Redial the Gate poll: Prodigy watch?

[fignewton]

Tomorrow, redial_the_gate will recap The Light, with fun and games for all your angsty needs! Next week, though, is Prodigy. And I must lower my eyes in shame and confess that I have never actually... y'know... watched the episode.

Never watched Prodigy. Never watched most of S6. Never watched the two Daniel-less eps in S10. (Anyone sending a trend, here?) And never watched Avenger 2.0, either.

But, well... I'm a mod. Am I obligated to watch Prodigy for next week's Redial?

Do I owe it to myself to finally see the entire series, from beginning to end?

Or should I give in to temptation to just run away, screaming? :)

So I turn to you, my dear flist, to help me make up my mind with a poll. What do you think?


[Poll #1375007]

Comments

[suzannemarie.livejournal.com]

You can like or dislike the episodes that you watch--that's entirely up to you and I wouldn't try (much) to talk you into liking something that you don't like. But. If you're going to call yourself a fan of the series, then I do think that it entails watching the entire series at least once.

For what it's worth, I understand why Hailey rubs so many people the wrong way, but I don't think she's all that bad. And by the second half of the episode when they're all on the moon I think the episode goes along pretty well.

Edit: I also don't understand what makes Hailey a Mary Sue. Or maybe I really don't understand Mary Sues, because while she is given some accommodation because of her smarts, it's not like everybody is falling all over themselves in adoration of her either. She's abrasive, but she does also work for what she gets.

[pepper-field.livejournal.com]

You know what I think about this. :)

And hey, if I can drag myself through S9 and, er, well, most of S10 (I'm planning to watch the rest! I swear!), I think you can do S6.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I actually kind of like this episode because for (I think) the only time in the entire series, it makes NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL if Sam is right. I am not sure when I developed this need for Sam to be HORRIBLY HORRIBLY WRONG about something, but there it is and this episode is as close as we get.

[supplyship.livejournal.com]

Prodigy is actually a really nice Sam-in-command episode, insofar as we get to see her with additional Big Air Force duties (beyond the SGC). And I think it as some really awesome Jack moments and Jack and Teal'c buddy stuff.

Season 6 has so many terrific eps; I think you're doing yourself a disservice by not watching. And Avenger 2.0 only has Jack in it for about two seconds, and I love that episode!

[night-spear1287.livejournal.com]

I'd watch it, just once--you must know I'm a Daniel fan, and I'm guilty of not having watched some of the Daniel-less episodes, but while "Prodigy" isn't my favorite episode, it's not a bad one in and of itself, Daniel-less-ness notwithstanding. I'm not a fan of Hailey, but it really is nice Sam episode, with fun bits sprinkled throughout (Griff, Jack/Teal'c friendship, Dr. Lee...). Also, it's interesting to see the SGC interact with the outside world (on Earth) in those relatively rare opportunities that we see it, even if it's only going out as far as the Air Force Academy.

Just my two cents :)

[cleothemuse.livejournal.com]

But... it's the very first episode with Dr. Lee! Watch it for Doctor Lee, if no one else :)

[lavenderlocks.livejournal.com]

I agree with grav_ity

the Hailey moments are a little cringe-making, but then I'm sure the USAF advisers were all like 'we know someone worse' and laughed up their sleeves.

In my opinion, Jack (and in fact RDA) is really rather awesome in this ep., but not quite as awesome as Teal'c, who cracks quite a good one liner in the last third (see? now you have to watch it for the one-liner..... )

Also, Bill Lee!!!! how could you not love him?

And finally, this ep. really does play up to the tired cliche about 'scientists' - which is always fun :)

OH! And, call yourself a fan? For shame *sucks teeth like Granpa Simpson* (!)

[gategremlyn.livejournal.com]

I'm not crazy about the episode but as a fanatic... ummm as a *fan* I think you should see all the Stargate episodes at least once. May I cast my vote now for Avenger 2.0 as an episode I *love*? (I think I'm in the minority--but hey, I can take it). Felger is a hoot and Daniel does have one little itty-bitty scene in Avenger that's sparked a couple of great fics.

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

For what it's worth, Prodigy really isn't as bad as it's made out to be. There's great Jack being bored, the attitude toward scientists popping up, and I love the Jack/Sam friendship scene when he meets her at the Gate. Proof positive they can be friends as well as co-workers.

Besides, I am always amazed at all the knowledge you have stored within your brain in regard to this series. Watching that episode will only give you more insight and more trivia to add to your collection. :)

So yeah. Go. Watch it. Then come back and tell us your thoughts.

[samantilles.livejournal.com]

I'm in the same boat as you-Daniel-less episodes really don't do a whole bunch for me, but I did sit through and watch every episode. As it is I convinced eilidh17 to watch the S6 episode "Disclosure" and stayed up till six in the morning to watch it with her halfway around the world. I'm sure there are quite a few on your flist who might hold your hand while you conquer them!

*ps-on the point of "Disclosure" even if you don't watch all of S6, it is definitely worth the watch, considering Daniel is the part of the discussion and Jonas isn't mentioned in the show at all.*

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

I also don't understand what makes Hailey a Mary Sue. Or maybe I really don't understand Mary Sues, because while she is given some accommodation because of her smarts, it's not like everybody is falling all over themselves in adoration of her either. She's abrasive, but she does also work for what she gets.

There is nothing about Hailey that is remotely fitting into the Mary Sue stereotype (aside from "random character gets to go through gate" which she is far from unique as a Stargate trope) but Fig still insists on calling her one anyway, however much I try to correct her.

[beanpot.livejournal.com]

I've never thought she was a Mary Sue either. For one thing, her eyes aren't purple.

She's caustic and abrupt and I think not using to getting any respect but... I am very tentative to label anyone who is smart on the show a Mary Sue because it's a show about smart people. Esp because I can't help but think that if she were a man - she be heralded as the next awesome person ever.

Caustic, abrupt and too smart...and only suppose to be on for one episode: Hailey and Rodney McKay.

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

I am not sure when I developed this need for Sam to be HORRIBLY HORRIBLY WRONG about something, but there it is and this episode is as close as we get.

Have you seen "Gemini"?

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I knew there was something I was forgetting!

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

I'm planning to watch the rest! I swear!

Mm-hmm. (Hey, I like Season Ten muchly more than Season Nine).

We'll do a modly support group.

[ultranos-fic.livejournal.com]

Curses. You beat me to it. :)

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

Well, don't watch it if it's going to put you out when you don't have time, but otherwise...c'mon, Fig, it's Stargate! You love Stargate! I know it's all about the Daniel love for you but there's a good time to be had even when he's not around, I promise. *pinky swears*

[beanpot.livejournal.com]

I think you really should watch them all. Yes I know you watch the show for Daniel - but the interactions of the rest of the team is really quite good. I'm also baffled by the whole Mary Sue thing as she doesn't fit what I think is a Mary Sue by any stretch.

I also really love the idea of Sam being mentor to another girl who is smart and stumbling in the world to find her place. It's fantastic to see that dynamic when it usually focuses on the guys being mentors then the Girl.

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

I know I've encouraged you to watch "Prodigy" as I really enjoy the episode and I like Hailey as an intriguing character but, honestly...

If you're as determined to think badly on "Prodigy" and Hailey and S6, etc as you seem to be then, no, I don't think you should watch it. You've already decided you aren't going to like it and you won't enjoy it. But I do wish you would stop trash-talking Hailey and those episodes without having seen them.

I guess...it's totally fine if you're only (or mainly) into the show for Daniel. There's nothing wrong with that. But it seems a little hypocritical to claim to be a fan of the show (and make judgments on episodes you haven't seen) and the other characters if you refuse to watch some (sometimes good and plot-important) episodes simply because Daniel isn't there.

But then, it's fandom. It's not like the world will end either way (well, except for the apocafic...). Do what makes you happy.

[pepper-field.livejournal.com]

I aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam! I've seen the first... six eps. And I've been enjoying it a lot more than S9. I just... get distracted by earlier seasons.

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

Everyone has eloquently spoken, from suzannemarie on down. You do NOT have my sympathy, dear friend. I've given you my reasons (hell, half of them are listed on the poll).

Besides that,

DON'T SAY KA UNTIL YOU'VE TRIED IT!!!!

[sg-wonderland.livejournal.com]

Five reasons not to watch Prodigy:
1) There's no Daniel.
2) Hailey is so annoying.
3) You know at least one of those scientists is going to buy it.
4) The enemy is...lightning bugs??
5) Did I mention there's no Daniel???

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

Well, they ARE very pretty in the early seasons too. :-D

[resurgamlaura.livejournal.com]

Maybe its because a part of me is just too snarky for words (this is possibly my Britishness waving a flag), but I have seen pretty much every ep that's on a season that I own on DVD (which is most of them, because for a while it was the only way I could get my fix), and rewatched every one that I have time for for the rewatching team-orientated thread on GW because if I don't like it, there are still points to discuss and...OK, I admit it- opportunities to (nicely!) mock certain aspect amongst like-minded folks with a sense of humour. Its why I put myself through eps like 'Spirits' again- I can make well-judged comments about this early use of Sam as leader and the Sam/Daniel/Teal'c dynamic, and then laugh at the tinfoil wrap aliens.

In the case of this episode, this would possibly involve being amused at someone essentially being killed by Tinkerbell, the first appearance of Bill Lee, Jack snarking at scientists...and you then casually mentioned that when Hailey was on screen you just *had* to go off and make a cup of tea/coffee. Several times.

PS. Only just friended you because I very much like your meta posts and suchlike, so feel free to ignore the strange and long-winded suggestions from this person in the peanut gallery :P

[ultranos-fic.livejournal.com]

2) Hailey is so annoying.

*raises hand* Can I ask a stupid question? Why do you think she's annoying?

I mean, I am perfectly aware that I am more sympathetic towards her character, but that's my bias, and I don't mean to put you on the spot, but I'm honestly curious as to why she rubs some people the wrong way.