SGA 307 - John Sheppard's Enemy Mine, aka, Common Ground

[retro_eidas]

I hope we get to know more about them too.... but I suppose it's to be expected. We got the bigger bad asses in the Asurans, it was a matter of time before we got a different look at the Wraith / a change in direction for the former Big Bad Asses (Michael hardly counts since the Lantians essentially forced him to cooperate and brainwashed him... although he didn't kill Beckett when he easily could have, that's something I suppose).

Sheppard, emotionally resonant storyline, another interesting Wraith (outside of Michael) *and* actiony? This ep kicked so much ass!

Ronon is like a red leather wearing gorilla, but.. a hot gorilla. Kicking that door down? GUH! Even if he looked like he was going to bite someone's throat out 70% of this ep. With Ladon several times and even once with Elizabeth (when she let Ladon go). His "No promises" (regarding blasting a big hole in Kolya's chest with his hand canon?) Hot!

Rodney pretending to be Shep... and the thumbs up? HEEE!!

Was I the only one chanting "SAY HIS NAME!" When Canadian Tech Who We Always See But Yet Elusively Remains Nameless stepped up to Weir? I think it's almost like... a running joke poor guy has no name. Although I wonder the second he gets a name the writers will throw him off Atlantis' balcony or something?

"We reserve it to our most devout followers.... and brothers" Shep has a Wraith brother! awwww (and creepy). Can't wait for the slash after *this* one.

"He looks younger than he did before!" heee

Although I thought this was supposed to the one we got Sheppard backstory... got cut out again did it?

The whole team is either like one big sweet family so acutely concerned about each other's safety.... or they're all having orgies between episodes. I know what I prefer to believe!! *g*

Next ep's preview: Black leather? Ace Rodney? [ OMG!! Rodney's sister! ON ATLANTIS! EEEEeeee!! ... And Shep will probably hit on her. ]

Comments

[goddess09807.livejournal.com]

I loved this episode!

And I think we did get a hint of backstory. When the wraith was talking about the need to feed and asked John wheteher he had ever starved before... the was this *look*. So, in my head, that was the writers saying that John has been captured before and starved before and I really want to read fic on that. Or even better see expansion in canon about that.

The very best thing about this episode is the fact that John kept repeating how his friends were coming for him and that he did have friends. He didn't lose hope and that is such a great change from "Epiphany."

Also, I really, really liked Weir this episode. I loved how she didn't cave and stuck to her guns and there was one scene where she and Laden were talking and she didn't let him interrupt her and she just rocked it. I have been very unhappy that they've decided that Teyla=wallpaper this season but I do appreciate that they've been focusing more on Weir. Giving her backbone and making her kickass. I love it!

[eido.livejournal.com]

The very best thing about this episode is the fact that John kept repeating how his friends were coming for him and that he did have friends.

It actually kind of reminded me distinctly of the Wraith back in S1 (Steve?), who kept vowing the other Wraith would come for him. And John is saying this emprisoned alongside another Wraith.

He didn't lose hope and that is such a great change from "Epiphany."

It's like one big happy [ ] family! I love it when the team comes together / shows so much concern for each other like that. The whole cast has chemistry.

Also, I really, really liked Weir this episode. I loved how she didn't cave and stuck to her guns and there was one scene where she and Laden were talking and she didn't let him interrupt her and she just rocked it.

I loved that too. Much made up for the last time Ladon came by for a visit and he kind of played her / all of them like violins.

I do appreciate that they've been focusing more on Weir. Giving her backbone and making her kickass. I love it!

I always kind of had a soft spot for Weir (outside of her pretty). Like there was this cool, kick-ass leader wanting to come out but the writers more often than not stifle it with puppy dog eyes at Shep or make her look like an idiot by enemy-of-the-week. The leader Weir can be has really shown through this season.

But yeah... Teyla has kind of been pilfering away in the background a bit, hasn't she? It's almost like the writers don't know what to do with her. It makes me kind of worried about the future of her character. We never see the Athosians anymore either. The only time we see "Halling" is when he's dressed like a Wraith!

[goddess09807.livejournal.com]

It actually kind of reminded me distinctly of the Wraith back in S1 (Steve?), who kept vowing the other Wraith would come for him. And John is saying this emprisoned alongside another Wraith.

John is more like the wraith than he knows. ;-) Actually, thw whole gift of life thing explains, for me a bit why people would worship the wraith. If they are faithfull, their life will be returned.

Atlantis= one giant orgy waiting to happen.

I'm really getting mad at the writers because its the 3RD SEASON! They should have found their place/purpose for Teyla already. And really there is such meaty stuff to work with. There's her estrangement from her people, her position in the city, her relationships with her teammates. Her past, her wraithgene, her standing in Pegasus society, there is so fucking much to draw from and they are really just being lazy and not willing to branch out and try new things and explore her character and its potential and it PISSES ME OFF. I mean, I love Rachel Luttrel, I think that she makes the most of the material that she's given, and she just all out rocks it. But she alone, can't save Teyla's character from becoming wallpaper. She needs real lines, besides stating the obvious. She needs storylines. And really, she's 3rd in the credits and she hasn't really gotten an episode to herself. 'The Gift' was more plot than character driven, tho it had its moments and Luttrell rocked it. Why? Why can't they write for her?

[eido.livejournal.com]

John is more like the wraith than he knows. ;-) Actually, thw whole gift of life thing explains, for me a bit why people would worship the wraith. If they are faithfull, their life will be returned.

Very Goa'uld, that. A bunch of meglomaniac aliens with superiority complexes and devout followers / slaves (brainwashed, forced or choosing to serve the Wraith willingly fearing the alternative)... yet free will, even if it's rare, still has some place in their society (unlike Origin). The Wraith also seem to have some kind of honor code. The Wraith mentioned Sheppard/his people not so different from Wraith after Shep's adamance on his people rescuing him (Lantians don't leave people behind... and neither do the Wraith?). Before that was brought up (via Michael in "Allies") due to the Lantians propensity / skill at betrayal and treachery.

Although I'd like to read the fic that touches on the nature of Wraith and their devout followers (or a devout follower and a Wraith).

They should have found their place/purpose for Teyla already. And really there is such meaty stuff to work with... Her past, her wraithgene

That's kind of why I want to see a return of Michael. There definitely seemed to be some very real potential drama in whatever relationship they had or could have. Particularly regarding Teyla's Wraithness (and why she has it. Her ancestors had been experimented on by Wraith, Michael was experimented on by the Lantians), their betrayal of Michael and Teyla seemingly one of the only ones who willingly chooses or Michael chooses to interact with on Atlantis. All of that and the years of tyranny she, her people and all of Pegasus have had to suffer under the Wraith. The writers are missing out on a treasure trove of character development keeping us out of Teyla's head regarding Michael. I do hope they try to address it again.

[eido.livejournal.com]

I realize this probably constitutes as spam, but I suffered the consequences of the third viewing of "Common Ground" last night and had an SGA dream. Namely about Teyla and Wraith. I was actually thinking about it, considering Teyla being rather marginalized this season and my concern about what the writers have planned for her? I had this dream Teyla went off with Michael... willingly. Michael made this deal with Teyla that if she came with him, he'd help the Lantians fight off the other Wraith ready to storm Atlantis (in some last ditch effort to take the city fearing the threat of the Asurans and wanting some kind of tech advantage). Teyla agreed, but only told Elizabeth she was leaving. I woke up mid-battle. However, thinking about the scenario and I did end up baffled why Michael would ask that of Teyla at all. It made sense in the dream (he was depressingly lonely and his Wraith Queen shunned him). That reason seems very melodramatic for canon. Although doing it for "revenge" or to piss off Ronon/the Lantians could be reason enough (and any attraction he might actually have to Teyla) ... that would garner some interesting drama.

Whatever they have in store, maybe the writers do have a plan for Teyla, but it won't unfold until later in the season? They're marginalizing her now to set-up her later storyline and/or to prepare the audience for a departure (but not death)?

I realize Teyla is moderately something like a La Malinche character already regarding her (the writers) near abandonment of her people and alliance with the Lantians (allbeit not with the wholly negative connotations of Malinche, although Halling might disagree)... however, what if they brought that more into fruition with Teyla, but regarding Lantians and the Wraith? Teyla herself is part Wraith and I've been wondering if the writers may truly ever address that again (outside of somewhat passing references, like Teyla able to fly the Wraith ship in "Misbegotten").

[goddess09807.livejournal.com]

I like spam ;) And I wish I shared your optimism but....

In a recent email response from Joe Mallozzi,

The lack of Teyla-centered episodes is something a number of us in the writing department are well aware of. Come the hiatus, as planning begins for season 4, we will be focusing on coming up with some Teyla-centered episodes.

I have to admit, my skepticism is out in full force. "Focusing on" is not the same as actually coming up with Teyla-centred episodes. But at least they're aware of their shortcomings in that area. Here's hoping they do something to rectify it.

However, it does sound a death knell for any hopes of a Teyla-centric episode in S3

[eido.livejournal.com]

*sighs* That is really unfortunate. I am glad Weir is getting more screentime / developing the multidimensional character I knew was lurking in there... but Teyla has been there from the beginning as well... yet Ronon there since S2 got a huge action-fest in "Sateda" (not that I'm complaining about that ep at all because it was excellent). The only other character to *not* get a whole ep? Ford. We all know what happened to him. Granted, they really weren't doing the big central character stories as much back then (that started more in S2 imo), but they almost seem to purposefully ignoring Teyla somehow. It just gives me a bad feeling.