new batch of SGA spoilers

[tielan]

So another day, another spoiler.

eta: Apparently this is unconfirmed as yet. Assuming that the rumours are truth, the following thoughts apply. Otherwise, just move along peoples, nothing to see here!

eta the second: There's two lines of thought intertwined in this post. 1. Rachel Luttrell is pregnant (and therefore Teyla also is). 2. Teyla is pregnant (which doesn't require Rachel's pregnancy). Some parts of this post applies to #1, some parts of it apply to #2, and some apply to both.

--

Right. So, it may be that Rachel Luttrell is pregnant. Which means that Teyla has to either suddenly get fat or be pregnant.

Guess which one TPTB chose?

Alas, the propensity of women in sexual relationships to get pregnant! There's probably a bunch of fans muttering about Rachel Luttrell's morals or lack thereof somewhere in fandom, but I'm going to ignore them.

I'm also going to raise one eyebrow in the direction of the people who think that this means their ship will come in - whether Teyla/John, Teyla/Ronon, or Teyla/Michael.

If the child is Michael's, then I doubt it was conceived consensually - unless Teyla's people have a really long gestational period. IMO, it would have to stretch all the way back to the S2 episode Michael, since Teyla's been threatened by Michael several times since then, none of which could be considered friendly. And while a Teyla/Michael fan's view of Teyla might subscribe to the idea that the innate hotness of Connor Trineer would overcome a lifetime's worth of conditioning in Teyla's antipathy for the Wraith - compassion for Michael's individual situation or not - my view of Teyla (and, more importantly, TPTB and Rachel's views) run differently.

Of course, I might be forgetting the proven fact (90% of rapefics on fanfiction.net) that rape is so damn hot that victims fall in love with their rapists all the time!!!

*coughs*

If the child is AU John's (or clone John's), then I don't think it's going to be much consolation to John when he finds out that Teyla slept with his doppelganger - because the other John might be like him, but it wasn't him.

And given the actor antipathy for Teyla/Ronon, combined with Ronon's notable John/Teyla bias in Sunday, I'd say that Teyla/Ronon is a long shot. And then you have issues like team interaction, and how it changes things. No, it's not an issue in fandom (or it's an issue that's commonly ignored) but it's an issue in the psuedo-real-world situation that TPTB have set up for the Stargate universe.

As a Teyla fan, I'm most worried about the pregnancy in logistical and safety-oriented terms of shooting the show. Because a pregnancy for Rachel means: a) no stickfighting, b) less Teyla as the season goes on, c) some kind of absence for Rachel during the birth and just after it. And there's always the danger that, if the child Teyla bears becomes crucial to the plot, the discussion will become about Teyla's child without consultation or consideration of Teyla herself.

Plus, fandom! Anyone up for a fandom-oriented wank discussion of pro-choice vs. pro-life? Because isn't the central tenet of the pro-choice argument the right of a woman to have a say in the processes and workings of her own body? And can you really see the Atlantis expedition consulting Teyla on the child she carries within her if it turns out to be 'useful'? Can't you just see the fandom going kersplooey over the ethics of the situation?

Because I can.

Stargate racewank, eat yer heart out!

*sigh*

I'm extremely happy for Rachel and the father of her child, and wish her and her baby all the health and safety during the pregnancy and the birth. But there's a part of me that (quite selfishly) wishes this wasn't happening for another year - until after Teyla had her limelight.

Oh well. Life never turns out the way we plan, and I'm sure there were a few hair-tearing sessions among TPTB when they found out.

At least Rachel and Amanda can discuss the ins and outs of "having a child on the Stargate set".

Comments

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

There's always the "wear a long coat and stand behind a bulkhead" approach. Which worked so well the first time Roxanne Dawson-Biggs got pregnant on ST: Voyager. But she only missed one episode and she was quite involved in the season, including my Favourite Episode of The Show. Amanda Tapping missed five episodes because of the timing of the baby's birth, so a lot depends on that, I guess.

Anyway, this is...interesting. It will be interesting to see how they deal with it.

[tielan]

LOL.

I'm seeing Ronon give Teyla a coat to match his after watching one too many cop-buddy shows...

[ryf.livejournal.com]

Also 'worked' for the X-Files. They had Scully abducted and in hospital afterwards.

[goddess09807.livejournal.com]

Just read the spoilers for Seer. I am not happy. Not happy at all.

I mean I am really happy for RL if it turns out she is preggers in real life.

BUT

There is an 85% chance this will go down the magical baby road and I really, really don't think that I would be able to handle what SGA will inevitably come up with.

But there's a part of me that (quite selfishly) wishes this wasn't happening for another year - until after Teyla had her limelight.

Same here.

[tielan]

They've already done the magical baby thing twice - and both previous times the mother was non-Earth: Sha're's son the harcesis child, and Vala's daughter Adria.

Then again, I wouldn't put it past them to try a third time. *wince*

I guess the problem then becomes: if they don't do the magical baby storyline, then what happens to Teyla? They have the option of making her a 'bad mother' for not personally taking care of her child, or of removing her from the show.

Take your pick. :-/

[2bluaeryn.livejournal.com]

If the child is AU John's (or clone John's), then I don't think it's going to be much consolation to John when he finds out that Teyla slept with his doppelganger - because the other John might be like him, but it wasn't him

This kinda worked in Farscape. John was twinned, both loved Aeryn but one she committed herself to and he later died. She returned to Moya and the other John that pined for her for her to reject him. Later it was learned she was pregs.

Now one wasn't *evil* but what if Teyla's relationship to John influences how the DG responds to her. Not so much as in an *evil* way, but more manipulate the situation to act out possibly John's desires and maybe even Teyla's. It is said in the spoilers that Teyla's comment after the disclosure was it was *complicated*. If Micheal had experimented on her although complicated would she not want to share the details w/her team esp. the one person she trusts the most - John.

These are just my ramblings. Do w/them what you will *g*

[tielan]

Well, I dunno. 'Complicated' might describe her own desire for a child, or the need for an heir of her body when matched up against the world into which she's bringing the child, or the kind of child it's going to be, or the dangers of the child if it's a human/Wraith hybrid.

So many different possibilities! And In The Writers We Must Trust.

It's a little daunting.

[roguish-angel.livejournal.com]

*flails* Ah! I just got spoiled for Farscape in your comments! I'm only upto season 3!!!

On the Teyla thing, if they go down the Michael road so help me... That's just too predictable!

I can see the AU!John thing, and John not coping all to well with it

But mostly I can't see it going full term. I'm not sure whether or not Rach is preggers, but if she's not then I dont think it will go on for very long... BUT then again we haven't seen any pics of Rach lately so who knows


Ahh... too much speculation for me. I like facts :P

[tielan]

I don't mind considering the possibilities, actually. Facts are too hard and incontrovertible.

Gimme flexibility anyday!

[2bluaeryn.livejournal.com]

Oops...sorry. But if it helps I didn't give full details, but I agree w/you AU/John seems a more viable option.

[teh-gandu.livejournal.com]

If RL is expecting, yay!

But, it's fucked up that they decide to make Teyla pregnant, why the hell do they need to make their female characters "with child" ?!

I'm hoping that it's a wraith experiment gone awry or not so awry *g* Half human, half wraith baby, sound familiar? *coughs* BSG's half toaster baby. *coughs*

[tielan]

I'll admit, the idea of a child fits with Michael's bizarro vision of his own buglish private army. But there are a lot of ways for him to achieve it, and none of them involve Teyla's consent.

I'm still hoping that this was a last-minute addition (due to actual and not just rumoured pregnancy for RL), and that the whole and total of Teyla's storyline goes much further and deeper than her ability to carry a child.

Guess we'll have to wait and see...

[greenconverses.livejournal.com]

From the way it sounds TPTB were planning on doing a parenthood arc for McKay in S4, but switched it once they found out RL's pregnant (if she is, anyway). I don't think they would have gone the magical!baby route with McKay and Katie Brown (although it is TPTB and their favorite character), but Teyla's a completely different story.

If it is some hybrid Wraith baby/Michael experiment thing, you know there's no way the expedition will let her keep it or if Teyla would even want to keep it. Thus raising the level of fandom wank astronomically high.

If the child is AU John's (or clone John's)

My not so sekrit hope. ;) (but it probably work better and be written in fan fic better anyway)

[tielan]

The problem with Teyla and the baby (as compared to Katie and the baby) is that Teyla's background would suggest a more hands-on approach to parenting than most parents in the Western world take.

And if she doesn't take a hands-on approach, or they decide to cast her as an 'unmaternal' type, then people bring out the heavy judgements on the moral fortitude of the character. Because a woman can only be defined by her biological capability. Especially when she has boobs and doesn't cover them up. (OMG!)

Plus, Katie is a minor character in the show, so all that would be needed is references to the child - Rodney wouldn't be expected to be on hand for everything: a more traditional male/female parenting role could be presumed. As a major character, Teyla doesn't have that leeway.

So...it's worrying.

[thelana.livejournal.com]

*mourns the potential absence of stickfighting*

[purple-cube.livejournal.com]

*joins you in mourning*

[madjm.livejournal.com]

If RL is pregnant, I'm really happy for her.

But.

At this point I don't see this storyline as anything that could possibly make me happy. Sigh.

[tielan]

I'm still waiting to see. Sure, I can think of a dozen storylines I'd rather see for Teyla other than pregnancy, but...well, if RL is pregnant, then there's not much can be done about it.

[ladyjax.livejournal.com]

Well they could take the Bobby Ewing (from Dallas) approach: it's all a dream at the end of the season...

[jeyla4ever.livejournal.com]

Now that is interesting..never saw it...but who knows....

You know, I haven't slept because of this....I know, pathetic of me.....

There are so many ways that this could go, I've already read three in here that I had not read or thought of myself which begs the question are TPTB that creative?

I hope so....

I was going for that Evil John route...but JM wrote in his blog that there won't be two characters dealing with parenthood in the same season..

the whole Michael thing is so bad on so many levels that I can't for the life of me think of it as interesting at all, only horribly predictable and been there done that....

Rachel is pregnant...go and google Starfest convention and click look for the pictures....you will see 42 pictures of a glowing mommy to be!

Also, in JM blog he clearly hints that the reason that the Teyla dark turn arc story changed was because of an necessary plot direction.....it was so unexpected.

I'm not going to judge Rachel in any way. She's putting her family and her future first than her career, cause no woman who wants to pursue a career in this business gets pregnant until after she's reached fame and Rachel is not there in my opinion.

But, to think that she's been rooting for an arc story and told that this would be her year, really dampened her chances.

I just hope that they do this right....and I hope that Rachel gets to do more than sit and wait for the team to arrive in Atlantis and have her mope around waiting till she's due!

I also cringe at the thought that we will be introduced to a new love or one that was so unexpected...

Early in the season we will deal with AU plots...I"M wondering if at the end this wasn't so much a dream but another reality all together....

Believe me, I"ve thought of many possible scenarios.

For me there are two things balancing the outcome of this...Rachel/Teyla role and John/Teyla's future....

Oh, well it wouldn't be the first time nor the last!

[thady.livejournal.com]

If RL is really pregnant than I'm happy for her. But it sucks for the character Teyla. And I'm not entirely sure the writers will be able to handle this story line particularly well.

*sipsalotoftea*

[tielan]

But it sucks for the character Teyla. And I'm not entirely sure the writers will be able to handle this story line particularly well.

Yeah, I know what you mean. That's my feelings on the matter. *wince*

[majortrip.livejournal.com]

First off, I wish people would use more discretion when discussing an actress' possible pregnancy. It's a private matter, and until she comes right out and says something, or they admit it in an interview, or someone blurts it out in a blog,then retracts it (lol Alex Levine!), it's speculation. I'm staggered my people barging onto JM's blog and demanding answers, or starting threads at GW. Most of the talk on LJ had been in locked posts, which is more private than other places I've seen it. I don't think it should be so public until someone announces. This isn't aimed at anyone on LJ, more at the public talk elsewhere.

Second, about the stickfighting- I'm sure most of the stickfighting that made me fall in love with respect Teyla would be done in the earlier episodes, when the showing wouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, we may get some upper torso shots of RL and the rest are her stunt double. I'm not ready to give up on the idea of stickfighting yet.

Second about the rapefic- yuck! I'm glad I've never read any or I'd throw myself out the window. I think if it's our pal Mike, it'd be in vitro, and it'd be a violation, not a ship. I do see him maybe doing something like this, experimenting on her, to punish her for her betrayal, since he's got an unhealthy fixation on her.

Bad!Shep sounds intruiging, but meh. I think the important thing will be how the team treats her.

Although I'm curious how this arc will affect JT, I think the very most important thing is it's Teyla's story. How big a role Sheppard or Ronon will play is interesting, but it's Teyla-centric. I hope that doesn't get lost in any ship!wank in S4.

[tielan]

Guilty as charged. :(

I initially posted as though it was fact, then realised it wasn't and put the eta in.

This season is just going to be full of the wank... :(

[bruinsfan.livejournal.com]

I have a sneaking suspicion that TPTB will see this baby as an opportunity to do another Miracle Baby Grows to Adulthood in Days storyline and get Paul McGillion back on the show. Which could be well done, I suppose, but I don't ahve a great deal of confidence in the writers' handling of Teyla.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Gawd no, no more miracle baby grows to adulthood in a weekend storyline. they don't work. Been done. Visitors. SG1, and I'm sure, elsewhere.

[mf_luder_xf]

unless Teyla's people have a really long gestational period.

Hmm...like Scully's seeming 12+months pregnancy? *snerk*

[tielan]

To be honest, I never watched more than a handful of X-Files eps. (And seem to always get the same ones when they come around.)

I guess we assume that Pegasus human biology is the same as Earth human biology, although I recently read a fic that assumed that the Earth humans are older than they appear (because of modern medical practises), while the Pegasus humans are younger than they seem.

It might very well be a case of horses and donkeys - you can interbreed them, but the resultant offspring are sterile and incapable of reproducing.

Another fic idea to be put aside and considered.

....Ummm...logic...

[darkladyz.livejournal.com]

My suspicion is that the basic culture in Pegasus would be strongly 'pro choice' in the abstract. There are just going to be times that a group under Wraith attack or on the run can not *support* a pregnant woman. Looking at the hard choice of 'lose one or lose all'... it not really much of a choice. Any sub-culture that was not intensely and pragmatically survival-oriented...probably hasn't survived.

That said?

In Teyla Emmagan's current position? I suspect that she would be under tremendous social pressure to have the child. (From her own people - who are the only ones who will much matter.) She is, after all, currently safe ( safer than almost anyone in Pegasus ) currently well fed, currently in no economic or political risk, and set to receive what may be the best medical support going. Under those terms, I suspect that the same pragmatic survivalism would encourage her to 'add a child to the population'.

This is without even considering the possibility of the child's paternity. If Michael? OK - that could change things. If Terran, however, that could add the political element of an additional tie to the (powerful, well defended, wealthy ) SGA. This would be an *absolute* plus to the Athosians ( who have recently been 'dumped'... not fun ) and even more of a plus to Teyla herself. (Lets see... guarenteed passage back to non-Wraith-threatened high-tech planet. Many an 'anchor baby' has been born for less. )

BTW - I believe there has been some interesting fic on this general topic. Not Teyla per se but...???

Re: ....Ummm...logic...

[tielan]

Interesting. I'd take the view that the Pegasus peoples would encourage their women to have children - that, yes, the women would have the choice to bear the child, but most would have the (possibly socialised) desire to have the child.

To be honest, in my own head, I imagined Teyla had a child years ago, back in her late teens/early twenties. The child is either growing up under the aegis of the father, with only Teyla's biological input, or already dead.

some interesting fic on this general topic

As in one of the guys from the expedition sires a child on a Pegasus woman? Or are we talking babyfic!Atlantis?

[scififreak.livejournal.com]

I just had a suddenly scary thought. What if this is how TPTB are planning on bringing back Carson!!1! Carson deascended into the womb of his 'never got around to be' girlfriend! Oh, the angst! And then he'd grow up really fast and it would be his chance to live again! Wait. This was an ep of TNG! The horror, man, the horror.

[tielan]

...

*goes to find a squishie and hug it very tightly*

[live-brave.livejournal.com]

All I'll say is that S4 oughta be interesting. :D There are so many theories going around - some that might come to fruition, some that are just funny to speculate about. *sigh* I don't know whether to be excited for all these new developments or apprehensive.

When all is said and done, even if I'm a little nervous about what this means for Teyla, I'm happy for RL. :D She shouldn't have to put her life on hold because of the show. Besides, even if the show dissolves into a weekly jump-the-shark fest, there's always fan fiction! :D (The eternal optimist, me.)

[tielan]

And it's a good way to be, I think.

Considering how many people have lost their marbles, bitched their asses, and flung their shit, optimism is a really refreshing option!