sgareview - common ground, s3e7 - the anti-squee

Well, some anti-squee, some clarification, some thinky stuff. To avoid fannish buzz-loss, all packaged in it's own neat area here.

Also, for the record--John is still perfect, still my favorite ep ever.



It's easier to number my annoyances, unlike my incoherence on Friday. Huh. In no particular order:

Carson:

1.) Okay, I'm in. Let the Carson-irritation free. Right here. This is freaking Seven of Nine of Voyager all over again, but at least I could *write* my way into zen with that one. Is this *happening*? Why is he in every episode, taking up premium screentime doing *nothing*?

I do not care what kind of wonderful rapport the actors have off-screen--it is not translating on-screen at all. I cannot believe I'm saying this--I am *not* of the wallflower wilting Rodney needs hugs and puppies constantly school of thought--but, Carson, back the fuck *off*. He's *field*. If he wants to order Marines and shoot mice? You smile and let him. He's combat experienced and he's faced a *shitload* more in a month than you do in a year, okay? Pardon my dramatic rendition here, but what the *hell* was that? Marines can mock Rodney--frankly, I'm of the opinion that Marines can mock anyone they damn well please, they are *scary* and they carry a lot of weapons, and they're Marines--and they *didn't*, cause hello? That's a field team member who is hysterical about his friend being tortured by the Wraith and they can totally get that. You, my friend, are not a Marine. Shut up.

What are the writers *thinking*? Are they reading this out loud and seeing how it *sounds*? I can take it on a textual or metatextual level, and either way, someone needs to take away the keyboard and say, hey, stop making Carson look like an asshole.

2.) Why is he on strike-team missions? I hate using Rodney constantly as a barometer, but he's the only other civilian and so he's the comparison--again, Rodney's *field-trained* and that's his team leader and friend. Him going along isn't mindbogglingly freaky. Carson going along as a medic--okay. But why, why, why is he with a scary strike team here? Medic in jumper. God, this is Sateda all over again, where I can't figure out why in the name of God they're pushing Carson so hard at us so badly.

I mean, I get there are logical reasons behind this that can and have been made, and I'm not arguing with that. But my kneejerk is that it feels forced and just--too much. In every ep so far he's been way too front and center compared to, oh, the last two seasons, and in comparison to his actal role. I do get that the writers are trying to show sga expedition love and etc and okay, if this is what I have to deal with to get the characters having character moments, I'll live. But if he's going to be shoved into this, at lesat, minimum, give him a practical reason to be there.

Genii:

3.) I have serious reservations about Layden. a.) I still can't quite figure out or remember how to spell his name and b.) He's officially admitted he's a backstabber. Which we already knew from Cowen, but none of us liked Cowen anyway. I kind of like Kolya. On a purely illogical level, I really wanted Elizabeth to make that trade, cause John being tortured hurts and makes me wince and makes me want to break things. But a tiny part of me--and for that matter, a part of every person dealing with Layden--knows he's going to fuck Atlantis over when he's got a good opportunity. This guy is not just not trustworthy--he's not trustworthy and he's--slimey. It's like dealing with a serpent. You come away feeling faintly sick and need a serious shower. Kolya's a soldier--he's passionate and vicious and I'm thinking lately a little around the bend mentally, but he's a soldier--he might fuck you over, but he'll do it to your face. Torturing John he never gets my forgiveness for, but it was never personal, he never enjoyed it, never didn't acknowledge what he was reduced to doing, what it cost him, what he *knew* he was giving up in humanity in doing it. It was in his face and his body, the acknowledgement of those things. He let revenge be everything and anything. He tortured a man with the Pegasus galaxy's living nightmare for the sake of revenge, but he didn't like it.

Layden would have done that, for less reason, and liked it. And that's this gut reaction to every smooth word Layden poured out and I was more and more convinced that while dealing with terrorist Genii Kolya might be a mistake--Layden's leadership of the Genii would be moreso. Elizabeth could not make that trade without a better--or more politically aware--reason than saving John. But she wanted to, and I suspect it's for that same gut feeling.

Ronon

4.) I love, love, love Ronon's single-minded determination to get his favoritest commander ever back. I do. I really do. But seriously, tone it down. I'm sorry, but you officially lost your free pass on being caveman stupid when we got to see Sateda and you were nailing a doctor. I love when you are grrr and scary and omgmustsavesheppard! Trust me on this--you get so many free passes for that you have no idea--but my God, one notch is all I'm asking here.

Also, your stripperesque gear? Let's take that back a notch so it's all ooh hot newness again, and less, wow, where do you shop, Frederick's of Hollywood? Every. Week. We all get he is alien and muscular and omghot. But it gets boring if that's all we get to see.

I'm--wow, done. Carson was pretty much the bulk; he's just too noticeable doing nothing and standing around. Gah. OTOH? God. *John*. Still in the paper bag mode.



God I love this icon. I need to get a whole plethora of icons with John looking various stages of omghot and omgdangerous and omggoofy and--well, John like. Happy place.

Comments

[shusu.livejournal.com]

Quick note. Layden would have done that, for less reason, and liked it.

Just my impression, but every time Ladon said "interrogation" I thought: this man is torturing for information. Then I thought: Weir has got to know that's what he's doing.

Dunno. I'll have to rewatch it for facial subtext. When I'm finished hyperventilating over our spry old guy.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Nope. That, too, was all over his face. He was torturing them and liking it. It was just--there.

[inthekeyofd.livejournal.com]

I love the episode, but believe me, I said pretty much the EXACT SAME THING ABOUT CARSON..I swear he's jealous of Rodney or something..and big props to Teyla having his back though, while I realize that Rodney doesn't usually take command, he doesn't need to be undermined by Carson, I think that remark was uncalled for, really, he comes off acting bitchy towards him.

**sorry if that sounded like a rant, really I LOVED THE EPISODE, but that comment pissed me off.

[ex-muj135.livejournal.com]

According to spoilers this was the episode in which we would get a glimpse of Sheppard's backstory. Since I haven't seen this ep yet (*sobs*), I have to ask: did we get some Sheppard backstory or did the writers cut it out of the script again?

[ileliberte.livejournal.com]

I think they said there would be some backstory in the next episode even though this was the one all about him. There was some advancement in his acceptance of Atlantis as family and some reliance on his friends, but no real background. Although, there was one part where he says something about being in a prison never stopping him before which could be a history snippet or maybe a reference to earlier missions. Who knows.

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Definitely yes -- there are enough medical emergencies to give Carson storylines, like when Elizabeth was knocked out in the Real World, and Wraith genetics, and whatever. The Carson-Rodney fight over saving Ronon in Sateda was worse (Carson is not on Ronon's team! Not weapons proficient!), but this was iffy, too. When exactly did Carson turn into Mr. Super Stud Field Ops Dude?

Marines can mock Rodney--frankly, I'm of the opinion that Marines can mock anyone they damn well please, they are *scary* and they carry a lot of weapons, and they're Marines--and they *didn't*, cause hello? That's a field team member who is hysterical about his friend being tortured by the Wraith and they can totally get that.

*loves X infinity*

Ronon going caveman, well, they've painted him that way despite the backstory. I'm kind of used to that stupid. Elizabeth letting him nearly take out a guest TWICE? Super stupid. She's the head of Atlantis and responsible for visitor safety (and for finding John). She would put Ronon on a leash or get him the hell out. Duh.

[ileliberte.livejournal.com]

May I add something to this? What is Teyla, the wallflower? She mostly repeats stuff, has no noticeable character arc and as far as I can see, no solo episode in the season whereas all of the main team has had or will have one. I am disappointed that the kickass female on the main team is relegated to second place to Carson of all people. He didn't need to have that many lines in the episode. Also, leader of her people, hello!

And it's spelled Ladon, I think. I think Kolya's appeal is also that the actor plays him in a very charismatic way in that he doesn't come across as weaselly, just really really bad. Ladon comes across as potentially squirrelly. Also, when you really think about the plot, wouldn't it have been easier for Kolya's inside men to assassinate Ladon? And what if the harpoon had missed? Haha, that would have been a waste of time.

Kolya: "Muahaha, Sheppard, I have you now" *aims harpoon* *shoots* *misses*
Wormhole: Closes
Kolya: "Shit" (or Genii equivalent)
Episode: ends

[desdema.livejournal.com]

I agree with every bit of this, but I'm particularly glad to see that I'm not the only one annoyed by Ronon's constant growling lately. I've liked it in the past, but they're starting to overplay it.

Also, everything you said about Kolya -- yes, exactly. Robert Davi did a fabulous job getting across so much of this non-verbally.

[desdema.livejournal.com]

One more thing. When exactly did Carson stop being scared to go offworld? He used to always drag his heels and moan about it and now he's all Mr. Badass with a gun and everything? I'm starting to wonder if maybe Carson's alone time with Michael in Misbegotten could somehow factor in here. They keep telling us there's still a lot we don't know about the Wraith, so what if they have some way of remotely influencing a person's behavior? Or maybe they can transfer some sort of controlling essence/influence into a host (rather like the Goa'uld)? I don't know. I'm totally open to this just being a crappy writing/characterization issue on the part of TPTB, but it's such a marked difference that it's got my brain looking for other explanations as well.

[spike21.livejournal.com]

yes. this is pretty much where I am vis a vis Carson and Ronon. Carson I've never been particularly fond of, but he was fine in his role as doctor and fearful ATA carrier. And back then, I could tolerate the way he treated Rodney because a)Rodney treated him much the same way and b) they were pretty much equally geeky, frightened of danger and 'outsidery' with the cool kids. However, the sudden unexplained change in Carson's status to one *of* the cool kids makes his condescension less bearable. I agree with you about who in that group had the right to mock rodney and didn't. Teyla, for instance.

And Ronon. I love Ronon. I just don't want him to be 2nd lead. Yes, Ronon toning it back a notch and also letting Teyla lose *her* shit over John would have worked better for me.

[iamtheenemy.livejournal.com]

a)Rodney treated him much the same way and b) they were pretty much equally geeky, frightened of danger and 'outsidery' with the cool kids. However, the sudden unexplained change in Carson's status to one *of* the cool kids makes his condescension less bearable.

Dude, yes. That's it exactly. Carson didn't talk down to Rodney before, and he definitely does now.

[swanswan.livejournal.com]

Absolutely agree vis-a-vis Carson. The decision to bring him in more is perplexing, and obviously metatextual, or however you describe director-loves-mcgillion-ness. Also, randomly, his accent TOTALLY slipped in this ep.

I remember that Michael hinted that he'd done something to 'take care' of Carson and it probably means we're going to get more stuff revolving around him in the future. It just drives me nuts that he gets twice as many lines as Teyla!! GRAH!!

[an-kayoh.livejournal.com]

See, personally I didn't understand why either Carson _or_ Rodney were on the strike team. I understood that they should be _there_, but I was shocked when Ronon blew down the door and they _all_ ran in. I see Rodney as field-trained as well, certainly moreso than Carson, but not to the point of storming a building.

[sage]

Word. Also, Marines? Are ALL trained field medics. It's required -- if they don't leave a man behind, they've damn well got to be able to get the bleeding stopped long enough to get him back. Plus they would have a specialist medic as a standard member of any striketeam.

It's so annoying. Carson's a friggin DNA research geek and infirmary administrator. He had NO business going at all. Unfortunately Paul McGillion's contract guarantees him a certain amount of screentime -- but they've written the character into such a corner that all he can do is act like a complete idiot every week. I wish Carson would get kidnapped, brainwashed, and returned as a new person. It would be interesting to see what PMcG would do with Carson if he had a fresh start.

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this -- I always feel like such a freak when everybody is so happy. Not that I'm not happy; I loved the episode majorly, loved it, but . . . Carson's behavior toward Rodney, in public, in front of the Marines, was so inappropriate. I can forgive the rabid rat moment because that's apparently what all the writers except Gero know to do with DH, but Carson is supposed to be both a professional and a friend of Rodney's.

And I completely agree with ileliberte about Teyla: give that woman a story arc, an episode, or even a couple lines now and then. Is it really that impossible for those writers to write for her?

Finally, you are so write about Ladon torturing his personal aide and 2IC; we're clearly to understand that that's what he was doing, and Weir certainly knew. I kept flashing to the black site prisons the US uses in countries without laws against torture. But you know what? That's one think I actually like about SGA: however obliquely, they talk about stuff like that, torture and black sites, and they made hideously inappropriate decisions and move on. It scares me, but it draws me, too.

Anyway. Thanks.

[anitac588.livejournal.com]

That thing with Carson annoyed me ..grrr. Even if I watch Sateda -- when he questions why Rodney's coming with on the mission? Or him saying Rodney's a terrible shot? (he aimed at that Wraith in The Defiant One just fine, thank you)
I just want to smack him.
But back to Common Ground. I'd much prefer that that mouse thing was something Carson did (for example when walking next to Rodney). Imagine Rodney 'defending' Carson to Ronon, Teyla & Marine co with same words. It'd be much more effective. And funny. Now I just cringe.

On the other hand -- I wonder -- are there really that many Mckay haters that writers tune in into their wishes?

Also? Teyla needs more time. Definitely.

[berlinghoff79.livejournal.com]

*nods emphatically*Yesyesyes, Rodney would sooo defend Carson for shooting the mouse, but what does that little git? Nothing! He even mocks him every time Rodney opens his mouth, argh! I wait for the time McKay says something physics related and Carson opens his stupid mouth.

On the other hand -- I wonder -- are there really that many Mckay haters that writers tune in into their wishes?

A while back I tried to start a poll on who's the favorite/least favorite character on SG-1&SGA
...it didn't work fandom-wide. Maybe I'll try it again. I'd really like to know if they hate Rodney that much.

[miss-porcupine.livejournal.com]

Amen on all of it. And it has nothing to do with any OCs I've created or secondary characters I've used who'd be better for the purpose. Carson in anything but a lab coat? *Twitch*

[denynothing1.livejournal.com]

Yes to all your points.

I did wonder if the title of the episode referred, not just overtly, to the common ground John found with the Wraith, but subliminally, to the fact that those on Atlantis could --and should -- have much more in common with Kolya than Laydon, no matter their history and how those relationships appear on the surface.

I get *such* a squirrely vibe off Laydon and the feeling that trusting him is about the dumbest thing anyone on Atlantis could do (and considering their track record in dumb on occasion, that's saying something). I do hope that's where TPTB are going, because I'm sure this isn't the last we'll see of either Kolya or Laydon. (Which may mean I'll eventually have a fighting chance of being able to spell his name.)

[akacat]

I'm just getting so tired of Rodney being used as the joke every week.

Now honestly, I could see him being teased to within an inch of his life by any of the marines -- on the firing range. Or on a so-far completely quiet mission in the middle of no where.

But not by a civilian -- who is lower then him on the chain of command -- when he's doing a remarkably good job of channeling his zomgmyboybestfriend'sbeingtortured freakout.

[nialla]

Why is he in every episode, taking up premium screentime doing *nothing*?

We're getting spammed with Carson doing not much for the same reason SG-1 is getting Vala spammage -- it's in the actor's contract to be in every episode, so they're there even if it doesn't make sense for them to be there. As far as Carson mocking Rodney, that goes back to some of the writers not being able to see Rodney being heroic and not just the butt of jokes and speaker of technobabble.

And I like Carson, I just want him being there to make sense. It would have made sense for him to be on the mission as a doctor, but not as a soldier.

Layden might be willing to torture for information, but Weir and Company haven't exactly been angels in that department. And no one seemed to point out that even if they had turned Layden over to Kolya, there's no guarantee they'd have gotten John back alive. Even if he was alive, without the deus ex Wraith, would he have wanted to be alive?

[stellahobbit.livejournal.com]

It'd make much more sense to give Radek increased screentime (as opposed to Carson) because then we could see Radek arguing with Rodney, Radek plotting stuff with John, Radek trying to not be smitten around Elizabeth.

Right now we've got Carson trying to 'one-up' Rodney at any opportunity (and what's with that? I realise the writers are trying to show that Rodney and Carson are friendly enough with each other to banter, but the put-downs? Not what friends do) and Carson sighing and repeating worst-case scenarios back at Elizabeth.

Or give us Lorne! Lorne and Rodney interaction, Lorne and Ronon interaction, Lorne being a competent 2IC.

I love the Genii - I think they're an awesome enemy for us to have. Koyla is fantastic and you just know that Ladon is going to cause some serious issues in the future. He was their Chief Scientist remember, so I don't think he'd have many problems looking at things objectively and doing what he needs to do to reach his objective.

[djinanna.livejournal.com]

Beyond my growing hatred irritation (to use Jenn's word) with Carson, I think you've really nailed what's wrong with the ramping up of Carson's screentime, why making him a title credit regular character was a total mistake by the PTB.

The way that Carson's character/personality has been established in the past two and a fraction seasons, the backstory we've been given on him (to be blunt and impolitic, that's as a weepy mama's boy), even the position the character holds in the Expedition - there's just not a lot of story potential there. Which I can (of course) immediately contradict by pointing out a number of excellent fanfics that make great good use of all that - but in the course of the television show the PTB are presenting to us, Carson just isn't all that. And they're trying to force him into a new mold he doesn't fit in.

Unless this behavior is a sampling of hints that Michael indeed screwed with Carson's mind big-time and long-term (as suggested by someone else), it's just a painfully blatant example of forced retcon to balance actor contract with character presence. And any last sympathy or liking I had for the character is pretty much gone. (Of course, I'm a Rodney fangirl....)

But, oh! If only they'd signed up DN/Radek for regular status. Or KS/Lorne. Or just gave RL/Teyla stuff to do.... *weeps*

[piplover.livejournal.com]

Thank you for saying everything I wanted to say! Carson...ugh. I really can't find enough words to convey how much he annoyed me in this episode and Sateda. He's not a soldier, he doesn't have field time like Rodney, and he isn't on a team. For him to be all snide to Rodney is just plain him being an asshole. I thought Rodney did a great motivation speach. In fact, I didn't realize it was him becuase I was feeding my cats when I heard it begin, and it was only after Carson made his remark that I realized it was Rodney. He sounded that good. Besides, I can say from personal experiance, that if you have the experiance to back it up, you can sound as cheesy as you want, and soldiers love you for it. So long as they know you mean every word, and are willing to back it up, hey, talk all you want! Impassioned speeches? We want more! It gets the soldiers fired up and their blood pumping, and since Sheppard wasn't there, who better than Rodney?
Anyway, Carson bugs me. I think he seriously needs to tone it down. After all, aren't he and Rodney supposed to be friends? Becuase lately, he's seemed more like a jealouse bastard than a friend.

[mneiai.livejournal.com]

Maybe they're going to kill Carson off? I know some shows will really push a character in the episodes before they kill them, an attempt to make viewers feel they're more important than they actually are. I don't know, I really don't like what they're doing with him--I liked it before, when he was appearing every once in a while and I couldn't decide whether or not I thought he was a cool character or if I was so boggled by the things he was willing to do that I couldn't like him....

I like Ladon...I like the fact he's slippery, that we don't know if he's good or bad. Because I want him to turn out to be good, after all, to actually help out Atlantis when they least expect it...because I love characters who you're just sure are traitorous scum who turn out to actually have hearts...(he did care about his sister a whole lot, after all).

And I keep thinking that Ronon's probably all growl-y now because he spent so long on his own, running through forests and eating all kinds of nastiness, thinking of nothing but running and killing wraith. Sort of like a child raised by wolves, but with the destruction of his planet and the fact he's a runner putting Ronon into a vulnerable state of mind....

And totally just rambled there, sorry ^.^

[emrinalexander.livejournal.com]

Carson was my one of two moments of non-squee. He seriously needs to dial it back and shut the fuck up. He has no business commenting at all, particularly not IN FRONT OF EVERYONE (how unprofessional can you get, let alone you don't stab your buddy in the back like that). Rodney shooting the mouse was the other - I mean, guys - come one, do you writers watch your own show? Huh? Besides Gero? Because seriously, Rodney hasn't been out in the field getting his ass shot at, literally, for three years now without learning something. Sheesh.

[bibliotech.livejournal.com]

Seriously, at this point I would pay the writers to come up with something for Teyla to do. She is being wasted, people. She's amazing, and much too good for scenery.

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[djinanna.livejournal.com]

Carson Becket...

... can die! Seriously. Or get shipped back to Earth. I lost most of my remaining liking and sympathy for the character during the Wraith experimentation arc; his behavior this season (or maybe the PTB's reinterpretation of his behavior) has pretty much slammed the last nail in the coffin. Though I will admit (forcing myself to be fair/impartial/objective *argh*) that my feelings wouldn't be quite so, er, final if I weren't a big ol' Rodney fangirl.

Though ... I have read speculations about *why* the radical change in Carson's behavior in terms of the larger story arc. Perhaps Michael has fucked with his head with far more long-reaching consequences than anyone realized. Perhaps these post-Progency episodes are *all* Replicator nightmares. Perhaps after behind helpless with the humanized Wraith on that planet at season opener gave Carson a conveniently off-screen epiphany of martial inspiration. And maybe Carson's just having a freaky funky nervous breakdown. Or *handflail* whatever.

::would trade "new & improved" Carson Beckett for used'n'bruised Aidan Ford in a heartbeat::

I just don't trust the PTB of *any* show these days when this kind of radical retcon pops up. Too many times over the years when I've held firm to the "they know what they're doing, it'll pay off in the longer story/show arc" only to be left a broken bitter fangirl when the "it was just a whim on our part, we had no plan, we didn't even notice we'd changed our characters'/universe's rules" truth is revealed. If my cynical uncertainty is proved wrong, if there is a plan behind the madness, I'll cheer happily - I just can't find faith before the fact anymore.

The Genii...

First, I couldn't resist looking up that pesky character name spelling (because sometimes I'm anal like that). According to both the IMDB and Gateworld, his name is Ladon Radim.

But seriously, my reactions to the characters of Kolya and Ladon are completely opposite yours (and most of the commenters here). I see Kolya as the sadistic, untrustworthy, *slimey* one ... the one who, after an encounter with him, leaves me feeling more-than-vaguely unclean ... the one who enjoys his revenge and causing pain just too much and wants/craves power (over others!) way too much. That's actually the impression I've had of the character since his first appearance, sparring with Sora in "The Storm". (And oh, how I adore Robert Davi!!! He was the trustworthy true-blue Bailey! On Profiler!)

Conversely, I see Ladon as the one who will do the distasteful thing because the burdens and obligations of leadership demand it. The one who sardonically calls himself "a backstabber" because of course that's the view of the power-mad fanatics like Cowan and Kolya, who were in it for their own glory until he "backstabbed" them to save his people from their craziness. And yes, he's a scientist, he can be detached from his emotions and objective, he will make the hard choices and betray his allies - but not for personal glory (like Cowan, like Kolya), but instead in service to his people. And yes, if his choice is between the survival and wellbeing of the Genii or honoring his agreements with Atlantis, he will chose his people and screw Atlantis over every time - but as the leader of his people, that's as it should be, his personal honor is nothing compared to the survival of his people (especially in the harsh playing field of the Pegasus galaxy). But he's already proven himself a much more trustworthy ally to Atlantis than Atlantis has shown itself to be to pretty much anybody they've allied themselves with. I was utterly stunned when both John and Elizabeth kept to their bargans with the Wraith-guy and Ladon/the Genii. *stunned!!!*

Which, wow! is a way more impassioned "defense/apologia" of Ladon than I ever expected from me. *blinks* But then, I am one of those freaky Kavanagh fans....

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[djinanna.livejournal.com]

*shakes self*

Where was I? Oh - I don't actually trust either Kolya or Ladon as far as their intentions towards Atlantis. But I do think that Kolya's actions against Atlantis are self-serving and capricious, while Ladon's are ... survival-based expedience.

And yes, I don't think there's any doubt that Ladon is obliquely talking about returning home in order to ramp up interrogation-by-torture. Though ... as a scientist, he might actually not be. Because objectively speaking, if you use torture, not only will your interrogation subject *break*, but they'll make up shit they think you want to hear just to make the pain/horror stop. And Ladon might be smart/objective/detached enough to use chemical or other "alien tech" style interrogation methods - which might have an aftermath even more devastating than torture for the subject/victim. But I still think Ladon would use whatever had the best chance of working. My feeling is that Kolya would go for the pain. (JMO,YMMV,etc)

And Elizabeth at least was totally complicit in that torture/other interrogation method, just as she was "guilty in her heart" *snicker* of intent-to-torture in Critical Mass. She and Ladon have as much "common ground" in their leadership styles as John and Wraith-guy had in their imprisonment and torture.

Ronon...

... I had serious doubts about Ronon to begin with. I *liked* Ford, I liked the idea of somebody who was a regular guy, not a supergenius or superscary ruthless soldierguy or brilliant worldclass diplomat *cough cough* or alien Amazon, just a regular guy with a mostly cheerful outlook. *sigh* So I kinda resented Ronon even before we first "met" him. And then we actually met him and ... wow.

I'm okay with him being a male model showing off barbarian chic. I just think he needs to tone down the *grrr* during delicate diplomatic talks. Regardless of John being his master team leader, regardless of him being on John's team, he really didn't belong in on those talks with Ladon any more than Carson belonged on a strike team or rescue mission or out in the field for more than (how did Carson himself put it once upon a time?) "innoculatin' wee babies" after a planet had been cleared by the field teams and Atlantis admin. Ronon and Carson are both becoming kings of the inappropriate scene inclusion.

This weekend, syndication showed Sanctuary. There's a meeting with Elizabeth, Rodney, Carson, John and Teyla all in attendence, evaluating Chaya and her people/planet. And Aidan isn't there - because it's not a field team meeting. It's the Atlantis admin in a meeting. John isn't there as a member of a field team, he's there because he's head of military. Ditto Teyla, there as their Pegasus galaxy expert and leader of their closest allies. Ditto Rodney, there as head of science. And Carson is there as head of medical, reporting on results of his exams of Chaya. This season, I think they'd probably include Ronon and, yes, there's a justification in his being another Peg galaxy expert - except that he's proven himself less than objective in his responses to certain people, places and subjects.

Even though I love Ronon. And really need to watch certain Sateda scenes again as soon as I post this.

And ... sorry if I got a little ranty and/or shrill. When I get like that, it just means I'm getting meta-invested in a fandom.... Or getting my second meta-invested wind, in this case.

Re: 2 of 2

[neviachiel.livejournal.com]

ITA about Ronon's inappropriate appearances at certain times. I was discussing this on miriel's review post (http://miriel.livejournal.com/278149.html?thread=877957#t877957) and even though he does have military experience, yeah, it's not official, Earth-based experience. Miriel pointed out that he could have been given a special dispensation/honorary military designation, but really, I don't think that the SGC would trust him to follow orders given by Weir/Sheppard/anyone else in the chain of command (Shep could, but what about any other Marine there?). And I think this ep really shows that. I was almost expecting him to haul off and beat the snot out of Ladon. It's really unfortunate that Lorne's actor can't be there all the time, because this episode could have used someone in that capacity.

[wellifnotwisely.livejournal.com]

It's my theory that TPTB are a little freaked by the predominance of Sheppard/McKay slash in the fandom so they've decided to counteract it in S3 by playing up Sheppard/Ronon and McKay/Beckett, on top of repeated blungeoning with Sparky. Hence OTT growly possessive sub-to-dom!John Ronon. And simply having Carson take up screentime with Rodney is an easy way to limit the opportunity for McShep moments.

The thing I really resent about the excessive Carson screentime is that it could be so much better expended - especially on Teyla. Instead of Carson's OOC, unjustifiable and annoying presence, we could have had more Teyla/Rodney interaction - or more Rodney/John's marines.

PS and OT, I have started reading Smallville fic without every having seen an episode. Began with your "Somewhere I Have Never Travelled", which utterly ruined me because everything else written by anyone else just pales in comparison. The last snippet in the story, the presidential bedroom scene, was an emotional sucker punch. Wonderful stuff.

[sp23.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love the Genii so very much because none of them can be trusted, and you just know that every single one of them is just waiting for the right moment to fuck over Atlantis again.

As for Kolya, I hope they never kill that crazy son-of-a-bitch off. I love/hate seeing my boys tortured, and no one does it better than that crazy fuck, Kolya. *g*

Yes, I agree with you about Carson. I kind of thought the same thing. He's there, why? Rodney is there because that team has gotten so damned tight that no one is going to keep any of them from going after one of their lost lambs. But Carson needs to step back and shut up.

But even with minor cases of illogic, I love this episode completely.