Rewatch: The Seer

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

[Poll #1866278]

Comments

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Technical difficulties may not be temporary.

This is going to be a really strange rewatch experience for me tonight. My computer had a semi-meltdown a couple of days ago, so it's now in the hands of my BFF who I hope will be able to fix her. As I've been watching all of the epis during the rewatch using its DVD player and commenting on a word doc, I couldn't do that. So, earlier, I watched The Seer on my large screen TV (whoa, what a difference ... though I'm going to have to adjust the skin tones, lol) and now I'm using a borrowed desktop (NOT in the same room as the TV) to write my impressions. Disjointed, yes, but still better than no rewatch at all. Not only that, but I couldn't split the epi into my usual 14-minute segments, because I had no idea where they occured. ::sighs::

Okay, so I had the BEST of intentions to participate tonight but I'm only about one-third in - not that I can really tell - and can't keep my eyes open. It's a shame because I thought there was a lot of terrific stuff in this epi. So I'm heading off to sleep and will report in the morning ... uh ... let's just be cautious and say tomorrow.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your computer difficulties. Those are always aggravating.

I hear you on the rewatch difficulties, too. I've been having a frustrating time ever since they took them off Netflix several weeks ago. I am an Amazon Prime member, so I can still get them for free, but in such a way that it makes it much harder to do reactions. I won't bore you with the details, but I basically have to watch the episode, and then do the reaction, so it's been harder to get as detailed as I have in the past.

Good luck getting enough sleep. I hope you get caught up. Love the icon, btw, and it's certainly perfect to your post.

[twinsarein.livejournal.com]

I'm too tired to say much, but I enjoyed this episode, although there was a lor of uncertainty - the fate of Teyla's people, whether to trust the Wrath, Teyla's pregnancy, whether the Wraith would attack, etc. And the Seer just added to that, instead of clearing anything up.

Comment 1A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Surprisingly (after last week's epi), I really liked this episode. I felt the writing was terrific and highlighted several moral, ethical and strategic leadership dilemmas. Usually I would mention where the music was especially effective, but I can't do that, so will merely say that it was delicate and nuanced throughout the epi. OTOH, this is (or, sadly, was) Joel Goldsmith, so no surprises there.

When the episode begins, it's fun to see the natural sceptic behave like one. Yes, of course, I mean Rodney McKay. Still it's cute to see John having a bit of fun when the team is getting ready to visit the Vedeenans. Also, is this John's new way of speaking? Last time didn't he call Teyla and Jennifer "kids"? This time he's almost channeling Jack O'Neill with the word "children" to encompass his teammates.

Oh, look. There's a reception committee. The team was expected and everyone knows their name. [Yes, I know it sounds like Cheers.] BTW, there's a production note about the actress who played Linara. Originally, it was supposed to be Michelle Morgan who ended up unavailable due to a scheduling conflict with a movie. I'm glad she couldn't do it, because she was cast later on as Fran and was outstanding in the role in Be All My Sins Remember'd. Much better than to merely have played a loving daughter. Linara, OTOH, is just another generic blonde, wearing what had to be a very uncomfortable dress. I'm getting tired of how so many of the worlds really put a lot of emphasis on the distinction between men and women. Yeah, yeah, TPTB were lazy in having these worlds imitating Earth history ... from the Rennaisance. Would it have killed them to have some more unified cultures where the women didn't automatically resemble damsels-in-distress? And, while I'm ranting, what is it about an old man who just had to have such a young daughter? Well, I guess TPTB found it necessary for her to be young, because they find casting older women SO distasteful. /rant.

Back on Atlantis, Sam gets a visitor. How lucky can she get? Well, not so much, when it's a performance review by Mr. Fussbudget himself, Richard Woolsey. And his little dog rolling suitcase, too. So, it's been three months since Sam arrived. And we're supposed to believe that the IOA will not be delving into every single aspect of Sam's leadership? ::rolls eyes::

Well, they're interrupted in their awkward moment by Chuck who has an off-world hail for them. Another team has a message for John ... from a Wraith!

Back among the Vedeenans, the team is introduced to Linara's father, Davos, who is the Seer. Rodney's overwhelming scepticism is challenged as the Seer gives him a vision, one where the team is surrounded by Wraith on a misty, mysterious (but green) world. Uh, not a really nice vision.

Back on Atlantis, the team is reporting to Sam and Richard. After Rodney reveals the nature of his vision, the team learns that John's old Wraith "buddy" wants to see him. Oh, fun. Richard's presence and comments are noted, but he looks confused. Ha – he doesn't know how the Lanteans DO things. But why should Rodney look confused? He should be used to it after 4 years.

Hello, world from Rodney's vision. Oops, our team is surrounded as John's Wraith buddy approaches them. He's upset that the team wasn't unarmed as specified. John's so SORRY about that – NOT, especially as two 'jumpers decloak overhead. Hey, that trick NEVER gets old. So ... ADVANTAGE team Sheppard!

Comment 1B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Back on Atlantis, Jennifer is checking in from the Vedeenan world. Davos has cancer. Richard is interjecting his own leading questions which irks Sam. So, Jennifer's going to bring Davos to Atlantis but needs to know whether the goal is to save Davos's life or to study him. That's an EXCELLENT moral and ethical point, and I'm glad she made it. In any case, Richard's avoiding the question and Sam does, too. She simply replies that the Infirmary will be notified of their imminent arrival.

Elsewhere on Atlantis – the Brig wbose massive swinging door I'd never noticed before (is it a new feature) – John and Ronon visit their guest, aka Mr. Wraith wbo's upset at the lack of ... trust. His words "neutral ground" remind us of the title of the epi the last time he and John were involved, namely Common Ground.

So what's up with John's buddy? Well, he (it's interesting to note that the GateWorld transcriber continues to call him "it") needs the help of the Lanteans. He says it in a way that shows he has a personality as well as some understanding of interpersonal (even human) reactions. In any case, he's predicting that John will want to work together with him again. So, why now? Because he needs help to reinfect the Replicators with a virus to make them cease their attacks against the Wraith and return to their homeworld.

John doesn't know why they should help, because he likes the fact that they're "kicking" Wraith "ass". And this is where TPTB actually shocked me with the level of insanity the Replicators have achieved. What are they doing? They're attacking the Wraith food supply AKA human life on a planetary level.

Back upstairs, our boys are reporting to Sam. She orders a M.A.L.P to be sent through the gate to the address Mr. Wraith supplied. Oh, hello, Richard. Nice of you to join us. As the telemetry (isn't that the neatest word?) comes in, it's obvious the village is damaged; worse, Rodney confirms there are no life signs and it's not likely the Wraith did the obliterating, as the residual radiation points to Replicator weapons fire. What's the loss of life? Between 50 and 75 thousand lives. [Side question? Is a M.A.L.P unretrievable when it goes through the gate? Or will a team go through to bring it back home, because I can imagine those things are humongously expensive, unless it has a pre-programmed DHD on it.]

Time for a bit of discussion about morality. I really have to hand it to the Asurans. They'd already taken the lesson of the Ancients' arrogance and IMPROVED on it; now, they've added genocide on a planetary scale to their list of ... uh ... accomplishments.

There's a brief stop in the Infirmary where Jennifer has just scanned Davos. Linara is innocently hopeful, sure that Jennifer can cure him. After all, this is the city of the Ancients. It's quiet sweet. [It's also another moral lesson on how complete reliance on ONE person can leave people exposed and vulnerable should anything happen to remove that source of knowledge and experience.]

Oh, poor Rodney. He's blaming himself for the whole galactic problem. John's trying to lift his morale by saying he was the one who made the call. What a lovely reversed bookend to what happened at Doranda. Also, another moral lesson for Earth. How often have we seen scientific creations used to horrifying, utterly grotesque purposes? Rhetorical question, obviously.

Hmm. It's interesting to see Rodney attributing the exploding tumours to the Replicators. I'd have to go back to that episode to see how it changes my perception of things.

Comment 2A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Sam and Richard join our boys, so we're getting authority involved. Richard oversteps his by making a snap decision not to join forces with Mr. Wraith. When John points out to him that it's not his call, Richard scurries off, needing to report to his superiors.

John visits Sam's office. He confirms two more worlds have been destroyed. Total losses now 150,000. Sam understands the Replicators aren't going to stop. In the meantime, Richard's advised the IOA who are sitting on the matter. John's pretty cynical about how much good they'll do (or take responsibility for) ... like none and it'll be Sam and Atlantis taking full responsibility.

Another good bit of writing. Sam acknowledges she understands why John turned the job she's doing down. It's really reassuring to see John receiving recognition for his value to the SGC and Atlantis. I can imagine he could be pinching himself at the thought that a complete washup as a result of his black mark could be respected and valued. Yay!

Sam also realizes that John's got the experience with this particular Wraith, a "history". John's reaction is priceless: "Well, it's not like we're dating." ::snickers like whoa:: Anyway, Sam's lobbing the ball into John's court. But then they're interrupted.

Sam visits Jennifer in the Infirmary where we all learn that Davos's survival is out of her hands, all she can do is make him more comfortable. In any case, Jennifer shows Sam the brain scan that reveals abnormally high synaptic activity, similar to what happened to Rodney when he was semi-ascending. What's the conclusion? Well, Davos was born that way. [Okay, time for a side trip. After everything that's happened to Rodney, how can he STILL continue to be a sceptic of what's he's seeing around him? Surely, his worldview (uh ... galactic view?) should have been expanded by his own unique experience. Right???]

In any case, Richard's already asked for a copy of the test results. More stepping on toes?

Sam is introduced to Davos who wants to show her something. She's really nervous, but he's being very pragmatic, saying he's ON Atlantis for a reason. So she takes his hand ... and sees drones from a Replicator ship destroying Atlantis. Uh ... I don't think Sam appreciated that particular vision.

Back in Sam's office, she shares with John and Richard what's she's seen. Once again, Richard jumps to a quick decision, to stop trusting Mr. Wraith. Sam offers an intriguing perspective, that 9 times out of 10 the same fate will occur, no matter how they address the problem.

We also are presented with another moral dilemma. As I said, this episode is just full of meaty discussion material. Richard wants to play it safe and not have Atlantis be a target. But John reminds him that ... duh ... the REST of the galaxy IS, and it's their fault. Richard then has to spout his bit on what he considers to be his (and presumably the IOA's) priority would be, namely the safety of the expedition. [We'll see that carried out to an extreme in the apocalyptic future during The Last Man.] Richard gets the last word, that he hopes John won't regret the decision to let Mr. Wraith live, just before they're interrupted by Chuck. Talk about coincidence, because there's a Hive headed straight for Atlantis.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised to see John back in the Brig. Mr. Wraith had his own invisible trick, as in a tracking signal that he activated only AFTER he was brought to Atlantis. He says the Replicator virus is in its database. When it arrives, they can start working. John would prefer to blow it out of the sky when it arrives. Mr. Wraith calls that "unwise". Right now, only his Hive knows the location of Atlantis but, if John attacks, the Hive will broadcast the location throughout the galaxy. Ouch! Playing hardball. Still, Mr. Wraith is very persuasive.

Comment 2B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

So, John and Sam visit Rodney who's busy working at a computer. Things aren't very promising though Rodney thinks he could do it, but only with the original shut-down virus.

It's time for a bit of an interlude between Davos and Teyla. He tells her that her people are still alive and then brings up the issue of her "condition" which she's keeping a secret from her friends/teammates because it's "complicated". Davos asks to see Sam but collapses. He sends Teyla a vision where John is in the Chair, firing drones, resulting in a Hive ship exploding. Then Davos loses consciousness.

Back to conference time between Sam, Richard and our team. There's a bit of an uncomfortable moment for Rodney as he has to admit he can't "guarantee" finishing the virus without the help of the Wraith. Sam decides it's time she met the Wraith herself ... and drags a reluctant Richard along with her. For the sake of his "thorough" report. ::snickers::

Richard's very uncomfortable walking directly into the cell. Aww, the Wraith is so polite. Sam sets her conditions (such as one false move and the Hive ship gets blown up) and - yay – at least SOMEONE has learnt a lesson from the last time: use ONLY a non-networked computer. Sheesh. Even I know that.

Anyway, we learn why Mr. Wraith wants to do this. He'd lost his status while a prisoner of the Genii and wants to reclaim it. Sam understands that eventually they will end up on opposite sides, but not today. Another grey area of geopolitics which we've seen lately in several parts of the world. Often a necessary if calculated risk, but with sometimes really messy and nasty consequences. And then we see why Mr. Wraith is special. He uses "just a little Wraith humour" (and it's spelled the Canadian way, too, in the transcript). Richard reacts angrily and storms out of the cell. The Wraith is chuckling and then sighs ... satisfied.

Now it's time for the Hive to show up and transmit the virus. Ronon's not too impressd, He was hoping for "a big gun ... something that goes boom". I'm intrigued by John's reaction, his eagerness to blow up the Hive ship immediately, but Sam's unwilling to take that risk. So we see how John might have handled it if he were in charge.

Mr. Wraith, fitted with special restraints, is in the lab with Rodney. He is critical of Rodney's methods. I'll bet it's been some time since anyone opposed Rodney so openly. Later we see Rodney storm into Sam's office (where, naturally, Richard is too). Rodney's angry that Mr. Wraith's been holding out, as part of the virus is missing, so Mr. Wraith must definnitely be up to something. Then Sam reveals that a second Hive ship is on its way to Atlantis.

Time for Ronon to get his blaster out and jam it against Mr. Wraith's chest. Mr. Wraith says he's completely unaware. Besides why would he betray them when the two sides were just begtinning to trust one another? Rodney really doubts the nature of that trust. So Mr. Wraith explains that it was just a guarantee of his personal safety right after Ronon and John express that they should just kill him now. John pretends to be offended that Mr. Wraith would have doubted their good faith. So Ronon wants to know if he's lying now. But Mr. Wraith reveals all of the fracturing of the different Hives and he's the least keen to have another Hive show up. Rodney (and his snapping fingers) jump to the obvious conclusion. The second Hive has tracked the first and want to know what it's doing hovering over a presumably uninhabited planet in the middle of nowhere. Hee – Rodney makes a Wraith eyebrow joke, that is IF they had eyebrows. Mr. Wraith observes that they'll have to cloak the city.

Comment 3A

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Time for another quickie leaders' meeting between Sam, Richard and John. John calls out Richard on his changed perspective. So first he thought the Replicators would destroy the city, now he thinks it's the Wraith. That's another fine example of how often things aren't exactly clear in a crisis. In any case, Richard has no answer. But they have to decide within two hours.

Sam visits Davos (and Linara) in the Infirmary. She asks him if he's ever been wrong. Nope. 100% accuracy. There's some good dialogue here.
Sam: "It's hard for me to accept that. You'rte telling me that the future is pre-determined but I have always believed that the future is what you make it."
Davos: "Perhaps both are true. Perhaps the future is pre-determined by the character of those who shape it. One thing has been clear to me from the moment I set foot in this city: the galaxy is at a crossroads. Never before have I sensed that the future of so many worlds can turn on the actions of so few."
Oh, great, so NO pressure then.

A bit later John joins Sam on the outside balcony of the Control Room. She suggests he get to the Chair. John thinks a major problem right now is TMI. John also weighs the priorities and responsibilities of the expedition in this galaxy. Each would lead to a different action: either destroying both Hive ships ASAP or being "safe and sound while the rest of the galaxy gets slaughtered". Once again, it's refreshing to see that John is an aware and constantly self-updating strategist (I'm sure Kolya and the Genii would agree, most reluctantly when he foiled their attempts to grab Atlantis). Anyway, it's not up to Sam, but John reminds her that everyone chose to be on Atlantis because "they believe in the same things" she does. John leaves as she continues to think.

Back inside, Sam gives Rodney the order to cloak the city. Richard's unhappy. Sam offers him the option of returning to Midway. Well, good for Richard that he's got some gumption as he responds his report wouldn't be as thorough, then. They exchange small smiles.

John gets in the Chair and then Rodney engages the cloak. By-by, floating city.
Just then Davos goes into distress and dies, a distraught Linara at his side.

The second Hive ship emerges from hyperspace. Rodney relays that the first ship is sending a transmission to the second, probably explaining what it's doing here. In the meantime, John is getting anxious, wanting to know what's happening. Well, they're still talking ... until they're not. What are they doing? They're powering up weapons. John's at the point of deciding for himself to fire drones. His hand is reaching for the control panel on the Chair's arm. But a command from Sam to wait stops him and drives Rochard irrational. Sam just tells him to shut up. Oops. He didn't like that, so he tries to take over command and orders John to launch the drones. John's sorta kinda in the middle as his fingers are twitching over the arm panels. It's a terrific moment to see John as a mere soldier now caught between two conflicting orders.

Comment 3B

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Sam reasserts control, telling Richard she'll have him removed if there's one more word out of him. And then Rodney interjects that something unusual is happening. The two Hives are firing ... but on each other! One explodes but the shockwave envelops the second so it also explodes. Um ... were both far enough away that Atlantis did NOT get affected, considering they had their cloak but NOT their shield engaged? Any theories?

Sam checks with Rodney who reassures her that neither ship sent a sub-space message before being destroyed. That makes Sam smile while Richard is appalled by the fact that – if he'd assumed command – something quite different could have happened. Sam orders John to stand down. John's really relieved to do so.

Linara and Teyla are talking as the body of Davos is being moved on a gurney out of the Infirmary. She's taking him back to Vedeena to be buried. Linara continues to be distraught, not only for her personal loss, but the impact to their people who have lost their protector. Though Linara now fears the future, Teyla tries to reassure her that the unknown does not necessarily have to be feared. [Another moral lesson. You can only live and continue to do your best, even if you can't control your world, either on an intimate or widespread level. It's also a modern reminder of how nations and peoples can become involved against their will as they are stuck between two warring sides.]

There's a wee conversation between Teyla and Jennifer about her pregnancy. Jennifer reminds her that soon she won't be able to hide it. As an aside, I thought that Rachel's outfit at the end was stunning. Obviously IRL she was showing far more than the character was supposed to be. I just loved the low-cut top as it was very flattering. Yes, yes, I'm easily distracted.

After all that's just happened, I'd forgotten all about the anti-Replicator virus. John shows up in the Brig to hustle Mr. Wraith off to the lab.

Richard (let's not forget his suitcase) and Sam have an awkward parting (::giggles:: just as their original meeting was) in front of the Stargate. He proclaims "for the record" that he thought he was making the right callo. But he wanted to know how did Sam know the two Wraith ships would fire on each other? Sam admits she didn't and asks if he'll put that in his report. Ahh, I think Richard's just learned the value of submitting a more concise report! He walks through the Stargate. Aww, John just missed him and didn't have a chance to say goodbye!

John mentions that Rodney and Mr. Wraith are busy working together, though they're not finished. John presumes (correctly) that Sam is still thinking about the visions. Even if Davos was right, John says this one could take another thousand years ,... or – as Sam suggests – it could happen tomorrow. Well, for John, that's just situation NORMAL, in the Pegasus Galaxy. And that's the low-key ending to an episode that could have had some deadly repercussions for Atlantis.

As I've already noted the fascinating moral and ethnical implications throughout my rewatch review, I just wanted to add that, when you're in a position of power, often all you can do is to make your best guess decision but that this approach comes at a price. In order to have as much information as you think you need in order to make that best guess, you may lose tactical advantage; and, if you act too soon and far too rashly, the consequences can be more horrifyingly unpredictable than anyone could have imagined. So ... all in all, this was a terrific episode because it forced the viewers to think. Not just entertainment, but a lesson, too.

One final observation: The wealth of expression that Christopher Heyerdahl brings to his portrayal of this particular Wraith is astounding. Yes, the actor made a fine, gentle Halling, but this is magnificent acting. So I'm wondering who was responsible for the development of the character? I'm sure you all must know by know how little I trust TPTB to do the right thing, so I'll simply cast my vote in Chris's direction. My hat's off to him! So far, he's still unnamed but, as we know, John WILL name him "Todd". I may rant about TPTB but hiring this actor and writing him into an additional TWELVE episodes (wow!) was simply brilliant!

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I think we BOTH deserve a hug (pretty sure you'll approve of my choice, especially as it was unscripted and REAL of the two actors hugging as they finished their final scene together) dealing with our rewatch difficulties. As you can see, I managed to get caught up ... but what a lot of writing without benefit of the visual cues.

I don't know whether this would help you, but I couldn't do my rewatch/review without GateWorld. They're at www.gateworld.net with further categories depending on which Stargate show you want to check up on.

Okay, now back to other stuff I need to get done today.