'Ghost In the Machine' (505) General Discussion

[Ncc-72452]

I'd almost think of this ep as an olive branch to TH. They outlined a perfect way to bring her back. Example: Team Atlantis encounters one of the new technologically advanced races that she mentioned. They realize that she has intel on them after being in their computer. They go via PJ to fetch Iced Ole' Weir Awaitiningactivation (IOWA), reactivate her, and let her build a new body. Initiate brain transfer, and presto! One former character reinvented!

I would kill for that...

[SamJackShipper93]

I think he meant, there was something of Elizabeth left inside her, because like her, she sacrificed herself for the good of Atlantis/Pegasus. So even though she betrayed Atlantis to bring her other replibuddies there, she still did the right thing in the end.

I have to say by the time she admitted to John what she'd done, I was seeing her as Weir, and I was completely shocked she'd been lying! Still it made sense as there was just a bit of her essence left and a lot had happened to her since she was human. I loved that aspect of the episode. Also loved how John called her on it and her shock in response.

The VFX around the planet of flying monkeys were amazing. As was the city sinking. The VFX are just a step above this year, and they were great last year!

Great episode. It reminds me of some sci fi episode of something where beings refused to leave human bodies for robots. But this was the reverse.

Thanks, and yeah, I was really shocked by that too. For me, that was the only time I actually had some doubts about whether or not she was actually Elizabeth.

[A Wraith Named Bob]

I thought tonight's episode was by no means a bad episode, but I found it didn't keep my interest. I'm not sure why, but who knows...

[Ncc-72452]

I think he meant, there was something of Elizabeth left inside her, because like her, she sacrificed herself for the good of Atlantis/Pegasus. So even though she betrayed Atlantis to bring her other replibuddies there, she still did the right thing in the end.

I have to say by the time she admitted to John what she'd done, I was seeing her as Weir, and I was completely shocked she'd been lying! Still it made sense as there was just a bit of her essence left and a lot had happened to her since she was human. I loved that aspect of the episode. Also loved how John called her on it and her shock in response.

The VFX around the planet of flying monkeys were amazing. As was the city sinking. The VFX are just a step above this year, and they were great last year!

Great episode. It reminds me of some sci fi episode of something where beings refused to leave human bodies for robots. But this was the reverse.

I too have to admit that I was shocked that she had been lying. That seemed quite a bit out of character to me. She had always been honest to Shepard, McKay, and Teyla. Maybe it was meant to show just how desperate she was. IDK...

[KindlyKeller]

This episode was excellent. And you know what's ironic about the whole thing.. I was picturing Torri the entire time, not Fran. Torri Higginson is such a excellent actress that even the "feel" of her presence could bring life and much needed chemistry to SGA.

I think that's more a credit to the excellent performance of the actress who portrayed her in this episode. Being able to picture Torri during the episode is very telling of how the actress had her cadence and mannerisms down.

[Infernorhythm]

I think that's more a credit to the excellent performance of the actress who portrayed her in this episode. Being able to picture Torri during the episode is very telling of how the actress had her cadence and mannerisms down.

Agreed.

I'd love to see Torri Higginson and Michelle Morgan in a film together and see them play off each other. That would be interesting.

[Briangate78]

This ep reminds me of Miller's Crossing - interesting with some nice tension and character moments. And then a breathtaking ending. I found lots of good stuff here.

* Atlantis still looking for an alpha site
* flying monkeys!
* the stargate's thrusters moving it back into position after the jumper hit it; maybe I've seen it before; I know I've seen manually done, but I thought it was cool that it automatically adjusted
* Zelenka and Chuck!
* the hesitancy throughout by everyone regarding whether it was really Weir - they really wanted to believe but life in Pegasus has taught them a few lessons
* an answer to what the group of Replicators intended at the end of BAMSR. While I suspected that was Weir's plan, it's nice to have it confirmed.
* the awkward scene with Teyla - Weir/FRAn acted like they were old friends catching up and Teyla had no idea what to believe. It was good to find out the Athosians were off-world (setting up a new settlement I assume) and that Torren was there. It's also a nice touch having "Weir" know who Kanaan is.
* Woolsey standing up to them - really nice moment for him

But the ending... just WOW. First finding out "Weir" had been lying to them, John's accusation that she was no longer Weir was an obvious blow to her, her killing the other Replicator and the look on John's face as it happened - I couldn't decide if he was surprised by her actions or concerned that he was next. Her refusal to accept their help out of a need to protect the city - pure Weir. But never in a million years did I guess they had rerouted the DHD to dial a space gate. The look on their faces (especially John's) after the gate shut down was heartbreaking as was Rodney's words (his tone!) about no doubt now that it was really Weir. I LOVE that the writers have kept with the concept that she will sacrifice herself for the others. But, as always, no one ever dies in sci-fi. They can scoop her up and bring her back online anytime they want.

A nice ep with a powerfully emotional ending.

Excellent review, and I agree totally. The Sheppard and well Weir(FRAN) moments were done so well. The ending really shocked me and I had chills seeing her body float in space and shutting down.

I have been saying Atlantis has gotten dark, and this just shows how deep they can get into the darkness.

The last line from Rodney was just, very powerful.

[Ruffles]

Forgot to mention - LOVED finding out there are other technologically advanced races out there. Woo hoo!

But I am a little confused at the end. What did Rodney mean we he said "I guess that answers the question as to whether or not it was Elizabeth"? Was it because she knowingly sacrificed herself and the other Replicators to ensure Atlantis's safety and that's how they knew it really was her? Bit confuzzled.

Not only was it her plan to go through a spacegate, she "communicated" to the other Replicators that it was safe to come through. Remember the other woman closing her eyes after "Weir" went through then telling the others it was safe? Weir had enough power left to communicate with them to convince them to come through. Gutsy.

[Ncc-72452]

Anyone notice who directed this?

[Ruined_puzzle]

That was utterly brilliant.

First off, yes, I wanted Tori Higginson back. She's a brillaint actress (hell, the entire SG cast deserves big, A-list roles), but Michelle Morgan was great as Weir. She had Higginson's mannerisms and cadence down perfectly. I was unsure of the casting choice at first, but it was really well done.

Secondly, the story. Wow. The entire opening bit was full of character moments and was just a great slice of life for the team. Flying monkeys, I love it! The Puddle Jumper losing power and the crash with the gate was insane. I held my breath at that scene. I'm so glad Sci-Fi finally gave Atlantis a decent budget, the CGI has been breathtaking this season.

The mystery of what was going on with Atlantis was expertly paced. I knew Weir was coming, but just the way it was done worked on so many levels. The character moments with Weir were great on so many levels. Teyla bonding with her, McKay trying to make up for his actions (the guilt angle was really neat), and Ronon not wanting to be tricked again (when thinking of "This Mortal Coil", his actions here are perfectly justified). I am NOT a shipper, but there is definitely a connection between Weir and Sheppard and it was great to see that played up again, and to see Flanigan and Morgan pull it off.

I LOVED the sudden break out from Korazon. The camera work was great; the slow zoom to a double shot of Ronon and the computer screen as Korazon turns to the camera was a really well done shot. Well, there was a lot of good camera work, especially in the first voice conversation with Weir over the computer. It makes sense that the Asurans would be adverse to human bodies, and that they would pursue Ascension. They have been denied it, and they do not want to be forced to become what they were passed up for: human.

The last scene, wow. I kind of expected it, but the way the scene was staged still surprised me. That was definitely a Weir-choice. Very sad at the end. And the last look between Sheppard and Weir, yeah, great acting.

I really hope this isn't the end of the story. I mean, it was great, and could work as closure, but at the same time the story is so good I want it to go on. I was seriously bummed when Weir left, and even more bummed that Tori wouldn't come back, but Lifeline, This Mortal Coil, and Ghost in the Machine have really given Sheppard and Weir some great, serious, and engaging drama.

Ghost in the Machine: 6/5!

Best episode of the season so far, and the season has rocked.

Okay you just seriously made me want to watch this episode. And that hasn't happened since s3.

[tombombadil]

woolsey finally acted the way we're used to though. i liked that. nice goody goody woolsey was bugging me. but thinking about it, it makes sense. you don't want to be a jerk when you first show up, you have to ease into it, so you can make a good impression.

[Ruffles]

Anyone notice who directed this?

Ken Girotti (something like that).

[Ncc-72452]

Okay you just seriously made me want to watch this episode. And that hasn't happened since s3.

I would totally recommend it, but be prepared for that ending. I consider Season 4 to be, to quote Obi-Wan Kenobi, "the dark times, before the Empire," but I have stuck with it and this episode made it worth it, IMO.

[Ncc-72452]

Ken Girotti (something like that).

Thanks! I've never heard of him, but thanks!!!

[SgaIsBad]

Without Torri as the original actress, Michelle Morgan wouldn't have much to go off of. Are we happy they she can imitate a former actress on the show????? The character of Weir is nothing, without Tori developing it.