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fandomhigh_ooc2007-08-05 07:41 pm
missed-the-gate.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh_ooc2007-08-05 07:41 pm
Entry tags:
Spotlight on Fandoms: Stargate: Atlantis
Spotlight on Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Warning: In case it’s not obvious, this is not the opinion of anyone other than myself. There is no way I can present my fandom unbiased as I love it and want others to love it. But, I also think it’s total crack and is best viewed while wearing the goggles of McShep love. Also, there is no way to completely avoid spoilers while still talking about a show, but I tried to avoid the major stuff.
Premise:
So there’s this show, SG-1. Go read its Spotlight if you want, but it’s not a requirement to enjoy the SG:A. Stargate: Atlantis is a spin-off. I know, dirty word! The main similarity between the two shows are these Stargate things that make wormholes that people can walk through and go to other planets. They were built by the Ancients (more ‘bout them later). At the end of Season 7, SG-1 finds an Ancient Outpost in Antarctica. They find out that the ‘Lost City of the Ancients’ is in the Pegasus Galaxy and they form an expedition to go there through the Stargate. There is a lot of power needed to create a wormhole to another galaxy, so the expedition is heading to Atlantis with no known way of getting home or of getting supplies from Earth, which creates really greatfic episodic drama.
In the pilot episode, Rising, we meet Major John Sheppard, a helicopter pilot stationed at McMurdo base in Antarctica. Through random chance, he activates the Ancient control chair and joins the expedition team as they travel to the Pegasus Galaxy in hopes of finding Atlantis, the lost city of the Ancients.
On the expedition’s first contact with the Pegasus Galaxy, Sheppard accidentally activates a beacon (disguised as local leader Teyla’s necklace) with his Ancient Technology Activation (ATA) gene, causing theSpace Vampires Wraith (they suck your life out of your chest with their hand) to come to Teyla’s planet. The military commander, Col. Sumner, is taken by the Wraith, so Sheppard leads a team to get him and others back. While being interrogated by the pink-haired Wraith, a dying Sumner gives away that the expedition is from Earth (a place with lots and lots of tasty people to eat), and Sheppard shoots him to put him out of his misery. Then Sheppard proceeds to wake every Wraith in the galaxy by killing the pink-haired one, conveniently giving our heroes someone to fight most weeks. With Sumner dead, Sheppard takes command of the military and starts forming off-world teams which are given no designation whatsoever other than “Sheppard’s Team” or “Stackhouse’s Team.”
Brief synopsis by season:
Season 1: The main arc in S1 is finding a ZPM (Ancient power device) so they can operate shields and weapons on Atlantis and dial home.
Season 2: S2 is kind of “la, we must not let the wraith know we're still here, yet we will do nothing to make ourselves inconspicuous,” besides giving us Ronon Dex and Maj. Evan Lorne and some fun episodes.
Season 3: S3 what can I say? Um, wow, fans like Rodney so we'll give them more. Then we'll steal the replicators from SG-1 (totally different, OMG), bring back the ancients, kill off a character, and leave our heroes floating in space with another potential character death on the horizon. Yeah.
The Characters: Everybody’s got a title and you want one too!
Dr. Elizabeth Weir: Is so incredibly annoying because the writers made her that way, alas, we must discuss her. Weir is the diplomatic leader of the expedition, in charge of everything, yet master of nothing as far as I can tell. She hangs out in the control room and the conference room and gets her own plot very rarely. Don’t get me wrong, I like Torri Higginson. The writers just don’t use her like they could.
Dr. Rodney McKay: He brings us the funny, talking fast and furiously through all the exposition and technobabble requirements of the SciFi show. McKay is the head of the science department (kinda second in command of non-military operations). He is a genius, has 2 doctorates, and basically knows everything about everything. It’s canon. McKay appeared in a few memorable SG-1 eps (during one of which Carter had him sent to Siberia for annoying her). On Sheppard’s team, McKay brings the snark and general humor to off-world situations. I could write a book on McKay, but I won’t as he is already too adored. Notable episodes: Tao of Rodney, McKay and Mrs. Miller, Trinity, Hide & Seek, The Game
Maj./Lt.Col. John Sheppard: Sheppard is mine. You cannot have him. Sheppard is complicated: He’s on the expedition because he has a strong, natural ATA-gene. This means he can operate Ancient technology by thought or touch. He starts out as a Major (apparently second highest ranking military officer on the expedition) with a bad record because of an incident where he didn’t follow the chain of command when flying helicopters in Afghanistan. After the events of The Siege 1, 2, & 3, Sheppard is made Lt. Col. and becomes official military commander of Atlantis. Notable episodes: Common Ground, Trinity, Phantoms.
Things we know about John Sheppard: he likes turkey sandwiches, Johnny Cash, college football, flying, Ferris wheels, popcorn, Back to the Future, The Princess Bride, Cheetos, and anything that goes 200mph. They don’t like to give up much about our hero, though I hear Season 4 will change that. He makes faces, smirks, leans on everything, and makes slouching totally hot. John could’ve been in Mensa and has insane math skills. He’s played golf since he was six and was once married but wasn’t very good at itbecause he likes boys. He is the only person on the expedition who can deal with Rodney for more than five minutes without attempted murder; they are also best friends who spent three years playing what they thought was a video game together.
Teyla Emmagan: Leader of the Athosian people and member of Team Sheppard. Teyla is a warrior princess type – pretty and deadly with the sticks. She is also the sane member of Team Sheppard and plays the role of negotiator with thehomespun people of the Pegasus Galaxy.
Lt. Aiden Ford: He was on Team Sheppard until he was almost killed by a Wraith and had a bad reaction to being fed on, became addicted to the "enzyme," kidnapped Team Sheppard, got them on the enzyme, made them attack a Wraith hive ship, and possibly got blown up. He is currently presumed dead.
Specialist Ronon Dex: When the team went looking for Ford, they found Ronon Dex and brought him homecuz he was pretty cuz he was being hunted as a Runner. They taught him to use silverware and he became Team Sheppard’s muscle. So far, Sateda is the only Ronon-centric episode.
Dr. Carson Beckett: Beckett is a geneticist and a natural ATA-gene carrier, though very unwilling to use it. Beckett hates wormhole travel, jumper flying, and anything that isn’t working in his lab or the medbay.
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mrodneymckay’s favorite episodes:
Storm/Eye: John goes all Die Hard. And his nemesis is introduced.
Duet: because what's more fun than two minds sharing one body? Hewlett does an amazing job at having multiple personalities.
Aurora: John tries to be super charming, Rodney is disgusted with himself over being attracted to a hot chick who he knows is really a Wraith in disguise, and Teyla spins a line of bullshit to Caldwell to give John and Rodney more time.
Inferno: the McShep is never stronger than when they're seemingly fighting over a girl. Also, Rodney is brilliant.
McKay and Mrs Miller: Rodney's sister and his alternate reality double. What could be better?
Tao of Rodney: he evolves. And shows his human side.
Sunday: despite the depressing end, it's the only look we get into day-to-day life in Atlantis when there isn't an immediate crisis.
ltcolkirk’s favorite episodes:
Storm/Eye: I think my OTP was firmly established with the words, "What would Rodney do?" Also, John shows why no one should ever mess with him or hisman team.
The Defiant One: John vs. a thousand year old Wraith. Rodney deals with death and shows he’s an excellent marksman. In the end, the glowy things save them.
Trinity: OMG good lines in this one. This episode is great for the screaming during the climax. Not dirty. Rodney destroys 5/6ths of a solar system and almost loses his best friend in the process.
Common Ground: John’s nemesis kidnaps him and slowly feeds him to a Wraith while Rodney and the team try to get John back and fail. Seriously angsty episode with one of my favorite scenes.
Echoes: There are whale-like animals living in the ocean around Atlantis. Rodney named one after Samantha Carter and it made John mad. John and Rodney go deaf for a while and hilarity ensues. It’s the little things, people. But I’m easy.
Why should I watch?: OMG THE CRACK. Sometimes when I watch this show, I forget it wasn’t written by the authors of the fanfic. So basically, for entertainment!
Where can I get it?: Amazon.com has Seasons 1 & 2 for sale and Season 3 on preorder. Also, *cough* you can watch lots of it here. But don’t tell them I sent you.
ETA: The opinions herein are not necessarily shared bymrodneymckay other than the list of her favorite eps. Also, if you want fic recs or episode summaries, let me know as I am more than willing to assist and have a huge del.icio.us account!
Warning: In case it’s not obvious, this is not the opinion of anyone other than myself. There is no way I can present my fandom unbiased as I love it and want others to love it. But, I also think it’s total crack and is best viewed while wearing the goggles of McShep love. Also, there is no way to completely avoid spoilers while still talking about a show, but I tried to avoid the major stuff.
Premise:
So there’s this show, SG-1. Go read its Spotlight if you want, but it’s not a requirement to enjoy the SG:A. Stargate: Atlantis is a spin-off. I know, dirty word! The main similarity between the two shows are these Stargate things that make wormholes that people can walk through and go to other planets. They were built by the Ancients (more ‘bout them later). At the end of Season 7, SG-1 finds an Ancient Outpost in Antarctica. They find out that the ‘Lost City of the Ancients’ is in the Pegasus Galaxy and they form an expedition to go there through the Stargate. There is a lot of power needed to create a wormhole to another galaxy, so the expedition is heading to Atlantis with no known way of getting home or of getting supplies from Earth, which creates really great
In the pilot episode, Rising, we meet Major John Sheppard, a helicopter pilot stationed at McMurdo base in Antarctica. Through random chance, he activates the Ancient control chair and joins the expedition team as they travel to the Pegasus Galaxy in hopes of finding Atlantis, the lost city of the Ancients.
On the expedition’s first contact with the Pegasus Galaxy, Sheppard accidentally activates a beacon (disguised as local leader Teyla’s necklace) with his Ancient Technology Activation (ATA) gene, causing the
Brief synopsis by season:
Season 1: The main arc in S1 is finding a ZPM (Ancient power device) so they can operate shields and weapons on Atlantis and dial home.
Season 2: S2 is kind of “la, we must not let the wraith know we're still here, yet we will do nothing to make ourselves inconspicuous,” besides giving us Ronon Dex and Maj. Evan Lorne and some fun episodes.
Season 3: S3 what can I say? Um, wow, fans like Rodney so we'll give them more. Then we'll steal the replicators from SG-1 (totally different, OMG), bring back the ancients, kill off a character, and leave our heroes floating in space with another potential character death on the horizon. Yeah.
The Characters: Everybody’s got a title and you want one too!
Dr. Elizabeth Weir: Is so incredibly annoying because the writers made her that way, alas, we must discuss her. Weir is the diplomatic leader of the expedition, in charge of everything, yet master of nothing as far as I can tell. She hangs out in the control room and the conference room and gets her own plot very rarely. Don’t get me wrong, I like Torri Higginson. The writers just don’t use her like they could.
Dr. Rodney McKay: He brings us the funny, talking fast and furiously through all the exposition and technobabble requirements of the SciFi show. McKay is the head of the science department (kinda second in command of non-military operations). He is a genius, has 2 doctorates, and basically knows everything about everything. It’s canon. McKay appeared in a few memorable SG-1 eps (during one of which Carter had him sent to Siberia for annoying her). On Sheppard’s team, McKay brings the snark and general humor to off-world situations. I could write a book on McKay, but I won’t as he is already too adored. Notable episodes: Tao of Rodney, McKay and Mrs. Miller, Trinity, Hide & Seek, The Game
Maj./Lt.Col. John Sheppard: Sheppard is mine. You cannot have him. Sheppard is complicated: He’s on the expedition because he has a strong, natural ATA-gene. This means he can operate Ancient technology by thought or touch. He starts out as a Major (apparently second highest ranking military officer on the expedition) with a bad record because of an incident where he didn’t follow the chain of command when flying helicopters in Afghanistan. After the events of The Siege 1, 2, & 3, Sheppard is made Lt. Col. and becomes official military commander of Atlantis. Notable episodes: Common Ground, Trinity, Phantoms.
Things we know about John Sheppard: he likes turkey sandwiches, Johnny Cash, college football, flying, Ferris wheels, popcorn, Back to the Future, The Princess Bride, Cheetos, and anything that goes 200mph. They don’t like to give up much about our hero, though I hear Season 4 will change that. He makes faces, smirks, leans on everything, and makes slouching totally hot. John could’ve been in Mensa and has insane math skills. He’s played golf since he was six and was once married but wasn’t very good at it
Teyla Emmagan: Leader of the Athosian people and member of Team Sheppard. Teyla is a warrior princess type – pretty and deadly with the sticks. She is also the sane member of Team Sheppard and plays the role of negotiator with the
Lt. Aiden Ford: He was on Team Sheppard until he was almost killed by a Wraith and had a bad reaction to being fed on, became addicted to the "enzyme," kidnapped Team Sheppard, got them on the enzyme, made them attack a Wraith hive ship, and possibly got blown up. He is currently presumed dead.
Specialist Ronon Dex: When the team went looking for Ford, they found Ronon Dex and brought him home
Dr. Carson Beckett: Beckett is a geneticist and a natural ATA-gene carrier, though very unwilling to use it. Beckett hates wormhole travel, jumper flying, and anything that isn’t working in his lab or the medbay.
mrodneymckay’s favorite episodes:Storm/Eye: John goes all Die Hard. And his nemesis is introduced.
Duet: because what's more fun than two minds sharing one body? Hewlett does an amazing job at having multiple personalities.
Aurora: John tries to be super charming, Rodney is disgusted with himself over being attracted to a hot chick who he knows is really a Wraith in disguise, and Teyla spins a line of bullshit to Caldwell to give John and Rodney more time.
Inferno: the McShep is never stronger than when they're seemingly fighting over a girl. Also, Rodney is brilliant.
McKay and Mrs Miller: Rodney's sister and his alternate reality double. What could be better?
Tao of Rodney: he evolves. And shows his human side.
Sunday: despite the depressing end, it's the only look we get into day-to-day life in Atlantis when there isn't an immediate crisis.
ltcolkirk’s favorite episodes:Storm/Eye: I think my OTP was firmly established with the words, "What would Rodney do?" Also, John shows why no one should ever mess with him or his
The Defiant One: John vs. a thousand year old Wraith. Rodney deals with death and shows he’s an excellent marksman. In the end, the glowy things save them.
Trinity: OMG good lines in this one. This episode is great for the screaming during the climax. Not dirty. Rodney destroys 5/6ths of a solar system and almost loses his best friend in the process.
Common Ground: John’s nemesis kidnaps him and slowly feeds him to a Wraith while Rodney and the team try to get John back and fail. Seriously angsty episode with one of my favorite scenes.
Echoes: There are whale-like animals living in the ocean around Atlantis. Rodney named one after Samantha Carter and it made John mad. John and Rodney go deaf for a while and hilarity ensues. It’s the little things, people. But I’m easy.
Why should I watch?: OMG THE CRACK. Sometimes when I watch this show, I forget it wasn’t written by the authors of the fanfic. So basically, for entertainment!
Where can I get it?: Amazon.com has Seasons 1 & 2 for sale and Season 3 on preorder. Also, *cough* you can watch lots of it here. But don’t tell them I sent you.
ETA: The opinions herein are not necessarily shared by
mrodneymckay other than the list of her favorite eps. Also, if you want fic recs or episode summaries, let me know as I am more than willing to assist and have a huge del.icio.us account!
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I love the pic of John and Rodney from The Game. Our boys are so very cute.
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Also, I so fail on mentioning the Genii and their fauxspun! And the ascended!whore who Rodney is so NOT jealous of. And the two of them shopping for new quarters together. And the look in the Daedalus hanger bay! And Rodney's face when John is possessed! And when he makes John clean his quarters! *glees*
Also, that's Col. Grabby Hands to you. I want that icon.
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Also, Ronan is hot.
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boyfriendfriends saving him.In that manner, it's like that episode which we shall not name for it never occurred.
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*misses Ford liek whoa!*
*loves Rodney and John, omg!*
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