This week's deathmatch

[icepixie]

SG-1: Affinity

Y'know, there's been some discussion lately on TrekBBS that SG-1 needs to work on tying up some loose ends (how are the Tok'ra doing, are the Jaffa still rebelling, what's going on with the Goa'uld, how's Replicator-Sam getting along with Fifth, etc.) and not muck about with stand-alones ala Icon and Avatar. I really quite agree with this, and this episode? Almost there. There was NID stuff, although it told us nothing unless it's the very beginning of a set-up for something much bigger, and much as I hate it, I guess Sam/Pete is a loose end. (One that hopefully hasn't been fully tied up, because UGH.) But still...I'm ready for more arc-centric episodes. I have a feeling they might hold my interest better.

Ramblings:
- No hat for Teal'c? Aw, I liked his hats.

- Hee, Davis!

- Okay, what's with the love for tops with funky diagonal buttons on both SG-1 and Atlantis lately? They can't be at all useful.

- "Jaffa chic with an East African flair." *giggle*

- I can so see Teal'c watching the Home & Garden Channel obsessively. Someone fic this? Please?

- Y'know, Daniel can be rather pretty in civvies when he wants to...

- Pete. Blah, I say. Blah to you! And yes, you did stalk her, CreepyStalkerBoy.

- So. Freaking. Glad. I saw spoilers for this ep, 'cause watching it cold? I think I would've burst a few blood vessels. Before my brain took over, the visceral reaction to the proposal was definitely along the lines of "Nooooooo!! NOOOOO!!! It burns, precious, it burns!" And come to think of it...when I said a while back that I watched Stargate for reasons other than Sam/Jack, and that Sam pairing off with Pete would suck, but I'd still watch the show? That was before this season was so sucky. At the moment, Sam/Jack and the vague hope that it'll get better in the second half of the season like it did last year are all that's keeping me watching each week.

- Daniel's perceptive.

- Nice music for the Tai Chi (or whatever) montage.

- Aw, kitty cat!

- Aw, Jack's so cute when he's concerned for Sam.

- Sam? Two weeks and you haven't made up your mind...doesn't this say anything to you about how you probably have serious issues?

- So. Was the "I wouldn't be here" answer to the "What about you...if things had been different" question about Sam and Jack, or about Charlie? Was Sam asking if Jack would have joined the Stargate program if his kid was still alive, or if she would even be in a position to marry Pete if Jack wasn't her CO?

- *headdesk* Don't have Sam say yes to Pete because he's helping Teal'c out. Just...no.

- Daniel. Quit. Taking. Off. Your. Glasses. If your prescription's anything like mine, you would not be doing that. This happens all the time, and it bothers the shit out of me every single time.

- Aha, it's the NID...

- Daniel, you're far too trusting. They wouldn't just let you go...

- Er, Sam? Lamest proposal acceptance ever. Way to be fantastically awkward. Just sayin'. And not just sayin' because you don't need to be marrying this guy, but um, yeah. LAME.

- Kid? You have the mark of a Jaffa belonging to Apophis on your skateboard. Just a bit creepy.

- Um, credits? Preview for next week? Hello?

Well. That was...slightly less painful that I'd thought it might be. I guess. I feel like it's sort of unresolved, 'cause


[highlight for spoilers concerning the episode "Threads"]apparently, Sam breaks up with Pete (thank GOD), so...yeah. I'm just kind of floating along, waiting for that. Or, you know, for other parts of the show to pick up a bit. I'd take either, at this point.





Atlantis: Poisoning the Well

Again, Atlantis was better this week. I sense a trend. Great ep. Also, the title lived up to its pun potential, which makes me very happy.

Ramblings:
- Hey, it's Talmadge! Woo! [/Seven Days geeking]

- This set feels very Secret Adventures of Jules Verne-y. Awesome. Although did anyone else think that the matte painting they used for the city skyline was essentially the one from Icon with the red brick painted white?

- I'm liking the more medical bent that Atlantis seems to have in comparison to SG-1, and especially the molecular biology stuff. (I'm guessing that's Beckett's specialty, since he was able to fiddle with molecule shapes?)

- "He has?" / "He will." Ah, John.

- "He's as bad as Dr. McCoy." / "Who is that?" / "A TV character Beckett plays in real life."
BWAH! Okay, I totally cracked up at that one. It figures that John's a Trekkie. And I'm so glad they finally made that joke.

- Heh, Shepwhore's living up to his nickname. But Beckett's worse! And of course poor Rodney gets left out in the cold...

- Farrow? Wasn't there a big-shot in chemistry around the turn of the century by a name similar to that?

- Yay for continuity with the Wraith prisoner! And Sargeant Xenophobe!

- "I prefer Steve." Not Bob? C'mon, you gotta have a Bob...

- The cat's eye contacts seem to be making the Wraith actor's job a whole lot harder. Somewhat less believable when you can't really see the eyes. Speaking of which, Torri's eyes are so. Incredibly. Green. As are Joe's, but they're more understated--less blue, more brown in them.

- Rodney has such a wonky moral compass. Hee.

- "Hi, Steve." / "Bye, Steve." I offically [heart] Ford.

- Yes, Beckett speaks differently than the others. It seemed like he was laying on the Scottishisms rather thickly this time around...spockette? Was he overdoing it?

- More nice montage music with the lab work and the Wraith in the cell.

- Hey, Geneva Convention. Love John's take on it. Hee.

- Oooh, Lizzie's gonna have fun with her conscience tonight...

- Um, side effects to the protein, anyone?

- See, told ya.

- Oh, do come back to this planet. I wanna see what happened.

Comments

[pellmelody.livejournal.com]

"I prefer Steve." Not Bob? C'mon, you gotta have a Bob...

*dies* OMG!!! I JUST said the same thing!!!! Bwahahahaha!!!

[icepixie]

*giggle*

They have to call him Bob! "Bob" is just intrinsically funnier than "Steve."

[pellmelody.livejournal.com]

Bob is ALWAYS funnier than Steve. All is Bob. When I can't think what to name something, I call it Bob.

[spleeny.livejournal.com]

I had SG-1 on this week but I honestly wasn't watching. Didn't interest me, probably because I don't know any of the loose ends that were starting to be tied up.

However:

- Daniel. Quit. Taking. Off. Your. Glasses. If your prescription's anything like mine, you would not be doing that. This happens all the time, and it bothers the shit out of me every single time.

Hee. Personally, I can't see a damn thing without my glasses and not wearing them for too long gives me a headache. They should make Daniel deal with that when he goes glassless. And they should make him squint when he's looking at anything from a distance. That would be great.

Again, Atlantis was better this week. I sense a trend. Great ep. Also, the title lived up to its pun potential, which makes me very happy.

Same here on all counts, especially the pun one. Shock of shocks.

- I'm liking the more medical bent that Atlantis seems to have in comparison to SG-1

When I first looked up info on this show and noticed that two of the five regular cast members are doctors, I kind of sensed that something would be a little different in this show.

- Heh, Shepwhore's living up to his nickname. But Beckett's worse! And of course poor Rodney gets left out in the cold...

Shep and Rodney had to learn sooner or later: the accent always wins. Damn accents!

- "I prefer Steve." Not Bob? C'mon, you gotta have a Bob...

Steve is the only worthy alternative. Because it's really kind of funny, but in a normal way.

- Rodney has such a wonky moral compass. Hee.

That's half the reason why he's my favorite.

- "Hi, Steve." / "Bye, Steve." I offically [heart] Ford.

I still have no opinion on Ford, but that did crack me up.

- Oh, do come back to this planet. I wanna see what happened.

My guess? Lots of people die.

[icepixie]

had SG-1 on this week but I honestly wasn't watching. Didn't interest me, probably because I don't know any of the loose ends that were starting to be tied up.

Not that they were doing a very good job of it...

Hee. Personally, I can't see a damn thing without my glasses and not wearing them for too long gives me a headache. They should make Daniel deal with that when he goes glassless. And they should make him squint when he's looking at anything from a distance. That would be great.

I think he does squint once in a while, but he may do that normally. I mean, it's not like the glasses MS uses are prescription or anything. They're completely flat.

When I first looked up info on this show and noticed that two of the five regular cast members are doctors, I kind of sensed that something would be a little different in this show.

Well, two of the three (former) regulars on SG-1 were doctors. Sam's got one in astrophisics and Danny has one in archaeology/anthropology. So this is really the same kind of set-up...

Shep and Rodney had to learn sooner or later: the accent always wins. Damn accents!

Wahahaha! Of course, that's assuming that whatever magical universal translator they're using translates accents...

Steve is the only worthy alternative. Because it's really kind of funny, but in a normal way.

Still think they should've used Bob. Or Maldis. Or Tarzan. Heh, Tarzan.

That's half the reason why he's my favorite.

And the other half is that he's snarky?

I still have no opinion on Ford, but that did crack me up.

I think Ford's gonna be great once he gets some development. Or maybe I'm being influenced by the way he's being written in most fics...

My guess? Lots of people die.

Well, yes...

[spleeny.livejournal.com]

I think he does squint once in a while, but he may do that normally. I mean, it's not like the glasses MS uses are prescription or anything. They're completely flat.

I personally think it would be hysterical if MS wore contacts while wearing the fake glasses. But I'm weird like that.

Well, two of the three (former) regulars on SG-1 were doctors. Sam's got one in astrophisics and Danny has one in archaeology/anthropology. So this is really the same kind of set-up...

Huh. I did not know that. But they currently tend to go by their military ranks. For the record, I have no clue what ranks Weir or McKay have.

Wahahaha! Of course, that's assuming that whatever magical universal translator they're using translates accents...

I know nothing about translators on these shows, so I just assume that by a weird stroke of luck in cultural evolution everyone speaks English. Although naturally there would be some differences as the language evolves, so some innocent Earth English words end up being horribly offensive elsewhere. Like "Belgium."

And the other half is that he's snarky?

Okay, it actually breaks down like this: 49% snarky, 49% hilariously questionable morals, 2% Beckett doesn't have enough screen time to justify my picking him.

I think Ford's gonna be great once he gets some development. Or maybe I'm being influenced by the way he's being written in most fics...

At this point, for me, Ford's primary character trait is that he wears a cap. It's a snazzy cap, but still, it's not much yet.

[icepixie]

I personally think it would be hysterical if MS wore contacts while wearing the fake glasses. But I'm weird like that.

It wouldn't surprise me if he does...seems like more than half people I've ever met wear some form of glasses or contacts.

Huh. I did not know that.

They never really mention it after the first or second season. But you know what? To reach the rank of Colonel in the Air Force, you have to hold a Masters' degree. So Jack has a Masters'. I'd love to know in what...

But they currently tend to go by their military ranks. For the record, I have no clue what ranks Weir or McKay have.

Well, they're civilian, so no ranks for them. ;) Beckett's a civilian as well, as are most of the people in Atlantis, I think. And Daniel is, too, which is an endless source of conflict between him and Jack in the earlier seasons, and fuels all kinds of slashy fics, apparently.

I know nothing about translators on these shows, so I just assume that by a weird stroke of luck in cultural evolution everyone speaks English.

The SG-1 PTB mumbled something about going through the Gate conferring you with translator abilities at one point, but they've also said that Daniel just learns their language really fast and translates for everyone, but they don't show it. Or something. Riiiiight.

Although naturally there would be some differences as the language evolves, so some innocent Earth English words end up being horribly offensive elsewhere. Like "Belgium."

Or "Switzerland."

Okay, it actually breaks down like this: 49% snarky, 49% hilariously questionable morals, 2% Beckett doesn't have enough screen time to justify my picking him.

Heh.

At this point, for me, Ford's primary character trait is that he wears a cap. It's a snazzy cap, but still, it's not much yet.

It's quite the snazzy cap. And it covers up his receeding hairline, too.

[spleeny.livejournal.com]

To reach the rank of Colonel in the Air Force, you have to hold a Masters' degree. So Jack has a Masters'. I'd love to know in what...

Snarkology. It has to be.

Well, they're civilian, so no ranks for them. ;) Beckett's a civilian as well, as are most of the people in Atlantis, I think.

I knew Beckett was civilian, didn't know about Weir and McKay. Although it does seem weird to me that a civilian is running the place. Unless Robert Patrick's role in the premiere was to run things on the military side?

The SG-1 PTB mumbled something about going through the Gate conferring you with translator abilities at one point, but they've also said that Daniel just learns their language really fast and translates for everyone, but they don't show it. Or something. Riiiiight.

I don't know. I think my theory of lucky cultural evolution requires less suspension of disbelief.

Or "Switzerland."

"Lichtenstein." Although if you break that one down it's borderline dirty in our English.

It's quite the snazzy cap. And it covers up his receeding hairline, too.

I didn't even know about the receding hairline. It's official: it is impossible to deny the snazzy of that cap.

[icepixie]

Snarkology. It has to be.

Hmmm...now there's a major they need to have at my school...

I knew Beckett was civilian, didn't know about Weir and McKay. Although it does seem weird to me that a civilian is running the place. Unless Robert Patrick's role in the premiere was to run things on the military side?

The Atlantis expedition team is essentially a creation of the big Antarctic treaty saying no nation can have military control of Antarctica (since the Ancient outpost was discovered there first). Thus, the team has to have a civilian leader. Since the Stargate is on American soil, the US gets to call the shots on who leads. Sheppard (formerly Robert Patrick's character) is the leader of the military attachment--he's subordinate to Weir. I'm not sure if other nations got to send military contingents or not; perhaps another result of the Stargate being on US soil is that we're the only ones who get to send soldiers.

I don't know. I think my theory of lucky cultural evolution requires less suspension of disbelief.

Heh. Maybe... It's more applicable in Atlantis, anyway; when the Ancients "seeded the galaxy with life," they oculd've included a genetic code for speaking English. Not so much in the SG-1 universe, where it was the Goa'uld who took people off Earth, and so they ran into a lot of places that were essentially "Norse planet" and "Mongolian planet" and the like, supposedly with every facet of the culture pretty well intact, including language.

"Lichtenstein." Although if you break that one down it's borderline dirty in our English.

Uh, yeah. It's easy to go to very bad places with that one.

I didn't even know about the receding hairline. It's official: it is impossible to deny the snazzy of that cap.

Yep.

[spleeny.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...now there's a major they need to have at my school...

I'd be on my doctorate by now...

Wow. I learned Stargate stuff.

Uh, yeah. It's easy to go to very bad places with that one.

You know you're in trouble when the country's first syllable sounds like "licked."

[icepixie]

I'd be on my doctorate by now...

I guess you could finagle a thesis topic out of it if you were in humanities..."A Study of Comedic Writing in Various Mediums Circa 2004." Yeeeeeah...

Wow. I learned Stargate stuff.

We'll make a fan out of you yet!

You know you're in trouble when the country's first syllable sounds like "licked."

"Stein" isn't so good, either. It just sounds dirty.

[spleeny.livejournal.com]

I guess you could finagle a thesis topic out of it if you were in humanities..."A Study of Comedic Writing in Various Mediums Circa 2004." Yeeeeeah...

I figure I could find a way to shape that into an Arch thesis.

We'll make a fan out of you yet!

For Atlantis, sure. SG-1 is a lost cause for me.

"Stein" isn't so good, either. It just sounds dirty.

With "stein" I just think of large, German beer mugs. I can't come up with any specific dirtiness with that suffix, but I know that 90% of the people I know could. Because you guys are filthy.

[icepixie]

I figure I could find a way to shape that into an Arch thesis.

Wouldn't surprise me.

For Atlantis, sure. SG-1 is a lost cause for me.

You'll see the light...one day...

With "stein" I just think of large, German beer mugs. I can't come up with any specific dirtiness with that suffix, but I know that 90% of the people I know could. Because you guys are filthy.

*wallows in filth* It could become the new Twinkie.

[spleeny.livejournal.com]

You'll see the light...one day...

Not if they keep showing me crap episodes.

*wallows in filth* It could become the new Twinkie.

I don't know about that. "Twinkie" being dirty is an idea you can really grasp. I think "stein" might be a little less tangible, perhaps even incorporeal.

[icepixie]

Not if they keep showing me crap episodes.

Point. That's why you should be watching the reruns from earlier seasons that they show practically every hour of every day...

I don't know about that. "Twinkie" being dirty is an idea you can really grasp. I think "stein" might be a little less tangible, perhaps even incorporeal.

Incorporeal filth! Wheee!

[spleeny.livejournal.com]

Point. That's why you should be watching the reruns from earlier seasons that they show practically every hour of every day...

Actually, I have yet to catch any of the SG-1 reruns at any time other than Friday nights. Granted, that's because I don't have SciFi on my channel surfing rotation until Friday night rolls around...

Incorporeal filth! Wheee!

You know, I'm kind of disappointed that you apparently didn't catch the "grasping the Twinkie" thing. It's subtle, but I expected more from you after being on the Shippers List for so long...

[icepixie]

Actually, I have yet to catch any of the SG-1 reruns at any time other than Friday nights. Granted, that's because I don't have SciFi on my channel surfing rotation until Friday night rolls around...

Well, they just started over again with the pilot in the every-weekday-at-5 PM Central slot, if you wanna try and get in on it from the beginning. The four-episodes-every-Monday-night-starting-at-6 rotation is somewhere in season four now, which, IMO, was the best season.

You know, I'm kind of disappointed that you apparently didn't catch the "grasping the Twinkie" thing. It's subtle, but I expected more from you after being on the Shippers List for so long...

I think I've been working on the Crackfic for so long that I've gone straight past the stage where I turn everything into porn and into the stage where I'm completely porned out and can't even catch my own double entendres, much less anyone else's.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

This set feels very Secret Adventures of Jules Verne-y. Awesome.

Huh, it didn't occur to me, but I can see where it does a bit. I loved the period flair to it all.

- I'm liking the more medical bent that Atlantis seems to have in comparison to SG-1, and especially the molecular biology stuff. (I'm guessing that's Beckett's specialty, since he was able to fiddle with molecule shapes?)

So far it seems Carson's a medical doctor, a molecular biologist, a geneticist, and a xenobiologist. He must be a genius ;)

"He's as bad as Dr. McCoy." / "Who is that?" / "A TV character Beckett plays in real life."
BWAH! Okay, I totally cracked up at that one. It figures that John's a Trekkie. And I'm so glad they finally made that joke.

I loved that joke! It had to happen sooner or later, and this was a brilliant way to do it. Rodney laughed too, so you know they're all a big bunch of Trekkers.

- Oh, do come back to this planet. I wanna see what happened.

I'm interested in that as well. I want to know if they really did lose half or more of their population, and what that will mean for them.

[icepixie]

Huh, it didn't occur to me, but I can see where it does a bit. I loved the period flair to it all.

The period stuff was nice. And I appreciate anything even vaguely steampunk.

So far it seems Carson's a medical doctor, a molecular biologist, a geneticist, and a xenobiologist. He must be a genius ;)

I think everyone who came to Atlantis is a genius in some way... ;)

I loved that joke! It had to happen sooner or later, and this was a brilliant way to do it. Rodney laughed too, so you know they're all a big bunch of Trekkers.

Hee. Trek movie night in the lounge from Hide and Seek!

I'm interested in that as well. I want to know if they really did lose half or more of their population, and what that will mean for them.

Yeah, definitely.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I thought they did a very good job replicating a turn-of-the-century laboratory and medical ward.

I think everyone who came to Atlantis is a genius in some way... ;)

Hee, true. "Best and brightest", and all that. They're all overachievers.

Hee. Trek movie night in the lounge from Hide and Seek!

Movie night! They should so do that. They've already figured out how to rig up a tv screen, after all, and surely they brought *some* recreation materials. They're so cooped up, they need ways to relax and have fun or they'll all go nuts.

Hm, that makes me wonder if they brought any psychologists with them...

[icepixie]

Hee, true. "Best and brightest", and all that. They're all overachievers.

Yep! Heh.

Movie night! They should so do that. They've already figured out how to rig up a tv screen, after all, and surely they brought *some* recreation materials.

There's been several of movie nights in fanfic already. It's great.

They're so cooped up, they need ways to relax and have fun or they'll all go nuts.

My brain obviously still resides in Pornville. Even I don't want to know where I went with that.

Hm, that makes me wonder if they brought any psychologists with them...

Hopefully. Beckett also being a psychologist would be pushing it a little. ;)

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

My brain obviously still resides in Pornville. Even I don't want to know where I went with that.

Heh. I can imagine. Vividly :P

Hopefully. Beckett also being a psychologist would be pushing it a little. ;)

Definitely. I mean, I double majored in biology and psych, but that's just undergrad, and surely Carson doesn't have *that* many doctorates *g*

They need to have a really good shrink. Someone like Sydney from MASH, perhaps. MASH used the pyschologist storyline for so many wonderful eps, and a few episodes showing how everyone's adjusting to being in Atlantis could be neat.

[icepixie]

Heh. I can imagine. Vividly :P

Hmmm...I wonder exactly what kind of recreational materials they sent over...

Definitely. I mean, I double majored in biology and psych, but that's just undergrad, and surely Carson doesn't have *that* many doctorates *g*

If he did, he should still be in school!

They need to have a really good shrink. Someone like Sydney from MASH, perhaps. MASH used the pyschologist storyline for so many wonderful eps, and a few episodes showing how everyone's adjusting to being in Atlantis could be neat.

Oooooh, yeah, that would be nice. I never watched MASH, but I think I know what you're talking about. Just no "He feels pain" Troi-like doc...

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...I wonder exactly what kind of recreational materials they sent over...

Well, except for the military guys, they're all a bunch of geeks. Maybe they'll set up a weekly RPG, or play trivia games *g*

Oooooh, yeah, that would be nice. I never watched MASH, but I think I know what you're talking about. Just no "He feels pain" Troi-like doc...

Oh, then you'd love Sydney. He was the coolest shrink ever. He had a great way of delivering the smackdown when his patients needed it, and brought his share of the snark, yet he was terrifically soft-spoken.

[icepixie]

Well, except for the military guys, they're all a bunch of geeks. Maybe they'll set up a weekly RPG, or play trivia games *g*

I now want to see the characters of Atlantis playing Trivial Pursuit.

Oh, then you'd love Sydney. He was the coolest shrink ever. He had a great way of delivering the smackdown when his patients needed it, and brought his share of the snark, yet he was terrifically soft-spoken.

Ooooh, neat...

[cheapevilgirl.livejournal.com]

- Sam? Two weeks and you haven't made up your mind...doesn't this say anything to you about how you probably have serious issues?

I said this to Kate during the episode not even women on soaps take that long.

- So. Was the "I wouldn't be here" answer to the "What about you...if things had been different" question about Sam and Jack, or about Charlie? Was Sam asking if Jack would have joined the Stargate program if his kid was still alive, or if she would even be in a position to marry Pete if Jack wasn't her CO?

Charlie , I thought it was about them at first but then his answer didn't make much sense if it was. So I'm pretty sure it was about Charlie because he wouldn't be here if Charlie was still alive.

[icepixie]

I said this to Kate during the episode not even women on soaps take that long.

That irritated the shit out of me. Grrrrrrr.

Charlie , I thought it was about them at first but then his answer didn't make much sense if it was. So I'm pretty sure it was about Charlie because he wouldn't be here if Charlie was still alive.

Yeah, my first instinct was to relate it to 'ship, but I think it was about Charlie as well.

[cheapevilgirl.livejournal.com]

That irritated the shit out of me. Grrrrrrr.

Me too. I mean why would she say yes. It makes no sense.

[icepixie]

Me too. I mean why would she say yes. It makes no sense.

It's not so much the saying yes that bugged me, but the whole taking two weeks, saying yes at such an awkward time... And in those two weeks, did it never occur to her that married life with someone who doesn't live and breathe the Stargate program like she does is going to cause a lot of tension? Well, okay, maybe she can't see that problem because she's part of the problem, but still. Grrr.

[cheapevilgirl.livejournal.com]

The two weeks bothers me a lot too. I mean Sami Brady only too one week to say yes to Lucas. And she is quite possibally the most emontally screwed up character I have ever seen. I just think they are writting Sam into a connor. And given the spoilers I've read I really don't like where they are going.

[icepixie]

Spoilers for "Threads"? Yeah. I hate how cliche it sounds, and yet...if it gets Sam and Jack together, or even just a little closer to being together, I'll be cheering. At the moment, Sam/Jack is the only think I'm watching the show for, to be honest. They need to either spend more time on that or get back into the arcs that drew me further into the show in the first place.

[cheapevilgirl.livejournal.com]

Yep what bother me is that they are making this so soapy. I mean I love my soaps but not mixed with Stargate. But your right Stargate isn't the same right now. I really hope the rumors about another season aren't true. Because I will not sit through another X Files.