I wanted to give Young the benefit of the doubt but based on his performance and behavior in this last episode I think he has emotionally and psychologically crumbled. His intentions were good but he no longer possesses the psychological stability to continue in command and needs to be replaced. It was his inaction from fear to do anything to risk the hostages’ lives that was responsible for LA taking control of the ship and putting everyone’s lives in imminent mortal danger.
It has been argued by some that it was a mistake to not to immediately evacuate the air from the gate room. Tactically I agree but I can understand his decision to delay to first see if he could negotiate their surrender and save Telford who was likely his good friend before he was brainwashed. He didn’t expect they would have the door opening devices that would very quickly allow them to exit (Although, they could have just as easily used explosives to free themselves). Once Eli told him they had devices to open the door he gave the order to evacuate the air but it was too late.
From this point Young completely lost his control once Kiva had taken hostages. Remember his emotional outburst to Park and the others and when he tried to attack Rush when he accurately criticized his tactics. Young stormed into the command center and started yelling at everyone to fix the problem. When they attempted to explain that they didn’t know what was wrong he yelled louder “Don’t analyze just fix it!â€. I think for a moment he was completely out of control and hysterical. The expressions on all their faces confirmed they had similar thoughts as well. Rush was being Rush and tactlessly pointed out that Young’s fear to act and endanger anyone’s life was what was responsible for getting him killed. He knew that Young was paralyzed by his fear of doing anything that would risk the hostages’ lives and by default was allowing Kiva free reign. Rush spent a lot of time with her he knew how ruthless she was and that the death toll was just going to rise the longer he delayed taking action against her. Rush rubbed Young’s nose in that reality and Young lost it and tried to attack him. Circumstances unfortunately proved him absolutely correct.
I can see him hesitating to delay the air evacuation to try to save his friend Telford but to turn over food and water and then computer control to Kiva was incredibly stupid. Once Kiva shot that hostage he should have known she is not to be trusted or reasoned with. He should have evacuated the room to near vacuum to incapacitate them and then sent in an armed team to dispatch any LA still consciousness; immediately followed by civilians to attempt resuscitation (if possible) of all the hostages. Rush was right, Young needed to act and cut his losses before the situation escalated but he didn’t and was completely paralyzed by his fear of hurting anyone.
Relying on Telford's plan imo was asinine as evidenced by what happened. It was far too risky and too many things could have gone wrong.
Go back and rewatch the scene in the command center after Kiva kills the solider before you disagree with me. You can see in Young’s face that he looked hysterical for a moment and from the expressions on the faces of Park, Volker, Brody, and Rush they all realized it as well. I am not Young bashing. Imo the show is not just portraying a character that has made mistakes in judgment but as one that is psychologically crumbling. O’Neill’s direct criticism of his judgment is more evidence. It was Young’s inability to act from a fear to risk the hostages’ lives that resulted in LA taking over the ship and placing everyone’s life in mortal peril.
The Mighty 6 platoon’s assessment that he has PTSD may be accurate and intended by the writers. I would be extremely surprised if his mental state doesn’t continue to deteriorate over future episodes and is the focus a major plot line.
Who will replace him is the problem. All the other officers are junior and not ready for command. TJ’s comment of disapproval to Young when he told her about his plan to evacuate the gate room shows me she probably isn’t suited either. If Telford survives it is a possibility but even though he was brainwashed having him assume command doesn’t sit well with me. Wray certainly isn’t qualified. It will be interesting to see what happens. Who knows if LA will take over the ship and for how long? Maybe Young will redeem himself and retake the ship? Will have to wait and see.
It has been argued by some that it was a mistake to not to immediately evacuate the air from the gate room. Tactically I agree but I can understand his decision to delay to first see if he could negotiate their surrender and save Telford who was likely his good friend before he was brainwashed. He didn’t expect they would have the door opening devices that would very quickly allow them to exit (Although, they could have just as easily used explosives to free themselves). Once Eli told him they had devices to open the door he gave the order to evacuate the air but it was too late.
From this point Young completely lost his control once Kiva had taken hostages. Remember his emotional outburst to Park and the others and when he tried to attack Rush when he accurately criticized his tactics. Young stormed into the command center and started yelling at everyone to fix the problem. When they attempted to explain that they didn’t know what was wrong he yelled louder “Don’t analyze just fix it!â€. I think for a moment he was completely out of control and hysterical. The expressions on all their faces confirmed they had similar thoughts as well. Rush was being Rush and tactlessly pointed out that Young’s fear to act and endanger anyone’s life was what was responsible for getting him killed. He knew that Young was paralyzed by his fear of doing anything that would risk the hostages’ lives and by default was allowing Kiva free reign. Rush spent a lot of time with her he knew how ruthless she was and that the death toll was just going to rise the longer he delayed taking action against her. Rush rubbed Young’s nose in that reality and Young lost it and tried to attack him. Circumstances unfortunately proved him absolutely correct.
I can see him hesitating to delay the air evacuation to try to save his friend Telford but to turn over food and water and then computer control to Kiva was incredibly stupid. Once Kiva shot that hostage he should have known she is not to be trusted or reasoned with. He should have evacuated the room to near vacuum to incapacitate them and then sent in an armed team to dispatch any LA still consciousness; immediately followed by civilians to attempt resuscitation (if possible) of all the hostages. Rush was right, Young needed to act and cut his losses before the situation escalated but he didn’t and was completely paralyzed by his fear of hurting anyone.
Relying on Telford's plan imo was asinine as evidenced by what happened. It was far too risky and too many things could have gone wrong.
Go back and rewatch the scene in the command center after Kiva kills the solider before you disagree with me. You can see in Young’s face that he looked hysterical for a moment and from the expressions on the faces of Park, Volker, Brody, and Rush they all realized it as well. I am not Young bashing. Imo the show is not just portraying a character that has made mistakes in judgment but as one that is psychologically crumbling. O’Neill’s direct criticism of his judgment is more evidence. It was Young’s inability to act from a fear to risk the hostages’ lives that resulted in LA taking over the ship and placing everyone’s life in mortal peril.
The Mighty 6 platoon’s assessment that he has PTSD may be accurate and intended by the writers. I would be extremely surprised if his mental state doesn’t continue to deteriorate over future episodes and is the focus a major plot line.
Who will replace him is the problem. All the other officers are junior and not ready for command. TJ’s comment of disapproval to Young when he told her about his plan to evacuate the gate room shows me she probably isn’t suited either. If Telford survives it is a possibility but even though he was brainwashed having him assume command doesn’t sit well with me. Wray certainly isn’t qualified. It will be interesting to see what happens. Who knows if LA will take over the ship and for how long? Maybe Young will redeem himself and retake the ship? Will have to wait and see.
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