Rewatch: Inquisition

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Sheppard and his team are lured to a planet and are soon put on trial for crimes against the people of the Pegasus galaxy. In flashbacks, the three judge tribunal recounts the indictment against them including the re-awakening of the Wraith and the various missions where at least a few, if not more, innocent bystanders were killed. Sheppard does his best to argue that on balance, fewer were killed by their presence than would have been the case if they had never been there. A least one of the judges is clearly determined to find them guilty while a second seems far more sympathetic. It's left to Richard Woolsey, who has now joined them, to plead the rest of their case. A lawyer by profession, Richard clearly knows how the game is played and focuses on that third judge. Written by garykmcd

[Poll #1900997]

Comments

Comment 1

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I call the premise for this episode intellectually dishonest and it's just one of the reasons I didn't like it. The fact that it was also a cheapie clip episode didn't help.

So, starting from the beginning (as always).

How likely is it that there would have been no repercussions if the ::coughs sarcastically:: Coalition had carried out its sentence? Did the people who contacted Richard use fake names? Of course they used a gate address that wasn't their own. But, then, Atlantis could have still tried to locate them by asking around. After all, it worked for finding at least one person later on.

When I saw who represented the Coalition and the platform John had to stand on, it reminded me of STNG. Well, it's not as if Q were the only imperious and impetuous being in the galaxy, right?

The whole thing already looks like a setup, considering there are ONLY three people to represent the entire Coalition. So, no matter what they decide, everyone else will be happy about the outcome? That doesn't sound logical ... and it's the start of seeing the cracks that exist in the panel of judges.

And, then, there's the idea of the punishment for a guilty verdict, one that would put the entire burden of guilt onto the shoulders of the primary away team. Uh ... yoo-hoo, Coalition peeps? There are two Pegasus natives on that team. So, sentencing Ronon who's seen his own planet in ruins is supposed to be fair. Oh, I guess John must have brainwashed him somehow. Teyla, too. And, for all their ::coughs violently:: knowledge of what Atlantis has done, they're oblivious of the value of the smartest man in two galaxies. Oh, sure, it makes lots of sense to exile him on a barren planet. ::rolls eyes::

I'll admit that the evidence about Michael and the hybrids is mostly on track, but then I've been grouching about that ever since Atlantis interfered with Michael.

Comment 2

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

At least John can stick to his belief that Atlantis is the primary force standing against the Wraith. So Kelore's bringing up the Genii as an equal alternative is laughable. Um ... did they hear about the coup and how the Genii are as likely to blow each other up as much as an enemy? Not to mention their entirely SAFE nuclear weapons handling experience? /extra sarcasm.

While John's trying to defend himself, it's a good thing Evan found a member of the Coalition and has brought him back to Atlantis. Myrus first states that the deception was necessary (hmm, so the means justify the ends), but then that Atlantis has to stop acting unilaterally without accountability to the rest of the Galaxy. Richard refutes the accusation angrily, repeating what John's mentioned, that Atlantis is the only one standing up against the Wraith, and winning.

I have to point out another crack in the Coalition's case: if they're so enthusiastic about accountability and all that stuff, then where were they for the last 4+ years? Did they try to approach Atlantis via at least the Athosians (people whom Atlantis wouldn't suspect of a double-cross)? No, of course not. Because, for most of that time, other worlds were busy fighting their own citizens or causing monumental damage to their own planets, etc., you get the idea, etc.

And just where were they BEFORE the Lanteans showed up? Even if we accept the charge of waking up the Wraith earlier than expected, that to me shows a weary acceptance of the status quo, that the Wraith will come, cull populations, and then hibernate ... all to be repeated in another generation. Um ... is that any desired goal for life in Pegasus, to simply get through and just survive? Not much of an incentive to live, if you ask me.

It's no wonder Richard locks Myrus up. But then presents him with a proposal. And then shows up in John's cell as his attorney. Yay! Though I don't think the council appreciates his balancing of numbers: how many lives the Replicators have destroyed vs how many Hive ships Atlantis has destroyed, thereby saving lives. One person who objects in particular is Shiana who lost her people including her husband and children.

Okay, let's screech to a stop. Isn't that a rather interesting way for a recent widow to dress? The low-cut dress and jewellery? Of someone who lived in a ... village? Of course, TPTB just couldn't present a female character who wasn't busting out all over. [They always need to get their jollies, these juveniles.]

Comment 3

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

So, now comes the other huge crack in the case against Atlantis. It was fixed from the beginning. With only one fair-minded judge (as far as Richard can see) and one vengeance-driven one, that leaves the third one, Dimas, a man who appears to be in the pocket of the Genii (who apparently helped set up this kangaroo court scenario), hoping to get them as the muscle of the galaxy. First of all, that is so laughable. And, secondly, it means that anything that Richard wins is not based on the law, but on back-room deals and bribery. On knowing what the actual game is and winning. As much as I like Robert P and his character, I'm not thrilled at the way the legal profession is shown, as one that looks for loopholes.

Now, imagine if you will, a REAL coalition and, if necessary, a demand of an honest accounting from Atlantis. The trial wouldn't be a scam for one thing. OTOH, perhaps the Coalition would be too busy until they finally got to Atlantis, because of all the other guilty parties in Pegasus who'd wronged their own.

But, then, that would mean a REAL court case, including calling witnesses – something else that was missing from this farce. Because, when the judgments are offered, two of the players acted according to their predispositions (either fair or vengeful) and the third ruled in favour of Atlantis. Hmmm. I wonder how that's going to affect the future participation of anyone on the council. Will Shiana (our local hussy ... oh, sorry, widow) try again to sway people's feelings? Though TBH it would be harder to ensnare the Lanteans again. Because they were such naïve fools – AGAIN – they barely escaped a nasty outcome.

In any case, all of that is in the past while John and Richard (in a SUIT) have a Boston Legal moment on the balcony, sipping Scotch and smoking cigars (ugh to both ::shudders::). And Richard – oh former innocent – will worry about how to fudge his report to the IOA about the greater participation by Atlantis in the galaxy's affairs. John's not so worried. That can wait until tomorrow.

Closing thoughts

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Anything else I haven't mentioned? Well, for “evidence”, it was a pretty poor example, because it was just blab-blab-blab with the clips providing a visual reminder for US but not for the prosecutors. Even if John and the Team (who had so little to do) were railroaded into this trial, it would have been good to at least see them try to ask for an understanding of the Coalition's court procedures. But I guess there wasn't enough time to stick that in as well as the clips. I guess it was enough that WE know what a fair court system involves.

I also found it hard to pay attention to the dialogue and action of the various clips. Mind you, I only watched this episode twice, when it aired originally and again today.

The member worlds of the Coalition appear to revere the Ancients, but not worship them. Still, against the counter-argument that it was the Ancients who created the Wraith and Replicators, their defence is laughable: the Ancients aren't there, but the Lanteans are.

Of course, I wonder how they'd get around the whole heritage thing, where many more Lanteans have the gene, while so few in Pegasus do. It's not fair to play both sides: either the Lanteans are independent or they're just the patsies taking the fall for the Ancients.

I can imagine what a future Coalition might have been like, had TPTB been sincere in exploring the concept in a Season 6 that wasn't meant to be. Would every single member world allow itself to be examined, so that everyone would know their dirty little secrets? So that there could be no dishonesty between them, as their primary goal was to defeat the Wraith. Could I believe and trust that they'd have everyone's back? ATM, not a chance.

Shortest review ever? What-ever. I'm done.