Rewatch: Childhood's End

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

 The away teams investigates a strange energy reading when suddenly the puddle jumper's systems collapse. No technology seems to be working anymore. They soon find a civilization of very young people. Their leader, Keras, tells the team from Atlantis that no one is older than 24 and that on their 25th birthday everybody commits suicide. They believe that will keep the Wraith away, because they aren't interested in them. Rodney has a different idea; he finds the civilization is contained in a field powered by an almost depleted ZPM. He thinks they aren't coming anymore because none of their technology is working inside the field.[Poll #1760194]

Comments

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

More than any other, this episode freaks me out. A society being run by children, who kill themselves at 25. That's just... I'm at a loss.

Stil, I love watching McKay sit on the floor in this one. I wonder whose idea it was to have ham experience so much difficulty in sitting down - Hewett's or TPTB?

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I love McKay with the two kids! He plays those scenes so brilliantly. Ford's delight is hilarious, too. and, yeah, choclolate will always work.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth outlogics Rodney. I love his reaction.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Oh, see the miniature jumper in the air. [Note to self: get a jumper icon.]

::giggles::
How can Teyla recognize one British Columbia world from another? Easy. She memorized all the trees, lol.

Interrrresting to hear Rodney's all-too-smug voice when describing Sam.

::pouts:: I wanna jumper and I wanna sit in the front and look out the screen. Wanna, wanna, wanna. [We now return you to our regular squee.]

John to Rodney: "So. You. Think. It's. Worth. Checking. Out." He certainly had that inflective manner of speaking down very quickly.

Oops! Nothing works. Except for a wonky Earth compass.

Okay, kids, time to hike back to the gate. Doesn't the jumper look weird out in the open, not being cloaked?

John: "Which direction's the gate?"

Rodney: "You're the one flying. Shouldn't you know?"

And, of course, tree-memorizing Teyla tells them exactly where she believes they're to go.

Hey, pretty sunbeans through the trees (remind me of the jungle in Romancing The Stone).

Does Ford sound a bit stoned as they set off?

So, they're at the ruins and it's not exactly Errol Flynn and his merry men dropping in on our team.

Oh, see John's scrunched-up face. "Elders. Sound ... good."

Ooookay, now we're on Endor. Snorfle.

I love seeing how immediately observant Teyla is. So far, she's been instrumental in noticing and givig excellent comments in these first episodes.

Oh, dear. I believe Rodney is going to be full of ouchies when he gets back home. Climbing rope ladders, sitting on the floor. Just how much of this torture can he withstand?

Okay, here's Keras trying to explain why dying at the hand of a Wraith is bad for ... uh ... moving on, spiritually. Flashback to Logan's Run where it's Last Day again.

Keras: "No, we take our own lives." And there comes some sad haunting music.

Huh? Interesting role reversal. Teyla wants to tell the "kids" that they're wrong about the religious beliefs ('cuz remember how Halling was upset with Liz in 38 Minutes) and Rodney's attitude is more cautious.

Rodney and kids. Never. Gets. Old. Oops, I said "old".

Keras: "We can be persuasive when that time comes." And John understands him ... perfectly, 'cuz that's commander-speak.

Fascinating seeing the emotions flitting over John's face as Keras states, "Tonight I die."

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. ::shudders:: Forced sacrifice. And more superstitions on how to avoid a Wraith attack.

Time for some comic relief. And Rodney, too. But he's made them cry. Bad Rodney.

Ah, so that's where this particular opening credits shot of Rodney came from (if my poor brain remembers correctly).

Now it's bad Rodney again, wanting to remove the ZedPM. Especially as it's just being held by kids. Here we go with more of that imperialist, ageist crap. Oh, sure, you can just force the kids to move elsewhere.

Oh, great, a pissing match.

And a more restrained argument (on Liz's part) with Rodney. Liz: "Oh, my God. How morally superior you must feel."

Okay, back on the planet and all sorts of stuff like blowing up a Wraith tracking device. And, uh-oh, Rodney broke a ZedPM. No dessert for you when you get home.

Oh, poor Keras, finding out about the shield. And, yet, he's still worried about their safety.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I think this might have been the episode where I realize the pattern being established of the Atlantis people stepping in dog doodoo where ever they go. *g*

My comments are sparce tongith, as we had a long day of travel. I'm tuckered out. We'll still be here next Friday, but hopefully I'll be more awake.

I hope everyone enjoys the episode.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, back on the ranch, Ares (who really rubs me the wrong way) is inciting the rest of the tribe.

Gee, John's sure not making "nice" with the natives, calling Ares "cranky".

Oh, it's always amusing to see Rodney's face sticking out through things: vines, hive webbing (ugh).

And it's mutual scaring time between the kids and Rodney.

Oh, Ares. "The Wraith have sensed a crop worth harvesting." Right, all FOUR people. Isn't that just like a cocktail appetizer?

And, man, I'm sure John is wondering why he even woke up that day, if he's facing death at the hands of a bunch of kids.

Oooh, standoff with competent-Rodney. Except that ordering them to go to their rooms ... not such a good idea.

Oh, great. The whine of darts. But Rodney fixes it.

More confrontation and, oops, Keras gets in the way of the arrow.

Interesting to see how doubt and confusion almost turn Ares back into a small boy, except he's a stubborn one.

And Rodney's just run the race of his life, huffing and puffing. Well, it was still very early on in the series.

But, oh, I really, really (REALLY) like Keras ... and wonder why I never paid attention to him that much before. Hey, good thing we're having a rewatch.

The nummy treats make a cute prezzie and there's enough for everyone (especially as the kids abandon Rodney for food). Let's party!

Though I'm wondering how Rodney took a nearly-depleted ZedPm and increased its output so that they could have a modest population growth and live to become grandparents. Am I missing something here?????

Afterthought:
I'm still intrigued by Liz's unflattering assessment of Rodney. Certainly she knew what he was like before, so I'll be watching for other little mannerisms in their future interactions.