(no subject)

[merelyn]

Just finished seeing "The Intruder," or Star Trek: SGA. Complete with Rodney in the Tawny Madison role, keeping us updated on all the computer stuff. I realize that this is a Sci-Fi TV show, and that the writers and producers haven't really done a "spaceship" episode before (the fact that it's not a spaceship scifi show is what makes the Stargate franchise unique to begin with, but whatev), but overall I was left with:

What was the point of that?

So wait, they went back to Earth? Um...okay. Cheap excuse to have a storyline on the spaceship? Okay. I'll go with it.

The flashback parts were easily the best parts of the show. I felt like this was a really good episode for Weir's character, and I liked the parts with her (and her telling off Caldwell- booyah!) but she was the only character we got to see back home really. What about John, besides the Ford cousin scene (which was awesome, PS)? What about Rodney? Grr. I felt like if they were going to Flashback It, they should have had more, because the main plotline with the computer virus was pretty tired, what with the crappy effects and the Rodney just narrating the suspenseful stuff happening inside the computer. It was claustrophobic to say the least, and no one was happier than I when they got back to Atlantis. Atlantis is where they should be. Screw the spaceship.

All bitching aside, though, the episode was not without it's good points. The opening scene with Shep and Weir was cute and well done; I felt like there were some nice moments between everyone, even Weir and Beckett, which we haven't seen much before. I very much enjoyed the Weir and Teyla bit at the end. (Also, how smiley was Teyla? I kept expecting her to bust out with "Welcome to Atlantis. I'm Teyla, your flight attendant...") And yay for Zelenka. He made me happy. Of course, all he has to do is walk into a room and I go "Yay!".

However, the one thing that ultimately saved this episode from really blowing was, of course, the McShep. Where to begin? The look on Rodney's face when John beams back on deck. The alien exchange. The entire end, yay, with the angsty 'we're going to die' look. The banter in the fighter jet. Rodney was just a shade too ridiculous, perhaps, but I loved them anyway. *heart*

So, besides the random McShep stuff, and the final nail in the Simon/Elizabeth coffin, the interesting insights into the SGC's feelings on John, this episode did very little to advance the story line. I hope next week's is better. I don't think I can take another TV show I love starting a suck fest.

Comments

*Rant on*

[brindel.livejournal.com]

Complete with Rodney in the Tawny Madison role, keeping us updated on all the computer stuff.

I gotta agree with you here.

My biggest huff right now with Atlantis, would have to be the characterization of Rodney that I've seen so far this season. Looks like the writers are regressing him back to who he was in SG-1, practically. What was with that 'drop-your-clip' bit in Siege III? Wasn't he a pretty durn good shot in "Defiant One"? I mean, we've seen him faced with Wraith coming straight at him before... That just seemed like a pretty ham-handed treatment of Rodney as almost stereotypical comic relief with absolutely no finesse whatsoever.

Same again in this episode. I had problems with Rodney just staring blankly into the monitor as Lindstrum is about to be sucked out the airlock. I mean, come on! It's Rodney! At the very least, even if he didn't really think it would work, he shoulda been pulling panels off the wall or something to *try* to help.

Nope. Just stands there. Didn't feel like Rodney at all to me.
And I'm not feeling too confident on a more sympathetic treatment from the writers anytime soon, not with this 'generic-comic-relief, see-the-arrogant-scientist-be-humiliated-and-put-in-his-place' vibe I keep getting.

Rodney's got it already! He is a genius after all! Give him a *little* credit for growing as a person, Whydontcha! Did last season just do a Bobby Ewing or what?!?

*cough* Ahum...I...I think I may have just found a new Button... *Rant Off* (blushes)*g*

Re: *Rant on*

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

I KNOW!!!

I get the feeling the writers sometimes don't know the difference between making a character funny and making a character laughable (see: Carson, for most of Season 1). And up until this point, they've done a good job of avoiding that with Rodney, keeping him 3-D and developing his character.

Overall I was amused by the whole "Want a piece of this?" clip fiasco from Siege III, which at least had Rodney being brave, if inexplicably incompetent. But on top of this episode, I sense a worrying trend. The transporter hunching down bit was definitely a point where I started cringing and muttering, "Don't. Just don't." And you're completely right about the Lindstrom scene. Grr.

And the worst part about it is that DH is (IMHO) probably the best actor on the show, which means he can make 'generic-comic-relief' work to a point, but come on! Give him something to do, you morons! You've done it before! Grah! Personally, Rodney is one of the main reasons I watch the show, and if he gets character assassinated this season, Mere = SO PISSED.

Anyway, I'm worried.

Re: *Rant on*

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

PS: *friends you*

Re: *Rant on*

[brindel.livejournal.com]

*Friends you back, with a grin*

I hate to say it, but you're right about DH bring able to pull it off. That's why I'm so worried.

He can *do* comedy, we know it, that's part of his appeal. The thing is, Season 1 Rodney humor was of the witty reparte, pointed sarcasm, snappy comeback variety with a smidge of becoming more self-aware, 'learning-something-I-didn't-know-about-myself,' almost angsty!humor. ...Intelligent Humor.

This,...humor?...that they have right now is lowest-common-demoninator, sophmoric, juvenile, 'pie-in -you-face' humor....Slapstick.

No.(*insert minor epiphany here*)

Slapstick is not *Humor*. It is *Comedy*. Humor is more cerebral, makes you think to a degree. Slapstick is purely physical, no thought required.

And I'm sorry, I don't watch SciFi for slapstick. The writers should give the audience a little credit for being margially intelligent, and stick to the humor that made season 1 work.

(Damnit! Rant got turned back on when I wasn't looking... Where's that off button again?)

Re: *Rant on*

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

Nothin' to say to that but:

WORD.

Re: *Rant on*

[allaire.livejournal.com]

I can't do very much more here than raise my hand and say: "What she said!"

Rodney = comic relief... huh? Havene't the writers finally got it that DH has a huge fan following because of how he portrayed McKay in the first season (and because he's a brilliant actor, of course)?

Are we supposed to go all "Haha! Look at the stupid scientist!" now?