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

[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 ^^