SGA 5.01 - Search And Rescue

[tielan]

Yes, I was naughty. But then, I'm in Australia. If I wasn't naughty, I'd still be back in the middle of Season Three.

OMG! OMG OMG OMG OMG! ALLI, WHERE WERE YOU RIGHT WHEN I NEEDED TO SQUEE?

John and Teyla. Candlelight, wine, and Teyla "I cherish these times when it is just you an me" and "properly" thanking John for her rescue. Which, of course, John doesn't remember because this is a dream sequence. Naturally.

But, dude, this is all in John's head! In. John's. Head. Didn't I say that we get more personal insight into John when Teyla's involved than when any other character's involved.

And Ford! FOOOOOORD! They mentioned Ford! They got Rainbow in! *sniffles*

Rodney and Lorne are awesome. Lorne in particular! I love this boy. His practicality; his snarkiness with Rodney. "If you could just sit tight and not make the ceiling colapse, that would be great..."

"No bad guys. No bad guys around." And of course, there are bad guys. Thre are always bad guys...

Interesting view skimming backwards and out to Michael's ship where the hybrids are working and singing a happy working song away industriously on Michael's ship.

Note: Teyla is now second-billed, after Joe Flanigan. Jewel gets fourth billing after Jason, and Robert Picardo gets in after Jewel. Neatness! Let's hope that this means more for Teyla for a change.

Okay, Two moons in Atlantis' sky? Wonder what that does to the tides? Any people care to speculate?

Special guest star Amanda Tapping. I missed who wrote this one.

*laughs* at the difference between Rodney's jackpot and Lorne's jackpot! "Oh no." Dear Rodney, enough with the 'oh no'.

John and Ronon bonding. And loyalty. They're so cute.

"As a rule, I prefer to keep daring rescues down to one a day." I'm so glad that Caldwell's still around. I hope he sticks around for a few episodes and that he and his crew don't get totally screwed in Deadelus Variations.

"She's over there counting on us." YAY SAM!

"I have more respect for you than I've ever had for any commanding officer..." Oh, John. That is teh awesome. Although I have to ask, why the hell are you doing shit when you've got Ronon and Rodney to do it for you, instead?

Ah, TV giving birth. So easy. A few pushes, an hour of contractions, and it's all done, no blood, no liquid, no afterbirth, no clean-up. One would think that the writers had never given birth.

OH, WAIT...

I like that Ronon's the one who distrusts Kanaan, while John's the one who steps forward first - even if it's to disarm Kanaan.

Torin John Emmagan. Okay, that's an interesting one, since Teyla introduced herself originally as a daughter of Tegan. It seems that Tegan is the mother of Teyla, not the father. So do Athosian children count their bloodlines through the parent of the same gender, then? Teyla, daughter of Tegan; Jinto, son of Halling... Will Torin count himself Torin, son of Teyla or Torin, son of Kanaan?

And, yeah, Rodney's gonna be pissed. So will the Rodney-fans. There will be fic. I give it until midnight tonight, Sydney time. That's another 12 hours.

--

My conclusions, let me show you them: it's not the strongest episode I've ever seen, but I loved it. As much because everyone got to do something, as because there were some really lovely team and loyalty and friend/ship angles. Really, everyone was awesomesauce in this.

However, I think that there was too much in a single episode. They had major pacing issues. The first half was considerably more action-dramatic than the second-half, which was more relational-dramatic. Again, this is a problem with all the things they had to cover/tie up in this ep.

I think they played the Rodney-helps-Teyla-give-birth scene too strongly for laughs. I think that they really needed an episode-and-a-half to give everything the kind of due consideration it needed to be given. I think that they really needed to clear up the actual escape-from-Michael's-ship - to say nothing of what happened to Kanaan and what happened to Michael.

I know we're seeing Michael later in the season, and I suspect that Kanaan didn't die in the explosion either - but neither did he come to Atlantis with the team or I think he'd have been with Teyla and her son in the infirmary. So did he escape the hiveship and ended up returning to the Athosians? Did he stay on the hiveship and escape there later? Investigating minds want to know!

On the 'ship front, I think that there's definitely something in the fact that John's the one hallucinating Teyla in a scenario that, if it were Rodney in Teyla's place, would have all the slashers screeching about TRUE LOVE 4EVAH!!!11eleventy! When they face Kanaan, Teyla reassures John, not Ronon. And John's expression as he comes to stand behind Teyla is about as "showdown at the OK corral" as he gets, even as he tells Kanaan to hand over his weapon and lead the way.

Incidentally, for those looking for more personal development for John, I still think you should be encouraging Teyla and Ronon angles, because those two are the ones with whom we see John really interact on a more personal basis than just "we're guys playing computer games against each other".

Without major spoilers: it was an acceptable start out of the traps, and I enjoyed it.

Comments

[bittybye2000.livejournal.com]

I share your squee over the John/Teyla in JOHN's head.

I'm thinking season 5 might not be too bad after all. Of of season 4 in my mind it started weak had a few high points then flat lined. If your review is any indication season 5 might not the the crapfest I was expecting.

Humm this means I might have to find some more Atlantis icons.

[tielan]

It's a good start - but it wouldn't be the first time they had a good start and completely dropped the ball later.

So, I'm withholding my wholehearted stamp of approval until it's all come out!

Still, this was an episode I liked - even without the start and finishing scenes.

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

OK, I hear everyone talking about it, but not where to see it. So where is everyone watching this ep. when it doesn't start in the US until July 11th?

[tielan]

It got leaked and has been uploaded onto the internet for people to download to their computers.

There are various sites and places that it can be acquired - the best-known of which would be via BitTorrent file-sharing.

[live-brave.livejournal.com]

I cannot wait to watch this! *squees in anticipation*

[tielan]

It's not a HUGELY John/Teyla episode, but it has a few more little scenes for our delectation...

I admit, I was anxious about watching it, but I'm good. :)

[loveconquers14.livejournal.com]

I was naughty too and just got done watching it. :) Totally agree with everything you said! I also LOVED how Teyla's line to John in his dream in the beginning is EXACTLY the same line she says to him for real in the infirmary... I like to think it's a bit of foreshadowing and that John's dream is not too far off... ;) She "KNEW!" :) Love it!

[tielan]

See the fact that the lines - in John's head and what Teyla says - are the same is a very inneresting one to me.

1. Is John so 'wired in' to Teyla that he can perfectly predict what she'd say in such a situation?

2. Do John and Teyla have some kind of mental connection to each other that means he knows what she'd say, or she knew what he'd dreamed?

Definitely an interesting possibility...and, naturally, one that they're not going to pursue.

[vaberella.livejournal.com]

For years I've promoted John/Ronon/Teyla. Oh no....I was ignored, marginalized and ignored. That stuff was canon since Runner. I even said in an alternate world and in some weird alternate universe Ronon would be Teyla and John's son.

I could totally see John and Teyla's son ala Tarzan grow up to be EXACTLY like Ronon...shoot Ronon and Teyla even look alike. Hence in this world they're just brother and sister and don't know it yet. ^_^


I think the ultimate question is...What happened to Kanaan is he joining them on Atlantis?

---Vabby the Magnificent.

[tielan]

What happened to Kanaan is he joining them on Atlantis?

There was no sign of him at the end of the episode. He helped them off Michael's ship, but didn't apparently end up in Atlantis - at least, there was no mention of him.

I guess we'll find out what happened to him in the second episode!

[pandora-576.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, definitley have me interested in seeing it :). Nice to hear that everyone has something to do. And the dream sequence sounds lovely.

[tielan]

One worth grinning at, certainly! :D

[ladyjax.livejournal.com]

What??? Wait, wait, YOU'VE SEEN IT???

Dude, you are so not my friend any more! *SOB!!*

(Not really. But now I'm going to have to go look for it. And I'm totally happy for the squee).

[tielan]

Oh, there was mucho squee from a John/Teyla perspective, quite a bit from a John/Ronon perspective, and everyone - EVERYONE - was awesome.

That's enough for a squee for me!

And I've sent you a mail. :)

[azure-horizon.livejournal.com]

And Caldwells

"Sergeant, make that ship go away!"

How many times have I said that of the RT ship? :D

Man, I had much the same reaction as you. there was a lot of "this happened just because it did", with no explanation. But DUDE. The interaction.

That scene at the end, in the infirmary. There was none of the awkwardness you'd expect from those two... And his reaction to her calling her son Toran John.. I dunno, it just spoke volumes.

I'm so SO pleased with the relationship fronts on this.

I loved the bit where John and Ronon both pointed their guns up to where the hybrids would come form.. I dunno.. It just got me absolutelySQUEEEEEING with glee.

I'm so excited I've made sooo many spelliong mistakes in this.

I don't know how people CAN'T watch it.

*hyperventilates some more*

DUUUUDE!

[tielan]

:D I've calmed down a little. But it's still good stuff! :D

[renisanz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, so it seems your naughtiness is contagious. Dloading was so much easier (and quicker) then the last time I messed around with torrents.

So, I can concur that there were sooo many squee!worthy moments. There was so much J/T coloring the episode and the Ronon/John frienshippiness was awesome as well.

OMG. . .*SPOILER* I loved when John was holding the baby while flying the cruiser at the end. That was too adorable for words. *END SPOILER*

I hope this episode is an indication of how awesome the rest of the season will be.

I'm off to show the ep to my parents. :)

[tielan]

Well, downloading or torrents - either way is "bad" to the studios, because they don't get advertising potential from it. There's no way for them to make money out of internet files being personally exchanged.

But I encourage people to watch the eps on TV and buy the DVDs where and when possible.

And, yes, many squee!worthy moments. HOORAY!

[(Anonymous)]

Hi again !
I totally agree wit all of what you said except the 'negative oints' if I can say things like this. Perhaps because most of all I'm a Teylafan and a team fan I find all of the eps perfect. I really like the birth scene honnestly because I loved Teyla. Did she became sarcastic ?
Really an awesome ep. The special effects were awesome. I loved the scene it was an aweome quality.
I love all of the relational aspect and yeah for the team around teyla t was perfect because there was the four of them and only the four of them.
Because Teyla isn't a victim while whumped. Because Teyla is our teyla but even more strong and dimensional. Because I have a lot of hope for the season. Because Rachel is finally second.
The only point where I would be negative perhaps because i have too much hope is on the JT front. I'm really glad that it's John who dreams but I hope for some sort of confirmation and I hope a resolution with Kanaan. It's necessary. Because I hope too much while I know tat relationship are difficult on stargate I don't know what to think.
But I love every minutes of the ep. :)

[tielan]

I know that one point of annoyance for me, personally, on the JT front is that a lot of people who are all "Oh, I'm ambivalent about John/Teyla right now" are suddenly "OOH! I'M ALL FOR THIS PAIRING BECAUSE IT'S ON SCREEN IN FRONT OF ME!"

I expect that the next episode will have a strong Teyla/Kanaan flavour about it since they have to deal with Kanaan as a character and not just 'the missing father of Teyla's baby'. I'm hoping for a Teyla/John angle, but I'm not holding my breath...

[raksha38.livejournal.com]

Eee! I'm so excited! I can't wait for July. New Burn Notice and new Atlantis back to back.

[tielan]

You can wait for July! It's only a couple more weeks!

[melibabe.livejournal.com]

My take on some of your conclusions....
o Michael got off the ship on the stolen puddlejumper
o Kanaan went with them but is in holding until they can de-Wraith him (perhaps with clone-Carson's help)
o I'm a huge Rodney fan but absolutely do not think Teyla should have named the baby after him :-p
o John's hallucination was more about failing his teammates than about unrequited love

Your mileage will vary. :D

[tielan]

Doesn't the pilot need the Ancient gene to fly a 'jumper? Or is that fanon and not canon?

Good point on #2. And IIRC, the next ep is called 'Broken Ties', so that suggests some form of focus on the relationship between Teyla and Kanaan.

And certainly the dream-hallucination scene can be read in a non-shippy way if one doesn't want any Teyla/John angle to the show. TPTB are masters of 'leaving things open', after all.

[chyti.livejournal.com]

a have a question how are people calling john's dream a hallucination when he was unconscious. hallucination only occur when conscious if you are unconscious it is a dream.

the dream was very telling john's hopes and fears all in one.

[tielan]

I think the question was John's state of consciousness during that scene. Dream or hallucination, though, it was very telling of the things on John's mind. :)

[bittybye2000.livejournal.com]

I share your squee over the John/Teyla in JOHN's head.

I'm thinking season 5 might not be too bad after all. Of of season 4 in my mind it started weak had a few high points then flat lined. If your review is any indication season 5 might not the the crapfest I was expecting.

Humm this means I might have to find some more Atlantis icons.

[tielan]

It's a good start - but it wouldn't be the first time they had a good start and completely dropped the ball later.

So, I'm withholding my wholehearted stamp of approval until it's all come out!

Still, this was an episode I liked - even without the start and finishing scenes.

[timespirt.livejournal.com]

OK, I hear everyone talking about it, but not where to see it. So where is everyone watching this ep. when it doesn't start in the US until July 11th?

[tielan]

It got leaked and has been uploaded onto the internet for people to download to their computers.

There are various sites and places that it can be acquired - the best-known of which would be via BitTorrent file-sharing.

[live-brave.livejournal.com]

I cannot wait to watch this! *squees in anticipation*

[tielan]

It's not a HUGELY John/Teyla episode, but it has a few more little scenes for our delectation...

I admit, I was anxious about watching it, but I'm good. :)

[loveconquers14.livejournal.com]

I was naughty too and just got done watching it. :) Totally agree with everything you said! I also LOVED how Teyla's line to John in his dream in the beginning is EXACTLY the same line she says to him for real in the infirmary... I like to think it's a bit of foreshadowing and that John's dream is not too far off... ;) She "KNEW!" :) Love it!

[tielan]

See the fact that the lines - in John's head and what Teyla says - are the same is a very inneresting one to me.

1. Is John so 'wired in' to Teyla that he can perfectly predict what she'd say in such a situation?

2. Do John and Teyla have some kind of mental connection to each other that means he knows what she'd say, or she knew what he'd dreamed?

Definitely an interesting possibility...and, naturally, one that they're not going to pursue.

[vaberella.livejournal.com]

For years I've promoted John/Ronon/Teyla. Oh no....I was ignored, marginalized and ignored. That stuff was canon since Runner. I even said in an alternate world and in some weird alternate universe Ronon would be Teyla and John's son.

I could totally see John and Teyla's son ala Tarzan grow up to be EXACTLY like Ronon...shoot Ronon and Teyla even look alike. Hence in this world they're just brother and sister and don't know it yet. ^_^


I think the ultimate question is...What happened to Kanaan is he joining them on Atlantis?

---Vabby the Magnificent.

[tielan]

What happened to Kanaan is he joining them on Atlantis?

There was no sign of him at the end of the episode. He helped them off Michael's ship, but didn't apparently end up in Atlantis - at least, there was no mention of him.

I guess we'll find out what happened to him in the second episode!

[pandora-576.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, definitley have me interested in seeing it :). Nice to hear that everyone has something to do. And the dream sequence sounds lovely.

[tielan]

One worth grinning at, certainly! :D

[ladyjax.livejournal.com]

What??? Wait, wait, YOU'VE SEEN IT???

Dude, you are so not my friend any more! *SOB!!*

(Not really. But now I'm going to have to go look for it. And I'm totally happy for the squee).

[tielan]

Oh, there was mucho squee from a John/Teyla perspective, quite a bit from a John/Ronon perspective, and everyone - EVERYONE - was awesome.

That's enough for a squee for me!

And I've sent you a mail. :)

[azure-horizon.livejournal.com]

And Caldwells

"Sergeant, make that ship go away!"

How many times have I said that of the RT ship? :D

Man, I had much the same reaction as you. there was a lot of "this happened just because it did", with no explanation. But DUDE. The interaction.

That scene at the end, in the infirmary. There was none of the awkwardness you'd expect from those two... And his reaction to her calling her son Toran John.. I dunno, it just spoke volumes.

I'm so SO pleased with the relationship fronts on this.

I loved the bit where John and Ronon both pointed their guns up to where the hybrids would come form.. I dunno.. It just got me absolutelySQUEEEEEING with glee.

I'm so excited I've made sooo many spelliong mistakes in this.

I don't know how people CAN'T watch it.

*hyperventilates some more*

DUUUUDE!

[tielan]

:D I've calmed down a little. But it's still good stuff! :D

[renisanz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, so it seems your naughtiness is contagious. Dloading was so much easier (and quicker) then the last time I messed around with torrents.

So, I can concur that there were sooo many squee!worthy moments. There was so much J/T coloring the episode and the Ronon/John frienshippiness was awesome as well.

OMG. . .*SPOILER* I loved when John was holding the baby while flying the cruiser at the end. That was too adorable for words. *END SPOILER*

I hope this episode is an indication of how awesome the rest of the season will be.

I'm off to show the ep to my parents. :)

[tielan]

Well, downloading or torrents - either way is "bad" to the studios, because they don't get advertising potential from it. There's no way for them to make money out of internet files being personally exchanged.

But I encourage people to watch the eps on TV and buy the DVDs where and when possible.

And, yes, many squee!worthy moments. HOORAY!

[lavenderfrost.livejournal.com]

Man...fresh off the heels of my overwhelming Doctor Who s4-squee (Aside from the finale, anyway. *snarl*), we launch back into SGA. I hope my luck holds and this season is as fabulous as DW s4 was. XD

[tielan]

Here's definitely hoping! :)

[(Anonymous)]

Hi again !
I totally agree wit all of what you said except the 'negative oints' if I can say things like this. Perhaps because most of all I'm a Teylafan and a team fan I find all of the eps perfect. I really like the birth scene honnestly because I loved Teyla. Did she became sarcastic ?
Really an awesome ep. The special effects were awesome. I loved the scene it was an aweome quality.
I love all of the relational aspect and yeah for the team around teyla t was perfect because there was the four of them and only the four of them.
Because Teyla isn't a victim while whumped. Because Teyla is our teyla but even more strong and dimensional. Because I have a lot of hope for the season. Because Rachel is finally second.
The only point where I would be negative perhaps because i have too much hope is on the JT front. I'm really glad that it's John who dreams but I hope for some sort of confirmation and I hope a resolution with Kanaan. It's necessary. Because I hope too much while I know tat relationship are difficult on stargate I don't know what to think.
But I love every minutes of the ep. :)

[tielan]

I know that one point of annoyance for me, personally, on the JT front is that a lot of people who are all "Oh, I'm ambivalent about John/Teyla right now" are suddenly "OOH! I'M ALL FOR THIS PAIRING BECAUSE IT'S ON SCREEN IN FRONT OF ME!"

I expect that the next episode will have a strong Teyla/Kanaan flavour about it since they have to deal with Kanaan as a character and not just 'the missing father of Teyla's baby'. I'm hoping for a Teyla/John angle, but I'm not holding my breath...

[raksha38.livejournal.com]

Eee! I'm so excited! I can't wait for July. New Burn Notice and new Atlantis back to back.

[tielan]

You can wait for July! It's only a couple more weeks!