Technically, I was not operating a cell phone while driving. I was checking a football score while stopped at a red light. Still, there was no point in arguing with a motorcycle cop who, I suspect, was simply angry that I hadn’t allowed him to pass me on the right. Boy, it’s been a while. The last time I received a ticket was some five years ago when I was speeding down Granville Street in an attempt to get home in time to watch the season premiere of South Park (See? It IS a bad influence!). I’m not sure if this is the case elsewhere but here in Vancouver, police officers tend to step out onto traffic, stand directly in front of the offending vehicle, and point resolutely from the car to the curb. That’ll certainly get someone to slow down but, at the time it happened to me, I had to wonder how many cops were hit by drivers whose reflexes were not as cat-quick as my own. Judging from the handful of articles I’ve read since that day, I’d say at least three.
So when was the last time you received a ticket and what was the charge? I’m going to guess lewd and lascivious behavior. Am I close?
Anyway, we were driving home from dinner at Campagnolo where Akemi joined Rob and his wife, Hillary, for a feast. No, really. A FEAST: seven different types of cured meats, two pizzas, a pork trio, beef tongue, lasagna, arancini, cured olives, and a tomato salad (just for show). And, of course, three desserts. I had planned to upload the photos and descriptions of our meal but, frankly, am so thoroughly exhausted by the experience that I’ll have to save it for tomorrow’s blog entry.
Our look back on Atlantis’s fourth season continues with the controversial…
MILLER’S CROSSING (309)
Back when Martin came up with the idea for the episode that first introduced Rodney’s sister, he was spinning ideas for a title when he came up with McKay and Mrs. Miller – a tip of the hat to the movie McCabe and Mrs. Miller. All he had to do was change Jeannie’s married name to Miller and, voila, the title worked perfectly. When it came time to doing a sequel (of sorts) to the episode, Martin again wracked his brain to come up with an appropriate title and finally settled on Miller’s Crossing – a tip of the hat to the Cohen Brothers movie of the same name. Granted, it’s a bit of a stretch but the siblings do end up crossing paths. Right?
Some controversy surrounding Sheppard’s actions at episode’s end – specifically, his manipulation of Wallace that sees the desperate father sacrifice himself to save his daughter and Jeannie (and, indirectly, Rodney who was about to offer himself up to the wraith). Dark? Yes. Morally and ethically suspect? Admittedly. Defensible? I would say, yes, absolutely. We went back and forth in the room on this one and ultimately decided that, while a tough choice, it’s one that John would make if it meant saving innocent lives. Still, the decision greatly troubles Rodney and, given John’s final scene, it’s evident that it doesn’t sit all that well with him either. From a creative standpoint, I loved the dilemma and the moral murkiness of Sheppard’s call as I felt it added a darker dimension to his at times enigmatic character.
The director’s cut ran long so a couple of scenes were cut for time. One involved Sheppard coming in on Ronon, sitting in their motel room, watching Battlestar Galactica. Ronon’s reaction to the show: “We’ve got to help those people!”. Sheppard explains it’s a t.v. show – but does concede that the lives of the Galactic crew do look a lot more exciting than theirs.
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