Atlantis: Examples of Dark and Gritty Drama

[Jason1983]

This is what good drama looks like. It's good because we care about these characters. This is one of my most favorite scenes in the entire series. Joe Flannigan did a great job in this episode.
Episode: Adrift- Season 4, episode 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgQNGw_gCHE

 

[OCgatergal]

I was about to post that video until I realized that that was it.

 

[Jason1983]

Heres another one from "Millers Crossing."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4goFd0Qjqi8&feature=related

 

[Fizz]

You know, I think the entire S1 of Atlantis is far darker and grittier than the entirety of SGU so far, yes I went there. I know it's not new ground but seriously: Sheppard killing Sumner whether out of mercy or to protect earth is way, way darker than Chloe's already dying daddy sacrificing himself (heroically) for everyone else. The Storm/The Eye/The Defiant One gave me actual chills it is so gripping and dark, a guy shoots himself became he thinks McKay of all people wants to fight but can't because of him. Again midseason Shep kills more than 60 men without blinking (a trait he shared with Jack, but we have to forget that as well according to Nu SG). The Hoffans, Micheal, the replicators, Inqusition, Teyla and Ronan's potential issues, characters that actually did die or were lost during cliffhangers etc all of those lead down a potentially awesomely complex path that TPTB at their own admission mostly ignored in favor of McKay (hilariously) freaking out yet again. And Yes, Miller's Crossing is as dark as anything else on TV, and could have been an amazing character arc but got 30 seconds of angst before wrap up. TPTB act like the could never ever have done dark arcs in the other shows, but the stories were begging for them to go there..........

And you know, as much as I was desperate for some Shep backstory over the years I would have rolled my eyes if it had been in the pilot ala Scott's many, many DRAMATIC BACKSTORY ISSUES because caring about a character has to come over time.

And "Letters from Pegasus" is such a good episode because we don't have to endure kinofessionals all the fraking time. Used once IMHO it was effective, used 5 times and ep was snooze worthy.

 

[Joelist]

Add to this the premiere of Season 3 (No Man's Land).

Weir orders Caldwell and Lorne on what everyone has to assume is a suicide mission. When watching the dialog remember that Caldwell (great character and acting by Mitch Phileggi) and Wier don't really get along too well. She knows full well that Orion is not really ready to fight and that Daedalus has significant damage.

Caldwell: "You know what you're asking me to do?"

Weir: "The Wraith cannot be allowed to reach Earth at any cost, Steven"

He just looks at her and gives a faint nod and tells he needs to work on the Daedalus repairs. The relationship between those characters changed levels right there.

 

[Rac80]

Add to this the premiere of Season 3 (No Man's Land).

Weir orders Caldwell and Lorne on what everyone has to assume is a suicide mission. When watching the dialog remember that Caldwell (great character and acting by Mitch Phileggi) and Wier don't really get along too well. She knows full well that Orion is not really ready to fight and that Daedalus has significant damage.

Caldwell: "You know what you're asking me to do?"

Weir: "The Wraith cannot be allowed to reach Earth at any cost, Steven"

He just looks at her and gives a faint nod and tells he needs to work on the Daedalus repairs. The relationship between those characters changed levels right there.

YES!!! that is one of the most subtle and yet telling scenes in sga. Weir basically orders Caldwell to his death and he agrees. !!!!! that was so well written and acted.

I got sooooooooooooooooooo sick of the squeedrones whining about how "dark and real" sgpoo was- well hell so is shit sometimes...don't want it near me though! SGA had many understated but very dark moments, but because the characters didn't "wallow" in them the squeedrones call it camp!!! they want camp...watch the original batman tv show! SGA had depth, just didn't have the quality of writers needed to fully explore it.

 

[SG-Rocks]

I was just watching a few minutes of SGA with Oberon in it. Now why would the replicators choose to have a big honkin Ogden gut for their human form design. Some one must know. You'd think if they were so smart they base themselves on Pee Wee Herman or something.

 

[Joelist]

That's actually explained in the episodes with the Asurans.

Strictly speaking despite the Atlantis team calling them replicators they really are not replicators. They do not for example consume other technology, ships or the like. They are nanite based lifeforms created by the Ancients, and they base their appearance on their creators (this was elaborated on for example when the team encountered the splinter Asuran group trying to ascend). So Oberoth is likely based on an Ancient they interacted with at the time of their original creation.

 

[Joelist]

YES!!! that is one of the most subtle and yet telling scenes in sga. Weir basically orders Caldwell to his death and he agrees. !!!!! that was so well written and acted.

I got sooooooooooooooooooo sick of the squeedrones whining about how "dark and real" sgpoo was- well hell so is shit sometimes...don't want it near me though! SGA had many understated but very dark moments, but because the characters didn't "wallow" in them the squeedrones call it camp!!! they want camp...watch the original batman tv show! SGA had depth, just didn't have the quality of writers needed to fully explore it.

They could actually have put the stones to good use for the finale by stoning in Caldwell and his Daedalus command crew to command Destiny in the fight. They would have handled the ship a lot better. Remember that while Weir and Caldwell we're not always eye to eye (he did get along better with Carter and Woolsey interestingly) there was never a doubt portrayed about Caldwell's ability and skill as Commander of Daedalus - he was portrayed as a flat out excellent combat line officer.

 

[Rac80]

shippy glasses!

They could actually have put the stones to good use for the finale by stoning in Caldwell and his Daedalus command crew to command Destiny in the fight. They would have handled the ship a lot better. Remember that while Weir and Caldwell we're not always eye to eye (he did get along better with Carter and Woolsey interestingly) there was never a doubt portrayed about Caldwell's ability and skill as Commander of Daedalus - he was portrayed as a flat out excellent combat line officer.

Now my theory on that is the sexual tension between the two. I always thought weir and "Stephen" could have been HOT together. Also, once they de-gou'alded him they got along A LOT better. he realized that he was vunverable and she felt some understanding for him. I loved the hint at regular chess games between the two of them!

 

[SG-Rocks]

That's actually explained in the episodes with the Asurans.

Strictly speaking despite the Atlantis team calling them replicators they really are not replicators. They do not for example consume other technology, ships or the like. They are nanite based lifeforms created by the Ancients, and they base their appearance on their creators (this was elaborated on for example when the team encountered the splinter Asuran group trying to ascend). So Oberoth is likely based on an Ancient they interacted with at the time of their original creation.

THX. That's why I need to watch it AGAIN. Oberoth? Not very Shakespeare. I still like my Pee Wee idea though. :mrgreen:

 

[stclare]

Going back to millers crossing, i thought Mckay having to agree to his sister having various bones broken to slow the nanites down was very dark

I will never undersatnd how screeching = dark?

 

[Rac80]

Going back to millers crossing, i thought Mckay having to agree to his sister having various bones broken to slow the nanites down was very dark

I will never undersatnd how screeching = dark?

very dark. heck in the end of the first season, mckay screwed up and Peter Grodin sacrificed himself...very dark as well. There was a lot of "dark" in sga, just the squeedrones hated the show. I KNOW!!! It was too mature for them!

 

[theOldOne]

Now my theory on that is the sexual tension between the two. I always thought weir and "Stephen" could have been HOT together. Also, once they de-gou'alded him they got along A LOT better. he realized that he was vunverable and she felt some understanding for him. I loved the hint at regular chess games between the two of them!

I saw a Stargate convention vid on Youtube where Torri was asked by a fan if Weir would go out with Caldwell, and she was like, "No, not Cadwell!! Anyone but Caldwell!! Heck, even Michael!!" and then Joe F kisses Torri...

I'll post the link if I ever find it...

 

[Rac80]

I saw a Stargate convention vid on Youtube where Torri was asked by a fan if Weir would go out with Caldwell, and she was like, "No, not Cadwell!! Anyone but Caldwell!! Heck, even Michael!!" and then Joe F kisses Torri...

I'll post the link if I ever find it...

It doesn't matter, as any true shipper will tell you, we see what we want to see! besides how could she not go out with caldwell..he had a cute butt!

 

[Aragon101]

It doesn't matter, as any true shipper will tell you, we see what we want to see! besides how could she not go out with caldwell..he had a cute butt!

There's actually a deleted scene where Caldwell is talking with Carter about Command and they cut it out specifically becuase it was too "shippy"

SGA never forced the drama. The drama came as a result of the situation, not the situation as a result of the drama. The problem is the writers were never consistent with anything, including ships (Both the pew pew and the "oh god oh god!" ships )

 

[Gatefan1976]

There's actually a deleted scene where Caldwell is talking with Carter about Command and they cut it out specifically becuase it was too "shippy"

I liked that scene!

SGA never forced the drama. The drama came as a result of the situation, not the situation as a result of the drama. The problem is the writers were never consistent with anything, including ships (Both the pew pew and the "oh god oh god!" ships )

Very true my friend!
I don't get why people say SGA is all "light and fluffy", it really wasn't. I mean, I can see that people could "dismiss it" amongst the more "lighthearted" eps, but I always saw a thread of darkness in everything SGA, from the first ep up until "the last man" (esp last man!) S5 tended to wander away from that "darkness", but I think that was more due to TPTB seeming to be using SGA as a sorta "testbed" for SGU and really just "losing thier way" (or more specificly, not caring enough about it)

 

[Lilith]

It doesn't matter, as any true shipper will tell you, we see what we want to see! besides how could she not go out with caldwell..he had a cute butt!

He is a hottie and looks good in suit also. It's his bearing.

 

[fumblesmcstupid]

Fran.

Her sole purpose was to "die" you can't get any darker than that.

 

[Aragon101]

Fran.

Her sole purpose was to "die" you can't get any darker than that.

And she was damned funny too.

That's what i've come to discover. Good Dark can actually be damned hilarious. Not always mind you, but humor gives it that extra sense of realism because yes, when in dire situations, a human will deal with it anyway they can, including dark humor.

Soldiers, Fireman, Police Officers, EMTs, studies have shown them all to have darker senses of humor and political correctness because dammit, they have to deal somehow.