Rewatch: The Siege - Part 2

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Two 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]

Comments

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Then, it starts. Everett's echoing, booming voice on city-wide speakers announcing the arrival of the Hive ships. He hands off to Liz who gives a stirring speech to rally her city's people.

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.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I'm glad In ever had to watch this series in real time. It would have been a torturous wait through the summer months to find out how it all ends.

$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.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Well, maybe FAKE bullets cost more than REAL ones. Also, since I don't know gun-talk, is a "round" via machine gun a whole bunch of rat-a-tats? 'Cuz that would be cheaper. OTOH, all effects are crazy-expensive (like the T-Rex would have cost them 80 grand alone). So, I dunno.