Runner (203)

[GateWorld]

ATLANTIS SEASON TWO RUNNER EPISODE NUMBER - 203 Sheppard and his team attempt to locate Lieutenant Ford, only to find themselves captives of a former soldier who is being hunted by the Wraith. VISIT THE EPISODE GUIDE >> SPOILERS! PHOTOS! AND MORE!

[briguy213]

YAY... Ford is back. I cant wait to see what happens with the runner.

[Bobthespirit]

Things are looking up for season two. Ronon is a cool character (Though maybe a little too deliberately so). And, it takes damn good acting to make a cliche not look like one.

I also find it interesting to see Ford balance his clear instability with his wish to prove his worth to Atlantis. He feels nigh-invincible at the moment and probably thinks he can kill all the wraithe singlehandedly.

It'll be interesting to see how both plotlines play out.

My only criticism of this episode is that the whole setup to bring Ronon to Atlantis seemed a tad too deliberate. But it hasn't got me constantly eye-rolling like the Ori.

[IMForeman]

Another fantastic episode this night. Stargate goodness abounds.

-IMF

[kharn the betrayer]

OMG I love Ford in this episode

great from beggining to end



I cant make a desision on Ronon though...... he seems cool but i will wait a few episodes

[woodsie22]

Another good episode - I liked that some of Ford's personality showed through his instability.

I'm really looking forward to next week's episode - but the choice of clips in the promos/previews so far has been... interesting - brief and not very comprehensive (actually, this is probably good, as it gives nothing away).

[Lt. Elliot]

Runner was awesome. Another hit for Atlantis!

*Ford was back! Still the same little kid from Season 1, except for the violent outbusts.
*Major Lorne and Rodney...Lorne could be a good character
*JM did a good job as Ronan Dex, I like the character a lot and the glimpse into his past
*I MISS FORD! ANd seeing him cracking jokes and still worrying about Atlantis makes me happy!!

This episode just rocked! Totally 9/10. BUT I cannot wait for Duet, which could be SGA's Window of Opportunity.

[SciFiGeek]

I almost hate to say this, since I think, 9 times out of 10, a show's creator usually writes some of a series best episodes; but if this is how he's going to write McKay, I hope RCC doesn't do anymore episodes.

I like the series overall, but if McKay is written poorly, I have a hard time with an episode. I think the characterization of McKay requires the careful toeing of a line that is far too easily crossed, as demonstrated both by this episode and Sanctuary (which also had the misfortune of complete miswriting the character of Sheppard, IMO). And this episode not only crossed the line, it barreled full-throttle out of sight, to the point that I was cringing at almost every one of his scenes. I think McKay is good when he's as endearing in his own respect as he is whiny, and that there's something to compensate for his overbearing personality. I felt the episode failed to acknowledge the character progression over the last year or so and regressed his back to his 48 Hours days.

Other than that, I thought it was fair; Ronen Dex has more potential for depth than Ford (no offense to RSF; I just think the character was never very strongly written or established). And I liked Beckett, at least... I was actually also enjoying Teyla practicing diplomacy with Ronen; I think it could be a good character trait exercised and developed for her.

But overall, I'm feeling to annoyed by the writing of McKay, so I intend to store this episode away along with Sanctuary in the "let us never speak of it again" category.

Did other McKay fans feel this way, or am I alone in my thinking?

[Arative]

RSF was great in this episode, I mean you could see the conflict in Ford. One moment, this crazy, gung-ho solider that wants to take on the Wraith single handed and the next moment, you could see the happy go lucky Ford from last season. I think its a brilliant direction to take Ford and give him some depth that was sorely lacking last season.

I'm also interested in what they will do with Ronon. He seems to be a tough guy, basically a fighter but I hope the writers add some depth to him. Mckay seemed to whine too much this episode for my tastes about the only thing I didn't like about this episode.

[DANIquinn]

I loved Ford in this episode. RSF is a great actor. I aslo liked Ronan, but I think I'll wait a few eps before making a definite decision. I'll agree though that McKay was poorly written, at least in the beginning. The second half of the ep he got better. Overall though, a great ep, which makes two for two this week.

[smushybird]

Is Duet still next week? I couldn't tell anything from the preview.

Tonight's ep was lovely and funny. I was glad to see more of the snarky old McKay and his interactions with Ford were telling, sweet, and amusing. He was less than brave tonight (as compared with how he dealt with Kolya) but under the circumstances, I don't blame him. Exhausted, scared, and he didn't really want to shoot Ford....

I like Dex for now...as long as he doesn't take too much screen time away from Sheppard and McKay.

I did miss the Sheppard and McKay banter tonight.

[Excali5033]

Did other McKay fans feel this way, or am I alone in my thinking?

To an extent. The whole radiation suit was a bit much, but I didn't think he was as bad in this one as when he hit the magazine eject in Seige III. Point and click interface, Rodney, you should have the hang of that at least. :b

[Sindet]

All I can say is, what the hell are they doing to McKay's character? Was it really necessary to turn him into some sort of clownish comic relief? I'm incredibly disappointed. He's my favorite character, and his development in S1 was wonderful. Now he's just a cartoon caricature, whiny and hapless. I just don't get it.

[Dave'sFan]

I don't know if anyone mentioned this already, but did anyone notice when McKay had the radiation suite on he complained that he was hot, but when he removed the helmet you could see his breath? (newbie here, please be kind)

[Sindet]

Originally Posted by SciFiGeek

I almost hate to say this, since I think, 9 times out of 10, a show's creator usually writes some of a series best episodes; but if this is how he's going to write McKay, I hope RCC doesn't do anymore episodes.

I like the series overall, but if McKay is written poorly, I have a hard time with an episode. I think the characterization of McKay requires the careful toeing of a line that is far too easily crossed, as demonstrated both by this episode and Sanctuary (which also had the misfortune of complete miswriting the character of Sheppard, IMO). And this episode not only crossed the line, it barreled full-throttle out of sight, to the point that I was cringing at almost every one of his scenes. I think McKay is good when he's as endearing in his own respect as he is whiny, and that there's something to compensate for his overbearing personality. I felt the episode failed to acknowledge the character progression over the last year or so and regressed his back to his 48 Hours days.

[snippage]

But overall, I'm feeling to annoyed by the writing of McKay, so I intend to store this episode away along with Sanctuary in the "let us never speak of it again" category.

Did other McKay fans feel this way, or am I alone in my thinking?

I agree with you whole-heartedly. The broad slapstick is stupid, it's making McKay look stupid, and I hate it.

McKay is hilarious when he's not being used as comic relief. The comic relief thing is just painful. I wish they would stop it. I cringed with the clip-ejecting moment in "Siege III", and with the transporter moment in "Intruder", and now, practically with this entire episode. What happened to the McKay from "Brotherhood" or even "38 Minutes"?

The rest of the ep was okay, but it was completely overshadowed by my disappointment.

Sindet

[not so ancient]

Originally Posted by Bobthespirit

I also find it interesting to see Ford balance his clear instability with his wish to prove his worth to Atlantis. He feels nigh-invincible at the moment and probably thinks he can kill all the wraithe singlehandedly.

This is an excellent observation.

My heart breaks for Ford: he's himself one minute, and he's homicidal the next. He's joking with McKay but shooting Atlantis troopers. Rainbow has this wonderfully expressive face and sometimes the horror of what he does goes right across his features.

I think Ford really believes he can kill Wraith and save Atlantis. But then, he's not really...Ford... anymore, so he seems to just enjoy killing.

I like Dex.

I thought this episode felt a bit choppy. It just didn't quite hang together right.

I also think they're playing McKay's whinging up to the detriment of the character.

I wonder what the point of next week's episode is besides "Dex gets settled into Atlantis." The previews didn't seem to reveal much of a plotline besides that, and a character story is just a vignette, not a story, not an episode. It was not the best preview.

[Merlin7]

So so ep for me.
Rainbow did a great job. I like Ronon other than the obligatory Teyla/Ronon momets. Their chat, which I knew was coming and practically recited before them. Her ripping open his shirt so to speak. ::eye roll::. Ronon being so tough he doesn't need to be knocked out and then he can get up and kick butt against Ford. Meh moments. But I liked him and his backstory otherwise.

Laughed at the way too few McShep moments.

I liked the Caldwell and Shep interaction. Caldwell was cold, but it was good character moments for Shep.

Liked Shep's NON reassurances to Carson.

Liked Ford and Rodney interaction.

Did not like the Major dude. He was tyring to hard to be Shep and play the lines like Joe does. Wrong. Hated his scenes with Rodney.

This ep finally DID cross the line with Rodney. I found it amusing in SIEGE and even INTRUDER. The moments were brief. But Rodney's characterization was all over the map. So far his only recognizable moments this ep were the brief interactions with Shep and a few of his moments with Ford. I am HOPING, and I'm not even a Rodney fan, that TPTB are setting up that Rodney is having a REACTION TO CERTAIN DEATH situations. Post traumatic stress type reactions that they actually acknowlege on the show at some point. Soon.

I laughed at the Shep and Teyla moment with.

"What are you doing?
Freeing my hand.
Doesn't feel like that's what you're doing.

Or however that went.

Liked the confrontation with Shep and Ford at the end. Made me feel sad for both of them.

[Gate Trippin']

Originally Posted by SciFiGeek

And this episode not only crossed the line, it barreled full-throttle out of sight, to the point that I was cringing at almost every one of his scenes. I think McKay is good when he's as endearing in his own respect as he is whiny, and that there's something to compensate for his overbearing personality. I felt the episode failed to acknowledge the character progression over the last year or so and regressed his back to his 48 Hours days.Did other McKay fans feel this way, or am I alone in my thinking?

*waves* HUGE McKay fan here and I have to concur with you on this episode. Why, oh, why was he constantly griping about everything, along with the running away and screaming like it was the first time he was on a mission and had been faced with issues like these? I couldn't agree more that he seems to have regressed, at least temporarily, especially when you consider his experience and behavior in episodes like Defiant One or The Eye.

There has been talk and worry that McKay has been too much the comic relief lately. He's definately at his best when we are glimpsing the man beneath the snark, but tonight didn't scratch that suface at all. I hope he continues to progress as he was in S1 and not the opposite

[MarshAngel]

I forget the name of the officer they left to babysit Mckay and the jumper but I really hope he gets to stick around. I really liked him. He was a nice contrast to Mckays crazy antics and his mocking of Mckay doesn't sound like it took effort. It really does take effort to keep from shooting him or at the very least duct taping his trap shut.

[AGateFan]

Originally Posted by MarshAngel

I forget the name of the officer they left to babysit Mckay and the jumper but I really hope he gets to stick around. I really liked him. He was a nice contrast to Mckays crazy antics and his mocking of Mckay doesn't sound like it took effort. It really does take effort to keep from shooting him or at the very least duct taping his trap shut.

Guys name was Major Lorne and isnt he the same guy that though Daniel was whiny in the ep ENEMY MINE?

I like this ep overall. Ford was awesome, Dex has good potetnial. Shep was good, Carson was good and yes Telya was good. Rodney notsomuch.