Stargate Atlantis musings (spoilers for S1-S2)

[elgrey]

I've been catching up on Stargate Atlantis on DVD now that enough of it is out that I wouldn't get stuck on a cliffhanger. The more I see of TV shows on DVD, the more I think this is the only way I want to watch them. I've really enjoyed the show. More musings behind the cut, including spoilers for S1 and S2.

Have now watched 28 episodes of Atlantis and have enjoyed every one of them. (S2 Vol 3 doesn’t come out until June 5^th or I would have watched more.) The show really reminds me of early season Stargate, with the same zip and enthusiasm from all concerned. It’s making me very keen to see S9 of Stargate and if the same zip is apparent there. So far, I’ve liked all the characters, even Sheppard, who I expected to find annoying, although I do worry a little for a group of people whose most senior military officer went on a trip to another galaxy and forgot to pack a comb.

 

The show has done nothing to cure me of my 48 Hours-induced McKay crush as he simply rules. Still think he should be with Sam but I’m just starting to get over my snit about Atlantis bagging him instead of him staying on Stargate. Zelenka is adorable and every home should have one. I want to pet him and feed him cookies every time he bounces around enthusiastically like Daniel’s eccentric Czechoslovakian uncle. Love Weir; such a change having someone in charge who doesn’t get into entrenched positions. I suspect she has a What Would Daniel Do? badge hidden somewhere in her room. Much as I adore Hammond, I'm pleased to see someone in charge who isn't military. Love Teyla although I do feel that on missions she is often in the unenviable position of being the only grown up amongst a group of unruly squabbling schoolboys. Beckett is a sweetheart. There can never be too much of him. I really liked Ford, but prefer Ronon, and think the Ford story so far has been excellent, very moving and RSF did an incredible job showing his conflict before heading off to be with the Wraith. I like to think of Ford munching his way through a whole ship of them although I suppose that’s not very likely.

 

So far all the plots have been great, even the slightly cheesy ones have been saved by sharp scripting or a new twist. Some really sympathetic people have died, and the effects are incredible. I found Atlantis rising out of the water in Rising was so beautiful I was in tears. Love the music too.

 

I don’t usually like inter-team ship, especially in the Stargate universe, as the writers on this show aren’t very good at progressing romances and having people come out the other side of them, as things happen in real life, and usually leave them in a ridiculous holding pattern of yearning glances and no physical contact like twelve year olds trying to get up the courage to ask each other to dance. However, even though I know it would probably be very bad for the show on all kinds of levels, I really *really* want Ronon and Teyla to have lots and lots of sex where I can watch them having it, because they’re just so amazingly hot together. They can break up afterwards and decide to remain friends or whatever so there isn’t too much tedious mooning around, but I would really like them to have the lots and lots of sex first. Perhaps aliens could make them do it just for me? Ronon has the same effect on me as Teal'c. I just want him to stand there so I can walk around him going ‘Wow…’

 

I’m not seeing the McShep thing, although I’d like to as I love their interaction on the show, and I am seeing the Shep/Weir thing although I’d really like not to as I think it would be a terrible idea, not least because Sheppard is nothing like good enough for Weir. However, now Ronon is around I do find it very hard to believe any woman on the base is going to want to look at anyone except him even if Sheppard strips naked and turn cartwheels. Unless they’re a lot less shallow than me, of course, which is perfectly likely.

Comments

[ankh-lj.livejournal.com]

I've been putting off checking out ATL because of some of the reactions I've seen online, particularly towards Weir. I liked Weir in SGSG-1 and I wanted to continue liking her. I've only seen 8 episodes or thereabouts and my response was pretty much the same as yours, so perhaps I'll buy or rent the ATL boxset and catch up on what I've missed.

"The show has done nothing to cure me of my 48 Hours-induced McKay crush as he simply rules."

Yeah, I was pleased to hear they had kept the '48 Hours' Rodney rather than diluting him. It's very satisfying to see how popular he is now as DH isn't really a pretty boy but he's a damned good actor, so in this case talent has won out. Now I want to see DH and Michael Shanks tossed into a room together to see what would happen with their characters. I'm not entirely sure who would win that particular snark-fest but it would be so much fun watching it.

"Love Weir; such a change having someone in charge who doesn’t get into entrenched positions. I suspect she has a What Would Daniel Do? badge hidden somewhere in her room. "

*snort* According to Torri, Weir has a Daniel Jackson pillow so the badge is a distinct possibility. I'm so relieved you like her as it's a good indication I'll continue to like her, too.

"However, even though I know it would probably be very bad for the show on all kinds of levels, I really *really* want Ronon and Teyla to have lots and lots of sex where I can watch them having it, because they’re just so amazingly hot together."

One of the recent episodes I caught was one with a volcano about to erupt. There was a lovely scene with Ronon and Teyla with Ronon admitting Teyla was right. Very nicely done and showed up both characters in a good light. Very nice chemistry there.

[elgrey.livejournal.com]

I've been putting off checking out ATL because of some of the reactions I've seen online, particularly towards Weir. I liked Weir in SGSG-1 and I wanted to continue liking her. I've only seen 8 episodes or thereabouts and my response was pretty much the same as yours, so perhaps I'll buy or rent the ATL boxset and catch up on what I've missed.

Borrow mine. I really think you'll enjoy it and it complements the SG-1 universe very well. I think it works very well with the two shows running at the same time so that Atlantis can explore aspects of the Ancients that they haven't been able to deal with on Stargate. I think with these two shows they're weaving a wonderful show mythology that excites enthusiasm for both shows.

Yeah, I was pleased to hear they had kept the '48 Hours' Rodney rather than diluting him. It's very satisfying to see how popular he is now as DH isn't really a pretty boy but he's a damned good actor, so in this case talent has won out. Now I want to see DH and Michael Shanks tossed into a room together to see what would happen with their characters. I'm not entirely sure who would win that particular snark-fest but it would be so much fun watching it.

I would so love to see Daniel and McKay interacting. And Daniel just being allowed to go to Atlantis because I think he'd love it so much. McKay is just as wonderful as one would expect from 48 Hours but he's treated a lot better by the other people on Atlantis than he was by the people in the SGC, which is really nice to see. It's like the difference between the way Giles and the Scoobies treated Wesley and Angel and Cordy treated him in LA.

He's still arrogant and insecure and brilliant and vulnerable, and permanently stressed. I would love to see more of him and Sam interacting because he gets asked to pull off the impossible in the same way that Sam always does, but he makes sure people realize how damned difficult it is to keep pulling off miracles ever day and what a strain it is, whereas Sam never pitched a hissy fit about it. Which is a shame. I personally think McKay and Sam need to bodyswap for an episode so that instead of just sucking up all the stress all the time, Sam would be going around saying 'Yes, energy *good*' to the rest of her team in tones of withering sarcasm when they ask her idiotic questions.

*snort* According to Torri, Weir has a Daniel Jackson pillow so the badge is a distinct possibility. I'm so relieved you like her as it's a good indication I'll continue to like her, too.

Really? That's so sweet. Well, perhaps she's crushing on him as well as channelling him (without the snark), but either way her judgement seems excellent to me.

One of the recent episodes I caught was one with a volcano about to erupt. There was a lovely scene with Ronon and Teyla with Ronon admitting Teyla was right. Very nicely done and showed up both characters in a good light. Very nice chemistry there.

I haven't seen that one yet, but, I totally agree on the chemistry. I think they just sizzle. Teyla is invariably right, but she's very patient with Ronon's tendency to kill things and Sheppard's military attitude and only really rolls her eyes about McKay having his regular nervous breakdown. She's a very admirable character and deserves some really good sex. With Ronon. Soon.