Aaah, on with the questions! *rubs hands gleefully*
1) Why do you think TOR so successfully captured the ensemble feel many fans of Atlantis enjoy? What was it about the story that made it different from some of other 'ensemble' episodes?
For me it works so wonderfully because it's a deeply human story. i think D. Kindler never lost that from sight, the fact that he was writing about human beings. He let them show emotions and act emotionally about the things that were happening. The story itself is good, but it's a character driven episode. It's mostly about Rodney, but it's about other people too, and through their interactions we get to see what they mean to each other and how they feel about wach other. It was just wonderful to watch it.
2) Describe Rodney's relationship with the following five in your terms:
a) Ronon -- I think both of them have lots of respect for the other, that deep human respect, but they're guys, you know? They don't go around showing it.
b) Teyla -- I think she matters a great deal to Rodney. I think he'd do anything for her, and also, he doesn't say or show that to her very often. he can be so consumed in things like science and doohickeys. And Teyla understands him well, and Rodney knows he can count on her.
c) Zelenka -- they're best friends and best enemies. I love their dynamics. I think they both respect the other but would never ever say that. And of course there's that scientific rivalry all the way.
d) John -- brothers. I think that single word is enough.
e) Elizabeth -- I think Rodney respects her more than anyone else in the whole Atlantis.
3) What purpose did Zelenka's serious injury serve in furthering the story?
To me it was a hint that Rodney was becoming more and more ancienty, and drawing from knowledge gathered watching SG - 1, that couldn't be a good sign.
4) Rodney's initial reaction to his impending 'death' is to make as many improvements to Atlantis, the Daedalus and other things he can. Why do you think he did this?
Oh, one part of him is all about leaving an important legacy to mankind. Other part of him simply wanted to keep them all safe, once he wasn't around any more. Also, I think he was supressing the freaking out reaction, or he believed he would sort it out somehow - he's a genius after all.
5) Why do you think Elizabeth became the voice of Reason for Rodney's personal struggles? Why not John, Carson, or even Teyla?
I think Rodney would dismiss all of them, but Elizabeth is a category for herself. Like I said, he doesn't respect anyone else quite like that.
6) John seems rather nonchalant at times about Rodney's impending demise, still needling him even when it's imperative Rodney learn to ascend. Do you think this is just John Sheppard's nature? Those of you who've watched S4/S5--Do you think John would have taken the same attitude after the events of Lifeline?
I think the timeline was crucial here. Before FS/Adrift/Lifeline John wasn't tainted with such heartbreaking loss. His core family was still more or less intact, he had strong footing and strong belief all of them together could face anything and come out victorious. After Lifeline it's like half of his heart was ripped out. in The Shrine he was being brave and calm for Rodney's sake, he was acting very mature, but he was dead serious, and beneath his calm, very, very scared and sad.
7) Did you ever feel real fear that we'd lose Rodney at the end of the story? How did you think it would end?
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No, I didn't think we'd lose him, but I couldn't anticipate the ending - which was moving and poignant. I enjoyed it not because the final result was a surprise, but because how it was done. Those scenes where Rodney is dying/ascending, everyone saying goodbye, then a solution, all of them running to save him -- that's what counts. They felt like a family.
8) For a writer to effectively convey that a character has gone through an evolution, the viewer needs to feel different about the character even when he seems 'normal'. How did you feel about Rodney in the final scene of TOR? Was he changed in your mind or not?
A little wiser and more humble I think. And very thankful for surviving the experience.
9) Why do you think the writer included the funny conversation about John's desire to try out the machine, even after everything that happened to Rodney?
To light up the mood. I think it was an awesome move - he dealt with a serious matter rather well, and gave us few lighthearted moments too. I don't think John would really go and try it out, he's not stupid.
10) "Tao" is not an easy concept to explain, but in a nutshell, it is 'being in tune with nature and the universe'--essentially finding the path in life that allows one to harmoniously co-exist with the principles that govern the universe. What is the 'Tao' of Rodney? What do you think he had to do to reach that point where he was in harmony with the life around him?
Oh, that's a tough one. I think he had to recognize what all those people around him really mean to him. Rodney is so self absorbed most of the time, and also completely committed to being the scientist, the genius, the master of snark... he takes people for granted. I think he had to learn how to appreciate all of them.
--Sparky sparky bonus!--
a) What sequence in TOR was 'most sparky' in your mind?
Hm. The lunch - it's everyday thing, it's easy going, it's something they do together all the time. There's that old married couple vibe about it.
b) Do you think Damian Kindler has an appreciation for the Sparky relationship, or does he just find John & Elizabeth easy companions to bring about a few laughs?
I think Damian Kindler recognizes their dynamics as something good and neccesarry. I wouldn't call him an outright shipper, but I think he understands why John and Elizabeth make such good team.
c) Let's have some fun for a moment--John has no problem edging up to Elizabeth throughout this episode--standing beside her, hovering over her, etc. Sticking with canon (sorry, I'm mean
), why do you think this is?
Oh you meanie! I think he wants to be there, wants her to know he's there to help, she can count on him, and not only she, but Rodney too. He's needed there,a nd he needs to be with her on this "case". A shipper in me would say he's making sure she's okay. Protective big puppy that John is!
d) What does the lunch scene mean to you in the grand scheme of things? (be as abstract, succinct, fanon or canon as you want).
2It's a thing we do every day, in case you ever wondered".
1) Why do you think TOR so successfully captured the ensemble feel many fans of Atlantis enjoy? What was it about the story that made it different from some of other 'ensemble' episodes?
For me it works so wonderfully because it's a deeply human story. i think D. Kindler never lost that from sight, the fact that he was writing about human beings. He let them show emotions and act emotionally about the things that were happening. The story itself is good, but it's a character driven episode. It's mostly about Rodney, but it's about other people too, and through their interactions we get to see what they mean to each other and how they feel about wach other. It was just wonderful to watch it.
2) Describe Rodney's relationship with the following five in your terms:
a) Ronon -- I think both of them have lots of respect for the other, that deep human respect, but they're guys, you know? They don't go around showing it.
b) Teyla -- I think she matters a great deal to Rodney. I think he'd do anything for her, and also, he doesn't say or show that to her very often. he can be so consumed in things like science and doohickeys. And Teyla understands him well, and Rodney knows he can count on her.
c) Zelenka -- they're best friends and best enemies. I love their dynamics. I think they both respect the other but would never ever say that. And of course there's that scientific rivalry all the way.
d) John -- brothers. I think that single word is enough.
e) Elizabeth -- I think Rodney respects her more than anyone else in the whole Atlantis.
3) What purpose did Zelenka's serious injury serve in furthering the story?
To me it was a hint that Rodney was becoming more and more ancienty, and drawing from knowledge gathered watching SG - 1, that couldn't be a good sign.
4) Rodney's initial reaction to his impending 'death' is to make as many improvements to Atlantis, the Daedalus and other things he can. Why do you think he did this?
Oh, one part of him is all about leaving an important legacy to mankind. Other part of him simply wanted to keep them all safe, once he wasn't around any more. Also, I think he was supressing the freaking out reaction, or he believed he would sort it out somehow - he's a genius after all.
5) Why do you think Elizabeth became the voice of Reason for Rodney's personal struggles? Why not John, Carson, or even Teyla?
I think Rodney would dismiss all of them, but Elizabeth is a category for herself. Like I said, he doesn't respect anyone else quite like that.
6) John seems rather nonchalant at times about Rodney's impending demise, still needling him even when it's imperative Rodney learn to ascend. Do you think this is just John Sheppard's nature? Those of you who've watched S4/S5--Do you think John would have taken the same attitude after the events of Lifeline?
I think the timeline was crucial here. Before FS/Adrift/Lifeline John wasn't tainted with such heartbreaking loss. His core family was still more or less intact, he had strong footing and strong belief all of them together could face anything and come out victorious. After Lifeline it's like half of his heart was ripped out. in The Shrine he was being brave and calm for Rodney's sake, he was acting very mature, but he was dead serious, and beneath his calm, very, very scared and sad.
7) Did you ever feel real fear that we'd lose Rodney at the end of the story? How did you think it would end?
[/B]
No, I didn't think we'd lose him, but I couldn't anticipate the ending - which was moving and poignant. I enjoyed it not because the final result was a surprise, but because how it was done. Those scenes where Rodney is dying/ascending, everyone saying goodbye, then a solution, all of them running to save him -- that's what counts. They felt like a family.
8) For a writer to effectively convey that a character has gone through an evolution, the viewer needs to feel different about the character even when he seems 'normal'. How did you feel about Rodney in the final scene of TOR? Was he changed in your mind or not?
A little wiser and more humble I think. And very thankful for surviving the experience.
9) Why do you think the writer included the funny conversation about John's desire to try out the machine, even after everything that happened to Rodney?
To light up the mood. I think it was an awesome move - he dealt with a serious matter rather well, and gave us few lighthearted moments too. I don't think John would really go and try it out, he's not stupid.
10) "Tao" is not an easy concept to explain, but in a nutshell, it is 'being in tune with nature and the universe'--essentially finding the path in life that allows one to harmoniously co-exist with the principles that govern the universe. What is the 'Tao' of Rodney? What do you think he had to do to reach that point where he was in harmony with the life around him?
Oh, that's a tough one. I think he had to recognize what all those people around him really mean to him. Rodney is so self absorbed most of the time, and also completely committed to being the scientist, the genius, the master of snark... he takes people for granted. I think he had to learn how to appreciate all of them.
--Sparky sparky bonus!--
a) What sequence in TOR was 'most sparky' in your mind?
Hm. The lunch - it's everyday thing, it's easy going, it's something they do together all the time. There's that old married couple vibe about it.
b) Do you think Damian Kindler has an appreciation for the Sparky relationship, or does he just find John & Elizabeth easy companions to bring about a few laughs?
I think Damian Kindler recognizes their dynamics as something good and neccesarry. I wouldn't call him an outright shipper, but I think he understands why John and Elizabeth make such good team.
c) Let's have some fun for a moment--John has no problem edging up to Elizabeth throughout this episode--standing beside her, hovering over her, etc. Sticking with canon (sorry, I'm mean
), why do you think this is?Oh you meanie! I think he wants to be there, wants her to know he's there to help, she can count on him, and not only she, but Rodney too. He's needed there,a nd he needs to be with her on this "case". A shipper in me would say he's making sure she's okay. Protective big puppy that John is!
d) What does the lunch scene mean to you in the grand scheme of things? (be as abstract, succinct, fanon or canon as you want).
2It's a thing we do every day, in case you ever wondered".
) hehehehe
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