A New Project for Rachel

[neevebrody.livejournal.com]

Rachel Luttrell Guest Stars in New Steven Seagal Cop Show



It will be nice to see Rachel on TV again. I've often wondered about the decisions by TPTB to "standardize" the look of Teyla - making her skin appear lighter and giving her a less ethnic - frankly, less interesting - look with the wigs and the "Americanized" make-up. Rachel is such a naturally beautiful woman and I can't help but think that natural beauty would have resulted in a much different effect for the character. Thankfully, the SGA fandom writers have been kinder to Teyla. Do you have a favorite Teyla-centric fic?

In my search for images, I ran across this flickr gallery. The photographer has disabled downloading, but I thought I'd share since I'd never seen these photos before.

Comments

[argosy.livejournal.com]

I was at that con!

I may be the only one that likes the coppery hair-color on Rachel, but I really do. I'm curious as to what you mean by "Americanized" makeup, though.

[neevebrody.livejournal.com]

Americanized was probably not the best choice of words there, but what I mean is that as an Athosian, she looked like Elizabeth and the other women from the expedition. Not at first... Teyla did have a distinctive look in the beginning and perhaps I'm really overthinking that particular point. It was interesting to see the make-up change with each season as well.

I did like the hair color they chose and not to take anything away from how lovely Teyla was as shown, I would have liked to have seen more of that natural, organic beauty that Rachel possesses.

[almostnever.livejournal.com]

I thought in Teyla's earlier appearances, her eye makeup was relatively toned down:

Teyla in Rising (http://www.gateworld.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=507&pos=30) ... and another (http://www.gateworld.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=507&pos=23).

She has some makeup to give her eyes definition and make her lashes look longer, but she still has the illusion of a natural look.

Teyla circa season 4/5 (http://www.rankopedia.com/CandidatePix/2388.gif) ... and with Ronon (http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/480/03op3.jpg).

Later, they used more eye makeup to emphasize her upper eyelid.

To me, the earlier approach to her makeup made more of the almost almond shape of her eyes. I could be wrong, but I have the impression that strongly defining the upper eyelid is an American/Western beauty style.

At the same time Teyla's hair went from auburn to almost blonde, which probably added to the feeling that they were homogenizing her look a bit.

I think Rachel is beautiful no matter how she's made up, but I did have the feeling in season 5 especially that they were doing her makeup in a more typically glamorized style, with shimmery lipstick and heavier eyeshadow.