Must Tweet! Must Tweet! Must Tweet!
No, I’m not talking about a new toy for your virtual pet. I’m talking about things like email, RSS feeds, Twitter and searches. It’s addictive, and apparently it hurts your attention span and sort of melts your brain. An article in Slate magazine on the subject nails it:
Actually all our electronic communication devices—e-mail, Facebook feeds, texts, Twitter—are feeding the same drive as our searches. Since we’re restless, easily bored creatures, our gadgets give us in abundance qualities the seeking/wanting system finds particularly exciting. Novelty is one. [Washington State University neuroscientist Jaak] Panksepp says the dopamine system is activated by finding something unexpected or by the anticipation of something new. If the rewards come unpredictably—as e-mail, texts, updates do—we get even more carried away. No wonder we call it a “CrackBerry.”
I could have told them that. In my eight months of unemployment, I’ve spent far too much time online and too little time getting out and about and interacting face-to-face with other humans. It’s had a negative effect on my attention span and ability to think creatively. For example, I wanted to improve my web design skills and redesign my old fanfiction website to repurpose it for original fiction, which I naturally planned to write. I accomplished neither of these things. Instead, after staring at a blank Word document for a few uninspired minutes, I would turn to my RSS feeds and get distracted for hours. Whereas I used to be able to write for hours on end, often taking up an entire weekend with it, now I can barely get out a blog post (and the posts I write are dissatisfying). The same thing would happen when I tried to sit through online training modules in an effort to learn web design languages. I’d start one and next thing I’d know I’d be playing Mahjong Titans or reading feeds.
The feeling in my mind when I try to write is like sleepwalking through waist-deep mud in a thick fog. I sometimes think my sleeping mind does a better job of thinking and being creative than my waking mind, if my vivid dreams and nightmares are any indication. Even caffeine doesn’t help. Part of the problem could be the clinical depression I’ve fought off and on for most of my life. It could have something to do with my periodic anemia (I take ferrus sulfate for it), or perhaps my blood pressure or thyroid issues (I take meds for those, too). Maybe I sleep too much or too little. Or maybe it’s all of the available distractions added to the boredom of not having a job to go to.
Something else the Slate article pointed out sent up a flag with me:
Ever find yourself sitting down at the computer just for a second to find out what other movie you saw that actress in, only to look up and realize the search has led to an hour of Googling? Thank dopamine. Our internal sense of time is believed to be controlled by the dopamine system. People with hyperactivity disorder have a shortage of dopamine in their brains, which a recent study suggests may be at the root of the problem. For them even small stretches of time seem to drag. An article by Nicholas Carr in the Atlantic last year, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” speculates that our constant Internet scrolling is remodeling our brains to make it nearly impossible for us to give sustained attention to a long piece of writing. Like the lab rats, we keep hitting “enter” to get our next fix.
That’s another problem I notice I’m having–in fact, I’ve had it most of my life: A distorted sense of time. However, I’m more like the Googler described above, than the person suffering from hyperactivity. Time tends to get by me before I realize it. Conversely, my attention span is shorter. Last night, I actually spent three hours reading a book, something I used to do all the time (Harry Potter in a day, anyone?) Yet, I’ve had that library book in my possession for a month and a half without really digging into it. It’s not a boring book–quite the opposite, in fact–it’s just that I couldn’t seem to read more than a few sentences without my attention wandering. I was interested in what was happening in the story, but found myself wanting to skip to the end of each chapter to find out how it came out. I never used to do that. I was meaning to spend my afternoon reading that book, but what am I doing instead? Blogging, reading feeds, and tweeting. *sigh*
The same thing happens to me when reading articles online. Lately I want my information in small doses, which is a change from my pre-unemployment habit. And yet, now that I’m thinking about it, the trend began when I first started using RSS feeds two years ago. I’m horribly addicted to them, usually only reading the “above the fold” text and rarely clicking through to read the rest. I’m deeply disturbed by this trend.
Clearly I’m incorrigible because I signed up for a Twitter account this week. So far I’ve resisted it’s siren call to tweet every little thing I’m doing, every five minutes, but I do find I keep refreshing it to see what the people I’m following are tweeting about. I eagerly await tweets from my favorite actors, writers, artists, astronomers, pundits, politicians, magazines, and friends. I resisted Twitter for more than a year. Why did I give in? I have friends on Twitter, but I think what really pushed me over the edge was the sales pitch I got in a training class about social media this week. The focus was on using social media tools like Twitter to network while looking for a job. I’m fascinated by the many ways digital media can be used to communicate, market, sell and inform, so the inventive ways people use Twitter enticed me to try it for myself. Now I’m obsessed with finding interesting Twitterers. I am still rebelling against getting it on my cell phone, though I do have unlimited texting on my calling plan. Must…be…strong.
So, now that I’m about to be employed again and will have far less time on my hands, will I be able to ration my social media time and focus on writing when I do have spare time? I hope so. All this will take is some good old fashioned self-discipline and a sufficiently succulent carrot to reward me for achieving my goals! Now, please excuse my while I go find that carrot. And check my Twitter feed.
Read the full Slate article, here
August 15th,2009
Opinion | tags:
Technology |
2 Comments
Chewie, Han and Leia get captured (Photo from GateWorld.net)
Condemned
Story by Sean Carley
Teleplay by Carl Binder
Directed by Peter DeLuise
Guest starring Darcy Belsher (Eldon), Christian Bocher (Torrell), Alan C. Peterson (Magistrate), Kavan Smith (Major Lorne), Kyla Anderson (Marin), James Lafazanos (Male Wraith), Chuck Campbell (Technician)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
Sheppard’s team is captured on a planet that keeps the Wraith at bay by sacrificing criminals.
General Impressions
This episode raises an important moral question about capital punishment. As Sheppard and Weir are suggesting that they might not want to have a relationship with the Olesians because they condemn their prisoners to being fed on by the Wraith, Tayla asks: “Do you kill your violent criminals on Earth?” Sheppard, the American, doesn’t want to have the conversation, which would reveal his (and Weir’s) hypocrisy. Rodney, the Canadian, tells Tayla they execute their criminals “in some countries” with a meaningful look at Sheppard. Having seen the whole series, I can’t help but find it ironic every time the expedition tries to claim the moral high ground. Having said that, I wonder how many worlds in the Pegasus galaxy came up with a similar solution.
The Good
Great to see some new advanced tech. Unfortunately we don’t see it again after this episode, but that’s the Wraith’s fault. I really liked the police ships on Olesia and the city. The contrast between the clean, high-tech Olesia and the dump that is the penal colony reminded me of the above ground/underground contrast in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, which is my all-time favorite movie.
This episode has the first instance of Sheppard calling Ronon “Chewie”, which makes Sheppard Han Solo and Tayla Princess Leia, perhaps? I guess that makes McKay C3PO.
The Bad
So I guess the Olesians send their prisoners to the island with a supply of tatty leathers. Perhaps this is prison garb from the advanced society that dresses in gray not-leather? Mad Max, anyone? OK, they probably made their clothes from the hides of animals they hunted for food. Still, bit clichéd.
The Awesome
The Olesian city and technology was fantastic. I also loved the irony of the Americans condemning capital punishment when in many States it’s legal, including the one I live in. Is it morally correct to punish murder by killing the murderer?
The Magistrate getting hoisted by his own petard when the prisoners flee the island leaving only the city dwellers for the Wraith to feed on.
Nice to learn something new about the Wraith and to see a Wraith that doesn’t just monologue about how he’s going to feed on us all. This Wraith has a little more personality to him. The Wraith’s explanation for his ability to eat food is repeated word-for-word in season 5 by Todd the Wraith: “Although it may provide me a moment’s pleasure, it does not sustain me.” Wraith and humans share a common ancestor, and some Wraith apparently retain the ability to digest food, if not derive nourishment from it.
Rating
7 out of 10. This isn’t one of my favorite episodes, but it does present an interesting moral dilemma and reveals something new about the Wraith.
McKay blows up a solar system (Photo from GateWorld.net)
Trinity
Written by Damian Kindler
Directed by Martin Wood
Guest starring David Nykl (Dr. Zelenka), Sean Campbell (Solen Sincha), Mitch Pileggi (Colonel Steven Caldwell), Christopher Gauthier (Mattas), Chuck Campbell (Technician)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
McKay’s attempt to resurrect a powerful Ancient weapon goes very badly awry.
General Impressions
This episode is character focused. It shows us Rodney at his worst and his best. It also shows a bit more of Ronon’s dark side and his history. Ronon and Rodney are about as opposite as possible, so it’s interesting to have stories focused on them in the same episode. Rodney lets his ego and excitement at possibly outdoing the Ancients get the best of him, and Ronon shows just how much diplomacy is not his strong suit. In the end it comes down to trust: Sheppard’s trust in Rodney, and Tayla’s trust in Ronon. Both get broken.
The Good
Learning more about Ronon’s backstory and his culture. His joy at learning that 300 Satedans survived the massacre is heartwarming. I can’t imagine how that feels, going seven years believing you’re the last of your kind then suddenly learning that there are hundreds of your people still alive. And I don’t think the number 300 was a random choice on the part of the writers, considering the context of warriors making a last, hopeless stand. I can almost hear Ronon screaming at the Wraith, “THIS! IS! SATEDA!”
We also learn more about the Ancients’ war against the Wraith.
Rodney’s ego is way out of control in this episode. Sheppard and Weir believe in him and get horribly burned. But to Rodney’s credit he humbles himself in the end and apologizes, showing that others believing in his abilities is more important to him than his belief in himself.
The sparkle in Sheppard’s eye when Batman and Robin tell him the Ancient outpost is a big, powerful weapon is so cute. As is the sparkle in Rodney and Radek’s eyes when they give Sheppard a hint about how awesome the Ancient’s physics used at the outpost were. Sheppard tries to contain his excitement.
The Bad
Not a thing.
The Awesome
Ronon finding out that he’s not the last Satedan, only to kill one of them for treason, abusing Tayla’s friendship in the process. Tayla rightfully gives him a verbal ass kicking for it afterward. Like Rodney, Ronon is humbled by the end of the episode.
Rodney humbling himself to win back Sheppard’s trust after John went out on a limb for him, and after accusing Radek of professional jealousy when he tried to convince Rodney to abort the test. Rodney even goes so far as to assure Sheppard, “I won’t let you down”, making his failure and apology at the end of the episode all the more affecting.
The wide shot of the world with the Ancient outpost is amazing. I especially like the shot through a ruined window of the puddle jumper flying away. The special effects are fantastic.
The musical score under Rodney’s explanation of how important the power source in the Ancient outpost could be to history is appropriately soaring and heroic. Conversely, Weir and Caldwell’s similar argument has no music under it until Sheppard chimes in that he’ll be Rodney’s minder. The music then is ominous. Likewise, leaving out the music when Rodney is apologizing to Sheppard then bringing it up for Sheppard’s last comment was perfect. Rodney at his most humble really needed to stand on its own.
Rating
10 out of 10. This is one of my favorite episodes for being character driven despite the big tech at the heart of Rodney’s arc.
A sympathetic Wraith? (Photo from GateWorld.net)
Instinct
Written by Treena Hancock & Melissa R. Byer
Directed by Andy Mikita
Guest starring Jewel Staite (Ellia), John Innes (Zaddik), Stephen Dimopoulos (Goran), Tom Bates (Callup), Jeffrey Robinson (Wraith)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
The team encounters a juvenile Wraith Queen who wants to be human badly enough to steal Dr. Beckett’s untested retrovirus.
General Impressions
Here we get more of the moral dissonance that plagues the Atlantis expedition. There is also ominous foreshadowing of an ambitious—and morally ambiguous—experiment later in this season, an experiment that will come back to bite the expedition in the ass over and over again in subsequent seasons. The question is: Is it right to turn Wraith into humans? In this case, the test subject was a volunteer, but that won’t be the case in later episodes. I found it strange that it’s Dr. Beckett initiating the experiment. He’s usually a conscience for the expedition, the one who respects living beings, but here he’s developing a retrovirus to do something that I, at least, found reprehensible. His enthusiasm about it, with no hint of reluctance, is a bit disturbing.
The Good
A human loving and raising a Wraith is an interesting idea. If it hadn’t been established in the opening scenes that the villagers didn’t know what Wraith looked like, I wouldn’t have bought that a human wouldn’t connect the child he’d found with the life-sucking Wraith of legend and try to raise her as his own child.
Ellia the Wraith girl is very sympathetic and likeable, and her desire to be human is believable. It’s almost heartbreaking how hard she tries to please and be accepted. Jewel Stait does a great job with the character.
The Bad
This isn’t so much a deficiency in the episode as it is something that disturbs me about this show in general: The moral dissonance. I really, really think it’s wrong to turn Wraith into humans against their will. While it’s true that Ellia was willing, the fact that Beckett would even think of changing Wraith into humans, and no one would raise a red flag doesn’t speak well for the expedition.
Now this is a strike: I noticed in the scene where Ellia is opening the case containing the retrovirus that her right hand doesn’t have a feeding slit on it (although it’s visible in flashback scenes later). However, later in the episode Zaddick reveals that she’s been feeding on him, which is why he looks old. He also reveals that she hadn’t fed in two years (to his knowledge), so how did she feed without a feeding thing in her hand like other Wraith?
The Awesome
I love the look of this episode, especially the night scenes, with the creepy fog, not to mention the foggy forest. The inn and Zaddick’s cave lab are also great. I also liked the way the episode was shot. It gives it a spooky monster movie feel, which in a way is what it is what with the monster killing people in the forest.
Once again we learn something new about the Wraith: They can subsist on human food when they’re young, but at some point they lose the ability and can only survive on human life force.
Ellia changing. The effect was very convincing.
Rating
9 out of 10. Interesting premise, Jewel Stait is awesome and the sets are great. The moral dissonance thing bugged me, though.
Sheppard the bug (Photo from GateWorld.net)
Conversion
Story by Robert C. Cooper & Martin Gero
Teleplay by Martin Gero
Directed by Brad Turner
Guest starring Kavan Smith (Major Lorne), Mitch Pileggi (Colonel Steven Caldwell), Matthew Harrison (Scientist), Lindsay Collins (Scientist), Todd Hann (Bravo Leader), France Perras (Nurse), Andy Nez (Soldier)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
Sheppard starts to turn into a bug creature after being fed on by the Wraith girl from Instinct.
General Impressions
It sure is fun seeing Sheppard as a bad guy. Joe Flanigan certainly seems to be enjoying himself. I also loved the science brainstorming scenes and the quest for iratus eggs. It’s also nice to see Beckett having a dangerous off world adventure and to see Major Lorne again. I really like Lorne.
The Good
I liked the conflict between Weir and Caldwell when he takes over as chief of security after Sheppard is incapacitated. He doesn’t even wait to see if there’s hope for Sheppard. Caldwell really oversteps and deserves to have Weir all up in his face. I really wanted to kick Caldwell when he kept making changes as if Sheppard was going to die.
I love to see science in action, so I thought the medical brainstorming session was really cool. I get all goose bumpy when this show gets the scientists talking geeky science talk. Science in science fiction. What a concept.
The establishing shots of the city in this episode are really pretty. I also liked the nighttime shot of the gate room as Caldwell is walking into Weir’s office. And the bug cave was so creepy and disgusting.
The Bad
Although I liked the conflict between Caldwell and Weir, I really am tired of the military always needing to butt heads with her.
Red shirts. Just…red shirts.
I didn’t like Sheppard’s monster make up as much as Ellia’s in Instinct.
I didn’t buy the jeopardy with Sheppard. Really? Kill Sheppard? At this point in the series, they haven’t killed off a primary character, so it’s hard to believe they’d kill Sheppard.
The Awesome
The way Sheppard very gradually goes from normal Sheppard to bad bug Sheppard, starting with amazing healing and physical abilities, moving on to emotional issues, then physical deformity. When his anger management issues get out of control, it’s awesome. Strange that he tries to write it off in the early stages, even when he can out run Ronon and out fight Tayla, something he apparently wasn’t able to do before. I thought it was really creepy when he assaulted Tayla (sweetie, this is when you give him a fighting stick to the groin). When he finally becomes aware of what’s happening to him, he tries very hard to protect everyone from himself.
Rating
8 out of 10. Good descent into bug Sheppard. Nice character episode.
Special Features
Mission DirectiveInstinct
Andy Mikita talks about making Instinct, which was done as a sort of creature feature a la Frankenstein. Lots of creepy fog in the forest, a secret lab and villagers with pitchforks. He discusses the challenges of shooting on location in the forest and in a small cave. OMG, the Wraith girl was played by Jewel Stait! I did not know that.
Character Introduction: Ronon Dex
All about Chewie and the actor who portrays him, with writer/producer Robert C. Cooper and director Martin Wood. Cooper says Ronon adds “a testosterone factor” to the show. No, really?
Audio Commentary for Condemned
Director Peter DeLuise and SG1 actor Gary Jones. Are these guys hetero life partners, or what? They do every Peter DeLuise commentary together. Gary’s not on this show. Can we do commentary with an actor who is? I’ve come to the point of not wanting to listen to the commentary between these two. In fact, I won’t.
Audio Commentary for Trinity
Director Martin Wood and writer Damian Kindler. This episode was meant to be an allegory to the Manhattan Project that created the atomic bomb in World War II. Also, producer Brad Wright has a thing for physics. This explains much. It’s also fun how many sets used in Atlantis are just redressed SG1 sets, like the village in this episode being the one used in the SG1 episode Origin.
Audio Commentary for Instinct
Director Andy Mikita and producer Paul Mullie. The opening scene in the inn is a shout out to American Werewolf in London. Lots of details about the sets and atmosphere of the episode. Oh, and they’re big Jewel Stait fans (who isn’t?) The part was originally written by the female writers to be a male Wraith, but the male producers decided a female would generate more immediate sympathy. I guess it didn’t hurt that they dressed her in white.
Audio Commentary for Conversion
Writer Martin Gero and actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett. These guys really love composer Joel Goldsmith (who doesn’t?) That cool set that looks like a bridge inside the city? It’s forced perspective. Who knew? Joe was happy to get a full arc in a single episode. Joe loves the one-on-one scenes, too. Oh wow, there’s a picture in Sheppard’s quarters that is actually Joe Flannigan as a child with Evil Knievel. Neat! They all love this episode for the character moments.
Production Design & Photo Gallery
Beatiful destruction: The Wraith bombard the Atlantis shield (Photo from GateWorld.net)
The Siege Part 3
Written by Martin Gero
Directed by Martin Wood
Guest starring Ellie Harvie (Dr. Lindsey Novak), Clayton Landey (Colonel Dillon Everett), David Nykl (Dr. Radek Zelenka), Mitch Pileggi (Colonel Steven Caldwell)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
The expedition races against time to fend off the attacking Hives. Meanwhile, Lt. Ford undergoes a dangerous transformation.
General Impressions
The siege of Atlantis deserved the three part story that it got, and the action ramped up rather than down in this, the final episode of the siege. There are all sorts of things going on in this one: The attacking Wraith leave only to be replaced by a dozen more Hives. Deadalus takes out two of the Hives only to have the Wraith figure out how to block Deadalus’ beaming technology, so they can no longer just beam bombs aboard. Deadalus is crippled, but Batman and Robin (McKay and Zalenka) come up with a miraculous solution…but it depends on whether the Wraith believe Tayla’s telepathic message of doom. Then Ford dials the gate, and everybody’s afraid the Wraith might detect it despite the cloak. They make the Wraith believe that they’ve been destroyed only to have Ford—who can reveal the fact that Atlantis still exists—escape through the gate where he could be captured on another planet by Wraith.
Just when Ford gets interesting, they write him off the show. Figures.
The Good
I got tingles when Deadalus showed up. And even though I knew Sheppard had been rescued already, I still shared the relief of Weir and the others when he hailed Atlantis from Deadalus. Oh, and nice ship tease with Sheppard and Weir’s reunion.
It was great seeing an Asgard again. The ones in our galaxy got killed off at the end of SG1’s run, and we meet some, shall we say…less ethical ones in the Atlantis season five two-parter. I always loved the Asgard and was pleased to see one. I also love Hermiod because he’s so cranky and snarky. He transports a warhead directly into a hive, but is not happy about it. He even curses (we assume) in Asgard.
Ellie Harvie (Dr. Novak) is really funny. She played the same character on SG1, in which she had terrible problems with hiccups. Thankfully the hiccup issue has been conquered, and she’s now a permanent fixture on Deadalus, working with the snarky Hermiod.
Seeing the half-fed on Colonel Everett was painful. After the previous two episodes, I came to like that character, so I’m sad to see him go. Joe Flanigan does a good job of restraining Sheppard’s emotions in that scene, which ties up the conflict of Sheppard mercy killing Colonel Sumner in the pilot.
Mitch Pileggi. I loved him on the X-Files, and I love him here, too.
The Bad
In the opening scene when Ford’s team is facing off against two teams of Wraith, why didn’t any of the Wraith shoot back? Even the ones that weren’t taking bullets?
Why didn’t they beam the ZPM directly into the room where the ZPM-holding thing was? Couldn’t Deadalus have beamed Rodney up to the ship then down to where the new ZPM was so he wouldn’t have to run a gauntlet of Wraith through the city from the gate room to get to the power room? True, not as much drama that way, but wouldn’t it have been safer and more efficient?
OK, so the Wraith enzyme makes humans stronger so the Wraith can take their time killing them, but how did it keep Ford from drowning if he was face down in the ocean for an hour? It keeps people alive during feeding, but how does it do that when they can’t breathe? I had trouble buying this plot device.
Why can’t cloak and shield work at the same time? This is never explained.
If the address of the planet Ford escaped to is in Atlantis’ buffer, why wouldn’t the address of the next planet he goes to be in the DHD buffer, when it’s been established in other episodes that Rodney can extract that information from DHDs?
While I admit that it looked cool and made him look really sinister, I don’t understand why all of Ford’s left eyeball turned black just because he OD’d on Wraith enzyme. And why just that one eye? And why does he have wrinkles around just the one eye now? If the Wraith fed on him a bit, shouldn’t he show age signs all over? (It’s explained a little in the commentary. Apparently, Rainbow wanted some sort of physical sign of the change in Ford, and they went with a black eye instead of a white eye because they were going to have the Priors in SG1 have white eyes.)
The Awesome
The effects and music in this episode are fantastic. I especially loved the giant Wraith fleet, though I might have liked to see the bombed ships blow up on screen rather than as blips on a sensor readout. Perhaps they ran out of money for the effects budget on this episode. The bombardment against Atlantis’ shields is, as McKay observes, beautiful.
Rodney’s line to Zalenka after they give their estimates of how long it will take to get the cloak working, with Zalenka’s being longer, cracked me up: “What are you, union?” No, Rodney, he just lacks an overblown sense of his own awesomeness.
Rating
7 out of 10. This episode looked great and had a lot of action and tension, but there were those sort of plot hole things I mentioned in The Bad that really bugged me.
Oh crap, it's a Wraith virus! (Photo from GateWorld.net)
The Intruder
Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie
Directed by Peter DeLuise
Guest starring Beau Bridges (General Hank Landry), Garwin Sanford (Simon Wallis), Lucia Walters (Ford’s cousin), David Nykl (Dr. Zelenka), Mitch Pileggi (Colonel Steven Caldwell)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
A series of murders aboard Deadalus leads to the discovery of a stowaway as the ship ferries the Atlantis command staff home from Earth.
General Impressions
I like how they started with everybody aboard Deadalus on their way back to Atlantis and plunge us directly into a murder mystery. What happened up to that point is only shown in flashbacks, which in my opinion was a good move since I don’t think I would have found a whole episode of Weir trying to get Sheppard promoted and her boyfriend issues very interesting. A murder mystery and evil Wraith virus are much more interesting. The flashbacks are engaging and enhance the action on the ship.
There are a lot of ticking clocks in this episode and a lot of instances of solving one problem only to have a bigger one on their hands.
The Good
Never take on Weir in a war of words. She can win those in her sleep, and she does so against the military brass to get Sheppard promoted and go on being her head of security.
Hermiod vs. Rodney. The two most cranky, snarky, brilliant beings on Deadalus and they’re in the same room together. Too bad they don’t subtitle it when Hermiod grumbles in Asgard. I loved the exchange between them when Rodney realizes the virus is Wraith, which is the only time in SG1 or Atlantis that we actually hear an Asgard curse (in English, anyway).
The personal scenes in the flashbacks are just right: Weir’s boyfriend dumping her when she’s made him a fancy dinner, Ford’s cousin asking Sheppard if he really is as reliable as Ford told her he was in his video message (Letters From Pegasus), Weir standing up to the brass to keep Sheppard.
Rodney covering his junk when he and Sheppard are about to be beamed into the F-302 bay was priceless. Poor Rodney. How were his hands going to keep his manhood from being beamed elsewhere from the rest of him?
The Bad
Caldwell and Weir butting heads over every little thing. Does every officer over the rank of Lt. Colonel have to pull this with her? Can’t Caldwell just let it go? So he got passed over. It’s unprofessional to spend a voyage griping about it. At least he let up a bit when there was a real crisis aboard.
I thought Deadalus had inertial dampers. Why then must all personnel “brace for impact” when Sheppard shoots out the communications array? I guess even inertial dampers have their limits.
Just a little thing, but…why is Sheppard standing up when he gets beamed from the fighter to the Deadalus if he was sitting when he was beamed out of the fighter? Wouldn’t he still be in a sitting position when he arrived on Deadalus?
The Awesome
The Wraith virus. It’s smart. It learns. It commits premeditated murder while interrupting surveillance to ensure there are no witnesses. This thing is scary. Just goes to show how smart the Wraith are. They’re more than just brutish mooks.
Lindstrom getting spaced. I totally shared Rodney’s horror and feeling of helplessness as he watched it happen. Once again, David Hewlett conveys so much with just his facial expressions.
And did I see some extras in Navy uniforms? It’s about time they represented more than just the Air Force and Marines on these Stargate shows. Anyway, I always thought the Navy should be crewing Earth’s spaceships since they’re, you know, ships, but I suppose the argument could also be made that they fly, so they’re just another form of aircraft and therefore should be crewed by Air Force personnel. Still, the Navy has pilots, too (lots of them). Nothing against the Air Force or the Marines, mind you (my Dad was Air Force, and Marines are very intimidating). I’m just saying.
Rating
9 out of 10. I liked this episode, especially how much it revealed about the intelligence of the Wraith. I also liked the way things just kept going from bad to worse.
Say hello to the new guy (Photo from GateWorld.net)
Runner
Written by Robert C. Cooper
Directed by Martin Wood
Guest starring Jason Momoa (Ronon Dex), Kavan Smith (Major Lorne), Mitch Pileggi (Colonel Steven Caldwell), Jonathon Young (Parrish), Dan Payne (Reed), James Lafazanos (Wraith)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
A man on the run from the Wraith may be the team’s only hope of capturing Lt. Ford and bringing him back to Atlantis.
General Impressions
I will not mention that Jason Momoa is tall, dark and handsome, has a deep voice, lots of muscles, a cute butt (in tight leather pants), nice dreds, a really big…gun…and a really nice chest (which the writers kindly have him expose). No, I will not mention that Jason Momoa is fanservice. Oops, I just did.
Was there more to this episode? I was distracted by Jason Momoa in tight leather pants.
The Good
Ronon is—phonetically, at least—an appropriate name for a guy who’s been on the run with neither home nor family for seven years. Ronon sounds like the Japanese “ronin”, which is the name for a masterless Samurai. Can’t have been an accident.
We only see him briefly in the opening tease, but I like Dr. Parrish. He’s such a geeky scientist, so completely absorbed in his work. They bring him back in season five, but I would have loved to get more of him in the interim seasons. He’s funny. I also love Major Lorne. He was in at least one SG1 episode, and I’m glad they brought him to Atlantis and gave him more to do.
When Tayla is telling Ronon why he should trust them, is it just me, or does the look she gives him resemble the one Obi Wan Kenobi gave the Stormtroopers on Tatooine when he was telling them “these are not the droids you’re looking for”? It’s like she’s trying to use Jedi powers on him. I wonder what her mitaclorian count is?
Rodney gets the funniest lines, followed by Lorne. That said, even though the worst curse words they say on this show are crap, hell and damn, I’m positive Rodney says “oh shit!” when Ford stuns Lorne. I’m surprised they let that one get through.
LOL. Sheppard wears cologne. I wonder if Rodney’s comment about the smell of “Aqua Velva” on Sheppard was paid product placement, since that’s a real brand of men’s after shave? Or is product placement only visual? Do mentions count?
Caldwell’s response to Sheppard’s assurance that Ford won’t give them away was really close to my own MST3K comment here in the comfort of my living room: “Oh, thank you so much for your assurance, Colonel. I’ll be sure to include your feelings in my report.” Nice.
The Bad
Looks like Colonel Caldwell still can’t get over being passed over for promotion in favor of Sheppard.
Welcome to planet British Columbia. My but it gets dark fast on this planet. How long did it take Dr. Beckett to prep for doing surgery on Ronon, anyway? Hours?
The Awesome
Ronon could have just been a one note badass (in tight pants), but they give him a sympathetic back story through flashbacks and his conversation with Tayla, not mention that painful scene at the end when he sees for himself that his civilization has been destroyed. Through him we learn that Wraith like to play with their food. We already knew how ruthless they were and that they destroy civilizations that advance far enough to rival theirs, but until this episode we didn’t see physical evidence of such destruction. In the season three episode Sateda we get a firsthand tour of the devastation to Ronon’s homeworld, and it’s horrible.
Yay! Super Ford’s back! Too bad they put him on a bus after this season, just when he started to get really interesting. His circular trek through the forest with Rodney is really funny, what with Rodney’s frequent mini freak outs, and Ford’s manic personality swings. I just love Super Ford, and wish they would have done more with him. Rainbow Sun Franks really looks like he’s having a great time being crazy.
The knife fight between Ford and Ronon is cool.
Again, the music. The musical cue when Ford is telling Sheppard he’s going to prove himself then jumps into a Wraith culling beam is so wistful and sad.
Rating
9 out of 10. Points for Super Ford and a great introduction of a new character. Also, Rodney’s interactions with anybody are hilarious, but especially with Super Ford.
Brokeback Atlantis (Photo from GateWorld.net)
Duet
Written by Martin Gero
Directed by Peter DeLuise
Guest starring Jaime Ray Newman (Lt. Laura Cadman), Claire Rankin (Dr. Kate Heightmeyer), Kavan Smith (Major Lorne), David Nykl (Dr. Zelenka), Brenda James (Dr. Katie Brown)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
An accident with a Wraith culling device puts the consciousness of a female Marine into Dr. McKay’s head.
General Impressions
I know it’s a cliché and it’s been done in many ways on many shows and in many movies, but it’s still really funny that Rodney has a woman in his head. This could have been a pure comedy episode, but then they ramp up the jeopardy by showing that Cadman’s consciousness is fading away, and all of Zalenka’s efforts to solve the problem have failed (the test mice all died, too). It was nice that Rodney came up with a solution while trying to reassure Cadman that he won’t let her die.
The Good
When I saw this episode when it first aired, it didn’t sink in with me that the team was investigating a village whose entire population had been culled. It’s only a few seconds of dialog, but Sheppard reminds us that since he woke up all of the Wraith there are too many Wraith to feed, or as he puts it, “too many hands to feed”. The implication is that this is happening all over the galaxy. It reminds us of what they’re up against.
“Dr. Fumbles McStupid”…heehee… Although, I don’t like it when people abuse Zalenka. He’s such a nice guy.
Rodney gets a date while he has a woman in his head. Hilarity ensues. I have to say, though, as soon as they established that Cadman has a thing for Carson, I knew that at some point Rodney would kiss Carson. It’s predictable but still funny.
I also liked the B plot of Ronon gaining acceptance in Atlantis, though they might have beat us over the head a bit with what a badass he is. I like his interactions with Tayla here. He bonds with her right away, and the two of them become like brother and sister in future episodes. The writers avoided the obvious ploy of having the two Pegasus natives become a couple. I don’t know why I like that, but I do.
The Bad
Wow, did they eat with their hands on Sateda? Or did seven years on the run make Ronon forget how to use utensils? I know he looks like a barbarian, but I don’t think they needed to take it this far. He came from a civilization capable of building cities and energy weapons, not a village of cave dwellers.
The Awesome
David Hewlett shows some real range here as he plays McKay and Cadman, imitating the actress’ manner of speech and her body language. This really comes through when he’s arguing with Cadman over whether or not to go back to the date after Cadman forced him to make a dramatic exit. They do the Gollum/Smeagol look left/look right depending on who’s speaking thing, too. Rodney as Smeagol. LOL. Hewlett’s really a terrific actor.
Once again we get to see that when someone else’s life is on the line, Rodney goes all out to save them. He may be awkward on a date, but when it’s in his power to save the day he becomes a superhero. It’s just really sad that he needs to have a woman’s consciousness in his head to be suave and romantic.
I love Wraith darts. No, I love Wraith tech in general. It just looks so cool. In this episode, we see how the cockpit hood of a dart works (it’s like gel that peels away with a gooey sound) and get a look inside the cockpit and at the guts of a dart. The hull of the dart looks like the bones of some kind of prehistoric beast. Everything about Wraith is just plain cool, except for the part where they feed on humans of course.
Rating
10 out of 10. Fun concept, and David Hewlett absolutely nails it.
