In brief:
Absolutely, utterly fantastic.
In detail:
This is, quite probably, my favourite episode Atlantis to date. It is, for me, Enterprise’s ‘Cogenitor’, or SG-1′s ‘Abyss’: the episode that rises above the average or mediocre content surrounding it, and elevates itself into not only a good episode, but simply one of the strongest.
In brief:
Decent, yet confusing.
In detail:
The absence of Tori Higginson (Elizabeth Weir) certainly screwed over the Replicator story line they had set up for her. “Ghost in the Machine” is a valiant attempt to continue that story without her. And, for the most part, it does a good job.
Michelle Morgan, who plays the consciousness of Weir in Fran’s body, does a reasonably good job of imitating the mannerisms and vocal expressions that Higginson brought to Weir’s character. Her performance is strong, and in the quieter scenes with Teyla/Sheppard/Fran I found myself truly believing this was still Weir. That’s an achievement of performance on Morgan’s part.
In-brief:
Better…
In-detail:
Thank goodness. A glimmer of hope. Nothing outsanding, nothing overly memorable; but it was better. A nice sci-fi concept nicely realised with minimal garbage. Atlantis should try this more often.
It’s been a few weeks since viewing the episode unfortunately – busy times have afflicted me, so I’m writing a few weeks later with only a hurried re-watch for guidance. Here are my thoughts, anyway.
In brief:
Continued mediocrity.
In detail:
Jason Momoa (Ronon) can act, at least a bit. This episode proved that. He had some truly nifty scenes throughout here, and there were indeed strong moments from Sheppard, Teyla and Woolsey.
That’s all that redeems this episode in any way. The plot is truly awful. Barely existent. “Broken Ties” follows on from last season’s “Reunion” (which was average) and manages to further cloud and confuse Tyre’s character.
Spoilers contained herein. Now it comes to the real point of this episode – saying goodbye. First to leave the TARDIS is [...]
This review comes in two parts, due to length and detail and brilliance.
In-brief: Big. Though something lingers…
In-depth:
Let me say this first of all – this episode is good.
After four years, this is where we are now. This is how Russell T. Davies chooses to end his tenure as the producer of Doctor Who. It’s an epic plot, tying together all of the strands from his previous forays into this universe, and indeed those who have come before him. There’s a certain amount of glee here in the concept of the Doctor, and perhaps that is the problem. As much as I wanted to love this episode, I have to say, it simply wasn’t as spectacular as I wanted it to be.
In-brief: Pleasantly delighted. In-detail: Following the decidedly average Stargate: The Ark of Truth, I wasn’t really holding out too much hope for [...]
In-brief: I’m about to explode.
In-depth:
This is it.
This is what Russell T. Davies has been building up to for the last four years of nuWho.
This is Doctor Who firing on all cylinders. Full out rush from start to finish and my Gods, it is brilliant.
It’s a review. Expect spoilers. This episode has not yet aired in the United States. In-brief: So, here we go agian. In-depth: [...]
In-brief: Catherine Tate’s finest hour?
In-depth:
Before I analyse, let me say this: that was absolutely spectacular.
I have to say that first simply because for the last 20 minutes I was absolutely riveted by the action on screen and I found myself near the point of crying out at the tv for Noble Donna to do what needed to be done.
So, review.
Read more…