Rewatch: Runner

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Botanist Dr. Parrish finds a dead Wraith on a planet with a dangerous amount of UV radiation. Beckett does an autopsy and notices the enzyme sac has been removed, making it likely that Ford killed him. Sheppard and Teyla and McKay and major Lorne start a search party. Both groups report they are following someone, shortly after Sheppard and Teyla are stunned. They awake in a cavern with a stranger. Meanwhile, Ford stuns Lorne. He's trying to convince McKay he's perfectly normal and that his Wraith enzyme overdose was the best that ever happened to him. He thinks it's the way to defeat them.  [Poll #1792597]

Comments

Comment 1A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Okay, so it's a creepy beginning, but there are two guys forging ahead; one of them is calling the other Major. Well, I believe there's only one of those on Atlantis right now, so Hi, Evan Lorne (though I think it took forever for TPTB to give you a first name ::sighs::). And the other one is ... well, we'll find out it's Dr. David Parrish.

Okay, I'm listening to the audio commentary. It's Martin Wood with David Hewlett. And one wee tidbit of info is that the shots from above are not of Evan/David. They had to shoot the next night, so used their standins. Oh, hai, Chuck Campbell (again) and some guy called Jerry.

Now, back to the creepiness factor. While David's getting all caught up and fascinated (yup, he's a scientist, all right), there's something happening. We see David notice something and Evan brings up his flashlight. But it's not anything creepy, it's just another plant that is familiar to David.

Oooh. Insider information. Jonathon Young, the actor playing David Parrish, just stepped into the role the day before, 'cuz something happened to the actor they'd cast. So Jonathon stepped in and learned the entire scene that was done in ONE shot. David Hewlett says it wasn't just the dialogue but to get the personality and character across. David laughs, "And God knows Stargate loves the geeky scientists." Martin agrees. "Thank God for you."

Then Evan bends down to get a closer look at something on the ground. As he reaches for it, David's yell startles (us, for sure). When Evan arrives, we see a dead body (well, I can't really see, but I'll take their word for it). Evan calls it in, saying it's not more than a day old. So ... uninhabited planet with weird plant-life, that's all, right? Or not.

Then we see a live body crouched (in a tree). And cue opening credits.

Martin said that was super-Ford's idea. Also that he stayed up in the tree for the entire scene done in one shot. He was given "one little block of wood to stand on". David said that's why he doesn't make suggestions. He stays quiet and gets stuck in a hazmat suit. Martin laughs, 'cuz it's always a case of "What can we do to David now?" And there's some talk of ... codfish?

Okay, post-mortem time back on Atlantis, starting with John and Evan. It was a Wraith, shot several times. Teyla's wondering if it could be the Genii, because of the weapon used ("looked like bullets" but it was a mess). Just as Liz is saying Carson's performing an autopsy, in walks the man himself. [He must have been eavesdropping!]

I figured out it was a Wraith only when I rerewatched with commentary and saw the hair (or was it the mask?). Martin says he doesn't like that "contrivance" where Carson shows up right on time.

Ooookay. Even though Carson's not done, he tells them the enzyme sac from the arm has been removed. Of course, John jumps to the only conclusion: Ford.

Then Rodney shows up to join the party. John's not too thrilled that he's late. As he's trying to give his excuses (hey, he was busy), Liz interrupts with the news. John thinks that Ford could still be there. But Rodney's not so sure, because the UV Index during the day is something "like a thousand". So ... not so likely. But John's not so convinced. He tells Rodney, "Bring your sunscreen and be ready in ten minutes."

Rodney's putting up a preemptive grousing, saying that he wants to get Ford back just as much as anybody else, but you know ... it's his complexion. Teyla gives him a one word reply. "Yes." Aww, poor Rodney. Fun repetitious use of words from Rodney. "It's very fair. Extremely fair." Then, when Liz gives him that look, he turns and walks away, muttering, "This isn't fair."

Martin reminds us that David added the last line and they kept it in. Yay. As Martin says, "From your own brain."

Re: Comment 1A

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Insider information is the best. I'm impressed that scientist guy learned his part so quickly. He must be a real pro.

So is Rodney, through in ad-libs and having them kept. That play on words he used sounds even more brilliant when I know it wasn't planned.

Re: Comment 1A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Well, the cute thing with Jonathon Young (who played David Parrish) is that he really made an impact on the fans, even though - don't quote me - he was only in about 4 episodes in the entire 5 seasons. So, wow. [And, if you've watched any Sanctuary, he plays an amazing Nicola Tesla.

As for David Hewlett, we know he chews and spits out scripts before breakfast!

Re: Comment 1A

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Ooooooh! He's that Parrish. I hadn't really connected the dots until this comment. I've seen Lorne/Parrish in fanfics so many times, and I always felt bad because I couldn't remember who Parrish was. I kept meaning to look him up, but never did.

I'm so glad you said something; it's so wonderful to have that long standing question answered.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Lorne doesn't seem to be too happy about babysitting a scientist. But, oooo, someone/thing is watching them.

What does Lorne see on the ground? Oops, he gets screamed for before I can figure it out. I love that the nicknames for Wraiths is 'sucker.' It's perfect for them, and makes them seem a little less menacing.

Yikes. They were being watched by Ford.

After the opening credits there is a pow wow going on. The team discovers the probably identity of the man on the planet. They are going to find him. Rodney isn't impressing anyone with his complaints about his completion, and his worries about going to a planet with such high levels of radiation.

They go to the planet and Rodney has some special, homemade protection - 100 SPF *g* Lorne has babysitting duty again, and is even less thrilled.

Teams split up, but oh no! Teyla is shot! Eek, and then John! Not good. Who is it? We don't see.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I've seriously gotten caught up in this episode. I'm really enjoying the introduction of Ronan, although I'm not crazy with what they are doing with Ford. The black eyeball freaks me out. Raibow plays the crazy, paranoid, sick character so very well - which is one of the reason he gives me the heebie jeebies.

I love how John faces up to Ronan, and a gun in his face, while tied up to Teyla and on the ground. His insouciance is always marvelous to watch.

I wa also very impressed with Rodney when he stood up to Ford. He also shot him! *boggles* I didn't think Rodney had it in him.

I feel bad that I'm not saying too much for this episode but it is seriously action packed. The snark is amazing, too.

Things I didn't understand:

Why did Ronon collapse after the surgery? Did Beckett slip him a Mickey I missed?

Also, it seems that Ronon has been a Runner so quite a while. At least that's the impression I've gotten before. But, the Wraith have been awake for only about a year and the were moving quite slowly in the beginning. Yet, Ronon's entire planet was culled and the Suckers made him a Runner, which he's gotten really good at. I guess I just don't understand the timeline of this.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Ronon collapsed (Martin Wood said "fainted") probably from the shock of being operated on without any pain killers; also he'd fought a Wraith and just arrived on the planet, so he was exhausted. We don't know how well or often he's been eating, if he's only showing up on uninhabited worlds.

We only saw one hive ship being awakened in the pilot episode. And there are lots of hive ships. It's possible they're not all hibernating at the same time. But, hey. Who knows. TPTB could have screwed that up, too.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

True about Ronan. I wasn't connecting the dots too well on Friday. I don't think I was confused the first time I watched this.

TPTB could have screwed that up, too. One thing I learned from watching Star Trek, TPtB were not nearly as invested in the show as the fans. Part of it is probably their time - from start to finish, they have to have the eps written so fast - there isn't time to fact check, especially if there were many different authors.

Unless the creators are geeks with incredible vision (such as Joss Whedon or the creators of Babylon 5), they don't tend to pay attention to the little details (George Lucas lost all my respect when he overlooked a pretty big detail in Return of the Jedi for whatever the hell the third movie was *g*).

Comment 1B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

As John's walking, Stephen calls out to him and catches up. So, hey, what's happenin' buddy, or more military terms to that effect, lol. So John tells him they may have a lead on Ford. Of course, Stephen already knew that. Anything above Code Orange goes immediately to all senior officers.

They both enter the transporter. Hmmm. I don't think I've ever seen the bright light outside of the transporter doors. But they look gorgeous, blue-green-grey semi-Mondrian geometric shapes.

Martin says it was his idea to show that these were not elevators. When the doors close, lights and things went "zhioop".

When they emerge, John's trying to remember the order of the colours and what they mean. Oh ... John. He's feeling frustrated because Stephen outranks him. Uh-oh. Things seemed to be so hunky-dory just two or three episodes ago.

Stephen's reminding John that Ford is a security risk. If he's caught by the Wraith, then ... well, you know. But, to John, he's also a friend in need. Just Stephen doesn't see things that way. He says, if there's any chance of danger to the city, John is "duty bound to eliminate the threat". Oops! As John is weighing his options (to obey or disobey), Stephen brings up the point that John didn't seem to have a problem when it came to Sumner. John doesn't say a word as the two men stare at each other. Finally Stephen says, "Dismissed."

Ooh. Nifty, seeing the 'jumper emerge through a spacegate while accompanied by stirring music.

Okay, from later on in the episode, I see it's NOT a spacegate. It's just a planetary gate that is seen from over a hill.

Then we get a look through the forward view screen of the interior of the 'jumper. Oh, hai. It's John and Rodney.

Martin says they're not acting yet, so they're just gabbing.

The HUD's not being cooperative, life signs indicator useless. Rodney says he could have told him so. But don't just take his word for it. David Parrish told him that he "believes the indigenous plant life retains enough residual radioactivity absorbed during the daylight to ... um ... to screw up our sensors."

"Making it the perfect place to hide" is John's reaction.

Well, Rodney's not going to let that statement go unchallenged and ... yup, "dangerously high levels of solar radiation".

Okay, teams meeting and John giving orders while Rodney's slathering on sunscreen. John thinks it smells as if he's on vacation. Nah, it's just the "simulated tropical aroma of cocoa butter" that Rodney's using. Well, John's not too thrilled. He says anyone within 5 miles will be able to smell them. So, what's Rodney sniping about with the "Aqua Velva" comment? Is that what John usually wears? Anyway, John says it's dark, but Rodney's already calculated how soon the sun will be up. In almost 3 hours. Better be prepared. Right, Rodney? John throws the next objection out, that it's raining. Rodney's not convinced. According to him the cloud cover will dissipate some of the rays, but "95% of deadly is still deadly". Oh, this dialogue is pure gold.

David says he loved doing this episode because it was a terrific "McKay episode". And, as it was pouring rain, he just had to get that last bit of dialogue in. Martin thinks that David thought it up himself.

Evan doubts that a day or two won't kill them, according to David, and Rodney wants to know what degree Dr. Parrish has. He answers himself. "Right, Botany."

John divies up the personnel. Lucky Evan, he gets Rodney. Who's busy telling him that he makes his SPF100 sunscreen himself. "Waterproof, too."

They're talking about Evan's sense of humour that is very "dry" and, not coincidentally, so is Kavan Smith's. David says "great English sense of humour".

John's crouched by the body as Teyla walks around. So what's a lone Wraith doing on the planet. Teyla doesn't know. But she spots some tracks leading away. John follows.

The funny thing is that there wasn't supposed to be any animal life on the "planet", but all night long they could hear birds and raccoons. ::giggles:: Darn uncooperative B.C. forests!

Re: Comment 1B

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I don't remember hearing any animal sounds - was I not paying attention, or did they filter them out?

OMG, I loved that whole exchange around Rodney's sunscreen. The dialogue was brilliant and funny.

I have to go make cookies so I might have to finish these later, or I'll fall asleep in the mixer bowl. *g*

Re: Comment 1B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Well, I wasn't listening either. But the animal sounds must have been very obvious to the filming crews.

Oh, don't say "cookies".
Nom nom nom.
And now I go faceplant in bed.

Comment 1C

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

In the meantime, Rodney's badgering Evan (well, "you guys") with questions about what kind of special training he received. Evan says he skipped that day in "Major School". Then there's some dispute as to how good a friend Rodney was to Aiden, 'cuz they had So. Much. In. Common. Riiiiiight.

They're talking about certain technical aspects of shooting at night. David adds, "I look better in darkness, too, I might add." Martin chuckles, "In complete darkness." David responds, "Utter darkness."

Evan thinks he saw something move, so they have to get down.

David says they've got this "like husband and wife thing going here". Martin calls it "this shtick". ::giggles::

Meanwhile, John and Teyla are striding when Teyla thinks she heard something. So did I. It sounded a lot like creaking. John calls out for Ford. Teyla joins in while some evocative music accompanies them. Uh-oh. Her "we only want to talk" didn't get the reaction she was hoping for, a sudden noise that makes them both rush forward.

This scene is only 20 feet away from where Kavan and David are being filmed. But, at night, how could anybody know one part of the forest from another.

Evan's urging Rodney to "say something", to talk to Aiden ... if he's out there. So Rodney stands up and calls out. His voice is so tremulous, so insecure. Right, it's his "best friend Rodney, Rodney McKay". His entreaties are interrupted by noise (and spooky music).

Both teams are running forward, in pursuit of the suspect.

Okay, who just fired an energy weapon? Rodney and Evan lost him. But John tells them to stand by, that Teyla's been hit. Uh-oh. So has John. So there's no answer to Evan who's hailing him. Wow! Kavan's voice sound SO young.

But John's just lying there and you get the impression that somebody's hovering over the body.

Then it's a shot of Atlantis (they used to do that a lot in S1). I think it's Evan's voice reporting in to Liz. So, LSD doesn't work and they can't search using the 'jumper, 'cuz the foliage is too dense for that. She's going to send in another team to assist. Now we're watching through the viewscreen from the interior of the 'jumper. Rodney walks up and asks for 4 radiation suits from Atlantis. Evan looks skeptical about that request.

Evan mentions he doesn't even know whether they're dealing with Ford at all. If not Ford, then who is it?

Oh, hai, unconscious Teyla and John, back to back while someone in the background is going through their stuff. They're coming to. John says "Ford" but that's not who it is. It's a guy with dreads.

Martin said they were going for a kind of Quest For Fire look, when you couldn't get a really close view of the guy. It turns out that Jason Momoa flew in from Australia the day before and did the shoot. Whoa.

Dreads-guy walks toward them. Okay, they exchange introductions. Hai, Ronon Dex. Specialist. "Military?" "I used to be." And then we get a mini-flashback to darts attacking and Ronon shooting at them. "A long time ago."

John's leading him. "And now?" Uh. Not a good answer, 'cuz he's deciding whether he's going to kill John and his friends. See John's and Teyla's eyes slide to the side, toward each other.

Comment 2A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Back at the 'jumper, Evan's mobilizing the additional troops. While he's doing that, Rodney's donning his radioactive suit. And he's wondering why nobody else availed themselves of the other suits. But, Rodney. They're NOT practical.

Okay, so it's been raining all along on this shoot and you can actually SEE the rain if you look in certain places. But, because they used that filter, they covered it up.

Oh, Rodney. You've been keeping a tally of your lifetime exposure to radiation. Only you. And he may even have "to forego reproducing". ::snickers:: Evan agrees that might be "wise", 'cuz I guess one McKay is more than enough in Pegasus.

John's trying to get Ronon to see reason. They'll all go to the gate together and then Ronon can leave. Nobody'll get hurt. Ronon wants to know why he should trust them. John's look is priceless as he ponders and replies, "That's a good question." So he turns to Teyla. "Teyla, why should he trust us?" She says they're only "searching for a friend".

But it's time for another mini-flashback. Ronon's running and firing behind him. Okay, this is totally unexpected. Ronon runs into ... Aiden??? Both have their guns aimed at each other. Aiden stuns Ronon but then blasts into the Wraith on the other side. When Aiden's distracted approaching the Wraith with a knife, Ronon runs away. End of mini-flashback.

Both Martin and David agree. Nobody runs and shoots faster and better than Jason does. Supposedly, Jason outran a "four-wheel drive Gator(sp?)". David says that Jason is like a "giant, Great Dane puppy on the set".

Ronon says he saw him, "your friend". He killed the Wraith that was hunting Ronon. John doesn't understand. "Hunting you?"

Ronon wants to know why they're looking for Aiden. Teyla says "he's sick, he needs our help".

And mini-flashback to Aiden aiming at Ronon. Ronon thinks he'd been in the sun too long. John says it may be true that the sun makes people sick on this world, but that's not all that's wrong with him. So, Ronon asks, why is he running away from John. "It's complicated" isn't going to wash with Ronon.

Then we're back in an eerie, orange-filtered bright forest with Evan and Big-Orange-Rodney. Evan's trying to hail John or Teyla and Rodney's just bitching because he's so hot. No wonder. Evan reminds him he's comfortable because he's not wearing a 50-lb rubber suit.

They're laughing because the mask was getting fogged up, so it could have been anyone in the suit.

Rodney removes his helmet, complaining he thinks the fumes from his sunblock are making him dizzy. Okay, kids, get ready for hypochondriac Rodney. He wants to rest. I think Evan wants to shoot him first and not ask questions at all!

David noted that they could see their breath, which should be weird on a radiation planet, right? David said that the "long suffering stuff" that Kavan did was "fantastic". I agree!

John's explaining to Ronon about the Wraith feeding on Aiden and messing him up. At the mention of feeding, Ronon flashes back to his own experience.

Then there's static on the radios. Ronon carries out a pack from out of the cave that's apparently interfering with the signal. Teyla's trying to free a hand. No, John, she's not getting fresh with you.

Re: Comment 2A

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Do we ever find out why the Wraith chose Ronon as a Runner, or why the feeding process didn't work on him? Maybe I missed it in the first watching (the trouble with watching five seasons in four weeks - it either runs together, or things get missed *g*).

Comment 2B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Back to the Evan and Rodney show where 30 minutes does not equal 15. Evan's frustration index is rising. "Wow, you must really be some kind of genius." Rodney's on the verge of confirming it until he's struck by the sarcasm. Yup, even Evan's wondering how come John hasn't shot Rodney yet, and genius is the obvious reason.

Talk about the timing of words. Rodney goes, "Yeah, yeah, didn't see that one coming" while Evan gets blasted and falls backwards. Rodney's in a panic and yelling "Mayday" into his radio when who should come by but Aiden. He comes closer and grabs Rodney's gun.

David was having a lot of trouble actually getting his gun and fumbling it a lot, so this was like Take 7!

Then, when there's a response on the radio, Aiden grabs it too, tosses it onto Evan's unconscious body and says, "Let's go."

Rodney's trying to get across how dangerous it is on the planet, but Aiden's not concerned. He's fine. Actually "better than fine". Then Rodney gets his gun and a stunner pointed at him. So they go off to rescue John and Teyla, 'cuz Aiden knows where they are. How ... convenient.

Ronon's still walking about holding a radio that's transmitting nothing but static when John catches him off guard. Teyla follows a few seconds later, both of them with P90s trained on Ronon.

So, Ronon says he has to get through the ring, because the Wraith are hunting him. John says, "Join the club." But Teyla figures it out. He's a Runner. That gets a tiny nod from Ronon.

John wants to know what a Runner is, so Ronon's gonna tell him. A Wraith started to feed on him on a Wraith ship, but something made him stop. Oh, great, we're seeing the visuals, too. Yuck with the operation and the squishy sounds when the tracking device is implanted.

And now we see a Wraith chasing Ronon, hunting him. But Ronon's laid a snare, 'cuz he's hunting them back. He tosses the pack in John's direction and, though John fires at him, Ronon stuns Teyla. Again. Is this getting old already? Now he's got his gun aimed at John, after giving the gun a little spin.

David's in awe of Jason's ability. Supposedly it took him ALL of 8 seconds to learn how to spin a gun and that he can spin two at a time now.

Rodney and Aiden are ... chatting.

Also walking OFF the path, in places where there were sticks and insects. Yuck.

Okay, Teyla's awake again. And John's saying that perhaps they can help Ronon get the tracking device out. Why? Because John's a "nice guy". Also, "You hate the Wraith, we hate the Wraith; it's something we have in common". Okay, they have a deal. Tracker removed from Ronon, he'll get Aiden back for them.

John arrives back at the jumper, hears that Rodney's missing now, and gets ready to contact Atlantis.

Carson thinks this is a joke, him having "to go to an alien planet and perform surgery on an armed man holding Teyla hostage". Yup, sounds about right. But, wait, there's more. The Wraith can show up at any time. And no Aiden, plus Rodney's missing too.

You're right, Carson. An operating room won't fit through the gate. You'll just have to make do.

Rodney and Aiden are still walking until Rodney just stops. He's tired. And tempers flare. Rodney dares him to shoot. He turns around and Aiden sprays the forest above him. They reach a compromise of sorts. Aiden will come back with them (especially when Rodney says Carson can fix him without removing any of the super-powers), but Aiden decides to go forward, 'cuz if he saves John and Teyla it'll be proof that he's okay. He's ordering Rodney to go back to the jumper, but Rodney runs after him. I wonder how many pounds of water he's losing inside of that rubber suit.

Re: Comment 2B

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Rodney really started showing his mettle, here. I loved how he stood up to Aiden a couple of times. I think he's the only character who's shown real growth on the show so far. Not that that's a bad thing, but it just struck me as I was typing the beginning of this comment.

Comment 3A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Teyla and Ronon are sitting in the cave entrance. The music is idyllic, meandering, pretty. He finally puts his gun away. She asks and learns that Ronon's been on the run for seven years. She's stunned by the answer. On his own for that long.

Martin talks about the production difficulties of shooting the two "aliens" together, 'cuz Teyla's like 2 inches tall vs Ronon's 9 feet. Yeah, yeah. Hyperbole.

Teyla's curious. Why does Ronon think they do it. He doesn't know but figures it's sport, or training. Teyla had heard of Runners, but thought it was just stories and had never met one. And Ronon mentioned the dire consequences when he stayed in a village for just one night.

John's contacted Teyla over the radio and is about to send Carson in. John's pep talk isn't doing much to boost Carson's morale ... or feeling of safety. Gee, John, I've heard of Androcles and the Lion. [Many years ago, I was in the front row at the Shaw Festival when the actor playing Androcles approached me and asked if I'd like to take his place. When I declined, in a very ladylike manner, Androcles put on his most woe-begone face and agreed, in a sing-song voice, to be sacrificed.]

Anyway, John sends Carson into the Lion's ... er ... Ronon's den. He'll be right up there (top of the cave perhaps).

Carson gets introduced to Ronon. When Ronon removes his vest, Teyla eyes his necklaces. And Carson is horrified to see the scar, and his suspicions are confirmed that Ronon tried to cut it out, using a mirror, but couldn't quite reach.

They realized too late that they really should have shown the handprint scar on Ronon's chest.

While Carson's waving a diagnostic tool over Ronon's back, John's got Ronon's head in his scope. Ronon's refusing anaesthetic and won't lie down. Boy, stubborn patient or what!

Joe F is actually just lying about a foot off the ground, but they make us believe he's 50 feet in the air.

Uh ... how come it's dark where Rodney and Aiden are walking? When Aiden hears something, he pushes Rodney down and takes off.

Carson starts cutting into Ronon's back. Ronon's in pain and we see his gun waver. When Carson extracts it, Ronon finally falls over. Yes, he faints.

Supposedly, these are the kind of funny glasses that a surgeon would be wearing, to magnify, etc. David's making fun of him, saying Paul's out look for nightcrawlers ... worms. Yuck. Um ... why wasn't there blood, or did he use an Ancient cauterizing device or would a laser scalpel do the trick? Martin mentioned they used a special plastic prosthetic back for the surgery portion.

A couple of guys are approaching when Rodney pops up telling them not to shoot. And then Aiden knocks them out. That wasn't very nice. Rodney and Aiden throw "What the hell are you doing" back and forth at each other.

When Aiden says they can't trust them, Rodney's had it. He advances towards Aiden, gun raised high and demands he drop his weapons now. Woo-hoo, Rodney. You go. When Aiden raises his gun, Rodney actually does shoot him. And hits him in the arm. Aiden gets some of the blood on his fingers and just stares at them weirdly. Rodney turns and runs away. Quickly.

Comment 3B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Ronon's in the cave, lying on his side, covered by his coat. John, Teyla and Carson are talking when they hear gunshots. So John takes off in that direction.

Guess who? It's Rodney, running furiously and shooting bullets into the air until he comes up empty. And emits this odd shriek.

The guys near the 'jumper get back in as the gate is activated and at least three darts fly through. One of the guys radios John. When Teyla and Carson turn back to the cave, it's empty. No Ronon. Wow. Look at Carson with that long gun.

More talk about endless rain. Well, it's Vancouver and they've had ten years to get used to it. Also, according to Martin, "Paul doesn't know how to hold a gun". David adds, "Paul's not supposed to. You mean Beckett."

Rodney's still running and runs into a snare. Oops! Or should that be alley-oop as he goes swinging up into the air. It seems he's discovered a new exercise routine, twisting and turning upside down.

So David just ran at the camera and then threw himself backwards onto a mat. They cut to a stuntman being dragged up into the air. And then back to David suspended. Originally, Martin thought there was no way David would agree to do the stunt. Of course, David had to get mock-huffy, 'cuz when has he ever not agreed to do anything like that. So Martin agrees that, even when he thinks David won't, he does. Like in Seige II (in the satellite) or in Grace Under Pressure, "up to his eyeballs in water".

Teyla radios John to say that Ronon's gone and there's another way into the cave. He orders them back to the 'jumper.

Oh, great. There's Rodney, just hanging around when a very jovial Aiden comes up. It's not his snare. Rodney wants him to cut him down. But Aiden thinks he's "still" going to kill him. Rodney is so incensed by that. Just 'cuz he gave "super-Ford" a flesh wound, is that any reason?

Luckily Rodney's saved by the attack of a twirling-Ronon. We hear blades being drawn. And it's a rough fight.

They only had 40 minutes scheduled to shoot the fight sequence, using two stuntmen together, then one with Jason and one with Rainbow.

Finally John shows up. Yay. He warns Aiden, "Don't." I can't see clearly but wonder if Aiden was trying to pick up the P90. When John's distracted by the whine of darts overhead, Aiden runs away.

Okay, precious first impressions. Rodney's still twisting about and comes face to ... not face with Ronon. He's asking Ronon to get him down. Uh-oh. I don't think I like that feral grin on Ronon's face.

OMG. Before they shot David being strung up, he was sitting nearby, eating cod'n'chips. David said he had a "stomach of steel". Well, he got hung up and everything was just fine. Then Martin told BamBam to spin him and David "almost instantly got sick". David said, "I can't do spinning," so they had to cut him down. David could never do those merry-go-round things, either, 'cuz he'd throw up. But, still, Martin complimented him for his fortitude because he was "up there" for nearly a day. The funny thing is that Rainbow was cutting David off, so David got snappy with him. As that was the first meeting Jason had with David, Jason was actually a bit afraid of David, not wanting to mess with him. David thought that was something else, for Jason to be scared of a little guy like him. Then there's more about attacking people with "cod'n'chips and a lightsaber".

Comment 3C

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

John catches up to Aiden just as a culling beam goes by. John says he wants to help. Aiden's not buying it. John sees Aiden reaching for a gun (closeup shot) and shoots at him, saying he's not going to get off this planet. Then Aiden yells, "I'll show you. You'll see." And runs directly into the middle of a culling beam. John looks up. Waaaaay up.

And it's post-mission (I really want to say post-mortem again) time again. Oh, yay (or not). Stephen's pacing. And complaining they didn't stop Aiden. John protests, saying they tried to get the darts before they got through the gate with no luck, also that he shot him once and didn't stop him. Rodney chips in, saying he shot him, too (he's wearing one of his yummy short-sleeved science shirts that show off his arms).

So, Aiden wanted to be taken? Liz can't believe it. But John thinks Aiden figured it was the only way off the planet. Rodney pipes in about the "quality time" he had with Aiden and that he definitely was not "thinking straight". You think?

Well, Stephen's just delivered his verdict. "Now, thanks to you, he's in enemy hands with information that could compromise all of us." He then turns his back and walks off.

But John calls out that he doesn't think Aiden will give them away. Ooooh. Stephen turns back and smirks, "Thank you so much for your assurance, Colonel. I'll be sure to include your feelings in my report." Oh, man, things just keep getting more and more strained between these two. Four relieved sighs after he's left.

John walks into a room through clanging doors with a guard on the inside (who leaves). Ronon's inside, sitting up, resting. Huh. It looks like a combo mini-bedroom with a desk (desk-lamp) and wall to ceiling shuttered windows. When asked how he's doing, Ronon replies the place is "impressive". John's reply is cute. "Yeah, those Ancestors sure could build'em."

Ronon complains that the guards are "unnecessary". John doesn't agree, what with Ronon's "habit of taking people hostage and all". But Ronon declares, if he wants to escape, they won't be able to stop him. John quirks an assessing eyebrow. When Ronon says he wants to contact his home world, John replies that's why he's there.

Ronon doesn't understand what he's seeing on the huge viewscreen. Because it's nothing but devastation, courtesy of a MALP. Hmmm. I don't think I'd never heard of the planet's name being pronounced SatEEda before. John doesn't think anybody survived the last attack. Ronon stares at the screen some more, then gives him another look, before turning and walking out (along with his military escort). Liz and John look suitably downcast, too. And that's the end of the episode, accompanied by the steady echoing boom of a low drum.

Final thoughts:

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Final thoughts:
I'm really glad I took the (extra) time to listen to the audio commentary. I learned some interesting things and funny anecdotes.

I didn't care for all of the shooting, because it made things confusing every so often, especially when it was dark (and I don't care how impressed David Hewlett was with the quality of the finished product). Also, in the commentary, I learned that a couple of people were shot from the wrong side/angle (oops), so that didn't help me and my confusion.

We've gotten so used to this being the John'n'Rodney show and there's certainly nothing wrong about that. In fact, it's one of the highlights (the highlight?) of the show. However, what was really terrific about this episode is that there was snark from so many different people, expressed in a variety of ways. I think it was a terrific idea to have the scripts evolve this way.

Especially when one has to go through this episode on a minute-by-minute basis during the rewatch process, one can see how chock full of action it was. But the action was not at the expense of the dialogue.

The other important thing is that the team dynamics changed dramatically with the departure of Aiden and the introduction of Ronon. I felt TPTB didn't really know what to do with Ford's character and it really showed through Season 1. Either he was a puppy dog or he was a quick-thinking explosives expert. The different sides of him were too jarring. And there didn't seem to be any rapport between him and John as his superior. That may have been because of the different services (Marines vs Air Force) or lingering fallout of Sumner's death or ... who knows. Well, the gap in ages and experience could have played a huge part as well.

But having Ronon on the team didn't make it Earth heavy. If Teyla wasn't providing enough of a voice of reason for Pegasus, then Ronon was going to even things out. At the time, you also felt horrified to think that he was the ONLY survivor of Sateda. From the MALP pictures, we would have no reason to think otherwise. I believe that was a very important fact that needed to be there. In modern day terms, think of any current or recent battleground with only one survivor. It makes going on all the more ... intensely immediate.

Anyway, that's a wrap from me. My butt is killing me (no news there) and I'm going to eat my cereal and milk and hit the hay.

[rubygirl29.livejournal.com]

Epic. Totally. Lorne, the master of snark! Pretty blue eyes. So happy he stays around. :-)

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Wasn't it amazing? I couldn't do my usually review because I kept getting caught up in the action and dialogue. Ah wel.