Stargate Atlantis #501 - "Search & Rescue" SPOILER review

[wraithfodder]

 Spoiler review under the cut.

SEARCH & RESCUE #501

Finally! I saw this via, er, uhm, *cough* other means, but nothing compare so watching it on the TV, lying down on the couch, munching M&Ms (even if Rodney McKay did roll around in 'em, they're still edible).

Overall, a pretty decent episode, but I give it a 7, due to quibbles.

What I liked best was the comraderie-bonding stuff, particularly between Sheppard and Ronon. Ah, my whumper-heart squeed when the camera focused on Sheppard pinned down in the rubble and Ronon steadfastly refusing to abandon him. And McKay and Ronon both pseudo-angsting over Sheppard in the jumper when Shep insists on doing the rescue, and ah, Ronon's "You don't have to do everything yourself" in slapping the C4 on the wraith drive. And Sheppard imploring Keller to let him run off and rescue Teyla. and Shep and Ronon prepared to just shoot unti they run out of bullets and how few words they need to say.

Just a Kodak moment: John waving his hands trying to find the parked jumper. Bwahahaha!  Who hasn't lost a vehicle in a mall parking lot?

Ah, Teyla. I gotta admit, having Rodney deliver the baby was great, because he was so utterly horrified at the whole experience, but 'bucked it up' and got the job done. Aw....  Oh and yes, babies can be delivered that quickly. In fact, just this past week on the news, it was reported that a woman's water broke and literally, a minute later, poof, out popped the baby!

If Carter had been like this throughout season 4, I would have liked her a lot more. It's not that I don't like her, it's that in season 4

Okay, can we assume Kanan came along for the ride in the jumper? I mean, they woudln't leave him behind. Alas, Caldwell just blew up all the DNA-altered Athosians working as Michael's minions. Sigh. And just how are they going to deal with Kanan? It was interesting to see Teyla not name the baby after Kanan, but her father and John instead (I'm sure Rodney will get over it). 

Glad to see Caldwell back in action. Ellis is a bit too in-your-face for my tastes.

Quibbles:
Sheppard said, did I hear it correctly? - that he doesn't drink beer? Which is sorta refuted by "Home" and definitely by "Sunday!" Argh, writers, please, make a bible, ask the fans, or just Google it! [[ack, correction, he said 'they', although it still sounds like 'I' to me but it sure makes more sense]]

If Lorne is in the back of the jumper with a broken leg, why is Keller up front with Rodney, et. al. ? Shouldn't she be doing, I don't know, doctor stuff?  (insert sarcasm)

Sheppard's injury. Okay, a hole in the side, and Keller is going on about how it needs immediate surgery, but then she lets him go to run off and rescue and he seems to be relatively fine, but then once back he's going to be need surgery and be laid up for a full week? And why on earth is Keller treating Sheppard's wound without removing some of his dirty clothing? Argh... However, I did love Sheppard's "chance to rescue a teammate" speech which was nice and angsty, but it still makes Keller look, well, for lack of a better word, incompetent. And why would Carter let John, obviously not in great shape, run off on a rescue mission? Yeah, we can argue the emotional aspect of it, but geez, can't spare a heaviy armed airman or two for the jumper ride, to oh, I don't know, stay behind and guard the jumper? 

Keller. Can we please get the woman some better dialogue, or have it delivered in a less, um, whiny, tone?  iwant to like her, and do at times, but other times cringe at her medical (or lack thereof) skills (which is the fault of the writers). But, on the plus side, they actually had Sheppard in a hospital gown, not scrubs, which would be rather impractical if being wheeled into surgery...

**********************************************

What more could a fan want? Whumped guys!

But overall, I quite enjoy this episode because of the angsty team bonding scenes. If Michael wasn't in it, I wouldn't even notice. In fact, I find myself zapping past his evil-alien "they will all die" stuff to get to Shep forcing himself to rescue Teyla, and Rodney's "I like children, the little ones, the ones that don't talk" spiel ;) THe way they removed Carter wasn't much o fa surprise. I knew the actor was leaving and well, yeah, this is how it's done in business. You're called into an office (or back to another planet) and poof, that's it, job gone, but at least for Carter, she's lost command of the city but is still in the USAF and probably back with the SG1 team. And since I like Robert Picardo, I've got no problem with Woolsey taking over as the man will be over his head, will butt heads, and provide such much needed confrontation/tension to the command team. Sorry, but Carter was just too nice...

One thing I did hate - happens every time - all those friggin banner ads for every other SciFi show and website in existance, running over the bottom of the screen. When are the DVDS for season 5 coming out?? ;)

OKAY, SPOILERS for next week's episode... ooh, Shep whump!!!

Comments

[highonstargate.livejournal.com]

Ahh! I already watched it, but still, I want to see it on the big screen(or small one:P) Can't wait to watch it again!
(+ I'll try to put a ad on the net from Movie Network)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Ooh, yes, would like to see a Canadian ad, see how they vary.

[highonstargate.livejournal.com]

I have a summery ad too, which was really weird, but I can't find any cds compatible with my DVR, so I'll find something to put it on the net.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Not so weird about incompatible DVDs. I have that problem with the computer. have found Memorex DVDs good for the DVR so far.

[highonstargate.livejournal.com]

Suppose to have some, but I'll need to ask my Dad about that. (absolute mess in the cds)
Thanks

[witchofthedogs.livejournal.com]

Sheppard said, did I hear it correctly? - that he doesn't drink beer?

I thought he said, "They don't drink beer or watch the Simpsons" referring to the Hybrids. Because anyone who did either would know that "Duff" is the beer that Homer Simpson drinks and "Oprah Ale" is obviously fake.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to catch that. Still like "I" but he's talking into a beam... I'll just keep rewatching that scene..which is so tough... ;)

[crysothemis.livejournal.com]

I can definitely hear "they" -- and besides, that's the only way it makes sense. The point is, they don't get the "Duff Beer or Oprah Ale" joke, so he knows they aren't his people.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

It is the only way that makes sense, definitely, but huh, still sounds more like "I" than "they" to me. Weird.

[logans_girl2001]

I just rewatched it, I do so love my DVR, with the closed captioning on and he says 'Well, they don't watch *The Simpsons* or drink beer.'

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I gotta find out if my DVR does close captioning! THX!

[logans_girl2001]

It's actually my TV that does the CC.

[negolith2.livejournal.com]

I thought it was perfect having Rodney be the one to catch the baby. Just think, if he was that grossed out by the baby, can you imagine when she delivers the placenta?

He'd just keel over and twitch for a few hours....

So, did they just blow all the altered Athosians out of the sky, or were those some darts I saw escaping just before the big boom? I couldn't really tell.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that pesky placenta stuff was forgotten... yup, think all the hybrid-athosians are toast.

[negolith2.livejournal.com]

Well, bummer.

I have a funny story for you. I worked with this total ditz who was hyperactive, on Phenphen (sp?), and was notorious for screwing up words. She was talking on the phone one day (very loudly), and meant to say, "Everyone needs a good placebo now and then." Well, what came out was, "Everyone needs a good placenta now and then." I froze, blinked, and being cursed with a very visual imagination, all I could think was, Huh. What would you do - wear it as a hat? Then I and the other gal in the mail room just busted out laughing and couldn't quit. Ditzoid got mad at us.

Dunno why....

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Ha! Yeah, that does sound funny.

[ga-unicorn.livejournal.com]

So many things I must ignore (I think you covered them all) about this episode in order to remain squee-ful about all the wonderful whump and team bonding (reminds me happily of 38 Minutes). I don't think it will be too hard to do.

And I have a new favorite McKay line: (after Teyla tells him she will push the baby out and McKay must catch him) "Can you underhand it? I was never much good at baseball." I think I bruised something when I rolled off the couch, laughing.

Although it is very sad that Teyla (and the stupid writers who don't bother to check for continuity) can't remember her own father's name.

[leesa_perrie]

In defence of the writers (I know, please don't hit me, but I can't help myself!), she doesn't actually state that Tegan is her father, only that she is the daughter of Tegan (apols if I've spelt the name wrong, btw).

After that, all references to her father don't include his name. As someone somewhere else has pointed out, the fact that she is the daughter of Tegan does not mean that Tegan is her father ... it could be her mother! After all, what do we know of their customs? Very little (thanks writers *is sarcastic*) Maybe their society is more matriarchal than patriarchal?

Anyway, unless they contradict it (which is possible *sighs*), I'm going to assume Tegan was her mother.

Um, okay, shutting up now. Well, other than to say it was a great episode despite it's few glitches.

[reen212000.livejournal.com]

Ya know, you bring up a very interesting point. We all assume there are patriarchal societies, but this is Pegasus. Which could explain Halling's deference to Teyla when he's around her; not just respect for her as a leader, but also as coming from a long line of women leaders.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I think the web is full of fans pointing out the name error ;) When I saw it, I went, wait a sec, wasn't his name.... yeah, poor McKay ... 'underhand it.' Bwahahahah!

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

I finally waatched an ep before you :)
Next week back to normal, don't read wraithfodder's review until watched the episode.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

Loved the team stuff and the John & Ronon stuff, especially Ronon's 'la-la-la can't hear you' attitude towards any of John's orders that involve leaving him behind.

And I liked the shout-out to John's lingering Ford issues at the beginning.

[erin-anderson.livejournal.com]

And I liked the shout-out to John's lingering Ford issues at the beginning

OMG yes!! That was probably the most awesome part of the eppy for me. And does anyone else think that Michael probably took off in the jumper? He has had success modifying Wraith genes, who says he didn't just inject himself with some Ancient gene therapy and can therefore now fly the jumpers??

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

And does anyone else think that Michael probably took off in the jumper?

I swear Michael becomes more like a James Bond villain in every episode. First it was bizarre medical experiments, then he built his own henchmen, then it was monologuing about his eeevil plans, and now he flees last minute defeat in an escape pod. He totally needs a white cat with a diamond collar to stroke while he's ordering his minions around and monologuing about his eeevil plans.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I'm waiting for him to wear a diamond-studded watch. THEN we'll know he's arrived ;)

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

They have Rolexes in Pegasus?

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

They've got bottled water. Watches are next! ;)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Ohyeah, I'm sure he carjacked the jumper. No doubt about it. Michael just isn't gonna get blown up like that. Or, he has a hybrid doing the driving "Home, James."....

[catcrazy5.livejournal.com]

"And I liked the shout-out to John's lingering Ford issues at the beginning."

I also really liked this. Another nice little touch, I thought, was John looking into the flames (before he came back to reality) because I'm sure he was really hot and uncomfortable -- in addition to being in pain -- under all that rubble and that would have come through in his dream.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

That did make a nice segue.

[astrumporta.livejournal.com]

I'm so with you about Sheppard's shirt. It was sooo unrealistic. I even complained about it on Joe's blog. That and that Keller doesn't know "lay" vs "lie" which drives me freaking bonkers. Yeah, Keller is as whiny as ever, and she let both Rodney and John tell her to stop treating them. Geez.

Otherwise I loved it too, though. The birth scene was so unlike the cliched boiling water, joyous joy thing, I just loved it.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I forgave the few plotholes for what was an overall very, very enjoyable hour of television. Drama, team bonding, banter, good screen time for all, the kind of things we've wanted to see for a very long time.

The tiny quibbles can be overlooked and rated higher on the scale of things to a 9.

7 sounds so average for such a really great, team-bonding, entertaining eppy.

I could go on-on about the sets, teh Ronon and Shep moments--Rodney and Teyla and for a nice balance of drama and action..oh and heroic, staggering John.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

well, i have yet to rank any episode above an 8, so 7 is rather high in my book ;) the nice character bonding moments outrank the cliched villain and bad medicine parts (several of which I can speed search over if I want now). :)

[reiko-afterglow.livejournal.com]

Reiko gives this episode a B-. That's her being nice, too.

Sheyla = blegh. Sorry. Did not like it two weeks ago. Still do not.

[berry-hearts.livejournal.com]

good review. they seriously gotta revamp keller.
she just.... annoys me. "CANT WE JUST BEAM TEYLA OUT? Y/Y?" um, hello? Jamming Frequencies? this is like Wraith Cruiser, 101.
"I'LL GO FIX RODNEY, EVEN THOUGH LORNE HAS A BROKEN LEG." and she should NOT have let Shep go. srsly. Beckett and Fraiser wouldn't have fallen for that crap.

anyone else secretly happy the things leeches on to Keller?

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they have to realize Keller is the doctor and should be doing DOCTOR things instead of asking whiny questions upfront ;) Hmm, maybe Keller will just basically sleep through THE SEED? ;)

[faekitty71.livejournal.com]

I'm fairly certain that when they decided to write Rachel's pregnancy into the show the second thought they had is Rodney should deliver the baby.

Overall I liked the episode with a few nitpicks (pretty much the same ones you had), I think it should have been two parts. It seemed rush. That's why the season openers have always been awesome because two parts allows things to slowly pan out.

[aelfgyfu_mead]

I thought Sheppard said "They don't drink beer," not that he doesn't! I had to ask my husband what "Duff beer" is. I've seen a few eps of The Simpsons, but I'm not really into it.

What really drove me nuts about Keller was that she said "lay down" twice when it was supposed to be "lie down"! That might be the writers' fault. I like her, actually.

Yay for Rodney!

[(Anonymous)]

I agree that Carter was perhaps too nice overall in S4, but I thought it made sense that she didn't order Sheppard to stay after his court-martial remark. And she was part of SG-1 too long to hold that against anyone.

[springwoof.livejournal.com]

here from the SGA newsletter:

just giving a big WORD to your comment on the banner ads--damned pop ups! If it wasn't SGA, I'd stop watching the damned program, I hate them so much. And then the network execs wonder why their ratings are falling...

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

or wonder why people download screener copies if they're out there. No pop up ads!

[mackenziesmomma.livejournal.com]

couple thoughts(not having read all the comments typing as I read):

Why is it that the mental image when I read this statement is decidedly NOT what it should be?

"even if Rodney McKay did roll around in 'em, they're still edible"

Also as to this thought:

"If Lorne is in the back of the jumper with a broken leg, why is Keller up front with Rodney, et. al. ? Shouldn't she be doing, I don't know, doctor stuff? (insert sarcasm)"

Ah, yes, doctor stuff, thats why she's there *insert sarcastic tone* Not that I dont like Jewel(because I do) but come on between that and the whole "I'm going to play with your insides" bit *shudders*

Also:
"Sheppard said, did I hear it correctly? - that he doesn't drink beer? Which is sorta refuted by "Home" and definitely by "Sunday!" "

Heck its even refuted in the semi-odd "Quarantine" because he offers to take Rodney out and buy him a beer.

As for "they actually had Sheppard in a hospital gown" yes that was a nice bit wasn't it. Makes you wonder if they splurged and got the special 'butt covering' gowns or not(heck I'm not even a JF/JS Thunker, lol!

The Baby bit- I LMBO @ the bit about the kidney stone(mostly because I've experienced both childbirth AND a kidney stone and childbirth is waaaaaaay worse). I liked the "i didn't even drop it" line made me chuckle.

Yes losing the jumper was cute. Wait that reminds me, where'd I park my car? ;)

Overall I really liked my initial impression of the episode will have to rewatch(tomorrow) by myself and actually go all fangirly squee on the episode.

[mackenziesmomma.livejournal.com]

so just a quick- sorry for writing a novel!