(S05E06) The folks over at Atlantis had quite a week, even before we got to the new episode. Knowing that the countdown to the end of the series has now begun made it feel just a little different tuning in on Friday night. The plans for a movie lessen the gravity of the news, as the show won't have to build to its final climactic moment, but there is still something to knowing its all ending. To take our minds off of that news, the crew checks in with a solid stand-alone episode that really stood out thanks to the performance of David Hewlett.
That's really where this one begins and ends, don't you think? In the big picture, "The Shrine" doesn't carry much weight. It's a decent enough idea for a story, scary space parasite and a ticking clock. But it's something that we've all seen before. That plot on its own wasn't enough to carry this episode anywhere past a C grade. Where the episode really shines though is in the work of David Hewlett.
I've always been a fan of McKay. His unwavering love of himself, and his own brilliance, is at once infuriating and amusing. To see him reduced to that child like state of confusion, and his experience of the anguish of knowing what is happening to him was very gripping. And a lot of the credit for that goes to David Hewlett. On his blog, producer Joe Mallozzi had said, "'The Shrine of Talus' will be a David Hewlett tour de force." He called that right. It really was an outstanding performance.
That's not to say that Hewlett did all the work. The story provided an opportunity to really show the dynamic of the team and the bonds that have formed. It even coughed up an opportunity for another good Woolsey scene. It totally caught me off guard when his touching story about his father was turned as a reason not to follow through with Ronon's plan. Ronon and Teyla both took a bit of a back seat, but what they did get was also good.
Their lack of screen time did provide an opening for the return of Jeanie (Kate Hewlett). If Jeanie was ever going to come back, this was certainly the time and place. It made sense that they would call her, and it turned the tide so they could move forward with Ronon's plan.
Although, that was one of the things about the episode that just didn't feel quite right. I struggle with the idea that Keller was stopping anyone from doing anything. It still feels like she's trying to work her way into her position and I can't imagine any of them actually giving her decision much credence. It's more like they would pat her on the head and think it's cute that she's trying to execute some authority.
Fortunately, those protests were short lived, and the scenes at the shrine worked out very well. I especially liked McKay's reaction to the realization that they had brought him there to die, after a nice lunch. It led to a nice exchange.
"I die?"
"With honor and dignity."
"Screw that!"
Also good was Sheppard's do it yourself MacGyver brain surgery kit. That one initially gave me pause, because I can suspend a lot of disbelief, but I was wondering just how Keller was going to open up his melon for brain surgery in that cave. The parasite wanting to escape the radiation was a clever solution to that problem. 
Through all of it though, the one scene that stood out for me above all the others was McKay and Sheppard on the pier. It's telling that when he was really scared, he went running to Sheppard. And Sheppard's reaction to it was just what McKay needed. He didn't patronize him and the two of them shared a very nice moment that really showed what their relationship has become, over a Budweiser. There was still enough of the real McKay there for him to explain, "I want you to remember me as your genius friend." It also provided the line of the night with, "You're a good friend, Arthur."
And finally, there's the business of the McKay/Keller romance. The ending took me by surprise. I thought the earlier conversation where Keller said, "You bought me one drink." was putting that story to rest. But with that final bit, the whole can of worms is all over the table again. I'm kind of, eh, on the whole thing. It's not a strong suit for the show. It's not going to turn me away, but the show could really do without it. So, there we have it. One step closer to the end. A good idea, turned into a great episode by some great performances.
Other fun stuff:
"The Shrine" is episode 300 of the Stargate franchise. Crazy.
For any of you upset about the cancellation, feel free to use Flu Bird Horror as this week's rally cry. Because, seriously, they made a movie called Flu Bird Horror. If I tried, I don't think I could come up with a more ridiculous title.
The FX for season five continue to impress. I really liked the submerged gate in the glacial lake and the Atlantis backdrop to the conversation on the pier.
Update: Reader george points out in the comments that there was a parasite floating in the water when the team was on top of the gate. If you want to check it out, it's just after Sheppard says he "got a little damp dialing the DHD." I took a screencap of it, but given that it's already blurred being underwater, it doesn't look so great. The effect is much better as you watch it travel across the screen during the scene.
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-23-2008 @ 10:55AM
Usama said...
You're right, generally a story like this creates an episode I wouldn't want to show to my non-Stargate initiated friends but the acting by Hewlitt (actually both Hewlitts) was amazing. In fact I have two sisters, one of whom does not watch Stargate but she's seen enough here and there (bits and pieces of episodes, I'm taking a few seconds each) to know the general cast of SGA. After the first few min I asked her to sit down and watch this episode just for the acting and she was hooked.. she thought the ending was sort of quick and lame but said that the acting by Hewlitt is what kept her watching.
FX were cool .. although my sister thought the waterfall was took fake at one point .. but she missed the Stargate in the water which was really beautiful as they kept pulling out and out. Also them sitting by the pier was nice, and you could see (in HD) each little droplet of beer when "Arthur" spat his beer.
I was actually fine w/ Dr. Keller wanting to keep McKay.. I wasn't sure quite why at first, I just thought she didn't want to leave someone who she had a crush on in the hands of "magic," she really wanted to fix the problem herself with her own methods. Plus the idea that after that one day of being normal McKay would die, not to mention she thought the whole thing was a bit tortuous, I think she had adequate enough reasons to be against the idea and as her doctor they couldn't do anything about it. BUT, then in the last scene when you learn what McKay says to her, I think that is the nail in the coffin. So she HAD to save him and in her mind the shrine was a one-way ticket and she didn't want that for him.
Season 5 has been a little bumpy too but I think we've come a long way from the first few seasons. I like that the show isn't afraid to change things up because things have to change, it's the natural order of things, and you get to see new dynamics play in what is inevitiably a familiar situation (after 300 episodes of Stargate, not to mention so much SciFi around, it's hard not to borrow ideas). I'm really going to miss the show and no amount of movies is going to make up for that.
Finally, and I'm sorry I know this has been long, but regarding this episode I kind of wished they hadn't added the time factor but that he just (slowly) dwindled down to what he was at the start of the episode and that they stretched this into 3 or 4 episodes. It would've gone against the "monster of the week" nature of Stargate but Atlantis has been able to do 3 epsiode arcs .. I'm not talking about an Arc, I mean you would have 3 or 4 episodes where things still happen around or to the Atlantis team but they don't have Sheppard and they're all doing their thing but they're also trying to figure out how to fix him. Ok I'm done.
Reply
8-23-2008 @ 10:57AM
Usama said...
Sorry in that last paragraph I of course meant to say that they don't have McKay (and not Sheppard)
8-23-2008 @ 11:29AM
Elyse said...
It was a great episode, made bittersweet by SciFi's/MGM's callous announcement of 'oh, we're canceling the snow while it's on top, and by the way, here's a new show you're going to like so forget about SGA, except for a movie or two" Grrrr
Anyway, the Hewletts were fantastic in this episode! And the rest of the cast were good too. There was Ronon, fiercely protective and loyal to Rodney, and Sheppard, doing his best to avoid saying goodbye (just like he refused to discuss a funeral for McKay in "Tao of Rodney.")
Loved the DIY brain surgery, but hey, it's a drill ;)
Reply
8-23-2008 @ 2:29PM
george said...
Did they show one of those parasites floating in the water in the submerged gate scene?
Reply
8-24-2008 @ 12:56AM
JDog said...
now that you bring it up, I also noticed a spindly item floating in that water just below the surface as they panned right to left to show the team stranded on top of the gate. After seeing the parasite post removal, it could very easily have been a call back.
I loved this episode for what the starahte franchise has done so well -trust the strong writing, great actors and discerning viewers to follow and belive in the relationships of the characters, even when placed in derivative scenarios.
8-23-2008 @ 5:52PM
Brett said...
I think you're right george. I added a somewhat inconclusive screencap and where to find the scene at the end of the post. In video, it really does appear to be one of the parasites.
8-23-2008 @ 7:43PM
Guillermo Esteves said...
I thought the plot was a little weak, specially the characters' attitudes towards the shrine. I think it's been pretty much established by this point that Ancient tech is capable of just about anything, and Ancient artifacts are usually treated as having the highest value, so their apathy towards the shrine (dismissing it as "magical", and I think Keller said she didn't even expect it to work) just didn't seem consistent with their characters.
Any other time, I think they would have gone to the shrine to find out more about its Ancient tech and figure out a way to use it to heal Rodney. But they didn't even consider that possibility, they just went to say goodbye.
Reply
8-24-2008 @ 9:58AM
Usama said...
I was wondering about that too the moment people rejected Ronon's idea but I wasn't sure if he billed it as ancient tech. They SHOULD have thought "hey what if there's some bizarre ancient tech doing this?" but instead I think they took what Ronon said literally and thought that this cave is supposed to heal the person for one day and then that's it. It's really weird, you'd think the team would start asking him, "was there some sort of device? do you have to stand somewhere specifically?" before they get there. Yeah so I agree that they dropped the ball there but not quite in the same way you do I guess .. but I had assumed that as soon as McKay figured out what the device was doing to him that they'd replicate conditions going back to Atlantis but I guess they then had to add the time crunch.
8-23-2008 @ 8:37PM
Morjana Coffman said...
Again, thank you TV Squad for your terrific screen prints from the episode. They really are icing on the Stargate Atlantis 'cake.'
A wonderful, delicious episode, sort of a like a seven course meal. Instead of say, for example, a beef stew, with everything in one helping, we were treated to separate courses: 1) the appetizer in the introduction of Jeanie Miller on Atlantis, 2) the soup -- literally, Team Atlantis sitting on TOP of the offworld Stargate, surrounded by water, 3) the entree, Rodney in danger and the team trying to find an answer, 4) the main course -- the journey to The Shrine, 5) the bread -- David Hewlett tearing into his performance in the cave, 6) the salad -- every character in this episode having their own special moment -- Ronon with Jeanie in the hallway, Teyla with Rodney, Shep and Rodney on the pier, Jeanie with Rodney, Woolsey's memory of his father, Keller and Rodney with the video logs, heck, even the MALP gave its life as a distraction to the puddle jumper's entry through the Stargate, and 7) the dessert -- Rodney's admission to Jennifer that he has loved her for some time.
Stargate Atlantis, you're a jewel, and you're treasured by many fans. Thanks to all who have worked on and with the series for all your talents.
Reply
8-23-2008 @ 10:29PM
Han Solo said...
Am I the only one that kept thinking it would be nice if his friend Dr Zelenka was there? Of all the episodes, this would have been one.
And he might have even had a better chance.
Reply
8-24-2008 @ 3:56AM
2Ds_Tennant_Hewlett said...
One of my favorite episodes...well, I love anything with McKay, especially when he is the main focus (because David Hewlett performs this character with such genius).
I am saddened and disappointed that this series is coming to an end. As some have said, what will be left, really, after its departure (although, I am happy to see some Star Trek: TNG)? I have to say, the premise for the new series doesn't spark too much interest in me (maybe that's some resentment talking, not only from the eventual loss of Atlantis, but I think still from losing SG-1 : / *sigh*)
Ok, back to the reason I wanted to comment. I can see how the McKay/Keller romance seems to feel to come out of nowhere, since it hasn't been touched upon since that drink in "Trio". However, I feel that how McKay echoes Keller's "torture" in describing the situation shows how well Keller understands him. So, his declaration of love (tbo, I was actually expecting him to say 'really like you' or 'care for you') was not a big surprise and expected when he said he wanted to say something to her. I'm quite happy about it. I hope they will get to develop their relationship, no matter their prominence within the remaining episodes. Actually, being subtle about relationships in such shows based on group dynamics, collaboration, etc.,...with occasional moments of prominence such as in this episode, is the best way to go about it. I think that's what they tried (trying?) to do with Shepherd and Teyla. I had really hoped they would become even closer after the birth of her child, but they had to go ahead and let Kannan (sp?) survive, so it kind of spoils it : (
AN-Y-WAYS...sorry for the slight veer off course...
Thanks for the review and someone needs to give David some awards for his performances already!!
Reply
8-24-2008 @ 10:03AM
Usama said...
I actually like that Teyla and Sheppard aren't together. I like that they show this team where Sheppard and Ronon, two very attractive guys, can work with a very attractive woman, and they have respect and love for each other and the team and that's it. Basically it's that men and women can work together without it eventually leading to more.
You know how everyone kind of assumes that Jack and Sam are together even though it's never been shown explicitly, which is great except I'd like to think that because they're both still working in the Air Force they have not actually done anything about their feelings. So that was a slightly different situation. Here in SGA I'm sure Sheppard loves Teyla but I never thought it a romantic love.
8-24-2008 @ 10:56AM
Susan said...
David Hewlett should get an Emmy for his performance in this episode. He is so good and knows how to draw out the emotions. I found myself tearing up a few times in his scenes. I wondered if that line with John, "You're a good friend, Arthur" was ad libbed because Joe Flanigan really looked taken aback just before he snorted out his beer in laughter. I love Atlantis and I will miss it. But I'll miss my Rodney most of all. I'm glad to hear they'll be making some movies, letting the show carry on that way.
Reply
8-24-2008 @ 2:42PM
Ian said...
Hewitt certainly is a fine actor. Tremendous performance. He was so good he made it all look such an easy role to play. Yet it needed talent and lots of it.
So much time has been spent developing individual characters and relationships on this show that it's really a crime to pull the plug so suddenly. Especially as the main story arc is way from complete. Yes I know there will be films, but these tend to be dropped also quite quickly.
I wonder what SciFi channel feels? They were likely caught be the shut down as well. Maybe this will mean more original SciFi shows? But original SciFi 2 hour features are really their weakest point, so the same would be true of inhouse shows IMHO.
Reply
8-24-2008 @ 3:33PM
StillBash said...
This episode was horrible. Wasn't Rodney in love with that botanist girl? All over now? Guess he can fall back in love in a heartbeat. Great performances... yeah right.
The FX are great, yes. I also saw the parasite. But watching Rodney talk into the camera for no reason at all was just a vehicle for him to be able to confess his love to somebody not in the room. Like the first time he wasn't able to. This wasn't romantic. It wasn't interesting. It was nothing. It was totally boring and him losing his intelligence was so totally half-assed because we all know he WON'T die.
Joss Whedon would've pulled this one off. His shows are always open for dire consequences.
The Stargate folks can't. They were never able to. The closest they ever got was the O'Neill/Carter scene with the forcefield separating them as well as the mind probing later on. But after that every time they try to do this it is just a pile of pathetic garbage. The whole season has been totally sub-par up until now and the cancellation more and more seems justified. They are just cranking out the same type of show every week. Nothing happens and IF something happens it is because of budgetary constraints or contract mishaps (Weir/Carter/O'Neill et cetera). The only time they were able to really work around this was when Michael Shanks dropped out of the show.
Stargate at the moment feels like the time when "Enterprise" was in season three and Star Trek X left you with a feeling of "meh" all over. Nothing happens anymore. You don't feel for the characters. It's like a soap opera.
"If you don't like it, don't watch it".
Well that's just it. I watched all those 300 episodes and I liked about half of them. I was in pain for about three to four years now, with only one or two episodes really shining amongst all those dull unpolished diamonds with only the S/FX pulling the show(s) out of the mud of mediocre Sci-Fi. And now I'm just about to quit Stargate altogether. Sci-Fi (the station) thinks it's over and there needs to be a fresh start. I'm all for it. But if you ask me the situation is just like it was just before "Enterprise" started right after "Voyager" ended.
There are too many Rick Bermans still left in Vancouver.
Reply
8-24-2008 @ 8:03PM
Usama said...
"This episode was horrible. Wasn't Rodney in love with that botanist girl? All over now?"
That was last season and it has been quite a while since it ended (episode 13) .. I understand it only aired in Jan of this year but I can imagine that more time has passed on the show than has passed for me in my life. The romance between McKay and Keller has been hinted at many times, starting around that episode where McKay and Keller get trapped in a mine (episode 16 of season 1).
-------------
"But watching Rodney talk into the camera for no reason at all was just a vehicle for him to be able to confess his love to somebody not in the room."
I'm not sure if you missed it or what but Keller was in the room when he confessed his love for her. First of all he's not looking at the camera directly, and second when he says "there's something I want to tell you" she is off camera and says, "go ahead"
--------------
Of course McKay wouldn't die, but I kind of wished they had kept him that way for a few more episodes. I don't think they'd ever kill McKay off but I know a few people who thought the same way about Dr. Beckett.
--------------
Not all the shows stand out, and actually the story for this one was "meh," but I thought it was a solid performance by the cast. I enjoyed the one from a week before too. In fact I don't think Stargate Atlantis is the best show on TV or anything, but at times it can be really engaging (this episode in particular had small moments that could cause one to pause and reflect on the reality of Alzheimer's disease) and entertaining.
I think the episodes you want to watch are after the 9th episode mark when the writing catches up w/ the reality that this is their last season and they try to tie up all the loose ends (well not ALL the loose ends) in the Pegasus Galaxy.
8-24-2008 @ 8:06PM
Usama said...
er sorry I meant to say: "...starting around that episode where McKay and Keller get trapped in a mine (episode 16 of season 4)." .. not season 1 of course
I forgot to mention, I'm a big Whedon fan but I also like a little variety. Whedon's stuff is a lot of fun to watch (a LOT of fun) but not everything he does is original or important, it's just entertaining and nothing more (I'm thinking of his run on X-Men).
8-25-2008 @ 5:17AM
eugene said...
It's too bad you don't pay more attention when you watch the show, sometimes the little details make all the difference... little details like why, who, when... you know... the PLOT.
8-25-2008 @ 12:19PM
StillBash said...
Guess it shows I FFWd during this episode because I couldn't stand it anymore.
I know she was off-screen. But he basically confessed his "love" on camera when he still had his marbles together.
Instead of telling her to turn the camera off he does it on the tape. Why on earth? It ruins the whole moment if you think about it.
This is what I meant. Finding a pathetic excuse for recording him and showing it to us in reverse order (tell me again why they showed us the the end of the tape at the beginning of the show - oh yes, his sister saw the tape up to 9:36 on day 15 when at the end of the episode he confesses his love on day 6 at 22:14).
Yeah I know she must've skipped over it or what? Must've not been included into the video they played for her. Or whatever. Who cares how he deteriorated? That was reverse-filler par excellence.
Plot device after plot device. I can stand that when it comes to technical stuff et. cetera but this whole episode reminded me painfully of all the Carterfallsinlovewithsomeguywhodies episodes on SG-1.
Pathos all over the place. They just can't pull romance off. Period. I mean even "Starship Troopers" did a better job on this. Always those idiotic reasons NOT to have two leads get together. And the reason: because they can't WRITE romantic scenes. They can only hint at them ad infinitum and then kill one of the two off. Why not let them get together. Why not pull them apart again? Continuity? Please. As if that was a problem on a show that gets rid of the current lead of the whole station/ship every season. Buffy/Angel. Buffy/Riley. Buffy/Spike. Xander/Willow. Xander/Cordelia. Xander/Anya. Willow/Tara. et cetera et cetera. Why is it so hard to even introduce ONE real relationship into a Sci-Fi show? Don't remind me of Voyager or DS9. Ugh. Yikes. Bashir/Ezri was barely what I would let pass as something real.
If you can't do it then DON'T.
9-02-2008 @ 10:37PM
jev said...
Obviously, you're not a fan of the show so, why watch? It sounds like it's complete torture for you. Must be some kind of a masochist.
'The Shrine' was one of the best, if not best, espisodes of the series and David Hewlett's performance, as usual, was outstanding. Where has this guy been hiding all these years?!