SGA 5x08: The Queen

[xparrot]

Just a few comments:

Enjoyed this one - Todd, Teyla being kick-ass, the boys running about all "Our Teyla's in trouble again, nooooo~!"

Keller increasingly confuses me, because every single writer seems to see her differently - McCullough seems to think she's just the base doctor and uses her like Frasier or Lam in SG-1, making her competent and useful, but not deeply involved with either the team or the story. (...Frankly, it's how I like her best; I had zero problems with her in this ep.)

Oh, Todd, you are teh awesome. You'd think by now that they'd know better than to take him at his word. Ever. (And he's had his private time with Teyla now! I think Todd's secret ambition - after ruling the galaxy, natch - is to score with every member of the team.)

Was most disappointed that Kenny-the-wraith didn't bite it. I so was waiting for either John or Rodney to cry out, "You killed Kenny, you bastards!"

Teyla is so damn kick-ass. In high heels and she's still about two inches tall! And still can totally kick your ass. When she brought down Todd and put the knife to his throat - mmm, violence! Rock on. Though I don't know why she didn't have any psychic-control over Baldy-the-wraith - we've seen her be able to take over queen minds; you'd think it would be easier to control a male wraith? She should've practiced that with Todd.

Also, what exactly was the surgery? Was it strictly plastic surgery, or was there any genetic tinkering? The two weeks to recover - well, it does take a while for plastic surgery scars to heal. Though John's lines were weird, like he hadn't seen her in a while? Strange, how unexplained all of it was. And where was Torren for all of it?

(I do wonder, what would have happened if the other queen had suggested a light snack before Todd knifed her? How would Teyla have faked a feeding?)

Loved Teyla taking the opportunity to kill as many Wraith as possible, on all sides, and that Todd had miscalculated there. It was cold as hell, but - Teyla is from Pegasus. Pegasus morality is different, especially when it comes to Wraith. Prey vs predator, you do what you can for your species. It's the ethics of nature - and Todd's ship was still going to cull the planet below, most likely. The fewer Wraith-mouths (hands?) to feed, the better for all. So, go Teyla!

Lastly, I still bear an unhealthy adoration for Rodney's worried-face. His Teyla-worried-face is so adorable! And all the boys moping about the infirmary waiting room (we've seen Atlantis's waiting room!) and Todd's ship, fretting and wringing their hands - awww. And then Teyla mostly handles it without them, heh! Though John had good timing with those drones.

I am still loving the Team Theme of this season. Keep it up, guys!

Comments

[balikpulang.livejournal.com]

I actually thought the surgery was more than just cosmetic. The final scene shots of Teyla looking at her hand almost suggested some phantom "feeding" feeling on her part. Enjoyed the ep too! -lis

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was trying to figure out if they were implying something, the way Teyla was looking at her hand, or if it was just her own weird feelings about taking on the role of a Wraith. Either way, wished they'd been clearer what was going on, it would've been cool if they actually had semi-Wraith-ified Teyla!

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Hm, I have no idea what the surgery was about but it could be that they implanted something in her, like Wraith DNA, and accelerated its growth, like cancer cells spreading. And then they just needed to kill the new cells through, I don't know, radiation or what not XP

But it was an excellent episode. Can you imagine what an awesome season arc it would have been if they kept Teyla as the Queen of the Alliance?

And Torren? Well, Kanaan is an awesome house-husband, after all! :)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I wish the ep had said one way or another what was up with Teyla's Wraith-ification procedure - it would've been cool if it involved DNA, and I'd want to know! Oh well...

I'm sure Kanaan's taking great care of Torren - but I would like to see Teyla with them too, just a little ^_^

[naye]

I was going to write an episode reaction post, but - you already listed all of my reactions! \o/ Team worry! Tiny Teyla kicking ass! KENNY! XD

Oh, I love my boys. And I love Teyla! ♥

[shayera.livejournal.com]

And Todd! So much love on Todd, being the scheming bastard he is, ending up on top just as a matter of course. He must have been the only one in the episode who knew what he was doing the entire time.

But yes, Teyla kicks ass. ♥

[naye]

Seems like I lied. I had a lot to say (and screencap!) about this episode. *g*

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Hee - you gotta love Todd, in all his Machiavellian glory! Though I did love the moment he realized Teyla was in the battle to kill Wraith on both sides - the one time he miscalculated. NEVER underestimate Teyla!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

XDDDD Will read your post tonight, look forward to it! ^^

[parisntripfan.livejournal.com]

Though I don't know why she didn't have any psychic-control over Baldy-the-wraith - we've seen her be able to take over queen minds;

My guess is that it is not easy for her do it. She can do it - but it takes a lot of effort and great of concentration and focus. As far as I can recall most of the times she has done that she has had her team with her to watch out for her. Not because she can't take care of herself, but because when she is focused on getting into the head of the guy she sort of tuns out the "real world" In this case she didn't have that. She had to keep her wits about her and she couldn't do something like with only Todd to watch her back.

I don't know where Torren or Kanaan were. I can sort of understand that the show don't always want to bring in the actors - but they could have at least mentioned them. Something like "Kanaan has taken Torren to New Athos to be nursed by {name}. I did not wish to traumatize my son by having him see me like that." (Which makes me wonder what did Rachel do with her son. Was he on set then? Did she have someone feed him while she is her full makeup? Have some the guys playing Wraith spend some time around the kid so he wouldn't freak when he saw what his Mommy looked like while she was work.)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Yeah, gnine was also of the opinion that Teyla has to concentrate a lot to take control of Wraith. Still, would be useful to practice the ability...

I didn't need to see Torren & Kanaan (though it would've been cute) but I'd like them to at least mention them. It would explain why Teyla was so eager to get back, rather than stay with Todd to help 'solidify' his position. Though Todd would've tried to boot her anyway, probably...
I heard that Rachel actually wore green facial masks & whatnot for a month or two before the episode, so she wouldn't freak out her baby!