Poisoning the Well Week

[em_kellesvig]

Given the information she had on the Hoffan drug, the threat of the Wraith, the fact that "Steve" was dying anyway, and her understanding of the Geneva Conventions, Elizabeth Weir made the final decision to turn "Steve" over to the Hoffans for medical experimentation.

Her reservations were noted but this decision would haunt the expedition long after her death.


Click for fullsize

"Poisoning the Well" 1x07

Comments

[spikespet7.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is one of many issue that haunts them.....and yet did it give them a slight upper hand in the war with the Wraith? It did cut the numbers down. But was it worth the loss of human life with it. It's one of those issues that some will say no and others say no.

Kimber

[em_kellesvig]

Hindsight is always 20/20 and there are solid arguments either way. The point is: she made the best decision she could given what she had. Even more, she made a decision and took responsibility for it. Gotta admire her for that, no matter the outcome.

[spikespet7.livejournal.com]

Oh I agree.......she did make the best decision for her and what she thought was best for the city. The only decision I never agreed with her on what letting John leave the city to follow the Chaya (Ancient priestess). By letting John go she endangered the city and the only strong ATA gene carrier that was not afraid to use it.

Kimber

[melagan.livejournal.com]

Weir made some tough decisions under pressure and she took responsibility.

She was too smart not to be aware that they could have consequences long after. After all, that's why it's a tough decision.

[em_kellesvig]

I liked that about Weir: as a diplomat, she was able to look at an issue from all sides and weigh the merits of each argument. As a leader, she was willing to make the tough calls and take responsibility for them.

Unfortunately, the Pegasus galaxy tended to bite back in ways even Weir couldn't anticipate. Still, isolated and alone, they couldn't have made a better choice than her to ride herd on the expedition and make those tough calls.

[patk.livejournal.com]

Aside from the ethical questions she had to consider when pondering this particular decision - nobody could have known the special kind of consequences that resulted from the decisions regarding the Hoffan drug.

She decided to the best of her knowledge and abilities. Nobody could demand more and I would not want to be in her shoes when it comes to questions like that.

[em_kellesvig]

I wouldn't either. As I said, she took everything into account and made the decision. No waffling, no second guessing. That's leadership.

And as you said, no one could have known the fallout as the Hoffans themselves were the wild card, willing to take unimaginable risks.

Only hindsight gives us such a clear view of what this meant in the long run.