Rewatch: The Siege - Part 2
Oct. 14th, 2011 09:59 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
twinsarein.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
sga_squeeTwo hive ships are still approaching Atlantis and all hope seems lost. Weir orders evacuation and she and Sheppard activate the city's self destruct. Just when McKay tries to dial the address of the evacuation site, the stargate activates from off-world. All of the sudden help from Earth is under way as a certain colonel Everett arrives with reinforcements. Immediately he gets under everybody's skin. He relieves Weir of command, orders her and Sheppard to cancel the self-destruct and get the evacuated people back. He tells Earth has constructed a new intergalactic battle cruiser, the Daedalus, that will arrive in four days, bringing a ZPM. He brought some supplies to defend the city until then, naquadah powered gun turrets and an improved naquadah generator to power the weapons chair. He also deploys some space mines to keep the hive ships at bay. Will it be enough? [Poll #1786650]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 02:15 am (UTC)Ooh, cool graphics. When did the Death Star appear?
But it really is clinch time, since Liz and John just armed the self-destruct. Cue annoying repetitive gong noise.
And, just as they're trying to dial the Alpha Site, there's somebody trying to dial in. Is this good or bad news? Whew, it's Stargate Command.
But, whoo-hah, Col. Everett sure has a funny way of talking and Liz isn't too keen on the words he's using (like relieving her of command, not to mention John). Aside: I love military peeps in those berets. Yumm! Okay, back to the action and cue opening credits.
So we get some background on how they found another oh-so-useful ZedPM on Earth and it's coming over by a spanking brand new Daedalus. It'll be there in 4 days. Wow! Now the good thing I see in Everett is that, though he's also a Marine, he doesn't appear to be in the same mold as Sumner was, as he says all military are recalled and any civilians who want to return to help defend the city. Mighty egalitarian of him.
Well, maybe not entirely egalitarian, because Liz says she wants to be at the briefing between him and John. He's not too keen. And Liz certainly doesn't like the feeling of being blown off.
Blah-blah-blah, big guns on the way. Not to mention complications in the forms of John and Liz who is – hee - defying Everett's order to recall their people. Oooooh. Everett does NOT like that. And there's this sugar-coated poison voice telling John he'd better dial the Alpha site ... or else.
Liz says she's been in charge for several months and she's not just going to turn things over to him after only 5 minutes. So, of course, he has to say the macho thing, "... and I don't need your co-operation." So John interjects, "But you could probably use mine." Pause. "Sir." Yay, John!
Well, after some pointed eyebrow stuff in response, Everett invites Liz to have a seat.
Awww, poor Rodney feels left out because he wasn't invited. Cute banter between Rodney and Radek about the military not needing the scientists ... until they need them.
It's time for tactics, not that John is in agreement. But, wait. It must be Christmas, because they've just gotten a naquadah generator to power the Chair to fire drones. John likes that. Everett snarks back that he's glad John approves. And, when John leaves, Everett issues a threat, "This is the last time I give you an order twice."
Now we're seeing various weapons assembled and mounted to some militaristic music.
Oh, hai, Chair room. I've missed you. And we see people getting armed and 'jumpers taking off.
In the meantime, Everett interrupts Teyla when she's stick fighting. [BTW, she's fighting James Bamford, the stunt director, aka BamBam.] Oh, man. He thinks he can handle the defence of Atlantis without the help of every able bodied person ... which includes Teyla? The guy is cocky as all get out, and with his two minions in tow, too.
Now we're back on familiar ground. Carson's in the chair and so very, very, very uncomfortable. He's whining for John to be there instead. "Major Sheppard's your man." Rodney agrees. "Of course he is." Can I be like 5 and giggle? But John's busy training pilots. So Carson does the hated deed and the Chair reclines. But, oh no, Rodney doesn't like what he's found. Like there are only a couple dozen drones ... instead of the thousands Everett was expecting.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 03:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 09:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 02:28 am (UTC)Hey, Rodney just got back, how does he know what the Alpha site is? Did I miss something? Wasn't that what John and his team were looking for in the last part while Rodney was on the satellite? I hate it when I feel like I've missed stuff.
Ick, I don't like this new guy. The Colonel. He is condescending to both Elizabeth and John.
Way that John stands up for Elizabeth though. Way to go, big guy. He certainly has his share of hutzpah. I like it. And the colonel actually listens to reason. Which speaks well for him, although his first impression still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I like Rodney's lines about how the military don't need them until the second before things go to hell in a hand basket (paraphrasing *g*).
Another military person against Teyla. There goes the Colonel again, accruing bad points with me. I can understand his caution, but still, there had to be a better way of going about it.
Poor Beckett. That chair is his nemesis.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 09:41 am (UTC)Well, between the time it took to get DE-suited and back to the control room, he probably would have demanded to be brought up to speed immediately.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 02:37 am (UTC)Even better (er, worse), they can't tell how close the Hive ships are, 'cuz the mines detonating took the sensors off-line. For a couple of hours. Well, now the shoe's on the other foot. Everett knows he's goofed and John feels vindicated, not that it means anything. But, boy, the pissed look on John's face? Priceless.
But, moving right along, Everett wants John to get info from the hologram room, to see how the Ancients lost the first time so they can avoid making the same mistakes. So, we see a brief overview of all the worlds that were taken over until only Atlantis was left. [The Martins say they included it, 'cuz it looked cool to see the Hive ships hovering over Lantea. Also because season enders get a lot more attention AND viewers, as do season openers, so they wanted to have more shiny stuff to show off.]
So we get an exchange of more words, until things become creepy and confrontational, because Everett says that Sumner was a close friend and he just can't get how John could have not saved him, and admitted killing him. John's on the verge of revealing that not a night goes by ... but they're interrupted. 'Cuz there's more guests to the party, a whole bunch of Darts. Everett orders John to the Chair, with the intention of finishing their little talk later. Oh, joy. [The Martins say that this is the beginning of what they called a "roller-coaster ride".]
So, the city's darkened and troops are firing on the Darts. [The Martins loved turning off the lights and the vis effects, except that it was the sound effects that made the vis effects so much more believable.] John reaches the Chair and is nagging Rodney to get it working, like NOW.
As if that weren't enough (what, is this a shock-a-minute), the Darts seem to be making kamikaze runs against the city. And they just culled some of the gunners.
But Rodney's just got the Chair powered. And Aiden's climbed onto one of the guns. This is where I have trouble watching these action scenes, 'cuz it's too dark and there are too many flashes of light. Well, John takes out a Dart and then it's all quiet again.
Woo-hoo. Rodney, you rock, telling Everett off just 'cuz he wants to know when those Hive ships will arrive. And the Chair is out of drones. Everett dares to say he's "open to suggestions". Oh, I'll bet he is.
But John has an idea, to fly 'jumpers down their throats. But it's not supposed to be a suicide mission, as long as Rodney and Radek figure out how to remote-control the bombs. Sure thing. Piece of cake. See the long-suffering looks on Radek's and Rodney's faces.
But Everett's all excited by the prospect. Rodney's not too thrilled, especially with the "showing up with your guns and your brush cuts" and then, when the city needs saving, turning to the scientists. Um, Everett, it's not a wise thing to ask when was the last time Rodney slept. I mean, really.
But, then, Rodney gets an idea. And we get the R&R tag-team, bouncing ideas off of each other. They're so cute together.
Everett wants to know if that's a yes and he gets a "possibly" as a reply.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 03:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 02:55 am (UTC)Of course, this means a ton of trouble. How can they destroy the Wraith, now? And, I'm sure the Colonel still won't allow the self-destruct.
Wow, those are the coolest special effects on this show so far (except maybe of Atlantis rising from the ocean floor). That was excellent, and a good refresher for us, as well as background for Everett.
Yikes. The colonel is spouting off about stuff he has no clue about. I understand him being upset about what happened, but he doesn't gather any other information before closing his mind?
John is starting to defend himself, but...oh no! Wraith darts have arrived. Man, they are everywhere. A few dozen drones aren't going to be enough. Crap, primary systems gone. Now they can't blow up the Atlantis database.
I think the Colonel is starting to get the tiniest inkling of what they're up against. Man, he isn't ready to have a new team man the guns when some of his mean re taken? I thought he'd read all the reports. Anyway, go Aiden! He stepped in, but he was the only one.
Jeez, look at all that destruction, and that was just the minor fighters. The destroyers haven't had their turn yet.
Yay, Rodney! You give him what-for! Way to dress him down. And then, he tells the Colonel to shut up. I love it. Raydek is in there, too, and John. all contributing to ctually saving the city. Go, team!
Only Teyla arrives...crap! The Wraith are in Atlantis. Not good.
Well, the Colonel has redeemed himself with Teyla. I'm glad he can listen to reason, and is open to changing his mind.
Okay, all our groups are getting to their places.
Ack, Aiden! No!!! Yay, John. Phew! Oooo, it was a plan. Nasty, putting us in suspense like that.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 09:54 am (UTC)Oh, wow, I missed the significance of that!
Well, you see, HE's a Colonel dealing with a major and a woman (not that he's against women, just civilian women). If it doesn't jive with the mission directive he was given and the chain of command, he doesn't want to know about it. Which is really dumb 'cuz, hello, new galaxy, new space vampires, yadda, yadda.
Obviously, in Washington or the SGC, reports are made to be written and then filed. Reading them? Naaaaaah. Besides, he's the cavalry rushing in to save the day. Much more important than reading. He's all action, he is. /sarcasm, too.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 02:58 am (UTC)But, eek, Teyla's here and giving the advance warning that there are Wraith on the city. Did we really want to know that? Rhetorical question. Ooh, dramatic swell of music to match Teyla's I-told-you-so expression.
So, more tactics. And Everett surprises John when the LSD works for him too, 'cuz he got the gene therapy. Teyla approaches, offering to help ... 'cuz it's an awfully big city. And Everett finally acknowledges the inevitable – with a tiny smile that Teyla returns. Okay, break out moar weapons.
Whoo, dizzy fly-by of the city's towers outside.
And Rodney's nagging Carson as they're walking toward the Chair. Carson's trying to suggest Miko should sit in it instead. The only advantage is that the Chair is out of drones, so it's not as if Carson can really do any inadvertent damage.
Okay, another irrelevant whoosh from one part of the city to another.
Everett and his people are searching through the city when there's yet another whoosh. And Teyla's in the lead. Whoosh again. And why is Aiden patrolling all by his lonesome, so he can get hit by a Wraith. Oh, that's why, so John can ambush the Wraith and kill it. Whew. Though Aiden's not too fond of being the "bait". I don't blame him either.
Message from the Genii who are willing to talk with one unarmed person. Of course, Liz volunteers and lets Everett know. He says he'll buy her a drink if this works. Okay, it's good to see he's playing nice, now that it's not such a textbook military situation. Duh.
But wow are the Genii paranoid with the way they bring a blindfolded Liz into a creepy-looking chamber where she meets the (?) leader. Who's not as willing to trade as she expected, 'cuz the Wraith have already been and gone, killing hundreds, but with thousands being saved in the underground bunkers.
Oh, crap. It's a trap. The Genii are willing to trade Liz's life for the C4 they want. Ugh, with friends like these, who needs enemies. [Audio commentary reveals that it was Brad's and Torri's idea to KEEP her blindfolded throughout, making her even more vulnerable.]
Meanwhile, back on Atlantis, Everett hears shooting nearby. When he investigates, it's not good news, 'cuz the Wraith just destroyed one of the generators. The other teams run to converge on his position.
Liz is still in an uncomfortable position, the bargaining not going the way she wanted. Especially when she accuses her captor of being "too proud or too stupid" to accept her generous offer. Yay for brave Liz.
Yay also for inventive Rodney and Radek. So they're ready to test, but need Carson's co-operation. Carson looks SO pained when he has to try to use his gene.
::giggles:: Radek's muttering is cute. But Rodney's exasperated and has to confront Carson to activate the 'jumper. Yaaaaaay. Lights power up and Radek confirms "It works". Rodney's thanking God, and Carson's look of utter relief is plain to see. Oh, there's one of my fave icons, of exhausted Rodney sitting on the floor with his wrists crossed.
Well, look who's back. Obviously, Liz's negotiation tactics worked. She's back with prezzies for Rodney who has to heave himself off the floor, grab his trusty P90, and go look after them. Um, is Carson asleep in the Chair?
Arrgghh. Dark corridors and much weapons exchange, and people I can't recognize. Until our peeps show up. Is it really the "last of them", John?
And, hey, Everett's complimenting Liz. Shh. We won't mention that she was blindfolded, tied in a chair and sorta, kinda helpless. He's even vacating "her" chair that he'd commandeered earlier, as well as the office. Liz isn't too impressed.
But, wait. That's not all, 'cuz Rodney has to pay them a wee visit. The Genii devices are incomplete and it'll take Rodney about a day to finish them, a day they don't exactly have. No wonder Rodney said he's got "a problem".
Gee, this should feel familiar to Rodney, having built a bomb for his Grade Six science project. Only obstacle is that Rodney needs to ... uh ... stay awake. So Carson will oblige him, 'cuz ... nuclear bomb.
Another conciliatory gesture on Everett's part where he's talking with Teyla.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 03:04 am (UTC)Jeez, they are such jerks. Tying and blindfolding Elizabeth. I know it's a psychological ploy, but all I can think is 'grow up, people!' Honestly. And, of course they have double-crossed our guys yet again.
Elizabeth is really getting a chance to show her mettle, here. She's really tough. It's nice to see her showcased a little. And...she did it!!
Rodney looks so tired. Has he had any opportunity to sleep since before he went to the satellite?
And, of course there is another problem. I don't think any of them would know what to do it the problems ended. *g*
The Colonel certainly has warmed up to Elizabeth. Maybe he's taken with her.
Woah! Funky way to get us from the control tower down to the chair room. Cool, though.
Yikes! Look at all those ships in orbit. God, so tense. The chair isn't working. Now, what? Oops, there goes John. Yikes, he's sacrificing himself. And Elizabeth approves it as the only option. Hard decision.
The Colonel has been taken by a Wraith. Why didn't he raise the gun to shoot the guy in the face? I never understand why people are so civilized with guns. If you're shots aren't doing any good where you're aiming, then change where you aim.
God!! Things are so bad for everyone on Atlantis right ow. Aiden is surrounded, John is on a suicide mission, the Colonel is taken, the self-destruct is armed. It must be cliff-hanger time...heh, yup. That was quick confirmation. And with a simple, sad kind of tune to send us off.
I'm so glad we only have to wait a week instead of two and a half months to see the finale. *G*
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 03:21 am (UTC)Luckily, Rodney and Radek are finished and Rodney gets to sink down in exhaustion again. No, wait. He has to go to the Chair room.
And the 'jumper pilots are getting ready to take off with their payloads.
Everett reminds Liz about the drink he owes her before he leaves.
And yet another ridiculous whoosh flyby until we see John (yay) in the Chair. He sounds testy. No wonder. The generator's not powering up the way it should be.
Things are getting quite hectic with people moving into position. Just don't look up: you won't like what you see, aka Wraith ships. Then all hell breaks loose with Darts attacking and guns firing back.
Hmmm. Impressive Dart explosion into the water. [David Hewlett called it "hitting the pond".] But the plan seems to be going FUBAR. John is getting impatient, but nothing's happening the way it should.
Liz sees the encroaching display of ships and demands to know why there aren't any 'jumpers in the air. Good question.
Uh-oh. Where's John off to with that "So long, Rodney"? Rodney's not too happy that he ran off.
Okay, very short exchange between Everett and Liz. And, then, OMG. Is it time for me to start being amazed at the foolhardy, magnificent, ridiculous bravery of Major John Sheppard. "I have to." Yup, that's John all right. Oh, the looks on their faces: John's desperate determination, Liz's rising terror at the most likely (so not good) outcome. And yet she still gives him the soft order. She's looking as if she may regret it for the rest of her life. And we get heroic, inspirational music, too.
Uh-oh. Wraith sneaking up from behind. At least Everett's giving it all he's got (or his gun has).
Interesting contrast between the musical score with the whine of Darts.
Radek radios Liz to say John's taking a 'jumper out. Yeah, she knows. She hears gunfire and asks for a status report. But there's only silence as we see a trail of bodies. This does not look good.
At least there's a momentary pause from the horror as we see the effortless rise of the 'jumper towards the hatch. And we hear John's plan: if he takes out one, perhaps the other one will back off. Are we all keeping our fingers crossed?
Always neat to see the 'jumper cloak in mid-air. And John passes on a cryptic message that Liz understands.
Yuck. Major Wraith presence on the city.
Then Rodney asks the big question. Yes, Rodney. John's flying that 'jumper. Liz doesn't answer but merely goes over the self-destruct, to be ready. So, as we see John's 'jumper making speedy progress towards the Hive, we get that creepy self-destruct sound. Reality sets in, by the looks on Liz's and Rodney's faces.
It seems so calm on the other hand in the 'jumper, especially as John is talking in a low, subdued voice.
But ........... that's it for Season 1, with the dreaded To be continued on the heels of John saying "Going in".
Noooooooooooo. I guess for those watching the season for the first time, it was a tough summer to get through.
Final thoughts:
First of all, the audio commentary was far, far, faaaaaar more restrained and less narcissistic, considering it was with the Martins. They did get self-congratulatory near the end, but it wasn't excessive. And they really talked about stuff that had to – like – do with the episode. Imagine that. Also, funny stuff about how much ammo they went through for the machine guns (5 bucks a pop?).
It was an interesting episode to comment on, because there was much more in the way of physical action that doesn't require interpretation. But, when we did see pure emotion, it was stunning (Liz, John, Rodney). Can't wait for the start of Season 2 and the conclusion.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 03:27 am (UTC)$5 a bullet. Real bullets don't' cost that much, do they?
when we did see pure emotion, it was stunning That it was. All the more so, for not being overdone. Their reactions were understated, but oh so clear that it was sometimes painful to watch.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-15 10:02 am (UTC)