Stargate Atlantis #408 - The Seer (spoiler review)

[wraithfodder]

Below, my review of THE SEER, the latest episode of Stargate Atlantis. Spoilers!

 

THE SEER

Episode #408

 

It was okay/good, but not great, which seems to be a pattern. There was a lot of potential to reach for more, but the writers did not grab it. Sorta like settling for silver when they should have gone for the gold.

 

 

Just gonna bullet stuff:

 

(+)  For once, a young female guest star (Davro’s daughter) who didn’t go after Sheppard  (or McKay) or vice versa, and I suspect that all aging/soon-to-die elder village guys all have daughters. (Note: seems to be a pattern in the SG universe.)

 

(+) Rodney getting the handshake as he was the skeptic. Wonder if that vision gave him nightmares later on? And I must admit when they went past the moss-covered vines, I expected to see Mulder and Scully lurking about those woods.

 

(+) Rodney and Sheppard making poker comparisons to predicting the future during walk in woods. And Sheppard having brought along two cloaked jumpers. Good thinking. And loved his ‘oh well” kind of shrug.

 

(+) Sheppard’s & Ronon’s visit to the Wraith in the cell. It’s interesting to see John’s reactions to the Wraith; he definitely meant ‘all bets are off’ if they should meet again. And the wraith’s vulnerability – mentioning the ‘food supply.’ It makes sense that the Asurans, who are robots for all intent and purposes, would have no emotions, no religion, etc. so eradicating a food supply is no different to them than spraying pesticides on bugs devouring a crop.

 

(+) Sheppard and Rodney discussing the mess they made with the replicator code. Rodney is feeling some guilt (duh, 150,000 people dead cuz he changed a code) but Sheppard’s accepting it as a mistake they made which they now have to rectify. Did enjoy Shep’s “I think it’s not your call” in response to Woolsey’s question. THIS was the best scene in the episode, in my opinion, when we saw the team facing consequences of a previous action and well, just Shep and McKay talking.

 

(+) Sheppard’s comments on his relationships with the wraith: “It’s not like we’re dating.” HA! Yes, this episode had some nice snarky dialogue like that.

 

(+) The Wraith being very sneaky in setting up the transmitter (perhaps NOW they’ll put a dampening field in that cell??), holding back vital parts of the computer virus, etc. I mean, as much as I like the actor and that the Wraith did honor saving Shep in “Common Ground,” he IS a wraith and people ARE his lunch. It’s like keeping a great white for a pet and not expecting it to chomp off your arm when you sprinkle the fish food in the tank ;)

 

(+) The Wraith offering to shake hands, “Just a little wraith humor.” Snort.

 

(+) Okay, Ronon didn’t get to do much but he’s very good at threatening wraith.

 

(~) Shep and Carter definitely have a different dynamic than Weir and Shep. Pure military, while Weir always looked for a less military (aka violent) solution.

 

 

QUESTIONS/QUIBBLES:

 

At what point is Rodney going to insensitively comment to Teyla that she should lay off the bagels as she’s getting fat? I mean, they’re hiding Teyla behind laptop screens strategically placed between the actress and the camera. And hmm, I wonder why it is complicated for Teyla to tell everybody of her condition?

 

Surprised no one mentioned all the photos on Sam’s desk. Boy, she brought more to Atlantis than anyone else! (if you look at offices).  Think I saw Cassie’s picture, Jack, the rest, hard to tell. I can just see all these steamer trunks coming through with photos, pots, bonsai plants….

 

Someone else brought this up: this isn’t Sam’s first experience with prophecies (er, Jonas in “Prophecy”) so it seems the writers sorta dropped the ball on this then, but I’m not sure as I really didn’t care for most of season six so don’t remember much about that SG1 except Jonas had a brain tumor.

 

Is Davos trying out for the Pegasus Galaxy rodeo? Massive belt buckle he’s got ;) No wait, oh no, it’s from the WWE! Yes, a subliminal message to watch the WWE on SciFi! Nooooooooooooooooo…..

 

Please, God, get Carter a new uniform or resize it or something. I’m not being catty or nasty but it does NOT flatter her. It’s too tight in the wrong spots and she does not have a flat stomach like those anorexic size subzero models. Pulls too much at the waist in the back…

 

How did Keller diagnosis lymphatic cancer by just looking at Davos as she said she need more equipment to make a diagnosis?

 

Carter never did tell Keller if they were bringing Davos to Atlantis to save him or study him, and it seemed she didn’t answer because she didn’t want to say anything in front of Woolsey. It did get covered later – important information we might be able to utilize, etc. but it showed her indecision as a commander being unable to answer that question. Not sure if that’s good or bad, as this episode was the sorta ‘toss Carter into the fray and see how she does’ type plot so … no big deal. I don’t want to see her as perfect.

 

So is the wraith just gonna hang around Atlantis in the cell and er, what are they going do to about feeding him and will they ever let him go?

 

Did anybody else notice the woman with glasses in the infirmary when they took away Davos’ body? I keep thinking, did some fan win a contest and that’s their role, because I don’t know, she just reminded me a fan…

 

------------        

 

You know, I just didn’t feel like doing a really detailed review on this episode as so much of it was setting up for the rest of season four. We got some dire predictions for the future, confirmation of Teyla’s pregnancy (which in itself is sorta hard to miss in  just looking at her). However, the replicators blithely bumping off the wraith food supply was a nice twist, although I’d love to see Rodney and Sheppard angst more (this, I leave to fanfic) about their actions that basically led to the annihilation of over 150,000 people.

 

The last scene was well, um, er, sorta meh. Don’t know how else to describe it. It’s open ended but it’s not setting up much, just reconfirming that the future is open-ended, which we all sorta know anyway. Hm…..

 

I must admit that the coming attractions for “McKay and Mrs. Miller” were more exciting for me than this episode. I did like this one, it just didn’t grab me like the others have.

Comments

[seratonation.livejournal.com]

Ha! I thought the infermary person with glasses lokoed like a fan too, it's wierd.

[jackfan2.livejournal.com]

Okay, the cast changes aside, I don't know what the problem IS this season. Seems that after the first two episodes, the rest have just been.. meh.. with the possible exception of Dopplegangers, though Carter annoyed the hell outta me in that one.

*sigh* You know, all over the web I've seen this 'Vote for SGA for a Peoples Choice Award' and from what I've seen so far this season, there's not much motivation for me to do that. In fact, if it weren't for my 10 year old still wanting to watch, I would probably be gone.

Can't stand Carter. Can't stand Keller. Can't stand the darker sets. The dynamic of the show is so very off this season. I'm rather looking forward to the writer's strike in hopes that maybe we can convince Mallozzi that his so called 'new and improved' show is just.. meh.

I liked the John and Rodney moments, but man, I'm really missing those copious amounts of John and Rodney interaction like we had in seasons 1 - 3. And we still got enough of everyone else too, with the exception of Teyla, then again, I don't much care for her at all so....

Speaking of which: LOL. Yea. Seems a bit ridiculous that they all get to pretend she doesn't look like she's been hitting the carbs a bit more than usual. She's definitely showing and it really saps some credibility of everything she's in where you, as the viewer, can tell she's pregnant. Even my 10 year old commented about her looking chubby.

Yes! Next week's ep looks WAY more fascinating than anything they've done thus far this season.

[tringasolitaria.livejournal.com]

You know, I just haven't been able to bring myself to watch this episode. I've been thinking about doing it all evening and I just haven't been able to do it. *sigh* I'm not really sure why-I just have a funny feeling that it's going to upset me and I'm procrastinating on that.

I do know according to other people's reviews that Elizabeth did not appear - that was a disappointment, since I was expecting her to appear in someone's vision. Did no one ask Davos about her? Not John or Rodney or anyone?

[jennidinorobot.livejournal.com]

Yes I was expecting someone to ask about Elizabeth too! The least bit John, that disapointed me.
Nice review WraithFodder!
BTW are the new interviews out, or is it just Jason Mamoa's?

[suekay-87.livejournal.com]

Any chance of a detailed look at the "Miller's Crossing" promo, since no-one's uploaded it?

[aelfgyfu_mead]

I liked the episode a lot, although I agree with many of your specific points; it's funny how some things loom larger for some of us than for others, even when we agree mostly on what's good and what's bad! I had the advantage of having really low expectations, though. (Hope my expectations aren't too high for "Miller's Crossing"; I love Jeannie!)

John and Rodney use 21, not poker, as their comparison.

I too think Teyla is showing a lot, and it's a bit silly to have no one notice. I can even see if her teammates overlooked the change because it's gradual, but someone there (probably a woman!) must have noticed.

I totally agree about Sam's uniform, and I felt like dropping Keller's question was a writing flub: Sam's answer should be: "Both. We want to help him, and of course it will be nice to learn something about his gift if we can!" Why on Earth would it be an either/or? I can maybe understand Keller's concern, but SG-1 has always been about doing both, and I think Sam should still feel that way.

I figure Keller had a hand-held scanner and could diagnose the cancer with it, but needed the full-size scanner back in the infirmary to get a prognosis. I could be wrong, but I thought lymphatic cancer could actually be detected manually, so that's a possibility too.

It wasn't until you said it that I realized, yes, the young woman did not try to seduce or even flirt with anyone! Huzzah!

[sjfan.livejournal.com]

I liked the episode but I like you thought they could have done so much more with it. I loved the scene out on the balcony overlooking Atlantis with Sheppard and Carter one of the best this season in my opinion. The episode rocked compared to the torture that was last weeks episode I had serious trouble beleiving Keller would be so unprepared. It was like watching Daniel in season one or two of SG-1.

Since the SGC would have implemented a civilian training program I can't see any reason how Keller didn't go through it. I was in my opinion a major oversight of the writers and did a great diservice to her character in general. I didn't expect her to have ninja fighting skills but some idea of what to do in a combat situation. Teyla was great but Keller was like fingers on the chalkboard by the end I wanted to shoot her and while I miss Carson I was starting to at least accept her character. Why can't the writers seem to write the female characters right?

end rant*

I loved your point about Weir hopefully the writers had something different in mind when they didn't use the Seer to explain the Weir thing.

Anyone bugged by the ponytail?
I am retired military and ponytails are not allowed ever, period french braid, yes bun, yes twist yes, ponytail never. I couldn't even wear it when in scrubs not exactly a military uniform but it was my daily wear in the operating room.

*headesk* where exactly are the so called military advisors?

To answer your question about the lmphatic cancer the special effects crew did an excellent job, the little bumps you see around his neck and on his face indicate even to me a surgical nurse that lymphatic cancer is present a third year med student could pick it up. The cat scans would indicate exactly how advanced it was and if chemo would be an option at the later stages it doesn't work well. When the lymph nodes swell as they do in cancer the little ones you can feel under your neck when you have a sore throat or cold get bigger and more noticable.

[belamel.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about the dymanic being off Jackfan2. I was actually kinda looking forward to what Sam could bring to the mix but so far everything to so with her or Keller just feels really off. I find myself feeling completely indifferent to both of them, which is even worse than hate... they don't inspire me at all. I'm still liking this season and I've really enjoyed some episodes. I'm still hoping they get the dynamic right as the season continues.

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

It wasn't that thrilling of an episode.

The biggest point I finally cheered at was Carter overriding Woolsey. I was like, "About time you told him to back off & shut up."

And yeah, they really need to move it along w/ Teyla addressing her pregnancy, because Rachel's not getting smaller! :-p (Now she is - she might be working on getting back into shape at this point..)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I'm sure Rachel will be back in tip top shape for season 5. However, Teyla's showing and come on, someone has to notice. I really want Rodney to make some insensitive remark just so she can threaten to smack him with the sticks :0

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

While I don't dislike Sam, I think she's still fitting in. I'm NEVER going to like the new outfits, at least not on Sam. Too tight. But anyway... I can see this was a 'baptism by fire' ep for Sam, but she sounded hesitant, or just something, most of the way through... Just couldn't put my finger on it.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Well, gotta admit i prefer the ponytail over the straw hair Sam had on and off for years. Apparently, there IS hair conditioner in the Pegasus GAlaxy! ;)

I didn't spot the bumps on Davos' neck. You have HD tv or is my reception just not that hot? But hm, yes, portable scanner. Beckett used on in "Runner."

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

Ronon should have something to say about now, because hell he's not blind!

Nor is Shep! Come on, guys....

As for S5 - I wonder how they're gonna handle Teyla being a mom - is she going to keep the baby on Atlantis, or is Kanan going to be a one-shot character that gets killed off as soon as he learns? :-p

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Or, Kanan takes the baby to raise. I just don't want the kid to be of the Miracle-gro variety. Born in act I, getting a driver's license in act III...

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

No, as far as we know, it's going to be a normal human baby - none of this Adria stuff from SG1 or the hybrid baby Scully had or even the weird alien entity thingy Troi dealt w/ back in the STNG days.... :p

But, to just dump the baby off on the b/f doesn't quite fit for Teyla. I would think she'd want to be close to the baby, since that's just kinda who she is. It's going to be a tricky line to walk and I can only hope that the writers don't totally write off the baby once she has it in the story line because they don't know what to do. Don't want to focus on it, but shouldn't be ignored or just kinda "thrown away" in some respects like Scully ended up doing.

I could see a humorous exchange between Jeanie & Teyla on baby horror stories and Rodney running away in a panic. *laugh*