Okay, thank you for putting up with me. And, I am very sorry I've done this instead of "Remnants" recap as I promised. However, bot episodes are equally relevant to Sparky and the way John has changed due to the loss of Elizabeth.
Next thing we learn, John resigns his position. Why, it isn’t completely certain. Perhaps because he has enough money? Or perhaps that there could be another reason for his existence? He is wearing a new, clean white shirt and – a cross. Talk about symbolism here. Also, the only thing John takes with him, from his office, is his Johnny Cash poster.
After this, we proceed toward the conclusion of the story. John is free to go, and for a moment it looks like he is going to take the money and run away – which would leave him the same dishonored man he is ever since Afghanistan accident.
Take a note of the music that’s playing here. We finally hear Johnny Cash in SGA, and the song that was picked (by JF and RCC)? “Solitary Man”. I don’t think I need to tell you just how and why this particular song is so appropriate.
A small Sparky tidbit. John’s car is red.
Even in redemption, John still remains tainted (which is something I LOVE). Remember this bag?
And yes, he feels guilty about it.
And as John drives he thinks about everything that had happened, and suddenly connects all the pieces into a whole. Which is where the true change of character takes place, and he turns back to do a good thing for the right reason, no matter what it’s going to cost him.
John finds the Wraith. He calls Rodney who tries to warn him not to do anything by himself, but John doesn’t hear him. And just as our John, this John is a one man army. He goes to face the danger by himself. Wrong decision.
A shootout between John and the Wraith follows. John’s car ends up pierced with bullets, like in “The Godfather”, and John ends up shot.
(But not before we were given some of the finest thunk moments of SGA. Spoilered for the cause of propriety.)
John is badly wounded....
The Wraith is about to feed on him, but the good guys are faster. However, our bad guy still manages to send his message through subspace (as McKay explains to us all), which causes the events in the following (and the final) episode of the series.
The Wraith is destroyed, albeit too late.
Finally, another thing that never happened in SGA happens here – John Sheppard, the man who never wanted to be the hero, actually dies, with nobody around to witness his sacrifice or his bravery. His effort was acknowledged by Rodney, however, the fact remains that John dies in the desert, completely alone – in the same way he spent a significant part of his life (and again, there is a voice of Johnny Cash with us).
I can't help but think how strangely pacified he looks here.
Goodbye, John. No matter what anyone says, you are a hero.
Finally, done! I may come up with discussion questions later, but if anyone else wants to do them, be my guest. And please, discuss! This episode simply deserves it.
It's hard to sum everything up simply - I LOVE this episode to the bits, because of it's great writing, amazingly done AU, care for the continuity, smart telling with bits and details that matter. I love the camera work, the way CSI was emulated, the dialogue. I even love the ending nobody had expected. As far as I am concerned, this is one of the best, if not even the single best episode of SGA. It made a great homage to it's older sister in style, CSI; but it was also a great dedication to everything SGA wasn't, but could have been - a truly compelling, amazingly written show.
Also, this is the single true Shepisode we ever had, where John Sheppard is the lead without any doubt (despite McKay having more lines than him). Also, I've mentioned dozen of times, this is where we see Joe Flanigan giving us his very best acting, turning John Sheppard inside out and helping us all see what John is really about.
Finally, even though Elizabeth wasn't mentioned here, everything about John, from his scruffy, neglected outlook, to his flaws of character scream lack of Elizabeth Weir's influence in his life. If that's not a true confirmation of Sparky, or at least the strength and importance of John - Elizabeth bond, then I don't know what it is.
Spoiler:
Next thing we learn, John resigns his position. Why, it isn’t completely certain. Perhaps because he has enough money? Or perhaps that there could be another reason for his existence? He is wearing a new, clean white shirt and – a cross. Talk about symbolism here. Also, the only thing John takes with him, from his office, is his Johnny Cash poster.
After this, we proceed toward the conclusion of the story. John is free to go, and for a moment it looks like he is going to take the money and run away – which would leave him the same dishonored man he is ever since Afghanistan accident.
Take a note of the music that’s playing here. We finally hear Johnny Cash in SGA, and the song that was picked (by JF and RCC)? “Solitary Man”. I don’t think I need to tell you just how and why this particular song is so appropriate.
A small Sparky tidbit. John’s car is red.
Even in redemption, John still remains tainted (which is something I LOVE). Remember this bag?
And yes, he feels guilty about it.
And as John drives he thinks about everything that had happened, and suddenly connects all the pieces into a whole. Which is where the true change of character takes place, and he turns back to do a good thing for the right reason, no matter what it’s going to cost him.
John finds the Wraith. He calls Rodney who tries to warn him not to do anything by himself, but John doesn’t hear him. And just as our John, this John is a one man army. He goes to face the danger by himself. Wrong decision.
A shootout between John and the Wraith follows. John’s car ends up pierced with bullets, like in “The Godfather”, and John ends up shot.
Spoiler:
(But not before we were given some of the finest thunk moments of SGA. Spoilered for the cause of propriety.)
John is badly wounded....
The Wraith is about to feed on him, but the good guys are faster. However, our bad guy still manages to send his message through subspace (as McKay explains to us all), which causes the events in the following (and the final) episode of the series.
The Wraith is destroyed, albeit too late.
Finally, another thing that never happened in SGA happens here – John Sheppard, the man who never wanted to be the hero, actually dies, with nobody around to witness his sacrifice or his bravery. His effort was acknowledged by Rodney, however, the fact remains that John dies in the desert, completely alone – in the same way he spent a significant part of his life (and again, there is a voice of Johnny Cash with us).
I can't help but think how strangely pacified he looks here.
Goodbye, John. No matter what anyone says, you are a hero.
Finally, done! I may come up with discussion questions later, but if anyone else wants to do them, be my guest. And please, discuss! This episode simply deserves it.
It's hard to sum everything up simply - I LOVE this episode to the bits, because of it's great writing, amazingly done AU, care for the continuity, smart telling with bits and details that matter. I love the camera work, the way CSI was emulated, the dialogue. I even love the ending nobody had expected. As far as I am concerned, this is one of the best, if not even the single best episode of SGA. It made a great homage to it's older sister in style, CSI; but it was also a great dedication to everything SGA wasn't, but could have been - a truly compelling, amazingly written show.
Also, this is the single true Shepisode we ever had, where John Sheppard is the lead without any doubt (despite McKay having more lines than him). Also, I've mentioned dozen of times, this is where we see Joe Flanigan giving us his very best acting, turning John Sheppard inside out and helping us all see what John is really about.
Finally, even though Elizabeth wasn't mentioned here, everything about John, from his scruffy, neglected outlook, to his flaws of character scream lack of Elizabeth Weir's influence in his life. If that's not a true confirmation of Sparky, or at least the strength and importance of John - Elizabeth bond, then I don't know what it is.
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