Review: Stargate Atlantis, "The Kindred, Part I"

Okay, I saw The Kindred two days ago, and it's taken me this long to come up with coherent thoughts. Plus, Joseph Mallozzi, whose blog I read now that I'm crazy over SGA, posted his commentary on it, and I thought "Hey, I should do that now too." Plus, hi, favourite character.

Yes, I included screencaps (my own screencaps, thank you very much). As usual, there's no summary, but it is very spoilery, so you should have seen it to understand what I'm saying.

By the way, I frequently refer to Joe's blog, so I'll post the link here: Joe's episode commentary.

Teaser: Teyla's Dream/Kanaan's Funeral
I knew it was a dream (either that, or it was going to be one of those episodes I hate that start in the middle, flashes to the beginning, and then goes until the end) but I was really surprised how really freaky it turned out to be. Dying in a fire? Not a cool way to go. The SFX for the fire were really good, because when he got all charry and etc, that was freaky. What a serious mindfuck that would've been. Then again, this episode defines mindfuck, so.

In Joe's commentary, he says he originally wrote it differently, and I think both openings are just super awesome. I think I like this one better, if only to add to the "oh my god! what the hell!" of the episode, but I do love Team conversations :)


Act I: The Plague, The Gift, and The Visions
Well first, I want to say that McKay acting grossed out was very cute and it's always welcome to see him freak out over everything. Secondly, from right here I knew it was the Hoffan drug. Is that bad? Hm, I dunno.


Moving on to the Gift. Hm, wow, I'm sorry, but this was the best part of the episode, including Beckett's two lines and Teyla being pregnant and badass at the same time. I love that McKay is so classically him and yet too sweet at the same time. I got a warm fuzzy feeling inside, haha. And I love that Teyla tells Rodney, who automatically goes to tell John, who goes to tell Sam. I don't know why, I just find it funny. Awww, but when Sam said "And what do you think?" and John says "It doesn't matter. It's Teyla; we owe her one." My heart just sang a little happy number right there.

In Joe's entry, he says, again, that he originally wrote it differently, and I just want to say that I'd like to see Sheppard throwing his hands up in "surrender" to Teyla's determinedness. But he's right; it was already established, and I really don't like the Team fighting, because I'm sad like that.


Kanaan's reaction was so genuine, omg, it made me so happy. (Of course, we know it wasn't Kanaan then, and you can kind of see it in his eyes when he looks at Teyla, but hey, it still makes me happy to watch it.) Also, I'm completely in love with Teyla's shirt in this vision. So pretty! I wonder if they made that especially for her, or if she has in her wardrobe, because I kind of want her to wear that all the time. It complements her so well!


I loved this part, and simply must type it out:
Teyla: "I purchased the pendant from an artisan in Croya, the village we are about to visit. Among the Athosians, it's quite common to present such gifts as expressions of admiration and respect.
Ronon (to Rodney): "Hey, maybe I'll pick you something up while we're there."
Rodney: "Really?!"
Ronon: "No."
I love the Ronon/Rodney banter and the fact that John and Teyla are unfazed by it. And, of course, Rodney's face when he realizes he totally walked into that one.

Note: Joe wrote that Act I was scripted to end when Teyla found out that the artisan was dead, but that wasn't where my Act I ended. Mine ended where he said Act II began, and Act II for me, started where "Sheppard scrubs the fact-finding mission to Croya." Hmmm, suspicious. *shrugs*



Act II: To Home, To Sam, To Hoff
Did I mention how badass Teyla looks? Just, damn. Though I felt really bad for her when John was like "Nuh, uh, we're going." And argh, fighting! I understand how they both feel; John's sure there's nothing here, and Teyla's sure there is, and I understand both of their frustations; I've been in both of those shoes, and they are not comfortable.


Yay, conference room! I love scenes in here, even though, apparently, it's hottest room on the set. And, yes I gave you a gratuitous shot of Rodney in leather uniform. Hey, I like pretty things, okay?

Also, Joe says: But there’s a scripting oversight that just drives me nuts every time I hear it. Carter states: “The random nature of this drug’s distribution is clear and calculated…” Huh? If it’s random, it can’t be calculated, can it? No. This one’s on me. It should have read: “The seemingly random nature of this drug’s distribution is actually clear and calculated…” Most won’t notice, but I do. But then, I’m sensitive that way.
I actually did notice, but I'm not anal about it, so I kind of just let it slide. But now I'm glad he cleared it up, and I'm just going to pretend that that's what Sam said :)


Aww, Teyla's third vision. I liked that they cleared up the difference between "dream" and "vision" and somehow meshed it with the fact that Teyla meditates often. It was nice :)


And the talking to Sam! At first, I thought Teyla undermined John and went straight to Sam to try and convince her without having John's skepticism, and then I remembered John and Rodney went to Hoff to search. Where was Ronon, btw? Hmmm.
Anyway, I can't believe it took Teyla and Sam this long to get on a first name basis. It kind of disturbs me, although I'm sure it was because Teyla has spent so much time looking for her people or taking care of herself that she didn't have enough bonding time with Sam as she did with Weir. (Because how long did it take Teyla to warm up to Weir? Not that long, right? I dunno.) Anyway, that made my little shipper heart happy, although I like Ronon/Teyla, Lorne/Teyla and Weir/Teyla better than Sam/Teyla. Oh well.


Aww, it saddens me to see destroyed cities. But wow, what a beautiful shot.


Hahaha, I just found it funny that John made Rodney go into the scary destroyed buildings, while John got to stay outside. I loved it when John suggested it was just rats, and Rodney was still scared, because we all know what happened to the mouse that scared Rodney in Common Ground. Then again, Rodney is the scientist, so it would make more sense to have him inside looking for science-y stuff, even though it would be more medicine than astrophysics, eh? I'm going to pretend that's how John and Rodney's conversation went: "But you're the scientist, Rodney! You can go look for science stuff!" "But it would be all medicine, which is not exactly my area of expertise!" "Whatever, Rodney. Get the inside." I'm just going to laugh at myself over here :)



Act III: Lorne, Teyla and Todd
Honestly, I love Lorne, and now that I know he's from the same area I'm from? My love for him has just doubled. Aww, I love that he opens up to Teyla, too. (Hehe, I said they're one of my Teyla ships, right?) When he started to open up in "Spoils of War" I was kind of shocked, for the lack of a better word, because they were never really in a scene together, so I was kind of put off for a second, but they bonded so quickly, and I'm glad they have this opportunity to chat again. Even, though, Teyla kind of looks like she's listening because she has to, not because she wants to. (I'm sure that's because she wants to find her people though, not because she's not interested in what he's saying.)


Ah, okay, so maybe Ronon went with them? I might have to watch this over again (and again and again and again). Anyway, I love these boys. Group shot!

Also, Joe wrote that this scene was left out:

CARTER: Wraith subspace tracking device. It’s our old friend.

MCKAY: “Todd”.

RONON: Guess he wants to parlay.

(McKay and Carter throw Ronon curious looks. Sheppard explains - )

SHEPPARD: I let him watch my Pirates of the Caribbean DVD.

MCKAY: You’d think you would’ve learned your lesson after that Lord of the Rings fiasco.

OMG, how much do I love Ronon right now? And John and Ronon's friendship. And McKay, the genius who knows all. Oh man, it makes my little heart sob with happiness.


Rodney: "Oh, come on, we just got back!"
Sam: "Sorry, Rodney."
Rodney: "I haven't even had lunch yet. *wibble face*"
AGAIN, I know exactly how McKay feels. I hugs him.


   
This whole scene was really awesome, I think. Lorne was threatening, but left most of the menacing to Teyla and Teyla was so badass, and knew exactly which buttons to push. It just makes me happy all around.
But! Dun, dun, dun, Todd! This was too cool a shot not to take.

Joe writes that this scene was taken off:

TODD: Our food supply has been so randomly tainted we have no way of knowing if our next meal will be our last.

MCKAY: It’s like a box of chocolates. You never know if you’re going to get the one with the mint filling.

(Beat. They all throw him a look.)

TODD: If by “mint filling” you mean a toxin so powerful its reward is a certain and very painful death, then yes, I agree with your analogy.

I like the mint filling, Rodney! Also, of course my mind went straight to Forest Gump, isn't that where yours went?


And oh no, Lorne lost his girlfriend, Teyla! My only problem with this scene, was that Teyla ran to leap forward, which would, if she landed on her stomach, hurt her baby. I'd think she'd leap, or fall, backward, if anything. Also, I found it strange that Michael didn't just nab her before, when she was with her team, but I guess it makes sense that he needed a guy there to make sure that he definitely nabbed Teyla and just Teyla. And also, it would've been a shorter episode, plus there wouldn't be Lorne. And you need Lorne. Jeez.


  
I'm actually very glad that Todd didn't voluntarily give the other wraith the code to the Midway Station. I think I would've been very traumatized that he betrayed them so blatantly, so I'm glad it all sort of worked out. Also? About the quote "There can only be one"? Joe writes: "Hello to you Highlander fans. The wraith are big fans." That's what I thought too! Except I'm not a HL fan, I've just heard it from so many other sources, that it's just been implanted into my brain, haha.
At last! My Michael scene!

Michael is my most favourite Wraith (Todd comes into a close second), and I love that he keeps coming back for more. He's such an outcast, and I love that quality in a character. Also, to have him be so smart and awesome? And the fact that it's Connor Trinneer? Mmmm, yes, more please!



Act IV: Bad and Mysterious News
This is just Team Sheppard's side, coming to the conclusion that it's Michael, but I really loved David's face. He's, just. So. Awesome.

And then Lorne comes back and is all sad because he lost Teyla :(


  
And, jeez, Michael. HOW AWESOME ARE YOU. First, he somehow made it so that he doesn't have to feed anymore. Then he cryptically says he "had help," and my "OH MY GOD, HE'S TALKING ABOUT CARSON" sensor went off, haha. And then! Then! Then, he says he wants the baby! Oh Michael, how you amaze me. Just because you secretly love Teyla... Hee!

Note: For me, again this is where Act IV ended, but Joe says it ends when Sheppard gets news of Todd, which is next.

Act V: Surprise Surprise
Hahahaha! Another hilarious face, this one from John. Oh man, every time I look at this, I can't help but laugh. He did it because McKay's eating after they found out Teyla has been missing, or because of the way McKay is eating. Either way? AWESOME. CUTE. I WANT TO MAKE AN ICON.

Joe wrote that this originally was supposed to take place in John's bedroom, so I'm kinda torn between seeing John in his room again and seeing John's face like that.


 
Oh man. This scene really killed me, especially Teyla's incredibly emotional and speechless face at the end. It really killed me.

Right here, did anyone else stand up in anticipation and go "HOLY CRAP, CARSON"?
...No? Just me?

Oh, and here, I literally giggled at juxtiposition between Rodney's and Ronon's body language. There is no way I could love Rodney more than in this two second scene alone.



 
And then, of course, the team's reactions. I think I died a little at Rodney's. I mean, I was expecting to die a little but to actually watch it? Oh my god, McKay. I feel for you. And Ronon is just totally confused, but John is so deeply troubled, not just because this incredible minkfuck, but because he's already thinking about the problems this is leading to.

And I end the review how the episode ended: With gorgeous Doctor Beckett back!
  
I can't wait until next week! Gah! Why won't Friday come sooner?!