SGA "Miller's Crossing"

[kristen999]

First, gut reactions to "Miller's Crossing"



Thoughts on Miller's Crossing.

I was impressed, Martin G has come a long way since “Childhood's End”.

I've always liked his McKay episodes, they're tight, nice character development and some cool humor and I often wished we got that type of development for the others. This episodes had a great amount of balance...the balance I felt has been absent in “Missing” and “Travelers”. You can have key character focused episode while keeping the “B” plot balanced.

Also big props for bringing Ronon to Earth and letting Jason and Joe burn the scene in those suits.

Eye candy aside this was another great episode showcasing Rodney's growth. It was his dumb move to go alone to find his sister and his poor choice of words with a semi-crazy, grieving dad that made him go for “extra leverage”. But he rose to the occasion doing anything to help his sister , including offering himself to the Wraith. His speech to the Wraith...just awesome, figuring out exactly what the Wraith would want to hear to do it.

See that scene was perfect. The gift of life was not cheapened like it was in Travelers. Loved how Sheppard pulled the CO card, even though you knew it was more than that...Sheppard can't lose another member of his team, of his family... not letting McKay sacrifice himself.... just great acting between Joe and David.

What impressed me the most was the character development between Sheppard and Rodney. I was shocked at the ending, how Sheppard convinced,/guilted the dad into giving himself up to the Wraith. Just awesome. I'm glad that we saw what Sheppard was willing to do to help Rodney and that neat bonus scene at the end, in Shep's quarters. Thanks for that growth between them, that we got more than just a McKay episode...this was a suspenseful episode that could have been cliched but was very nicely done.

Comments

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I love LJ spoilers. So much nicer than spoilers at GW. Mostly just, "gosh this episode sucked as did everyone in it and I hope this character dies..." at GW. I swear there's people on there that have hated every single episode, making me wonder why they're even watching the show.

That said... well, I can't say much else since I haven't seen the episode. *Pets spoilers* Precious spoilers. So far, though, it sounds like a lot of people liked this episode.

On another front, and this is just more my opinion, I honestly hope they never do an episode where McKay, or someone else of the main cast, gets fed on by a wraith. I just feel that's Sheppard's experience and Sheppard's alone. I think having someone else go through it would cheapen it (especially if they made it more angsty than what John had gone through).

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

People at GW will complain about anything.

I agree, I don't ever want anyone esle to be fed on..it would so cheapen what happened to John.

Overall I enjoyed this, becasue as I said Martin G writes Rodney eppys and to have this depth that included Sheppard...I was surpised and liked the added layers as a result.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I had some problems with the bad email security on the computers, but it was a plot device, but overall, definitely enjoyed it, and you pointed out a lot of what I liked about the episode - character growth - what everybody was willing to do to save a loved one.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I agree...though this is Martin G....sorry the plot holes in "Childhood's End" were so big a fleet of busses could drive through them......

I agree about the security stuff you pointed out ..I mean COME ON....but besides that and a few other minor nitpicks...this was pretty good.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

More like a battleship or two (plothole size) ;)

but overall, definitely enjoyed the episode and think it offers some complex fodder for fanfic :):)

[sheryden.livejournal.com]

Yes, the suits were delicious. What a beautiful pair of men.

I wonder how many McShep fics will come out of this episode. Seems like a goldmine.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Hehe there will be many. Yes, I'd like one Ronon and Shep in uits at my door please. Where do I order?

[sheryden.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'd like one Ronon and Shep in uits at my door please. Where do I order?

If you find out, let me know. They'd even make laundry day more fun!

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Okay that Icon is the hawt...may I snag and credit?

[sheryden.livejournal.com]

Sure. Here's the original icon post. She makes some beautiful Sheppard icons.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Wow..just spent 45 mins spamming her LJ with comments and snagging icons like crazy. WOW. Now I have to get a paid account just to hold them all...might as well, I'm tired of cycling them out every few weeks.

[inthekeyofd.livejournal.com]

I loved that it showed just what John would do to help or save Rodney, he did what he had to do to keep him from making an incredible mistake, no matter how noble it was, and I love that about John, he does it quietly, not with a bang, but with a whisper.

And the suit shaved a year off my life.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I like chracters that are not black and white, that there are more complex layers there.

The suit with NO tie...is dead dead

[kimberlyfdr.livejournal.com]

I just posted my commentary. I cannot believe how AWESOME this episode was. Jeannie rocks, Rodney's emotional (and he said JOHN) and John's just...he can create so much emotion in just two words and he plays dirty, but he does it because he loves Rodney and he cannot let him put himself in danger.

As Joe Flanigan said, John is a pretty pretty psycho princess. This would be proof positive of that fact.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Thats the second time he's said John, only under extreme stress.....I love our show.

well a crazy fan asked him that weird question...lol he just answered it....

I got to say it

[ditraveler.livejournal.com]

I loved this...dark sheppard turn, awesome
he and rodney on that scene, wow!! Joe flannigan has show a new side on this season, I like it.
Now Hewllit has always have the best writting, lets face it, the writers love writing crazy Rodney. But this was pretty awesome Sheppard too, SO well delivered, so morally wrong but at the same time logically right.
Ronon & Shep cloathing, deliciouse! I had to say it even infront of my husband who gave me the same OKAY that rodney gave his sister when she told him he was no john sheppard LOL.

I love it he tells me one day when he saw my atlantis drawings on my sketchbook.
"How can I compete with this!" (pointing a sheppard)
I reply: "Ah honey! ...you always win! you have a huge advantage! you are not a fictional character!" LOL.

Re: I got to say it

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I know Joe Flan has been pushing for a daker side...he doesn't like this pure heroic persona, too black and white which I think is a fair assesement.

I loved that line...ne he's no john sheppard, even hubby laughed at that.

[wynterblue.livejournal.com]

I'll concur, as much as I loved Travelers (for obvious reasons), Miller's Crossing was just so much more.

Rodney has gone so far emotionally since the first show. He's still self centered, but he also cares about other people. And I think Carson and Sheppard did that. Their friendship made him realize that he did need friends, he wanted friends, and having friends would not diminish who he was.

On the same note, Sheppard's never allowed himself to care for anyone. It's so painfully obvious. He'll pal around with you, but never formed anything deeper. With the Atlantis crew I think he finally found his home and his family and he's the type that will fight to the death to protect them both.

That being said..... I was still a little disturbed by the turn of events. Rodney knows what the wraith wants and is willing to pay the price to save his family. Sheppard knows all to well what a bargain like that really means and is willing to make a deal with the devil to save his family. And JF, GOODNESS! When Rodney came to John and told him what he was planing, did you see the tears in Sheppard's eyes?! JF can say so much without actually talking, gah.

The little scene at the end, where Rodney acknowledges that Sheppard for all intent and purposes killed for him and that he's grateful for it? Priceless. It speaks volumes of Sheppard's commitment to his family on Atlantis and of Rodney's understanding that there is more to the universe than just himself. And of the common bond they both share. They're family.

On a totally trivial note, I didn't get a good glimpse of it, but was SHeppard reading a comic book? Anyone?

[ditraveler.livejournal.com]

He was reading a comic book, don't know which though, kind of dark.


Tears? really?

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

We're all still trying to figure out which comic book it was. Everything you said I so agree with. No one said Sheppard was perfect...what he did was wrong...but was did Wallace when he posioned McKay's sister.

I like shades og gray, imprefections, flaws. Joe Flan said he wanted to see a darker side to Sheppard and he got it...but it was to protect his family...and that was teh crux of this eppy...what people were willing to do to protect the ones they love.