SG1: The Powers that Be
Aug. 13th, 2005 05:45 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tenayaI liked this one, even though it was slower than last week's, but as the content was heavier, it makes sense it was slower going. It certainly left me with more questions.
This one was written by Martin Gero, which is I believe his first SG-1 script. It's a meta moment but I loved the line, "Rid the galaxy of evil doers." Heh heh heh. But while I think Boston Legal can dabble with the real life political/religious situation in America, I'm pretty sure SG would be better off to avoid that quagmire.
While I really like Teal'c, I have to wonder why he is in this ep. He's still needed with the Jaffa thing, isn't he? I would have liked a line to explain his presence. Actually, I'd have liked him to have a few more lines, period, but I'm sounding like a broken record here. I did like that he referred to the villiagers as 'humans' as that reminded me of the whole Jaffa political thing and I wondered if he's segregating people in his mind. Can you act like a politican without eventually thinking like one? Run, Teal'c, Run!
I'm beginning to understand Dr. Lam's diligent setting of borders with Landry. He is really pushing her. I wish they hadn't waited until now to define their past relationship because it seemed very creepy when Lam could have been his old flame. It's still unpleasant to me that he's crowding his daughter when all she is offering is professionalism. From their comments, it would appear Landry was an absentee father. Considering how he deligates most of his meetings and work, one wonders why he didn't have more time?
I loved Mitchell's line, about a God-off. He's still a bit reticent as a team leader I think, but that should improve. I have to say I didn't recognise Mitchell when he was a patient, so I wonder if there was a missing scene (or was it slopping editing?) Upon a second viewing I did catch a few things that foreshadowed Mitchell's collapse. From the angle he was filmed lying upon that bed I was surprised that he reminded me of Kurt Russell's version of O'Neill. Hello! And since I've mentioned Jack, I'll say that I think if Jack was still on the team, he would have been the one to stand up and shoot at the Prior when Daniel failed with his arguments. And it was good to see Mitchell playing cards with Teal'c. It's a small thing but keeps them in the scene in a believable way and shows that they are comfortable with each other and maybe becoming friends. Nice and slow, very organic growth of these team bonds, imo.
Mitchell admits to feeling tingly when he recovers. He's being held by Dr. Lam at this point and his quick, "how about we pretend I didn't say that" makes me wonder if there's a Lam/Mitchell romance being hinted at that I haven't noticed yet. It came out of the blue for me, and I can't say I like it much. The chemistry isn't being shown at all. If those guesses are correct, they are pushing that way too fast and I don't really see a reason for having it at all. Is there some law that states there must be a romance on a show?
For the Vala moments (and I still wish we could keep her) I loved how she kept trying to wriggle out of the cell, and when Daniel wapped the cage to shush her. I liked the character developement where she went from be a fun loving god to where she tried to help 'her' people and eventually displayed true compassion and distress over their fate.
I thought the trial was a good way to set up the theological debate. Yes, there's been other trials in SG, but I didn't think it redundant; it's just a story type. The whole point of a trial is to listen to the argument and the people and the arguments have been different.
Daniel's definitely plucky; he has never been put off by a strong enemy nor his he now. I can see how this could be yet another episode where fans will view his choice of action with the same division as they view Need and The Other Side.
So, the Priors come to a planet, demand the Ori are to be worshipped. If you don't, the Prior causes an illness that they can cure to show miraclulous powers. If they still are denied, you are killed. Once you accept the Ori, you are promised knowledge and enlightenment, but you get hours of praying instead and are kept in a stagnant, primitive state. And you are killed if you try to think for yourself.
Daniel argues enlightenment should be gained for oneself and killing unbelievers is wrong. He doesn't agree that one should have to give up their free will before you can accept enlightenment. He encourages the villiagers to stand up and resist the Ori. It's a non-violent strategy and it had to be attempted, but obviously it didn't work. Was he wrong to attempt this? Was he foolishly and arrogantly risking the lives of the villiagers for a theory? It would seem the Ori have stacked the deck when the Priors land on a planet and make their pitch. If you don't offer any resistence, then you must buy what they're selling and that's the end of your freedom.
The trouble is Daniel is debating dogma and he can't win, not when the audience will be killed if he wins. I'm quite curious to see what it is that he hasn't sussed out yet, why the Ori care if they are worshipped. With this set up, it better be good!
So, even though there wasn't much new info given about the Ori in this ep, I appreciated it anyway. From Origin, we got the bullet point summary the Ori are bad. In this ep, we got demonstrated just how thorough their trap is, and how much trouble our galaxy is in. I think if they hadn't done this ep, I would have felt the Ori threat was rushed by me, the viewer.
And I've managed this review in a more timely manner (ain't I proud?)
This one was written by Martin Gero, which is I believe his first SG-1 script. It's a meta moment but I loved the line, "Rid the galaxy of evil doers." Heh heh heh. But while I think Boston Legal can dabble with the real life political/religious situation in America, I'm pretty sure SG would be better off to avoid that quagmire.
While I really like Teal'c, I have to wonder why he is in this ep. He's still needed with the Jaffa thing, isn't he? I would have liked a line to explain his presence. Actually, I'd have liked him to have a few more lines, period, but I'm sounding like a broken record here. I did like that he referred to the villiagers as 'humans' as that reminded me of the whole Jaffa political thing and I wondered if he's segregating people in his mind. Can you act like a politican without eventually thinking like one? Run, Teal'c, Run!
I'm beginning to understand Dr. Lam's diligent setting of borders with Landry. He is really pushing her. I wish they hadn't waited until now to define their past relationship because it seemed very creepy when Lam could have been his old flame. It's still unpleasant to me that he's crowding his daughter when all she is offering is professionalism. From their comments, it would appear Landry was an absentee father. Considering how he deligates most of his meetings and work, one wonders why he didn't have more time?
I loved Mitchell's line, about a God-off. He's still a bit reticent as a team leader I think, but that should improve. I have to say I didn't recognise Mitchell when he was a patient, so I wonder if there was a missing scene (or was it slopping editing?) Upon a second viewing I did catch a few things that foreshadowed Mitchell's collapse. From the angle he was filmed lying upon that bed I was surprised that he reminded me of Kurt Russell's version of O'Neill. Hello! And since I've mentioned Jack, I'll say that I think if Jack was still on the team, he would have been the one to stand up and shoot at the Prior when Daniel failed with his arguments. And it was good to see Mitchell playing cards with Teal'c. It's a small thing but keeps them in the scene in a believable way and shows that they are comfortable with each other and maybe becoming friends. Nice and slow, very organic growth of these team bonds, imo.
Mitchell admits to feeling tingly when he recovers. He's being held by Dr. Lam at this point and his quick, "how about we pretend I didn't say that" makes me wonder if there's a Lam/Mitchell romance being hinted at that I haven't noticed yet. It came out of the blue for me, and I can't say I like it much. The chemistry isn't being shown at all. If those guesses are correct, they are pushing that way too fast and I don't really see a reason for having it at all. Is there some law that states there must be a romance on a show?
For the Vala moments (and I still wish we could keep her) I loved how she kept trying to wriggle out of the cell, and when Daniel wapped the cage to shush her. I liked the character developement where she went from be a fun loving god to where she tried to help 'her' people and eventually displayed true compassion and distress over their fate.
I thought the trial was a good way to set up the theological debate. Yes, there's been other trials in SG, but I didn't think it redundant; it's just a story type. The whole point of a trial is to listen to the argument and the people and the arguments have been different.
Daniel's definitely plucky; he has never been put off by a strong enemy nor his he now. I can see how this could be yet another episode where fans will view his choice of action with the same division as they view Need and The Other Side.
So, the Priors come to a planet, demand the Ori are to be worshipped. If you don't, the Prior causes an illness that they can cure to show miraclulous powers. If they still are denied, you are killed. Once you accept the Ori, you are promised knowledge and enlightenment, but you get hours of praying instead and are kept in a stagnant, primitive state. And you are killed if you try to think for yourself.
Daniel argues enlightenment should be gained for oneself and killing unbelievers is wrong. He doesn't agree that one should have to give up their free will before you can accept enlightenment. He encourages the villiagers to stand up and resist the Ori. It's a non-violent strategy and it had to be attempted, but obviously it didn't work. Was he wrong to attempt this? Was he foolishly and arrogantly risking the lives of the villiagers for a theory? It would seem the Ori have stacked the deck when the Priors land on a planet and make their pitch. If you don't offer any resistence, then you must buy what they're selling and that's the end of your freedom.
The trouble is Daniel is debating dogma and he can't win, not when the audience will be killed if he wins. I'm quite curious to see what it is that he hasn't sussed out yet, why the Ori care if they are worshipped. With this set up, it better be good!
So, even though there wasn't much new info given about the Ori in this ep, I appreciated it anyway. From Origin, we got the bullet point summary the Ori are bad. In this ep, we got demonstrated just how thorough their trap is, and how much trouble our galaxy is in. I think if they hadn't done this ep, I would have felt the Ori threat was rushed by me, the viewer.
And I've managed this review in a more timely manner (ain't I proud?)
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-13 07:53 am (UTC)I have to say I didn't recognise Mitchell when he was a patient, so I wonder if there was a missing scene (or was it slopping editing?) Upon a second viewing I did catch a few things that foreshadowed Mitchell's collapse.
Ditto. I rewatched and the part where they first showed Mitchell down finally sank in, but first time around when he got better I was trying to figure out when the hell he got sick!
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-13 09:53 am (UTC)Was the first time he was down when the IVs were running into him, or was there a bit where he collapsed? I've watched it twice, so you'd think I'd have noticed it! I remembered first time watching, seeing the military guy being treated, but I thought, oh it must be one of the back up guys. I didn't recognise Mitchell until he started talking. Something was off for so many people to not catch it. I mean, really, Mitchell's first SG-1 whump!
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-13 12:29 pm (UTC)There was a bit where he wasn't looking too well, but nothing was really said about it and if I hadn't been looking the second time around I'd have missed it altogether.
Something was off for so many people to not catch it. I mean, really, Mitchell's first SG-1 whump!
I know! Talk about gipped! Well, hopefully there'll be some good missing scene fics (preferably centered on him and Daniel ;).
I'm figuring there may have been a scene where he collapsed and/or where they were talking about him being ill and it was edited out for time--that's the only explanation I can come up with for such a major oversight.
I mean they have their problems, but usually they let the audience know 'Hey, it's a major player down here, people!' -- and subtlety's never been their strong point.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-14 09:41 am (UTC)while I think Boston Legal can dabble with the real life political/religious situation in America, I'm pretty sure SG would be better off to avoid that quagmire -- I've been of two minds on that. Maybe three minds: I admire them for (it looks like) tackling it; it's loaded w/too much baggage and they should stick to more escapist entertainment; it's a reasonable extension of issues they've touched on throughout the series and better they should address them than shy away from them.
I'm quite curious to see what it is that he hasn't sussed out yet, why the Ori care if they are worshipped -- Me too! That's the most interesting question to me right now.
I'm with you on Mitchell/Lam. I'm not sure if the 'tingly' line was an indicator of an intent to ship them, or whether it was just Mitchell waking up enough to realize that his terminology might have been taken the wrong way.
Hey, he did look like Kurt Russell's O'Neil there! Heh. Agree w/you about Jack shooting the prior, too. There's a lot about Vala that Jack would like, I think, even tho he'd be exasperated with her as well.
Enjoyed your comments. :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-14 11:03 am (UTC)I do like that they are taking on people who preach religion but have hidden agendas as I think that may be one of the biggest issues in the world today. I think there will be people who are quick to take offense that their religion is being picked on, which only bothers me to the extent they may put SG-1 on the Devil's Minion list. The phrase "evil doers" is pretty well associated with Bush now, and while I laughed at the time, they could be making it easier for the far religious right to draw a conclusion that SG is another enemy.
I really hope your second theory about Lam and Mitchell is right. It probably is. It would be just right if it is. The trouble is the track record of Bridge when it comes to ship.
I would love to see Jack interact with Vala. It's possible he might have met her in Washington DC if he stopped in to check on/with Daniel. I think he's protective enough of Daniel to be annoyed with her, while I think he'd be impressed with her pluck and ingenuity.
Now I'm going to go to your lj and comment on the Lam Landry thing I waffled about doing last night.
Thanks for commenting. :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-17 07:37 am (UTC)I like your take on how Jack would react to Vala. It would also be fun to see how their humor meshed or clashed. :-)
It seemed like Daniel and Vala and Landry went to DC and came back the same day -- I think they had the same clothes on in the next scene in the corridor, but have to check -- so it might be tough shoehorning in a D/V/J scene. But nothing's impossible for ff writers. *g*
I do like that they are taking on people who preach religion but have hidden agendas as I think that may be one of the biggest issues in the world today -- Yeah. Very interesting thoughts about the risks the show is taking!