SGA: 5x17 "Infection"

[xparrot]

Huh. I saw negative reactions to this ep, but having finally bucked up and watched it, I enjoyed it. It wasn't amazing, but it was a solid action romp. Definitely in the top half of the season, for me. Like most McCullough eps, there was some plot advancement, but pretty much no emotional impact. Still, I liked it.

Plus, Todd! Todd makes everything better. He's so intense and focused and smart, always attuned to his own self-interests but aware of the big picture. After Baal he's my favorite SG villain - insofar as he's a villain, anyway. Also I love the way he says "John Sheppard".

And more importantly, Team! Not being overly teamy, but I'm just happy to see them running around together. Loved Ronon watching Todd's vid, clearly thinking, "Okay, Wraith all starving, dying or dead, where's the downside here? Seriously, not seeing it." And Teyla was gorgeous as always and she had a moment barking orders to the Marines that was very nice.

And Rodney! Was brilliant! Panicked at moments but always competent, worried about his team, and totally unafraid of a looming Wraith (even if minus feeding hand), and during the crash he took all of a second to determine exactly what to do when John told him to figure it out, even if he couldn't implement it. Lacking the knowledge but never the brains. That's my Rodney. I missed you, baby! (And he looked great, all square-jawed and wide-eyed and determined.)

Speaking of looking good, um, yes, okay, it must be said, Joe Flanigan is a pretty, pretty man. Andy Mikita should direct him all the time. Sheppard was in his usual Wraith mindset, perfectly willing to let them all die, transformed or not. He's a soldier, I approve. They're at war, and as Teyla would say, they are Wraith. And then Todd helps them, and he's back in Sheppard's circle of protection for this round, let go to fight or ally or eat them another day. (Presumably he's going to find his Iratus bug cure, because they couldn't just let him die off-screen. Right?)

And Woolsey's office has very comfy-looking chairs. Mmm.

Of course Our Heroes did take forever and a day to figure out what was actually going on - um, yes, guys, their ships are organic, and grow from Wraith, we covered this already; it only makes sense that a disease could be transmitted. Oh well. Did love poor little Redshirt Marine #1 with the melting walls. He was so confused, in a bit-part-actor-for-rent way.

And gnine had a terrifically amusing breakdown when they were going to touch down at the end and inertial dampeners had failed, and no one assumed the crash position on the floor, standing there all ready to get concussed or have their legs broken.

But yes, enjoyed it! Aww, I was resigned to the end being nigh, and now I'm sad about saying goodbye to our show all over again. At least I'm inspired to fic again!

Comments

[trystings.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I finished watching the episode last night and I really enjoyed it. Absolutely one of the better ones and much more Sheppard and Team centric than I expected (judged from the lack of squee on my flist).

I have a major thing for ruthless, in-control military commander Sheppard (and for Rodney croaking 'Sheppard?' into his radio after a catastrophe) so no complaints here. XD

How many Jumpers have they lost this season? At this rate they're all walking by the end of the series. :)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Well, there's team, but there's not much Team; they're all running around together but not doing much squee-worthy things. So that could be why there wasn't much reaction. But I am surprised, after most of this season this was gold! Or solid bronze, at least...

I do love a bit of darkside Sheppard, and really, when it comes to the Wraith, I don't see him as that dark - it's not just they're the enemy at war; they're also humanity's natural predators! I wouldn't believe in Sheppard as a soldier if he didn't bear them some grudge for that XP

Good point about the jumpers...Rodney better get cracking on those underwater ones!

[ed263.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you decided to watch the episode.

I have learning that the negative voice is often the more vocal and that the negative voice is also the minority. If I didn't know better, I would believe that SGA was the worst TV show currently on the air based on the negative comments, but SGA has maintained its ratings which just goes to shows, the silent majority are a larger number. So I just pay no attention to the negative voice and watch the show and come to my own conclusions.

On a more cheerful note...TEAM!! It was so great to see them all together! I loved this episode for that reason! Rodney being all worried about his team and Sheppard being all military and expecting Rodney to come up with the answers and save the day!

I also didn't have any problem with Sheppard's decisions, as you say, they're at war!

I'm so glad this has inspired you to write a story! I will be waiting!!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I do have to be wary of the show these days, apart from the fandom; there's been a couple of eps that have come close to destroying my squee, for various reasons. But hey, that's what selective amnesia is for!

But, yes, it was nice to see them together, and the worry, and all that - this is what I watch the show for, it was fun to get some!

The ep itself didn't inspire a fic (well, it might, I'll have to poke around inside my brain ^^) but it restored my squee-levels enough for me to write, at least. \o/

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I loved it...I don't understand some of the negative response to the eppy. For me it is in my top five for the season. Sadly, I have to run, but wanted to let you know that there were those of us out there who were thrilled with it.

Here's a link to my post where I expound upon my ideas about Sheppard and Todd. Of course it helped that I was in a very much mistrusting John and Todd mindset after posting my fic, so I don't think my head was in a 'romanticize' the Wraith/Todd influence.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it was in my top 5...hmmm, maybe it is, will have to consider it! It didn't thrill me, but I *liked* it - which hasn't been the case with too many eps recently, siiiigh.

*off to check out your post & fic!*

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree..it wasn't like a five star eppy, but I think found myself defending what I thought was a pretty good one, so I might have gone a bit overboard.

Hope you enjoyed the fic.

[lysambre.livejournal.com]

Once I fast forwarded the whiny character (no it's not Rodney anymore ! He's a hero !) I actually quite enjoyed that episode, it's the closest to a team ep we've come in a really long time (well it feels that way to me, but then I would have team eps every week so ;) :p).

And I agree about Mikita, of all the directors he's the one to make the team look their prettiest, he must have an eye for lighting :).

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I didn't fastforward, I just talked through certain scenes. Another advantage of Mikita's direction is that he likes to frame shots with more than one person on the screen - which gives his eps a closer feel than some, and also conveniently gives one something else to look at during certain moments XP

I would love a team ep a week, it's what I always hope for. Very happy to get one, this time!

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

I've decided that, for me, team episodes exist to give the episodes where Rodney gets dropped on his head context.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Heh. For me, I use them as a chaser to the waters of Lethe I drink to block out bad memories (especially those times when Rodney is dropped on his head, yeah...I need to believe in my genius Rodney in order to write him right!)

[wneleh.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love my genius (to the extent that I believe in the word, but that's a whole 'nother thing) Rodney too! Which is why I like to see him dropped on his head - the whole do-the-worst-to-your-favorites thing.

That said - I recently realized I hardly ever write Rodney's POV (and only when he's been dropped on his head - or just beamed out of certain death, dehydrated and hypoglycemic) and I've no clue why not.

[tanndell.livejournal.com]

I've never understood why fandom makes such a fuss about Sheppard's choices. The man's at war against life-sucking aliens, sometimes he has to make difficult decisions which go against the grain of common morality. Shoo people, go read 'The Prince', before you start whining about how ruthless and unfeeling Sheppard can be. Rodney totally made up for the disaster that was Brainstorm here (see why he needs to be with the team more often show - that's why)!
While we are on the subject - TEAM!!! Yay for team. Loved seeing them all together again. Why couldn't we have had more of this stuff in Season 5. Martin Gero and his teenage fantasies!
Loved your review. Can't wait for your next fic, ad if you don't mind I'm friending you (long term lurker, but just got a lj account)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I admit to being a little puzzled myself about certain fandom reactions to Sheppard. He's always been portrayed as on the ruthless side when pushed to the corner, and the Wraith have been pushing him to the corner since the first episode. And he's a smart guy but pondering ethical philosophies is not his hobby. (...it's not a pasttime of anyone on Atlantis, though it probably should be...) But he doesn't come across as unfeeling, but someone who picks his battles and doesn't angst over them. (I do get troubled over his varying lack of guilt about the fates of Pegasus people - "Inquisition" is on my "ignore" list of episodes - but when it comes to the Wraith, even a "friendly" Wraith like Todd, the rules are different, at least for Sheppard.)

Team! <3

And welcome to the flist! MY next story will be posted anonymously on sga_santa but there's more to come after that ^^

[stitcher2ficcer.livejournal.com]

See, I told ya' it wasn't so bad.

Also I love the way he says "John Sheppard".
Yes! Especially at the end there; practically "Looking forward to seeing you again, John Sheppard."

At least I'm inspired to fic again!
Good news, so long as it's the fic I'm looking for! (Yes, I know, sometimes I send you mixed messages about this whole fic-writing thing. But always glad to see you writing rather than stuck.)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

You were right! Though you know we are ridiculously sensitive sometimes. Still, yes, it was entertaining ^^

Todd's line at the end was my favorite, yup!

And fic, have an obligation to fill, then I'm gonna be getting back to that, hopefully...