Grace Under Pressure (214)

[Easter Lily]

I noticed that, as well. It sounded like the probe - not what a humpback would actually sound like underwater. It also had some of the basic physical characteristics of a humpback - very elongated pectoral flippers, the same general size and body shape... hence the reason I called it a Funky Atlantis Humpback Whale.

I could live with that... I am really glad that they've finally done something with all that water... it's about time!
More of the Funky Atlantis Humpback Whale please! Wonder if anyone in Atlantis can speak "whale".

[Easter Lily]

It's an episode that I won't watch again *shrug*. There's been good and there's been bad this season, but I will say this, I'll be wary of any episode written by Binder. For me, he continues to fall flat. The only episode he's written that I've enjoyed was Aurora.

For the rest, he focuses too much on McKay and leaves the rest hanging without much to work with. That's dissappointing.

I believe this episode was written by Martin Gero...

[Merlin7]

The development that Rodney got here is what I think Sheppard should have got in Epiphany. He needed it far more... We've seen lots of angsty Rodney already this season... we really didn't NEED anymore but it's not to say that there weren't some priceless moments. There are parallels with Epiphany... characters trapped, characters in despair accompanied by attractive distractions. The difference in Grace Under Pressure was that the distraction had a purpose.

I'd love to see Shep get this developement. We've had nothing BUT Rodney developement and I admit, I'm not interested in it. Epiphany SHOULD have been like this for SHEp adn WOULD have been had TPTB left in the flashbacks and ditched the stupid invisibeast crap. But...I doubt TPTB will ever focus on any character the way they do Rodney and certainly not Shep. I've seen more focus on pretty much EVERYONE but. Tis sad. Joe's a fab actor and being wasted.

[NowIWillDestroyAbydos]

I believe this episode was written by Martin Gero...

It was, and directed by Martin Wood

[Buggy542]

I noticed that, as well. It sounded like the probe - not what a humpback would actually sound like underwater. It also had some of the basic physical characteristics of a humpback - very elongated pectoral flippers, the same general size (although going back to look this one was a bit larger) and body shape... hence the reason I called it a Funky Atlantis Humpback Whale.

The first thing I thought of was the probe from ST IV too.

I could live with that... I am really glad that they've finally done something with all that water... it's about time!
More of the Funky Atlantis Humpback Whale please! Wonder if anyone in Atlantis can speak "whale".

LOL!!

I hope they explore the ocean a lot more. It's so deep they're bound to find trillions of undiscovered organisms and cool fish... and sea monsters! Perhaps they will discover the origins of the Loch Ness monster! (or not. Sometimes I get carried away... )

[the dancer of spaz]

It was, and directed by Martin Wood

Martin Wood rocks!

[Arlessiar]

I'd love to see Shep get this developement. We've had nothing BUT Rodney developement and I admit, I'm not interested in it. Epiphany SHOULD have been like this for SHEp adn WOULD have been had TPTB left in the flashbacks and ditched the stupid invisibeast crap. But...I doubt TPTB will ever focus on any character the way they do Rodney and certainly not Shep. I've seen more focus on pretty much EVERYONE but. Tis sad. Joe's a fab actor and being wasted.

I agree that Epiphany was a waste of opportunities when it comes to Shepp. I would have loved to see more of him and his fears or memories than of this silly and old beast story. And I agree that there should be more character development for Sheppard, or better, more background information. But at least he has enough screentime and I really don't think that pretty much everyone else gets more attention than him. Ronon, Carson and Teyla surely don't have more screentime OR character development.
Of course it's easy for me to say that since I'm a McKay fan and happy that I can see so much of him. But I also like Shepp, and I'd love to see more of him or the others or more team action.

... and sea monsters! Perhaps they will discover the origins of the Loch Ness monster! (or not. Sometimes I get carried away... )

LOL! Nessie from Lantia, that's great! Maybe they had Nessie or a few of her ancestors in a sea water tank/aquarium in the city when they flew to earth! But how did Nessie end up in Scotland?

Bye, A.

[Buggy542]

LOL! Nessie from Lantia, that's great! Maybe they had Nessie or a few of her ancestors in a sea water tank/aquarium in the city when they flew to earth! But how did Nessie end up in Scotland?

Hmmm... Plot hole? Maybe that lake had optimum water and weather conditions. Or they could have just arbitrarily decided she'd like that lovely lake best.

Anyway, didn't they say something about Merlin being an Ancient? Well he was in England which is close to Scotland...

[Whistler84]

Aw damn. I should have known better than to get my hopes up. This is Stargate, after all. The writers for these two shows remind me of Karen Walker on Will & Grace during an emotional moment.... "Can't talk! Feeling something!"...and she runs away.
God forbid any of the characters let any of their emotions show after the trauma of nearly losing someone they care about to a horrible death.

Then they would be called "weak and too emotional" . . . like Weir.

[Merlin7]

I agree that Epiphany was a waste of opportunities when it comes to Shepp. I would have loved to see more of him and his fears or memories than of this silly and old beast story. And I agree that there should be more character development for Sheppard, or better, more background information. But at least he has enough screentime and I really don't think that pretty much everyone else gets more attention than him. Ronon, Carson and Teyla surely don't have more screentime OR character development.
Of course it's easy for me to say that since I'm a McKay fan and happy that I can see so much of him. But I also like Shepp, and I'd love to see more of him or the others or more team action.

Actually...I think Teyla and Weir both get more character developement. Even Ronon. I know more about Ronon's past than Sheps. Same for Teyla and Weir. I even know Zelenka has a sister and a nephew and Bates has a little bro he loves. I don't know anything at all about Shep. He may get more screen time than Ronon and TEyla and Beckett...but not more characterization. Other than what we get through Joe's fab acting.

What I did love about this ep was the special effects. REally fab with the shield around the jumpers.

[NowIWillDestroyAbydos]

Martin Wood rocks!

Yes he does. when I buy the DVDs, I listen to his and DeLuise's commentaries first.

[NowIWillDestroyAbydos]

The first thing I thought of was the probe from ST IV too.

I think all Trekkies thought of that too.

[Easter Lily]

I'd love to see Shep get this developement. We've had nothing BUT Rodney developement and I admit, I'm not interested in it. Epiphany SHOULD have been like this for SHEp adn WOULD have been had TPTB left in the flashbacks and ditched the stupid invisibeast crap. But...I doubt TPTB will ever focus on any character the way they do Rodney and certainly not Shep. I've seen more focus on pretty much EVERYONE but. Tis sad. Joe's a fab actor and being wasted.

I wonder why they're doing this... apart from the fact that they love the Rodney McKay character... Why are they doing their darndest to avoid any Sheppard backstory or development? It's fortunate for them that Joe Flanigan is such a brilliant actor and rises above the material he's been given because for a lead male, he gets next to nothing... at least this season anyway.
As a fan, I suppose I can speculate that they are keeping all that stuff for bigger and better things... but I need a few more crumbs to keep my optimism alive. A little bit more to suggest that there's something in the pipeline for the character. Unless of course they're gradually leading Rodney into darkside...

[Buggy542]

Unless of course they're gradually leading Rodney into darkside...

ROFL! Forget cookies!

"Come to the darkside, we've got Rodney!"

[Merlin7]

I wonder why they're doing this... apart from the fact that they love the Rodney McKay character... Why are they doing their darndest to avoid any Sheppard backstory or development? It's fortunate for them that Joe Flanigan is such a brilliant actor and rises above the material he's been given because for a lead male, he gets next to nothing... at least this season anyway.
As a fan, I suppose I can speculate that they are keeping all that stuff for bigger and better things... but I need a few more crumbs to keep my optimism alive. A little bit more to suggest that there's something in the pipeline for the character. Unless of course they're gradually leading Rodney into darkside...

If you figure out the deal...please let me know. They've got a fab set up to take Shep anywhere. Joe is good enough to do anything with Shep. What is the mystery. My other wonder is..where is the promise to show us ATLANTIS? I know nothing more about it either. Shep has the gene, is supposed to be special we're in ATLANTIS and the show is supposed to be about ATLANTIS but I'm not getting anything about Atlantis. Or the lead character. Supposed lead. I'm starting to believe TPTB intended to turn SGA into the Sam and Rodney hour all along. LOL

But..the special effects were still neat in this ep, as always and I did get my Shep and Zelenka moments. I guess I'll have to settle for crumbs.

[starfox]

On the issue of Rodney character development v. developing everyone else: I love Rodney and will probably never turn down an opportunity to see Rodney character development. When I say that, I mean real development, like the trust issues they played on in this episode, not just random Rodney screen-time (although that's alright too! ).

That said, I agree with those who wish the writers would catch a clue and start developing some of the other characters. I want more Teyla, I want more Weir, and we need more Shep. I forsee some Carson development at the end of this season; maybe we'll get to see some of the main characters fleshed out in Season 3.

-------

Moving on.


McKay's initial reaction to Carter-hallucination was priceless. Absolutely priceless. "romping"? There are no words.


We got to see more of how Radek reacts in a crisis, and I liked it. Very calm, steady, in control. It's a nice contrast to Rodney's "We're doomed! (insert doom song here) style. I also love that he went with John to save the day, it just *fit* onscreen.
I also have to say that David Nykl does the "thinking, thinking, got it!" facial expression very well. It adds a lot to his scenes in this ep.


John in control, problem-solving, organizing the rescue effort? I loved it. I love how he knew who he needed to call and what exactly they could offer the effort. Showed that he was keeping up with his position as one of the mission leaders.

John calling McKay "buddy" with that warm friendship-y voice made me happy.

John and Zelenka helping Rodney into the jumper also made me happy.

I love how quickly he covered up his hallucination. Makes me wonder if he'll actually tell anyone or just keep his crazy subconcious to himself.

The lack of a post-rescue infirmary scene where Rodney explains the hallucination (or conveniently forgets to mention them) kind of annoyed me. Not strictly necessary, but the ep could have used the closure.


All in all, a pretty good ep. Lacking in things to add to the greater plot arc, but that's okay; I prefer one-offs. I've been adamantly against any full SG-1/SGA crossover, but I can't help but want to see McKay see Carter again, and the awkwardness there.

[IWantToBelieve]

I believe this episode was written by Martin Gero...

Okay, now I'm loosing it. I swear, I looked at the episode info just the other day and it had Carl Binder as writer, it was one of the reasons I was leery of it.

*sigh*

Well, it's a good thing then, he'll get another shot from me, because I'm trying hard to keep an open mind with this guy since I did love Aurora, it's one of my fav. episodes of this season, but I did NOT like Condemned and Hive at all, which were two of his.

[IWantToBelieve]

If you figure out the deal...please let me know. They've got a fab set up to take Shep anywhere. Joe is good enough to do anything with Shep. What is the mystery. My other wonder is..where is the promise to show us ATLANTIS? I know nothing more about it either. Shep has the gene, is supposed to be special we're in ATLANTIS and the show is supposed to be about ATLANTIS but I'm not getting anything about Atlantis. Or the lead character. Supposed lead. I'm starting to believe TPTB intended to turn SGA into the Sam and Rodney hour all along. LOL

But..the special effects were still neat in this ep, as always and I did get my Shep and Zelenka moments. I guess I'll have to settle for crumbs.

You know, I scrolled up backwards from where I made a post and was reading this, nodding, saying yep yep...then I see who wrote it, doh! Of course it's you, we agree on almost everything when it comes to this!!!

[NowIWillDestroyAbydos]

looking at all these posts here on this thread, and I've noticed one thing, no one has mentioned the absence of Beckett, Teyla, and Ronan in the episode.

Odds say, this has been mentioned in a previous post here, and I missed it.

[Arlessiar]

looking at all these posts here on this thread, and I've noticed one thing, no one has mentioned the absence of Beckett, Teyla, and Ronan in the episode.
Odds say, this has been mentioned in a previous post here, and I missed it.

I mentioned it in post #30, and I thought that after that it was mentioned again one or two times by some people.


EDIT: I've read about thirty reviews of this ep now here and on LJ, and it seems that many people think that Ronon, Teyla and Carson wouldn't have fit into the episode and they were thankful that they didn't make an appearance.
Well, personally I think it wouldn't have been that bad if they were in the ep, just to see that they are there, know what's going on and worry for their friend/colleague. And Carson could have delivered some medical background. I love it when the team sticks together in critical moments.
But ok, this way the focus was more on Zelenka, that was also nice.

Bye, A.