SGA

[scribblinlenore]

So, unlike most of my flist, I HATED Laryn, although it was that fun TV love-to-hate thing that's actually quite entertaining. I had the best time thinking--okay, maybe occasionally saying out loud--die, Laryn, die! while watching. If I analyze it logically, I should have really liked the character. She was capable and tough and filled with derring-do, but my reaction wasn't logical. It was visceral. And it was GLEEFUL WITH HATE!!! *g*

I get why people see Laryn and Sheppard as very similar. I'm sure that was intended by the writers. But what stands out for me are the differences. For all that Sheppard is willing to go to any lengths to protect Atlantis, force is never his first choice. And unless I've missed an episode somewhere, I've never seen him willing to sacrifice his people, only himself. Much less being cavalier about it.

Also, I'm thinking about all John's slouching and smirking and just general John-ness that must be SO annoying to his adversaries and commanding officers alike. And it occurs to me that Sheppard and Laryn are kind of like Roger Clemens, to borrow a baseball analogy. Clemens is a big bastard, but if he's on your team, then he's your bastard and you love him. John's on my team. Laryn isn't.

I did, though, really enjoy them turning the Sheppard-as-Kirk thing on its ear by having Laryn con him. Way to play against expectations, show!

I loved all the Atlantis stuff. Rodney being a bitchy, jealous boyfriend. Rodney being worried about John. Lorne! Just being...Lorne. "Even if it was a fleet of hive ships, would it stop us from trying to get him back?" Ronon! <333333 Did I mention bitchy, jealous Rodney? And perhaps most of all, Teyla's long-suffering eyeroll there at the end. Hee!

For all that I hated Laryn, I did find that scene of them in the closet pretty hot. (Although I did have to take time out to laugh about Sheppard in the closet!) It's interesting to me that Sheppard seems to experience attraction most genuinely in combative relationships. I'm not sure what that means, maybe just that he's free to really be himself. When John's in a position where he has to be "too nice," his solution always seems to be to throw up a false front, which precludes any real feelings of any kind.

In conclusion: I hope Laryn comes back (and I'm sure she will), because hating her is FUN! And is it wrong that I'm hoping for a Laryn-Teyla cage match? You know, just...because.

Comments

[calligrafiti.livejournal.com]

And is it wrong that I'm hoping for a Laryn-Teyla cage match?


Not wrong at all. Teyla would kick her ass. And Rodney would bring popcorn.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

And Rodney would bring popcorn.

Hee! That's just what I love about Rodney.

[tex.livejournal.com]

I hated Larrin because she was making John look a little foolish at times, but I liked her as a character. And yes, a Teyla-Larrin cage match would rock! Teyla would win by a mile.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

*nods* I thought she was a well-drawn character, too. Like Kolya. Who I also enjoyed hating. :)

And yes, yes! Teyla would totally win.

[fanaddict.livejournal.com]

I thought they were going for a Mr&Mrs Smith vibe that didn't really work because the ep was mostly our lounging hero trying whatever popped into his to get away and totally befuddling the gung ho military person - I think the Mr&Mrs Smith vibe requires people to be equally ruthless in their kickassery, and Sheppard is too laidback for that. I did like their interaction though, so it worked well enough for me. I don't think I hated or liked her as a person so much as an interesting foil for Sheppard.

Did I mention bitchy, jealous Rodney? And perhaps most of all, Teyla's long-suffering eyeroll there at the end. Hee!

That made the whole ep come together to make me happy. I have to wonder on how many away missions Teyla has to sit through Rodney or John simmering about the other guy spending so much time with a "hot" woman (kidnapper or otherwise). It just seemed like she'd heard it all before - which makes it even funnier.

And is it wrong that I'm hoping for a Laryn-Teyla cage match?

Heh - Teyla would kick her butt without breaking a sweat and then lock her up somewhere where she can't escape. Then she'd tell John that's how it's done. Meanwhile, Rodney would be cheerleading and telling John how easily Teyla took down his girlfriend, while John protested she wasn't his girlfriend and he could have taken her out as well as Teyla if he wanted to, etc. And Ronon would eat steak on a knife and smirk.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

*nods* She was an interesting foil for Sheppard. And I enjoyed her as a character, the same way I enjoyed Kolya as a character, who was also an interesting foil for Sheppard, but part of that enjoyment is getting my hate on. *g*

I have to wonder on how many away missions Teyla has to sit through Rodney or John simmering about the other guy spending so much time with a "hot" woman (kidnapper or otherwise).

Oh, my God, so, so many! Hee.

Heh - Teyla would kick her butt without breaking a sweat and then lock her up somewhere where she can't escape. Then she'd tell John that's how it's done. Meanwhile, Rodney would be cheerleading and telling John how easily Teyla took down his girlfriend, while John protested she wasn't his girlfriend and he could have taken her out as well as Teyla if he wanted to, etc. And Ronon would eat steak on a knife and smirk.

*accepts as canon*

[viggofest.livejournal.com]

I'm with you, but for a slightly different reason: I didn't like Larran (or however it's spelled) because she was shoved down our throats. It's been in interviews and articles, and then she shows up in leather and boots and wild hair and clevage.
I'd rather have had someone just be there and us be surprised by the chemistry. I mean, we already know she's coming back. Ooohhh, way to notch up the sexual tension: tell us about it.
I wish Ronon and Teyla had more to do, but I liked an episode that had John actually doing things for a change--the first few eps of this season had him neutered (look at his reaction to Ronon wanting to take on a hive ship--let's talk and talk some more.) I am surprised that Ronon took this all so well--maybe he's been neutered. The Ronon of past would've been chomping off to rescue Sheppard. Here he's slouching in the back seat, look at my Flashdance top, don't I look hot in purple.
And if Teyla is this tamed down now, I hate to think how she'll be further into Rachel's pregnancy.
But let's get back to John/Joe: he's on our team--what a perfect summation!

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I'm such a spoiler phobe that I never read any of the articles and interviews, which, wow, I'm really glad of now that you tell me about it. Because then I wouldn't even have been able to enjoy hating the character.

I can understand your frustration with Ronon and Teyla's reactions. I think they were keeping all the other characters fairly muted to let the episode be all John, all the time, except for the Rodney stuff that they were playing for laughs. But now that you bring it up, they really did come off as out of character.

[barely-bean.livejournal.com]

See, I didn't think they were all that alike. I actually said she was better at being him-- i mean, she's far more reckless and willing to make the hard choices. John totally would have backed down if his people were the ones who were going to die of radiation poisoning. In a way, I liked her more because of that-- I think because I was expecting her to fit into the Sheppard's women mold with the whole virginal innocence and I liked that she was doing what she needed to in order to survive for her and her people which included sacrificing a couple of people if it meant getting a ship for a 1000 more to live. I also really liked that she didn't just fall for the John Sheppard charm. I actually liked that for once it seemed we got a girl of the week and John interacted with her like an equal.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

I'm with you in appreciating that she didn't fit into the usual mold for women on the show, and as I said in my post, logically I should like her a lot. She's in the same mold as Ruby and Bela on Supernatural, and I LOVE them. There definitely need to be more kick ass female characters on TV.

But Lerrin/Lerryn/Larrin/whatever...I don't know. Sometimes you just take a dislike to a person. And it's weird, really, that SGA is the show that plays on all my personal issues. Who would have thought it? But I realized after I posted this that I just don't have the ability to like someone who turns on the person who restored their life. I understand her reasons, but still, it crossed a line with me. Stop playing on my personal issues, SGA! Please! *g*

I do actually think it's cool, though, that the show finally gave me a female character who was worth hating (for me) based on the content of her character rather than the fact that she was just drawn really poorly. I call that progress!

[writerlibrarian]

Someone mentioned a Home Alone vibe to the episode (can't remember who) and I kinda agree in a way more then a Mr and Mrs Smith. John can be ruthless with enemies (see The Storm) but not with his own people unlike Laren (sp?) (I kept thinking Ro Laren is Bajoran, you're missing an earing). Now, Michelle Forbes, I would have bought for this character more than the actual actress.

Overall I kinda like having a smart Sheppard episode.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Michelle Forbes! I've been watching Homicide reruns on Sleuth TV and been thinking that there should be more Michelle Forbes on my current shows. I loved her as Ro Laren, too.

And yes, I really enjoyed seeing Sheppard in action in this. I squeed when he was able to fix the control chair!

Michelle Forbes would have rocked as Larrin!

[yinkawills.livejournal.com]

Ive recently given into pressure, and finally started watching Battlestar Galactica. And Michelle Forbes as the vicious,hardline military Admiral Cain was awesome.Scary.Steely. Frightening
all the men,whilst being female.

If they'd cast her in Travelers, the dynamic with Sheppard would have been very unusual.:):)She'd have been much more convinving as a ruthless leader.He'd have had no hesitation in punching her!

But then, BSG does strong female characters a trillion times better than stargate, 'cos their writers are incredible and dont just endlessly re-cycle ideas from SG1 or other (old) scifi shows...

[logovo.livejournal.com]

I liked her too in that hate-love thing. She did not annoy me, thank god, because I'm sure she'll be coming back at least once.

That ;ast scene with Rodney complaining, Ronon giving that look and Teyla rolling her eyes, that was a perfect team moment for me \o/

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

As barely_bean said, it's great that they came up with a female character so very different than Sheppard's women usually are. I like that I can enjoy hating her the way I used to enjoy hating Kolya. It's very satisfying!

And yay for team moments! That's always for the win!

[beeej.livejournal.com]

I think my favorite part was John flopping on the bed and pouting like a 13 year old girl. ;)

Other than that, my favorite moments lately are the team moments, like at the end of this ep. They've gelled so well as a cast, and I adore the looks and facial expressions as they interact with each other. Teyla's eyeroll, and the looks Ronon gives Rodney always crack me up. I just want to smish them all to bits. :)

Also? I love the idea of Teyla kicking Laryn's ass. I want that really badly.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

This year has ROCKED with the team moments. I kind of wondered if adding Sam Carter as a character was going to upset that, but it hasn't, not even a little bit.

I do hope for either a Teyla smackdown of Laryn. Or Rodney doing it with words, because you know he'd be at least as jealous of her as he was of Chaya. *g*

[mmmchelle.livejournal.com]

I want Larrin to come back just so she can meet Rodney. I kept for Rodney and co. to rescue John, fix the ship and take it, because I wanted to see Larrin meet Rodney, watch Rodney immediately place himself between her and John, and catch on that John was off-limits even if John doesn't know it.

I also wanted her to see John's faith that Rodney can fix anything.

I didn't get as much chemistry between Larrin and John as others did. To me it seemed like John's relationship with Teyla, something that might have a hint of attraction but with time would settle into friendship.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, yes, I'm TOTALLY a fan of your vision for the Larrin v. Rodney death match! Rodney would go more overboard with Larrin than he did with Chaya. It would be a thing of beauty! *crosses fingers and hopes we get it*

I thought John had more chemistry with Larrin than he usually does with women. Not that that's saying all that much! Mostly, I'd say that she tweaked him a little bit because she didn't fall for his laconic flyboy charm schtick.

[mmmchelle.livejournal.com]

Also, I totally agree with you about her being far too cavalier with her men's lives.

[shhbabe.livejournal.com]

So I'm not the only one who cheered when the wraith had her down on the ground?

I saw Laryn as more a female Lorne - small, cute, duty-bound, but far more pragmatic than John is ever willing to be.

When they're yelling for each other, when they lost communication, Rodney was all like 'Sheppard come in!' and John was yelling 'Rodney! Rodney!' He only called him McKay last. Alone in the dark, he calls for Rodney. *fangirl sigh*

I loved Ronon this epi. He got almost no lines but what he said mattered.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

You know, I didn't really start rooting against Laryn until she turned on Sheppard after he'd saved her life. Ungrateful wench! Then I was rooting for the Wraith to come back and finish the job right this time.

When they're yelling for each other, when they lost communication, Rodney was all like 'Sheppard come in!' and John was yelling 'Rodney! Rodney!' He only called him McKay last. Alone in the dark, he calls for Rodney. *fangirl sigh*

*sighs with you* That was a slashy thing of beauty!

And I totally agree with you about Ronon. He had the best line of the episode!

[meret.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed the character of Laren, but hated the actress. I thought she was terrible. I'd love to see Laren again provided they find someone else to play her.

It's interesting to me that Sheppard seems to experience attraction most genuinely in combative relationships.

Wear a leather catsuit, rough him up a little, threaten him, and John's yours. I'm hoping there will lots of femdom fic about this. *eg*

On a more serious note, I wondered if he'd had to donate a sperm sample as part of the deal to let him go. John seemed very cagey at the end. Having their own people with the ancient gene would be preferable to having to kidnap someone with one.

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

Maybe that's why I hated Laren. Not Laren so much as how she was being played. I'm usually a big fan of tough chicks.

On a more serious note, I wondered if he'd had to donate a sperm sample as part of the deal to let him go. John seemed very cagey at the end. Having their own people with the ancient gene would be preferable to having to kidnap someone with one.

Oh, that's really interesting, Meret! Even if it doesn't happen on the show, someone should write a story along those lines. Cool thought!

[meret.livejournal.com]

Even if it doesn't happen on the show, someone should write a story along those lines. Cool thought!

Thanks. If you feel inspired to write about it, feel free! :)

[tenillypo.livejournal.com]

John's on my team. Laryn isn't.

HAH! So true.

Honestly, I hated her pretty much on sight as well. I think part of that is the actress. I found her completely unbelievable. Part of that is that I feel like the writers were just trying too damn hard to make us see how tough and cool and hot she is. It was cartoonish and annoying.

But fun to bitch about, as you say. *g* And hey, we got Team!love and Lorne and Rodney acting like a worried wife! That's got to count for something, right?

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

It was cartoonish and annoying.

Yes! I couldn't find the words. But that's definitely how I felt.

And hey, we got Team!love and Lorne and Rodney acting like a worried wife! That's got to count for something, right?

Absolutely! This season has really rocked with the team moments. And honestly? I wouldn't have needed any more than John calling out for Rodney, and Rodney's worried little "Sheppard?" when they lost contact to enjoy the episode. I'm easy that way! *g*

[ahab99.livejournal.com]

I sort of felt like Laren was a sideshow to the incredible way Sheppard has absolutely no chemistry with women. Jflan was trying so hard, too, I think! And yet....the gayness was overwhelming.

I do think they've set up her to come back again, though, what with the whole "your technology could be useful" and "she's still out there" things. I'll be happy as long as we get a Rodney smack-down scene when she comes back. ;)

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

LOL! It's so, so true. John's gayness always shines through. I mean, in all his little whatevers with women, he always looks like he's never seen a female in his life, much less actually touched one.

Rodney smackdown scene for the win!

[ahab99.livejournal.com]

I mean, in that cafeteria scene at the end, when Rodney guesses that she was hot and then starts to complain, the camera sort of lingered on John at the very end. I'm not sure what they were intending, but I came away with the distinct impression that John was thinking to himself, "Yeah, she was hot, and it was TERRIFYING. *shudder*" ;)

EVEN BETTER is how when I first typed this comment I typed "herself" instead of "himself" in that last line. I'm glad I caught it before I hit Submit!

[ifylla.livejournal.com]

or a Laryn-Rodney slapfight?

[scribblinlenore.livejournal.com]

A beautiful idea! I heartily approve!