Rewatch: Reunion

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

[Poll #1859379]

Comments

Comment 1A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I'll state my bias from the top: I mostly hated this episode. I have several reasons – don't worry, I'll be very specific in pointing them out. What I didn't realize until I read the GateWorld transcript is that it was written by Mallozzi & Mullie which – considering how I feel about their mishandling of the show and shallow development of its characters – explains a lot. OTOH, Ronon's heartbreaking story and reactions were amazing. More on that, too.

The opening was only slightly in bad taste (as far as Teyla was concerned), because at least the guy waiting for his arranged bride didn't look and act like Lucius.

Huh. The strangers certainly don't sound couth. We know this is NOT the way all Satedans act.

I'm giggling at the bucolic nature of the music as Teyla enters the tavern, complete with harp chords. So ... is this a way to make us believe these are just simple folk?

Yay for Teyla and the writers putting proper English into her mouth (“Do you know the people whom I seek?”). I'm surprised they knew it, considering how often they do forget. Also, Rachel L's diction FTW!

Uh-oh. Stranger guy grabs Teyla. Bad move, guy. Oops! Teyla's in trouble, though 3-on-1 is not honourable. [And this is where I get the impression - which will be further fanned by the writers in S5 – that Satedans are rash and violent.]

Oh, thank goodness for that familiar whine of Ronon's gun.

So ... these friends of yours, big guy? Tyre seems to be the leader; the other man is Rakai and the woman is Ara. Teyla so does not look impressed. Oh, look at her face form a grimace of distaste.

A quick jump back to Atlantis and Rodney with Radek. Poor Rodney and his delusions of grandeur (though the writers really rubbed it in). So ... “their foremost export of Ancient technology and replicator activity”? I wonder who that is. Rodney thinks he knows the answer. I love his repeated finger pointing at his own chest. Not to mention the smirky smirk of gloating. [David H FTW, too!]

Radek finds the prospect scary. “Very scary.” Although it's cute to see that Rodney wants to make Radek proud, too. Awww. Radek looks as if he'll be having a nightmare later.

Oh, some good news which John is reporting to Sam via visual feed ... that the replicators are kicking the Wraiths' asses. Yay. Oh, look who's here – it's Rodney all puffed up and eager. Oops, Rodney. Listen to John, 'cuz Sam's your new boss! Oh, Rodney, that little “hmm”, is that you being dismissive? And then you look at John. Okay, cue opening credits.

Comment 1B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

We're back on the world-of-the-week and Ronon with his (ugh) buddies in the tavern, hearing just how they managed to escape the Wraith.

A quick slide over to Cheyenne Mountain. Oh, this is sweet, Teal'c paying Sam a goodbye visit. [I'm being distracted by the cute bouncy screensaver behind Sam.] Back to awww for Teal'c sentence about “undomesticated equines”.

Okay, it's time for another rant from me because, as they hug, I see the back of Sam's hair. Remember, she's still wearing her dress blues but her hair is so NOT regulation. If it's not short, then it's supposed to be in a bun. Ponytails and braids are an immediate no-no in the U.S. Military [I have a friend in the Army and heard about how she had to ... uh ... coax her hair into a bun; she could use bobby pins but not an elastic. Also, check out how fabulous Rachel L looked as a JAG officer in an epi of N.C.I.S.] I know that others have excused her hair, reminding us that John's hair is not regulation either ... nor his untied boot laces. But then I emphasize this is the woman who called Jack “Sir” during the entire run of SG-1 (I believe in the movies, too). So she was a stickler for following the regs, made even more likely because she was a woman – a smart one – and knew she'd be under extra scrutiny. Compare that to John who's bucked more than one reg. My explanation is that, because Amanda T was TPTB's golden girl, she was allowed to get away with NOT going along with what should have been mandatory to make it look more realistic. At least in this scene she'd combed her hair. /definitely catty meow.

Back on Atlantis, John and Rodney are waiting for Sam to walk through the gate. Okay, writers, this was so NOT nice, to show John acting petty against Rodney in who's going to impress teacher on the first day of school. Arrgghh. Though John does have this flouncy attitude when he suggests Rodney should have got her flowers instead? So Rodney sends his alien fruit basket off with an underling just as the gate activates. Rodney, how can Sam's presence make you act SO insecure?

Sam walks through and gives a brief speech. When Rodney compliments her, she says she's available for other social functions. Uh ... isn't that a bit TOO familiar and informal when it comes to dialogue between a boss and highest subordinates? And I think I'll have another tiny rant (or call it confusion, instead). There was no mention made of the expedition losing its civilian leader and the IOA choosing someone military. Though she's definitely a high-ranking scientist (and Rodney's referring to scientific qualifications ONLY), she arrives IN Atlantis wearing her dress blues and being welcomed as a Colonel by John.

Comment 1C

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

The other thing that sorta, kinda bothered me was that, IF she was there in a quasi-military capacity, she only had a few months' lead over John in being promoted to a full bird (a detail I completely didn't catch when I first watched the show). However, that does get sorta, kinda explained away by John later. And confirms that control over the city was wrested from the civilian side to the military side. Whatever the scripted reason was, we know the REAL reason why Sam became the leader and that is because Amanda T needed to do something to bridge the gap between the end of SG-1 and her new show Sanctuary. So TPTB gave her a role. ::sighs at another example of nepotism::

Oh, I barely noticed Radek until Sam had walked away with John to check out her quarters. Radek and Rodney share a couple of strange looks.

It's ouch time. Ronon's getting a new tattoo. Actually, I believe Jason M got it during the hiatus and TPTB had a bird but then had to fit it into the script. After looking closely at his dreads, I'm wondering if that's the new wig. I can't remember if he had to wear it in both S4 and S5. That's another thing that Jason did, cutting his hair, and driving TPTB squirrelly. I wish they'd just put the hair-cutting into an episode, so he wouldn't have had to wear that unbearably heavy fake-looking wig. I think Teyla does not like being around these people who behave like louts, what with the slaps, etc. The three (there were originally five) Satedans begin to give Ronon their back story, saying it's been rough fighting the Wraith by themselves.

Ronon nearly gets into trouble opening his big mouth to offer resources, but luckily Teyla gives him A. Look, so he shuts up.

Back on Atlantis, Rodney pays Sam a visit in her quarters where she's doing some light unpacking (including a framed photo of Jack – to appease the Sam/Jack shippers, perhaps). He's carrying a bouquet of flowers (I guess from the mainland). When he turns to put the flowers into a far-too-handy vase, he notices his original gift of the fruit basket. Oh, now, wasn't it kind of John to give that welcoming gift to Sam who BTW thinks it was a really thoughtful gesture? Rodney doesn't hide that he's pissed off.

Not that it lasts long, because then he moves off into saying – totally unasked – that he's seeing someone. Rodney, Rodney, Rodney, stop acting like a dick ... or with your dick. We don't need to know about your delusions over Sam, DO? WE??? What “unrequited lust”?

Awkward – yeah, I'd say so. [And it's just another example of how NOT to talk to your new boss, especially when it's a man to a woman, not that M&M would know how real people interact, especially female adults.] The uncomfortable silence is broken only by the intrusion of Ronon. Oh, thank goodness.

For once I'm cheering FOR bureaucracy. Even though Ronon's vouching for the people he wants to bring to the city, it sounds really rash. Should I also be upset by the directions to make Ronon get really close to Sam as a physical reminder of his size and strength? Sam looks wary and definitely relieved when he walks out.

Comment 2A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Ronon meets up with his friend (Tyre) on the world where they bumped into each other before. Uh-oh. How did Tyre know that Ronon's been living on Atlantis? Oh, word gets around.

Tyre goes off on a rant of his own regarding who are really Ronon's friends; Tyre certainly doesn't think the Lanteans are. They're merely ... allies.

Back on Atlantis, John joins Sam out on a balcony. Rant time again against TPTB. This time you've got Sam wearing her LONG BLONDE HAIR in a ponytail!?!?!?!?! She's. Still. On. Duty!!!!! ::groans:: Anyway, we get the back story that John was considered for the position of leader. In any case, John believes that Elizabeth is still out there and would like to go back, though the IOA put the brakes on that idea. So, John hopes he can convince Sam, now that she's in charge. No luck there either, buddy, as they have a tiny argument.

Ooh, we haven't seen Teyla practising with Ronon for a while. Even blindfolded, Teyla's kicking his ass. He's distracted, though he denies it. Finally, after she's whacked him one too many times, he gives in. So, here's an interesting discussion (about siding with Atlantis or being with one's own kind) which Teyla obviously would NOT understand. ::rolls eyes:: Teyla tells him that, even with occasional doubts, she still believes she can do more for her people and everyone in Pegasus by staying on Atlantis. There's some lovely wistful, then hopeful, music accompanying her speech. [That's one thing that's really been understated in this episode. Almost no music or else it's been very faint in the background.]

Hello, secondary mess hall. I see they removed the dark panels from the rear and replaced them with Ancient glass along with some jagged semi-walls. Ronon's talking to John. John tells Ronon what he would not tell Ronon, in an attempt to keep him. Uh ... for the record ... can I just say I love John and his clever mind because, even though he said it, he didn't really say it.

Okay, so this is a new reason for leaving. Ronon was the others' den mother/big brother and made sure they got home alive. When John expresses that Ronon's just one man and can't protect them forever, Ronon replies he could use some help from Atlantis, on a really big raid. Just one thing, Ronon wants his friends to 'splain it all.

Comment 2B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

John and the rest of the team go to meet Ronon's friends at the tavern. Oh, how belittling. The friends don't need the Lanteans for numbers, they want them for the getaway car part of the strike. Gee, thanks, guys. John's look of incredulity is priceless!

Yadda, yadda, yadda. John wants to wait a month (if they were going to go all in) but Ronon says time is critical, 'cuz the Wraith are working on how to switch off the replicators' Wraith-hunting code. Uh-oh. See three worried faces. And then John's distressed look of what to do.

John and Ronon are walking and talking about who'd be in charge. All of a sudden, Ronon's no longer a part of John's group, but his own. Oh, yeah, and another thing: when this op's done, Ronon's leaving Atlantis. Uh-oh.

Back on Atlantis, Sam pays Ronon a visit. He sounds resigned as he lets her in. There's a bit of a stalemate between them.

Hello, cloaking 'jumper through the gate carrying two teams. John's being given direction from a back-seat driver. John's not too thrilled about that or the rest of the conversation where Team Sateda will take the lead.

Poor Rodney, he wants an internal GPS to the lab's exact location beyond second level. Rodney gets into a pissing match, saying they've taken out whole Hive ships, etc., etc. That conversation nearly leads to physical blows, so John has to step in.

Just as well they've approached the location, even though it looks creepy. OTOH, it's Wraith. What else was I expecting? They blast their way through an entrance and kill a few guards in the corridor. Tyre then herds them all into the Wraith version of a transporter whose door closes with an unappetizing squelching sound. Yuck. Whoa! Culling beam as transporter. When they materialize, they kill a couple of guards.

Comment 3A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Then Tyre separates them into two groups. Ronon's with the Satedans, though he looks back at his Lantean friends, slightly torn by divided loyalties.

Huh. I don't remember seeing interior corridor walls tinted red before on a Wraith structure (or else I'm just forgetful).

For once I did notice the music, as it turned both dark and compassionate when John and Rodney passed by what was either “test subjects” or the Wraith version of a “vending machine”. At least the last was not an attempt at black humour. It was just a metaphor. Also, after escaping from Michael's lab, I don't think much would faze our team. John is nothing but pragmatic, knowing they couldn't stop to help the people trapped inside.

But John just has to jinx them by saying it's been way too quiet and way too easy. So they find Wraith ahead ... to make it less quiet. Ronon, with Team Sateda, hears the P90 fire and rushes back even though he's told to wait.

Rodney and John are under attack. While John is firing, Rodney's trying to get the transporter door open. He fires his P90 at it. Uh ... that's not a single shot and it's a different type of weapon that made that trick work before. Sorry, Rodney. Even so, somehow, he manages to get the door open. Not that it will do him any good because the Wraith have stunned John and Teyla (whom I couldn't really see on my screen because it's too dark but I just read she got stunned early on). However Rodney was a smart cookie and managed to hide by sliding into the webbing of the transporter access panel.

When Rodney reemerges, he bumps into Team Sateda. Ha – he thinks that's a good thing until he's stunned and a Wraith (eek) orders them to bring him. Somewhere. Of course, one of Team Sateda has to taunt an unconscious Rodney as to “who's the amateur now” and gets a Look from the Wraith.

The next part is cool. Usually, when a team is coming in hot, you hear that when they dial in. But the scene begins with Ronon sliding in quickly backwards while continuing to fire his gun. Two armed sentries aim at the gate while Radek looks worried. Ronon says he has to speak to Sam immediately.

Back in yucky, eerie territory, aka the Wraith place, John's just regaining consciousness though Teyla achieved it first. Oh, and Rodney's just woken up. John thinks it's a good thing Ronon and his buddies aren't trapped, too, until Rodney tells him what the real situation is. Though at least Ronon wasn't with them. But no more time for talking, because the Wraith shows up to take Rodney away. John tries to be all protective, but just gets stunned for his troubles. Teyla calls after Rodney, telling him to stay strong. Aww, Rodney's being a brave little toaster again. He replies, “I'll try.”

Comment 3B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Back on Atlantis, Ronon's getting looked over in the infirmary while reporting to Sam and Radek. So ... it's now a rescue mission with not one but two jumpers.

Back in the Wraith place, Rodney's chattering away from nervousness. He can't stand the suspense (even couldn't at Christmastime when he was a kid). Well, he learns the reason. The Wraith want him to disable the replicators' attack code against the Wraith. Rodney learns that it was in fact the Wraith who disabled it the first time many thousands of years ago. Wow! But, this time, their virus won't work.

So the Wraith wants Rodney to do it. Rodney seems to be in self-preservation mode when he says it might be tricky to do it, until the Wraith mentions the “test subject”. Whoa! What? Rodney's stunned to see a replicator suspended overhead by a forcefield.

Okay, it's rescue time. Sam and Ronon are in one 'jumper. Sam says, after the mission, she'll respect whatever decision Ronon makes. [Arrgghh for going on a mission with that bloody DANGEROUS ponytail!]

The Wraith is checking up on Rodney who doesn't seem to be progressing at a quick pace. But hearing that Teyla and John may be harmed if he doesn't speed it up makes him change his tune. Well, for a change, we seem to be dealing with a smart Wraith. He acknowledges why Rodney would want to delay until he's rescued and – guess what – there is a rescue party on the way. The only bad thing is the Wraith will be ready for them.

Just to make things even more cozy, the replicator in the forcefield glares at Rodney.

Darts take off after the decoy jumper while 'Jumper One with Sam and Ronon moves into position. They storm the entrance and guess who's with them? It's Radek!

Rodney hears the P90 fire from the lab where he's working but – uh-oh – the firing on the power relay that Radek identified means the forcefield holding the replicator appears to be weakening.

Sam first breaks John and Teyla out of their cell. Ronon goes in another direction and confronts the Wraith. But, just as he's got his gun trained on the Wraith, his friends show up and aim at him! The look of betrayal on Ronon's face. If looks could kill. Really.

John and the others kill the guard at Rodney's lab. Of course Rodney grouses that they could have shot him. Even worse, the forcefield fails completely and the replicator drops to the floor. They shoot at it, but to no effect. The replicator walks past them and goes after some Wraith guards.

Comment 3C

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Next up is something so horribly painful. Ronon confronts his so-called friends outside his cell as being Wraith worshippers. He's enraged, especially after what happened to Sateda. Ha – these guys are so full of it. They said they had a choice, “to die with the past or live for the future”. Yeah, yeah, whatever. To live with dishonour is really living.

Whoa! Talk about religious mockery: “They rewarded us with the gift of everlasting life”. Uh ... and they don't treat their own kind with disdain, when they feed on the lower types of Wraith, etc. How deluded can these people be? But they're offering the same “gift” to Ronon. Ugh.

We see in flashbacks how the Wraith took them to the brink of death before restoring them again and again. Ronon says they broke while they counter that they accepted the truth. And their gift. Ugh again. I'm so glad Ronon called them “insane”. No wonder, when he guesses that their two other buddies didn't die but were killed when they wouldn't accept this gift.

Ronon and Tyre fight though it's not a fair one, 'cuz Ara's in it, too. Why am I not surprised. When Rakai attempts to get at Ronon with a knife at the same time, Ara objects and is slashed across the throat in an angry reflex action. Ronon then stabs Rakai using his own knife against him. Finally, it's just Ronon and Tyre left. Ronon convinces Tyre to just walk away, then leaves too. Luckily, he stumbles into the Lanteans. When Sam asks, “Ronon, where're your friends?” he replies, “They're right here.” Oh, Ronon. This must be so heartbreaking for him, to have been betrayed by his own people. But it's not the first time, sadly. It's good, though, to hear him say, “Let's go home.” His friends watch him with worried looks, as he walks by.

Oh, hai, pretty city, lit up at night. Ronon's twisting the arm which he had tattooed. Teyla walks into his quarters carrying his painting. Rodney had apparently “helped himself” but thought Ronon should have it back. Ronon puts it down and then they look at each other.

Teyla asks him how he's feeling. Normally, Ronon can be so quick to comment, but he takes his time until he finally says “A'right”. When Teyla leaves, Ronon sits down, looking at his stuff and contemplating what's just happened. To me, he looks really young and slightly vulnerable, though it's no wonder.

[that-which.livejournal.com]

At least in the version I heard, Amanda Tapping (who was unhappy with the seasons of SG-where they were the storyrunners) wanted to move on to her own show, but was forced by M&M to move to Atlantis because she had a year to go on her contract, FWIW. The hair (and Sheppard's) got to be non-reg because the Air Force didn't consult on Atlantis.

I agree with you that the M twins did a remarkable job at destroying Stargate shows with just two years in charge (3 for 3), and that pretty much anything they wrote for women or POCs was almost certain to be appalling.

That said, I generally don't much enjoy watching fighting, but Jason Momoa and Mark Dacascos together was like watching some kind of martial ballet. Honestly. It may have been shabbily written, but it was incredibly performed.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Hmm about the story on Amanda. Though, if your version is accurate, then it would show that - even though TPTB had her over a barrel and holding her to her contract - she got the last word by not looking like an AF officer.

In any case, it was a weird move from the SGC to place someone in charge who could be questioning Every. Single. Move that Rodney and John did from both a scientific and military position. I wouldn't find that fun.

As for the fighting, between my blindness and the fact that they were fighting in a Wraith construct (you're talking about near the end, right?), I couldn't see much, ballet or otherwise.