|
|
Aurora Novarum episode rating:
excellent |
 |
|
. |
Furlings and Zombies and Puppets, oh my! 200 is an extremely hard episode to judge, because it's a unique entity unto itself and can't truly be compared to the general tone and nature of the series. However, from the moment the classic team exited the Gate and met the Furlings, I started laughing, and didn't quit...although there were a few times I also shouted "oh, they did not just say that!" at the same time. No one escaped the vicious skewering an lampooning, not the cast, their characters, the writers, the producers, the networks, even the fans--for good or evil--all were part of the satirical send up that made 200.
The episode was a treasure trove of chocolates for a trivia junkie like me to uncover all the inside jokes of the industry, other show references, character/actor commentary, and show history. The Daniel/Vala look at the "body swapping comment"? Mitchell and Vala's pointed looks away when Martin disclosed the foreign investor backed out (calling back to their past history on "Farscape"?). The skewering of the ticking clock megahit of "24", the "Happy Days" episode jump the shark reference that spawned an industry/pop culture abbreviation to when a show has passed its prime (and been inspiration to ACME Shark's logo), the flux capacitor of "Back to the Future", scene 24 from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". And that's not counting the "Dawson's Creek/OC", "Thunderbirds/Team America", "Farscape", "Gilligan's Island", and the "Wizard of Oz" sendups.
And that doesn't include all the cameo appearances of the wonderful crew that have brought this show to life for ten years. The make up artist, N. John Smith, Andy Mikita were spotted amongst many others mere fans wouldn't know in the wedding sequence. Series co-creator Brad Wright did a very passable "Scotty". Many others, including Robert Cooper, were zombies or the crew of the "fake show". Meta commentary that Peter DeLuise replaced his brother Michael as the actor playing the New Guy replacement for Nick Marlowe/Colonel Danning. And Martin Wood following DeLuise's lead in playing the Director in the episode he directed. Stunt Coordinator Dan Shea complaining in his recurring role of Siler of "always" being the one injured was hilarious as well.
Characterization is hard to judge. The characters were essentially true to themselves, but also served as foils and caricatures. Their deadpan reactions and incredulity mocking every plot concept, dialogue and criticism was hilarious. The episode was a wonderful romp into the "what if" scenarios that ranged from "Star Trek" and even a wedding! A few of the jokes went a little over the top, such as O'Neill coming in from "Malibu" (presumably Anderson's real home). But considering the richness of the satire and sweetness in the whole episode, the occasional lapses and sledge hammer to the fourth wall that culminated in them all going through the Stargate for cake can be forgiven.
The episode was described as being a "love letter" to fans, and it overall fulfilled that responsibility. Several comments that have been made by critics, casual fans, and the "devoted" of fandom could be picked out amongst the dialogue of pointing out the ridiculousness of the show, the genre, and why everything must "inevitably explode". Even nods to those fans devoted to seeing Jack together with one of his team, and those who would find that "torture to the audience" for either, like me. Heh. However, Mitchell wins the "Charlene Spencer" award for the voice of fans with this line: Never underestimate your audience. They're generally sensitive, intelligent people who respond positively to quality entertainment.
Oddly enough, the part I found least entertaining was the "Wormhole X-Treme" ending. I loved the 100th episode, especially that "behind the scenes" part, but "200" was already so meta, the actor and "writer/producer" mock interviews just became too much. Considering the life imitating art imitating life aspect of that section, it also took on too edgy a tone for my taste, especially considering SciFi gave a very different call to Bridge and MGM then Marty got on the eve of their party. Although the whole tone of the episode was a good-natured skewering, this section came off a bit flat. Plus, I think I wanted to vicariously join the team for cake on the other side of the wormhole.
However, I still wouldn't trade it just because of the final lines of the episode, spoken by the amazingly eloquent Doug Anders/Grell character (played by Teal'c stand in Herbert Duncanson). What a sweet ending to a thoroughly enjoyable and Excellent ranked episode.
|
|
