What Fear Does (412)

[Stargate: Horizon]

Stargate: Horizon
What Fear Does

A chain of events is set into motion that could potentially destroy the infrastructure of the ISGC and initiate a third world war.

Check it out!

Then stop back here for comments and discussion!

[Lt.Colonel John Sheppard]

Well I have been waiting for this two-parter for oh quite some time so whats with the suspense.

[Alex Rubit]

Well I have been waiting for this two-parter for oh quite some time so whats with the suspense.

Well, the wait is finally over, and the episode is now up on the site.

[Lt.Colonel John Sheppard]

Well This Episode was Really Good. i'm a little disappointed about the action in this episode but i realized that this episode is much like the devil to pay back in season 2 hopefully civil defense will be action packed hopefully. btw our moore and brennan dead cause i have this sinking feeling that they were beamed away.

[Alex Rubit]

Well This Episode was Really Good. i'm a little disappointed about the action in this episode but i realized that this episode is much like the devil to pay back in season 2 hopefully civil defense will be action packed hopefully. btw our moore and brennan dead cause i have this sinking feeling that they were beamed away.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Yeah, this was certainly not conceived as an action episode. We did take in a way a similiar approach as we did with "The Devil to Pay." But this episode isn't designed to be a "mid season finale," which is why there's no long hiauts following it. At the same time, it's also not designed to run with part two immediately following it, because we want you guys to speculate a little bit between now and next week.

[jmm]

Good episode.
The best part is that it feels like a fiercely thickening plot.
Some interactions are really good, and the familiarity between characters continues to be shown (Sivea-Christine, Zach-David-Tom-Chuck)
I'm a bit disappointed with the interactions with Grant. I don't know, in this kind of episodes in my mind he becomes Jack Bauer (Is the team READY? THEN GO! GO! GO!), not John Grant (OK, Lieutenant, proceed)
The brother/sister rift... very nicely done.

The bad, oh dear, EVAN. It's too evident his involvement, I actually knew he was up to something the moment I read his name (And I knew then that the US or at least an US faction is under the attacks)
Zuckov (Zuchov/Zucker/Whatever), I was Impressed by the first scene (before he speaks), disappointed afterwards. Probably watching a live actor (or at least knowing the actor's name) is required to buy his attitude and stance.
Woolsey. Clearly underutilized. Knowing the character ways, he would have stopped the interruptions, regardless of who was interrupting. This guy would have quoted the breach ("May I remind you ladies and gentleman, that every member has the right to express herself or himself without any kind of interference from other parties..." and "Any individual caught in violation of such right may cause...") of the ISGC Meeting Rule book.
Too underutilized to my taste. In fact, he could have been replaced by any new character and we wouldn't have noticed.

Bland characters: Jackson and Callen. They should have done much more, and Jackson should know by now how to avoid traps like the one Zuchov set up.

In the final analysis: Story trumps over (bad) *acting*. The build-up is good and we have enough head scratchers to keep us waiting (and commenting/speculating).

*** out of 4

[Alex Rubit]

Some interactions are really good, and the familiarity between characters continues to be shown (Sivea-Christine, Zach-David-Tom-Chuck)

I like those kind of moments a lot. We'll definitely be seeing much more of those.

I'm a bit disappointed with the interactions with Grant. I don't know, in this kind of episodes in my mind he becomes Jack Bauer (Is the team READY? THEN GO! GO! GO!), not John Grant (OK, Lieutenant, proceed)

That's true. I'm not sure if it's a bad thing, though. It didn't bother me, but it is easy to see the parallels there. And the fact that you do see them, just means you're picturing Grant and his voice the way it's intended.

Both Mike and I are huge fans of 24, so it was kind of fun having Grant in a situation that's similiar to something you'd see on 24. But at the end of the day, this is still Stargate, which part two will make obvious. Don't want to give anything away, though.

Probably watching a live actor (or at least knowing the actor's name) is required to buy his attitude and stance.

Yeah, I think that's often the case. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining about it, but the truth is it's definitely something where it tends to get more tricky for us, since the audience will read the episodes rather than watching them. And oftentimes it does take a really good actor to bring certain characters to live; usually, if it's characters that we don't get to know too well. So the casting in this particular case would be very crucial.

But I think Zukov's position and oppinion isn't that hard to understand. He's just pissed off basically. He doesn't like the fact that, even now with the Stargate being public, the US are still the ones who are really running the show to a large degree. I think it would just be a matter of time until that would start heating up, which is what's happening now.

Woolsey. Clearly underutilized.

He plays a more important role in part two. In the first draft this was just a new character (I don't think he even had a name), but then we decided to make it Woolsey just because in part two we wanted a more familiar face there.

Knowing the character ways, he would have stopped the interruptions, regardless of who was interrupting. This guy would have quoted the breach ("May I remind you ladies and gentleman, that every member has the right to express herself or himself without any kind of interference from other parties..." and "Any individual caught in violation of such right may cause...") of the ISGC Meeting Rule book.

That's an interesting point. But our take on it was that he'd feel pretty uncomfortable with the situation he's in, being forced to try and remain neutral, when most likely he's on the side of the US.

Bland characters: Jackson and Callen. They should have done much more, and Jackson should know by now how to avoid traps like the one Zuchov set up.

I don't know if you can call either Callen or Daniel bland characters. That kind of disregards all the development they've had in the past. Sure, they could have done more. But what most people always forget is that you only have 42 minutes to tell the story; roughly 60 pages in our case. There's only so and so much you can do, and the focus of this episode is more on Grant and Christine.

In the final analysis: Story trumps over (bad) *acting*. The build-up is good and we have enough head scratchers to keep us waiting (and commenting/speculating).

I'm kinda curious what you mean by "bad acting." Don't blame the actors. Especially since they don't even know that they're on this show (at least, as far as I know). Feel free to just blame the writers; we can take it.

But seriously, I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. Can't wait to see what you'll think of part two.

[Col.Foley]

Holy 24 batman.

Quite possibly the best episode of Horizon to date, IMO.
More to say when I reread it tomorrow.

[jonos101]

great ep. my only nitpick is that david and tom dont get to come earth and u could tell evan was gonna have something to do with it. cant wait for the next one.

[Senku]

I hate two-parters when I can't get the second one immediately after reading the first one, but... that's indeed my problem, not yours

Anyway, the episode, with its "pros" and "cons", is something brilliant. The plot is so well planned that sinks the reader since the very first steps. I, like Alex, love those character-development/character-interactions moments. Those make these shows more believable and realistic. People do things, normal things, when they aren't saving the country/planet/galaxy/universe/plane-of-existence/whatever... Those things define characters as much as how they fight or hay they speak to an enemy. And it's good to hear that we'll have more of those moments.

I concur with jmm about the use of Mr. Woolsey. He should use more of his temper and personality. Ok, the situation isn't exactly the same as en previous occasions, he stands where he stands, in front of the leaders of the world. Well, but yet, he is not quite himself IMO.

Grant is a pro and he does his job quite well. If he has a resemblance to another character... well, that's because both characters make their jobs pretty well!!

At some point seems quite obvious that there's a conspiracy in the US goverment, but for quite some time, I believed otherwise.

In resume, magnificent job guys Make the next one the best ending for this two-parter

[SierraGulf1]

I do think the conclusion (especially the last act) should throw folks for a loop.

[jonos101]

I do think the conclusion (especially the last act) should throw folks for a loop.

awwww the suspence

[peragrin]

Well Alex you and the team must have done something right. I found myself swearing at the ignorance and scheming of politicians once again.

and they weren't even real politicians the story was very compelling.

[Alex Rubit]

Quite possibly the best episode of Horizon to date, IMO.

Thanks a lot. I don't take that for granted.

[Alex Rubit]

I, like Alex, love those character-development/character-interactions moments. Those make these shows more believable and realistic. People do things, normal things, when they aren't saving the country/planet/galaxy/universe/plane-of-existence/whatever... Those things define characters as much as how they fight or hay they speak to an enemy. And it's good to hear that we'll have more of those moments.

That's very true. We've made it a point to focus more on these kinds of moments this season than in the previous seasons. A great deal of episodes have little every day moments in them, sometimes even entire b-plots, like in "Fighting Ground" or "Survival Instinct."

Well, but yet, he is not quite himself IMO.

That's true actually. Maybe he's got something on his mind he hasn't told us about yet.

[Col.Foley]

Thanks a lot. I don't take that for granted.

Yes, it was not boring, did not lag, and never had a dull moment. It kept me hooked from opening to end.

[Lt. Colonel Ryu Gaia]

Feel free to just blame the writers; we can take it.

XD

Anyway. Decent episode. I was mostly bored after the first fifteenish pages, up until the last two acts. It picked up a lot more then. Shame it ended when it was finally getting interesting - bit like Dead Man's Chest in that regard. I'll probably read next week's episode.

**1/2

[jelgate]

Jelgate's Two Cents

I read this episode a little later than I would have liked, but I have mid-terms to study for. All I can say, is after reading it, I can say that this episode was a vast inprovement to Robots. It isn't without it faults though.

For instance, I find Sevia wilingness to read someones mind, very out of character. Isn't she always saying it is a dangerous ability that needs to be surpressed. Tom and David not going is also a complaint for me. They are a team after all. It seems like they have been fractured lately.I don't see them working together lately.

Now lets go on to the positives and speculation. Real politics has been an interest to me, so you can imagine that for the most part I enjoyed this episode. I am a little surprised that this hasn't happened sooner. Countries are always bickering over resources. It only makes sense that the other countires of the world would want the Gate. It was a good thing to explore the politics the ISGC. They kind remind me of the UN. They bicker among each other and don't accomplish anything. I thought the speech by Callen was very deep and moving. Wouldn't it had made more sense for him to wear the Vorian equvilant of a suit

Connely seems to have changed since he was first introduced. Normally I would call such a change, but it is no secret that a position of leadership changes a person.

I don't care how bad a country gets, nothing rationlizies martial law. I do like how that was used to show a debate between Christine and Kevin.

I sure do hope that this group that Evan is working for isn't a new group. The Russian guy hinted that it wasn't a Russian terrorist group. Please tell me it is one of the groups that have already been establishied. The setup is nice and leads inro what I hope is an exciting part 2. Just a little nitpick, I am almsot certain Canada doesn't have a president.

[Alex Rubit]

[B][CENTER]For instance, I find Sevia wilingness to read someones mind, very out of character. Isn't she always saying it is a dangerous ability that needs to be surpressed.

Yeah, that's true. But she was joking, which I think the way it's written should make obvious. She does have, and always did have, a sense of humor, which is not out of character at all.

Tom and David not going is also a complaint for me. They are a team after all. It seems like they have been fractured lately.I don't see them working together lately.

We have started focusing more on episodes revolving around one or two of the main characters. While that does break with what you'd expect, as Stargate has always been team centered, I think this particular show works best that way. It's just the nature of it, as it is more of a character drama, and it allows us to give each of these characters their moments to shine.

That said, we'll still be doing team episodes when the right story comes along. But it's something we won't necessarily do every other week. I know not all fans will probably agree with that, but I think one thing we've proven is that we do things a little differently in this corner of the Stargate universe. So just bear with us.

Now lets go on to the positives and speculation. Real politics has been an interest to me, so you can imagine that for the most part I enjoyed this episode.

I'm very interested in politics myself actually. Closely following the race for the White House these days.

I am a little surprised that this hasn't happened sooner. Countries are always bickering over resources. It only makes sense that the other countires of the world would want the Gate.

That's true. The original idea that led to this story was actually pitched during Season Three. But we knew we'd probably not get around to doing it until Season Four.

They kind remind me of the UN. They bicker among each other and don't accomplish anything.

That was the idea, to have it basically be a UN-like setting.

I thought the speech by Callen was very deep and moving. Wouldn't it had made more sense for him to wear the Vorian equvilant of a suit

The reasoning behind that was that basically out of respect he'd be wearing a regular "Earth suit." Not really a big deal I think, but it was fun to see him wearing Earth clothing for a change.

Please tell me it is one of the groups that have already been establishied.

Hmm. I'd tell you, but... I just can't remember. But fortunately "Civil Defense" is already out.

a little nitpick, I am almsot certain Canada doesn't have a president.

That's what we like to call a good old fashioned mistake around the office. Or you could also say a typo that wasn't caught on time. I might still go back and change it.

[jelgate]

I'm very interested in politics myself actually. Closely following the race for the White House these days.

I don't like any of the current candiates. It will be the lesser of two evils
[/QUOTE]

That was the idea, to have it basically be a UN-like setting.

I hope they accomplish more than the UN.

The reasoning behind that was that basically out of respect he'd be wearing a regular "Earth suit." Not really a big deal I think, but it was fun to see him wearing Earth clothing for a change.

It wasn't a nig deal to me, but when I look at other SciFi shows, the aliens wear their culture's formal atire. Hope the tie was okay. Those things can really choke you some time.

Hmm. I'd tell you, but... I just can't remember. But fortunately "Civil Defense" is already out.

Sadly, I won't get to it until Saturday.

That's what we like to call a good old fashioned mistake around the office. Or you could also say a typo that wasn't caught on time. I might still go back and change it.

Canada has a parlimentary system similiar to the UK with a Prime Minster