Stargate Atlantis: Conversion

[rhienelleth]

My favorite episode since Duet, I think. What great character development/exploration. And, of course, some great shippy moments. :)

I know that every John/Teyla fangirl online is going to be squeeing over that kiss, but Teyla didn't look like she was overcome with passion to me. In fact, she looked extremely uncomfortable both when it happened, and at the end, when John apologized for it.

IMHO, the more subtle 'ship moments were far more intriguing. Like Weir's conversation with Colonel Caldwell. The dialogue and her body language were all a moment straight out of every 'ship on nearly every show:

Caldwell: "You two are very close, aren't you?"

Weir (stops with her back to Caldwell, hesitates before turning around, one assumes to control her expression and tone before answering.): matter-of-factly "Yes. We've been through a lot together."

That is so the stock answer to that question - no, let's not reveal that "close" really means "has feelings for", so to avoid that, the character always says "We've been through a lot together." It's like the standard verbal evasion. But that's ok. cliche or not, it works for me. :) Besides, the entire episode was like a reflection of that conversation. Elizabeth unable to face ordering John's death, even when he asks her to, etc, etc.

And on the Ronon/Teyla front, there weren't any really 'ship moments, just an impression of how quickly Ronon has become comfortable with her and vice versa, and how much he's come to be a part of the team. He was worried about John as any of the others. When Rodney was whining on the planet, and Ronon assures him that there must be bigger and more dangerous predators than the bugs, he looks at Teyla while he says it and they share a smile at Rodney's expense. (Well, who doesn't smile at Rodney's expense now and again, really?)

Then when the teams are ordered to hunt down John, Ronon starts to leave and then stops and looks at Teyla: "Are you coming?" It's very obvious that he considers her an equal in the field, something that is the highest compliment his sort of character can pay another.

Anyway, not that I'm only watching this show for the 'ships...but it has been awhile since I've been this involved in a show mostly for the 'ships! BSG is just damn good SF, however you look at it, and while I admit to 'shipping Lee/Kara on it (for the long term, not any 1st, 2nd, 3rd season getting together), their relationship is hardly my main reason for watching.

Shows I have watched mainly because I shipped characters? La Femme Nikita - dude, Michael and Nikita were pretty much the reason to watch. Plus they kicked ass and took names. :) Silk Stalkings - don't get me started on the horrible way this show ended. Did Rita and Chris finally get together? Yes, but then they killed Chris off and had Rita, pregnant and widowed, leave the force. WTF, people?? Still the most memorably ruined show on TV for me. And Farscape must make this list, simply because John and Aeryn are the best ship on a show ever. The writers and actors knew how to keep tension in the story and between the characters whether or not they were 'together'. If it had been done differently, it could have killed the show the way a certain pairing almost single handedly killed Alias. But I'm not going to go there.

Basically, SGA is my new 'ship' show. :) Although I must admit, I enjoy all the characters. The show wouldn't be the same without Rodney and his arrogance, and I absolutely adore Carson.