15 Years! Episode fest!

[melagan]

To celebrate the fifteen years since the first airing of Stargate Atlantis, valika proposed a celebration and I whole-heartedly agree.

For the next week, we want to hear all about your favorite Stargate Atlantis episode(s), why should we watch them and what about that episode(s) caught your imagination.

Feel free to elaborate as little or as much as you like.

We'd be delighted if you wanted to tell us a little about your favorite characters too.

(I'm looking at you popkin16)

I've been working my way through a re-watch. I have to keep stopping, stare at the screen and announce, "OMG they're so PRETTY!"

Ahem.

Guess 'll work on something more coherent for this mini fifteen-year fest.

Comments

[squidgiepdx]

I watch it for the plot.

[valika]

Nice! Oh boys, I miss them so much!

I like your icon. :D This brought back great memories. I was there in FedCon 2010, where this photo of Joe and David was taken.

[squidgiepdx]

D'awww... I love that picture!!!

[melagan]

Nughh. Plot. Yes. More Plot please.

[squidgiepdx]

More plot, less clothing.

[brumeier]

Plot. Yeah. ::chinhands:: Love me some plot.

[squidgiepdx]

Best. Plot. EVER!

[allir]

Oh same!

And you found some of my favourite *plot* to show ;)

[squidgiepdx]

Oh yes. Pretty, pretty plot.

[allir]

❤

[ivorysilk]

I agree. Plot is v. important.

[squidgiepdx]

Shirtless plot is even better!

[ivorysilk]

Indeed!

[brumeier]

Favorite ep: The Shrine. Not just because of the amazing acting from DHew, and the glaring slashiness of the thing. I came into this fandom through the backdoor, reading fic before I ever saw a single ep of the show. And because of the amazing Shrine fics, that was the first ep I chose to watch. (After I watched it, I started the series over from the beginning.)

Favorite character: Rodney, hands down. He's such a layered character, so brash and antagonistic but there's so much more below the surface. And he's super smart, because look how easily he can make the Ancient tech and the Wraith tech work! He always saves the day, and sometimes he blows up part of a galaxy, but Rodney is a guy who gets things done. His relationships with the other characters are just as nuanced, especially John. The love is real!!

Why I rarely re-watch: The only time I'll throw an ep of SGA on is if I'm writing something directly related to that ep. It's hard for me to watch the show now, after having been in fic so long. I have the fic version of these characters stuck in my head and it often conflicts with the canon version. So there's a disconnect for me.

[squidgiepdx]

While I adore The Shrine, and it is my favorite episode by far, sometimes it's hard to watch. I mean it is wonderful to see DHew's range and everything, but just from the anguish standpoint it makes it hard sometimes.

And I also think that The Shrine, along with The Tao of Rodney, are two episodes where you really get to see Joe Flanigan's micro-expressions and gentle body movements that are often overlooked. When I think of The Shrine, I think of John's hand on Rodney's back, his facial expression torn, as his thumb strokes Rodney's back.

Guh... I love these boys.

[allir]

Oh yes! I adore the Shrine, but it's so heart-wrenching I have to be in the right mood to watch it (or have a whole bunch of fluffy, comfort fic lined up to read afterwards)

I adore Joe's micro-expressions - and feel like they work just so well for Sheppard. Sheppard's not someone to wave his arms around and show his emotions easily, and the way things just seep out of him in the Shrine shows just how much it's affecting him.

[popkin16]

Work has been draining me lately, but I'm out a couple hours early tomorrow, and I have a late day Sunday, so when I get home I'll be sure to comment :D

[popkin16]

It may be a bit of a cop out, but my favorite episodes are always the McShep ones. Not just because I ship them, but because their interactions really are the most fun. They just play off each other so well lol.

The Storm/The Eye was the episodes that made me go from, "I enjoy this show" to "Holy shit this is good." John was badass! Rodney was a brave little toaster! One of my go-to episodes when I'm feeling down is Echoes. The premise is absolutely ridiculous, but the boys are super cute and have a ton of great moments, it never fails to cheer me up.

I am and always will be a Rodney fangirl. In SG1, Rodney gives us hints that he comes from an unhappy childhood. And then in SGA, we learn he was bullied. So there's something really wonderful about him finding a family and a home on Atlantis, with his team. Finally accepted for more than just his brain ♥ I also headcanon Rodney has bisexual and completely aware of it. He didn't make it through college looking that pretty without someone male hitting on him, c'mon! And Rodney's such a hedonist - he likes food and bubble baths and things that make him feel good. And if sex with men feels good, Rodney isn't going to quibble. I have a lot of Rodney feels ♥

I also really love John though. He hasn't had an easy life either, though in different ways. Which means it's also lovely when he finds a place of acceptance and family on Atlantis. There's a lot of strong opinions about John's sexuality. I have a friend who firmly believes John is 100% gay, which does seem to be the prevailing theory. But I can buy him as bisexual with a predominant interest in men. He sleeps with Teer when he really didn't have to (he thinks he's abandoned there, so there's no military code of conduct he has to abide by), and he doesn't look disgusted when Mara disrobes in The Tower. More stunned, lol. So I don't really have a strong opinion on John's sexuality, other than "not straight."

The great thing about SGA is it had so many great characters. Carson was a sweetie. Teyla is strong and badass and I love that they made her a mother but didn't take that away from her. Ronon's been through so much, I'm so happy he's found a home and people he can fight with. Radek puts up with Rodney and genuinely cares about him, and he's so smart and capable. And so on...

The show gives us so many possibilities. Ancient tech can be written to do anything. Any ancient culture you can come up with can be make narrative sense.

IDK man, I just love this show and these characters.

[allir]

Oh! How did I not immediately think of The Storm/The Eye when thinking of fav episodes?

I'd already read a bit of fic and seen some John/Rodney interaction compilations before watching the show (and yes, it was absolutely the way they interact with each other that got me into it), but the Storm/Eye - it went from not just funny and sweet and adorable to these guys are also badass and I love that and they will kill for each other!

(And okay, o have a weakness for BAMF!military!John)

[popkin16]

Oh man, I looooooooove that you watched compilation videos before watching the show and you were like, "I LOVE IT." That makes me so happy ♥ There's just something about these two, you know?

(BAMF!John is suuuper hot.)

[allir]

Oh yes.

I mean, I'm a sucker for Sci Fi in general, so Atlantis had that going for it. But seeing the way they interacted and the humor and just- the chemistry, I was like - I must have all of this.

[popkin16]

I loooooooooove the possibilities of sci-fi, and then you add in the humor and chemistry of Stargate - it's just like you said. I think that's why SGA was such a huge fandom, and McShep such a big pairing.

[allir]

I just wish I'd gotten into it back when it was still really big. I mean, it's so, so awesome that the fandom is still going strong, and I love the fact that there is *so much* awesome fic and art and stuff out there for me to consume, but I do kinda feel like I missed the full-on days of Atlantis fandom.

And yes, humour and chemistry! Too many shows these days are all like, we gotta be serious and people die, etc. And I'm like, just give me pretty boys snarking at each other and having fun!

[popkin16]

I also wish I had gotten into it when it was really big. I joined in 2009, which is the year the show ended. But to imagine the high the fandom felt after a new episode was released, all the meta and fic it inspired...I'm sad I didn't get to experience that. Even if I get the benefit of reading all the fic LOL.

Ugh yes, I am not here for shows that are so heavy and serious. I mean, sometimes it's okay, but I have no idea why every show is obsessed with being 'dark'.

[allir]

I do not understand the current love of dark shows. Just give me some happiness.

And yes - just imagining talking to others as we all watched it for the first time is amazing! I'm stoked that I've finally found a friend who will watch it with me (all my other friends are like we may watch SG1 with you but we don't want to get into Atlantis). Just being able to watch it and see her delight at the characters fills me with joy. (Yes! Yes! You see! You understand! This is Rodney and he is precious and now you understand that!)

[elbbircs]

Great post and discussion. It's a shame I'm two years late for it.

He sleeps with Teer when he really didn't have to
But does he? I re-watched this episode not long ago, and I have my doubts.

[allir]

Oh, it's so hard to pick just one favourite episode! There are so many good ones and good parts of episodes.

But if I'm gonna pick one I think I'd have to say Harmony. Because it's my go-to episode if I just want something light and happy and funny to watch.

I mean... it's an entire episode of John and Rodney being *John and Rodney* and snarking at each other and getting jealous over who Harmony likes more at any one time.

There's some great soldiering by Sheppard, and plenty of humour. And more super!ATA gene John, and who could forget the painting at the end?

There are other favourite episodes in terms of plot/content (such as the already mentioned The Shrine and Tao of Rodney), but while I love them, I will sit there crying my eyes out, so Harmony gets the title of favourite for letting me enjoy it without tears.



Favourite character is such a hard one to answer as I love them all so much!

I think I'd have to say Sheppard for favourite, very, very closely followed by Rodney (really, in my mind you can't really have one without the other).

And I adore Teyla and Ronon, and Jeannie is such a great addition which tells us so much more about Rodney...

[I'll note here that I'm almost tempted to say my favourite character is actually John's thigh holster... for very character-driven reasons of course]


Speaking of characters, Atlantis itself would have to be one of my favs. The city is just... I love it.

I love the sleek lines and the glowing lights and the way you can think at it and things happen.

Also, my very favourite scene ever is when Atlantis Rises.

I remember watching it for the first time thinking yes, I will really enjoy this show.

Even now, seeing it fills me with a kind of hope and awe and anticipation. Atlantis has risen once more and now all the stories can begin.

[popkin16]

My go-to episode for fun is Echoes. The premise is so crazy - the whales are sending visions! But John and Rodney are so dorky and have fun in it, and then they get to explore Atlantis and save the day. Harmony is such a good one too, though :D

Atlantis is such a gorgeous city, and I love that even in fics that don't feature sentient!Atlantis, she's still very much her own character.

[allir]

Oh echoes is awesome! I just love watching them whale watching. And all the teasing in that episode!

Atlantis was the first character I fell in love with. Whoever designed the city did a good job!

[allir]

And now I'm watching Echoes again.

Ronon and Teyla are so cute in this.

And John's jealousy over Rodney naming the whale Sam. And the way he spends the whole episode pulling on Rodney's pigtails in order to keep Rodney's attention on him.

And then he takes Rodney on a date offers to take Rodney to see the whales.

And their poor hearing!

And John walking around in that black t-shirt all episode. Mmmmmm.

(Although I am a little disappointed that Rodney's pants weren't a bit tighter considering how often he spent leant over a console/laptop...)

And then they end the episode with John and Rodney (as all episodes shoukd end)... like they're even acknowledging just how much it's a them episode.

[valika]

I have lots of favorite episodes, it's hard to choose only one. The first episode I can name as a favorite was Letters from Pegasus.

I loved every single moment of it. I loved Sheppard and Teyla in their watching mission, which could change quickly into a rescue mission, despite John's opposition at first. I enjoyed how these two warriors could find their patience and could resisted to their instincts to run or fight. Their facial expressions can tell us everything about how was watching the horror like.


All the members of the expedition was so brave! Maybe they were in panic as the Wraith hiveships were getting closer to the City and the end seemed to be certain. but they tried to collect, save and send to Earth as many data of the expedition as they could. And Rodney was a genius. Again.

I loved especially all the personal goodbyes were recorded (except Kavanaugh's). My favorite one was Zelenka, speaking Czech - it was hilarious and touching in a certain way.

Zelenka (speaking Czech): "Na dne more mame "failsafe" mechanismus. Obrovskou silou vytrhl kotvu mesta ze dna oceanu. My jsme... Zhrozili jsme... jsme... Zhrozili jsme se. Neuveritelny. Co se to deje, a ten hluk. Cele mesto se traslo jako pri zemetreseni. To bylo neco neuveritelnyho. A najednou se hneme. Cele mesto stoupalo, stoupalo nahoru, nahoru k hladine. To, to bylo neco neuveritelnyho. A veze prorazily hladinu a vyjeli jsme nahoru, nahoru. Vody, vlny vodopady. Vsechno tece z tech vejsek a vystrelili jsme nahoru uplne navrsek a najednou Slunce. Slunicko proste proudilo do vsech voken. Do smrti, do smrti na to nezapomenu.

[Translation of the above: There is a "failsafe" mechanism on the ocean floor. With big power it ripped off the anchor of town from the bottom of ocean. We were... we were afraid... were... were... we were afraid. Unbelievable. What is happening, and that noise. The whole city was trembling as if it was an earthquake. That was something unbelievable. And suddenly we were moving. All the city was ascending, ascending up, up to the surface. That, that was something unbelievable. And the towers punched through the surface of water and we were going up, up. Waters, waves, waterfalls. All that water was falling down from that heights and we were shot up, absolutely on the top, and suddenly sun. Sun was simply shining to all windows. I will remember it to my death.]

Ford: You didn't say anything that would require security clearance, did you?

Zelenka: Security clearance?"

[allir]

The goodbye videos in Letter to Pegasus!

Oh yes, I adore them!

[melagan]

Oh man, so hard to choose. I can find something that I enjoy in every episode. What shines for me is how much our team has evolved to become family to each other.

So many feels for that.

Still, if I have to pick...

Inferno remains high on my all time favorite list.



Poor Norina doesn't stand a chance of getting between these two. Although, none of them has quite realized that yet. Seriously, just check out their body language.

[allir]

And now you're making me want to watch it again!

You're so right on their body language! They're like, let's pose, as though we're trying to look good for you while really we're just gonna lean towards each other the whole time...

[ivorysilk]

My favourite episode is 38 minutes, which is the episode that made me fall in love with SGA. I love the Eye/Storm, but I adore 38 minutes. I love the real time filming (I always love that technique), but I especially love ... that John is a new leader, but already a good one. He is completely fucked, in pain and dying in a place he never asked for nor really wanted, but he asks after Teyla, bolsters Rodney and Ford, and never forgets that whatever else, he's still their commanding officer and its his responsibility to make sure they get home safe, if at all possible. Also ... John is my favourite. But I like them all here--Ford, freaked and young but trying; Rodney, freaked and overwhelmed and at times overtaken with his own panic (he's so wonderfully flawed) but still managing to save them all; the no name pilots who we still don't want to die; Elizabeth who is an administrator but does whatever she can to make things work, Carson, who realizes he's in over his head but is practical and supportive nonetheless, and Zelenka--I love Zelenka, "stop talking please". A politer, quieter, and less impulsive version of Rodney, but just as much a genius.

Anyway, I loved this episode to pieces. I am a sucker for h/c, and this delivered in spades, but also was really good at establishing each character for me. I am new to SGA, but even having watched almost all the episodes now, this remains my favourite, and everything I love about SGA.

[allir]

Do not give me all these 38 Minutes feels! (Okay, yes, do 😉)

I feel like you've hit on everything I love about this episode.

I love how John knows how and what to say to focus Rodney and Ford and Teyla, even though he's all in excruciating pain, etc.

(And of course, there's also shirtless plot in this one 😉)