The Scourge --SG1
Feb. 20th, 2006 02:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tenayaThe Scourge
I felt this one was entertaining. In fact, it seemed like the writer might have had a checklist of fannish desires. A mission through the Stargate. All four team members working together, in scenes together. Each team member worked in their area of expertise. No one fell in love with Carter. We found out what Daniel has his degrees in, and surprise, surprise, a character actually acknowledged that Daniel opened the Stargate. Wow. We even got the team movie night promoted from fanon to canon.
Of course, we also had the sterotypes that JM is fond of writing: the geeky scientists, the squabbling middle management types, the rescue at the last nanosecond, and the derivative script. I was surprised the annoying French guy didn't get eaten. A JM script will usually have a bunch of corridor walking and this script did have a lot of walking to and fro, but since he had the characters talking to each other about things other than the plot, this is an improvement.
But having said that, I liked the geeky bug scientist. The actor was able to bring some depth to this character and I regreted he ended up bug food. I didn't like the French guy and was surprised he did survive. And while a plot dealing with space bugs with the swarming effects lifted from The Mummy movies (not to mention an subterrian menace attracted by vibrations ala Dune) isn't original, the writer did fit the derivative elements into the SG universe, which is all I ask. The First Ones was Enemy Mine but since it was plainly Daniel doing Daniel things, it was fine--unlike Fail Safe.
For the characters, Beau Bridges finally seems relaxed as Landry. He was strong and decisive, but allowed enough informality for Mitchell to vent about baby sitting duties and even made his own joke about it. And he expressed concern and relief that the team made it home safely.
I was concerned by Mitchell's arguement with Daniel where he ends their debate by saying he's right and that's that. Huh? If the writers were going for a character arc, I'd be intrigued by this development, but I've been burned too many times to settle down and wait to be wowed. Mitchell started out slow, which I liked. Now he's cocky, which is damn dangerous in their job. Reality will smack him hard on the ass in some future ep if the writers follow up on this. He know Daniel is fuming because his team leader is resorting to "because I'm right" logic and is ignoring his imput. Carter is also close to being fed up. Teal'c, who apparently likes the gun ho approach, nevertheless also chastise Mitchell for not listening. Oh yeah, this should have repercussions in an ep to come. We'll see....
I was thinking of Jack's style of command vs. Mitchell's. Mitchell isn't listening any more. Jack always listened. He may have decided against what Carter or Daniel advised, but he listened. And if he disagreed, unless it was a matter that needed action immeditately, he probably would just give a little shrug, or stare that said, "I'm not buying it" instead of a taunting, "I'm right." Jack was more like a tolerate father, where Mitchell is turning into the bratty younger brother. I'm afraid this isn't working for me unless this is a set up for him to grow older and wiser at some later point.
Teal'c had lines. He helped with the tactical thinking, and had a lengthy conversation with Mitchell. We got to hear thes two characters actually discuss things like whether Teal'c has always believed that he could win against a more powerful enemy and Mitchell's determination to help Teal'c move off base. Teal'c rarely gets conversations like this, so it was especially surprising and welcomed.
Carter was both a soldier and scientist. She wasn't asked to do something unbelievable for a change, just call for help and it took some effort on her part to do it. What a relief! I did laugh when Woolsey went to her for words of encouragement. Carter is always a "the glass is half empty and at this rate of evaporation, things will go critical in 20 minutes" type of person. She's never been able to give encouragement.
So, when a person recites another person's resume, is that a type of fliration? Was Shen attempting to established a special rapport with Daniel? It was certainly enough to pique his interest and keep him coming back to try to glean further information from her. And wouldn't it be nice if in a later episode we find out what the Chinese are up to, especially with regards to Daniel? Very curious and I hope this tidbit isn't left to wither away.
It was a very funny moment when Mitchell revealed he understood Shen and Daniel's little conversation in Chinese. Daniel's expression was priceless; it's obvious he had underestimated Mitchell and doesn't like to be blindsided; I bet he'll check out Mitchell's background a bit better when he returns. Of course, the writers now have to come up with a reasonable explanation as to how Mitchell knows this language. Unless maybe it's a part of a handful of phrases he knows in certain languages (Hello, Goodbye, Thank you, How much, and Very funny.)
All in all, it was a fun hour. I must admit to a feeling of dread during the coming attractions when I saw it was a space bug ep, but this was a pleasant surprise.
I also wanted to say that Coup D'Etat was the first SGA ep that surprised me in a long time. All the characters seemed competent and I was very involved in the action. It was a good solid episode.
I felt this one was entertaining. In fact, it seemed like the writer might have had a checklist of fannish desires. A mission through the Stargate. All four team members working together, in scenes together. Each team member worked in their area of expertise. No one fell in love with Carter. We found out what Daniel has his degrees in, and surprise, surprise, a character actually acknowledged that Daniel opened the Stargate. Wow. We even got the team movie night promoted from fanon to canon.
Of course, we also had the sterotypes that JM is fond of writing: the geeky scientists, the squabbling middle management types, the rescue at the last nanosecond, and the derivative script. I was surprised the annoying French guy didn't get eaten. A JM script will usually have a bunch of corridor walking and this script did have a lot of walking to and fro, but since he had the characters talking to each other about things other than the plot, this is an improvement.
But having said that, I liked the geeky bug scientist. The actor was able to bring some depth to this character and I regreted he ended up bug food. I didn't like the French guy and was surprised he did survive. And while a plot dealing with space bugs with the swarming effects lifted from The Mummy movies (not to mention an subterrian menace attracted by vibrations ala Dune) isn't original, the writer did fit the derivative elements into the SG universe, which is all I ask. The First Ones was Enemy Mine but since it was plainly Daniel doing Daniel things, it was fine--unlike Fail Safe.
For the characters, Beau Bridges finally seems relaxed as Landry. He was strong and decisive, but allowed enough informality for Mitchell to vent about baby sitting duties and even made his own joke about it. And he expressed concern and relief that the team made it home safely.
I was concerned by Mitchell's arguement with Daniel where he ends their debate by saying he's right and that's that. Huh? If the writers were going for a character arc, I'd be intrigued by this development, but I've been burned too many times to settle down and wait to be wowed. Mitchell started out slow, which I liked. Now he's cocky, which is damn dangerous in their job. Reality will smack him hard on the ass in some future ep if the writers follow up on this. He know Daniel is fuming because his team leader is resorting to "because I'm right" logic and is ignoring his imput. Carter is also close to being fed up. Teal'c, who apparently likes the gun ho approach, nevertheless also chastise Mitchell for not listening. Oh yeah, this should have repercussions in an ep to come. We'll see....
I was thinking of Jack's style of command vs. Mitchell's. Mitchell isn't listening any more. Jack always listened. He may have decided against what Carter or Daniel advised, but he listened. And if he disagreed, unless it was a matter that needed action immeditately, he probably would just give a little shrug, or stare that said, "I'm not buying it" instead of a taunting, "I'm right." Jack was more like a tolerate father, where Mitchell is turning into the bratty younger brother. I'm afraid this isn't working for me unless this is a set up for him to grow older and wiser at some later point.
Teal'c had lines. He helped with the tactical thinking, and had a lengthy conversation with Mitchell. We got to hear thes two characters actually discuss things like whether Teal'c has always believed that he could win against a more powerful enemy and Mitchell's determination to help Teal'c move off base. Teal'c rarely gets conversations like this, so it was especially surprising and welcomed.
Carter was both a soldier and scientist. She wasn't asked to do something unbelievable for a change, just call for help and it took some effort on her part to do it. What a relief! I did laugh when Woolsey went to her for words of encouragement. Carter is always a "the glass is half empty and at this rate of evaporation, things will go critical in 20 minutes" type of person. She's never been able to give encouragement.
So, when a person recites another person's resume, is that a type of fliration? Was Shen attempting to established a special rapport with Daniel? It was certainly enough to pique his interest and keep him coming back to try to glean further information from her. And wouldn't it be nice if in a later episode we find out what the Chinese are up to, especially with regards to Daniel? Very curious and I hope this tidbit isn't left to wither away.
It was a very funny moment when Mitchell revealed he understood Shen and Daniel's little conversation in Chinese. Daniel's expression was priceless; it's obvious he had underestimated Mitchell and doesn't like to be blindsided; I bet he'll check out Mitchell's background a bit better when he returns. Of course, the writers now have to come up with a reasonable explanation as to how Mitchell knows this language. Unless maybe it's a part of a handful of phrases he knows in certain languages (Hello, Goodbye, Thank you, How much, and Very funny.)
All in all, it was a fun hour. I must admit to a feeling of dread during the coming attractions when I saw it was a space bug ep, but this was a pleasant surprise.
I also wanted to say that Coup D'Etat was the first SGA ep that surprised me in a long time. All the characters seemed competent and I was very involved in the action. It was a good solid episode.
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-20 02:36 pm (UTC)I think it's hilarious. There's Mitchell, military guy who is used to people saying 'yes sir'. There's Daniel, not exactly known for simply agreeing to orders or trying to kiss ass to get a promotion or a good report. Mitchell is having to resort to such a pathetic tactic 'I'm right, I'm not listening, I don't want to
playfight any more'. Mitchell is so screwed. :-D It may take a while but eventually he'll be broken in, just like the other officers.(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-23 09:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-03-17 05:49 pm (UTC)I got the impression that Shen was enamored of Daniel's accomplishments and it meant a lot to her to meet him. He responded with respectful admiration for her. It got flirty after that, when they were speaking Chinese, but I didn't get the feeling it started out that way, and after that the flirtiness stopped and their exchanges were serious and interesting. I also wonder if the show will follow up further on what it seemed to be planting there.