Rewatch: Condemned
Nov. 18th, 2011 10:01 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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sga_squeeThe puddle jumper arrives on a planet that neither Teyla nor Ronon have visited before. They land near an abandoned campfire, only to find themselves under attack by the indigenous people. They are rescued by a flying vehicle that escorts them to a city of the advanced Olesians. Their magistrate tells the stargate is on a prison island, where only the most violent criminals are sent. According to him this has kept the Wraith away from the city for centuries. He tells McKay their scientists have recently found a mineral that is fissionable, but does not produce any radioactivity. McKay is very interested and the magistrate seems willing to trade. While the jumper returns to get Dr. Weir for the negotiations, the prisoners open fire. They manage to shoot it down. [Poll #1796136]
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Commentary 1A
Date: 2011-11-19 03:22 am (UTC)Okay, it's nice to have a different opening, such as Teyla with John in the front 'jumper seats. So ... they take turns being the passenger to John's driving?
According to Rodney, no recent settlements on this world, but Ronon spots smoke from a campfire. Rodney concedes the point to Ronon. Was that a bemused look on Ronon's face? Welcome to the team, big guy!
::giggles:: Hey, is Ronon the Benton Fraser of SGA ... tasting stuff? So Rodney thinks that Ronon should be ... Goldilocks instead? First porridge, then bed. Ooooh. Bed. [Yup, I'm tired.] Oh, I love being prescient, because John just called Rodney "Goldilocks"!
Well, it was time for an ambush anyway. John offers their new unfriendly friends a peaceful solution. They'll ... uh ... just leave. Even though they'll be hampered by Ronon who was struck in the leg. What? It wasn't Rodney?
But this is unexpected. A craft appears and hovers overhead, blowing the attackers off their feet. [They must have used a trampoline to get people that high in the air.] The team takes the opportunity to reach the safety of the jumper. Though it's intriguing to see that one of the attackers is shown looking at them retreating with a thoughtful look on his face. Hmmm.
As soon as they power up the 'jumper, they're "hailed" by the "security" ship that tells them to follow it to the city. Hey, another adventure awaits our new team. Of course, John has to emphasize, "That's how you make new friends." Well, we'll see if he's right or not. Right after the opening credits. BTW, Jason M. and Paul McG. are in the credits, just before David H.
So ... Olesia, huh? The team introduce themselves to Marin who's waiting to greet them. [Um ... does it not strike anyone else rather stupid to introduce themselves by their formal titles that are from ... Earth and might not translate perfectly, instead of by names and what they actually do? That's been bugging me for years. Gah.]
Ah, so they were detected as being on an island with "hostile" prisoners. Yeah, you could definitely say that. They're all walking and talking about the penal colony, the fact that the Stargate is ON that island. Why is Marin walking in such a quick and definitely robotic fashion? And, yes, the Stargate's location is a problem, so they've had to become almost entirely self-sufficient. Curioser and curioser.
Anyway, Marin leads them to the Magistrate. Well, he looks pompous enough to be one. Aww, see John talking about how sad they are now that they've lost their home of Atlantis. [And another bug for me: why do they go around in perfect-looking uniforms when their home has been destroyed? Wouldn't it make sense to be wearing more diverse clothing?]
Rodney gets them back on track about how the Olesians have managed to escape the attention of the Wraith considering their technological advancements. Uh-oh. Whenever anyone says, "The Wraith have chosen to leave us alone," you know there's a big lie there. Or a condition. Thank you, John, for asking the obvious. Why, indeed. Well, gee, golly, the Magistrate doesn't know the answer to that one. ::rolls eyes:: Oh, wait. Sure he does. The Wraith come through that oh-so-centrally located Stargate on the island (that's also a penal colony) and are so "satiated", they don't need to approach the mainland. Kinda convenient, huh? Whoa. The looks that Rodney and John give each other. Be very wary, everybody.
Comment 1B
Date: 2011-11-19 03:29 am (UTC)Um ... "civilized and hospitable people". Can I spit at my computer screen the next time his face appears on it? The team sure looks mighty uncomfortable just being in his presence.
Now the Magistrate is taking them on the 50-cent tour. Rodney's questioning of "fissionable yet non-radioactive material" adds to our suspicions.
When John says they're due to return to the 'jumper because it's time to check in, the Magistrate so graciously offers to allow them to use one of the relay stations. Private conversation? No problem. Can I roll my eyes again?
Hello, floating Atlantis and Liz. Trade. Really? Of course, John brings up "the minor moral hiccough of their form of capital punishment". Well, that got Liz's attention. So Rodney steps in to 'splain it. And adds his own rather barbaric preferences. Really, Rodney? The electric chair? Yuck. Why does John have that smile on his face? Wow. Even Ronon thinks it's a practical solution. John adds that the colony is only for the most violent criminals. Oh, thank goodness, Teyla's there to ask the important questions, whether they kill their most violent criminals on Earth. Um ... Rodney, only "certain countries"? Anyway, John doesn't want to talk about it right now. Well, Liz thinks they do, if they're going to do any business with these people.
Back in the Magistrate's chambers, the team says they'd like to discuss "possible trade opportunities". Oh, the jovial Magistrate says they're "very open". Why do I feel the shark's mouth yawning, its sharp teeth looking very, very dangerous?
Finally the 'jumper's in the air and flying back towards a far better place. Rodney mentions he's "creeped out". John's a bit more blasé. He says that politicians are "all creepy". Well, yeah, I'd agree there, but these people seem extra creepy.
Okay, so there's something up. The jumper is in fact flying towards the Stargate on the island and the "prisoners" below are going to try to fire on it. With a home-made cannon. All the while Rodney is babbling about Margaret Thatcher and his remarkably hirsute aunt.
Uh-oh. The ship's damaged and going down. They make it as far as a heavily treed part of the island. The prisoners raise their arms, rejoicing and yelling, and start forward to find the downed craft.
Our team are slightly banged up. Um, why are there no seatbelts on any craft. Do they think that inertial dampeners will never fail or other malfunctions occur (the old Starship Enterprise question)? As the gate will still be open for a few minutes, they exit the 'jumper. And are ambushed – again – by the prisoners. [I think this was a very bad tactical move, John. You might have had some protection in the 'jumper, but no guarantee of getting through the Stargate.] Unfortunately, they're forced to surrender. In the meantime, the prisoners are having a party going through their weapons. Um ... prisoner-guy, next time you aim that launcher, have the business end pointed in the other direction.
Our team is waiting in a cabin when the prison leaders enter. John's trying to negotiate. After all, their people will come looking for them ... with superior firepower. So, what do the prisoners want. They already took their weapons and now they'll just take the "ship". Um ... the one they just shot down? No problem. 'Cuz they're going to make Rodney fix it. Oh, yay. Rodney makes a MacGyver joke. The prisoners' leader is not impressed. So he shows Rodney a little motivation, with a blast. Okay, so it's a lot of motivation, aka a huge crater in the wall behind them.
Ronon looks frustrated, 'cuz he'd really like to take these people on. And John has that hopeful look on his face and encourages a panic-stricken Rodney to fix it. Rodney, in a small voice, agrees. "Good idea." Yeah, yeah. The leader's SO persuasive. Then they grab Rodney who was tied with a pole through the inner crooks of his elbows.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-19 03:35 am (UTC)It's a primitive settlement - fabric covered homes, cooking fires, etc. Ronon tastes it, and Rodney gets snarky, referencing Goldilocks. then John has to get in on the fun. Of course, they get ambushed at this point. Bad shots. Our team all unprepared, and the natives only hit once. Ronon's ankle. Ouch.
John doesn't like the natives' way of making friends, and says they'll leave, but the natives keep them pinned, until a ship arrives. Our team makes it to their jumper, and the other ship leads them to the planet's city.
Man, that woman who meets them walks as if her feet are bound, or as if she's hobbled at the knees.
The Magistrate is a smarmy dude. He freely admit the Wraith don't bother his people because of the penal colony they put on the island where the Stargate is. Which means the Wraith feed on the prisoners.
Right there, I remember my hackles rising as soon as I heard that. I wondered how much of a criminal population they had, and if it wasn't enough, what would the society start declaring crimes. Sick.
The Magistrate claims to be the most civilized people, with the crime rate at virtually nil, but the Atlantean team members don't seem too impressed with his claims.
Comment 2A
Date: 2011-11-19 03:40 am (UTC)Back in enemy territory, all sorts of stuff seems to be being looted from the 'jumper. In the cabin, our three heroes are having trouble getting free of their restraints. So it's not just the pole under the arms, it's the sturdy stake in the ground behind each person as well. John's not surprised that convicts would know "the best way to tie people up". Ronon's already planning to get even. John says the first thing Ronon has to do is to free them. And then they're getting out of there. [Awww. But Mom! I wanna kill them first.] See Ronon's rage building.
Uh-oh. Ronon's being hyper-critical of John. Does he not believe that the weapons systems were damaged? Anyway, John's telling Ronon to "knock it off" and Ronon wants to know if that's an order. Whoa. John's reply is priceless. "I am beat up, tied up and couldn't order a pizza right now if I wanted to but, if you need it to be, yeah, it's an order." Wow, I didn't know that John could snarl that way. It's a good thing that Ronon accepts it.
In the meantime, Rodney's having an argument with PL (since I don't know the name of the prisoners' leader, that's what I'll call him). So, Rodney, why no power? Well, duh. Crash because of being hit with explosives. Where'd the explosives come from? Eldon made them. And here he is, a rather nervous scientist, falsely accused and sentenced. They're supposed to get it to work together.
Rodney gets what's probably a much-quoted assessment he's heard many times before, but this time from PL. Rodney's the "type of man, despite being weak and cowardly on the outside, harbours a strength of character he doesn't know he has". Of course that confuses Rodney, 'cuz was there a compliment hidden in there? Besides, why threaten Rodney's life when PL can threaten the lives of the other three?
Now we get that yummy shot of Rodney reaching overhead in his short-sleeved science shirt. [Yes, I have a Rodney-arm-fetish. I don't think I'm the only one, lol. I need a new icon, stat!]
Back on Atlantis (heralded with a surging militaristic sound), Evan and Liz are just about to take off. She's ordering stealth-mode the moment they're through. Very wise precaution. They're lucky also that the prisoners heard the activation but didn't see anything come through.
Rodney's getting a little testy with a chatty Eldon.
Back in the pillage-village, PL has just discovered two radios and activated both, hearing only static.
Eldon's conversing with Rodney about the cannon and professes his innocence which Rodney scoffs at.
Rodney gets some bad news. The main power distribution conduit to a whole bunch of systems, including the dialing device, has been damaged. As the island itself has no DHD, that's a problem. It can't be fixed; it needs to be replaced.
Um, well, that means that Rodney's stuck there. And we get a name for the PL. It's Torell (sp?) who'll make sure that Rodney and team are the first course on the Wraith menu. Ack. Rodney's eyes dart about as he contemplates his way-too-soon eventual death.
Comment 2B
Date: 2011-11-19 03:45 am (UTC)Liz and Evan are strolling with the smug Magistrate and his aide Marin. Well, if John didn't go back home, so maybe they went through the ring to another planet. Why, isn't that Magistrate so helpful? ::growls at computer screen::
I didn't expect Marin to jump in with a really helpful suggestion, to search the island. Well, this is going to get awkward. When Evan proposes joining them in the search, the Magistrate says he would advise against it, because the island is extremely dangerous. That gets a raised eyebrow from Liz and an exchange of assessing looks between her and Evan.
Back in the hut-of-doom, Ronon thinks he's loosening the restraints. John calls him "Chewie" and tells him to be careful, otherwise he'll cut his hands off. Luckily, Eldon's just snuck in with a big knife. He'll help them if they help him. When Rodney protests he can't fix the ship, John insists he can. Hey, who's in charge here? Well, John tells Rodney he really sucks "at lying".
So Rodney comes up with a last-ditch plan. Can't fix the ship but may be able to "cobble together" a DHD so they can walk through the gate.
Only one new problem. As soon as Eldon cuts through Ronon's ropes, Ronon's got the knife at Eldon's neck. But John convinces him to let Eldon go, 'cuz they made a deal. As they all leave the cabin, is that a radio I see on the floor?
Luckily, John halts the trek back to the 'jumper. He thinks everything's being way too easy. They're in the bushes close to the jumper and scrutinizing all of the trees surrounding it. [I can't see what's happening but presume there's rustling in the bushes near the trees, indicating people hiding there.] Why does nobody pay attention to what Eldon says, namely "I didn't know anything about this, I swear"?
When John says they'll have the "element of surprise" on their side, Ronon remarks he thought John was afraid to fight. Nah, John's "just naturally lazy" but will if he has to.
So, "in a perfect world", Rodney would need two days to rig the DHD but, "right now, ten minutes, give or take"! As they're planning a diversion to get the prisoners away from the 'jumper, they get a big surprise themselves, hearing the chevrons locking and a visit from the friendly local neighbourhood Wraith. At least the 'jumper is now unguarded.
Comment 3A
Date: 2011-11-19 03:56 am (UTC)Oh, Evan's got such a worried look on his face. And Liz – a suspicious one on hers.
Ugh-ugh-ugh. The Magistrate is pouring a glass of something and offering it to a Wraith, along with a really good deal. Whoa. Look at all of the food on the table. Not surprising, as the Magistrate looks as if he likes to eat well. Courtesy of the new chef. What happened to the old chef? Well, Mr. Wraith mentions "he proved to be far more appetizing than the meals he prepared". That gets a nervous giggle from the Magistrate.
It's weird to watch the Wraith swallow real food. More like choking it down. We also get an explanation of hibernation. This Wraith says that, while others have had to sleep between cullings, he's "enjoyed a steady stream of humans" for his consumption because of the special "arrangement" with this Magistrate and his predecessors.
As much as this works for one Hive, the Wraith explains that more Hives are awakening, more than is currently sustainable. Though, as the island's population keeps getting smaller, the Wraith needs to know whether he'll need to feed from the main landmass population. Of course the rat-bastard Magistrate says he'll fix things. [Right? Parking ticket? It's off to the island with you.]
The team hear the gate engage and a single dart goes back through it. Teyla wonders why it didn't cull anybody, but Ronon said it headed for the mainland when it first went through. Ronon's using his very observant tracking skills.
John's asking Rodney for a status update. It's "slower than I expected but faster than humanly possible". So, of course, John has to ask if there's any chance of getting power to the cloak. While he's at it, Rodney snaps at John, would John like a snack, "maybe a nice sandwich"? "Only if it's humanly possible" is John's answer. Well, that sets Rodney off on a 100 mph rant, that it'll still be a "miracle" if he gets the DHD working and the power will be "intermittent at best". Oh, John's so helpful (NOT), remindng Rodney that, since the Wraith have gone, Torell will be back with all of their weapons.
Back in a room in the city, Marin comes through the door. Okay, not an official visit. She tells Liz and Evan they should leave because the Magistrate just rescinded orders for rescue teams to go back to the island. Why? She continues, saying that several arrests have been made for unspecified violations, to be sent to the island to increase its population. Evan says what doesn't need to be said. "To keep the Wraith fed."
Marin says she can't stay quiet any longer. But they're all interrupted by el creepo Magistrate who says they're all lies and that she's seeding fear not only among her own people but also their guests.
Marin wants to know why so many people are being arrested and gets a textbook response. "Your job is not to question the actions of this government." He orders her arrested on charges of – oh so conveniently – treason. Of course she'll get a fair trial. ::rolls eyes again:: I love the blasé reaction from Evan. "So that's a yes."
Liz gets brave. She asks what else is considered "a serious offence" around there. "Anything that threatens the welfare of the Olesian people." Well, I guess that would be the Magistrate, then. Bingo, Liz. Not the people's welfare, but the Magistrate's. Liz is warned to watch her words. Not a threat, merely advice, from one ally to another. Ugh. Can we have new allies, please? Yay, Liz. She's just "rescinded" this alliance.
When Liz says they're leaving, the Magistrate harrumphs. So, what – is he arresting them, too? Yay, for weapons-ready Evan, with his P90 up in a flash, along with those of his cohorts. Awww. The Magistrate is forced to back down. And Liz walks out as proud as a queen with her entourage behind her. Yay Liz! It's good to see her in an active role.
Back in 'jumper territory, Ronon's still keeping watch. He reports, "The party's over." John's sad, 'cuz they were having "such a good time".
Comment 3B
Date: 2011-11-19 04:04 am (UTC)They rush to hide in nearby bushes and Teyla makes her own bantos sticks. John tries to imitate her and just conks his knee instead. That branch is too thick, John. So, he chooses an even thicker one, to use as a cudgel. Hey, it works! Unfortunately, their early success changes quickly when they're surrounded again, with bows and arrows and their own (former) weapons. ::sighs::
Of course, that's when Rodney has to finally fix it and yells out that they're ready to go. But the only person who hears is Torell and his henchmen. More panic-stricken looks on Rodney's face.
So, it's a tense negotiation. Torell wants the team to take them along home. John says nothing doing. Torell reminds him that they've got weapons pointed at their heads. John points out that they'll kill them as soon as they've gone through the gate anyway.
Sorry to interrupt, guys, but Rodney's just spotted a Wraith cruiser flying overhead. Luckily, Evan's HUD confirms that, too. But that's not all, there's several more "on approach outside the atmosphere". Hey, who sent out the party invitations?
Liz orders stealth mode and finding the team before the Wraith do.
While the prisoners are distracted, 'cuz they've never seen a cruiser, Ronon knocks one of them out and is weapon-to-weapon with Torell. John intervenes, telling Rodney to dial the gate. Well, John, Rodney's trying but there's a big problem. He can't dial out because he's lost power to the DHD. If only they'd gone immediately, he whines. So John asks if he can get power to a drone instead. Torell suggests they shoot the cruiser down. What? With their pea-shooters? Teyla says they don't have anything powerful enough to do the job. When Rodney gets power to a drone, John explodes it against the forward section of the cruiser.
But Evan and Liz spot the drone hit. John thinks it'll either buy them some time or piss the Wraith off. Better yet, Liz comes onto the radio currently in Torell's hand and says the Wraith cruiser was damaged and is leaving the area. Yay, they've been found. But there are two more cruisers incoming. Can't our team ever get a break?
Torell hands John the radio. Where is she? Oh, just cloaked and directly above them. I like that answer. John asks Liz to dial the Alpha site. When the gate engages, most of the prisoners rush in eagerness to get off the island. Torell is skeptical. Well, John tells him he can either stay on the island or go with the rest of them. But he's not coming home with them. When Eldon makes a noise, John waves him off. Yes, he can come home with them. Yay. That's cute. We see Torell backing away, hurrying after the others. Smart move, for a change. John tells Liz to shut the gate down as soon as the last person has gone through, then to dial Atlantis and to stay in stealth mode. I know John's up to something. So do Liz and Evan as they glance at each other.
Another cruiser's just shown up. They dial Atlantis and Liz tells the team to head to the gate. Okay, explosions going off just on the heels of the team. That's an awfully long distance to run in plain sight, being chased by a ::shudders:: Wraith cruiser. They've just made it through when the last explosion lands at the edge of the wormhole. [Okay, nitpicking time: should they not have destroyed the 'jumper before running to the gate? Or asked Evan to do so once they're through?]
Evan confirms they're through. Liz sags in relief. I think she'd rather be at her nice safe desk right about now. Finally, we see the cruiser turn ponderously and guess whom it's visiting. Yup, a very worried-looking Magistrate who brings up a hand to his mouth in anticipated horror. As his hand drops away, we see his wide-open mouth. Everything else is left to the imagination with the closing credits.
Closing thoughts:
Date: 2011-11-19 04:15 am (UTC)The creep-factor and juxtaposition of prisoners in rags vs nicely-dressed and well-fed city dwellers (well, at least ONE well-fed Magistrate) is prominent. [Hey, wasn't there a Star Trek TOS episode like that?] Seems there are more than a few societies that use parts of their populations, if not for Wraith nummy treats, then as labourers in dangerous conditions. Yeah, yeah, the human condition has many examples of misery and betrayal, no matter which galaxy we're in.
It was a relief having an action-packed episode to watch, because my hands needed a break from typing all of that fabulous dialogue from last week. Though this week's wasn't a slouch, either. The "sandwich" comments especially. Or John's response to Ronon about not being able to order in a pizza!
I think it was cute that they rescued Eldon to take him back to Atlantis. [Look, Mom, I found a pet. Can I keep him, pleeeeeeease?]
Also, there's very important dialogue that I'm going to have to remember in the context of next week's episode. It's crucial. [Nyahaha. I can be such a tease.]
Anyway, this week was a blast to watch and comment on. As a personal admission, I'd forgotten the names of so many worlds (or who the main characters were), so it's terrific to be getting reacquainted with them. Maybe I'll remember more names this time around.
See you all next week. Same bat-time, same bat-channel.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-19 04:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-19 04:37 am (UTC)I missed the snark between Rodney and John the first time through - or didn't realize the significance. Rodney answers Teyla, saying that some countries have a capital punishment for criminals, and John asks if they have to get into it right now. I just realized/remembered that Canada (Rodney's country) doesn't allow capital punishment, where the USA (John's country) does. Hee!
Elizabeth decides to talk to the Olesians about trade. The Magistrate is pleased, and he strikes me as so creepy.
John and his team head to the Jumper to go back to Atlantis to get Elizabeth. On the way, the prisoners attack, damaging the jumper, and eventually making it crash. Everyone is okay, although Rodney is a little worried that he's bleeding.
They disembark, and are quickly surrounded by the criminals. John hopes he didn't crash-land on anyone. *G* I love his attitude when faced with adversity.
The criminals are experimenting with the weapons they confiscated/stole. They 'persuade' Rodney to fix the jumper they shot down.
Back on Atlantis, Elizabeth is worried, and has Lorne assembling a team for a rescue mission.
On Olesia, Rodney is trying to figure out what's wrong with the jumper. There are quite a few popular references in this one - Goldilocks already happened, and now MacGyver, then Star Wars. I missed one.
Ronon likes to follow orders. That's good thing to know. This is out of order, but I just remembered that Ronon made Sheppard make something an order, otherwise he wouldn't do as he was told.
Eldon cuts the team lose, and Ronon threatens to kill him, but Sheppard tells him to let Eldon go because they had a deal. They leave the hut where they were being held, but there was a walkie talkie in the on position hidden in some still coiled rope.
So Torell heard what was happening, and heard Rodney say there was a remote chance that he could do something to get them off planet.
The team heads to the jumper, but they spot an ambush. eldon is surprised by it, but a Wraith dart comes through the gate, and the criminals scatter.
Sorry if this seems choppy - I've had some computer difficulties tonight, or maybe LJ difficulties. A couple of my comments have disappeared. So, I'm doing some by memory as I don't have the time to go back an re-rewatch. *g
no subject
Date: 2011-11-19 05:00 am (UTC)We see Wraith eating for the first time (I think), and he can't swallow properly, That is interesting. He also mentions how his species has branched off, but some of his kind still enjoy the 'finer things in life.' Is this the first hint that we've had that the Wraith are related to humans? I'm losing track of what we've learned when.
John is pushing Rodney to fix the jumper faster, and Rodney is not responding well to it, or to the reminder of what's at stake. *g*
Back at the island, Maren is concerned about all of her people that are being arrested, and why her orders to continue the search for Elizabeth's people have been rescinded. The Magistrate comes in and arrests her, too.
Elizabeth is not impressed, and decides that their alliance is reminded. She stands up to the Magistrate with impressive dignity. I love how the Atlantean soldiers behind her react to her tone of voice.
Back at the jumper, Ronon notices that the criminals are starting to regroup and come back. Ronon, Teyla, and John run to head them off, and to give Rodney a little more time to work on the repairs.
They are kicking ass when the criminals come out with the Atlantean weapons. It stops our warriors cold. Stand off.
And then a Wraith cruiser shows up. John convinces Torell that is all the criminals get away, the cruiser will head to the mainland. Torell likes that option. There is difficulty, or course, but Elizabeth shows up in a second jumper, and the gate is dialed to one of Atlantis's back-up worlds.
The criminals all leap through, and then the gate is redialed for Atlantis. John's team leaps through, with fire from the cruiser dodging their every step. They make it through by the skin of their teeth.
The last sight we have is the cruiser showing up outside the Magistrate's office. I don't feel sorry for him at all. I wish we could have known if Maren was alright. She was taken away, but it's the last we saw of her.
The snark in this episode is marvelous, and I enjoyed the premise of of the episode as well. Best of all, was the backbone shown by so many of the characters. I love it when they get all BAMF.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-19 05:17 am (UTC)I missed John's comment about hoping he didn't land on anyone. That's a really good one.
And I'm still a bit surprised by Rodney's nostalgic mutterings about forms of capital punishment. Considering that ... hold on, I'll check in another window ... the last time people were executed in Canada was 1962, well before Rodney's character was born (and officially abolished in 1976), I'm wondering if Rodney's romanticizing about it is just another dig at the U.S. system of the way they handle justice, as opposed to the more seemingly kinder way in Canada.
Now that I've had time to think of it, I'm sure it must be. I think the reason I didn't spot it before is that Rodney was speaking much too dreamily, without the pay-attention-I'm-insulting-your-people tone of voice that is much more common when he's trying to get a particular point across. Especially when he's referring to morons or idiots.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-19 05:25 am (UTC)As to the "finer things in life", I'm flashing back to Rising where we see the Wraith Queen and that table with lots of food on it (and a dried-out human husk in the other chair). So, even though they fed, the idea of eating people-food (i/o people as food) could have been entertaining to them. Like, in between courses, I'll have a nibble from the table.
What I'm hoping for regarding Marin (Maren?) is that the Magistrate lied about the fair trial, yadda-yadda, and just had her dropped off on the island and that she managed to escape. I'd really like to think that her getting a conscience was being rewarded with a chance to live. ::crosses fingers::
I only recently learned what BAMF means. ::giggles:: It's neat when you can say something rude but in sekrit language.
Re: Commentary 1A
Date: 2011-11-24 04:47 pm (UTC)does it not strike anyone else rather stupid to introduce themselves by their formal titles that are from ... Earth and might not translate perfectly, instead of by names and what they actually do? That's been bugging me for years. Most definitely. I've thought that way ever since the Pilot, when they introduce themselves with titles to Teyla and her people. Of course, telling them what they do might require just as much explaining to a culture that isn't very technological (such as Teyla's people). Idk.
why do they go around in perfect-looking uniforms when their home has been destroyed? Wouldn't it make sense to be wearing more diverse clothing? I don't remember now, but was their lie seem like a planned one, or was it spur of the moment because they weren't expecting the question?
Re: Comment 2A
Date: 2011-11-24 04:59 pm (UTC)To me, Ronon was trying to suss out John's leadership. A test if you will. Ronon is former military himself, and I don't think he'd follow a weak commander, not after everything he's been through, anyway. He needs to know that John can lead. John gives an order and sticks to his guns, even in the face of Ronon's displeasure.
As a slash fan, I can tell you I found the scene quite titillating. *g*