greyias: (McDex - Friends)
greyias ([personal profile] greyias) wrote2008-09-20 12:26 pm
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The Tracker, intial reaction

Okay, I actually went into this episode expecting to come away disliking it. Simply put, spoilers are evil and can taint my views on something that I have no idea if it's going to happen.

The main thing that I was expecting, and thank god it did not happen (or at the very least was low key), was love triangles. It is possibly one of my biggest pet peeves in television, and fiction in general. Especially love triangles between friends. Perhaps it's my own past experiences tainting things, but usually it happens between three very good people, the two "made-for-each-other" end up together, and a third party gets really hurt, and the two people I'm supposed to like and be happy for I usually want to slap the living daylights out of. It's ruined several shows for me, and I was really scared it was going to harsh majorly on my SGA squee.

Thankfully, it hasn't happened (at least yet).

Happily, for me, this episode wasn't about Ronon and Rodney fighting for Keller's affections as they fight Wraith and Runners, but hey, about Keller being kidnapped, being a medical doctor with ethics and savvy, and kicking a little ass. It also had a B-plot with Rodney and Ronon running around the woods looking hot, and, of course, Rodney being the biggest damsel-in-distress in the episode (which is so how it should be. Yay show! \o/ )  Love Rodney's girly "Hello Wraith! Easy prey found here!" scream, still looking away and firing wildly with his pistol, and for the most part not being an action hero, even when he is. I really did enjoy his and Ronon's B-plot (and the fact that it was the B-plot?), because we just don't see much of a shake-up outside of the John + Teammate pair up, and it was nice to see an offworld adventure that defied the norm. It wasn't the Ronon/Teyla buddy adventure I was hoping against hope for on the Improbable Wish List, but it was still great fun. (With swinging logs! And Runner-built bear traps! ♥!).

And I really liked Keller in this. Even if she was "kidnapped in the woods", she didn't play the damsel-in-distress (once again, oh, Rodney) she rescued herself, and had that same attitude and presence onscreen that made me really enjoy her part in "Trio". Of course, now I have really confused myself, because my reaction to her parts in season five has been all over the place. Serisouly, I have no clue, maybe some serious viewer issues going on or something. I enjoyed her in "Search and Rescue", was kind of blah about the poor girl in "The Seed", have extremely mixed reactions on her for "The Shrine", kind of wanted her to be quiet last week, and this week I'm wanting her autograph. So seriously, what is wrong with me? I'd like to blame it on the writing, but I honestly don't think that's it.

(There's more I've written that's now going to go into a follow-up meta post, because it has nothing to do with this episode.) (ETA: On second thought, it became a bit ranty, so it's going on the private filter now :)

So, in summary: Kick-ass Keller (plz stay, i♥u), Rodney screams like a little girl (♥), and his aim with a gun drastically improves when he's trying to save someone else (♥), Ronon=Survival Instructor (♥), Hot Runner Ver. 2.0 is hot and fun (♥), little girl wants Rodney ejected from the infirmary (♥).

[identity profile] gnine.livejournal.com 2008-09-20 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd like to blame it on the writing, but I honestly don't think that's it.


Actually, I'd say you have every right to, cause the writers don't really seem to be in agreement themselves about her character. Every writer has a totally different take on her, which leads to VERY mixed messages.

[livejournal.com profile] xparrot and I have probably spent waaaaaay too much time dissecting her character from every angle (have a LONG essay I'm debating actually putting up on the subject :-p) and the more you look at it, the more the writers seem to be in as much confusion, so...:-p

But Ronon/Rodney running around was truly love, ne? Not to mention HOT! Mmmmm...

[identity profile] greyias.livejournal.com 2008-09-20 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I think the writing is a little to blame, but I can't be completely sure I'm not being influenced by outside forces, such as spoilers or the way the actors talk about their characters. Actually, I do think that last bit is something that influenced my general "ergh" feelings on her last season, because most of the initial interviews seemed fixated on who Keller would "hook up" with.

I'm finding that (with small exceptions), I really do like Jennifer Keller the character, who isn't quite comfortable in her skin but tries anyway. In fact, I even kind of like Jennifer Keller the character who might fall in love with someone, but I cannot help but be irked by Jennifer Keller the Love Interest... if that makes any sense?

have a LONG essay I'm debating actually putting up on the subject

I'll play Devil's Advocate and say "DO IT!" I love reading meta of that type!

Of course, I chickened out on posting my long-winded essay when it descended into sarcasm and general annoyance. I can't debate worth a flip, and I know that would wind up happening in the comments section. And then I would pout, which is very unbecoming.

But Ronon/Rodney running around was truly love, ne? Not to mention HOT! Mmmmm...

WORD to the Nth degree!
ext_1981: (Default)

[identity profile] friendshipper.livejournal.com 2008-09-20 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
but I can't be completely sure I'm not being influenced by outside forces, such as spoilers or the way the actors talk about their characters.

I was definitely having a problem with that in this episode -- specifically an interview with Jason Momoa I'd read back at the start of the season where he talked about this episode and his character's relationships with Keller and Rodney. Knowing how he feels about the characters' relationships (he's very lukewarm on both of them), it's really hard not to see that when he plays out those on-screen connections.

Rodney as damsel-in-distress never gets old, though. XD

[identity profile] greyias.livejournal.com 2008-09-20 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I really didn't like that interview with Jason Momoa at all, as it totally took the wind out of my sails. Honestly, I'm not sure if I was more taken off guard by his "Rodney and Ronon aren't friends" statement, or that he considered John to be closer to Ronon than Teyla. (I'm horribly attached to the Ronon/Teyla BFF concept, I admit.) It was almost as confusing and off-putting as Rodney's "best friend" declaration in "Sunday".

Thankfully, I'm not seeing it on screen like I was fearing. I think that's mostly due to a big case of denial ("Team is frendz!"), and the firm decision that while that's may be Jason's interpretation, I as a viewer can think that he's just wrong... until it somehow comes out in canon, then the Denial River just gets bigger.



Rodney as damsel-in-distress never gets old, though. XD

It really doesn't! XD I could probably have a whole trilogy of movies dealing with "Rodney as damsel-in-distress" and I'd still be a wiggly, happy, squee'ing thing. I'm just that easy.

[identity profile] trystings.livejournal.com 2008-09-21 09:55 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yes! That interview really colored my view on the Ronon/Keller ship. Unless of course Jason Momoa had instructions not to give it away and we just saw the greatest actor in the world in action in that interview. *g*

Let's just say, the final scene didn't squash my hope - I think Ronon and Jennifer are adorable together.