Rewatch: The Gift

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

The Atlantis crew are still looking for options for when the Wraith arrive. McKay and Zelenka think a control chair might be useful, but the thing hasn't even been working yet. Sergeant Bates has been investigating a uninhabited planet to use as a possible evacuation site. Meanwhile Teyla hasn't been sleeping much and seems agitated. She's being haunted by terrible nightmares of a Wraith feeding on her and Sheppard. She even imagines she's a Wraith herself. Sheppard arranges a meeting with a psychologist, Kate Heightmeyer, much to her dismay. Heightmeyer tries to dig deeper into Teyla's gift to sense the Wraith, making her decide to go the mainland. She asks an old Athosian woman, Charin, about it. Charin is prepared to tell a secret that Teyla's father wouldn't want her to hear.  [Poll #1783038]

Comments

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

1.A. (I had to split it in half because ... too many words)

Nice, for a change of pace, to start off with a calm series of views of the city at night, with lightly stepping music.

Audio commentary has Peter de Luise, the director, and Gary Jones from SG-1 who, as he says, had absolutely nothing to do with this episode but was just wandering by outside. Duh, and Gary pretends he doesn't even know WHAT the show is called. Yeah, right.

Okay, I've changed my mind. Here comes the nightmare. Ugh. Mr. Wraith is making himself quite at home, strutting through the corridors until he reaches Teyla's quarters. Now that's what I call a "rude" awakening.

Um, I don't think I care for the audio commentary. Peter tells Gary that the "Wraith go for your chest without even buying your dinner. And, then, they disappear without so much as a thank you or a telephone call". ::sighs:: Is this how the entire commentary's going to be like?

Uh-oh. The nightmare's not over. Here comes Part Deux in John's quarters.

And more babbling between the ::growls:: two guys about being "felt up by a Wraith". Ugh. Peter: "She's a hottie and she's got the arms, man." OMG, now he's going on about "the slap and tickle" with a woman with great arms. Obviously, we're already getting the impression that TPTB didn't think ANY girls women were into SF. Nah. None. And, if any watched, it would only be because their guys were hogging the remote. Why do I get the impression I'm going to be sighing a lot during the commentary.

So, Teyla opens her eyes, glancing about warily, her breathing still rapid. Is the nightmare over yet? ::giggles:: Stay tuned until after the opening credits.

So, let's see what aftereffects there are. First of all, Teyla's not concentrating in her bantos practice with John. I wonder why. 'Cuz when was the last time – like never - that John's bested Teyla?

Oh, good, we're finally getting something important from Peter. When Teyla tumbled to the ground, that was a stunt double, but Rachel did all of Teyla's stick "choreography". And now Gary's admiring her "six-pack".

Oh, great. Teyla's been picking up pointers from the Sheppard School of Stoicism. When he asks her if she's okay, she says "Yes". Um, really, Teyla? Well, at least she does say she's having nightmares.

Okay, it's schooltime and Liz is the schoolmarm. Right, Rodney. Tell us about your sleepless nights. Snorfle.

They're still talking about Rachel. That she always "knows her line". Uh ... just one? And "she's the Teal'c of SGA-1". "She can work the eyebrow too." "But she doesn't have the Mercedes emblem on her forehead." And then there's some man-moaning about her TLC qualities. Ack.

Aww. Rodney and Radek are trying to outdo each other. It's so cute. I don't think Rodney agrees.

More from the menz. "She's a little bit testy right now because she's sleep deprived. And you know how women get when they're sleep deprived." And then Gary goes off talking about how he's "caused sleep deprivation" to which Peter replies slyly "Oh, you stud". With a lecherous laugh at the end. Um ... why am I doing this to myself? Is it because there might be an atom of something interesting?

So ... plans for evacuation. And Rodney gets recognition for finding the gate control crystal.

Which they don't want to happen because then it would be called (I kid you not) "Stargate: Just Another Forested Planet". Oy. Or how about Gary's suggestion, "Stargate: Wraithville"?

Are Teyla and Liz having a pissing contest? Hee! I think Kavanagh (Calvin?) is pissed off. Okay, let's get more people into the discussion. John, what do YOU think?

Whoa! Is this a first, that Rodney agrees with Calvin?

I like hearing that particular testy inflection in John's voice.

Oh, great. Now we're having a science vs war discussion. Rodney, Alamo? John, the A-Bomb?

Ooo. Ominous music as people begin to disperse.

[tavabean.livejournal.com]

I never liked the Peter and Gary commentaries. Would rather have had the actors.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

1.B.

Oh, sad to see Teyla sitting all alone in the mess, until she's approached by the most unthreatening shrink ever. With ::sighs:: long, blonde hair. Not to mention distracting lipgloss.

Apparently, Claire and Rachel are friends from LA and like to have "girly nights". And, yeah, guys, imagine they got together and practised their lines. So they'd be prepared. Sheesh. And, while I'm kvetching, the only thing missing from Kate's outfit is that the white sweater wasn't angora. Meow.

Uh-oh. Teyla doesn't like the fact that John asked Kate to check up on her. And has a wee confrontation with John. Oh, foreshadowing speech (put it away for a few years): "You're a member of my team which makes you my responsibility."

So, according to Peter, the reason Rachel turned back before stomping off is because she knew Kate was "checking out her bum". Yeah, the guys agreed. OMG. Now, it's "Did your father change your diaper with a fork" as a possible question that Kate might have asked Teyla (who has never encountered a psychiatrist in her alien life). And they keep bringing up J-Lo ('cuz they say Rachel resembles her).

Here we get the speech about "crazy" and "respect" showing how Teyla feels she's being judged by some people around her.

But, whoa, is this line going to get old in a few years' time: "You yourself admitted that you're a little off your game." Maybe we can include it in a trivia game: name every episode someone said "off his/her game".

Apparently (to TPTB) John just wants to make sure that the woman holding a machine gun behind his back isn't going to go all postal on him. Hey, I'm not making any of this up. And then they mention John's hair: "a lot of space-age product and it cost a ton".

Uh-oh. I don't think Teyla appreciates being told she should "take a nap". Well, that suggestion works for about three seconds.

Peter mentions that we get to see people's personal spaces in this epi and Teyla's is "early Mongolian" with lots of "yak" and "clay".

And here we have an oops moment, when Teyla bumps into Rodney coming out of Kate's office. Sure, Rodney, we know how you love women with great ... um ... minds. Yeah, especially if those minds are encased in white sweater hugging bodies. Topped with blonde hair.

Okay, so now they've conducting a David Hewlett love-fest for his ability to consume "reams" of scripts and then act it convincingly. Mind you, I could have done without the comment that such a talent would make women give up their virginities. Ugh-ugh-ugh.

Back to Teyla. She still is uncomfortable being around Kate, but it's interesting to see the puzzled, yet assessing look in her eyes when she tries to explain to Kate what it's like to sense the Wraith. "It feels like a deep cold that comes from within." Her further description is accompanied by melancholy music with a thud that turns into a low vibration.

OMG. Peter actually admits that TPTB "have never given Rachel much to do". Other than beating people senseless with sticks or a machine gun. And Rachel was thrilled to get the script.

Hmmm. So Teyla's not the only one who can sense the Wraith, but her sense is one of the strongest. Oh, Kate. "Special." Gee, isn't that terrific.

And switch in topics to nightmares. Teyla looks wary, haunted. No wonder.

Nightmare flashback. Quick observation. I was wondering why the Wraith wasn't pounding in his boots down the hall. Well, no wonder. It was Teyla as a Wraith. Wakey-wakey.

Another growl-worthy moment. "That's why she's so testy. It's not because she's hormonal." It's because every time she goes to sleep, there's a "dude standing over her". ::sighs:: And then they go on and on about erasing the damage of that Wraith makeup. Hmm, "cucumber toner" or a "mud mask"?

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Back with Kate, and Kate is trying to dismiss any "hidden meanings" in these dreams.

The guys are still going on and on about the Wraith makeup. That they couldn't use too much or else she'd be unrecognizable.

So, Teyla tries Carson next. He's so cute when he talks about her "superpowers". "I only have one." Which gets "I've seen ye fight, my dear" in response.

Oh, Teyla. You want Carson to fly you over to the mainland? Brave woman. It's also interesting to see that the mainland is quite far from Atlantis, not like you can see it from the city.

Peter mentions that Paul's been made a regular.

So, a searching chat with Charin. Who's asked to give up Teyla's father's secret. Okay, this is creepy. "The taken came back." More ominous music, as well as Joel Goldsmith's now-trademark wobble off the pitch to denote bad things afoot.

Gary's going on with a hilarious story (well, it is, to him) about Paul where he's impersonating someone else and trying to trick Gary. Then the two of them go off on a tangent and completely ignore what's happening in the scene. Until – finally – Peter mentions "this fabulous actress whose name escapes me", except he remembers a beat later.

Back on Atlantis, Teyla's telling Liz and John. Yeah, hearing voices wouldn't go over so well with mundanes. And some turned violent, murderous, only to be massacred or ostracized. And Teyla wants to go to this planet? No wonder Liz looks shocked. But it's fascinating to see Teyla now talking about this idiosyncracy as a "gift".

Well, John's giving his shrug of approval. Oooo. Tippy-toe mystery music.

And Gary thinks he could have "punched up that line". Um, Gary, leave well enough alone and don't quit your day job.

::shudders:: I wouldn't want to be on that planet. Yuck. It's uber-creepy.

But Rodney's got a little something. And off he goes, with a singleminded focus. Hee! Sure, Rodney, it's a "magic, Ancient device".

Uhhhh, Teyla, how'd you disappear and reappear?

And now, kiddies, we get the definition of a "green screen", because we've never heard the definition before. Oy again. The definition goes on and on and onnnnnnn.

Okay, major creepiness, 'cuz it looks like the inside of a Wraith ship.

And back on Atlantis, Rodney's confirming to Liz that it could be a Wraith laboratory. Rodney can't understand the gobbledygook from the data device he took, but – hey – Liz can "knock" herself out.

Meanwhile, Teyla's having another Wraith nightmare.

So is Carson, except his is called the Control Chair. But he's saved by Liz. And we didn't need to hear that the Wraith language is a derivative of Ancient. Oh, crap. Why do there have to be weird complications.

Rodney, Radek and Carson are called "Moe, Larry and Curly, man". And the chair is aka a "defence barcalounger".

So Liz has managed to translate the first part. But I don't understand WHY she needs Carson. I guess it's a secret for now.

In the audio, we learn that Paul's accent is "legitimate", 'cuz his family's "quite Scottish". Oh, rly?

Next morning, both Liz and Carson look like crap when Teyla comes in. It must be bad, 'cuz Carson tells her she should sit down. So does Liz. Oh, joy. A rogue Wraith conducting unauthorized experiments on her ancestors. And then he goes off on a medical babble. Bottom line, Teyla's got some Wraith DNA in her genetic makeup. Yuck.

There's a bunch of the command staff talking about this and Ford says "Still, Bates will is gonna go nuts over this". Just peachy. I agree, John. Keeping it "under our hat" sounds very wise.

Ugh. Making the feeding process "more efficient"? What, it's not efficient enough already?

John's not too thrilled to be reminded about the "bug creature". Me neither.

Yeah, accident or "negligence" as Rodney calls it sure sounds like the Ancients to me. Then Rodney gets them back on track. Who cares HOW they came about. What's important is HOW to stop them.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Love the nighttime views, especially of the quarters - the Avengers comic book in one corner, John's Johnny Cash poster on the wall.

Eek, Wraith! I knew the peaceful scene was too good to be true. Ooo, but it was a dream. Or, a nightmare, really. Ick, a dream in a dream. Those are the worst. Poor Teyla. Of course, with the Wraith about to descend on what she considered one of the safer planets in the galaxy, who can blame her.

Hmm, the practice with John isn't going as well for Teyla as usual. Ouch, one hit after the other. I have to admit to always admiring her muscle tone, and these sessions with John really highlight it to best affect. Even if she is losing.

I'm glad she admitted to the nightmares, not being all stoic about it. An interesting look from John at the end of practice. I wonder what was going through his head.

Hmm, a big meeting. With Rodney getting some snark from Zalenka. Great snark, too. LOL! But, then he gets some credit from Elizabeth. What a look from John he gets. Heh.

I like the writing in this scene. You get a real sense of how the tension is ratcheting up for everyone. People speaking more intensely, louder, arguing...it's all well written and acted. But, thankfully, no one is going overboard just yet. Everyone is keeping control. Even if they don't look too happy.

Teyla is eating all alone. What a beautiful view she has though; even if she's to tired to appreciate it.

I wonder who the blonde is. She certainly walks like she wants everyone to watch. Ah, a psychologist. Strange that we've never met her before. There must be others. I can certainly believe her comment about how busy she's been since they arrived on Atlantis.

I don't understand why she's sought out Teyla now, though. Oooo, I wonder if that was what the look on John was about after the training session... Hee, I called that one (or subconsciously remembered it from last March *g*).

Wow, Teyla seems to be overreacting to everything right now. She's usually so even tempered, too. This feeling around the Wraith and lack of sleep is really getting to her.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Avengers comic book in one corner, John's Johnny Cash poster on the wall.

I love the fact that you catch these visual treasures which I don't see because of my sight (or lack thereof). But that's okay, because I'm concentrating on the dialogue.

But, thankfully, no one is going overboard just yet. Everyone is keeping control. Even if they don't look too happy.

Considering how many times they've come close to all dying ... from the very first episode, I think they're pretty used to facing death with a more blasé attitude, aka "We're all not dead yet".

I wonder who the blonde is. She certainly walks like she wants everyone to watch. Ah, a psychologist. Strange that we've never met her before. There must be others. I can certainly believe her comment about how busy she's been since they arrived on Atlantis.

Now you're making me laugh about Kate wanting to (needing to) stand out from a crowd. [I think TPTB were going with the Deanna Troi look, where the Counselor wears the least uniform-like clothing. No kidding.] I also don't think there were any other psychs included in the expedition. They've got a couple of surgeons, a pathologist, some nurses, but I don't think more than one shrink would have been approved. I can certainly see Sumner looking over her inclusion and, though he couldn't override her presence in the expedition, he'd have sniffed disdainfully that his Marines won't need a shrink, 'cuz they're Marines. You know, macho crap.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

It's Teyla-Kate time again. Accompanied by some piercingly exquisite music.

Even John in the chair didn't help Rodney. Off to visit Liz. Who gives them the finger-of-pause before she begins talking. We get a tiny bit of snark between the boys. Rodney: "I just said it." John: "Will you stop?" Rodney gives John a funny look but, because they're all so wiped out from lack of sleep, it's missing its usual scathing glare.

Okay, now I'm getting confused. The Wraith communicate telepathically amongst themselves, but can't read human minds?!?!? Then what do you call Sumner's ... uh ... interrogation?

The explanation for stopping halfway makes sense ... that humans could sense Wraith when they received Wraith DNA. But why did the scientist release the test subjects? The effects might have been diluted with integration, but he could have just as easily ... EATEN them. Now we're going to find out if Teyla can tap into this "Wraith Psychic Network". Is that, like, $2.99 per minute? [Yes, I'm bad.]

Ooh, John's eyes just lit up. He likes that idea. A lot. Liz looks confident, but Rodney looks confused.

The guys are still busy yapping about Scottish accents and it turns out Peter's fave original Trek character was Scotty. Finally back to talking about Teyla who they say is still "snitty, still sleep deprived". And talking about the unexpected result of the experiments. But, that's enough about the show. Peter starts talking about The Eyes of Laura Mars. Okay, now I get the connection to Teyla's situation.

And now the hair-colour-of-the-week club meets. Teyla's being persuaded to try hypnosis to get beyond the protective mental barrier. Teyla agrees they have no other choice.

The guys are just yakking away, ignoring what's on the screen. Now it's a funny Rainbow story about his unusual audition.

Um ... can I skip this part? I don't want to look for the cold, dark place. But Rachel's wearing very lovely shimmery copper eye shadow.

Oh, poor Teyla. To be connected to a Wraith who is feeding must be excruciating. And they shock her out of the connection. Then, Liz gets an attack of conscience and doesn't want to continue. John's being pragmatic about it. And so is Teyla when she rushes over to ask them why they stopped it. I love seeing a purpose-driven, powerful Teyla.

The guys are talking about how nice it is to see the very fit, "pretty people". And then start to make Wraith jokes.

Eeek. It's like The Exorcist to see Teyla be possessed. "You are all so pathetic." And they needed to jolt her twice to get her unpossessed. That's not good.

More sexist claptrap about "being in bed with a girl", hearing her say "You are all going to die". ::sighs::

Neither is Bates coming in hot with his team from the Delta(?) site. "It's almost as if they knew we were there."

But Teyla's having a desire to do it again. Weird conversation between Aiden and Teyla. According to Teyla, the Wraith are desperate and want something (besides eating).

Oh, yeah. Bates is pissed, all right. He just loves playing the blame-Teyla game. So in comes Ford with the latest. And he's being all logical, too. A long look between John and Liz leads to....

Teyla-as-a-Wraith is on the ship again until she rises up and punches Carson. Uh, I don't think that's Teyla in there. And then she causes major havoc. Until Bates stuns her. I think he really enjoyed doing that. Another long look, this time between John and Bates.

They're all gathered around Teyla who's back to being herself. She got a look at the plans, the route the ships will take. Liz thinks that's good. But there's more. Teyla's the voice of doom. 'Cuz the Wraith want Earth. John does the best harrowing faces. The music rises in intensity briefly before we hit the closing credits.

One very slightly redeeming comment is that viewers got to see a whole lot more of Teyla's character and Rachel's acting ability to show this special gift.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Okay, so that's an extra hour of my life lost to the audio commentary that I will never, ever regain. Well, maybe when Daylight Savings Time ends. Because I was frankly disgusted. As I didn't start watching until S3 (or S2) original episodes (and had to catch up with everything prior), I had No. Idea. That. TPTB. Were. Dicks. [Or should the more appropriate name be ... weenies?]

If they're trash-talking instead of providing a coherent and informative commentary, then why did they even bother. It just leaves a very sour taste in my mouth. [Good thing I still have some iced tea left.]

Anyway, I can't wait for the excitement of the next three episodes. See you next week.

[tavabean.livejournal.com]

The commentaries on the eps vary wildly in quality, mainly due to who is doing them. The ones with the actors are far better and when you get Peter and/or Gary you end up with mostly alot of juvenile humor.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

The commentary deserves my pissed-off Rodney icon.

Well, you see, I've NEVER watched any of the commentaries, so had no idea what to expect. But I didn't think they would be this unbelieably BAD.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I'm glad Teyla goes to talk to Kate. I love her interaction with Rodney (and he waffling about where to go in the background). It was also funny to see Teyla just sitting and staring at Kate because she didn't know how to act or what to say.

Kate really gets her talking and then Teyla makes a visit to the mainland. I like the older lady, she's a calming influence on Teyla. But cryptic. I hate it when people get cryptic. Just say what he want to say, for heaven's sake.

Back on the mainland, Teyla tells us what she learned (nothing that sounds good), and insists she's going to the planet. Where she falls through a wall. Interesting. It must work like the Ancient gene in John.

Then, they make some discoveries, and hurry back to Atlantis. Cool that Elizabeth think she can translate that data cube. She seems awfully confident. I wonder how she knows it'll work.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

You didn't know that all aliens are cryptic. ::pauses:: Indeed.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Oooo, now Teyla gets the news. She has actually Wraith DNA. Not good. Except Elizabeth manages to figure out a way for it to help people. What a thought - using Teyla to tap into the Wraith communications. Scary stuff.

Close to being done, but my husband just got home. I'll finish tomorrow.