SGA Episode Review 3x20 "First Strike"
Feb. 7th, 2007 10:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
liresiusWhoo! I love my show still ...
First Strike was up there with Echoes for the m/m character moments and interactions, Echoes being my second favourite ep of S3. I liked the general structure of the ep - all the scenes flowed well. It pretty much had everything I really love about the show – good character bonding, lots of cool SFX and the boys looked sexy as hell in their uniforms and the lighting was kind.
Loved the performance evaluations - Rodney trying to complain and wheedle his way out of it and John just giving everyone “Excellent/Above Average, *giggles*, and having a sassy answer about “telling lies” to justify himself. Very little boy, smarty-pants to the “teacher”! Very cute!
Why was I surprised to hear “Yes, Chuck?” Is that the first time his name’s been said on screen? I read an interview mentioning his name, I’m sure, but yeah ... this must be a canon moment.
Huh … I really enjoyed not liking that Col. Ellis guy – and I suppose that was the point! He played his part well, but where was Caldwell? I hope he hasn’t been dropped too. But where does Ellis get off just beaming scientists against their will? "Be still, my indignant heart!".
Hee! Loved Radek suggesting “sabotaging” the weapons. What a great subversive he is and that's a very Czech (albeit unreliant) trait! Loved that whole discussion, with Rodney almost willing but thinking better of it. He struck a lovely low register in that scene.
Yay, Rodney for “Yeah, I don’t think that’s your call.” And “Aye, aye, Captain.” So LOYAL!
Loved Teyla for “How come you get to be Mr Fantastic?” and John escapes to his one team/true member with a comic book super-hero passion. *g*
Ronon didn’t annoy the hell out of me, as he has in recent episodes with his short fuse and snippy, childish impatience. His frustration at inactivity came across as much more believable in this situation, ‘cus he didn’t take it out on anyone.
Oh god, John you’re so gay with the “Why don’t you guys just make out and get it over with?” Of course he can afford such generosity since he then does the whole “on the same wave-length unspoken conversation” with his boyfriend Rodney, and Radek’s left in the dust!
John doesn’t want to be The Man. ”Who would I have to rage against?” Nice to get the matched bookend to the performance evaluations.
I liked the way they played the tete a tete with Ellis verbally seducing Sheppard (military types) on the one hand, Elizabeth and Teyla (the diplomats) on the other and both of them dropping their mutually exclusive bonding sessions to come running ... to hear out the pivotal scientists who are going to save their arses!
Hey, so the planet has a name at long last! John calls it ‘Lantea when he gets the idea for the moon rocks. Cool!
Yeuch! at Ellis’ “I do know General O’Neill is awfully fond of you.” How patronizing.
I really liked John in this ep. Not only for the cool “flying Atlantis via mind meld in the chair” stuff but also because he hit the right note/tone with Rodney in various places … You too. Huge improvement on S1’s parting.
Atlantis was so pretty going down and up, and then out into hyperspace – all very grandly heroic music, intercut with shots of John in the Chair. Still, I can’t help thinking it would have had much more impact if they’d resisted showing the Replicator's Atlantis flying in Progeny. They lost a lot of dramatic effect by playing their hand too early. So if this was part of the surprises that were supposed to blow my socks off for end of S3, well, *looksdownatsocks* “Nup, still there”, I have to say.
So … Jewel Staite. I haven’t seen her before, except wraithified. Hmm, she’s not as frail or young as I’ve read her described. She seems quite a mature young woman. I think it was quite clever of TPTB to bring her up from the rank and file already on Atlantis and to have her very resistant to, and lacking in confidence in the job. It cuts down on the sense of antipathy some might feel at her replacing Carson. It’s early days but I doubt I’ll change my mind on wishing Carson was still with the team. ETA (9/2): The more I think about her introductory scene, the more I'm convinced that her "not wanting the job" was a politically motivated scripting decision to reduce fan backlash against her. Jewel even stated in an interview, "Please don't hate me." and it just demonstrates a PTB awareness of Carson's huge popularity with the fans, so yeah it just doesn't make sense to me as to why they dropped him, if they have to go to such lengths ... *colour me perplexed*
Also it’s pretty clear they’ve laid the foundations for Elizabeth being turfed. I kind of doubt she would really resign (given her state of depression in The Return) – I mean John was right when he said “You’ve peaked.”, so the injuries are probably going to work in with what she said about being pushed aside anytime there’s a crisis for Earth. None of this really surprises me though because of the casting news, so I’m a bit baffled about DH’s assurances of shock/surprise. I guess he must just mean Atlantis taking wing and getting LOST in Space! “Danger! Danger! John Sheppard!” So does that make Jewel the older sister? Hee!
Despite being vaguely disappointed with how “not shocking” the events were it’s my favourite finale of the three seasons. Lots of lovely, slashy sub-text moments with my favourite boys and loyalty towards everyone on Atlantis.
There's a .zip file of about 75 caps (mostly of John, Rodney and the SFX) here
and a few caps
First Strike was up there with Echoes for the m/m character moments and interactions, Echoes being my second favourite ep of S3. I liked the general structure of the ep - all the scenes flowed well. It pretty much had everything I really love about the show – good character bonding, lots of cool SFX and the boys looked sexy as hell in their uniforms and the lighting was kind.
Loved the performance evaluations - Rodney trying to complain and wheedle his way out of it and John just giving everyone “Excellent/Above Average, *giggles*, and having a sassy answer about “telling lies” to justify himself. Very little boy, smarty-pants to the “teacher”! Very cute!
Why was I surprised to hear “Yes, Chuck?” Is that the first time his name’s been said on screen? I read an interview mentioning his name, I’m sure, but yeah ... this must be a canon moment.
Huh … I really enjoyed not liking that Col. Ellis guy – and I suppose that was the point! He played his part well, but where was Caldwell? I hope he hasn’t been dropped too. But where does Ellis get off just beaming scientists against their will? "Be still, my indignant heart!".
Hee! Loved Radek suggesting “sabotaging” the weapons. What a great subversive he is and that's a very Czech (albeit unreliant) trait! Loved that whole discussion, with Rodney almost willing but thinking better of it. He struck a lovely low register in that scene.
Yay, Rodney for “Yeah, I don’t think that’s your call.” And “Aye, aye, Captain.” So LOYAL!
Loved Teyla for “How come you get to be Mr Fantastic?” and John escapes to his one team/true member with a comic book super-hero passion. *g*
Ronon didn’t annoy the hell out of me, as he has in recent episodes with his short fuse and snippy, childish impatience. His frustration at inactivity came across as much more believable in this situation, ‘cus he didn’t take it out on anyone.
Oh god, John you’re so gay with the “Why don’t you guys just make out and get it over with?” Of course he can afford such generosity since he then does the whole “on the same wave-length unspoken conversation” with his boyfriend Rodney, and Radek’s left in the dust!
John doesn’t want to be The Man. ”Who would I have to rage against?” Nice to get the matched bookend to the performance evaluations.
I liked the way they played the tete a tete with Ellis verbally seducing Sheppard (military types) on the one hand, Elizabeth and Teyla (the diplomats) on the other and both of them dropping their mutually exclusive bonding sessions to come running ... to hear out the pivotal scientists who are going to save their arses!
Hey, so the planet has a name at long last! John calls it ‘Lantea when he gets the idea for the moon rocks. Cool!
Yeuch! at Ellis’ “I do know General O’Neill is awfully fond of you.” How patronizing.
I really liked John in this ep. Not only for the cool “flying Atlantis via mind meld in the chair” stuff but also because he hit the right note/tone with Rodney in various places … You too. Huge improvement on S1’s parting.
Atlantis was so pretty going down and up, and then out into hyperspace – all very grandly heroic music, intercut with shots of John in the Chair. Still, I can’t help thinking it would have had much more impact if they’d resisted showing the Replicator's Atlantis flying in Progeny. They lost a lot of dramatic effect by playing their hand too early. So if this was part of the surprises that were supposed to blow my socks off for end of S3, well, *looksdownatsocks* “Nup, still there”, I have to say.
So … Jewel Staite. I haven’t seen her before, except wraithified. Hmm, she’s not as frail or young as I’ve read her described. She seems quite a mature young woman. I think it was quite clever of TPTB to bring her up from the rank and file already on Atlantis and to have her very resistant to, and lacking in confidence in the job. It cuts down on the sense of antipathy some might feel at her replacing Carson. It’s early days but I doubt I’ll change my mind on wishing Carson was still with the team. ETA (9/2): The more I think about her introductory scene, the more I'm convinced that her "not wanting the job" was a politically motivated scripting decision to reduce fan backlash against her. Jewel even stated in an interview, "Please don't hate me." and it just demonstrates a PTB awareness of Carson's huge popularity with the fans, so yeah it just doesn't make sense to me as to why they dropped him, if they have to go to such lengths ... *colour me perplexed*
Also it’s pretty clear they’ve laid the foundations for Elizabeth being turfed. I kind of doubt she would really resign (given her state of depression in The Return) – I mean John was right when he said “You’ve peaked.”, so the injuries are probably going to work in with what she said about being pushed aside anytime there’s a crisis for Earth. None of this really surprises me though because of the casting news, so I’m a bit baffled about DH’s assurances of shock/surprise. I guess he must just mean Atlantis taking wing and getting LOST in Space! “Danger! Danger! John Sheppard!” So does that make Jewel the older sister? Hee!
Despite being vaguely disappointed with how “not shocking” the events were it’s my favourite finale of the three seasons. Lots of lovely, slashy sub-text moments with my favourite boys and loyalty towards everyone on Atlantis.
There's a .zip file of about 75 caps (mostly of John, Rodney and the SFX) here
and a few caps
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-02-11 12:20 pm (UTC)Yeah it's pretty normal for people to have different personas, and I'm not surprised to hear of DH's now I think about it. The gap between the personas is intriguing, as you say.
It must also be pretty challenging for him in the "Big Time". For such a naturally locquacious and spontaneous speaker, I imagine there's a weight of responsibility to navigate the different investments and perspectives people present - whether studio, fan audience or whoever. Clearly he's obligated in different degrees as well depending on the capacity he's filling in any given event. So perhaps that's part of the reason for his edgier side at the con.
It would be interesting to understand what his own sense of obligations are and how he balances promoting sga with his own personal agendas/interests and how they give rise to the manifestation of that persona at the con, for example.
Yes and Japan has toned that darker side of me down hugely. I'm still cynical underneath it all though. You don't actually change the template, but just edit it for viewing! I'm more careful to only show that side to like-minded people, who actually appreciate it *g* so I know exactly where DH is coming from in that respect. I wondered whether because he was on British soil, he felt he was more relaxed to show that darker side of himself to that audience, although you say he WASN'T relaxed, so that's a conundrum!
I mean I always feel I can show my darker more cynical/sarcastic/critical side to English and Australian co-workers, (and they to me) but it always has to be mostly superficial and positive with my American colleagues. There's a real divide here in that respect and my Aus. and English colleagues feel exactly the same about it as I do.
Yes, I hope things go well for him. It's funny you should metion celeb's selling their souls. Because that was the implicit tenor of one of JF's comment about David's ADB "promotion via fans" method. I got the sense that JF thought he was perhaps doing that in getting so close to the fans! It was nothing you could pin down and I don't want to assign authorial intent - just that in that lazy thoughtful drawl he said something that prompted me to sit up and take notice. JF lives in L.A. and he's probably seen it all!
no subject
Date: 2007-02-11 01:58 pm (UTC)I don't think DH was relaxed in his fannish interaction. He was more comfortable when he had Jane and Kate with him facing the questions but on his own he was very guarded. I think part of that was expectation of what he'd be asked and having to face the brunt of any fan madness alone - which again is slightly at odds with the man from the blog/forum isn't it?! But he really was a very different character to the one in that interview. Even with Kate and Jane there he was still harder edged than he was in that interview.
I think I like the darker David much more - I bet *he* has got some interesting stories to tell *g*.
Your interpretation of who we are in terms of what culture we're in was interesting. I totally agree re the upbeat "US" thing. I remember saying some typically self-deprecating English thing once and some Americans rushing up and trying to bolster my self esteem and telling me off almost for the comment - I was aware of a real cultural misunderstanding. I suspect a lot of the Americans take DH's self-deprecation as an endearing lack of ego, which it actually really isn't *g*. I think his ego is pretty healthy *ggg*.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-11 03:37 pm (UTC)I really liked your analysis of the David at the con re his levels of comfort and the conditions pertaining in each context. I'm pretty much nodding away here at what you said. Although I think you can get distance with blog. I get the sense that he's not nearly as threatened by what goes on in his blog than he is face to face. There isn't that immediate demand on him that's present with face to face conversation He doesn't need to respond to anything people say there, and he doesn't that I've noticed, except in an occasional summing up kind of way with new posts.
Yes, DH's ego is quite healthy! No argument here! Hee! I would like to know more of that darker side too. Much more interesting, I think.