Multiple viewing value of a DVD episode depends a lot on how well the viewer can mentally "paper over" continuity issues or holes in the plot. A SciFi affectionato can normally be expected to do a lot toward preserving the "suspension of disbelief" but there are limits and boundaries that, once exceeded, break the episode. A broken episode is then devalued to throwaway or perhaps very limited as a nostalgia keepsake. Fortunately, there are many episodes in the DVD set that remain enjoyable to watch over and over again (imo), unfortunately, with a big gaping hole in the plot unresolved, this is not one of them.
I'm thinking that someday the state of technology may improve to the point that episode "patches" or "upgrades" might be possible the way they are for computer software now. This seems especially feasible when the primary means of purchase becomes digital downloading. It seems to me that any helpful things cooked up now might eventually filter their way up such that future "re-releases" with a their hypothetical "service pack" of options might be all that much better. In fact, I'm not sure why right now a DVD viewer can't program select to have a "deleted scene" spliced back in if they desire. Maybe that could be the next step in tech to anticipate on the way. Wouldn't it be cool if one could select the "mood" of an episode depending on which scenes are used, e.g., more action, less action but more character moments, more humor, skip certain humor, etc.
Sheppard Spacesuit Scene Recap:
Statement of the Sheppard Spacesuit Problem:
The big problem is that there is no way in heck that Sheppard could have gotten into that spacesuit by himself, especially in his near-death condition. Even if he could, though it's clearly impossible in the Stargate world as well as our own, he would not still be hanging on the wall, which also makes no sense. It's barely plausible that a fully functional McKay, aka spacesuit expert, could have gotten him out of the suit, in the amount of time available. Other than the fact that Sheppard, essentially ordered McKay to get him out of the suit, why not just drag Sheppard, suit and all, into the jumper. Nevertheless, with a seconds to spare, all of them fly away in the jumper, with spacesuit-free Sheppard at the controls, no less.
How Sheppard got into the suit is by far, the worst gaping hole in the plot, fatal in the sense of destroying suspension of disbelief unless some way can be conceived to bridge the gap. The only thing we have going for us is that we have 10-15 minutes of off camera story time in which something can happen to save the day.
The challenge is to devise something that could have happened off camera and preserve continuity, as opposed to something that would require rewriting and reshooting the existing scenes, such as adding an emergency air closet for Sheppard to crawl into.
Sheppard Spacesuit WT Solution
Definitely talking ex deux machina territory here. Or...maybe just ex machina...
So, my first attempt was to apply what might be called, the Wallace and Grommit "Wrong Trousers" solution: (In the spirit of Episode 200 in SG1)
The (previously off camera) scene begins with Sheppard laying unconscious on the floor.
Two long robotic maintenance arms controlled by the station's A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) spring forth from trap doors in the ceiling. They industriously unscrew the helmut off the wall-mounted suit, then reach down to grasp at Sheppard. We now notice that Sheppard's arms, in the clutch of robotic hands, are compactly pinned to each side of his torso as he is hoisted above the now headless spacesuit body. They summarily stuff him down through the hole, feet first, then quickly screw the top back on.
The mechanical hands slap their palms together in glancing blows, job well done, but then pause. One hand raises its forefinger in the air, as if having an afterthought. Suddenly the other robotic hand flourishes a feather duster, brushes the suit with a few quick strokes. The other jointed metallic hand, thumb to tip of forefinger, gestures the "OK" sign while we are treated to the classic "ping" sound and pinpoint flash of light that signifies that the suit is now sparkling clean. The pair go limp, then rapidly retract and disappear back up into the ceiling.
That's why later, Sheppard asks for help getting out because his arms aren't actually in the sleeves of the suit, you see.
We never see maintenance people swabbing the decks or polishing rails. Why wouldn't there be robotic maintenance arms poised behind regularly spaced doorways throughout the station that take care of such routine tasks when we are not looking? The station sure looks clean and has a computer, after all.
A really breathtaking portrayal of A.I. controlled robotic arms can be seen in an episode near the end of Season Three of a different franchise, Star Trek "Enterprise". They're inside a giant sphere that is more-or-less a giant space station. But that's there and this is here.
Alas, we never see robot tech in SG except mostly human form. And replicators are too too dangerous, even "friendly" ones, (regrettably, even Like Eva, in "Outcast"). And, have to admit, the Midway's computer is dumber than a shell-face wraith drone. I guess the station just looks clean because it's new.
Various "...Complaints and Misgivings" threads in the forum here have a some related good stuff in them. But this thread is hopefully to be about "Midway" episode-specific solutions now that problems are identified. It has also been proposed that maybe one of Sheppard's ascended girlfriends helped him. Perhaps call that the "AG Solution". A few kinks to work out, but promising... Very promising.
I'm thinking that someday the state of technology may improve to the point that episode "patches" or "upgrades" might be possible the way they are for computer software now. This seems especially feasible when the primary means of purchase becomes digital downloading. It seems to me that any helpful things cooked up now might eventually filter their way up such that future "re-releases" with a their hypothetical "service pack" of options might be all that much better. In fact, I'm not sure why right now a DVD viewer can't program select to have a "deleted scene" spliced back in if they desire. Maybe that could be the next step in tech to anticipate on the way. Wouldn't it be cool if one could select the "mood" of an episode depending on which scenes are used, e.g., more action, less action but more character moments, more humor, skip certain humor, etc.
Sheppard Spacesuit Scene Recap:
Spoiler:
Statement of the Sheppard Spacesuit Problem:
The big problem is that there is no way in heck that Sheppard could have gotten into that spacesuit by himself, especially in his near-death condition. Even if he could, though it's clearly impossible in the Stargate world as well as our own, he would not still be hanging on the wall, which also makes no sense. It's barely plausible that a fully functional McKay, aka spacesuit expert, could have gotten him out of the suit, in the amount of time available. Other than the fact that Sheppard, essentially ordered McKay to get him out of the suit, why not just drag Sheppard, suit and all, into the jumper. Nevertheless, with a seconds to spare, all of them fly away in the jumper, with spacesuit-free Sheppard at the controls, no less.
How Sheppard got into the suit is by far, the worst gaping hole in the plot, fatal in the sense of destroying suspension of disbelief unless some way can be conceived to bridge the gap. The only thing we have going for us is that we have 10-15 minutes of off camera story time in which something can happen to save the day.
The challenge is to devise something that could have happened off camera and preserve continuity, as opposed to something that would require rewriting and reshooting the existing scenes, such as adding an emergency air closet for Sheppard to crawl into.
Sheppard Spacesuit WT Solution
Definitely talking ex deux machina territory here. Or...maybe just ex machina...
So, my first attempt was to apply what might be called, the Wallace and Grommit "Wrong Trousers" solution: (In the spirit of Episode 200 in SG1)
The (previously off camera) scene begins with Sheppard laying unconscious on the floor.
Two long robotic maintenance arms controlled by the station's A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) spring forth from trap doors in the ceiling. They industriously unscrew the helmut off the wall-mounted suit, then reach down to grasp at Sheppard. We now notice that Sheppard's arms, in the clutch of robotic hands, are compactly pinned to each side of his torso as he is hoisted above the now headless spacesuit body. They summarily stuff him down through the hole, feet first, then quickly screw the top back on.
The mechanical hands slap their palms together in glancing blows, job well done, but then pause. One hand raises its forefinger in the air, as if having an afterthought. Suddenly the other robotic hand flourishes a feather duster, brushes the suit with a few quick strokes. The other jointed metallic hand, thumb to tip of forefinger, gestures the "OK" sign while we are treated to the classic "ping" sound and pinpoint flash of light that signifies that the suit is now sparkling clean. The pair go limp, then rapidly retract and disappear back up into the ceiling.
That's why later, Sheppard asks for help getting out because his arms aren't actually in the sleeves of the suit, you see.
We never see maintenance people swabbing the decks or polishing rails. Why wouldn't there be robotic maintenance arms poised behind regularly spaced doorways throughout the station that take care of such routine tasks when we are not looking? The station sure looks clean and has a computer, after all.
A really breathtaking portrayal of A.I. controlled robotic arms can be seen in an episode near the end of Season Three of a different franchise, Star Trek "Enterprise". They're inside a giant sphere that is more-or-less a giant space station. But that's there and this is here.
Alas, we never see robot tech in SG except mostly human form. And replicators are too too dangerous, even "friendly" ones, (regrettably, even Like Eva, in "Outcast"). And, have to admit, the Midway's computer is dumber than a shell-face wraith drone. I guess the station just looks clean because it's new.
Various "...Complaints and Misgivings" threads in the forum here have a some related good stuff in them. But this thread is hopefully to be about "Midway" episode-specific solutions now that problems are identified. It has also been proposed that maybe one of Sheppard's ascended girlfriends helped him. Perhaps call that the "AG Solution". A few kinks to work out, but promising... Very promising.
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