SGA 4.06 - Tabula Rasa

[tielan]

Okay, finally got around to watching this ep. I've kinda skipped Travellers - I'm probably going to skip Miller's Crossing unless someone can give me a better reason than "It has John and Rodney!" to watch it.

I loved the way they got around the memory loss - although Rodney writing the codes on his arm? How did he remember them in the mess hall and not when they were outside the prison? How did he remember them at all? Or did he scribe them all down on his arm when he still had his memory? Why didn't more people do that?

Paranoid!Lorne was wonderful - as was the way Sheppard and Ronon got around the issue of memory loss. Ronon did some fantastic talking-down of Sheppard. All right, and some fantastic shooting-of-Sheppard: "You're just gonna slow me down." I LOL'd, okay?

Teyla. *sigh* So totally rocked. Both the fact that she and Ronon were the only ones remembering, plus the way she managed to keep Rodney on track and reassure him. The woman knows her team-mates and how to manage them. Maybe she doesn't know every technical in-and-out of the city, but she's a people-person, just the way Rodney...isn't.

Rodney/Katie. They so cute together. And I really like how Rodney's still not Mr. Smooth, but he knows how he should behave, and for Katie, he makes an effort.

Slight diversion here. I have a friend who's on the autistic scale. Not savant-autistic, just not too good with people. She's a teacher, though. And she's trained herself to react in a socially appropriate manner - in a way that won't have people looking sidewise at her. It's a little more effort, but it can be done.

I see Rodney a bit like that. Mostly, he doesn't make too much of an effort to be socially appropriate - it's his signature. In Atlantis, with the friendship and, yes, approval of his team, he's developing more as a person, less as a scientist. With the addition of his relationship with Katie, he's developing even further as a person. Which is good.

Maybe I won't feel the need to make him the comedic humour quite so much if he actually develops as a person.

Teyla and her dodging of the marines and running from Lorne. Must write something in which she apologises for beating up the marines. And where Lorne apologises for getting paranoid about her. Actually, there's probably a whole slew of apologies that are going to go around the base in the 'episode epilogues'. And, doubtless a lot of ones where the characters fawn over Rodney and his wonderful day-saving skills.

Meh.

But on to happier things. Keller was great in this episode. Teyla was great in this episode. Ronon was great in this episode. I am, quite possibly, one of the few people who doesn't resent the Sam/Sheppard time on-screen. I rather like it. It neither demeans or dismisses Sam, nor cuts John out of the story. There's a balance to it - and I like balance. We'll see how things continue as the episodes go on.

Plus, you know, I've never been a true believer that "screen time together = TWU WUV!!!" *rolls eyes*

I strongly recommend that people watch this ep, even if they're not watching the season. This episode gives all the characters some really cool moments - which is wonderful if you like everyone on the show.

Comments

[sjhw-tolerance.livejournal.com]

I think you ought to watch Miller's Crossing because it presents a darker side of John that might intrigue you.

[tielan]

Fair enough.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I liked Tabula Rasa a lot. Did you catch Doppelganger? I am looking forward to Miller's Crossing because I adore Jeannie McKay (and also because I still watch the show...).

[tielan]

Yeah, I've seen Doppelganger - lovely team feeling. I think it worked well in terms of integrating the new additions to the city/show. Plus, the tapestry of their fears and concerns was well-done, and the team teasing over meals was lovely.

[skandrae.livejournal.com]

I second the darker side of John vote, and also Ronon in jeans ^_^ Plus, possibly my favourite Zelenka line ever.

[tielan]

Better than Radek running around bopping people on the head with a metal pole? :)

[caladria.livejournal.com]

I'll (third?) the darker John vote, second the Jeannie MacKay, and offer up development of Rodney as a person. And oh, yes, Ronan in not only jeans, but a shirt as well. (with Rodney, I don't see it so much as a signature, more a fear of failure - if he doesn't try and fit in and be nice, it doesn't matter if he isn't. Making a mistake is much more unacceptable, but for the select few - the ones he fairly sure aren't going to give him the sideways look - he tries).

And Teyla, yes. It's her thing. She's so much the people person that that's what makes her leadership skills, and her diplomatic skills, and her open mindedness. (although you forgot to mention the image of Zelenka bopping people over the head and running, which really made the episode for me).

[tielan]

*laughs* I did love the exchange with Radek - and him, Rodney, and Sam running around with no clue about what they were doing.

There should be so many apologies after this episode...

[rebirth7.livejournal.com]

I FOURTH a darker John vote! I was thinking... both Teyla and John are venturing down dark paths, so what does that mean for their relationship? It think it's going to get very interesting.

I was kinda bummed that there was absolutely no Teyla in the ep. but dark!John and Ronon in Earth attire (YUM!)made up for it, mostly.

[tielan]

Interesting take on the John/Teyla thing. I'll have to see Miller's Crossing first. Probably once I've also downloaded...um...whatever episode is coming up this Friday.

Incidentally, do you know when the hiatus begins and how long it goes for?

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry, I don't know when the hiatus is or how long it's going to be. :/

[alliesings.livejournal.com]

I thought your Autism note was interesting. I met a girl from Penn Sate who is working with Autistic children, teaching them how to use idioms, like people have to do when learning a foreign language. It follows for me that when Rodney is focused, he doesn't remember how he's supposed to act.

[tielan]

That makes sense. Most of the time, he lets politeness slide...but he can make an effort.

I loved the scene with Teyla, when he's fretting that he can't, and Teyla asks him about Pi. At which point he hits scientist mode and then frets that it makes him a bad person. I think the fact that he frets about this - even if it's only when he's losing his memory - says a lot about his character.

And the fact that Teyla can be patient with him again and again and again - and knows exactly how to draw him out and get him to do his stuff - says a lot about her character and her ability to read people.

[ryf.livejournal.com]

I recommend against Miller's Crossing. But then, I hated it and wished I could unsee it.

[tielan]

Yes, I saw. That's one of the reasons I was considering not watching it. The polarisation of opinion on the episode worried me - particularly since the people who really adored it tend more to the John/Rodney BFF side of fandom...so I tend to be leery when they wholeheartedly endorse an episode.

[(Anonymous)]

I "fifth" the darker John vote. Miller's Crossing is my second favorite episode of the season, after Tabula Rasa. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did, and was pleasantly surprised/shocked by the said dark twist to Sheppard's character, like, whoah. It think it will spawn some very interesting John/Teyla fanfic plots. That's my two cents, anyway. :)

_sharon
http://artgyrl.com

[madjm.livejournal.com]

I agree that pretty much everyone got to be awesome in this episode, so I enjoyed it a lot. Of course, the fact that Teyla and Ronon were so important to saving the city possibly has something to do with my opinion on it. :)

As far as Miller's Crossing, it wasn't bad, though unless I blinked and missed it, there was no Teyla and no mention of why she wouldn't have come to help Rodney. I don't like that. The best part, by far, was Walter sharing his big "adventure" stories with Ronon. Heh.

I believe this Friday's episode is the midseason cliffhanger, but last I heard it was only going to be off for a few weeks this time before it comes back in January sometime. I don't remember exactly when.

[sjhw-tolerance.livejournal.com]

I think you ought to watch Miller's Crossing because it presents a darker side of John that might intrigue you.

[tielan]

Fair enough.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I liked Tabula Rasa a lot. Did you catch Doppelganger? I am looking forward to Miller's Crossing because I adore Jeannie McKay (and also because I still watch the show...).

[tielan]

Yeah, I've seen Doppelganger - lovely team feeling. I think it worked well in terms of integrating the new additions to the city/show. Plus, the tapestry of their fears and concerns was well-done, and the team teasing over meals was lovely.

[skandrae.livejournal.com]

I second the darker side of John vote, and also Ronon in jeans ^_^ Plus, possibly my favourite Zelenka line ever.

[tielan]

Better than Radek running around bopping people on the head with a metal pole? :)

[caladria.livejournal.com]

I'll (third?) the darker John vote, second the Jeannie MacKay, and offer up development of Rodney as a person. And oh, yes, Ronan in not only jeans, but a shirt as well. (with Rodney, I don't see it so much as a signature, more a fear of failure - if he doesn't try and fit in and be nice, it doesn't matter if he isn't. Making a mistake is much more unacceptable, but for the select few - the ones he fairly sure aren't going to give him the sideways look - he tries).

And Teyla, yes. It's her thing. She's so much the people person that that's what makes her leadership skills, and her diplomatic skills, and her open mindedness. (although you forgot to mention the image of Zelenka bopping people over the head and running, which really made the episode for me).

[tielan]

*laughs* I did love the exchange with Radek - and him, Rodney, and Sam running around with no clue about what they were doing.

There should be so many apologies after this episode...

[rebirth7.livejournal.com]

I FOURTH a darker John vote! I was thinking... both Teyla and John are venturing down dark paths, so what does that mean for their relationship? It think it's going to get very interesting.

I was kinda bummed that there was absolutely no Teyla in the ep. but dark!John and Ronon in Earth attire (YUM!)made up for it, mostly.

[tielan]

Interesting take on the John/Teyla thing. I'll have to see Miller's Crossing first. Probably once I've also downloaded...um...whatever episode is coming up this Friday.

Incidentally, do you know when the hiatus begins and how long it goes for?

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry, I don't know when the hiatus is or how long it's going to be. :/

[alliesings.livejournal.com]

I thought your Autism note was interesting. I met a girl from Penn Sate who is working with Autistic children, teaching them how to use idioms, like people have to do when learning a foreign language. It follows for me that when Rodney is focused, he doesn't remember how he's supposed to act.

[tielan]

That makes sense. Most of the time, he lets politeness slide...but he can make an effort.

I loved the scene with Teyla, when he's fretting that he can't, and Teyla asks him about Pi. At which point he hits scientist mode and then frets that it makes him a bad person. I think the fact that he frets about this - even if it's only when he's losing his memory - says a lot about his character.

And the fact that Teyla can be patient with him again and again and again - and knows exactly how to draw him out and get him to do his stuff - says a lot about her character and her ability to read people.

[ryf.livejournal.com]

I recommend against Miller's Crossing. But then, I hated it and wished I could unsee it.

[tielan]

Yes, I saw. That's one of the reasons I was considering not watching it. The polarisation of opinion on the episode worried me - particularly since the people who really adored it tend more to the John/Rodney BFF side of fandom...so I tend to be leery when they wholeheartedly endorse an episode.

[(Anonymous)]

I "fifth" the darker John vote. Miller's Crossing is my second favorite episode of the season, after Tabula Rasa. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did, and was pleasantly surprised/shocked by the said dark twist to Sheppard's character, like, whoah. It think it will spawn some very interesting John/Teyla fanfic plots. That's my two cents, anyway. :)

_sharon
http://artgyrl.com

[madjm.livejournal.com]

I agree that pretty much everyone got to be awesome in this episode, so I enjoyed it a lot. Of course, the fact that Teyla and Ronon were so important to saving the city possibly has something to do with my opinion on it. :)

As far as Miller's Crossing, it wasn't bad, though unless I blinked and missed it, there was no Teyla and no mention of why she wouldn't have come to help Rodney. I don't like that. The best part, by far, was Walter sharing his big "adventure" stories with Ronon. Heh.

I believe this Friday's episode is the midseason cliffhanger, but last I heard it was only going to be off for a few weeks this time before it comes back in January sometime. I don't remember exactly when.