Stargate 10x1

[lyore]

Well, my computer finally came through for me and I got to see Stargate.

OK, we still didn't manage to have all SG-1 in the same location (apart from 2 seconds at the end, which included Vala), but pretty much everyone got at least some screentime - at least enough to advance their section of the plot. I tend to find whenever they split up the team, at least one person's story gets shortchanged. Not in the sense of them getting less screentime than the rest, but in that their plotline never gets properly developed/finished etc. I didn't find that so much this time, perhaps because even though they split the team, there was still only really two stories.

Oh, and Teal'c got tortured. Again. Ho hum. It's like the Daniel-dying thing - hard to take seriously after the first 5 or 6 times. Might also be worth noting that only Vala was in a hospital bed, so he can't have been too bad off. Speaking of Daniel dying/going missing, it was nice to see the team showing concern for one another. See? Being worried when someone is missing/being tortured does not ruin your macho image :)

Speaking of Vala, I liked her in this episode. Very much toned down from before (which is consistent with her last appearance in Season 9). As long as we avoid any romantic entanglements, and refrain from shoving her in every scene with SG-1, I'll be happy. We'll see.

The Ori plot is begining to grow on me, and so far, the whole kid thing is working. I'll admit, this was definitely what I had the most reservations about. I liked the way they tied the invasion of the Ori to the Ascended beings - for some reason, I was worried they were going to ignore all that. Anyway, the Ori are getting to the stage of villains I can really warm to, unlike the replicaters, for instance. But I still want more Goa'uld

But I think they need to do something about the reliance of 'beaming' to get people out of tight spaces. Once or twice was alright, but now it's happening once or twice per episode, which is getting a bit ridiculous, not to mention ruining all the dramatic tension. I mean, did anyone think they would not get the beaming tech working on time? At least when you want to escape through the Stargate you have to physically get to the Stargate.

I had more thoughts, but my mind has gone blank. Anyway, while it wasn't perfect (any episode where the team is separated drags a little for me) this episode has left me feeling optimistic about the rest of the season, which is something I haven't felt about a new season of Stargate for a while.

Comments

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

and refrain from shoving her in every scene with SG-1, I'll be happy. We'll see.

I think she's going to be part of SG-1, which I just can't fathom, but I'm willing to wait and see how they work it out. If they do it in a way that doesn't make me hate anyone, I'll be happy with that. hehe

this episode has left me feeling optimistic about the rest of the season, which is something I haven't felt about a new season of Stargate for a while.

That's really nice. :-)

I was more optimistic about last season, even though I was a bit worried, too. And excited. *g* This year feels different. I feel like I'm waiting for this big hammer to drop. *g* Still, last season turned out to be halfway good. *g* Hopefully this season will get better.

[lyore.livejournal.com]

I found last season a bit... meh. It was ok, but I'm not a fan of Jaffa politics and it took a while for the Ori to hit their stride (for me). It looks like last season was mostly a set up for the confrontation in this season, so I am hopeful. Everyone seems more settled in their roles, so maybe the focus will stay on the plot arc. *crosses fingers*

Did I mention that I love your icon?

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

hehe I love that icon, too. :-) It's by velvetcherri.

I don't care about Jaffa politics or the Ori either, but neither of those were important aspects of season 9 for me. hehe I know this will sound weird, but I care mostly about Daniel. When he was there and playing a major role, I tended to enjoy the episodes more. I did not like what they did with Mitchell's character in the middle of the season, but I quite liked him in the beginning. Sam wasn't bugging me much, and, while I didn't enjoy the Jaffa politics stuff, I still like Teal'c. hehe

I think I tend to judge whether or not I liked an episode by the characters first and by the feeling of the episode second. When I rewatch, I tend to notice more plotholes or other things, but I'll forgive just about anything as long as they don't do things with the characters that I really dislike and as long as Daniel is there--and not just there to be there. I really hated what they did with Daniel in TFH, for instance, but I loved Prototype and The Scourge. I also really loved the opening arc for season 10, in spite of not really liking Vala. I loved having Daniel in the forefront of everything and it wasn't *all* about his reactions to Vala. hehe And even the Vala stuff was new and different, so I didn't mind it as much as I did once I found out she'd be full-time in the cast. There was a lot of emotion and angst. It was a fun story, but at the same time it was exciting and intense. (I thought so, anyway. *g*)

My main problem with season 10 is Vala. I don't want her to be there. I don't like her with Daniel. I don't care about her story at all. I hate to think that maybe Daniel will be paired up with her all the time or something like that, so my main hope for season 10 is that doesn't happen. :-) The other thing I really dislike is the whole Jack/Sam thing. I really, really hope they don't bring that up again.

I'm also a complete spoiler whore, so I have at least an inkling of what's coming up. It could be better than it sounds, but a couple of the things they plan to do are things I think I will really, really dislike. But we'll see. Part of the fun and seeing how it all turns out. *g*

[lyore.livejournal.com]

I know this will sound weird, but I care mostly about Daniel

Not at all. Being a major Daniel fan myself, I know the feeling. If Daniel is on screen, then I'm a happy camper :) If the plot revolves around Daniel, then I'm in SG heaven. I liked the start of the season, but I felt it got bogged down in the middle.

My main problem with season 10 is Vala.
Vala. I think I'm the only one who liked her in PU, but she dragged more and more the longer she was there, at least until her departure mid-season. I'd like Vala's involvement to be more on the level of, say, the General, or the Doctor. Around, but NOT part of SG-1, and absolutely NOT involved romantically with anyone (especially Daniel).

As for the rest of the season, I'm dubious at the Return of Jack *shudders at the thought of Sam/Jack*. Hopeful, but dubious.

Somehow, I've managed to stay fairly unspoiled for this season. I have no idea how, since I'm normally all for the spoilers. This season kinda snuck up on me, I guess.

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

I didn't really like or dislike Vala in PU, but she was just a one-off character then--someone to come in and cause some trouble and someone for Daniel to react to. I didn't see "sparks" between her and Daniel the way that some people did. I thought she was somewhat sadistic (the hurting/healing thing is a torture tactic, similar to the one used by Ba'al in Abyss), and the entire crew and Daniel were made to look a bit foolish, but I didn't really mind it. I loved the Daniel-ness of it, so I really loved that episode, even if I sort of disliked it a bit. *g*

What I minded somewhat was the fact that they let her on the base with no repercussions at the beginning of season 9. Didn't she overpower the entire crew of the Prometheus and leave them stranded in space to die? Didn't she kidnap Daniel, steal the Prometheus & try to sell it? That wasn't just mischievous. That's pretty serious stuff, and they acted like it was nothing, just letting her waltz onto the base as though she were a former (if not entirely trusted) colleague.

I was able to overlook that only because she was a temporary character. Then she lied, cheated, stole, etc. etc. etc. and played everyone at the SGC for a fool (not to mention the slave bracelets she put on Daniel, making him her virtual prisoner and using that to blackmail everyone at the SGC) before she finally got herself lost in Beachhead.

Why they didn't just put her in a cell until she capitulated and told them how to get the bracelets off *or* while they did some research offworld to discover how for themselves, I'll never know. Yes, Daniel would have had to stay nearby, but Hammond put all of SG-1 under guard, locked in a room, more than once when they were compromised by alien technology. It makes no sense that they'd allow both Daniel and Vala to go galavanting around... But they did, and it was fun except for Vala herself and everyone at the SGC looking like fools, so...all was forgiven pretty much until the news of Vala as a full-time cast member, because I can't help but wonder, will they just pretend all of this didn't happen? *g*

Then...they treated her like she was an old friend in Crusade. I realize that by Crusade they'd decided to bring her back permanently, but...

I suppose I just have to get over it, but I'm still hoping they'll address all this in a way that makes sense. *g* I'm sure that's hoping for too much.

As for the rest of the season, I'm dubious at the Return of Jack *shudders at the thought of Sam/Jack*. Hopeful, but dubious.

I'm pretending not to worry about that. ;-)

Somehow, I've managed to stay fairly unspoiled for this season. I have no idea how, since I'm normally all for the spoilers. This season kinda snuck up on me, I guess.

I'm unspoiled for Atlantis because I don't care about Atlantis as much as SG-1. I'm afraid to be unspoiled for SG-1, because I need to be prepared. hehe

[lyore.livejournal.com]

I can't help but wonder, will they just pretend all of this didn't happen?

Given the history of the PTB addressing things like this, I'd say yeah, they probably will. The SGC just has a very selective memory :)

When Vala first appeared at the SGC, I was surprised they didn't go with the 'throw her in the brig' line of welcome mats, but I guess the SGC also has a history of not doing the most sensible things for the sake of advancing the story.

But I saw the 'welcome' when she came back as mostly driven by relief - thinking that someone has possibly gotten themselves killed saving the galaxy has a way of making you remember them more fondly, I guess. I also think she was far less annoying in that episode, so that may have helped them take her seriously (although could she have take any longer to get to the point?), Plus no one can be mean to someone in Daniel's body.

Errr - does any of that make sense? I only just woke up, and lack caffeine.

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

But I saw the 'welcome' when she came back as mostly driven by relief - thinking that someone has possibly gotten themselves killed saving the galaxy has a way of making you remember them more fondly, I guess.

I didn't see it that way at all. I don't believe Vala nearly got herself killed trying to save the galaxy. *g*

I also think she was far less annoying in that episode, so that may have helped them take her seriously (although could she have take any longer to get to the point?),

Hee. I think she was just as annoying--and taking too long to get to her point was doubly annoying. *g* OTOH, she was cute in some scenes.

Plus no one can be mean to someone in Daniel's body.

Perhaps that's the real reason. *g*

[lyore.livejournal.com]

Perhaps that's the real reason. *g*

I think it probably was :)