Rewatch: Adrift

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

[Poll #1856783]

Comments

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad my class is over. I haven't been able to participate in weeks. I just wish I wasn't coming in on a second part, but I only turned in my last assignment about five minutes ago (I love online classes *g*), and I don't want to miss anymore.

Keller has a great idea for curing Elizabeth, but also very creepy considering what the nanites did to her last time. She goes to McKay with it. As much as I'd love to see Elizabeth saved, I was with John in turning them down.

I enjoyed seeing Radek going out in space suits with John. I remember how scared Radek was when he first went on a mission to a planet (I think it was the one where McKay wound up with a woman sharing his body). He's come a long way since then - not freaking out about the 'jump' across that chasm, not wanting to leave when his suit was punctured and he was bleeding.

I didn't think they were properly scared about the micro-asteroids, though. I'd have thought John would be urging Radek to mover faster, or something. Still, that was quite a shot of the broken city.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Man, I thought that episode seemed too short and started too abruptly. I was starting it over again to re-rewatch, and realized that I must have somehow started well into the episode. I thought it had seemed an abrupt beginning because it is a Part 2. I didn't' even notice I didn't see the credits *headdesk* Anyway...

Bad news after bad news - they're bleeding power, Elizabeth is critical and getting worse, and Rodney can't fix the power drain. It's kind of cool how they link the control rooms problems with Elizabeth down in sickbay - Atlantis is draining power, and Elizabeth's life is draining away.

Neither may make it to see another day is a solution isn't found very quickly. I've never thought of this before, but I wonder how John deals with being helpless so often? He's often having to wait for the scientists to save the day. Of course, he often helps, but certainly not always. Especially in this episode.

In the part I've already seen, he has to wait to Radek to rewire some things, and in this beginning part he's having to wait to Rodney and his teams to shut systems down. I've just had to pause the episode - the shields are failing and at least three men are potentially going to run out of atmosphere. They're running for their lives, and I know at least one won't make it. Having seen the ep once before, I remember that much, but don't remember if its one or all three. It's also what made me thing about John. He's having to watch men under his command try and make it back to Atlantis proper, but he can't do anything other than tell Rodney to stop the shield from collapsing.

Oh, God! It was all three, and of course, they had to be close to safety when it happened. The faces of the people in the control room - so painful to watch.

Of course, after the horribleness of the last scene, we get a bit of whimsy. Samantha Carter and Bill Lee are working in zero G, and Bill has the sneezes - which sends him into a bit of a tailspin. However, the whimsy is soon over, as Sam gets the first inkling something is wrong when she gets a report from the Apollo.

Oh, I forgot to mention - I did like the bit with McKay saying he'd give John the 'Coles Notes' version of what was going wrong with Atlantis and the power drain, and John was confused until McKay referred to them as Cliff Notes.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth is not doing well. Ronon was hurt about the same time Elizabeth was, only much less severely, and he's been in sickbay too. We saw him earlier with a piece of shrapnel he tries to take out himself, and now he's getting a report on how E is doing. Her brain is swelling too much, and they might have to cut out a part of her skull to make room.

Okay, I think I might be confused because of the way I've watched this episode. Rodney is shrinking down the shield to the city, to save power, but I thought the city had already shut down the shield to at least part of Atlantis and that why we lost those three men earlier.

Ack! They are prepping E for surgery - shaving off her said, and leaving a place for them to cut. I think that might be down only for dramatic effect. I've known a few people to have surgery on their brains, and they didn't' have to cut much hair, just a thin swath around where the incision was made. Still...Eek!

Lordy, I'm having trouble watching this, and they aren't even showing much. Poor Elizabeth. John head to the infirmary after more bad news from Rodney, only to get all the bad news on E's condition. John is not a happy camper, but he is holding himself together.

On the other hand, McKay gets goo news from Radek, and he has about five seconds to enjoy it before something else happens - Atlantis is heading straight for an asteroid belt. How unfair is the universe being, right now. I mean, good grief!

So, John orders everyone with the Ancient gene to meet him in the jumper bay. I was a little confused as to why the technician in that scene waited until Rodney told him to follow the order. I'm not sure if I saw that wrong or interpreted it wrong, because it just doesn't make sense.

John tells the Ancient gene people his plan, and they are less then enthusiastic. Rodney gives them the endgame scenario and John gives him a really dirty look. I guess it's because he was so blunt, but it seemed to be what they needed to hear.

They go out, and do a damn respectable job clearing space of the asteroids. I was actually very impressed that none of them crashed into each other.

Of course they didn't get everything, and when they get back to Atlantis Rodney has another two seconds or so to think everything is hunky dory before he and John are summoned to the control room. Apparently, Radek's work was destroyed by an asteroid that got through.

And...I'm back where I started. Man, I really did miss a ton. I don't know why it started 26 minutes in, instead of at the beginning.

I'll have to finish tomorrow. It's getting late.

Comment 1A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Sorry I wasn't around last night. I watched it once in the early afternoon and, as there was no audio commentary, thought I'd rewatch it again and comment in the evening. But I was just too out of it.

It's a pretty scary and yet controlled opening because only Liz has been affected so gravely (yes, even with Ronon's yucky penetration with shattered debris).

Poor Rodney is being split into several areas of responsibility (or people wish he could be).

I love that weird back-and-forth between Ronon and the doctor before I'm brought back to the harsh reality of Elizabeth being wheeled into the infirmary.

Now it's Radek's turn to try to help Rodney figure out why they're losing power. So not good news. At least their famous mind-reading shorthand is working terrifically.

This is also the first evidence we have of Rodney simply taking over unilaterally without consulting the only other major city head, namely John. There's a bit of clever scene shifting as the doctors are trying to save Liz while Rodney's trying to save the city.

Interesting to see Teyla as the voice of reason (and necessary questions) beside John and Rodney. I'm always pleased when she's involved in command functions.

Back in the infirmary, the news is not good and the music reflects it in the plaintive melody. The music continues as we switch back to the control room where Rodney figures they'll be lucky to make it through the night before rising in intensity as John stares ahead. And cue opening credits.

Even though the situation is dire, it's lovely to see our golden snow globe flying through space.

John approaches Rodney and mentions in a softer voice that Rodney's been making all of the decisions and, with Liz incapacitated ... Rodney breaks in and acknowledges that John's in charge. Interesting to see that all John is asking for is to be kept informed. So Rodney's ready to give him the Cole's Notes version (Cliff Notes for Canadians!). Though John doesn't want it any dumber than it has to be. ::giggles:: But Rodney's explanation is still confusing John. Still, he's so optimistic, hoping to stave off imminent death for another hour or so.

Just as Rodney's trying to explain things, Atlantis takes things into her own hands, starting to shrink the circumference of the shield. But there are people out on the outer areas. What happens next is tension-filled (and captured perfectly by the urgent music) as the three men try to rush to safety. Once again, Teyla's the first to speak the unspeakable truth, that the men aren't going to make it. John wants Rodney to stop it, but Rodney is powerless. If he interferes, the shield could collapse completely.

Comment 1B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

There's effective juxtaposition of watching the men running and watching the display in the control room. Because of the hopelessness of the situation, we get the first bit of anger creeping into the dialogue between John and Rodney. But soon there are only three stunned grave faces staring at the display that shows the men's life signs blink out, one by one.

John's voice is low, filled with the controlled intensity we've seen him exhibit during other crises. As he leaves, I see Chuck behind Rodney. His face is understandably grave, too, exhibiting a deep frown.

Okay, this is a change of pace. We're seeing a floating space station. The music is respectful, full of awe and serene. We see the spiral of the Milky Way in one direction. Things are equally serene inside, too. Hi, Sam! Unfortunately, Col. Carter's partner on the station, Dr. Bill Lee, isn't so serene. He's just thrown up. He obviously can't handle the weightlessness.

They're interrupted by the Pegasus gate dialling in. It's Col. Abe Ellis on the Apollo. He sounds really wooden as he relays the info that Atlantis escaped from the beam but hasn't shown up at the rendezvous point. Really, he's sounding like a robot.

Speaking of the missing snowglobe, there it is again, flying in space.

Ronon walks over to look at Liz. The doctor mentions that her brain is swelling and they may need to perform a decompressive cranialectomy. That sounds scary.

John and Rodney meet. After discussing Liz's situation, Rodney suggests they collapse the shield down to the tower. He sounds pretty desperate (and weary) about it. John agrees to it. Immediately we see the shield compress from a half-globe until it's just covering the tall central tower.

Back in the infirmary, Dr. Keller has decided to perform the procedure. We see Liz's hair being shaved off. I've read that this seemed to be excessive, as it's usually enough to just cut away the hair from the part of the skull that will be removed. But, hey, it's not the first time TPTB have been medically inaccurate.

Then things get weird, what with strange clamps being attached, etc. The music's tentative, almost as if it's counting or pacing.

Comment 2A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Back to Rodney walking with Teyla and John: I guess they're having a meeting while they're walking. Rodney says he has two good pieces of news. First he knows where they are, not that it'll do them much good. And there's nothing wrong with the hyperdrive, just no power reaching it.

Rodney shows them a gauge on the screen. If the conduits get fixed, then they'll be able to escape into hyperspace. But, if the power drops below a certain level, they're screwed. John does his patented determined stare.

John then visits Ronon who's lying (bored) on a bed in the infirmary. Then Jennifer interrupts John to bring him up to date on Liz's condition. It's not good, as they watch her unresponsive features on the monitors. Jennifer says that, with the brain swelling, if Liz survives, she'll never be the same because of massive brain damage. The music is tender and delicate, emphasizing Liz's frail condition. Once again, John is left staring after Jennifer leaves as the music hits an ominous-sounding low note.

It's time for a bit of relief, so we have the Rodney-Radek duo. Radek's just given Rodney some very good news, enough to make him say he's ecstatic. Uh ... not so fast, Rodney, as he and John are hailed to report to the control room. Yeah, he had about a second of relief there.

Hi, Asian systems tech guy. So, what's wrong now? Only the fact that the city is approaching the edge of an asteroid belt. Oh, is that all? We get another bit of Rodney and John arguing, but Rodney insists he can't expand the shield. Then John gets An. Idea. It involves the co-operation of all of the people still left on the city who have the ATA gene. Which is about 20 and, for the record, Rodney thinks it's a bad idea, even though John hasn't even mentioned it. Hee – I love telepathic prediction. Well, we next see a whole bunch of very uncomfortable people, some of whom have only flown in simulations. But, hey, desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, otherwise, Rodney says they'll all die.

The music takes a heroic turn, as we get all of these (I guess) mostly civilian peeps moving into the 'jumpers. Oh, poor Rodney. How could you have been terrible at the videogame Asteroids? You're losing your geek cred. Well, John's giving him a pep talk. Rodney still looks apprehensive.

But too late for second thoughts as all of the 'jumpers pop out of the outer hatch. John has to chide them for not staying in formation, aka a straight-ish line. The music turns ... hopeful, a mirror of how many of the new pilots are feeling. And, yay, Teyla is the voice of the control room!

It's time to start shooting and watching things blow up real good. But it's not enough, so John orders 4 drones in one go. Rodney protests he can't handle 4 at a time. Uh ... this is the guy who has a dozen projects happening simultaneously, right? The guy with a mind (and ego, lol) the size of a small moon? But, then, Rodney is being ordered to go back to the city to catch the asteroids that got through.

Comment 2B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

This is so cool. Another pilot warns Rodney that there's an asteroid on his left that will impact in 10 seconds. Rodney blows it up just in time and then zooms up the side of the tower. Very impressive. Even so, on the inside, Teyla and the Asian tech guy hear impacts against the tower. They're smaller pieces getting through. And not so small, too. As the mini-fleet's made it through, Teyla and you-know-who keep a wary eye and ear, waiting to see if there'll be any more hits. We see the exterior of the city accompanied by forceful music which dissipates with the mention that the city made it threw. All of the 'jumpers are returning to their roosts in the 'jumper bay.

A breathless Rodney meets John and thinks they're out of the woods finally. Ah, not so soon, Rodney. He and John are hailed – AGAIN – to the control room. Rodney's getting pissed at the universe, or wondering why it seems the universe is pissed at him!

Now the hyperdrive is offline, because of some asteroid hits, according to Radek. Immediately, Rodney returns to his negative I-was-never-good-at-Asteroids mindset. Uh, Rodney, you were good. This new situation wasn't your fault ... that some pieces got through anyway. ::pets Rodney:: Which leaves us with John pressing his lips tightly together wondering what they have to do now.

Just in case we've forgotten, we see the ornament flying through silent space (even though it looks more like a sundial than a globe).

So ... John and Radek need to go on a spacewalk to the damaged part of the city. Just watch out for those micro-asteroid bullets. Rodney's so reassuring - NOT. So ... no pressure, as Rodney's giving them a deadline of 15 minutes.

Then Rodney gets waylaid by Jennifer who's been trying to reach him (though he was busy trying to keep the city safe, dontcha know). So, she's exhausted all possibilities ... all except for one. And – aha – I think this should get Rodney off the hook, because isn't the Chief Medical Officer allowed to go beyond normal protocol in making decisions about patient care? At least that's the way it seems to be in TV-movie land.

So Rodney proposes the solution to John as he and Radek are getting suited up. John thinks it's a terrible TERRIBLE idea. While John is telling Rodney why, the music is once again heroic-sounding. But no time to talk more, as Radek and John head out.

Whoa, we're back at Midway. Luckily, they've reestablished gravity, so Bill's stopped throwing up. But he's at the point of annoying Sam with his ideas.

Comment 3A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

We're back at the scary stuff, especially as John and Radek are walking in their EVA suits. Oh, Radek. As he's saying he's surprised to see how minimal the damage is, John looks ahead and sees a whole bunch of blown-up nothing. And they have to get to the other side of nothing, to where the array is. While they're just standing there, wondering what their options are, a micro-asteroid whizzes by them. Oops.

Not to worry. John's got an idea. Radek's not too keen on being thrown over all that nothing (he estimates it's 100 feet). The music surges with hope. Aaaaaaand they made it! Radek's pretty impressed, but they don't have time for that. So, yes, work.

Next up it's time for Jennifer to pay Rodney a (nagging) visit to see if he's managed to get the nanites ready. Well, the good news is they'll repair the damage, but then can't be turned off because they'll BE the repairs. If there were more time, maybe Rodney could get them to make the repairs out of organic materials, but is running short.

Back outside, things are taking too much time, especially because Radek's having problems working in thick gloves. And another micro-asteroid whizzes by. With only four minutes to go, Radek's struck in the leg with yet another micro-asteroid. Yikes! Not to mention icky, with the globules of blood floating out.

Inside, Ronon's just walked into where Liz is lying comatose. He's pushing an IV stand. That's new, for him to accept more than just basic medical repairs. This is heartbreakingly touching, to see Ronon's hesitating voice as he thanks Liz for allowing him to stay on the city, because otherwise ... well, we know what he's thinking, that he might not still be alive. We already know enough of his character and heritage to see how seriously he considers loyalty to a leader. I also got a slight inkling that, had she lived and perhaps had to step down, there might have been a romantic relationship between the two of them, even with the unorthodox age difference (you know, older woman with younger man). Whatever the intent, I believe that Ronon did love Liz.

Then, the diagnostics begin to sound a rapid alarm. Oops. It wasn't Ronon's fault but he needs to leave.

Back to our brave little toaster, Radek, who insists on staying to finish the repairs. He's nearly done.

Unfortunately, Rodney gets a hail from Jennifer. She's out of time, so he needs to do something. He does, transferring his program to the infirmary before rushing there himself.

We're taken away from the seriousness by returning to Midway, with Sam and Bill talking about options. OMG. Just as Sam knocked his earlier idea down, Bill does the same, estimating they'd need to make 180,000 little jumps. Take a few years, unless they could expand the range. But, for that, one needs an Asgard. Hee – Sam knows where to find one! And, hey, Bill, you wanna visit the Pegasus galaxy?

Radek's finally done and we see the array drawer slide shut. [I'm impressed by such little things.] John hails the control room and is answered by Teyla. So, they're good to go. But not so fast, John. Teyla says the gauge just dropped below the required level. The look on Radek's face says everything: all that effort and his injury wasted.

Comment 3B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

John walks into the infirmary as Radek's wheeled by on a gurney. He's talking with Ronon as they discuss their current helpless situation. Like 28 hours left. Just then Rodney and Jennifer walk by. Rodney's acting very nervous and defencive by being on the attack. Of course John's immediately suspicious. Uh-oh. This time John really does blow up at Rodney when he hears the nanites were reactivated in Liz. There's a battle of the wills (over turning off the nanites) which John halts when he hails for an EMP generator to be brought to the OR.

But they're all interrupted by medical staff and called into the room. Why? Because Liz is sitting up and removing the bandage covering her head (it's more like a turban than a bandage), revealing a full head of hair. Uh ... I didn't know those nanites did hairstyling, lol.

Things are very testy between John and Rodney after John's called for a quarantine field and a full examination of Liz. Then Rodney does something unexpected, especially after the way he starts speaking – what with the this-is-stupid bit. He – wait for it – apologizes to John. John is gracious in accepting it.

Teyla (in a full hazmat suit) is in with Liz. Liz is saying they shouldn't have done what they did, but I found Teyla's response refreshing. She says that none of them wanted to lose Liz. I'm wondering how much Teyla's changed since that first year, and the Athosian views on death. To me it seems she's changed, now that she knows there are ways to fight back (or try) against the Wraith and other enemies. That there is more to life than just accepting death. She considers what they did well worth the risk! Well, Liz contradicts her, considering she's the one who went through a very harrowing experience in her own mind the last time. Liz says it's a very bad idea. The music turns very creepy as the two women stare at each other.

Oh, hello, ornament-in-space again. Then John walks into the control room and spots Radek who'd rather be there than in the infirmary just waiting to die. The Asian tech and Chuck are both there, too, with other unknown peeps. Well, Rodney's there, too.

So Radek has an idea. It just means bypassing the city's safety protocols, enough to find a habitable planet close by. Cranky Rodney mentions why that would be a bad idea: the city might be ripped apart entering hyperspace. Radek estimates it's 50:50.

Then Rodney's snapping his fingers. What about using the experimental 'jumper (from his super-genius-on-the-way-to-Ascension time) and its almost ready hyperdrive? It couldn't reach the Apollo, but it could go somewhere closer. Let's put some options up on the screen, shall we. And start fantasizing about getting some ZedPMs, too. Which just happen to be on the Replicator homeworld. OMG. It's Rodney who suggests the heist! I can't quite make out the expression on John's face but, OTOH, what do they have to lose? Uh ... nobody answer that question, because it's time for the dreaded TO BE CONTINUED with some steady but ponderous music to go with it, topped off by a very final-sounding note.