Review: Stargate Continuum

[fignewton]

Yes, I know it's almost 2 a.m. Just go with the fannish flow, okay?

So, Continuum. A lot better than Ark of Truth!

Random spoilers, squees, and supposedly thoughtful comments ahead...

I congratulate the writers on their brilliance in making the first two minutes of the movie a love letter to the fans. Teams coming back from exploring, full of camaraderie! The SGC clearly busy and populated by competent people! Walter chatting in the Gate Room, and calling out the chevrons as the Gate dials up! Siler being deadpan snarky! Paul Davis! (Is that a star on his shoulder?!)

Happy sigh. Seriously, it puts you in a very positive frame of mind for the rest of the movie!

Joel Goldsmith's gorgeous music doesn't hurt, either...

There were plot holes and bits of grandstanding, of course. How many of us knew that hapless seaman would be vaporized in the kawoosh? (looks at forest of hands) And while I'm quite pleased to know that the Jaffa and the Tok'ra have reconciled to the point where the Tok'ra actually permit a Jaffa fleet around their homeworld, where are the tunnels, and their beige leather uniforms? Where are the Tok'ra touches? Where's Garshaw? And good grief, how do they expect us to accept the idea of suctioning out a symbiote via the host's forehead?

(Baal was such a wimp, too. Compare the lack of fangs and wings on that little sucker with the honkin' big snake that Hathor implanted in Jack.)

If the stuff in there is so deadly that it kills Jack in moments (and seriously, OW for Baal killing Jack again), how could it possibly be used in a ceremony that's supposed to keep the host alive afterwards?

If the timeline was first changed on Earth, why is everything off of Earth affected first? Logically, the Tau'ri should've vanished before the rest of the galaxy was altered.

Would it have killed them to give us back the original wormhole effect? The warping of spacetime would have been infinitely cooler, as opposed to the bland difference in shading.

I didn't realize it was BB playing the captain the first time round, because I really tend to focus on the story.

I loved that long debriefing scene. Although bringing up kassa, of all things, really did Mitchell a disservice - it highlighted (to me, at least) how very marginal Mitchell's contribution has been in the grand scheme of things.

Look, I know Daniel has died umpteen times and takes everything in stride. But I would've liked to see just a leetle bit of struggle with his disability. I know that there is amazing work done with prosthetics, yes, but we're given only a year's timeframe for him to get used to it, and he's much too casual about it at the end.

And of course he died first. :)

I was very interested to see that the writers chose to make life in this alternate timeline better for everyone except SG-1. Mitchell was literally grandfather paradoxed out of existence. Sam got into NASA, as she'd always dreamed, but she was dead. Daniel was in his usual alternate timeline straits - reviled with no way of redemption. On the other hand, Charlie was alive. (more on this later.) Landry (who I really can't bring myself to like, but was actually pretty good when he challenged SG-1 on their pride and hubris on insisting that their timeline was the only option) was still married. I wonder if Sam's parents were still alive, too.

Why didn't Sam or Daniel bother to mention in their debriefing that the Russians, in their timeline, had a DHD?

I loved the callback to 2010, but why did it take so much longer with all the stars in the galaxy than it did when they were working only with Earth's sun to find a solar flare? Although maybe it was just a matter of finding a flare that would work right now, whereas the 2010 one gave them a few days to work out the execution of the plan.

I've never pretended to like Vala. I can't reconcile her actions in Prometheus Unbound and the first episodes of S9 with the character we're supposed to like in S10 and accept as a member of SG-1. On the other hand, I have often stated that I very much admire Claudia Black - even if I think she has superb chemistry with everyone on SG-1 except MS. ;)

And now I will squee loudly enough to register on the Richter Scale, because oh, Claudia Black as Qetesh was beyond fantastic. She was the Goa'uld personified - cool and ruthless, cunning, manipulative, intelligent. The scene where she stabbed Baal and then forced the truth out of him was one of my favorites. I adored her and if we'd gotten CB as Qetesh instead of Vala on the show, I would be shamelessly fangirling her character the way so many fans out there adore Baal.

And speaking of Baal, it was a pleasure to see a return to the evil and crafty villain that we first met properly in Abyss. I despised the clone storyline, but he was fantastic here. It makes sense for a Goa'uld to possess patience and a tendency towards long and elaborate plans that demand decades to achieve fruition - after all, they've literally got all the time they need.

And again, a delightful roll call of so many of the villains - Apophis, Nirrti, Cronus, Yu, Camulus. I would've liked an explanation for how Baal managed to get rid of Ra and Anubis, but never mind...

Baal's persistent fascination with all things human, though. That cell phone. I love the irony that it ultimately proved his undoing.

Teal'c, oh, Teal'c, how can you be so awesome? Baal using foreknowledge and intelligence, again, to draw Teal'c to him. Competence and professionalism, because even as Baal's First Prime, Teal'c can't help but be superb at what he does. His acceptance of his once and future teammates, and oh oh oh when he died free - Teal'c. (The only thing more perfect would've been dal shakka mel, but no complaints.) There is nothing ever as amazing and fantastic as Teal'c. And I can't help but squee a little at how, after his failure to connect with Jack (more on that later), Daniel managed to make a real connection with Teal'c almost without trying - his matter-of-fact knowledge and insight into how Teal'c's mind must be working that kept Teal'c blinking and realizing that yes, there is something about these three Tau'ri. I loved that bit to pieces.

Sam, dear Sam. Struggling to keep walking, after she's left Daniel behind. I ached most for her when she was given that long list of professions that she wasn't allowed to touch. Emotionlessly shutting the door on one dream after another... Such cruelty. "Miss Carter" instead of "Colonel Doctor."

The writers, for a change, got the shippiness just right - her despair at Jack's death, her wincing at Fruit Loops. Easily interpreted as friendship or relationship. Well done.

I loved how she got through to Teal'c after they went through the Gate. Her competence, and the team's unhesitating support. Ah, Sam.

On a purely shallow note, how does Amanda Tapping get more beautiful every year? I loved her with short hair and while I didn't care for the messy look of early S4, she is stunning with long hair. And with glasses!

I could've personally done without the upgrade in swearing, although I know I'm in the minority there. But Daniel made me laugh and then he broke my heart, which is kinda par for the course for the guy, so why am I surprised?

Kneeling at Jack's side when he died. Having the courage to send the others away. Loopy on drugs (his facial expressions were priceless) and trying to convince Jack, and I absolutely adored  "I'm the closest thing you have to a best friend," because no way could anyone define Jack and Daniel's friendship by the usual words in the dictionary.

Part of me cringed at his choice of Charlie - I flashed on Moebius, so why not mention the cabin and no fish and Jack's fondness for college football? - but then I flashed back a lot further to TBFTGOG, when Charlie was the key to breaking through to AU Jack. So, not such a mistake. Especially when loopy on drugs.

On the subject of Jack (because including his name in an LJ cut wouldn't be fair), why was Colonel Jack so much more fantastic than General Jack? Loved  him, loved him, loved him. Loved his dialogue, his reactions to Sam and Daniel, his fury at Daniel daring to suggest that Charlie is dead. I'm only sorry we didn't get more of him.

And on that note, too... Aw, Hammond! ::sniffs:: So glad we had that fleeting glimpse of the SGC's best general ever. And Hayes, too, is a fun president (I laughed when he snarked that they didn't call SG-1 every time they needed to make a decision). And - hm. Apparently, another good thing about this timeline - no Kinsey. ;)

Back to Daniel, though - I ached for him when he found the book his alternate self had wrote and then called him in the middle of the night to try and give his other self validation and hope. And AU Daniel hung up on him. Oh, Daniel. (Was he drunk? Was that an empty bottle at the foot of the bed? I couldn't tell.)

On the other hand, Daniel speaking Russian in a panic? "What did you just say?" "We're Americans, please shoot the people chasing us!" Hee hee hee. That's my boy. :)

I'm even less of a Mitchell fan than a Vala fan, but it was great to see him back in a fighter jet again.

Is there some kind of rule that someone has to be left behind to carry the burden of fixing the timeline? Sam did it in 2010, although she died pretty quickly in the end. Daniel (oh Daniel) got the cruelest whumping ever when he was left behind to fix things in Moebius. And now Mitchell has to spend ten years trying to manipulate events to be there at just the right moment to short-circuit disaster.

I double-checked to make sure the woman who flirts with him wasn't the old high-school girlfriend, because that would've been a fun touch. Alas, no.

Any suggestions on why he screamed "Carter!" instead of "Sam" when she died, when he's been calling her by her first name throughout the movie?

Final analysis: despite some missteps and weak points, a very likeable movie. Thanks, guys. :)

Comments

[tejas.livejournal.com]

I was less than impressed overall, but I gotta say, Daniel had *the* best line: Who would make this shit up? :-);-)

And would it hurt for just *once* to find a Daniel who *isn't* reviled in an AU? *sigh*

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Well, as I said, I'm less than thrilled by the upgrade in language. To each their own. Although the sentiment is certainly true.

To be honest, I don't think we could find a non-reviled Daniel, because he has too much intellectual honesty. Unless he doesn't go into archeology, he will eventually discover the discrepancy and he will have the courage to publish those findings, despite its unpopularity and the lack of proof.

And don't tell me you didn't love the line about the "closest thing to a best friend"... :)

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah, loved that line, too. :-)

The reason I was thinking that he wouldn't be reviled is because he'd been able to find proof. :-) Or at least not broken the theory until he had so much credit in the world of archeology that no one could really afford to call him out on it. :-)

[iamrosalita.livejournal.com]

I think what you saw at the foot of Daniel's bed was the top of his prosthetic leg. It was clearly visible early in the scene. A half-empty bottle of booze on the night stand would have made the scene, imho.

[http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/]

Dang, would I love to be there with you when you watch one of these movies for the first time. *g* How could I have missed half of the stuff you mentioned?

I said that same thing about Colonel Jack and General Jack. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one. :) And that scene with Daniel calling his other self nearly broke my heart. He wanted so badly to help, but forgot what how hard it was to believe anyone else cared.

As for Mitchell screaming, "Carter," he called her Carter many times in the movie, which irritated me each and every time. It seems to me that he says "Carter" and "Jackson" as if they were dirty words. *shrugs* My opinion only, mind you.

All in all, Continuum is a fantastic movie and now that you've brought up all these goodies, I'm gonna watch it again.

[princessofg.livejournal.com]

fascinating to get your take on it! yay.

i liked it much better than Ark, for many of the reasons you name.

I didn't enjoy or hate the s*** from Daniel in the ice; I am kind of puzzled, actually, at all the people who loved it so much. I don't "need" the cursing you often see in fanfic; I think it is IC for someone like Jack, but I also adore old Hollywood movies where you would imagine that there would be cursing, realistically, and yet there is none, like an old Bogart movie. So yeah. but you know me -- the fic i'm usually reading is very nc 17, so the cursing is kind of the least of the issues, but there's something for every taste in fanfic and that's how it should be, I deem....

thanks for the thinky! and I agree -- Amanda gets more lovely with every passing year.

[princessofg.livejournal.com]

oh, forgot to add: I adore Paul Davis with the intensity of a thousand suns... will be looking closely at his uniform when i watch my retail copy... i did not notice what rank he's achieved by now....

[sg-betty.livejournal.com]

I loved the movie, myself. Regarding Mitchell's use of 'Carter', as I recall, he generally calls them Carter and Jackson. I always figured that he didn't want to presume too much given that they have more experience in the field than him. I think it was more unusual that he called her Sam - circumstances did rather demand a more casual and comforting demeanor. ; ) I've always liked Mitchell, he's just so darn likable.
Claudia Black was indeed fantastic as Qetesh. Perfect characterization. I completely agree with your take on Vala. I'm trying to separate season 9 and season 10 in my mind (er, suppress season 9's Vala, actually) and I'm finding that helps... : )
I thought all the characterization was terrific, and seeing them trying to cope with what they'd lost, entirely alone was so very poignant. I'm kind of glad they didn't push Daniel's adjustment to having a physical disability too hard. That would have made my "Oh, Daniel" count way too high for one movie. It also would have taken away from Cam and Sam's adjustments as well - how could they possibly compare? And I'm not a huge fan of extended angst in general. I find Meridian unwatchable. It's just too brutal for me.
The opening was, indeed charming! Walter! Siler! Davis! Oh my! I was grinning like crazy.
As for the swearing, it was mild enough not to bother me. And if you can't say "Oh, shit" when you are about to freeze to death, alone, on an ice flow, when can you say it? ; )

[lyore.livejournal.com]

I saw this a while ago when it premiered at one of the Australian Cons (I have no idea how they got the permission to do that), and have been waiting anxiously for everyone else to see it. Yay!

[samantilles.livejournal.com]

I've got so many thoughts on your post!
1. Paul Davis still has a major's oak cluster on his shirt (I work with the military, so I notice those things right off the bat!) I loved that they at least had cameo's for all our favorite secondary characters, and even mentioned Dr. Lee (even without a visual cameo).
2. In terms of the swearing, I think it is largely just Daniel that swears (we get the S word a few times from him, don't we?) but then again, he's got the short straw coming back in not quite one piece, so maybe there's some latent hostility that builds throughout the story.
3. I'll be the first to admit that Vala has been growing on me a little bit here and there, but she was absolutely amazing as Qatesh. I absolutely agree with you 100% on her characterization as a Goa'uld. I also really loved her explanation on what it's like to the host to go through the extraction process. But on thing struck me throughout the movie... Claudia Black was definitely concealing something that looked like a six-month-pregnancy-belly. At first I thought it might just be the dress, which i thought fit her awkwardly, but if you look at the end of the movie, she can't seem to keep her vest closed either.
4. My heart broke for Sam so many times, from watching Jack die (I think he died from a direct needle puncture to his heart though? rather than just the poison) to thinking they left Daniel to die on the ice and that they themselves would die. The fact that she couldn't do anything related to her fields because of her very public death was just kicking her feet from underneath her. And I think everyone looks better with glasses (with limited exceptions of course)
5. Loved Daniel calling his altSelf, and the reaction of the altSelf thinking that Daniel isn't being serious about his calling (like its a prank he normally gets.) But someone had to believe him enough to publish that massive book he wrote (even if it was 70% off) As for losing his leg, I thought a year was an appropriate timeline to get used to prosthetics, and something tells me all his medical costs were covered, so he got the best "machinery" possible to accelerate his recovery. At first, I thought Daniel's handling of his losing his leg was a bit cavalier, but then again when you think about "the grand scheme" of things, he has died twice already and was facing a third, knowing Oma would not ascend him again) But his attitude was also the true "bounce-back" Daniel we read so much about in fandom. If anyone was going to take the news that well, it would have probably been him. Also, Daniel at least proved himself necessary while sitting "backseat" in the airplane... he wasn't a pilot, but he at least wasn't just cargo either when he saved their collective asses with his awesome Russian.
6. Daniel and Jack- <3 the "closest thing to a best friend" line was truly squeeworthy, but I also cringed when he stated to the guards that he wanted to get rid of those "freaks" I would have loved to get a quick look at alt-Jack glancing at a picture with his grown up son just to make get what Daniel said out of his mind.
7.Misc- Landry... I've always liked Beau Bridges before, but I never liked him as Hammond's replacement. But I did like his verbal lashing about changing the timelines. - Did anyone notice on the box with the Stargate in it while on the boat had "Langford" printed on it (lower right hand corner)? That type of detail is why I fell for the Stargate series and continued through it -- continuity and attention to Detail. They didn't need to put it on there, but someone was smart enough to make a fan squee (and rewind to make sure it was actually there!)

I wasn't going to post anything about my review on Continuum, but I felt compelled to respond, and it all just kind of flowed out once I started!

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, you're right! The beginning of the scene shows the foot quite clearly, now that I know what I'm looking at.

I'm not entirely sure if drunk!Daniel would've made the scene better. It's just so... Daniel to try and call himself like that, alcohol or no.

(although if it's late night in the States, it's early morning in Egypt. Bit of a slip there.)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Hee! I watched and then sat to write and found myself going back to see little snippets... and then watching a little more... :)

Yeah, Colonel Jack was the guy from S1-7 that I loved. General Jack, whether or not he buys lunch, just isn't the same.

how hard it was to believe anyone else cared

Oh, yeah. I don't know which Daniel made me ache more - the Daniel who got hung up on, or the Daniel who was sure any encouragement was only a prank.

I can't stand the "Jackson" thing. I didn't honestly notice whether he calls her "Sam" or "Carter" for most of the movie, but that last scream just grated.

Yes! Go watch again, and squee! :)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

I am often taken aback at the spate of swearing in fic. It's not true to the characters, and since the show started on cable, that characterization wasn't constrained. And I've always believed that the more eloquent command a person has of a language, the better they can express themselves without resorting to cursing.

Amanda Tapping is a beautiful woman. Definitely.

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

samantilles below says it's still a major's oak cluster, which is a tad surprising - surely he should've been promoted by now?

I love Paul Davis too. Proof that the good guys can exist outside the SGC.

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

I wasn't paying enough attention in the movie, but under most circumstances in S9-10, Mitchell calls her Sam. And a scream of despair at someone's death - why not her first name?

I'm glad you like Mitchell. I... don't really care for him, one way or another. I enjoy the fanboy aspect and despise the reckless aspect and am pretty much married to classic SG-1. (In a gen sort of way, of course. Heh.)

Opening! Best one ever. :)

One person's mild swearing is another person's... not so mild? And for an answer to your question, perhaps dying of radiation or getting stabbed by a Replicator version of one of your closest friends? Or being stranded in Ancient Egypt with twisted dopplegangers of the people you loved? We've seen Daniel is all sorts of desperation, and the swearing just isn't in character for me. YMMV, and evidently does. :)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

::is envious::

Now go watch again! :)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Oooh, long thinky responses! My favorite kind. ;)

Like I said, a love letter to the fans, but... Davis is still a major? Hasn't he been a major since S3? Is it normal for someone to go eight years without a promotion? I love people in the know who can explain these things!

I don't want to make a huge issue out of the swearing, but I really didn't like it. He's gone through worse - it just seemed OOC for me.

I will never complain about others liking Vala. I've tried and I can't. But Qetesh was just too fantastic for words. That is the personification of the Goa'uld.

I think I did read somewhere that CB was pregnant, which would explain the costuming.

Sam got to be the face of emotion in this movie, didn't she? And yes to kicking her feet out from under her! Re Jack - pretty sure Baal stabbed him in the shoulder. Not sure how it could reach the heart. It wasn't that long a needle!

Poor Daniel AND alt-Daniel. He wouldn't be Daniel Jackson if life didn't first kick his feet out from under him (literally), then club him over the head. I agree that his weeble gene probably stood him in good stead here, but I would've liked to see more of the gradual process. Except for a slight lurch when they jumped through the Gate at the end, there's no reference to the prosthetic at all after the call-himself scene.

The Russian had me grinning. So perfect!

Daniel and Jack - I wasn't surprised at his intense reaction. Jack has always been first and foremost Charlie's father, and even the suggestion that he could've been the catalyst for his son's death would have hit him like a ton of bricks.

Yes, I noticed the Langford bit on the box! The timeline puzzled me a little, though - why did it take eleven years to get shipped over to the States?

Fan squee! Hee hee hee. :)

[princessofg.livejournal.com]

yeah, he WAY should have made colonel by now.

*puzzles*

maybe it's a canon error like Jack's disappearing star in The Return -- SGA.

[sg-betty.livejournal.com]

Ha! I should know better than to try to argue points of canon with you without checking my facts first!
I didn't really compare Daniel's swearing on the ice to swearing on TV, since, while it may no longer be strictly true, I still think of there being no swearing allowed on TV... What is YMMV?

[samantilles.livejournal.com]

from what I understand, Davis and Jack should have been "retired" out after five years without a promotion (Jack was a colonel for what, nine years? before becoming general... But then again, who else could do their jobs?? It would take someone to replace Davis an entire career to get to where he is now and certain jobs have limitations on rank (Major Carter taking control of SG-1 during Shades of Grey) and having a general command an SG team, etc. Davis' job may have had the rank restriction of Major or Lt. Colonel (which he certainly should have been promoted to by now)

I've never minded swearing (I've got the mouth of an English sailor some days), but it is a bit out of character in general. But it did shock me that it was even in the script.

When I worked through the seasons the first time, I absolutely despised Vala. Then again, I wasn't happy with the whole "Arthur" legend and Merlin, and all that being brought into place. To me Seasons 9 & 10 were not nearly as good as 3-5, which is where most of my favorite episodes are. But I watched them again a second time with my mom, and she just fell for Vala instantly... I began warming up to her when mom pointed out what she liked, and I was like, well that isn't so bad. But if she hadn't pointed out her opinion, I would still be despising Vala. (And don't even get me started on Unending...) I can live with it, but I'm glad they didn't try to pursue the pairing further in the movies. Daniel as a widower is a huge part of his character, and while he should be given the chance to be happy... at least for him finding another relationship isn't necessary. I also enjoyed that they played on Vala/Ba'al's little subtlety at attraction that they started in the episode where they first captured all the clones and started interrogating them.

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

To be fair, I don't care enough about Mitchell to be entirely canon-perfect with him. So take it with a grain of salt.

YMMV=your mileage may vary, meaning that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Regarding the swearing not allowed on television - don't forget that SG-1 spent a couple of years on Showtime, I think it's called. (Remember Sha're's full frontal nudity in COTG? Y'know, the scene I always skip?) So there would be a much bigger leeway in the cursing department than it would if it aired on regular networks.

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

I'll take that! :)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Jack was retired, twice. He was reactivated in the movie and again at the start of the series. Would that affect the promotion process?

Interesting info on the rank restriction. Did I mention how much I love it when people in the know tell me things? :)

I tried and tried and tried to like Vala, and the new face of SG-1, and... failed. That's why I often refer to classic team - Jack and Sam and Teal'c and Daniel. I won't say "accept no subsitutes," because there are people who love new SG-1 and I'm happy for them, but it's never been the same for me. If you're interested, I have a rather long rant on why I can't accept Vala.

[samantilles.livejournal.com]

Just another note on Davis's rank and the military:
Both Major and Lieutenant Colonel use Oak Clusters as their rank designation. Majors use brass/copper/goldish and Lieutenant Colonels use Silver. On some military uniforms, Silver is replaced with blue or camo green/tan, but the ranks of major and second lieutenant are the only ones that do not use silver as the insignia color, and the thread color is always a dark orange/copper. (I work next door to the Pentagon... I see uniforms all day long, and I live on an another military base, so I go home and see more uniforms.)

Hammond was a Major General (two starred) general for eight years. It is well laid out that for each rank of general (1-4 stars) there is a certain level of command they must have. Hammond would have been replaced when they promoted him to Lieutenant General (3 stars) as the position would have been considered beneath his post. Normally a general must be promoted within 5 years to each starred level or he/she retires, but that can be overridden by the President (which, given how chummy Hammond generally was to the President before Hayes, it is perfectly cannon with Air Force rules). The greater oddity would have been that Jack as a Brigadier General (1 starred) would have been given command of the SGC. That definitely would have taken a presidential override, as 1 starred generals would not have otherwise been given such a large command.

I should also note that it takes a congressional review for all officer promotions above the rank of 1st Lieutenant, but presidential overrides can be given to keep officers in place longer than normally granted. After all, how much could they tell Congress about what the SGC does, when they had to get special privileges just for Kinsey? Then again, that could explain the extra long gap in promotions that usually occur. At least Carter had something to prove of her work outside field work with scientific papers and achievements that would have qualified her for promotion (we see her promoted three times from Captain to Major to Lieutenant Colonel to full bird Colonel in ten years.)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Paul's clusters are definitely gold.

That's a very interesting take, that Davis maintains the rank in order to maintain the assignment. It makes me love him all the more - he's giving up promotion to maintain his contact with the SGC, then?

I remember Codger explaining that an officer can sometimes be given the extra star or whatever and get the additional responsibility, but not the extra salary.

Thanks again for all this fascinating information. :)