Season 3, Episode 14 - Tao of Rodney
Air date: 2007

Dr. McKay obtains improved mental abilities.

Episode Guide | Spoilers | Teaser

(This topic is for people who have seen the episode to discuss it. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read this topic.)

So it looks like they switched episodes on us?

I have to wonder why.

its weird but at least we got a new episode..

but still the plot is a bit thin in some places..
they could have contacted earth and talk to the person who has ascended twice and is sitll alive... or they could have gone to the planet where chaya is banished to and ask for help...

but they jsut stuck it out..

on a side note.. the storyline is both funny and good

good episode I say...

But it would have been nice if Rodney wouldn't have returned completely back to
the way he was...

But anyway more episode where they mess with
all kind of technologies please.

This was my favourite episode of season 3, now to see if any of his ideas actually come to use in later eps

I definitely think he figured it out on his own. Just at the point of ascension he pulled himself back and placed his thoughts into the doctor. That was really really cool.

I hope that the things he figured out are implemented later, I hate it when they find something cool and do little with it. Hyperdrive puddle jumpers would be great, as would the advanced shields, which could theoretically help the Asgard too.



Now to let Shep in that machine!

I think that was a great ep. Although, what I thought was the simplest solution (ask Daniel) was never brought up.

I thought it was hilarious when Sheppard and Weir went to talk to him, and he had the whole conversation with them, and they never said a word.

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Stunningly beautiful, too.

I loved it. They really aniled team itneraction in that one. These 7 don't feel like strangers anymore. I'm especially happy Rodney was allwoed to play with Teyla and Ronon for a change. He actually ahd a scene alone with Teyla! Gasp. Who would have thought. Weir was excellent, too. And Ronon is really starting to develop a point, for several episodes straight! Wow, who would have though However, I still think they missed a great opportunity there for Ronon when Rodney asks him about his scars (oh! Not to mention the Batman discussion. Ronon as Rodney's sidekick... or rather, "fatman's" sidekick... ha!). But my favourite bits were with Radek. The beginning, when Rodney kept on frustrating him, when Rodney saved his life and ran out of the room before anyoen could say anythign, when he came and apologised... Did I mention the word beautiful? ;)

Okay, next time someone has a close encounter with an Ancient, let it be Elizabeth! It seems everyone else (including gasp! Sheppard) agree with me about the Ancients' stupidity and arrogance. It's aout time Weir saw that they're less than perfect, too. esepcialyl with all her knowledge about their constant screw ups.

Speaking of Weir, everyone pining up to her to be the next superhero and her exasperated looks! Beautiful. OH, and "yeah yeah, with great power comes great responsibility"... mwaha.

Hmm... maybe I'm abit Daniel centred (okay, definietly I'm a bit Daniel centric) - but it did seem odd they didn't even mention him! Oh, well. Since we don't know how much the shows parallel, I can make up excuses - spoilers for the second half of season 10 .
Speaing of Daniel... so that's how Meridian woudl have looked like had MS not left trhe show! hehe. It's actually interesting, seeing the contrast between the prolly msot spiritual regular character in the Stargate universe, Daniel, and the least one, Rodney. While they'er doing the same thing in these two episodes, Daniel's confronting with his life was true to his character, while Rodney's running away from it was so true to his. I think that on these terms, Rodney migth end up being even a bigger sceptic than Jack. However, I'm extremely grateful he didn't ascend. I was erally about to cringe there when it seemed he would.
Ah, and I think he figured outt he solutino on his own. As he did reach teh levels encessary for ascension, he probably already started the process when it hit him - some sort of limbo, right before ascension. Prolly knew all he needed to know then.
Oh, yeah, speaking of Rodney's deniel, I wonder what of the thigns he's done would play a part in future episodes. Great to wait and find out.

the thing is that the ancients prior ascension was not all knowing.. but thhey were great.. they made mistakes but they didn;t screw things up either.. its either cause by the immaturity and ill knowledge of us fooling around with their stuff that caue the problem..

point being mckay playing with teh machine without researching it first.. if he did he would have found out tis role and why its never used..
and i theorise that it was switched on again cos the crew is willing to take the chance to either ascend or die.. they know that their time is over.. but htey didnt; have the chance..

Your post reminded me of this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/thisweek/st...1048638,00.html

And I could totally read your post!

But ya, the more I think about it, the more I like this episode!


Or they did have a chance and did Ascend, to early to tell.

How good was that! Also very funny all the way through, loved Rodney replying to everyone without them saying a word, Rodney and Radek's tent discussion, hugging Ronan and John teaching him how to Meditate. But I also really liked Weir's discussions with Rodney on ascension, I don't think she was as focused on the ancients part as she was about ascension itself and trying to make Rodney understand it on a more spiritual level, to see things from more than one perspective.

I thought when everyone was around Rodney's bed and the end was nigh it was a really sweet team moment, and they all love him 'like a friend does another friend' aww!

'Fatman' and his sidekick Ronan...

Ya it was a good episode the plot line was good and the humor was also good and I do hope they use half the stuff that he invented otherwise this whole episode would go to waste and we can't have that can we?

Whoa... an excellent job on this episode. Rodney is learning...

I was already seeing that Rodney would eventually ascend and retake human form... But I guess the writers decided to scratch that idea since it only happened 2 times in SG-1, and decided upon a more original ending.

Ummm, whoa... did Rodney just overflown his ego and apologised to Zelenka? That was simply delightful to watch, but a question can be raised up high... did he really mean it? I like the concept of the writers: "Let's hurt badly someone important in this episode... Ummm, why? do you ask? I'll tell you why, we have ol' superpowered Rod here that will heal him ( )".

I must say this was "indeed" a fairly good episode and I see an opportunity to use that device to engineer some super-geniuses like McKay.It only takes the knowledge of stopping ascending right then when McKay did.And,of course, reactivating that undoing technique that saved our hero.(After all,I reckon that McKay would be somewhat considered a hero,wouldn't he?)

This post has been edited by tatavostru: Dec 15th 2006, 7:20 AM

I think he did, part of being able to Ascend (which I believe he was right on the cusp of) is to let go of things, so I think that shows he really means what he said.

We'll seee how long it take him to go back to old Rodney mind you!

I am so happy they finally acknowledged how amazingly arrogant the Ancients must have been... how they continuously bit off waaay more than they could handle.

I thought this was a great episode, I liked the storyline especially... though I wonder if anything will carry into future episodes. TPTB tend to ignore events unless they can be conveniently used. Rodney could actually be a better person in the future...

The thing i loved about this episode was the fact that Rodney didn't want to acend, everyone before hand has gone for it, for someone to want to stick around instead of going for it shows alot about his character and another view on the ancients.

LOVED all of the character interaction, especially an actual VERBAL conversation that Rodney has been forgiven, like with Jack and Sam they allways hint but never flippin confirm, i just want to hear it said out loud before the end oftime preferably (ok slight exaggeration, but you know what i mean)

All hail the Ori...uh, i mean Atlantis

*sheepish* I'm sorry. I'm terrible with typoes...

Well O'Neill and Carter are military officers, they are not allowed to have a romantic relationship.

Rodney and his rantings... ahh priceless!

Oooooohhhh Major Lorne for like 1 minute!!!!!! I so miss him...

Yeah, loved all the interaction between Rodney and the team. Touching when they were around his bed and he was remembering what Shep had tried to teach him, clear blue skies, breath, no talking and Shep realised this and was kinda pleased but sad at the same time...

We have to remember that at the same time this is going on SG1 is also happening, so its interesting to see which episode is running parallel, no doubt why Daniel couldn't help, they are doing their own stuff obviously. Still, I guess they could have mentioned it.

I hope some more comes of Rodney's scribbles and they get something cool out of it, wouldn't want to see all that wasted. Plus I think the machine could help them out in the future too.

It won't take much I think. It almost looked to me that he already rejoined the natural Rodney side of the force at the end of the episode. "I can't hear any thoughts... [Jedi mode] Telekinesis is gone... [/Jedi mode]... I'm still smart I think... I feel hungry"

Rodney made me cry and he's not my favorite character so for him to move me like that is saying something.
I don't hate Rodney like some people do. What really got to me was all of scenes with Zelenka especially when he apoligized and when he healed him those were priceless. I liked all of the other interactions too very well done. As for the Ancients I think we are seeing more and more why they have that law of not interfering they learned from experience.

Who on earth hates Rodney, they guy is one of the best parts of the show!

I have read some people don't care for him and some people don't like it when shows relvolve around him. I really liked this Rodney centric ep I liked that they showed him being very honest and usually him and Sheppard banter all the time this showed that there is a real friendship there. He made me cry I was not kidding there. I really loved loved all the interactions he had with everybody I like his character more now I never hated him though I just thought he was a little annoying sometimes and I don't like too cocky guys ingeneral and sometimes he was he could be. I always love the banter between him and Sheppard they are too funny.