Rewatch: The Storm

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

 Teyla and Sheppard discover a combination of two very powerful hurricanes approaching Atlantis. Since the city isn't submerged anymore and the shield isn't working, this might become a real problem. McKay and Zelenka foresee widespread damage. While both scientists work on a plan to save the city, an evacuation is prepared. Sheppard starts negotiating with Smeadon, leader of the Manarians. He has to pull quite a lot of strings to convince him to take in the population of Atlantis for a few days. Smeadon seems to finally agree, but he has a different agenda. He tells Cowen of the Genii Atlantis will be almost empty soon.  [Poll #1767440]

Comments

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Did anyone else's LJ go down right at our rewatch time? I managed to get this post in, but when I went to comment, I couldn't. I watched anyway, and kept notes, so they are all here in one post:


Such a placid beginning, especially after the recap of the previous ep with the Genii. It’s nice that they mention Teyla’s original planet. I missed that the first time around.

Oooo, big ass storm. Of course, covering a fifth of the planet, it has to be the fifth that has both the mainland and Atlantis on it.

McKay and Zalenka are a real doom duo here. *snerk* The titanic, John? And Rodney - let’s not mention the Titanic.

Teyla is tying down sticks?

This guy John’s talking to is slime. Trying to set such a high price on helping people in need. Ford backing up John is wonderful.

I love how much faith John is showing in Rodney’s abilities, here. Rodney’s ‘Superman’ comment is great, as is everyone’s reaction to it. Then Rodney lays it on the line with no sugarcoating. Yikes.

Slime guy is back. Calling the Genii; his slime level just went off the charts.

Love McKay and Zalenka’s back and forth bit. They did such a great job there. Good think Elizabeth is pretty smart herself to follow all that.

Oy! Big, nasty Genii dude. I loved him in Profiler, but I’m not crazy about who he is here. Oh cool, the kid from Glee. I missed that the first time around. He looks so different as a soldier than a high school student.

Slime meets slime, add coward, and Atlantis has more problems.

Heh, Rodney gave John the hardest stations to get to. And then the Genii show up. Go Rodney! He got Sheppard some information. Now John knows what to defend. He does an awesome scared voice when being threatened with big bad.

Hee! John got there first.

Let’s hope he doesn’t put up much of a fight. Yeah, right, Colyah. Keep hoping. Go, John! Rodney’s expression of relief was great.

Eeeps, I forgot this was a two parter. Damn!

[oceania.livejournal.com]

I will kill you Koyla! Oh sweet John. I love the snark that Rodney gives the Genii in this one. I hate the way John poo poos his injury at the ned of the second part. I like to think that he is more worried than he is about Rodney but alas...he seems to be more worried about Elizabeth. THoughts?

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I'm a real fussbudget about these things, but Robert Davi's ev0l Genii role is "Commander Acastus Kolya" (according to IMDb).

Anyway, I think the reason John's less worried about Rodney is that Rodney was merely hurt, but Kolya's threatening to KILL Elizabeth.

[oceania.livejournal.com]

Shit, I always mispell that guy's name. Bad me! He rolls his eyes at my Rodney when Rodney says it hurts at teh end of the second part. Bad John! I like to imagine him fussing over Rodney in private and following it with a lot of loving. :)

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I haven't watched the second half yet, but I do have memories of not being happy with how much more attention John paid to Elizabeth than Rodney. I had the feeling that the writers were trying to figure out what pairings to make in the early parts of the show (S1 and into some of S2), but then none of them panned out.

For example, I saw hints of them trying to make John/Elizabeth, John/Teyla, Ronan/Teyla all work, but nothing ever happened between any of them, as far as I remember. I don't know if the writing team decided they'd be better off without romantic entanglements between the main characters, if the word came down from the powers on high, or if the fans weighed in on it, but it all suddenly stopped at some point in S2, I believe.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I don't think anybody's supposed to like Kolya. Besides, he's supposed to be a real jerk. [BTW, the screen role is spelled "Commander Acastus Kolya" ... from IMDb.]

And I missed catching Cory Monteith (plays Finn on Glee; I believe he's the young soldier). But, then again, I wasn't really paying any attention to nameless Genii guys.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the correction. I knew at the time it was wrong; it was just supposed to be temporary, until I had a chance to look it up. I was so surprised that it was a two part episode, though, that I completely forgot my plan to go back and insert names and correct Kolya's spelling. I actually thought of it right before I fell asleep. I had to promise myself to fix it first thing in the morning so that I could get to sleep. *g*

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

So, not only was LJ having conniptions, but I was also stuck trying to get home from the movies Friday night.

But I re-watched and have four separate posts (which I find easier, because then it gives me a sense of time).

So....
It's interesting to have this episode start with scenes from Underground - without a "Previously on" and then switch immediately to the jumper skimming the ocean ... a lovely, peaceful scene.

And, yet once again, TPTB had Teyla notice something unusual. Wow, do I ever long for the good old days when Teyla was supposed and allowed to be smart.

Oh, hello, blonde gate tech. I guess Chuck wasn't available. And, hee, "weather forecasting".

::giggles:: Why am I anthropomorphizing the storm with its eeeeeeevil intent (to get the Athosians first and then the Lanteans). Uh-oh. See the expression on John's face! Just in time to cue the opening credits.

Oops. TWO???

Radek's having a hard time getting a word in. But it's delightful hearing him try.

Awwww, John's dorky face: "This is Atlantis." Aw, John's woobie face, because Atlantis may not be able to handle the storm. Dashed (sorry for that use of the word) expectations.

Okay, does anybody else notice that, apparently in the OLD days, David Nykl did NOT use Czech inflections when speaking English and that those developped over time.

Oh, John. A Titanic reference.

Hmmm. As Rodney plans to have a plan, the music builds in intensity. A nice touch.

Huh? John and Aiden have to find a "friendly planet"? They haven't been having a lot of luck lately.

Oh, the interaction between Teyla and Carson just begged for a Trek-type reaction: Damn it, Teyla, I'm a doctor, not a manual labourer.

And now the horse trading begins in earnest.

Okay, now the real Radek with his distinctive speech patterns is back in his back-and-forth with Rodney (so he just needed that extra frantic edge of a looming disaster to bring out the Slavic roots). And, yet, the inflections aren't consistent, so maybe David Nykl was trying them on for size.

Hee! Rodney: "Despite what you all may think, I am not Superman." And, then, Rodney gives them the BLUNT part of the shovel.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Wow, do I ever long for the good old days when Teyla was supposed and allowed to be smart. I hadn't relayed they stopped writing her this way. I'll have to pay attention as things progress, and see if I notice it this time around.

I loved the scenes with Rodney and Radek together. They were such fun to watch. The back and forth was so fast, and they did such a great job with their facial expressions. It's such a joy to watch such excellent acting. Rodney/David blows me away every time.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Uh-oh, their new pals, the Manarians, about to double cross them. To the Genii. Do we now have a new definition of "trade"???

And, yay, it's back to our darling geekboys. And a history lesson. Hurricane Hazel, I remember that, Rodney – 'cuz I'm way older than you – but you'd only know because your parents told you how bad it was. And it was devastating, at a time when Toronto didn't (and still doesn't) have natural disasters. It was so horrifying that the first response teams to arrive at the Humber River were swept in as well and drowned. Happened nearly 60 years ago, but still memorable.

Lightning?????

Oh, Elizabeth, a priceless line from you: "You want to build a windmill?"

No, Rodney, his name is "Zelenka". Get it right. Poor Radek.

And then a sudden switch to fun with sticks. Except for the major ouch factor.

Oooh. A mini power struggle between Kolya and Cowen. ::giggles:: Why, of course the strike force can handle a group of ten – spoken disdainfully - scientists. Ha!

Well, maybe not that poor blabbing botanist who's just gotten semi-choked by Sora.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Oh, yay, science talk between John and Rodney. Well, John's at the receiving end of the lecture, but it's cute. Also, just what is Rodney's meaning of "theoretically"???

Not to mention "a brisk walk away".

Huh. So this is a grounding station. And I love the way the fans are blowing Joe's hair.

Rodney + Elizabeth: "There you are." "There I am." Awwww. John's not invited to the party.

Hee – mindless talk about bacon (though, really ... IT'S BACON). When oooops. At least the invaders were sorta, kinda disguised like refugees.

And I like the look of restrained horror and discomfort on Sora's face. So she does have moments of likability.

Yuck. I so do not like seeing Kolya on the steps. [Those are speshul for John.]

And Elizabeth and Rodney just got captured. Uh – Sora's likability factor just evaporated.

Oooh. Thank goodness for open comms.

Aw, Rodney, making up stories as to why he's left on Atlantis.

Eeeeek. A wicked looking knife. And the music builds up and ... ack – don't switch scenes!

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love seeing how quick-witted John is, raiding the stores.

Oh, hai, bipolar Sora. Back-and-forth. Yup, it's time to avenge daddy. Again.

Oh, yum. Lookit at all those crates of C4.

Now just when did Rodney get knifed? I thought it happened on camera. I guess fanfic must have confused my brainz.

And now the radio's been found and we have this wee conversation taking place. I'm wondering where John is walking (along that catwalk with all those struts ... looks neat).

Oh no. John knows Rodney gave up info. Just listen to him squeak, "He did?"

Now look at the despair on John's face when he hears Kolya say, "Atlantis will be ours or the ocean's. You choose." Um ... that's a choice???

Meanwhile, back on a very soggy mainland.... Interesting to see Aiden arguing with Carson.

And Elizabeth is putting her case before Kolya. You know, she does have a point and, for once, to hear Kolya call her and the expedition members "arrogant" sounds silly because, hello, there is the genetic inheritance as a major factor.

Now John's at the last grounding station and – yet again – we see the inconsistencies in Sora's character, behaviour ... whatever. Hmmm, a sign of immaturity on her part? Poor impulse control?

Ow, Rodney gets grabbed by the arm. More than once.

Oh, no. Now we have threats against Elizabeth. And John's shouts of "Kolya" remind me a titch of Kirk yelling "Khaaaaaaaan". Okay, yes, I'm being dorky. But it's the second time I've been reminded of Trek in this episode.

And the storm just keeps getting closer and closer, with the final station disabled. Eeeeeeeeeeeeek ... because To be continued.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

While I really dislike the Genii, I do like John pitted against them. He always seems to shine especially bright when he's working to stop them. This one and the one where he's fed to a Wraith spring to mind the most.

And John's shouts of "Kolya" remind me a titch of Kirk yelling "Khaaaaaaaan". Someone on the writing team (or maybe more than one) is definitely a Star Trek fan, and not just because of all the Kirk references Rodney makes about John. Things pop up all the time, and it's fun to catch them.