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!