Rewatch: Before I Sleep

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Sheppard, Teyla and Ford are inspecting one of the unexplored sections of the city. They discover a strange room with a stasis pod that contains a very old looking woman and a note with gate addresses. It is suspected she is at least ten thousand years old. Weir orders to revive her. Carson soon notices there's something strange about this woman. She seems to know each and everyone's names. When fully awake she claims she is actually Weir and tells an entirely different story of Earth's troublesome arrival on Atlantis. Apparently she ended up with the Ancients ten thousand years ago by using a time machine.  [Poll #1777355]

Comments

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I might have to watch this tomorrow night or Sunday, as I have a phone call to make that is likely to run long. I hope everyone else watching it now will enjoy it, though.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Missed you.

Hope you can share your reactions tomorrow.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks. I missed doing it, too, but I was on the phone for over 90 minutes. I couldn't do it last night either, but I finally had time tonight.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I'm here. I'm here. Puffing and panting.

So, I guess I'll start.

Well, how often do we get a peaceful intro to a new episode? Should I be worried now? But, beautiful backdrop against which the slightly clangy swish of the doors opening jars the senses a wee bit.

Awww. John got Liz a b-day prezzie and I guess he's really good at finding out secrets, too.

Gorgeous lyrical music.

::giggles:: John, of course, Rodney's a realtor. Don't you remember how he was talking like a home inspector last epi?

::more giggles:: 'Cuz Rodney's looking for "a one-bedroom with a den, preferably with a balcony"!

Now, this IS interesting, to see TEAM without the mighty McKay there. Who gets a "Shut up" in reply for his troubles.

Oh, hai, white-haired ancient (Ancient?) lady. And John confirms that's "unusual" to Rodney.

Hmmm. So far, it's not even two minutes in and John's already made two faces!

Creepy closeup. And cue opening credits.

And we waste a few seconds with that establishing morning view of Atlantis. No, PTB, we have NO idea where we are. ::sighs::

Carson: "She's at least a hundred years old." Gee, I guess she wasn't using moisturizer. [Yes, yes, I'm bad. ::slaps own hand::]

Soooo, Rodney's the one who's explaining stasis i/o Carson. Crossover into voodoo territory.

10,000 years? Slightly longer than 100 then. Gee, Carson, Rodney's upstaging you in a medical field?

Did John's joke about not looking "a day over 9,000" just fall reaaaaaaally flat? Uh, writers, WHAT were you thinking? Or not.

Aha! I was waiting for someone to reference missing talking "to a living breathing Ancient again" - post Chaya. Thanks, Rodney. Ooooh, John gets to make some weird faces back.

Okay, Carson's managed to get a word in edgewise on possible contagions being released. But then Rodney talks about "any ZedPMs lying around" and John's answer ("Ah, there's a thought") is ... almost ironic??? And, again, a weird head nod. Is it my imagination, or is Flanigan doing waaaaay more acting than he has before – what with the facial mannerisms?

Then Liz overrules Carson and Rodney is full of glee. Liz's "If she remembers anything at all" is mysterious.

Aaaaand more mysteries when there's a slip of paper with gate addresses on it. Until ancient-lady opens her eyes.

Oh, Rodney. "Freezer burn"??? And "Lights are on but nobody's home". He's so bad.

Yeah, so something worked and John and Rodney have to bicker about that.

OMG. One of my fave screencaps where OUR boyz have their feet up on a console (?), their arms in identical positions. Eeek. Rodney, shut your mouth, wondering what other surprises aren't showing up on the sensors. You've just jinxed everybody!

Eeeeee. Carson's "She knows things".

More Eeeeee. "I'm you, Elizabeth." And check out the eerie music (well, you know I'd catch it). And Liz looks stunned.

So, time travel, huh?

Oh, Rodney. "Nuts"?

::giggles:: Rodney telling Aiden about the possibility of time travel. Hey, by this time, hadn't SG1 already had their time travel adventure and wouldn't there be mission reports?

Oh, thanks, John. Is that the first mention of a DeLorean? Rodney's reply and tone of voice shows he's SO pissed off at that movie! Which John defends with a really dorky face.

Okay, conclusive proof from the DNA tests.

Awww, Rodney, you nearly killed Old Elizabeth ... but you didn't know it at the time, so I guess you're forgiven.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Rodney is a tad obsessed with ZPMs, isn't he? Certainly more than anyone else seems.

John and Rodney have to bicker about everything. It's awesome to watch because they have such amazing chemistry, and their timing is fantastic.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Rodney almost killed "her ... you". Yes, definitely weird.

Awww. I love Rodney's explanation of "an infinitely layered multi-universe". [Can I go there? 'Cuz some of the forks in my life really suck.]

Then we get Old Elizabeth's version of how things happened when they first arrived. Cue Twilight Zone music. Ooooo. OE: "Not the first time."

Aaaaah, now we're getting Elizabeth skating close to the edge of ethics in her conversation with Carson, about using some stimulants on OE. And, yeah, I guess Liz knows what OE would want.

Ouch. Wouldn't that b.p. cuff really hurt someone that old? It always squeezes my arm beyond painful. Plus raises my b.p. readings.

The look in OE's eyes and talking about being on the surface of the ocean this time ... and now we get the whole horror story.

Uh-oh. It's already too lake for Sumner and the Marines.

Then Rodney talks about the city reacting with bulkheads coming down, trapping people behind them. And there's another creepy, creaky submarine moment.

Oh! ::catches breath:: Rodney, you're being a brave little toaster. And John didn't even lead by example in influencing you. You were only in Atlantis for - what - less than an hour and you'd already changed and matured into a decent human being. Wow.

Now that's a seriously scary sight, seeing the gate room flooding. Whoa, and look how quickly the waters rose.

"I ... died?"

I'm crying, hearing OE say "You never gave up trying, right untill the end'. Doesn't OE's voice sound a lot stronger and more vibrant in this scene? More like ... Liz?

And Rodney has an introspective moment (yay, Rodney), but John throws a pail of water (oops, sorry for that) with his bit of realism.

"Fail-safe"??? Then and now.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Woo-ee. OE, John and Radek up in a ship and they don't know what's going on.

Rodney: "Time machine."
John: "Flux capacitor."

And back to the space fight. A lovely echo by John: "Did I do that?" when the drone flies out and makes a direct hit.

More ooooooo stuff. And we meet Janus.

And Rodney pays John back with "the bitter taste of ultimate failure". That's sets them both off, yammering and bickering away as to whose fault it was. Oops. Chastised by Mom ... er ... Liz.

Uh-oh. The Atlantean Council doesn't care for what they're hearing. And, hey, don't go blaming Liz for encountering the Wraith. Geeze.

Whoa. Trying to negotiate with the Wraith. Not such a good idea, folks. And then they pour cold water (oh, dear, I'm really doing it tonight) on Liz's desire to use the time machine again. Boo on them. And Liz is now stranded in the past.

Okay, gorgeous music and the establishing sunset pic of the city.

Meanwhile, back in the present, the medical news is not good for OE.

Back in the past, yay for Liz's determination. "We are explorers, just like you." You tell'em, Liz. 'Cuz what a bunch of fussy bureaucrats.

Janus: "They are the second evolution of our kind."

Bah. Stupid council. I could use harsher words, but "stupid" works.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

A lovely echo by John: "Did I do that?" when the drone flies out and makes a direct hit. Heh, this was wonderful. Certainly made me chuckle.

I do wonder why they never found the time machine ship during the second time around. I mean, if it was all reset, then it should have been there. Maybe not, if Janus didn't make another one - and he'd been forbidden too, and there wasn't really time...never mind. I guess it wouldn't have been there. Sometimes I really have to think this timer-wimey stuff through.

I wasn't impressed with the council either, but I guess bureaucracy is the same the universe over - at least when it is comprised of humans or human-like people.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Yay for stubborn Janus. Was he the John of his time? Not necessarily doing what was right, but what he believed in. Definitely disobeying dumb orders from the hierarchy. If he hadn't....

Hee! A plan behind the Council's back. Sneaky.

BTW, I love Janus's outfit with the darker panels. It's ... uh ... cool.

Oh, wow. THREE ZedPMs rising at once. Rodney would have ... well, let's say spontaneously combusted (the G-rated version).

It's crunch time. They have to evacuate.

Now, we get a nighttime shot of Atlantis and everybody's hovering (or sleeping) in the infirmary near OE. Yeah, it's a cliché moment that OE would be around on both their birthdays. 'Cuz John blabbed.

Back in the past, the stuffed shirts (I'm being catty) are evacuating. Janus has just lied about Liz being one of the first through the gate. Thank you, Janus. And then he sneaks away. There's a touching moment when Janus just happens to mention the possibility this might not work. But, hey, Liz wasn't born yesterday (okay, 10,000 years after yesterday), but she knows. Still....

That's a sweet twinkle in Janus's eye. He's channeling Rodney – in his hurried excitement about something he's done that's brilliant.

Ahhhh, now we get the explanation of the city's fail-safe. I think Liz needs way more convincing.

Wasn't that risky for Liz to be peeking behind the corner at the evacuees. Someone could have turned around and spotted her. Sheesh.

Oh, great. I'm crying again because of the interplay between Liz and Janus. Yay-yay-yay, she kissed him!!! Except can you imagine how amazing it would have been if Janus could have hidden too? Yeah, I know. Hiding Liz was one thing, but he was too important (and too watched) to get away with it.

Back in front of the gate, Janus says he's ready, but still gets a look from boss-lady. Sigh.

And there's Liz basically out in the open so Janus can look back just One. More. Time. before he's the last one to go through and the gate disengages.

"And then I was alone." No kidding. What a weird future, as the camera moves back with Liz at the top of the stairs. Gorgeous shot. She's very regal looking.

Awww, she's being so caring, covering up the consoles with drop cloths. Which – duh – the Ancients didn't do. Now what I'm wondering about (because it didn't seem clear) is if the lights and power were on a timer when the Ancients left.

We're back to the present. See me crying. Again. "No. We are the same person. The best part of my life is just beginning."

So, Rodney gets a prezzie. There should be ZedPMs at those 5 outposts. Is it his birthday, too?

Then OE dies while they're not watching, 'cuz they're looking at the list and speculating.

On the balcony, it's such a lovely gesture for Liz to release OE's ashes to be spread on the winds of the city she saved, using John's prezzie as the urn,

Then, the whiny (more than clangy) doors are sliding open. With added hiss (reminiscent of Star Wars), when John comes out. And gets sent back in.

So we end with a reflective Liz amid more gorgeous, sensual reworking of the theme music. Cue final credits.

And some additional reflections on this episode. I just checked out Gildart Jackson (Janus) on IMDb and he's aged amazingly well (weird to be talking about aging 'cuz of this episode) since he was acting in the early 60s.

Even though it wasn't pointed out specifically, I think it was the fallout from the Chaya-incident that was the primary reason for the major bickering between John and Rodney. I'd go even beyond bickering because they were actually being mean to each other in their comments. Much more than snark and much uglier.

Finally, considering how many times I cried during the episode, it's just another reinforcement of the overwhelming need for people nowadays to have heroes of mythic proportions. Our lives don't always (Ha! Hardly ever) supply that and it feels good to look up to and emulate people who can be caring, compassionate and thinking of more than just themselves. PTB, haven't you got that into your thick skulls, yet? Well, we know the answer to that.

This was a very emotional rewatch for me, I'm going to head back to reality now. Until next week.

[valika56.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite episodes forever. You guys said everything about it. :)))

The only little thing I want to add is how I loved Elizabeth to be so caring and gentle and mindful with her old self.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I loved Elizabeth to be so caring and gentle and mindful with her old self. Yeah. I agree with that. There was one moment in particular that got to me. When Old Elizabeth is sleeping, our Elizabeth reaches out and runs fingers over her cheek in a a soft caress. I found it very poignant and touching

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I checked my DVD set this morning but there was no audio commentary for this episode. However, there was a "Mission Directive" with comments by the director, other people behind the scenes and some goofing around by the actors. It was hilarious to watch the 3-2-1 count before Joe, Torri and David N. pretended to be hurled about in the jumper when it was being attacked. It brought back memories of the too-awful jerking around the TOS cast did on the Enterprise.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, is John looking into people's files to get b-day information? Sneaky man.

Love Rodney wanting different, bigger quarters. It isn't like he's there that often. He's always in his lab or off world getting into deadly danger. *g*

Wow, that's an old woman. I wonder if they got someone really old, or just did an incredible makeup job. And, if it's the second option, how long did the makeup take in the charm everyday? It would have to be hours.

I love it when shows reference past episodes. At the least, it proves that the writers are paying attention. So, when Rodney snarks about a missed chance to speak with an ancient, that was a squee moment for me.

Freezer burn. Heee, what a great/creepy comment.

Oooo, look at Rodney and John mirroring each other's position on that console. Cute. John gets up so much more slowly that Rodney when Elizabeth shows up. What's his deal with this patient.

Heee, DeLorean. A Back to the Future reference. I wonder if it was because of all the weird science involved or some other reason.

I loved seeing footage of the Pilot, but slightly skewed. Interesting to see the uniforms and the slight differences in how everyone looks.

Rodney comments to young Elizabeth about how weird it must be to see herself older, but I wonder how the older feels to see the younger. However it is for them personally, it certainly looks like it feels odd to everyone else to hear how the alternate history went for them.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Heh - Elizabeth, "Is it air tight?' John, "It's a space ship; it better be."

Wow, what tense moments watching the water come in. It really filled up the gate room super fast. One minute it's leaking through the cracks in the door, and the next they seem to have an ocean in there.

Hearing how brave Rodney was, was a little surprising. I wonder if it's because he was all but alone, and he knew he was the only one he could rely on the save his own life and the lives of others. In other scene where he isn't shown as being as brave (in the first few episodes, anyway), there were other people around that he knew, at least subconsciously, that he could rely on (even if he'd never admit it out loud).

I love how caught up everyone is in Old Elizabeth's tale.

Flux capacitor? Hee! John is such a sexy dork.

Where the heck did those Wraith ships come from? They were in hibernation when the team from Earth arrived.

Oh lord, the boys fighting about whose fault their alternate deaths were. I guess it's one way to combat the weirdness.

Hmm, you know, in spite of Elizabeth's and other humans regard for the beings they term The Ancients, they don't seem to be any different that human beings. They're just more technologically advanced. I would have expected people that were nearing accession to be more spiritual or something.

The Janus character makes me think of the Doctor, from Dr. Who (and I'm thinking of Ten, here, although any of the last four might be able to fit - I don't' know any of the others, though). Eager, cheerfully defiant, focused, driven etc. Plus the way he moves so quickly when he's excited about something, or focused on getting something accomplished. Maybe it helps that he has an English accent.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Wow, she slept though most of her life? She is a dedicated and focused person. And alone all that time, never seeing the sun again, or feeling a fresh breeze. I'm surprised that she didn't ask for that as soon as she woke up - but there is more evidence of her focus, I guess.

She aged, but her clothes didn't. That is some tough cloth. I wonder how it felt for the actress to be such a focus of this episode.

Ah, of course she had to did as she'd lived - alone.

Atlantis has a crematorium?

Cool episode, but sad, too.