sgareview - critical mass, s2e13

Emailed to svmadelyn earlier this morning.

I'm sad to say, it's still true.

To give you an idea of what special level of bored I have achieved.

I have a notebook. In it, I am trying ot teach myself to write legibly with my left hand.

Wait. There's more.

I can't write legibly with my *right* hand. I have been doing this long enough that they are officially on par. Perahps my left even looks clearer.

Like a wise woman once said (merryish?), if a meteor hit me now, it could only be doing me a favor.



I seriously, seriously loved this ep.

A chick in Lj wrote that the ep just seemed so *odd* to her, and went on to explain why--Teyla singing is pretty much high up there in terms of wtf moments on television--and I nodded along and said, yes, because that's exactly why I loved it.

I have a serious thing any television show that has their chracters working under a time limit (aka 38 Minutes, Epiphany, etc.) because to me, it brings out the most interesting parts of any character. We all know what they think they would never do, and then we get to see what they really *won't* do, and here we have what I can honestly state I had no idea I was waiting for--grey line skidding into black.

The thing is, I totally agree. Even knowing it was wrong, wrong, wrong, because I do not believe in torture, period, do not do not do not--they didn't make the decision thinking it was the right thing to do. They act like they did, but with the exception of Caldwell and Ronon, everyone twitched and kept twitching after the fact, and that pleases me, because honestly, if you are going to skid across the grey lines of morality into the black zone of never going back, you'd damn well better be aware that what you're doing is *wrong*. Poisoning the Well still bothers me, in a good way, in the very fact that there *was* no protracted morality debate over Steve the Wraith becoming Carson's Experimental Animal #1. I even see why. But compare and contrast, and I am satisified and somewhat amused too.

What pleases me most is I completely support the decisions made. In a terminal choice between right and expedient, the one or the many, them versus us, latter usually wins. Add to that--they don't like Kavanagh. Which is just *icing* because there is no way that Elizabeth and John *don't* know that they all authorized this, at least in part, because it wasn't someone they liked.

And well, Kavanagh is dumb. I know, I'm prejudiced too, but thought--you are being held for questioning. You have some seriously suspicious behavior going on. There is a bomb in the city and your behavior will actually kind of directly decide if they pursue other suspects or nail you down YOU ACT LIKE A FREAKING MORON AND INSULT YOUR INTERROGATOR IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY. That is not smart. It does not get you points for courage. It gives you points for never perpetuating your genes throughout the gene pool, because we seriously do not need that kind of idiocy in the future of the human race. Sorry, but while I get Kavanagh was insulted, he was also just being a asshole just because he could be, knowing it would make him more of a suspect, and frankly not caring. I don't respect that. I really don't care if Elizabeth is Atlantis' answer to Mussolini, this is a crisis, so please pull your short pants up and act like an adult who is trying to help, or hell, KEEP FROM DYING, hey, think selfishly instead of with your freaking ego.

Maybe more thoughts later, but honestly, I loved it so much. But keep in mind, I just emerged from Smallville, and one day, honestly, SGA former SV fen should get together and we will make a long, long list explaining how SGA is like an act of God to us with continuity and character development, because oh dear God, Smallville did things that were against the Geneva Convention on cruelty to viewers.

Mmm. I feel better now.

Comments

[aelora.livejournal.com]

There is a bomb in the city and your behavior will actually kind of directly decide if they pursue other suspects or nail you down YOU ACT LIKE A FREAKING MORON AND INSULT YOUR INTERROGATOR IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY. That is not smart.

Oh, yes!! He was just asking for them to step up their interrogation efforts. I seriously wonder *how* this guy was chosen for this mission, or why people kept allowing him to continue to be a part of it. I mean, they have yet to even show me that he's outrageously smart because he always ends up being wrong. Hell, even Hermiod can't stand him. The guy is just an idiot, and he asked to be scared out of his wits by Ronon, frankly.

But keep in mind, I just emerged from Smallville, and one day, honestly, SGA former SV fen should get together and we will make a long, long list explaining how SGA is like an act of God to us with continuity and character development, because oh dear God, Smallville did things that were against the Geneva Convention on cruelty to viewers.

ROTFL!! Oh, just, AMEN!

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes!! He was just asking for them to step up their interrogation efforts. I seriously wonder *how* this guy was chosen for this mission, or why people kept allowing him to continue to be a part of it. I mean, they have yet to even show me that he's outrageously smart because he always ends up being wrong. Hell, even Hermiod can't stand him. The guy is just an idiot, and he asked to be scared out of his wits by Ronon, frankly.

God yes. I mean, that was totally *him* that we've seen, but the utter amazing *stupidity* is mindblowing. And yes, Ronon should beat him up on general principles.

oh yes!

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

because oh dear God, Smallville did things that were against the Geneva Convention on cruelty to viewers.

Amen to that. And if you're still watching SV ... well, it hasn't improved any. We have a Christmas episode almost upon us - the cleverly entitled Lexmas. I kid you not. I couldn't make this stuff up.

Re: oh yes!

[seperis.livejournal.com]

I've been blackmailed--BLACKMAILED--into watching Lexmas. Oh God the name, Lexmas.

*shudders*

Re: oh yes!

[svmadelyn.livejournal.com]

It was--actually, I'm not really sure how it came about, but I do know there was a date for SGA that got off to a rocky start but recovered nicely, and now there will be babieeeeeeeeeeeees.

[anitac588.livejournal.com]

This comparison with SV amuses me to no end, not that I didn't think reading some of the less flattering comments to the new episodes -- Hey, that wasn't so bad, you should have seen what they did to Clark and Lex....

Well, as far as right or wrong goes -- as much as I understand and believe that they should have moral higher ground -- heh -- they are in another galaxy with a circumstances that are a little beyond our comprehention.
Now, I know that this is a show, yeah, and not much to do with, uh, reality, but if we apply/debate real life principles, then I'd like to imagine how I'd behave or react under such circumstances. The only thing I can say for certain is that lying in my comfy bed, warm room, good wine and picking olives, cheese and smoked ham, I cannot really relate fully.

And, bc I cannot stress enough -- I love Hermiod and Novak. *g* They, with touch of Caldwell, are my OT something, ;-).

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Seriously, Smallville set the bar on badness. Nothing I've seen since can compare.

With you on everything else. Hermiod pleased me immensely.

[thepouncer.livejournal.com]

oh dear God, Smallville did things that were against the Geneva Convention on cruelty to viewers.

Yes. Oh yes. God. I personally loved Critical Mass myself, because of its dizzy mix of humor (the Twilight Bark!) and menace and hotness. John shooting people is never bad, which probably makes me a sick, sick girl but I just want to lick him all over. *sighs*

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was wonderful. I mean, seriously, I don't get the criticism--I respect eveyone's right, but it sparkled to me. I just *wallowed* in it.

[logovo1.livejournal.com]

SGA former SV fen should get together and we will make a long, long list explaining how SGA is like an act of God to us with continuity and character development, because oh dear God, Smallville did things that were against the Geneva Convention on cruelty to viewers.</aM Yes, please and Amen. I'm still giddy at the prospect of continuity and plots that make some kind of coherent sense. I can withsatnd ugly blue dresses and silly singing once in a while. Not too often though, cus I kept thinking of Spock singing and that is all kinds of bad.

[teaphile.livejournal.com]

Add to that--they don't like Kavanagh. Which is just *icing* because there is no way that Elizabeth and John *don't* know that they all authorized this, at least in part, because it wasn't someone they liked.

Exactly. If it had been Cadman they'd never have done it. That kind of deep character flaw, and Weir's realization of it later, makes for good entertainment.

in the very fact that there *was* no protracted morality debate over Steve the Wraith becoming Carson's Experimental Animal #1.

Then compare that to their reactions when they found out that Ford's group were holding Wraith captive for their enzyme.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*nod* I like seeing that in them. And that they know it's there. It's, to me, what makes great television.

And yes, the Wraith thing versus the human thing is absolutely *fascinating*.

[iamtheenemy.livejournal.com]

Exactly. If it had been Cadman they'd never have done it.

Yes! In fact, because they liked her, they immediately dismissed the idea that she might be responsible. Her behavior was just as shifty as Kavanagh's, but because John and Elizabeth trust her, they didn't take Rodney's suspicions seriously.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Well, and also because it was mentioned that Rodney's been difficult about her even since Duet.

[iamtheenemy.livejournal.com]

True, true. They made it clear that Rodney has issues with Cadman. But seriously. If a bomb was set to go off and kill everyone? I'd investigate all of the possibilities, and not dismiss one because the person who brought it up had a grudge.

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

I liked Critical Mass, too. Any show that lets everybody shine a little works for me, and this had it in spades.

I didn't have a problem with the torture thing. They'd obviously gone through other channels first, and even I was ready to pull out Kavanaugh's fingernails by the time they finally sicced Ronon on him. What a moron. I was jabbing at the screen while he was with Weir, saying, "You're not helping yourself, you big baboon. What a putz."

I know, I know, it was for Dramatic Purposes, but still...

Anything that leads to that look on Sheppard's face after Ronon said, "He fainted before I ever touched him" is a worthwhile effort.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

YES THAT LOOK!

Also, Ronon pacing like a huge, impatient cat behind Caldwell was the hottest he's been yet. Oh God yes.

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

Also, Ronon pacing like a huge, impatient cat behind Caldwell was the hottest he's been yet. Oh God yes.

Mmmmmmmm, yes. I could see his tail twitching. :)

[tdarlene.livejournal.com]

Trying not to sound like and idiot here, but did you all DL this ep or did I miss an ep on TV.

Thanks for any info. I don't think they've been playing it refcently on SCI/FI, and the last ep I saw was Friday and it was part 1 of the first ever SGA when they actaully go to Atlantis. It was on UPN at 10:00pm.

[ghfan-98.livejournal.com]

The show is being shown in Canada without the extremely long break. People who have seen it either live in Canada or got it through DL.

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

Well, I was an SVer and I loved the fuck out of CM so I guess maybe it is a trend? Of course, it's not like Pru and Mad are ever wrong. Right? Especially since Pru has declared herself Rodney.

[meret.livejournal.com]

Have you tried working on The Yard to cure your boredom? Not that I'm hinting or anything. ;)

[out-there.livejournal.com]

Add to that--they don't like Kavanagh. Which is just *icing* because there is no way that Elizabeth and John *don't* know that they all authorized this, at least in part, because it wasn't someone they liked.

*nods* Which is a really good point -- the way that personal likes and favouritism was so damn obvious in this episode. And the way that Rodney -- who doesn't like Kavanagh but doesn't have the same level of hatred for him that fandom does -- was the last one to agree to it, was the one to point out that Elizabeth needed to be sure about it, thrills me too.

There is a bomb in the city and your behavior will actually kind of directly decide if they pursue other suspects or nail you down YOU ACT LIKE A FREAKING MORON AND INSULT YOUR INTERROGATOR IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY. That is not smart. It does not get you points for courage.

Except if it was JOHN standing up to the GENII, it would be exactly that. It would be seen as brave and courageous and cool.

Serious double standards here, I'm just saying. But I'm kinda thrilled that SGA *acknowledges* the imperfections there.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Okay, I see the comparsion, except Kavanagh is technically supposed to beon their side, and there is a difference between being snarky to technical allies and being snarky to enemies. Elizabeth brought him in for questioning, like Novak, and his first reaction wasn't helpful, but offense and then insulting. John, or Rodney, or Elizabeth, or anyone being bitchy to the Genii, or any enemy, is protecting Atlantis from being compromised. Kavanaugh wasn't protecting Atlantis. At this point, he wasn't even protecting himself. He was taking an opportunity to vent his personal grievances at the expense of a investigation to save the city. So while I totally get he was offended by being questioned, becuase frankly, I would be, too, he let his own personal issues interfere with what was a fight for their lives. I really don't see that as a double standard.

[out-there.livejournal.com]

*makes wishy-washy gesture*

I still have complaints that Kavanagh was the immediate suspect, that Weir actually *didn't* seem to interrogate any of her own staff members, and that the Gould infestation (control? what is the correct term for "An alien has taken control of me"?) was suggested but Carson spent all his time nursing the poor dying Athosian woman instead of, say, *scanning* the crews.

He was taking an opportunity to vent his personal grievances at the expense of a investigation to save the city.

Yes, but... honestly? It's not like he has any other opportunity to vent at Elizabeth (not after she totally shot him down in flames for such inappropriate timing *g* which he totally deserved) and character-wise, it's already been established that Kavanagh deals with fear through criticising others.

And you know, this episode still doesn't make me not-like Kavanagh. Or not want to see McKay/Kavanagh fic. (It probably should, but it doesn't.)

Left Hand Writing

[jade-dragoness.livejournal.com]

*carefully not looking at the SGA spoilers but responding to the beginning bit*

Ooh, I've done that the whole trying to write with the left hand. It's totally doable. The only warning I can give you is to get in the habit of doing hand warming excercises before hand [pun not intended!], because otherwise it'll start to cramp up. *nods sagely* After a while, you're just working on muscle memory with that hand.