gizmos on.

Anyway, I think I'd better wind this introspective meandering down. One thing I noted a couple of times was the way the music turned sour when the Wraith showed up.

And, finally, that JM must have had sour thoughts of the episode, because once again it put the Lanteans into a heroic light. ::snarks::