SGA 5x09: "Tracker" Talkback (Spoilers)

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2008-09-20 10:41am

The team comes to the aid of a village under Wraith threat, but Ronon and McKay must rescue one of their own when Dr. Keller is kidnapped.

***

Here's the usual talkback thread; sorry about forgetting to put it up last night.

Post by **Steve** » 2008-09-20 04:18pm

Good thing I didn't think of it, I might've stolen this from you as well.

I enjoyed the show, but I've found I enjoy Atlantis quite a bit and don't see the supposed "decline in quality" that was said to hit the series in Season 3. Oh, I see where the production crew made mistakes, sometimes severe and stupid ones, but it hasn't detracted from my enjoyment of SGA too much. (I do have complaints about various episodes, of course. The Season 4 premiere came off as forced as bad thing after bad thing is thrown at Atlantis in an already dire situation, like they were trying to pad the first episode because they didn't think they could adequately fit the more important events of episode 2 into the premiere.)

The tracking parts were the best, a chance for Ronan to do something more than shoot and hit stuff (which he does often enough in this episode anyway), and having two skilled Runners in one place allowed for a lot of asskicking. Though Keller managing to hold off a Wraith in melee combat long enough for Rodney to reload his sidearm was an interesting surprise.

And, of course, the vague hint of both Rodney and Ronan competing for Keller (even if we, the viewers, are pretty certain that Keller's already made her choice) is fun, though I think Ronan may have just been messing with Rodney a bit. I don't recall him seeming too smitten with Keller.

On to the next episode, then.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2008-09-20 04:19pm

I seem to recall some episode where Ronan and Keller 'almost' shared a kiss. Twice, actually, once in a jumper somewhere, and once in the episode where all of Atlantis got locked down.

Zac Naloen · Post by **Zac Naloen** » 2008-09-20 04:23pm

I enjoyed the show, but I've found I enjoy Atlantis quite a bit and don't see the supposed "decline in quality" that was said to hit the series in Season 3. Oh, I see where the production crew made mistakes, sometimes severe and stupid ones, but it hasn't detracted from my enjoyment of SGA too much.

I feel much the same about SG-1 and Atlantis.

I can't detect the sudden drop in quality people claim took place in either show. It seems to me people just got bored of the show and forgot to stop watching like you are supposed to when that happens.

PREDATOR490 · Post by **PREDATOR490** » 2008-09-20 06:01pm

Fairly standard episode but I'm finding this Rodney vs. Ronan situation a bit tiresome. On the one hand it seems to be an attempt by the producers to salavage Ronan's character and on the other create suspense over who Keller is going to end up with. The issue I see coming is the cliche macho bullshit Ronan and Rodney are going to get into in this competition.

On the note of the episode itself, is this tracker ability ACTUALLY real or have movies / series grown a brainbug about the concept to the point it is almost like a superpower for a character able to do it ?
This episode left me with a strong desire to eye roll as Ronan reeled off numerous details in the tracks that sound like he had the script of what Keller and co. were doing rather than actually 'reading' the tracks.
I cant help but notice this episode made a subtle hint that another advanced race is in play in the galaxy just like they did with Weir's return and wether or not this is foreshadowing of a future confrontation.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2008-09-20 06:06pm

PREDATOR490 wrote:On the note of the episode itself, is this tracker ability ACTUALLY real or have movies / series grown a brainbug about the concept to the point it is almost like a superpower for a character able to do it ?
This episode left me with a strong desire to eye roll as Ronan reeled off numerous details in the tracks that sound like he had the script of what Keller and co. were doing rather than actually 'reading' the tracks.

Number of footprints, depth, length of stride, and tread are all pretty clear indicators. Given that Ronan knew who was taken and that he was in fact a runner, none of the conclusions he drew from the evidence required any great leaps. Also, keep in mind Ronan learned to hunt and track at a very young age, and has been doing it for a long time.

There ARE tracking brainbugs we see sometimes, like being able to determine exact numbers of large groups, but a clear trail can tell you a lot about who you're following.

CaptJodan · Post by **CaptJodan** » 2008-09-20 08:58pm

Since I find myself often agreeing with you on SG-1 issues, I might as well start here.

PREDATOR490 wrote:Fairly standard episode but I'm finding this Rodney vs. Ronan situation a bit tiresome. On the one hand it seems to be an attempt by the producers to salavage Ronan's character and on the other create suspense over who Keller is going to end up with.

Hey, any effort to bring some life into Ronan, even if it is cliched, is practically welcomed at this point by me. The man has very little going for him, I don't find him too compelling an actor, and I'd like to pretend every once and a while that he deserves to be on the main cast. Maybe having some minor back-storyline would help that. It might lead to exactly what you say, but at least it gives Ronan somewhere to go.

I agree that this was a fairly standard episode. Not too bad, overall, though I get the sense that money is tight or something. First we had "attack of the zombies" where we had one main character, one frequent guest character, and McKay who showed up to book-end the episode. This one had a very similar vibe with Sheppard book-ending two (I guess 3 since Keller is now on the main credits) main characters.

Stargate Nerd · Post by **Stargate Nerd** » 2008-09-21 03:07am

Zac Naloen wrote:
I can't detect the sudden drop in quality people claim took place in either show.

I for one could detect a sudden drop in quality - in the Wraith hunters, at least. First one of them runs straight into McKays gunfire, and then another almost gets beat up by Jennifer "had a few sparring sessions" Keller.

And what's with the Wraith still wasting time and resources on such trivial pursuits anyway?

All in all pretty enjoyable episode. 3.5/4

Revy · Post by **Revy** » 2008-09-21 06:42am

Yeah, it comes to something when a Wraith Hunter (not even a regular faceless drone mind) gets gunned down by McKay using a 9mm pistol, whilst barely aiming. Oooh. Aren't the Wraith so terrifying?

This is one of Stargates more annoying elements. A new threat is introduced, it kicks ass, then familiarity breeds contempt and new ubber threat becomes a red-shirt quality joke. I'd bet we're going to see the exact same thing in the new series as well. Assuming it even lasts long enough ... (it might, Andromeda lasted a good three or so years even after it jumped shark and became 100% crap).

Decent enough episode, though I have to wonder why Keller, once she convinced the Runner she was on his side, didn't just ask for her radio to call her friends and get them to help them back to the gate. She must have known Ronin could have carried the kid and McKay could have disabled the tracking device, but she doesnt even ask for her radio back.

The Wraith really are a joke now anyway, and I again have to wonder how we are supposed to take Michael and his hybrids seriously when they arent even as tough as the now thouroughly neutered full Wraith are.

You know what I'd have liked to see turn up? Remember that episode a while back when they came across a Wraith mind-altering machine? It made them all hullucinate and kill each other, and it was said that a Wraith scientist must have built it to try and increase the Wraiths natural ability to manipulate their victims minds and senses. I'd have thought it great to have that scientist turn up with massively boosted mind-fuck powers going well beyond what even the Queens can do. He'd make for a decent Wraith villain - after all they'd be lucky if they could even shoot him as he'd either be able to mentally will them to stop or just mess with their vision so they couldn't even see him. Notice that the Wraith shadow/mind stuff pretty much gets forgotten about these days? Shame, but I put it down to the general red-shirt effect I mentioned earlier.

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2008-09-21 10:53am

Revy wrote: I'd bet we're going to see the exact same thing in the new series as well. Assuming it even lasts long enough ... (it might, Andromeda lasted a good three or so years even after it jumped shark and became 100% crap).

I've been wondering about that. Because of the nature of the plot, it does make it difficult to have a recurring villain -- unless the Destiny's crew manages to sufficiently piss off someone enough to follow them to the ends of the cosmos.

Revy wrote:You know what I'd have liked to see turn up? Remember that episode a while back when they came across a Wraith mind-altering machine? It made them all hullucinate and kill each other, and it was said that a Wraith scientist must have built it to try and increase the Wraiths natural ability to manipulate their victims minds and senses. I'd have thought it great to have that scientist turn up with massively boosted mind-fuck powers going well beyond what even the Queens can do. He'd make for a decent Wraith villain - after all they'd be lucky if they could even shoot him as he'd either be able to mentally will them to stop or just mess with their vision so they couldn't even see him. Notice that the Wraith shadow/mind stuff pretty much gets forgotten about these days? Shame, but I put it down to the general red-shirt effect I mentioned earlier.

Well, if the first SGA DTV does well, we can always hope. But yeah, that would have been an interesting episode.

Braedley · Post by **Braedley** » 2008-09-21 05:48pm

Not a bad episode IMHO, but not the best that I've seen from Atlantis. I didn't get drawn in like I do with other eps and series, but I didn't feel bored of it either. Too bad McKay couldn't take the teleportation device back to Atlantis. I also agree that it's about time to give Ronan a little more life as a character. There's really only been a handful of episodes where his character was developed in any manner.

3.5+/5 (the plus for being a "You should watch this ep anyways")