Stargate Atlantis #403 – Review of “Reunion” (contains spoilers)

[wraithfodder]

 Below the cut you’ll find my review/comments on Stargate Atlantis episode #403 – “Reunion”.

Stargate Atlantis

REUNION #403

 

PROLOGUE

 

Oh, loved the guy swooning over Teyla for the ‘arranged marriage.’

 

Teyla’s new leather look is, er, interesting. What’s with the snakeskin-like collar? Me thinks the new leather look is to hide Rachel’s pregnancy, but anyway, loved the part where the three “loudmouthed drunkards” had her pinned to the bar, ready to filet her, when Ronon saves the day, only to realize these ruffians are his FRIENDS! Just the look on Teyla’s face of utter disgust as they throw themselves all over Ronon is priceless. And I could swear I’ve seen that bar before, maybe half a dozen times, on SG1 ;)

 

Meanwhile, poor Radek is probably getting an ulcer as Rodney tells him he thinks he’s gonna be the new head of Atlantis. “Very scary.” Talk about delusions of grandeur, which promptly deflates like a stuck balloon when he finds Sheppard talking to their new boss- Carter.

 

ACT I

 

My biggest gripe about the Sam-Teal’c scene. Could they have shellaced her bangs any more to her head? Yeah, sorry, but I was hoping she’d trim ‘em a little.  I don’t begrudge her the crying a little (Sam is the only character in SG1 who is allowed to do that, after all). A bit schmaltzy but the scene was brief so no problem. Teal’c looks like he’s been putting oil in his hair ;)

 

Ah, so obviously they have enough ZPMs to go back and forth I guess. So, does that mean they’ve got one back on earth? Or did they pull it from the Daedalus or Apollo just for that occasion?

 

Okay, now we got Jason’s tattoo worked into the show so its sudden appearance can be explained.

 

“That son of a…” loved how Rodney got ticked off when Sheppard left the fruitbasket after telling Rodney how tacky it would be to give Carter such a welcoming gift. However, I hope this is the conclusion of McKay’s ‘unrequited lust’ for Carter as although in the few episodes he did in SG1, it was funny, but as an overall thread though a series, it could be deathly boring and it does nothing but regress Rodney.

 

Anybody else wonder why Ronon had to be introduced to Sam? I mean, he was in “Lifeline”. Didn’t she meet the rest of the team while she was there? Quibble quibble. Okay, enjoyed the conflict between Ronon and Sam and the fact that well, at least we got some mention of Weir.

 

ACT II

 

Sheppard was on the ‘short list’ to be commander. Interesting. The rescue mission conversation seemed very similar to “Rising” when Sheppard told Weir he was going to run off and save Sumner (even to the point it was done on the balcony). I could see Sheppard being okay with not being in command, what with the politics and whatnot. I like how Sheppard still thinks Elizabeth is alive and worth rescuing. And I predict Sheppard isn’t going to come up with a brilliant plan to go rescue Weir as, well, Rodney would have come up with it already, and TPTB had decided to remove Weir, so…. but unlike in “Rising,” Sheppard also had progressed enough to know that he couldn’t go off with the ‘don’t leave anyone behind motto’ as his motivation to off to enact a rescue.

 

Oh yup, Rachel’s showing! ;) Saw that in the sparring scene, which was a great character piece for both Teyla and Ronon. I liked that we got a little more insight into Teyla and her leadership skills and even self-doubts, which we haven’t really had voiced before.

 

Okay, the Satedan crowd mentioning the replicator code being cracked is like someone saying “oh, they’ve got your password to your bank account.” ACK! So, they’re lured in (obviously). Ooh, Sheppard did not look happy when Ronon said once the operation was over, he’d be leaving Atlantis.

 

ACT III

 

Whoa, Ronon’s quarters. We finally get to see it. Must go back and see what’s there. Ah, low bed (quite low), candles (I’m amazed nobody’s burned down something yet in Atlantis), the painting (from Sateda or Walmart??), more candles, some sticks and stuff in the corner, weapons.

 

The discussion between Ronon and Carter was interesting, but I don’t know, it was sorta like a pep talk, at least it sounded sorta like it to me.

 

Okay, I quibbled about it for years on SG1, so why stop now? ;) Sam’s hair still looks sorta ratty. It’s a combination of just too much hairspray and strategically mussed hair. Oh well. Probably not going to change. And the uniform looked, er, um, cough, a little tight. I really don’t care for the new uniforms with the darts and color slashes and funnel sleeves. Too retro sixties scifi. Yeah, I like the old uniforms a lot better. Personal preference. I’ll stop complaining when they make new uniforms for season 5 ;)

 

Leave it to McKay to piss off the big burly Satedan with that remark in the jumper (“you’re amateurs”). Being a Sheppard fan, loved how he just coolly went into the wraith lair, gun out in one hand and LSD in the other. Now we know the wraith have their own version of transporters (did they have them before? I really don’t recall ‘em). Best part of ensuing disaster was Ronon’s look of longing as Sheppard, McKay and Teyla go one way, and he stands there, watching, and then, as he follows the Satedans. Then Shep et. al. run into Wraith and machine gun fire ensues and Ronon does not hesitate for a second to run to the rescue. Yes! Ronon’s a man of few words, basically, and he even though he had a lot more dialogue in this episode than in most of season 3(!), he can still say a lot with expressions as well.

 

We can see changes in Sheppard. A year ago he would have wanted to rescue the “vending machine” folk but now knows it’s impossible. Loved how Rodney finally got the door open but not in time as Sheppard gets stunned. Very cool that he was smart enough to hide in a cocoon! But then the Satedans stun the poor guy. Just can’t win. And wow, does that wraith ever have puffy white hair! Geez, high humidity inside that ship or auditioning for the haunted castle?

 

ACT IV

 

Loved how Ronon just slid in through the gate and went off running to see Carter and why on earth was Zelenka standing right in the line of fire?? Hmm. Especially since there were two armed soldiers standing right there, even more out of the line of fire than him.

 

The jail scene. Sheppard just recovers from being stunned and then gets shot again. Nice whump factor J  “Be strong, Rodney,” encourages Teyla but the scientist is obviously heading toward cracking like an egg as he’s spending all his time talking a mile a minute. And wasn’t wraith décor more blue last year? It’s sorta reddish-orange now, unless it’s just a different group, different decorators.

 

Everytime I see a flashbang used on SGA I’m going to go “it’s not like that.” I only say that because I recently got the chance to see one in action by a SWAT team. They’re not so much blinding as DEAFENING. It’s like a cherry bomb. KABOOM! Really startles you.

 

Oh wait, it’s Carter’s dominatrix/biker chick black leather outfit from the promo photos!  Couldn’t tell at first as it was dark and she’s got a vest on over that and well, that’s one way to sweat off the pounds. Sheppard’s still got the best and most practical uniform.

 

Anyway, not sure why Carter went on the mission – she’s the boss – barely been there a day and she’s running off to do rescues? Would have made more sense for folks who have previously been in Wraith infested installations (like Lorne and other marines).

 

Poor Ronon. His good buddy Satedans are Wraith worshippers but he’s still willing to let them escape, give them a chance. Must admit the “we’ll settle this like true Satedans” stuff makes me wonder how the Satedans lasted as long as they did (but then I wonder that about the Jaffa too – they’re just as inane in fighting)  Good fight scene though and I guess there’s the chance we could run across Tyre again (well, probably as much chance as running across Ford).

 

Did Ronon’s response to Carter’s “Ronon, where are you friends?” He walks past her then looks at Sheppard and McKay and says “They’re right here.” Oh man, we need some fanfic to wrap up that.

 

Rodney purloined Ronon’s painting?? Somehow I can’t see Rodney liking that style of painting…

 

------------------------------

 

Overall, I enjoyed the episode. It was good, like a B, but not great, like an A.  At times a few things seemed rushed, and Carter seemed a bit too much of a ‘newbie’ on the city for being chosen to take it over. I mean in that she was there during “Lifeline” and unless she packed up and left a few hours later, which we know she didn’t, she had to have seen the city during the day and the “this is Ronon” thing was weird. But anyway…I really liked Ronon in this episode; he got to do more than just shoot people and we got to see him longing for something else besides killing Wraith. Friends and ties back to a life he’d lost.

 

I would like to know how much time had elapsed between LIFELINE and this episode. It seems like quite a bit of time elapsed, as the IOA was stonewalling Sheppard’s requests to go rescue Weir, and nobody seemed particularly frazzled or jumpy (which you’d think they’d be after the trauma of LIFELINE). Which, I would suspect, meant that Sheppard was in temporary command of the city for a while. I also suspect a fair amount of time must have passed as Carter is calling Sheppard “John.” And the wraith-replicators are going after each other.

 

So, did the one lone replicator guy decimate all the wraith on the ship? Did they rescue any of the vending machine folk?

 

Noticed that Ronon called Sheppard ‘John’ again (first time was in “Vengeance”). Sheppard called Carter “Colonel" (as I know this has been a topic of discussion on other boards)

 

I’ll probably go back and rewatch it tomorrow, but it’s midnight, so YAWN, gonna hit the sack. These are my initial reactions to the episode

 

I’m waiting for fanfiction to fill in all the holes, especially between the episodes.

 

And next week, yes, DOPPELGANGER!!!

 

 And, sorry, no screencaps this time around, but I'm sure somebody is doing 'em and if you want to list links to any, feel free to do so in the comments.

 
NOTE: Found a LJ with some good screencaps from this episode at http://nel-ani.livejournal.com/331239.html

Comments

[erin-anderson.livejournal.com]

Well all the McDex shippers will tell you that Rodney purloined Ronan's painting cause he misses him so much. And I'm a McDex shipper so that's what I saw. Now the non-McDex shippers can just say he was gonna sell it on ebay. ;-)

[tipper-green.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm glad you picked up on the good things like this! I was too lazy to, so, yay!

I also wondered about Carter's strange ability to just abandon Atlantis on day one to go running into a Wraith facility, where she's never been. She's never even seen a Wraith before, right? Still, there you go. I guess Lorne was watching the shop?

Otherwise, except for Radek apparently having the gene now (I hate continuity errors, man!), I really liked the ep (because Ronon was so good in it! And Teyla! And Sheppard!) and you picked up all the best points. Thank you!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Ha!!!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

But I'm still going to rag on about Carter's hair. I've seen pictures of the actress with nice hair but once on the show, I don't know, they just muck it up ;)

Yup, Lorne should have headed up the rescue mission. Darn.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

I really don’t care for the new uniforms with the darts and color slashes and funnel sleeves. Too retro sixties scifi. Yeah, I like the old uniforms a lot better.

I agree. I don't like the new uniforms either, except for Sheppard's. I think they look more like 1960s flight attendants' uniforms. I miss the leather jacket from "Common Ground". That jacket was way too cool to only use a couple of times like they did.

[xfkirsten.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I gotta say, no one really seemed bothered by the fact that Weir was gone, and that was more annoying than anything. Rodney was almost jubilant in the beginning (yes, he thought he was going to get the post, but he's not the kind of person to brush off a loss that easily, no matter what he pretends) and she hardly got a mention. Ronon was the only one who honestly seemed to care.

Loved Ronon's part, though - some great character development stuff for him. Yay! I just wish the rest of the decisions made on the part of the Lanteans weren't sheer stupidity (Carter on the rescue mission, WTF?).

On the flashbangs... we actually got a few of them to use at the zoo in the event that we need to break up tiger fights when we put our male and female together for breeding. Hope we never have to use them!

[vecturist.livejournal.com]

Agree on the uniform jackets for day to day - a little too tight and definitely not flattering. Seemed like a bad hair episode all around - even Jf"s wasn't quite as spiky in a few scenes. Liked Rachel's outfits except the snakeskin tie thing - but did notice she has pregnancy breasts - are TPTB going to use those for the fanboys?

Oh, one big continuity error - Radek with a LSD when they enter the lab. Sorry - long day in the lab - still in 'tiny details-freak mode'

[wildcat88.livejournal.com]

I liked this ep. As far as Sam crying, I do believe Daniel might be the winner on SG-1 (big Daniel fan here). I like the comments you make about the changes in Sheppard and how expressive Ronon is. It makes me smile to think of him as the hugger of the group (Carson, John, Rodney). I also thought this was a strong Teyla ep, particularly the sass in the tavern and the sparring scene.

I always love John and Ronon scenes (first time he called him John was in Sunday). My one disappointment with the ep was the last scene. While I adore Ronon and Teyla together, I would have preferred John welcoming Ronon back.

[clarkangel.livejournal.com]

I felt it was just an okay ep. Loved all the Shep bits. Carter and Shep talk covered the bases of things and now will never be mentioned again, no doubt. didn't like Carter going to Ronon over his friends. Like with conversion, I don't want to see the BOSS, I want to see the TEAM together, working through this. that's what should have happened.
Loved Mark Dacascus. Am huge fan and the man can still kick ass.

End scene should have been team in Ronon's room too, with Shep and Teyla pushing Rodney, who would be holding the painting he stole.

Also, Carter never should have left Atlantis, and more than that, never with Zelenka. Yeah..I know it's ashow and they'll all get rescued and go home. But make it a bit more real. Like they could have all died and the top 2 leaders, Carter..Blech, and Shep along with the top 2 scientists and fighters would have been lost.

Not a great ep. more Ronon and Shep scenes and more TEAM moments would have made it better. I don't HATE Carter as much as i thought I would in this ep, because of the balcony scene with Shep, but still wish daniel was there instead.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I gotta say, no one really seemed bothered by the fact that Weir was gone, and that was more annoying than anything. Rodney was almost jubilant in the beginning (yes, he thought he was going to get the post, but he's not the kind of person to brush off a loss that easily, no matter what he pretends) and she hardly got a mention. Ronon was the only one who honestly seemed to care

John cared, in fact he seemed ot be the only one who's been wanting to rescue her, he mentions that in fact to Carter about the IOA stalling him forever and Carter has to tell John that she won't allow a rescue unless he has a good plan.

[aelfgyfu_mead]

I enjoyed it in spite of some problems: no, Sam never should have gone! How often did Hammond or Landry to go rescue SG-1? Okay, once by my count--and Hammond did that really unofficially--"Into the Fire".

Yes to Teyla's disgust at Ronon's reunion with his friends! I was howling with laughter at that one.

I thought sometimes they sacrificed characterization for laughs (Rodney's self-importance when he thinks he's goinng to lead, for instance). I do think Rodney took the painting (not Wal-Mart but those guys who sell art out of trucks in parking lots and gas stations) as reminder of Ronon. He ended up with Carson's turtles (can anyone tell me what episode that was? I really don't know!).

I did think it was a good Ronon episode. Maybe a B+. I enjoyed it.

General

[(Anonymous)]

I agree that as the leader of Atlantis that Carter maybe shouldn't have gone off world, but maybe it was to show the others what kind of stuff she's made of, with her military background, and she won't do it so much as the season progresses. I also thought that Shephard's "performance" was a bit lackluster, but put it down to still being a bit depressed over the loss of Elizabeth, and he'll perk up later with more of his humor kicking in. I kind of giggled over the scene in Carter's quarters when Ronon towered over her like he was trying to intimidate her, and she didn't back down an inch. While she may still be learning, she is in command and she's going to let him know it, just like Elizabeth did in so many episodes with Ronon and all the others. And, as I think she said at one point "I'm not Weir".

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

That's why I questioned how much time had elapsed between episodes. Had to be a bit as otherwise, it would make a lot of the characters rather insensitive...

WEll, if you use the flashbags, it'll definitely break up the big cats!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Well, Teyla has always worn the tight tops but now there's just um, more, to reveal. It wouldn't surprise me if they uh, utilize 'em for the fanboys (many of whom may be ignorant of her condition at the moment).

Yeah, the LSD. Huge continuity error.

[xfkirsten.livejournal.com]

To be fair, yes, I think it was intended that he care, as far as scripting goes. Unfortunately, thanks to Joe Flanigan's inability to act his way out of a paper bag, it really didn't come across like he cared. It came across like the obligatory "oh, yeah, she's gone, I'm supposed to say we need to go after her," but with absolutely no sense of real emotion behind it. :(

[xfkirsten.livejournal.com]

I agree, and it did seem like there had been a fair amount of downtime because they acted like they'd been without an "official" leader for awhile, and that the decision had been a long time coming. Unfortunately, they didn't really give us much evidence to back that assertion up other than gut feeling. :/

One would hope so! :P But we have enough stuff to arm a small militia, just in case. :P

Re: General

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

It's sort of a cookie cutter response from writers -I've seen this done in other shows in which a character is cut and the replacement is brought in - that the new character is shown in a valiant light, so that the other characters go 'Oh, he/she is okay." To just state it simply. Hopefully the writers have made their point and Carter will stay back on Atlantis and not going flying off to rescue the team every time they get into trouble (which is a prerequisite for both SG1 and SGA).

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was basing my thoughts on just a gut feel too. I'm not overly fond of having to read a blog entry or article which explains what should have been shown on the series/movie.

Of course that means there's weeks to cover in fanfic :)

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Well I won't comment on the acting, since I don't agree, but it was Joe Flanigan who had them write that scene, not the writers, so if it wasn't for him there wouldn't be a mention at all.

So in fact "John" and Joe were the ones who showed they cared.

[pisces227.livejournal.com]

I'm not that crazy about this ep. It was ok, not a Sateda. I enjoyed Adrift and LL much more.

The first balacony scene with Shep and Carter for the most part was a repeat of Shep and Liz in Rising. It almost annoyed me as much as having the replicators on SGA, they are so SG1.
I did like the twist of Ronon's so called friends being in cohoots with the Wrait.

I was wondering, what if the captured replicator had been Liz?
That would have been a big OMG! moment.

[the-scary-kitty.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like the old uniforms a lot better. Personal preference. I’ll stop complaining when they make new uniforms for season 5 ;)

I have to agree there. The old uniforms looked like uniforms. And uniforms are supposed to be functional, not a bogus fashion statement. The new uniforms look like rejects from a third-rate runway show.

I would like to know how much time had elapsed between LIFELINE and this episode.

According to today's post in Mallozzi's blog: "it’s been several weeks since the events of Lifeline." So it looks like your assessment that some time has passed was right on the money. :)