Originally posted by dasNdanger
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Okay - first - I'm not getting into any moral debates here outside of the one that I will always stand by - that genocide of Wraith - NO MATTER how they feed - is wrong. That's it, and that's all I will say about moral issues.
Now - about Infection. Maybe I'm the only one who loved this episode, but I just want to make a few comments, some that I have already made - some that have been clarified in my mind...
EDIT: One last thing:
das
Now - about Infection. Maybe I'm the only one who loved this episode, but I just want to make a few comments, some that I have already made - some that have been clarified in my mind...
Spoiler:
This was a great episode for many reasons (outside of the genocidal talk). First, we had excellent interaction between Sheppard, and Todd. Yes - Sheppard decided to go with a plan that would kill the crew...and his neck was only saved in this regard when he could tell Todd that the crew died - not due to the Lanteans - but due to hull failure. But you have to look at both sides here - the Lanteans could not risk dealing with Wraith zombies and a disintegrating ship at the same time. Todd, of course, wanted just to save his crew from the illness that he had inadvertently inflicted upon them - he certainly must have felt a certain amount of guilt in this matter, and it was eating him alive. He so wanted to save them...save them from what he was partly responsible for doing to them, so much so that he was willing to risk a jump to hyperspace, and an oft times fatal treatment with an iratus bug. I cannot fault Sheppard for deciding to shut down the hibernation revival system, nor can I fault Todd for wanting to take extraordinary risks in order to save his crew.
They were both thinking of survival - not just their own - but for those under them. They both were doing what had to be done - only...we know that Todd's plan would not have worked, the ship failed to soon.
As far as the compassion discussion - this was one of my favorite parts. First, in First Contact we saw Todd openly display a sort of compassion, or empathy, for Wraith and their future, then quickly he shook off this moment's weakness. But Keller saw it, and knew. So, when the subject comes up in Infection, she makes him acknowledge that Wraith only see compassion as weakness. In the past, Todd has never seen Sheppard as 'compassionate', he's only seen Sheppard as one commander making deals with another...and we ALL know that Sheppard made deals that would - first and foremost - benefit HUMANS. The well-being of Wraith was never a consideration. Todd knows this - he has seen Teyla use her power to kill Wraith, even when she was supposedly trying to help them, and same with Sheppard...not wanting to find the iratus planet because it would mean restoring dying Wraith to health, giving them back their life.
So, this is the man Todd sees. Yes, Sheppard fed him Wallace, but Todd did not see that as an act of compassion, he saw it as the only way humans could get him to finish his work. However, I do think he played on their compassion - their weakness - to get that meal a bit sooner than he actually needed it, but he played on Rodney's compassion, not Sheppard's. I say this because he saw Rodney's compassion when he was pleading for his sister - so Todd knew he could exploit this 'weakness' in Rodney.
However, Keller points out to Todd that Sheppard IS compassionate, he is trying to save lives despite using different 'tools'. Those tools are not always weapons - sometimes those tools are words, or even just decisions made. It at least gives Todd something to think about...that maybe some decisions are not based solely on deals made. Now, jumping forward a bit...
"You owe me this, Sheppard." Pivotal moment here in their relationship. Todd looks at his palm before saying that - yes, Sheppard owes him because Todd has forfeited everything - even his ability to feed - at the urgings of the Lanteans.
Sheppard, on the other hand, clearly sees Todd for what he really is - Todd has revealed his true nature - what he will do if pushed too far...and I think Todd realizes it, too. Wraith WILL kill humans, no matter how much they like or respect them. Todd was ready, at that moment, to kill the best human friend he has ever had. It was a wake-up call for Todd, I believe...and is why he was 'pouting' in the cell. He had lost control, he showed himself for what he really was - no more pretending around Sheppard - Sheppard knows that he will kill, if given the chance...it is his nature, it is his instinct. It was all a beautiful moment - it was Todd, being Wraith...not being Sheppard's pet.
But now they need Todd's help, and Sheppard must ask him to save THEIR lives, not his. Todd knows he's dying, has little hope left...a quick death would be preferrable. The way Chris delivered that 'quick death' line was perfect. Instead of softly mumbling the words under his breath, as if feeling sorry for himself, he shows no weakness and shouts it out. He's not looking for Sheppard's pity, his 'compassion'. And yet, in a way he gets it anyway: help Sheppard, and Sheppard will take him to his bug planet.
In the end, Sheppard lets Todd go (it can be said that compassion was also shown Todd by rescuing him from the sinking ship along with the others, too). Todd says that he 'appreciates' it, and Sheppard gets a little squirmy, and says that he gave his word. But I think Todd sees it differently - I think Todd has come to understand Sheppard's compassion. He had shown Sheppard his worst side, that - if he could have drained the life from him - he would have, without hesitation. And yet, Sheppard gives him a chance to survive, perhaps even a chance to regain the ability to feed. He made a decision to set Todd free - that decision being a 'tool' at his disposal - potentially saving his life, even though he knows Todd is a continuing threat to him, and all humans in the galaxy. Still...despite everything that has happened - he's willing to give Todd the benefit of the doubt. That is compassionate on Sheppard's part - not a deal made, or a word of honor given - and I think Todd finally understands it.
It was all very well done - the second part especially - and IF they keep Todd and Sheppard's relationship on this level (instead of the constant threats of death), then I will be very happy.
I swear, the more I watch the last half of this episode, the more teary-eyed I get, especially during the interactions between Todd and Sheppard. I think they did get it right, and I hope this trend continues through the end of the series, and into the movie.
They were both thinking of survival - not just their own - but for those under them. They both were doing what had to be done - only...we know that Todd's plan would not have worked, the ship failed to soon.
As far as the compassion discussion - this was one of my favorite parts. First, in First Contact we saw Todd openly display a sort of compassion, or empathy, for Wraith and their future, then quickly he shook off this moment's weakness. But Keller saw it, and knew. So, when the subject comes up in Infection, she makes him acknowledge that Wraith only see compassion as weakness. In the past, Todd has never seen Sheppard as 'compassionate', he's only seen Sheppard as one commander making deals with another...and we ALL know that Sheppard made deals that would - first and foremost - benefit HUMANS. The well-being of Wraith was never a consideration. Todd knows this - he has seen Teyla use her power to kill Wraith, even when she was supposedly trying to help them, and same with Sheppard...not wanting to find the iratus planet because it would mean restoring dying Wraith to health, giving them back their life.
So, this is the man Todd sees. Yes, Sheppard fed him Wallace, but Todd did not see that as an act of compassion, he saw it as the only way humans could get him to finish his work. However, I do think he played on their compassion - their weakness - to get that meal a bit sooner than he actually needed it, but he played on Rodney's compassion, not Sheppard's. I say this because he saw Rodney's compassion when he was pleading for his sister - so Todd knew he could exploit this 'weakness' in Rodney.
However, Keller points out to Todd that Sheppard IS compassionate, he is trying to save lives despite using different 'tools'. Those tools are not always weapons - sometimes those tools are words, or even just decisions made. It at least gives Todd something to think about...that maybe some decisions are not based solely on deals made. Now, jumping forward a bit...
"You owe me this, Sheppard." Pivotal moment here in their relationship. Todd looks at his palm before saying that - yes, Sheppard owes him because Todd has forfeited everything - even his ability to feed - at the urgings of the Lanteans.
Sheppard, on the other hand, clearly sees Todd for what he really is - Todd has revealed his true nature - what he will do if pushed too far...and I think Todd realizes it, too. Wraith WILL kill humans, no matter how much they like or respect them. Todd was ready, at that moment, to kill the best human friend he has ever had. It was a wake-up call for Todd, I believe...and is why he was 'pouting' in the cell. He had lost control, he showed himself for what he really was - no more pretending around Sheppard - Sheppard knows that he will kill, if given the chance...it is his nature, it is his instinct. It was all a beautiful moment - it was Todd, being Wraith...not being Sheppard's pet.
But now they need Todd's help, and Sheppard must ask him to save THEIR lives, not his. Todd knows he's dying, has little hope left...a quick death would be preferrable. The way Chris delivered that 'quick death' line was perfect. Instead of softly mumbling the words under his breath, as if feeling sorry for himself, he shows no weakness and shouts it out. He's not looking for Sheppard's pity, his 'compassion'. And yet, in a way he gets it anyway: help Sheppard, and Sheppard will take him to his bug planet.
In the end, Sheppard lets Todd go (it can be said that compassion was also shown Todd by rescuing him from the sinking ship along with the others, too). Todd says that he 'appreciates' it, and Sheppard gets a little squirmy, and says that he gave his word. But I think Todd sees it differently - I think Todd has come to understand Sheppard's compassion. He had shown Sheppard his worst side, that - if he could have drained the life from him - he would have, without hesitation. And yet, Sheppard gives him a chance to survive, perhaps even a chance to regain the ability to feed. He made a decision to set Todd free - that decision being a 'tool' at his disposal - potentially saving his life, even though he knows Todd is a continuing threat to him, and all humans in the galaxy. Still...despite everything that has happened - he's willing to give Todd the benefit of the doubt. That is compassionate on Sheppard's part - not a deal made, or a word of honor given - and I think Todd finally understands it.
It was all very well done - the second part especially - and IF they keep Todd and Sheppard's relationship on this level (instead of the constant threats of death), then I will be very happy.
I swear, the more I watch the last half of this episode, the more teary-eyed I get, especially during the interactions between Todd and Sheppard. I think they did get it right, and I hope this trend continues through the end of the series, and into the movie.
EDIT: One last thing:
Spoiler:
I believe when Todd zoned out while bringing down the ship that - perhaps - he was linked telepathically with the ship - he was one with the ship at that moment. I have asked Mallozzi about this, especially in light of the questions I had about The Seed that he said he couldn't answer then - but to stay tuned.
das
I think the idea of compassion and Shep's tools are spot on. And yes, Shep likes Todd; as much as Todd likes Shep, always colored by their own feelings as human and Wraith.
As an aside: When Keller called Shep to tell him that Todd wanted to speak with him--I wonder if Todd was there and finally heard the name they were calling him?
BTW, a thought just crossed my mind--in German, the word for death is Todt. Do you suppose when they named Todd (the writers, I mean) they thought of the similiarity? Because if they have, then Todd is not quite such a 'cute' name.
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