Doppelganger
Oct. 22nd, 2007 11:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
annundrielSGA - "Doppelganger"
I loved it. I mean, duh, right? How could I not? Except I think my reaction upon first viewing it was slightly tempered (hampered?) by the idea that someone might make me change the channel and not let me change back. Not that family's done that before. But it could happen.
So I was utterly spoiled for this one. I just, I don't know, needed some distraction and saw people posting when the ep was leaked on iTunes and caved when there were pictures involved. Considering I've been pretty good spoiler-wise so far with this season, I figure I'm allowed a slip once in awhile.
Anyway.
- Sometimes it's the little things that work the best. I like that watching it now on my computer, I can hear all the night-time jungle noises that I couldn't really hear on the television. And, hey, it doesn't look entirely like the Pacific Northwest! Incredible!
- SHEPPARD: Maybe somebody in a warm, cozy room typing at their computer sent us here for their own amusement.
McKAY: I don't really think Zelenka would do that.
RONON: If he did, he's going to be sorry.
- 42. Oh, John. Trying to get Rodney's attention with a random Douglas Adams reference.
- I just really liked the team on the planet. Even with the teasing and and poking and prodding, they work well together. And you really get a sense of how well they know each other in that, both in how they react to one another and how comfortable they all are, never really taking it all too seriously.
- SHEPPARD: Looks like one of those toys you play with when you're a kid.
McKAY: A Commodore 64?
RONON: Triple barrel shotgun?
SHEPPARD: A kaleidoscope.
All I can think is, "Were you a lonely child, John?"
- "I AM a science team."
- Candles are a fire hazard. Especially when left burning while you're asleep. And, oh, now all I can think about is that episode of The Office where Ryan started a fire with his cheese pita. And then Dwight sang about it (which can be found here). Only now the song ends with "Teyla started the FIRE."
Yeah. I have no excuse.
- Teyla's dream. Only there would her food taste good. Interesting that Ronon's paying attention to romantic relationships here. And I love RL's delivery of "We are not hooking up!" Haha. Oh, Teyla. Now that I've been kind of spoiled for some of her plot, I'm kind of really looking forward to seeing how it goes. Also, poor Teyla, dealing with trust issues still. And then we get her father's voice, which makes me really curious as to how exactly she feels about her family and what has happened in her past.
- First, I love that the team has breakfast together. Second, I love that Teyla confides in Ronon and Rodney. And that Rodney can't keep anything from John.
- SHEPPARD: Was I the dashing hero saving you from the big, bad monster?
RONON: Actually, you were the big, bad monster.
SHEPPARD: Really?
Ronon looks amused. And John just sounds...I don't know. Chipper? Upbeat? Like he had a really good night's rest? I just like the way it's all played.
- SHEPPARD: I can't control what's in her dreams.
McKAY: Really? You think you can't control a person's dreams? My father read me Moby Dick when I was seven years old. I mean, seriously, what was the man thinking? Do you have any idea how long I had nightmares about being eaten by a whale?
RONON: They haven't stopped, have they?
McKAY: No.
Okay, so as much as I love this (and I really do), I can't help by stop and go, "What?" Because with "Grace Under Pressure" and "Echoes" you would think we would have heard about the whale dreams earlier. Or Rodney wouldn't have been so adorably excited about Sam.
- Well, Heightmeyer. It's nice to see you again. Too bad about what happens later.
And, y'know, I'm really kind of disappointed about that. They couldn't kill someone else? And what's with knocking off all of Teyla's girl friends? Seriously. Guess I'm gonna have to go dig out the Kate/Teyla stuff now.
- I like Keller. But at the same time, I wish that we'd get something where we see more of a struggle to become part of the team. Similarly, I would be interested in seeing something similar with Carter. I know this would take away from the main four, but sometimes I get tired of how the show assumes that we all know weeks or months are passing. It would be nice if there was more recognition of people stepping into new positions and dealing with the awkwardness of that.
So on the one hand, I'd like more set-up with the new people. But on the other, I want to focus on the really main team.
- Keller's dream. Holy crap. JF does a good psychopath. It carries through all the dreams, how much delight he gets from whatever bad is happening. And it's creepy. But hot. Which is why that CSI: Miami episode is still so much fun to watch.
- John got in a lucky shot! And can't help grinning to himself about it. (I now have visions of him running immediately to Rodney all "Guess what?!" and bouncy.) Mom wanted to know what Ronon meant by the whole "It's the middle of the night"/"Maybe for you" exchange. But I think she just said, "Sparring, huh?" and did something suggestive with her face.
- "I don't think he's seeing anyone." Haha. Matchmaker, Matchmaker make me a match, find me a find, catch me a catch.
- Ronon's dream. Poor Ronon. First last week and now this. I'm wondering if the arm coverings have anything to do with him trying to cover up the tattoo he got with his "buddies."
- John talks about Alien often. Heh.
- McKAY: You know how girls get all scared? Curl up on your shoulder?
TEYLA: Your planet has some truly strange rituals.
- I really like the scenes with the team, plus one or two new guys, sitting around talking. They're just...comfortable. And relaxed. And I like that Keller is actually thinking and figuring things out.
- "Last night, I dreamt that Colonel Carter invited me to her quarters for dinner. Turns out she was serving lemon chicken. I mean, lemon. And the only reason she invited me to dinner was to tell me that she was promoting Zelenka over me. Then I was eaten by a whale."
- Welcome to season four Lorne! With the bare feet and the gun flailing. And the sleep walking. I am stupidly fond of Lorne.
- You know, as soon as they showed the blue crystal I thought of the incident with O'Neill. They couldn't even pick a different color? (And, hey, I should rewatch that...)
- I love that 1) Rodney won't enter the conference room and 2) he specifically won't sit next to John.
- "Did I have a goatee?" And Teyla just shakes her head. Hehe.
- Hey, look! A scene with Rodney and Sam and Rodney doesn't once do anything that could be interpreted as pervy or flirty.
- McKAY: Don't you think a science team would be better suited for this-
RONON: You are a science team, remember?
- Oh, Zelenka.
- Heightmeyer's dream. Is it a weird POV or is that just me? I mean, it's Kate's dream, but it seems more like it's presented through Teyla's eyes.
- At last. Proof that John's bed is way too small for him.
- I got to thinking that maybe awkward hugging was a JF thing. But then I was watching Family Album and there's some very nice, smooth, comfortable hugging of his boyfriend. So JF can hug. More indication that it's Sheppard who's uncomfortable with physical affection. And women. And physical affection with women. Never really the initiator either.
- I like seeing Carter and Zelenka work together. I also like Sam's little wave to Rodney in the isolation room.
- I know I like to read certain things into the show, but I love how John says, "It's in Rodney?" Because now there's the immediate threat of losing him.
- "We are talking about McKay. Scary things are not exactly his strength." And you've helped him battle scary monsters before, so hop to it!
- "Of all the things you've seen..." It'd be kind of fun to read this as John being fed-up with all the "And one time, SG-1 did..."
Except I don't really remember what Sam's talking about with the people living in a virtual world. But if it was 10 years ago, than it was near the beginning of the series and it's been awhile (and many episodes) since I watched those.
- "I think I'm about to see a side of McKay I never wanted to see." Similar to John saying that being stuck in Rodney's head or having Rodney stuck in his was one of his worst nightmares in "Duet."
- Sam doesn't know if John will understand what's going on in Rodney's brain. And yet when it comes down to it, they have no problem communicating with each other on that level.
- McKAY: Are you sure about this?
SHEPPARD: Not really.
McKAY: I'm pretty screwed up.
SHEPPARD: You're telling me.
McKAY: Thanks.
SHEPPARD: I haven't done anything yet.
McKAY: For trying. And don't say I didn't warn you.
The way Rodney sounds in this scene reminds me a lot of Grant on Traders.
- Rodney's dream. Oh man. Fantastic. With the rain and the water and Atlantis so far away. Shades of "The Storm"/"The Eye" and "Grace Under Pressure" and all those things we're learning frighten Rodney. And then evil John shows up.
- EVIL-SHEPPARD: And why would I want to help you?
McKAY: Because I thought you-
SHEPPARD: It's not me, Rodney. Don't listen to him.
EVIL-SHEPPARD: You're pathetic. You might as well jump in.
SHEPPARD: Don't be afraid.
- And then there is the rowing! And the support! And the CLOWN. I want the conversation after this where Rodney wants to know where the clown came from. And John has to admit that he has clown issues.
- SHEPPARD: You know, this really isn't as strange as you led me to believe.
McKAY: Oh yeah? What about that?
- John's dream. Is failing Rodney and losing him because of it. Oh, John. The way he looks so numb afterward, wandering the hallway, trying to wrap his head around the idea that Rodney is gone. And that's the idea that gets me most. Like Anya's breakdown on Buffy in "The Body" (here). That idea that someone was there and then there just...not. And John dealing with that and the added weight of feeling responsible...works for me in a hurts-so-good kind of way.
Plus, he's got the rest of the team turning on him and Sam relieving him of duty.
- Okay, so for me the pictures of the John-on-John action did not convey at all the actual reality of the hotness of this scenario. I was like, "Yeah, okay. Whatever." But then they land in the 'gateroom while I'm watching? Hello.
- And, of course, Rodney goes back in to save John. Like "Aurora." They've gotten into the habit of saving each other's lives.
- The rescue. Heeeeee. "I'm not dead." And John's face. Oh, boys.
- McKAY: Which one are you?
SHEPPARD: Me.
McKAY: Good you or bad you?
SHEPPARD: Me me. Is that you you?
McKAY: I think so.
SHEPPARD: Thanks.
McKAY: Okay, this is really weird.
SHEPPARD: You're telling me.
McKAY: I mean, I thought there'd be more...hot girls.
SHEPPARD: Yeah.
OMG. Buy a clue, Rodney. At first I thought John was just as confused by this as Rodney, but rewatching that bit several times makes it seem more like John's annoyed Rodney's been in his head and still hasn't figured out this thing that's going on between them.
And then there's the romantic music swelling in the background and the boys looking to each other first thing when they wake up. Even Mom commented on the music.
Randomly, the beginning of this reminds me of Jack and Daniel in "Spirits" and...
DANIEL: Jack?
JACK: Daniel?
DANIEL: Are you you?
JACK: Yeah. You?
DANIEL: What?
JACK: .... Never mind.
- Okay. That planet? Creepy. I vote on never going back.
- Nice quiet ending. (I like Sam leaning over to see what John was reading.) Which is a nice change, but also threw me a little at first. Rewatching it now, I think that's because of the music. It's not one of their usual, familiar themes. And it seems that much more subdued. I don't know. It's interesting.
Plus, they probably should have just ended it with the fade-to-black on the planet.
I loved it. I mean, duh, right? How could I not? Except I think my reaction upon first viewing it was slightly tempered (hampered?) by the idea that someone might make me change the channel and not let me change back. Not that family's done that before. But it could happen.
So I was utterly spoiled for this one. I just, I don't know, needed some distraction and saw people posting when the ep was leaked on iTunes and caved when there were pictures involved. Considering I've been pretty good spoiler-wise so far with this season, I figure I'm allowed a slip once in awhile.
Anyway.
- Sometimes it's the little things that work the best. I like that watching it now on my computer, I can hear all the night-time jungle noises that I couldn't really hear on the television. And, hey, it doesn't look entirely like the Pacific Northwest! Incredible!
- SHEPPARD: Maybe somebody in a warm, cozy room typing at their computer sent us here for their own amusement.
McKAY: I don't really think Zelenka would do that.
RONON: If he did, he's going to be sorry.
- 42. Oh, John. Trying to get Rodney's attention with a random Douglas Adams reference.
- I just really liked the team on the planet. Even with the teasing and and poking and prodding, they work well together. And you really get a sense of how well they know each other in that, both in how they react to one another and how comfortable they all are, never really taking it all too seriously.
- SHEPPARD: Looks like one of those toys you play with when you're a kid.
McKAY: A Commodore 64?
RONON: Triple barrel shotgun?
SHEPPARD: A kaleidoscope.
All I can think is, "Were you a lonely child, John?"
- "I AM a science team."
- Candles are a fire hazard. Especially when left burning while you're asleep. And, oh, now all I can think about is that episode of The Office where Ryan started a fire with his cheese pita. And then Dwight sang about it (which can be found here). Only now the song ends with "Teyla started the FIRE."
Yeah. I have no excuse.
- Teyla's dream. Only there would her food taste good. Interesting that Ronon's paying attention to romantic relationships here. And I love RL's delivery of "We are not hooking up!" Haha. Oh, Teyla. Now that I've been kind of spoiled for some of her plot, I'm kind of really looking forward to seeing how it goes. Also, poor Teyla, dealing with trust issues still. And then we get her father's voice, which makes me really curious as to how exactly she feels about her family and what has happened in her past.
- First, I love that the team has breakfast together. Second, I love that Teyla confides in Ronon and Rodney. And that Rodney can't keep anything from John.
- SHEPPARD: Was I the dashing hero saving you from the big, bad monster?
RONON: Actually, you were the big, bad monster.
SHEPPARD: Really?
Ronon looks amused. And John just sounds...I don't know. Chipper? Upbeat? Like he had a really good night's rest? I just like the way it's all played.
- SHEPPARD: I can't control what's in her dreams.
McKAY: Really? You think you can't control a person's dreams? My father read me Moby Dick when I was seven years old. I mean, seriously, what was the man thinking? Do you have any idea how long I had nightmares about being eaten by a whale?
RONON: They haven't stopped, have they?
McKAY: No.
Okay, so as much as I love this (and I really do), I can't help by stop and go, "What?" Because with "Grace Under Pressure" and "Echoes" you would think we would have heard about the whale dreams earlier. Or Rodney wouldn't have been so adorably excited about Sam.
- Well, Heightmeyer. It's nice to see you again. Too bad about what happens later.
And, y'know, I'm really kind of disappointed about that. They couldn't kill someone else? And what's with knocking off all of Teyla's girl friends? Seriously. Guess I'm gonna have to go dig out the Kate/Teyla stuff now.
- I like Keller. But at the same time, I wish that we'd get something where we see more of a struggle to become part of the team. Similarly, I would be interested in seeing something similar with Carter. I know this would take away from the main four, but sometimes I get tired of how the show assumes that we all know weeks or months are passing. It would be nice if there was more recognition of people stepping into new positions and dealing with the awkwardness of that.
So on the one hand, I'd like more set-up with the new people. But on the other, I want to focus on the really main team.
- Keller's dream. Holy crap. JF does a good psychopath. It carries through all the dreams, how much delight he gets from whatever bad is happening. And it's creepy. But hot. Which is why that CSI: Miami episode is still so much fun to watch.
- John got in a lucky shot! And can't help grinning to himself about it. (I now have visions of him running immediately to Rodney all "Guess what?!" and bouncy.) Mom wanted to know what Ronon meant by the whole "It's the middle of the night"/"Maybe for you" exchange. But I think she just said, "Sparring, huh?" and did something suggestive with her face.
- "I don't think he's seeing anyone." Haha. Matchmaker, Matchmaker make me a match, find me a find, catch me a catch.
- Ronon's dream. Poor Ronon. First last week and now this. I'm wondering if the arm coverings have anything to do with him trying to cover up the tattoo he got with his "buddies."
- John talks about Alien often. Heh.
- McKAY: You know how girls get all scared? Curl up on your shoulder?
TEYLA: Your planet has some truly strange rituals.
- I really like the scenes with the team, plus one or two new guys, sitting around talking. They're just...comfortable. And relaxed. And I like that Keller is actually thinking and figuring things out.
- "Last night, I dreamt that Colonel Carter invited me to her quarters for dinner. Turns out she was serving lemon chicken. I mean, lemon. And the only reason she invited me to dinner was to tell me that she was promoting Zelenka over me. Then I was eaten by a whale."
- Welcome to season four Lorne! With the bare feet and the gun flailing. And the sleep walking. I am stupidly fond of Lorne.
- You know, as soon as they showed the blue crystal I thought of the incident with O'Neill. They couldn't even pick a different color? (And, hey, I should rewatch that...)
- I love that 1) Rodney won't enter the conference room and 2) he specifically won't sit next to John.
- "Did I have a goatee?" And Teyla just shakes her head. Hehe.
- Hey, look! A scene with Rodney and Sam and Rodney doesn't once do anything that could be interpreted as pervy or flirty.
- McKAY: Don't you think a science team would be better suited for this-
RONON: You are a science team, remember?
- Oh, Zelenka.
- Heightmeyer's dream. Is it a weird POV or is that just me? I mean, it's Kate's dream, but it seems more like it's presented through Teyla's eyes.
- At last. Proof that John's bed is way too small for him.
- I got to thinking that maybe awkward hugging was a JF thing. But then I was watching Family Album and there's some very nice, smooth, comfortable hugging of his boyfriend. So JF can hug. More indication that it's Sheppard who's uncomfortable with physical affection. And women. And physical affection with women. Never really the initiator either.
- I like seeing Carter and Zelenka work together. I also like Sam's little wave to Rodney in the isolation room.
- I know I like to read certain things into the show, but I love how John says, "It's in Rodney?" Because now there's the immediate threat of losing him.
- "We are talking about McKay. Scary things are not exactly his strength." And you've helped him battle scary monsters before, so hop to it!
- "Of all the things you've seen..." It'd be kind of fun to read this as John being fed-up with all the "And one time, SG-1 did..."
Except I don't really remember what Sam's talking about with the people living in a virtual world. But if it was 10 years ago, than it was near the beginning of the series and it's been awhile (and many episodes) since I watched those.
- "I think I'm about to see a side of McKay I never wanted to see." Similar to John saying that being stuck in Rodney's head or having Rodney stuck in his was one of his worst nightmares in "Duet."
- Sam doesn't know if John will understand what's going on in Rodney's brain. And yet when it comes down to it, they have no problem communicating with each other on that level.
- McKAY: Are you sure about this?
SHEPPARD: Not really.
McKAY: I'm pretty screwed up.
SHEPPARD: You're telling me.
McKAY: Thanks.
SHEPPARD: I haven't done anything yet.
McKAY: For trying. And don't say I didn't warn you.
The way Rodney sounds in this scene reminds me a lot of Grant on Traders.
- Rodney's dream. Oh man. Fantastic. With the rain and the water and Atlantis so far away. Shades of "The Storm"/"The Eye" and "Grace Under Pressure" and all those things we're learning frighten Rodney. And then evil John shows up.
- EVIL-SHEPPARD: And why would I want to help you?
McKAY: Because I thought you-
SHEPPARD: It's not me, Rodney. Don't listen to him.
EVIL-SHEPPARD: You're pathetic. You might as well jump in.
SHEPPARD: Don't be afraid.
- And then there is the rowing! And the support! And the CLOWN. I want the conversation after this where Rodney wants to know where the clown came from. And John has to admit that he has clown issues.
- SHEPPARD: You know, this really isn't as strange as you led me to believe.
McKAY: Oh yeah? What about that?
- John's dream. Is failing Rodney and losing him because of it. Oh, John. The way he looks so numb afterward, wandering the hallway, trying to wrap his head around the idea that Rodney is gone. And that's the idea that gets me most. Like Anya's breakdown on Buffy in "The Body" (here). That idea that someone was there and then there just...not. And John dealing with that and the added weight of feeling responsible...works for me in a hurts-so-good kind of way.
Plus, he's got the rest of the team turning on him and Sam relieving him of duty.
- Okay, so for me the pictures of the John-on-John action did not convey at all the actual reality of the hotness of this scenario. I was like, "Yeah, okay. Whatever." But then they land in the 'gateroom while I'm watching? Hello.
- And, of course, Rodney goes back in to save John. Like "Aurora." They've gotten into the habit of saving each other's lives.
- The rescue. Heeeeee. "I'm not dead." And John's face. Oh, boys.
- McKAY: Which one are you?
SHEPPARD: Me.
McKAY: Good you or bad you?
SHEPPARD: Me me. Is that you you?
McKAY: I think so.
SHEPPARD: Thanks.
McKAY: Okay, this is really weird.
SHEPPARD: You're telling me.
McKAY: I mean, I thought there'd be more...hot girls.
SHEPPARD: Yeah.
OMG. Buy a clue, Rodney. At first I thought John was just as confused by this as Rodney, but rewatching that bit several times makes it seem more like John's annoyed Rodney's been in his head and still hasn't figured out this thing that's going on between them.
And then there's the romantic music swelling in the background and the boys looking to each other first thing when they wake up. Even Mom commented on the music.
Randomly, the beginning of this reminds me of Jack and Daniel in "Spirits" and...
DANIEL: Jack?
JACK: Daniel?
DANIEL: Are you you?
JACK: Yeah. You?
DANIEL: What?
JACK: .... Never mind.
- Okay. That planet? Creepy. I vote on never going back.
- Nice quiet ending. (I like Sam leaning over to see what John was reading.) Which is a nice change, but also threw me a little at first. Rewatching it now, I think that's because of the music. It's not one of their usual, familiar themes. And it seems that much more subdued. I don't know. It's interesting.
Plus, they probably should have just ended it with the fade-to-black on the planet.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-23 03:15 pm (UTC)All of the commentary you put down - all amazing. I like how speaking has become a group effort, more or less. Someone says one thing, then this person, this person and that one have some sort of comment to go along with what was originally said. I loved the kaleidescope one, best.
I screamed with laughter when we find out for sure that he's too big for his bed. It was that *facepalming* moment of "Oh John, you had to pick the tiny bed. How's he EVER gonna get a girl in that!"
I'm goofily in love with Lorne. And the bare feet. There's no better time for a man to be a man than when he's barefoot.
Each dream was pretty badass. I do like your point of how affected Teyla is and John is just extra chipper, as if he did had the greatest sleep the night before and all the while he was dreaming in lalaland, everyone's starting to freak out about the dreams.
The whole whale vs. Rodney thing. I think it's awesome. I already told you about my amusement with the clown. Just sort of how... well, that's how dreams work sometimes. "What about that?" and *pop* there's something new.
And the whole fight scene. You know about my approval of that and the whole John-with-rolled-up-sleeves versus John in his wonderfully attractive black collar thingy. Oh John.
I really liked the way the episode ended. While it could have been just as good ending on the planet with the little Atlantis theme, I liked the whole everyone-round-the-table. Just seems like another good moment for the entire [major] team to connect and come together through the tragedy of losing Heightmeyer and almost losing Rodney, etc etc. The craziness that brings them all together.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-23 06:24 pm (UTC)John can't even fit in that bed. There's no way he's getting anyone else in it. (But I do know one character with a prescription mattress... ;) )
I loved the dream-logic that was used. People shifting position in Teyla's dream, the forest outside of Atlantis in Ronon's, the CLOWN. It was interesting and right. But I still wonder about Rodney's whale issues. I guess when he told John he was pretty screwed up he really meant it. What with the loving whales but being afraid of them...
The fight. Oh, the fight. I was afraid it would be kind of meh with the special effects, but that was really well done. And hot. Smoking, even. Oh, John. And the end? I did like it. Nice juxtaposition with the craziness before. But also a different ending than we're used to.