Review: Stargate Atlantis #412 – Spoils of War (contains spoilers... but no transfats)

[wraithfodder]

Spoiler-ridden review of Stargate Atlantis episode #412 – SPOILS OF WAR

 

Or, as I call it, “Wraith 101.” Under the cut.

Overall, it was a good episode, but… something was lacking.

 

Remember back in kindergarten, you did ‘show and tell’? This episode was sort of like that. There was a bunch of expository dialogue (mostly on McKay’s part) about the Wraith, and while we learned a lot about how the Wraith make their soldiers (a sort of icky process that I’ve seen more times than I can count in other sci-fi movies), the episode sort of left me with ‘hmm, that’s it?” type of feeling.

 

I think part of that feeling is attributed to the lack of leadership on Atlantis. When Amanda Tapping was off filming the Stargate SG-1 movies, she wasn’t available for shooting SGA. So, it seems the writers just ignore her non-presence. The lads, the boys (Sheppard, McKay, etc.) just seem to do what they want. The problem with that is that everybody is more or less always in agreement on what to do, except say in “Adrift”, where there were some pretty critical issues. In “Spoils of War,” the episode seemed to just flow from ‘oh, look, a distress signal from the wraith’ to ‘let’s go check it out’ whereas in earlier seasons, 9 times out of 10 we would have had Sheppard (and possibly McKay) hash out the validity of going off to a possible TRAP with Weir. And yeah, I think the show sorely needs Weir. I know it won’t happen but I can still wish. But, on the other hand, we need Carter there being a command influence. I mean, where is Carter? In the tub? Holodeck? Earth? Even just a throwaway line from Sheppard in the jumper saying “Carter wasn’t too keen on this trip, but approved it,” would at least validate the command position.

 

Despite the fact that he’s a life-sucking wraith, I do like ‘Todd.’ (Honestly though, I wasn’t fond that Mallozzi dropped his name in his blog, but that’s his prerogative, but fans on certain forums didn’t respect the spoiler rules and spread the ‘Todd’ name far and wide, so by the time Sheppard names the Wraith, you’re like ‘eh, so what?”) Chris Hyerdahl does a great job with the Wraith, and his imposing stature just helps project a menacing façade. Although I do think that somewhere down the road he’s gotta die, I hope they do that in a rather grand way, and not like the, shudder, Dutch village showdown where they got rid of Kolya.

 

What I do find fascinating about Todd is his relationship with the Lanteans. To Ronon, of course, the only good wraith is a dead wraith. To Sheppard, Todd is an ally to use until his usefulness is used up (oh, that was bad). There is no way that Sheppard will ever forget getting nearly sucked dry to death, and even though Todd gave him the gift of life (which in this instance, means Todd regarded him as a brother like comrade in arms), Sheppard also watched Todd suck Henry Wallace into a dried husk in “Miller’s Crossing.” It’s like yes, that killer guard dog is good for a purpose, but eventually it’s gonna turn. I was glad Todd did escape, but his absence was explained almost as an afterthought. A more dramatic scene might have been Sheppard and Todd talking and Sheppard saying ‘one last time,’ and a tense parting of the ways.

 

And isn’t anybody at the IOA gonna start thinking “Why does Sheppard keeping letting THIS wraith get away??”

 

But back to the episode.

 

I loved the stuff with Teyla… her new enhanced abilities, courtesy of the unborn baby. But most of all, I enjoyed her scenes with Sheppard, Ronon and Lorne (and why, oh why, do we not get a scene with Teyla and Rodney talking about the baby??)

 

I’m not a shipper, but I do enjoy friendship scenes, and the scenes of Sheppard acting on his command authority, as well as concern for Teyla and the baby, were interesting to watch. The poor guy still seems to have problems with hugs (as evidenced when Weir hugged him in ‘Siege’, and Teyla hugged him in ‘Doppelganger.’) There’s just that awkwardness which begs for a reason, and maybe one day, we’ll get it. I didn’t have a problem with his reaction to Teyla’s announcement in last week’s episode as he was reacting on two levels: military commander, upset that he’s been putting a pregnant woman out in the field, jeopardizing her life AND her unborn baby’s, and as a friend, who probably felt a bit betrayed that Teyla didn’t tell him sooner. And then we find out in this episode that a week’s gone by and they’ve barely spoken. I’d like to think that they had a good long talk in the jumper on the way to the wraith ship, as otherwise, don’t know how else he would have known that Teyla had told Keller she didn’t want to know the gender of the baby.  I wish the writers would give us more scenes where the characters can hash out stuff like this, instead of concentrating on blowing up spaceships. I’m not looking for a soap, but for more character development.

 

And that scene with Lorne and Teyla. Aw, he misses his nephews (unlike Zelenka, who is probably glad to be a galaxy away from his terror of a nephew). I just loved seeing that kind of talk that most average folk indulge in.

 

I’m curious how they’re going to handle Teyla as now she recognizes going off on missions isn’t wise. Will they show her having any bad days? And yup, many women work right up until the baby pops out.

 

And Ronon. Heh, loved that he “maybe touched it a little” and activated the Wraith ship. Ha! Bet that ticked off Rodney while he’s struggling to get it to work, all the Satedan does is poke at something. No doubt McKay is going ‘dumb luck!” And he does seem to be the only person who had a clue about Teyla and Kanan, while the military people (Sheppard, Lorne) were clueless and well, McKay’s so socially inept at times he can be forgiven ;)

 

Hmm, the Wraith.  Their storage units reminded of Paris, and all you needed was a little street lamp on the corner, or the underground catacomb cities in the old “Night Strangler” movie (with Darren McGavin as Kolchak) with the underground city in Seattle. Or shelving at Wraith Wally-World * cough * ;)  And wow, the Queens sure like to paw up poor Sheppard (loved his “I’ve had a lot of practice” to her “you show much resistance, human”). Snort.  However, she got him to his knees faster than any other queen, so even though she needed to feed, she’s a strong queen. And after Rodney was about to become Lantean kibble, what did you say? He said something about being first, and then I could figure out what he said next.

 

And that’s about it. It’s a good episode, but like I said, lacking, despite some good scenes. I just want more mystery, less scientists explaining everything to the viewer. Show us, don’t tell us.

Comments

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Show us, don’t tell us.

Sorry had to laugh, I agree but then you'd have half the fans not having a clue what they were shown..heh. There are a lot of people out there that need their hands held.

For once I'd like to see what if anything happens after a queen tries to get info form poor John..they are always interrupted or in this instance too impatient..lol

Funny my husband thought this eppy was 'too slow' too much character development so I guess the writers have a tough time trying to find a balance on these things. I thikn next week's will be another juggle of 'action' vs 'personal' arcs....though I think there's been more character growth this season than any others.

I really enjoyed it and yes adored Ronon 'touching' things...I agree no, Rodney scene with Teyla though we got Lorne? Odd.

Nice overall.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I know, every time a queen is about to have her way with Sheppard ;) somebody interrupts. I mean, I don't want to see him sucked dry again as "Todd" won't be there to rehydrate him, but still...

Yeah, I really would love to see ROdney's reaction to Teyla's pregnancy. He's just been totally mum about the whole thing.

[rootortoise.livejournal.com]

i wish one of these queens would knock shep about a bit or really mess with his mind..whenever he goes up against a queen you know some kind of plot device will stop her from doing anything and there is just no sense of danger...this whumper expects realism you know lol! and also i want to find out WHY shep can resist the queens mind probe unlike any other humans they have come across!!!

as for the carter thing, i wish her absence would be mentioned too...and she has actually been needed for some scenes this year unlike when weir was shoved into scenes where she didnt need to be imo....wow never thought id be wishing for more carter but anyway.....me and merlin/shelly had a chat about this and weve come to the conclusion that sam doesnt need to be there for everything because she trusts shep enough to make most of his own decisions, and even though we dont get that throw away line we just have to pretend it happened off screen...because lets face it this show has never been perfect and most things you have to imagine yourself! like rodney finding out about teyla being pregnant offscreen....WTF?!!!

the todd thing wasnt a surprise..but im sure for those who dont come online thought it was good...i still laughed at shep saying "i knew him in college, he was very pale" or whatever the line was lol
unfortunately the name todd and college for me couldntve been a worse combination-it just reminds me of a guy called todd who used to fancy me in college and wouldnt get the hint when i told him i wasnt interested! anyway lol!

i agree the ep didnt make me go OMFGWOW like most people so it seems, but i still enjoyed the ep....definatley those shep/teyla scenes were great and it was good to see teyla admit she was wrong and shep was right-hah!! yeh i want to know why he doesnt like hugging too..i doubt we will though!

im really looking forward to quarentine now...shep climbing that tower eek!!!

ok thats the end of my ramblings lol :)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Wow, now when you hear Todd, you'll think of some guy i ncollege too! ;)

I did enjoy the episode, but just wanted something 'more'. And Rodney finds out in between episodes? Sigh...

Good point on Sam, but still, there's never any discussion/decision for SHep's team to just run off and do what they want. It's sorta like the inmates in charge of the asylum ;)

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

Good point on Sam, but still, there's never any discussion/decision for SHep's team to just run off and do what they want. It's sorta like the inmates in charge of the asylum ;)

That's been my biggest complaint of the season - scenes where they need Weir Carter, she wasn't there.

I can only hope that it balances out in S5....

[ellymelly.livejournal.com]

You're totally right about the 'Tod' thing. I didn't even LOOK at spoilers, and I knew that was his name. (hence i thought the naming scene was odd). talk about market saturation!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Ah, market saturation. Yup, definitely.

[oxbastetxo.livejournal.com]

Rodney's line about being first was...

"First? I never get picked first. Why now?"

or something to that affect. ;-) Hee!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Poor Rodney ;)

[vecturist.livejournal.com]

I was half expecting Teyla to lay Shep out on the floor when he told she couldn't go on the mission and her to stomp out.

Tac vests on nice hangers - I was expecting something more along the lines of a locker room for suiting up.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the clothing racks in the locker rooms looked weird. I felt like they raided the costuming department ;)

[alipeeps.livejournal.com]

And after Rodney was about to become Lantean kibble, what did you say? He said something about being first, and then I could figure out what he said next.

It was something along the lines of "..and now fate decides to redress the balance?!"

As in:

"What?! My whole life I've never been picked first..." (Wraith forces him to kneel) "... and now fate decides to redress the balance?!"

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[melandune.livejournal.com]

I must agree on the fact that there is a noticable abscense of Carter as the head of Atlantis. While not being able to show her character, they should at least let the others have a little comment like you suggested to let people know that 'yes, Sheppard and Co. are not really allowed to run off and do whatever they wish and must have clearence before heading off into a possible trap'.

So far I think they've handled the whole Sheppard finding out-part somewhat well. I did like his reaction in the last ep and I think he's been doing the right thing by not allowing Teyla going on missions. I really loved how she finally got that this episode. However, I would still love to see how Rodney reacted to the news. Lately everyone but him have been shown reacting to the news that she's knocked up - even Lorne, and Rodney's on her team and everything(though the whole Lorne convertation was just adorable ^_^).

The last few episodes, if not almost the whole season, have felt slightly off to me. A majority of the episodes have had a more abrupt feeling to them, in ways of feeling like there's something lacking. While I've loved some parts in the latest eps such as Dark!Sheppard and the revealing pregnancy-scene from last week, there has been large parts of the season which have not really been as rememberable as episodes in the previous seasons. Then again, we might have to wait until the season has come to an end before being able to go back and see if those moments and episodes don't make more sense in ways of foreshadowing.

The question is what they will do with Teyla now that she will no longer be able to go out on missions.

Also, I have been a lurking reader of your lj for a while now, so if you don't mind, I'll be friending you now. :)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's hard to put a finger on just what's missing, but while overall, the season has been enjoyable, I find myself watching videos of last season a lot more than this season.

Yeah, I hope Teyla doesn't get lost in the shuffle now that's she, well, semi-grounded.

Oh, and friend away. thanks :):)

[melandune.livejournal.com]

Yeah, compared to the earlier seasons, this one hasn't been just as rememberable. Sometimes it feels like they aren't focusing enough of the personal things like interaction between character, and at other times it feels like things are going too slow and they're just standing around talking about nothing at all.

Hopefully they'll come up with something Teyla can do, and perhaps have her and Sam interact in the city while the others are out and about.

Also, perhaps they'll have some sort of scene with Rodney and the baby once it's born. It would be nice to see some sort of interaction with just the two of them, Rodney and Teyla that is. I think that of all the people on the team, those two are the ones who have the least interaction.

[aelfgyfu_mead]

Yes, I too would have liked some mention of Sam!

I didn't like the final scene with Teyla and Sheppard; after some good and believable conflict, we ended up pretty much with the formulaic, "I'm sorry, you were right"--"No, I'm sorry, you were right". I want to see Rodney react! Let him spaz, let him be supportive, let him stick his foot in his mouth up to his knee--I can imagine several ways it could go but can't predict any.

I'm with melandune, above; the season just doesn't feel right to me. I keep seeing people talk about character scenes and character episodes, but I felt like John and Teyla's conversation at the end could have happened on any of several shows because it didn't seem particular to these characters, and that wasn't the only scene this season that struck me that way. Bits like Ronon congratulating Teyla and then trying to get her to name the baby after him, John's irrational but understandable overreaction (not just banning Teyla from missions but not talking to her, because if he doesn't talk about a problem, it will go away), even their encounter in front of the clothing racks--those worked for me. The ending seemed too formulaic, and I really liked niamaea's commentary on it here.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Shall zip on over to the LJ you mentioned. One thing about Shep is he have this thing with if he doesn't talk about it, he hopes it will go away, but fortunately it's more in regards to interpersonal relationships than to wraith hive ships hanging over their heads. I'm hoping they can address this issue in OUTCAST.