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Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Stargate Atlantis - 5.03: "Broken Ties" Review



Ronan is abducted by a former friend of his and undergoes the Wraith treatment to become a Wraith himself. Teyla has to decide whether to return to the team or not.

Teyla (Rachel Luttrell) complains of not getting much sleep and how Kanaan (Patrick Sabongui) is finding it difficult to adjust to life on Atlantis.   Ronon (Jason Momoa) spots a body on the ground and is shot and taken.   Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) comments how Tyre (Mark Dacascos) would have killed him if he wanted to.   Teyla believes he may still have his Setedan sense of honour.  Sheppard has to ask for permission from Woolsey (Robert Picardo) to "go off world." Woolsey hasn't received Teyla's formal request to return to duty and she hasn't decided whether she wants to or not.   Sheppard is sure she will return.   Woolsey gets stuck in the conference room.

Tyre calls Ronan and himself brothers.   He recalls Sarif Sur where Ronon risked his life to save him and he's returning the favour now.   Sheppard and the team visit with Solan Sincha (Sean Campbell) who comments Ronon was always in danger and Tyre is a former Wraith worshipper.   Tyre tells Ronon help is on the way for them from the Wraith.   When the team return to base, Woolsey tells Teyla about the Yorkie he used to own and his wife got him in the divorce (thus his photo in the office in later episodes.)  Woolsey adds priorities change.   Teyla: "and sometimes they don't."

The Wraith sucks the life from Ronon and then brings him back.   He'll submit eventually just like his fellow  Setedans.   Rodney (David Hewlett) claims to have been up all night, pacing, snaking and bathing.   Archimedes got his ideas in the bath and he needs a new perspective.   Sheppard: "I'm not taking a bath with you!"  Oh no can picture that now!  Lorne (Kavan Smith) has a message from Solan that Ronon is at Sarif Sur.   Ronon thinks Tyre is a traitor to their people's' memory  Tyre demands his reward for Ronon.

The team brings back Tyre but don't find Ronon.   Jennifer (Jewel Staite) sedates him but his brain activity shows signs of withdrawal.   Sheppard didn't tell Teyla about Ronon's rescue and she's angry she was left behind.   She's having second thoughts and Woolsey wants Sheppard to find a replacement for her, so she has to decide what she wants.   The Wraith tries to break Ronon as his friends died cos they couldn't stand the conversion process but he's stronger.   Ronon and Tyre both suffer in their respective processes, Ronon from conversion and Tyre from his withdrawal.

Teyla worries when she goes on a mission she may not return.   Kanaan believes she has a responsibility to Torren and to other people out there in the galaxy too and she must follow her heart.   Tyre offers to help get Ronon back by taking them to him.   Ronon finally succumbs and is given his sword by the Wraith.   That was a mistake and Sheppard does the same thing at the end too.   Sheppard knows Tyre is desperately trying to help his friend as Sheppard has been in his place too.   Teyla wants to go, leaving Woolsey holding her baby.   They plant explosives on the power relay of the Wraith facility and Ronon shields the Wraith when they encounter him.

Tyre holds Teyla hostage and Ronon knocks Sheppard out.   Teyla seemed to be quiet in the cell, as Rodney attempts to hatch a plan, like having info they can only give to Ronon so he'll have to come here and they can appeal to the side that is still him.   Sheppard can think of three things wrong with that plan.   What only three, ha.   Sheppard is brought before the Wraith who demands he kneel.   Ronon chops off the Wraith's hand and Sheppard has his gun.   Cos the pitstop Tyre made was to get the weapons and to let the others out, yet Ronon and Tyre engage in a fight.   Tyre wants the Wraith to call off the others or he will destroy their facility, which he'll do anyway.   Tyre trades his life for the detonator and for the others to be able to leave.   When the others are clear Tyre declares the Wraith turned his back on Tyre first and detonates the explosives.   Ronon now has to undergo withdrawal from the Wraith enzyme.

Sheppard tells Ronon they will all help him as they're all friends and so was Tyre.   Rodney bores Ronon with his piano story and having 'nimble' fingers.   Teyla returns to the team.   Woolsey retires to his chambers to slip into "something more relaxed."  I.e his suit.  Rodney in the bath comes up with a brainwave.   Sheppard returns Ronon his sword.

All in all I can say there were three things wrong with this episode.   What only three, ha.    It just seemed like a filler and though concentrated on Ronon and Tyre's friendship, or lack of; it was too easily dismissed, just as Ronon finally giving in and becoming a Wraith 'worshipper.'   Not much was done to move the story forward and Teyla just returned to the team as we knew she would.

Think Ronon was converted a bit easily - though this may not have been quite the intention, it seemed that way.   Then what was going on with him when he cut off the Wraith's hand - an act of defiance - but he was converted by then and still had the foresight to fight Tyre.   Probably cos he viewed him as human and his enemy.   In some ways this episode could have been better if they had spent more time on Ronon being a Wraith and not have brought him back so easily.   Rodney and Sheppard in their usual funny moments and Sheppard's bath line was the only highlight here.

Joseph Mallozzi on his blog said, this "episode takes Ronon far beyond his wise-cracking warrior persona fans have grown to know and love, offering a glimpse of the character at his most vulnerable...a couple of touching Ronon-Sheppard moments as well."  In season 3's Reunion Ronon had to choose Atlantis or his Setedan friends; here Teyla has to do much the same.   Her duty to the team or be a mother to Torren.   Don't know what the fuss some fans had about Teyla choosing to return to the team, most mothers work.   Also we see Woolsey is human after all, ha.

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