Stargate Atlantis #402 - Review of "Lifeline" (contains Spoilers)

[wraithfodder]

 

LIFELINE, a brief review of sorts as yawn, wanna get to sleep.

 

Recapping last week’s ADRIFT. 

SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON!!

 

Lost in space, shields down to bare minimum, Rodney basically resurrects Weir (against Sheppard’s orders) with replicator nanites and now they need a ZPM or else they’ll all die, and oh look, replicatorworld is just a hop and skip away in the souped-up jumper. So, they’re going to go steal some ZPMs. You just know this is all gonna go wrong…

 


REVIEW

As soon as Elizabeth became RepliWeir (a term I’ve seen on various boards), you just know where this is going (since the main credits are a dead giveaway to who is going to remain on the show until the next ‘culling’  * cough * )

 

In part 1, while McKay is operating more on emotion when it comes to Weir, Sheppard isn’t taking any chances. It’s great to see him actually put the command first, before the ‘we leave no people behind’ credo because in this instance, the wrong move could spell doom for everybody in the city, and maybe even Earth. But now that Elizabeth is alive, talking, etc., Sheppard isn’t so keen on disarming the nanites, which will spell her death, so he hopes that Rodney can keep the replicators from taking over. However, Elizabeth is more pragmatic. If she goes ‘bad,’ she orders Sheppard to use the kill switch.

 

As a note, I love watching Zelenka and McKay work together, love watching Sheppard say “you said you could do it” and then McKay whine and kevetch but he works so well under threat of imminent death.

 

For just a second, when Rodney said “opening hyperspace window,” I could have sworn he’d said “opening happy face window.” Argh, darn those TV commercials!

 

Well, okay, sorry, but we’re in the midst of great drama and it’s another romp in the park with Carter and Lee (comedic aspect added with tourist picture stuff). In fact, Lee seems to have been turned into comic relief and seriously, not every episode needs that. I’d much rather listen to Shep-McKay banter.

 

The action of going in to steal the ZPM was done well, nice and suspenseful, and went so smoothly so you knew, trouble was going to happen. Yup, McKay finds the motherlode, the Holy Grail of Replicator programming so they can turn the replicators back to their original intent – wiping out the pesky Wraith.

 

The twist with Elizabeth manipulating Oberoth was a nice one, though it’s sad that this is probably all we’ll see of Elizabeth for a while, as the episode sorta ended like it did with Ford: Sheppard not giving up, but the writers do. We’ll just have to see, and if there’s a fifth season, will there be a chance to bring back Elizabeth, even as recurring?

 

And at the crucial point where Elizabeth told htem to go as they were outnumbered, it looked like Ronon yanked Sheppard back so they would leave.

 

Best line: Sheppard to McKay, who’s going on about the city being destroyed in landing. “It never ends with you, you know?” “What?” Ha!

 

Great landing. Sure someone must have chipped a tooth or busted a bone.

 

Seemed fitting that Teyla clear Elizabeth’s office, although I couldn’t help think the blue box looked an awful like a recycling bin. I think Teyla’s reaction will probably be the most we’ll see of Elizabeth’s loss.

 

Overall, a good episode. Nice drama, and set-up for the future of course. We've got a new planet to explore, and hopefully they'll do that, plus the writers sure had better utilize that ‘venemous snake-like creature’ on the mainland.

 

Also, the city looked an awful like a snowglobe while going through space ;)

SCREENCAPS

 

Sheppard

 

McKay and Ronon

 

Teyla - yes, you guys go off and get into trouble. I'll stay back here and redecorate...

 

Ronon and Sheppard - can't we muzzle McKay? he talks and talks and talks...

 

Weir - Oh oh, did I leave....

 

Elizabeth, you left the iron on?! You could burn down Atlantis!

 

Rodney: Don't worry, I can deactivate the iron via my wireless laptop

 

Sheppard

 

Sheppard, grumble grumble

 

Sheppard and Ronon

 

Sheppard

 

Ronon with gun

 

Sheppard and McKay in jail (yeah, so many fans' fantasies *cough*)

 

Weir "no, no, that's not my fantasy, nope, not at all"

 

Sheppard aims gun at replicators I

 

Sheppard aims gun at replicators while Ronon pulls him back

 

Rodney not happy, not happy at all "WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!!!!"

 

Carter and McKay as city comes in for landing

 

Sheppard after city lands, reflecting on all that’s happened. Argh, the angst on his face!

 

Sheppard, after landing city, with superimposed city; think this is my favorite

 

 And that's it!

 

Comments

[clarkangel.livejournal.com]

Perfect recap. Basically covers my thoughts, just add a bit more Shep SQUEE and you nailed it. Love the caps. Joe does the angst so well and it's awesome that he's finally been given the material so showcase him. Thanks for sharing.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I just did my Shep squeeing with the piccies :)

[le-mousquetaire.livejournal.com]

Your last cap ? I cap it too. Can't help it, is a great image.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

Great landing. Sure someone must have chipped a tooth or busted a bone.

Hey, any landing you can walk away from...

plus the writers sure had better utilize that ‘venemous snake-like creature’ on the mainland.

If not, I'm sure there will be fic. Hey, wait a minute...you write fic. ::blinks limpidly in a hopeful manner::

Also, the city looked an awful like a snowglobe while going through space

I was thinking the exact same thing!

Now that all the frantic running around is over, I hope we return to our regularly scheduled show.

[jackfan2.livejournal.com]

Great pics and nicely penned review. Pretty much summed up my thoughts as well.

I did like how Elizabeth turned that virtual thing back on Oberof (sp?) and made him think he'd caught the team, when all along she was 'messing with their heads'. Very nice touch and for me, being all gullable and all, I was caught by surprise.

A very good episode.

[a-pilgrim-soul.livejournal.com]

Can I ask a favour? If you're going to do this every week can you stick the recap of the previous week under the cut as I'm going to wait and watch some of the episodes on UK TV which is ten days behind and there may be others who are doing the same. Just a thought.

[alipeeps.livejournal.com]

I haven't read yet cos I haven't watched yet but I just wanted to point out hon that your un-cut intro paragraph for your post is way spoilery for Adrift for people who might not have been able to see it yet.. (like, it airs officially in the UK in 4 days..)

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Love the captions on your screencaps. Off to write my own review now--but I agree a lot with yours, so I hope I'm not too redundant!

[balikpulang.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the caps! Makes me want to watch the episode again. Hmmm...

Flashes of what Torri is capable of in this episode reminded me of Before I Sleep, where her character left such a strong impact on me. And I'm with you on the parallels between Ford and Weir. What a shame we get such promise - too late.

And yes, Joe nailed Shep perfectly, though McKay got on my nerves (more than usual!) in this one.

[tipper-green.livejournal.com]

I loved the caps! As usual! And nice recap! Also--I need to go back and check on Ronon pulling Sheppard back when Elizabeth tells them to go, because that really interests me. It goes to John's grappling with being in command, and that's such a telling moment. He left her behind, and that is huge to me. I hope there is fallout, I really do.

[beth-green.livejournal.com]

Hi there!

Whenever I want to read an episode review, yours is the site I visit. Invariably, I think, 'Oh yeah, absolutely!' as I read your comments. That being said, I must point out one issue with your presentation.

I don't arbitrarily love everything about SGA. Negative nits and crits occur to me. However, the minute I see your screen caps, I become a drooling idiot and my brain becomes incapable of forming any coherent thought beyond, 'I LOVE THIS SHOW!'

In retrospect, the above is not a bad thing. Please don't hesitate to share additional eye candy along with your comments. Thank you kindly.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the pretty pics can make you drool ;) Don't know if I'll have more next week or not. Will see, but hope to do more reviews as the season progresses.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope so too.... (on the fallout)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I want to write a tag to this but still haven't done it.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yup, they finally gave Eilzabeth a really great episode. I hope they remember her in Reunion tomorrow!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

behind on my mail, but yup, I fixed that within minutes of posting.