The Game - Review
23/10/2008 02:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rachel500The Game is the 15th episode in Season Three of Stargate Atlantis.
Review
Review
On paper The Game must have sounded like a great idea; Sheppard and McKay’s rivalry in what they believe is a computer game almost resulting in a real war between two countries on another planet. However, the execution is an episode which while accomplished in terms of special effects, story construction and acting from the main cast is somewhat of a disappointment. It is difficult to understand where it went awry; perhaps because the societies remain superficial and without depth, perhaps in the acting of the guest cast which is a little one note, perhaps in the fact that the sub-plot with Zelenka and Lorne offers a more interesting story that appeals in a way the main plot does not.
There is a lot right with The Game including that there has obviously been a lot of time and effort put into the main story. It is well-thought out and put together. It deals with its only main plot hole – why this is the first time The Game has come to light - early by recognising that it has never been mentioned before in a tongue-in-cheek comment from McKay to Weir noting he’s sure she’s been told about it. The rest, from the technical explanations of the oracles on the planet and how it relates back to the game/social experiment in Atlantis, the history of the increasing hostility between the two sides, their falling into warfare and the solution, is solid with very few plot holes to nitpick at. Yet it just remains a fairly uninteresting tale.
It isn’t helped by the pacing. The story is exposition heavy at the beginning which makes it slow to get going and really the action element only begins over half way through when the sides go to war. The action when it comes is also only the simulation of war played out on the monitor, a few sound effects and a light show; the first enactment with Geldar does provide some excitement but only for a moment as the solution is readily obvious. The story then reverts back to the ponderous exposition of what happened although the direction of this with the cut backs between McKay and Sheppard is well done and gives it some pace.
If the pacing is off so too is the depth as the two societies Sheppard and McKay have built remain superficial and the story never explores them beyond the one-note differences between the two; McKay’s values scientific superiority, Sheppard’s values military strength. While it is amusing to visit Geldar, see the pictures of McKay everywhere and see the fervour for science, nothing is seen of the other society beyond the militaristic costumes of its people and a simple dwelling. With the societies themselves lacking depth, the audience isn’t given a reason to care about their fate overly much and even the leaders don’t provide a sympathetic draw as the one-note theme continues.
Neither Nola nor Badon are given much depth and the performances by the guest actors fail to sparkle accordingly although they do seem to try to make the most of the scanty material. Laura Harris appears too young for Nola and seems to have been cast simply for her passing resemblance to Amanda Tapping with the nod to Sam Carter continued as McKay feeds her blue jello. That scene is simply awful as Nola cannot be taken seriously with her mouth stained by the blue dye. If it was meant to be intentionally funny, I personally failed to laugh.
If the guest cast fail to shine, the main cast put in a solid effort. McKay and Sheppard look suitably horrified at the realisation they may have set the countries on a course to war; passionate in trying to prevent it; determined to save the situation. Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett are superb as always. Torri Higginson also turns in a great performance as Weir; stern and disapproving with McKay and Sheppard; angry and disappointed with Lorne and Zelenka; diplomatic and compassionate with Nola and Badon. Neither Rachel Luttrell nor Jason Momoa get much to do but what they do, they do well. The team scene at the beginning is a joy. It is also worth noting that Kavan Smith and David Nykl put in good performances as Lorne and Zelenka.
Indeed, the Lorne/Zelenka sub-plot that develops throughout the episode with the two succumbing to ‘helping’ another planet á la McKay/Sheppard but in the knowledge they are affecting real people somewhere in the Pegasus galaxy is a much more interesting story than the fate of frankly two very boring societies. The motivations of the characters in their initial good intentions contrasted against the temptation of playing God are fascinating especially given that both characters are usually portrayed as the more balanced, sane versions of their regular character counterparts. The sub-plot isn’t well developed, seen only in snapshots and quickly ends but this was worth exploring; this was something that hooked the viewer.
The other hook for the episode was the great special effects throughout; the puddle-jumper with the shot of its occupants, the planet shots, the satellites, the war games played out on the monitors; all are fabulously put together and executed. They seamlessly fit into the story and never seem intrusive.
Perhaps ultimately this is the failure of The Game; it isn’t intrusive enough. It doesn’t grab the attention and sweep the audience up in its wake. It’s safe; it’s well put together; even lightly humorous in places but it’s boring. It remains a great concept, just one that failed to be realised in the final product.
There is a lot right with The Game including that there has obviously been a lot of time and effort put into the main story. It is well-thought out and put together. It deals with its only main plot hole – why this is the first time The Game has come to light - early by recognising that it has never been mentioned before in a tongue-in-cheek comment from McKay to Weir noting he’s sure she’s been told about it. The rest, from the technical explanations of the oracles on the planet and how it relates back to the game/social experiment in Atlantis, the history of the increasing hostility between the two sides, their falling into warfare and the solution, is solid with very few plot holes to nitpick at. Yet it just remains a fairly uninteresting tale.
It isn’t helped by the pacing. The story is exposition heavy at the beginning which makes it slow to get going and really the action element only begins over half way through when the sides go to war. The action when it comes is also only the simulation of war played out on the monitor, a few sound effects and a light show; the first enactment with Geldar does provide some excitement but only for a moment as the solution is readily obvious. The story then reverts back to the ponderous exposition of what happened although the direction of this with the cut backs between McKay and Sheppard is well done and gives it some pace.
If the pacing is off so too is the depth as the two societies Sheppard and McKay have built remain superficial and the story never explores them beyond the one-note differences between the two; McKay’s values scientific superiority, Sheppard’s values military strength. While it is amusing to visit Geldar, see the pictures of McKay everywhere and see the fervour for science, nothing is seen of the other society beyond the militaristic costumes of its people and a simple dwelling. With the societies themselves lacking depth, the audience isn’t given a reason to care about their fate overly much and even the leaders don’t provide a sympathetic draw as the one-note theme continues.
Neither Nola nor Badon are given much depth and the performances by the guest actors fail to sparkle accordingly although they do seem to try to make the most of the scanty material. Laura Harris appears too young for Nola and seems to have been cast simply for her passing resemblance to Amanda Tapping with the nod to Sam Carter continued as McKay feeds her blue jello. That scene is simply awful as Nola cannot be taken seriously with her mouth stained by the blue dye. If it was meant to be intentionally funny, I personally failed to laugh.
If the guest cast fail to shine, the main cast put in a solid effort. McKay and Sheppard look suitably horrified at the realisation they may have set the countries on a course to war; passionate in trying to prevent it; determined to save the situation. Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett are superb as always. Torri Higginson also turns in a great performance as Weir; stern and disapproving with McKay and Sheppard; angry and disappointed with Lorne and Zelenka; diplomatic and compassionate with Nola and Badon. Neither Rachel Luttrell nor Jason Momoa get much to do but what they do, they do well. The team scene at the beginning is a joy. It is also worth noting that Kavan Smith and David Nykl put in good performances as Lorne and Zelenka.
Indeed, the Lorne/Zelenka sub-plot that develops throughout the episode with the two succumbing to ‘helping’ another planet á la McKay/Sheppard but in the knowledge they are affecting real people somewhere in the Pegasus galaxy is a much more interesting story than the fate of frankly two very boring societies. The motivations of the characters in their initial good intentions contrasted against the temptation of playing God are fascinating especially given that both characters are usually portrayed as the more balanced, sane versions of their regular character counterparts. The sub-plot isn’t well developed, seen only in snapshots and quickly ends but this was worth exploring; this was something that hooked the viewer.
The other hook for the episode was the great special effects throughout; the puddle-jumper with the shot of its occupants, the planet shots, the satellites, the war games played out on the monitors; all are fabulously put together and executed. They seamlessly fit into the story and never seem intrusive.
Perhaps ultimately this is the failure of The Game; it isn’t intrusive enough. It doesn’t grab the attention and sweep the audience up in its wake. It’s safe; it’s well put together; even lightly humorous in places but it’s boring. It remains a great concept, just one that failed to be realised in the final product.
