June 16, 2012: An early start to the day! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Letters from Pegasus! The Gift!

June 15, 2012: Meat & Bread! Cade... June 17, 2012: Checking out the new f...

June 16, 2012: An early start to the day! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Letters from Pegasus! The Gift!

Last night, Akemi and I re-enacted an episode of the anime Gintama. Coincidentally, it was the very episode we watched last night before going to sleep. The episode involved an insomniac Kagura keeping a sleepy Gintama up all night. By episode’s end, she has finally dozed off while Gintama lies wide awake beside her, unable to fall back asleep. Well, some three hours after I switched off the lights, I was stirred from a deep slumber by Akemi complaining because she couldn’t sleep. Apparently, she was suffering from indigestion, undoubtedly the result of a double helpings of the spicy noodles we had for dinner last night (“Please, don’t judge me,” she said as she shoveled the second helping into her bowl). ”I can’t sleep,”she said. ”Help me.” I suggested she pop a Pepto Bismal tablet. I always keep a half-dozen in emergency reserve by my bedside. She informed me that she’d already taken one and so, my entire repertoire of stomach remedies exhausted, I attempted to talk her out of her indigestion – but only managed a few encouraging words before giving up and settling for a comforting stomach pat.

And then, as I lay there, thinking about going back to sleep, other thoughts began to intrude on my half-wakened mind – concerns, big and small, took root and flourished, prompting dark imaginings, worst case scenarios, and a multitude of possible approaches to the problems. I lay in bed, fully alert, for three hours, attempting to shut down my brain and salvage what little sleep I could. But when the sun came up at a little after 5:00 a.m., I knew I was done. Jelly waking up thirty minutes later, crying to be let out, sealed it.

I got dressed, took Jelly out, came back inside, and crawled back into bed. But it was pointless. I got back out of bed, grabbed my laptop, and headed downstairs for an early start to the day – all the while being ever so careful to make sure I didn’t disturb Akemi.

She, of course, managed to sleep through the whole thing.

Atlantis memories…

LETTERS FROM PEGASUS (117)

Not quite a clip show yet not quite a progressive episode either, Letters from Pegasus is nevertheless a satisfying entry as it offers up some insight into life on Atlantis and the effect the early months of the expedition have had on its members. We’re offered unguarded glimpses of our characters as they open up and send messages back to their loved ones. These run the gamut from amusing and heart-warming to incredibly poignant. Alongside Weir’s address to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives on the mission to Pegasus, highlights include a conniving Kavanaugh, a long-winded McKay, and a surprisingly stirring Zelenka who delivers his entire message in Czech.

Off-world, meanwhile, Sheppard and Teyla run into a spot of trouble while running reconnaissance and narrowly avoid being culled by the wraith. Teyla’s attempts to save the family of an old friend prompts a curious lecture from John on the necessity to separate emotions from logic in life or death situations. The advice is sound but it nevertheless rings a little hollow given that it comes from a guy who has, time and again, demonstrated just the opposite.

THE GIFT (118)

This episode starts with the old double-dream twist (love it!) and ends with a shocking revelation that was hinted at way back in the opening two-parter. Along the way, we are treated to oodles of backstory on the wraith, the Ancients, and Teyla herself. And, as an added bonus, we’re also introduced to resident psychiatrist Dr. Kate Heightmeyer AND the much-loved tuttleroot soup (an Athosian specialty!). This episode covers A LOT of ground, but it never feels rushed or overwhelming in its delivery. It moves along at a brisk pace with one surprise building on the next. The evolution of the wraith! The Ancients’ unwittingly having a hand in their own demise! The dark truth about Teyla’s genetic make-up! The reason for the grand awakening and looming wraith attack on Atlantis!

And then, there’s this at the very end of the episode:

Teyla: “That is why they are all waking up. That is why they are coming here. They know that Atlantis is the only way to get to a new, rich, feeding ground.”

Sheppard: Earth.

Yes! YES! THAT is why they’re all awakening! Sheppard assumes the blame for awakening the wraith (during the op to rescue Sumner in Rising II) but here, Teyla confirms what I mentioned in a previous entry: that the wraith have awakened, not because of Sheppard’s actions, but because of the information they discovered while interrogating Sumner.

DARK MATTER at Comic Con!

I’m making final arrangements for Comic Con. In a little less than a month from now, I’ll be in San Diego, signing copies of my comic book series (Dark Matter), walking the floor of the convention center (it took me an entire afternoon the first time I went), and attempting to find a restaurant amid the myriad of neighborhood bail bondsman offices. Hopefully, by the same time next year, I’ll be back in San Diego and, instead of talking about Dark Matter the comic book series, I’ll be there to discuss Dark Matter the t.v. series. Seriously. Television is in desperate need of a ship-based science fiction series.