Fangirlishness

[ebonlock]

For those who've seen the latest Avatar episode, "Firebending Masters", get thee hence to this Boozebenders thread on it for it is full of awesome. If you haven't seen it yet what the hell are you waiting for?

Seriously, this is one of the best episodes of the series, and no, not just 'cause it features Good!Zuko and Aang being unbelievably adorable. And no not just 'cause we get another revelation about just how un-fucking-believably cool Iroh is (I'm talking waves of utter bad-assedness just radiating from the television screen). But we get all that and some serious information about just how fucked up the Fire Nation has become since Sozen started leading them astray.

Let's just say I have all kinds of new theories about how this is going to play out now and OMG is it nice to feel like bursting into song over a show again.

Ooh, which reminds me,

I think what I liked best about this one was it heralded the moment that Sam went from "SG-1 stand-in for Elizabeth" to "Leader of Atlantis". The moment where all the Colonels stand around saying nothing but "Colonel" to one another was cute, and Rodney's, "Seriously?" response was just too perfect. I hadn't realized just how different the dynamic is for him until that moment. He's been under civilian leadership for so long that he's not used to the military being in charge again, which was a great introduction to the next scene where he's briefing everyone about his anti-Replicator solution.

Ellis (henceforth simply known as Colonel Asshat) gets all up in Rodney's face, basically tearing him down in front of his boss and Sheppard. The "man enough" line was way over the top and it was a little sad to watch John back the other military commanders instead of Rodney, and sadder still to see Rodney back down. However Sam then made up for all of it when McKay stormed out by getting in Asshat's face and reminding all of us that she may seem all sweetness and light but when someone abuses a teammate she will cut them.

I liked that the military guys got to blow up a couple of ships before the Replicators figured out what was going on, and then they seemed all surprised when their robot enemies didn't just continue making the same mistake over and over again. They adapt, morons, that's why the weapons solution isn't terribly viable and is exactly what Rodney was trying to tell you. On the other hand it was equally nice to see Rodney unable to make his own idea work even with Caspar the Friendly Wraith's help. This is an enemy that some of the most powerful races in the galaxy haven't been able to wipe out, it shouldn't be too simple for our guys to do it either.

I love McKay lightbulb moments, though, and his moment of revelation was a delight. What's really cool about it, though, is that it is a damned good idea and seeing Sam realize it and shift back over to the scientific side of the Force was really satisfying. The battle was well done and the "end" of the Replicator threat made sense as it played out...hell, a lot more sense than most of the last couple of seasons of SG-1, which really got my attention.

See the thing that's bugged me about Atlantis for a long time is that the overall plots of the episodes were so full of holes that despite good characters and great development of them, I was left feeling annoyed and unsatisfied. This plot, though, was well handled. I liked the solution (god it was elegant) and the steps they took to get there. I thought the Fran character was interesting and the moral issues she brought into play a nice added touch. In another season they might have spent too much time on her subplot, but someone made an effort to actually keep a handle on this episode and we didn't waste a lot of time on unimportant sub-plots.

I will admit, though, I did like that they threw in Nomad Hottie if for no other reason than that she totally snubbed John. He just didn't see it coming and watching him wilt when his charm offensive was shrugged off was just fun. Also was it just me or did she seem way more interested in Rodney during the mission briefing? Maybe she goes for brains over brawn? Heh, that would amuse me greatly.

The one annoying moment was the very end where Dark!Elizabeth and her ship of presumed Replicators did her "Mwah-ha-ha!" moment before the screen went black. On the plus side moonlightnrain and I both were pleased that now we get to hate Elizabeth without the slightest bit of guilt.

Comments

[moonlightnrain.livejournal.com]

You put the SGA comments behind a spoiler cut, but the ATLA comments, which most fans in the US can't see for weeks and weeks are out in the open? Considerate.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I didn't think I'd been too spoilery with the ATLA stuff, but I guess I'd better put it behind a cut as well...

[ebongreen.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the latest Avatar episode yet because I'm waiting for it to actually be shown on television by Nickelodeon. I realize this makes me horribly old-fashioned, out of touch, or both. :-)

[tamago.livejournal.com]

If you haven't seen it yet what the hell are you waiting for?

Well, I should probably wait until I've seen the first part of season three. :-) That's what I'm waiting for.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Do you need season 3 eps?

[tamago.livejournal.com]

Chris needs to finish season 2, first. But he's working on it. :-)

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Wait... you actually LIKE Larrin the Space Bimbo? I find her annoying, pointless, and downright offensive, given her command style seems to be little more than pouting and shoving her leather-clad breasts in people's faces. She's nothing more than a tarted-up Barbie doll who exists purely to remind people that Sheppard is supposed to be straight.

Also, the sudden introduction of a nomadic, space-faring tribe no-one has ever heard of even after four years in Pegasus is utterly ridiculous. Their sole purpose was to add a few more ships to the battle, which was 1) unnecessary and 2) completely undermined the Faustian deal the Lanteans had going on with the Wraith.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I like that Larrin is totally immune to Sheppard's charms, and that's about it. The only part of her inclusion that amused me was watching John positively wilt. I was still pretty annoyed with him for not backing Rodney during the meeting at the beginning, so it was a nice bit of revenge. Otherwise she's pretty much a less interesting Vala.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Okay, whew, you had me worried there for a minute.

And yeah, I think she was intended to be an SGA version of Vala, except she's missing all the things that make Vala a sexy, fun, and interesting character. Like, say, a personality. And Claudia Black. Hopefully they'll figure out fast that she doesn't work and get her blown up or eaten or something.

[moonlightnrain.livejournal.com]

What she said. ;)

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Oh she can totally die now, she's fulfilled her purpose as far as I'm concerned. And John totally had it coming.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

John needed to have his ass kicked for a wide variety of reasons in this episode, but in order for it to have any meaning, it needed to be done by someone from Atlantis. Like, say, Teyla, who so needs to bitchslap some sense into that boy, it ain't even funny.

Larrin's inclusion in the episode was pointless and unnecessary, and is an annoying blot on what was otherwise probably my favorite ep so far this season. They got so much else right in this episode, that it made the stuff with Larrin seem even more glaringly wrong in comparison.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

John needed to have his ass kicked for a wide variety of reasons in this episode, but in order for it to have any meaning, it needed to be done by someone from Atlantis. Like, say, Teyla, who so needs to bitchslap some sense into that boy, it ain't even funny.

Oh fucking hell you're so right, I totally forgot to mention how much that pissed me off. John goes all caveman on her and she's totally devastated, and oh god did I want her to yell after him, "See? This is why I didn't tell you sooner, dick!" Though Ronon made up for it by being a real man and a complete sweetheart.

Though goddamn I wanted Rodney to be told too 'cause watching him have a mini-seizure when he found out would've been glorious. Also you know his eyes would've slid accusingly over to John and that would've been such a hoot. Someone so needs to write this...

Larrin's inclusion in the episode was pointless and unnecessary, and is an annoying blot on what was otherwise probably my favorite ep so far this season. They got so much else right in this episode, that it made the stuff with Larrin seem even more glaringly wrong in comparison.

Again I'm just glad someone took John down a few pegs else I would've left the episode feeling like I wanted to punch him and that would've made an otherwise good episode bad for me. I needed something there and Larrin provided it so I'm cool with her inclusion. But the rest of the episode was damn good, and I like being able to say that about a Stargate episode in general again.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

John behaved like a great big pulsating DICK when it came to Teyla. However, I will hand it to them for how that scene was written because it was both realistic and believable, given that John is 1) American 2) military 3) male and 4) shit with emotions.

As angry as I was for Teyla, as a writer, I have to admire the way they balanced the scene with Ronon's reaction, as it was the perfect foil for John's macho hissy-fit. And you're not the only one who desperately wished to see Rodney's reaction to the news on-camera, though I doubt we'll get to see it.

But yeah, this was a fantastic episode with only a few minor bobbles in plot and pacing, the main one (IMO) being Captain Bimbo and the good ship Deus Ex Machina.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

John behaved like a great big pulsating DICK when it came to Teyla. However, I will hand it to them for how that scene was written because it was both realistic and believable, given that John is 1) American 2) military 3) male and 4) shit with emotions.

Oh believe me I don't think it was the slightest bit out of character, apparently as he's also just a wee bit neurotic about protecting his teammates. Still I might have expected Sam to at least ask, "And she's off your team why now?" Though I'm hoping she'll at least speak up for Teyla in the next episode. I mean somebody must as she appears to be on an away mission.

As angry as I was for Teyla, as a writer, I have to admire the way they balanced the scene with Ronon's reaction, as it was the perfect foil for John's macho hissy-fit. And you're not the only one who desperately wished to see Rodney's reaction to the news on-camera, though I doubt we'll get to see it.

Again totally loved Ronon's reaction, but then I tend to think he's one of the most balanced male characters I've seen in a long time. He's just secure about his own masculinity in a way I really wish John and Rodney could be, and hopefully will be someday.

But yeah, this was a fantastic episode with only a few minor bobbles in plot and pacing, the main one (IMO) being Captain Bimbo and the good ship Deus Ex Machina.

So what are you thinking about the Elizabeth tease at the very end? I'm really getting to the point where I'd like very much for her to stay dead.

[kirylyn.livejournal.com]

I'm slowly catching back up on Atlantis (the marathon Friday really helped!)

(small belated snicker that McKay was SO positive that HE was going to be put in command of the Atlantis Base, I don't think he realized that would have meant he wouldn't be going out in the field again)

YES! Military!Sam slaps Bald!Doc (Third Watch ref) DOWN!!!

awww, poor mils - not used to having an enemy that can change tactics mid-fight??

sometimes blasting away at everything in sight is NOT the answer!

are we sure that Replicator!Elizabeth is Dark? Just because Fifth became obsessed and warped but he was replicator first, then tried to be human...

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I'm slowly catching back up on Atlantis (the marathon Friday really helped!)

Tell me about it, being able to stay home from work and watch most of it was exceedingly helpful before seeing the new one.

(small belated snicker that McKay was SO positive that HE was going to be put in command of the Atlantis Base, I don't think he realized that would have meant he wouldn't be going out in the field again)

Thing is he'd have hated it and wanted nothing but to flee back down to his beloved lab in about 10 minutes I'm thinking. Though I did read one fantastic fic a little while back that put him in charge while Elizabeth was in stasis for 3 months and he was freakin' brilliant, so...

YES! Military!Sam slaps Bald!Doc (Third Watch ref) DOWN!!!

I seriously wanted to kiss Sam after that one, though I was amused that she waited until Rodney left to say it so he wouldn't let it go to his head.

awww, poor mils - not used to having an enemy that can change tactics mid-fight??

That bit did make me want to hit my head against the wall a little. I mean the one thing that they say about Replicators over and over again is that you can't use the same weapon on them too often because they ADAPT.

sometimes blasting away at everything in sight is NOT the answer!

More often than not it just makes matters worse, though it seems to be a lesson lost on most military types.

are we sure that Replicator!Elizabeth is Dark? Just because Fifth became obsessed and warped but he was replicator first, then tried to be human...

I'm thinking yes because of the dark outfit and ominous music being played. Also you can't wipe out one enemy in the Stargate universe without introducing a newer, badder one. And the good guys having to battle with an Elizabeth just strikes me as a great excuse for some serious drama.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

(decided to start a new thread for ease of reading)

Still I might have expected Sam to at least ask, "And she's off your team why now?"

I chose to look at that as Sam knowing how to pick her battles. John was not in any mood to see reason at that moment, plus they had more immediate concerns to deal with.

So what are you thinking about the Elizabeth tease at the very end? I'm really getting to the point where I'd like very much for her to stay dead.

I'm thinking "Oh, dear god, just let her go." And speaking of character who should just stay dead... you just know Elizabeth is going to have something to do with Carson's reappearance later this season.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking "Oh, dear god, just let her go." And speaking of character who should just stay dead... you just know Elizabeth is going to have something to do with Carson's reappearance later this season.

That was my thought too, and you know it's going to fucking kill Rodney when he realizes he's got to fight them, you know? He hasn't even let himself grieve for either of them properly yet, which they've made a very visible plot point of.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I expect there will be angst a-plenty.

According to Connor Trinneer, the SGA season ender was the most emotionally devastating finale he had ever worked on. He would not say anything more on the subject, beyond praying they got picked up for a 5th season, because otherwise the fans would freak their shit out.

(Also, I have a Carson-related plot bunny you might like. Feel free to email me for details.)

[elenderel.livejournal.com]

I heart the comments on the Boozebenders thread ... omg each and every one is dead-on and just priceless. I, too, fail to see how my, well, my laptop is going to survive the return of Iroh. His awesome is unmeasured and defies the laws of physics. He's also become my new favorite character (sorry Appa). I might watch it again just to revel in the win that was this episode. I'm such a crack addict now.

oh, and um ... I find that I really, really want a "jerkbender" icon ...

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Heh, welcome to the cult my dear :) This is one variety of crack I feel no guilt in sharing with others.