This is spoiler-ific, so the whole thing’s in spoiler space.
Spoiler:
I just watched PU for the second time, then came here to look over the latest comments about it. There seems to be a pretty solid split between like and absolute hate, with no middle ground to be found.
One of the things that has drawn a lot of ire is Vala’s blatant sexual comments toward Daniel. (I’ve seen ‘vamp’ and ‘sex obsessed nympho’ tossed around.) Claudia Black described the character as manipulative, and it’s apparent that sexuality is a tool in Vala’s arsenal. She was using other tools as well, that are getting overlooked.
While she tried to appeal to Daniel with sexuality throughout the episode, she used two other methods of manipulation. First she tried using pain and fear. She had him tied up, threatened him, and eventually shot him to try to draw out information. This, folks, is plain, old-fashioned torture.
When that didn’t work, she turned on the charm. That failed, too, and Daniel eventually gained the upper hand. I think she realized when she woke up in the brig how he thought, and what would really get to him. He had obviously taken great care to get her to the brig (alive!), and not leave her naked after he took her armor. Certainly she realized she had not been mistreated in any other way. This would have told her that Daniel respected human dignity and life.
So she appealed to his sympathy by sharing her own story of slavery to a Goa’uld, which I suspect is mostly true. Mixed in with that, she wove a tale of desperate refugees, trying to escape Ba’al’s clutches. It was a story he had really experienced, dozens of times. And even though he was suspicious of her, he essentially bought into it.
I’ll be the first to admit that this episode was mainly just a bit of fun before the heavy-hitting episodes that will finish the season. That said, there was some skilled characterization, and an interesting set up to re-introduce the character next season. She didn’t leave on the best of terms, and she won't come back on them, either.
One of the things that has drawn a lot of ire is Vala’s blatant sexual comments toward Daniel. (I’ve seen ‘vamp’ and ‘sex obsessed nympho’ tossed around.) Claudia Black described the character as manipulative, and it’s apparent that sexuality is a tool in Vala’s arsenal. She was using other tools as well, that are getting overlooked.
While she tried to appeal to Daniel with sexuality throughout the episode, she used two other methods of manipulation. First she tried using pain and fear. She had him tied up, threatened him, and eventually shot him to try to draw out information. This, folks, is plain, old-fashioned torture.
When that didn’t work, she turned on the charm. That failed, too, and Daniel eventually gained the upper hand. I think she realized when she woke up in the brig how he thought, and what would really get to him. He had obviously taken great care to get her to the brig (alive!), and not leave her naked after he took her armor. Certainly she realized she had not been mistreated in any other way. This would have told her that Daniel respected human dignity and life.
So she appealed to his sympathy by sharing her own story of slavery to a Goa’uld, which I suspect is mostly true. Mixed in with that, she wove a tale of desperate refugees, trying to escape Ba’al’s clutches. It was a story he had really experienced, dozens of times. And even though he was suspicious of her, he essentially bought into it.
I’ll be the first to admit that this episode was mainly just a bit of fun before the heavy-hitting episodes that will finish the season. That said, there was some skilled characterization, and an interesting set up to re-introduce the character next season. She didn’t leave on the best of terms, and she won't come back on them, either.
TEAM SG1 LIVES
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