sga_squee | Rewatch: Remnants

twinsarein.livejournal.com posting in

It's time for Woolsey's performance appraisal and he is, not surprisingly, somewhat apprehensive. He welcomes Ambassador Shen Xiaoyi who is there to undertake the evaluation but it soon becomes apparent that she has her eye on his job. Woolsey meets a new arrival, Vanessa Conrad, who seems to have good advice for him on how to deal with his current situation. Meanwhile, Sheppard accompanies two scientists on an off-world mission but is kidnapped by an old foe - none other than Acastus Kolya who claims to have escaped death. Back on Atlantis, McKay is egged on by Zalenka to conduct a search of the ocean floor for anything that might be of interest. They do find a cylindrical tube that presents Woolsey with a major dilemma. It also proves to be the key to what is going on around them. Written by garykmcd

[Poll #1903722]

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From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

[Sorry, I was dead to the world last night, so couldn't comment at the appropriate times.]

Oh, dear. It's aggravation time again. This episode was all over the place and didn't make much sense. Let me tell you why.

Poor Richard. It's apparent he's Mr. Lonelyhearts of Atlantis. Teyla tries to be sympathetic. Rodney's totally clueless, about Richard and about why John might want to stay overnight on a botany trip.

So let's jump over to the botany trip where John is being bored to death by a young – well, of course she was – botanist (who has the whiniest voice ever). And, hello, Dr. Parrish. You've been off screen for a very long time. [Does that mean that John stole Evan's flight schedule? /snark.]

So, even though John's bored by the botanical discussion, it's not enough to dissuade him from asking (in a very shallow, uncouth manner) if the female botanist wants to help him set up the Jumper for the night – nudge, nudge, wink, wink, I'm getting sick already. Luckily, she's too enthralled by what David discovered. And, once again, JM cuts John down, because the hero doesn't deserve to get the girl. And is just a military lout.

On the way to the Jumper, John gets ambushed, but tries to free himself.

Back in Atlantis, Richard's carrying his breakfast tray to the transporter where he meets another fairly young, beautiful scientist (there must have been a sale on). Her uniform has an Australian patch. He sort of gets cut off by the closing transporter doors. I'm laughing at his expression and timing: “Actually, you can call me ... [the doors slam shut] Dick.”

On the mainland, John's managed to untie himself and gets to the Jumper. It's a disaster inside.

In Atlantis, Radek appears to be back early from a mission and starts to nag Rodney to investigate the waters around the city. Rodney's being very cranky and not listening.

Outside the Jumper, John sees footprints so sets out to follow them.

Richard's now rehearsing a welcome speech. He's so into these awkward formal things. So, who's showing up? Only Shen Xiaoyi of the IOA.

John's back where he was trying to make nice with the female botanist, but she's gone and the place has been ransacked.

Richard is showing Xiaoyi the Control room, and trying to impress her by how well he gets along with the technicians. He remembers Amelia's name and kickboxing, but calls Chuck “Chet” which irritates our fave Chucknician.

It's time for the Radek/Rodney comedy routine. Finally Radek gets Rodney to approve the ocean search.

Then it's time for blah-blah-blah between Richard and Xiaoyi until she stuns him with news of his supposed reward: leaving Atlantis to become Chair of Earth's new environmental initiative. Uh-oh.

R&R are ready to initiate a sensor sweep which Rodney figures will give him enough time to get an almond biscotti and a Yoo-hoo (uh, I have NO idea what that is) in the “cafeteria” (and since when are we renaming the Mess). But no such luck as Amelia picks up a beep.

Back on the mainland, John's having delusions of Genii. Well, at least one uniform that disappears at closer glance. Too bad the voice behind him is all too familiar. Ugh. Kolya. And a guard who knocks John out. Um ... since WHEN has Kolya ever called John by his first name?

Time for boring blah-blah-blah between Richard and Xiaoyi. Funny to see how Mr. By-the-book is now considered by TPTB to be too much of his own man in the administration of Atlantis.

A cylindrical device has just been wheeled into Rodney's lab where he and Radek are waiting. This is what was recovered in the ocean. Aww, they pat each other's back, well ... in words.

Oops. John's in a familiar position, tied and beat up. Also wondering how he could have been captured by a dead man. A dead man who's threatening to blow up Atlantis. Ho-hum, we've heard it all before. Well, since John's not going to cooperate by giving his IDC, Kolya will have to try to persuade him, by punching him – after he's pulled on leather gloves. I guess he didn't want to get any icky blood on his hands.

From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

Vanessa visits Richard in his quarters while he's holding up a suit in front of a mirror, thinking of having to wear them again rather than his Atlantis uniform. Vanessa's inviting him to a double-bill at the movies, tonight ... or tomorrow, but he declines. Richard tells Vanessa why he's not in a good mood and she tells him not to just accept the decision but to fight it. Not only that, she brings up a logical point: if the IOA wanted to can Richard, then why didn't they just do it; instead they sent Xiaoyi on a three-week trip. So Richard confronts Xiaoyi, accusing her of being rewarded with Atlantis if she gets rid of him but he's not going to play along.

Back on the mainland, Kolya's getting exhausted from punching John repeatedly. He wonders why John has such resistance, much greater than any other man's. John says it's because he was married once. Thanks for the misogynistic drivel, PTB. Kolya makes more threats, saying that John can't save his people this time.

Back in Rodney's lab, Rodney's stymied by the device, but Radek assures him he'll figure it out. Why? Because Rodney's “brilliant”! Whoa. Since when does Radek hand out such compliments, especially to Rodney. Even Rodney's confused, thinks Radek said it because either of them is sick.

Back on the mainland, Kolya says he'll have his men repair the damage they caused to the Jumper. Oh, really? It looked like a disaster. Also, what's with the weird familiarity of calling John “Johnny boy”? ::shakes head:: The next bit is gruesome, because Kolya's men hold John while Kolya chops his hand off. ::squirms:: When John comes to, his stump has been neatly bandaged and Kolya's trying to psychoanalyze him.

Time for more talk between Radek and Rodney where we learn that “brilliant” does not mean “genius” in Radek's vocabulary. Then Radek spurs Rodney on by intimating that the information is protected by an alien password. Oh, sure it is. /sarcasm.

The set design people have given us a new, really cute balcony. Richard walks out to what he considers to be his personal private spot, but Vanessa's already there. They talk and he ends up inviting her to dinner. They're interrupted when Amelia approaches. After he leaves with her, we see Xiaoyi lurking around the corner, having heard the entire conversation.

Rodney gets to talk all about the device to Richard. It's got the records of a long-dead civilization, but also the building blocks for a silicon-based life form. Well, this particular probe didn't make it to its intended destination, but Rodney wants the Daedalus to drop it off.

No problem for Richard, as long as they can copy the data. But Rodney tells him the bad news. If they interfere with the data, the biological samples will be destroyed. It's an either/or decision. And it's lovely to see a scientist on the ethical side of the answer. So ... Rodney's more aware, I'd say since Doranda.

Back on the mainland (where I'm so tired of Kolya already), John's being taunted and told his two scientists are dead. So, is it likely that genetic material from a severed hand would operate Ancient tech? If that were the case, then couldn't Atlantis peeps just dab someone's blood on a device to activate it? I smell rotten science. And writing fail. While Kolya's distracted, John disappears from view. Kolya orders him found ... and killed.

Back on Atlantis, it's let's make fun of Richard time. So, this man is aware enough to greet two techs by name (well, they were female) but call Chuck “you”. Sounds not only sexist but stupid. Hello, other shoe dropping. Richard wants info on Vanessa from Amelia. Just one problem: Vanessa doesn't exist in the computer system. Oops.

We then see John doing his military special ops stuff – because he's a very inventive kind of guy.

Time for more confusion between Richard and Amelia. Okay, what's going on?

We're just in time to see how John ambushes the enemy.

By this point, Richard's checked himself into the infirmary. Vanessa's with him. Poor Jen thinks Richard's asking her questions. Until Vanessa clears things up and says that only Richard can see her. Oh, terrific. A personal hallucinogenic experience. No wonder Richard's not listening to Vanessa's advice as he leaves the infirmary with sleeping pills in hand.

From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

Now there's more of an odd conversation between Radek and Rodney. Everything's fine until the alien device gives a new reading, one that's got Rodney worried.

Back on the mainland, John's just killed another Genii. ::yawns::

In Richard's quarters, Vanessa is waiting for him when he walks in. He wants to know what she is. The answer is too ridiculous for words: “I'm a physical manifestation of your subconscious romantic and sexual ideals.” And the longing that Richard has just happens to come with an Australian accent? That's just as stupid as having a de-Wraithed Michael wake up with a Southern one. Makes NO sense at all! ::growls at TPTB::

But it's time for complications anyway, as Xiaoyi knocks and is invited in. This is going to be interesting. Xiaoyi brings up his talking to himself (now she's witnessed two incidents) and her impatience why he hasn't ordered the data retrieval from the device. Oops again, as Richard loses control and responds angrily to Vanessa's interruptions. And now he gets threatened by Xiaoyi who wants him to prove he's a team player. [Ugh. I've always hated that concept.]

On the mainland, John fires at Kolya who disappears. What??? Then Kolya appears behind John and pushes him over the edge of a cliff. John's barely hanging on with one hand – because he's only got one – while Kolya looks down at him (the transcript says dispassionately).

Back to interpersonal fireworks between Richard and Xiaoyi while Vanessa tries to get a word in. Oh, wonderful. Hello, Rodney. Thanks for popping by. He says they have to get rid of the device because it's giving off the same signature for inducing mass hallucinations as they encountered on M1B-129. Anyone want to guess if that's where they were captured by the mist creatures?

Well, Vanessa's still trying to get her two cents in about this being a means of communications between species.

And Xiaoyi is trying to act unilaterally especially when it's not her call. But Richard's firm in pushing her and Rodney out the door. It's his decision to make, after Vanessa answers his questions.

Back on the mainland (oh, how I'm tired of typing that), Kolya looks down and tells John the whole thing's gone on far too long and that John should pull himself up by his hand. What hand? Well, the one that's miraculously at the end of his other arm, bandages all gone. Oh, also, John's superficial wounds are gone.

Kolya continues to encourage him as John finally gets back onto firm ground. And wants to know just what is going on.

From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

Kolya starts to talk about an extinct civilization. The story switches between him and Vanessa. ::sighs:: What's this with yet another race that couldn't save itself after millions of years of evolution. That sounds like lazy writing. Again.

But, aww, the AI was awakened after a couple thousand years on the ocean floor when Rodney flew the Jumper from the underwater Bay.

Still, it's tiresome to hear – once again – that the AI had to employ subterfuge to see what kind of people the Lanteans were. Well, don't look now, but Xiaoyi wouldn't give you the time of day.

Poor John. He's learning that he's the architect of his own misfortune and that the AI simply played on his fears. Ack. This is too simplistic an explanation. But John is in a very bad mood when he returns to the Jumper and orders the botanists to shut up and get in. I'm not keen on that behaviour either, as it shows John will take out his frustration on people who don't deserve it. If he's so self-sacrificing and all that, then he wouldn't react in such a petty manner. Ugh ... the writing, it hurts so much.

There's a confusing transmission from earth for Xiaoyi. She's not going to replace Richard, but (that weasel) James Coolidge is. And Xiaoyi is getting that very exciting (NOT) environmental position. Xiaoyi's not a happy camper.

But, surprisingly, her report was so positive that she congratulates Richard as the “new permanent commander” of the expedition. Whoa! What happened? And how did she circumvent the IOA decision about Coolidge?

Okay, semi explanation, though the timing's off. She mentions yesterday's update ... which didn't happen. So somehow Vanessa interfered. It's a little present for Richard.

Time to get half the gang in here (I suppose Ronon and Teyla were superfluous, except for eating) with John and Rodney wheeling the device in. Hmm. The transcript says John smiles a litle bitterly at Vanessa. Does that mean he's still seeing Kolya? Or ... what?

But poor Rodney's not seeing anything, so of course he grouses about it. And then the AI reveals its true silver humanoid self before it's beamed away by the Apollo.

It's a bookend finish to mirror the beginning as the team is having a meal on the balcony. Teyla invites Richard who initially seems set to decline, but he decides to join them. Then the conversation gets interesting as Rodney proclaims it's his inability to be fooled that prevented the AI from communicating with him. Why, if it weren't for a little help from Radek – hee! Rodney was fooled, too, because Radek's still offworld. Aww, poor Rodney. Even Richard pats his shoulder in a sympathetic gesture.

And that's the end.

From:

helenkacan.livejournal.com

First of all, I would hate to know I'd been manipulated, especially fuelled by my own thoughts. Gee, wow, that's sure some AI, powerful enough to glean the deepest darkest secrets (in John's case) or more superficial ones (such as Richard's loneliness or Rodney's delusions of grandeur). But it's so trite and boring. And certainly not flattering to these men. The whole episode to me was a waste of time, with the AI using all these tricks to divine whether the Lanteans were worthy to help. Because there was no other way they could be approached in a more forthright manner.

I found the portrayal of John's inner demons problematic. Sure, he's a guy who's always on his toes, anticipating trouble. But he doesn't seek it out (unless he's doing a suicide run). And are we to believe that John's not quite sure that Kolya's dead. Mind you, if he spends so much time berating himself for the people he couldn't save, I see a lot of therapy in his future.

Still, it's good to point out the inconsistencies. As I mentioned, how would the AI know what an Australian accent is or why it was necessary to create such a figure who is NOT from Richard's memory. I call writing fail.

The way Kolya was played was weird. First of all, the character's accent was muted and a big giveaway was calling John “Johhny boy”. Hmm. Is that how Daddy Dearest humiliated John?

At least Richard's and Rodney's interactions were simple; but what was going on over on the mainland was a frantic mess. I've already mentioned how John struck out with the female botanist, but then JM has no liking for the character or his heroic nature and certainly would gloat at his failure with the ladies. I guess the fact that this is all OOC for John is irrelevant. Arrgghh.

OTOH, I thought the AI's threats (from Kolya) against Atlantis sounded juvenile.

Considering that I knew that there were hallucinatory characters in the episode, I paid extra attention (let's just call it a Sixth Sense type rewatch) to Radek's appearance. And, luckily, Rodney was never caught talking to thin air. Though I find it fascinating that, even if Rodney has delusions of grandeur, they're actually quite modest and civil. Also, when I think about it, I believe that Radek's Czech accent was muted and flatter (just as Kolya's wasn't quite as creepy as usual).

Ack – I think I've run out of things to say. Except I'm glad I'll never have to watch this episode again.