Yeah, but Rodney seemed so unhappy. There was no John to poke him and take him whale watching and play The Game and computer golf with.

I also think that AU Rodney, while he might be better at reading people, is less able to think outside the box. Like he hasn't been pushed to come up with creative solutions. That's why it's John who figures everything out, and it's John who finds the wraith both times. Their roles have kind of been reversed.