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Why hello thar, Dr. Keller! Where have you been all season? (Trio Episode Reaction)
Okay, is it shallow of me to have paused my Tivo and said "Yeah, I'm gonna make an icon out of that"?
Well, it's back to trying to finish up thiscrack fic I've been working on since last night. Maybe when I've exorcised the devil I can get to work on my ficathon story.
Now, in the spirit of honesty, I really didn't expect much. This was an episode featuring two of my least favorite characters on SGA (not saying that I hate them, I'm just not squee'ing to death over Sam and Keller), paired with my favorite character. I knew Rodney would be entertaining, because if nothing else I just love the way David H. plays the character. However since I didn't expect much, I was pleasantly surprised (like I was hoping I would be. They cannot all be "The Tower" and "The Long Goodbye", which to this day, I've seen all of once).
Honestly, I think this is the very first episode where we've (re: me) have gotten a really good grasp on who Keller is. "Quarantine" didn't impress me altogether too much, probably because she and Ronon... didn't really play that well off each other, again, my opinion. I've been rather 'meh' about the character this whole season, but I have to say I rather enjoyed her in this episode. I think part of it is that she hasn't been paired with a Pegasus native, who have too different of past. Both Ronon and Teyla's past are very tragic, and they've suffered so much. It's kind of unfair to pair Keller up with them, IMO, because by comparison her experiences in life won't ever be able to compare. And it winds up making her look like a brat, which is unfair to the character. Something I wish the writers had been aware of. In "Missing" we at least saw her grow, however in "Quarantine" it was--too in your face? I think part of the problem in that episode was pacing and order. You don't follow up "I'm a victim of genocide" with "High school sucked for me, Don." (oops, wrong show).
However, comparing like with like works in the case of "Trio". I think that Keller's character connects with both Sam and Rodney a lot easier and more believable with Ronon and Teyla. As Rodney says in one scene "We're all geniuses". They all have a shared level of intellect, and now I'm not too confident on Sam's background, but I know for Rodney it hasn't been an easy time for him growing up either. So I think the characters are naturally more comfortable with each other (Rodney even joins in on the girly "Who would you rather...?", hee!). I was honestly shocked to the core, from what I've seen of the character so far, to learn that she's ever set foot in a bar, much less enough to know a bar trick.
Oh, look at that! Characterization! I just learned something about a character without forced romance and stilted dialogue. Er, I mean, from the situation and the teamwork they're forced into, we get a far better picture of who Jennifer Keller is than all of the heavy-handed back stories ever could give us.
(Who wrote this episode again? They get a cookie.)
Now, moving along to Sam. Again, in the spirit of honesty, in the past I've referred to her as "Mary Sam". I like my heroes and heroines to succeed, but for them to appear perfect on screen grates on me a little. I did not enjoy Sam in seasons 7, 8, and 10 of SG-1 (I liked her in 9, it was a fluke), mostly because I felt they had shoved an interpretation of the character down my throat. "OMGLIKESAMSHE'SSOCOOL!" We haven't seen much of her this season, which I know has bothered some people, but I just shrug, because I was never bothered when General Hammond didn't show up in an episode or wasn't referenced. But I digress.
I love Sam with Rodney, at least on SGA. She loses that "perfect" edge when she has to interact with him over an extended period of time. They play off each other like two brilliant people with opposite personalties would. They bicker, they play a little bit of one-up-manship, but then they suddenly just click and start thinking as one. It's an absolute joy to see on screen, and is one reason why Rodney and Zelenka are so fun to watch. And honestly, this interpretation of Sam was one I enjoyed. If Weir had been in this episode in Sam's place, this episode wouldn't have worked at all. Sam is a soldier, I think, first and foremost, like John. She may give Rodney a hard time about telling her to do the heavy lifting, but she does it, because she's trained for it.
Interestingly enough, though, Sam tries to let Rodney shine. She lets him try to 'be the man' of the group and try to throw the grappling hook, despite being horrible at it. She only takes over when it's obvious that he can't do itand when he ruptures a gas line and nearly incinerates himself. She clearly didn't want to let him do it, she wanted to take charge, but she seemed to realize that letting him try was important. Which, again to me in a few seconds than what two and half years of SG-1 was telling me to believe about her.
Rodney was Rodney, as always, which makes me just squee in delight. Honestly, even though I enjoyed the episode as is, I would have still wished for more of the team there. It seems like next week it's the Ronon show, which he deserves. I just can't help but feel like the whole episode is a set-up for one of those stupid fanboy questions. "If Ronon and Teal'c were to rumble, which one would emerge victorious?" It's like asking who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain America. (It would be Batman, all the way. I have a comic hidden somewhere in my closet to back that up.)
By the way, Joe Mallozzi, I was hoping that the "hint about Sam's love life" would have turned out how it did. Sam would prefer George Clooney over Brad Pitt. Perfect! I'm cackling in anticipation to the shipper outrage that's going to invade his blog tonight. Aww, poor Joe M. You brought this on yourself. However, please use the power of the snark on them. It amuseth me.
Okay, this has been a little more thinky than my usual episode reactions, but c'mon, I'm being converted kicking and screaming to liking two characters who I've never cared for one way or the other.
Honestly, I think this is the very first episode where we've (re: me) have gotten a really good grasp on who Keller is. "Quarantine" didn't impress me altogether too much, probably because she and Ronon... didn't really play that well off each other, again, my opinion. I've been rather 'meh' about the character this whole season, but I have to say I rather enjoyed her in this episode. I think part of it is that she hasn't been paired with a Pegasus native, who have too different of past. Both Ronon and Teyla's past are very tragic, and they've suffered so much. It's kind of unfair to pair Keller up with them, IMO, because by comparison her experiences in life won't ever be able to compare. And it winds up making her look like a brat, which is unfair to the character. Something I wish the writers had been aware of. In "Missing" we at least saw her grow, however in "Quarantine" it was--too in your face? I think part of the problem in that episode was pacing and order. You don't follow up "I'm a victim of genocide" with "High school sucked for me
However, comparing like with like works in the case of "Trio". I think that Keller's character connects with both Sam and Rodney a lot easier and more believable with Ronon and Teyla. As Rodney says in one scene "We're all geniuses". They all have a shared level of intellect, and now I'm not too confident on Sam's background, but I know for Rodney it hasn't been an easy time for him growing up either. So I think the characters are naturally more comfortable with each other (Rodney even joins in on the girly "Who would you rather...?", hee!). I was honestly shocked to the core, from what I've seen of the character so far, to learn that she's ever set foot in a bar, much less enough to know a bar trick.
(Who wrote this episode again? They get a cookie.)
Now, moving along to Sam. Again, in the spirit of honesty, in the past I've referred to her as "Mary Sam". I like my heroes and heroines to succeed, but for them to appear perfect on screen grates on me a little. I did not enjoy Sam in seasons 7, 8, and 10 of SG-1 (I liked her in 9, it was a fluke), mostly because I felt they had shoved an interpretation of the character down my throat. "OMGLIKESAMSHE'SSOCOOL!" We haven't seen much of her this season, which I know has bothered some people, but I just shrug, because I was never bothered when General Hammond didn't show up in an episode or wasn't referenced. But I digress.
I love Sam with Rodney, at least on SGA. She loses that "perfect" edge when she has to interact with him over an extended period of time. They play off each other like two brilliant people with opposite personalties would. They bicker, they play a little bit of one-up-manship, but then they suddenly just click and start thinking as one. It's an absolute joy to see on screen, and is one reason why Rodney and Zelenka are so fun to watch. And honestly, this interpretation of Sam was one I enjoyed. If Weir had been in this episode in Sam's place, this episode wouldn't have worked at all. Sam is a soldier, I think, first and foremost, like John. She may give Rodney a hard time about telling her to do the heavy lifting, but she does it, because she's trained for it.
Interestingly enough, though, Sam tries to let Rodney shine. She lets him try to 'be the man' of the group and try to throw the grappling hook, despite being horrible at it. She only takes over when it's obvious that he can't do it
Rodney was Rodney, as always, which makes me just squee in delight. Honestly, even though I enjoyed the episode as is, I would have still wished for more of the team there. It seems like next week it's the Ronon show, which he deserves. I just can't help but feel like the whole episode is a set-up for one of those stupid fanboy questions. "If Ronon and Teal'c were to rumble, which one would emerge victorious?" It's like asking who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain America. (It would be Batman, all the way. I have a comic hidden somewhere in my closet to back that up.)
By the way, Joe Mallozzi, I was hoping that the "hint about Sam's love life" would have turned out how it did. Sam would prefer George Clooney over Brad Pitt. Perfect! I'm cackling in anticipation to the shipper outrage that's going to invade his blog tonight. Aww, poor Joe M. You brought this on yourself. However, please use the power of the snark on them. It amuseth me.
Okay, this has been a little more thinky than my usual episode reactions, but c'mon, I'm being converted kicking and screaming to liking two characters who I've never cared for one way or the other.
Well, it's back to trying to finish up this
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I'm shamefully/hopelessly addicted.
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In the interest of shameless self-promotion, I'll put a link to my review.
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Ah! I read your review this weekend, but, um, I've been a wee bit... sloshed until now to properly reply. (It doesn't stop me from making drunken episode reviews however...) I like your husband's explanation about Keller's bar tricks. Makes much sense, methinks.
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Okay, I have to ask: while drunk, did you try to build bridges among overturned cups with knives? And did you succeed?
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I have that when I'm totally sober. That's why I'm an Anglo-Saxonists. The Anglo-Saxons loved shinies and pretties.
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Haha, that's totally me. It's part of the reason it takes me a gabillion years to write anything more than ten pages. I always get distracted by really stupid inane things.
Sadly, the shininess is not restricted to states of sobriety for me either. Maybe I've got some Saxon in me too!
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I loved seeing Sam in this episode. And you're right, she did try to let Rodney 'be the man' even when it was clear she wanted to take over. A nice sign of respect. I've always been a 'Sam paired with Rodney as rivals or friends' fan, so it's nice to see an episode that plays on that (as friends in this case).
Rodney - oh Rodney! Sooo very, very competitive!! And trying to be 'the man'! Ah, gotta love that guy! And so brave, even when scared - refusing to leave Sam behind (no big surprise there). But poor clueless Rodney, not realising that he broke up with Katie. So sad, but so like him. And that whole thing about 'perfect body' and then stumbling etc ... soo funny and sooo him ... and Keller seemed to be enjoying him digging that thar hole deeper and deeper! Ah, the teasing of friendship...
That scene at the end was just right - poor Rodney's hands! But oh, that Jennifer, she's such a flirt! Thoguh it looked to me like it wasn't serious, just friendly flirting. Not like with Ronon, where I suspect it will become something more ... eventually. Though I could be wrong, of course! (And someone cue Rodney in, either way, please!!!)
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A nice sign of respect. I've always been a 'Sam paired with Rodney as rivals or friends' fan, so it's nice to see an episode that plays on that (as friends in this case).
Yes, and yes! That's what I love about your stories, is that you explore that rivalry/friendship they have with each other. It's so nice to see it on the show too!
That scene at the end was just right - poor Rodney's hands!
I know... but you know you enjoyed the mini-whump ;) I really enjoyed the end too. I really like Keller and Rodney as friends. At this point I think enough time has passed since Carson for him to be able to bond and become friends with her. She is a flirt, and seems very much at ease with him. (Maybe it was the girl talk, hee!) I don't think the drink was more than friendly flirting, although I'm very curious as to where they've put this bar.
I think I commented in another journal that Zelenka's fanon stills are being put out of business by this bar talk. Of course, maybe our dear old Czech is behind the counter, ala Guinan (http://www.daviddonaldson.com/LAF/sheList/Guinan.jpg). (With the hat, because that's a must for space bartenders).
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Yes, it is nice to see it on the show. *blushes at praise of stories* I've always thought those two could work well together, even with the rivalry that was there at the start. Nice to see the friendship side of things showing - one of the many good things about Sam being on Atlantis.
Me? Like Rodney whumped, even a wee bit? Nah, you're thinking of someone else...honest! *whistles innocently*
I nearly choked reading that! LOL! I hadn't thought about poor Zelenka's fanon stills being out of business! Oh, poor Radek!! The idea of him behind the bar in Guinan's hat...ROTFL!!! Oh boy, you need to give a humour warning...really!!! Snerk!!