Reviews
"The Broca Divide" is a very important episode, as it marks the first
appearance of Teryl Rothery as Doctor Janet Fraiser. Although she didn't
actually have a first name at this time, she immediately made an impact and
became a much-loved reoccurring character.
The first time we see Janet, she's tying Sam down! One may think that
restraining members of a military facility won't become a habit, but as we see
later on, it sure does!! She has a great scene with O'Neill, in which she shows
off some anthropological knowledge (seriously, I wrote about a page on female
primate sexual choice for a Human Origins and Diversity essay last term. It all
stems back to the fact that the method of foetal nourishment evolved to be more
efficient, and the period of gestation became longer which means that the female
invests more of herself in the production of offspring. As such, the female will
choose the strongest to father her children. If Jack had succumbed to the virus
quickly enough, chances are repeated matings would have taken place! Or, we go
into the whole situation with multiple partners…)
But my brief anthropology lesson there has nothing to do with the medical Doctor
Fraiser, and I should probably leave any babbling about that subject to LauraJo!
:-)
She also teases O'Neill slightly, which, along with later scenes, makes some
viewers believe that the two have a background (or a future?) I'm sure my
theories on the subject will be touched upon later… ;)
My brain started to zone out with the start of Janet's little biology lesson in
the next scene, perking up only at the mention of neurotransmitters. With slight
giggles, I realise that I included them in my essay, without even realising
where I had got the idea from. Who needs to go to lectures?!
It's so cute when she calls Teal'c "Mr Teal'c" {giggles}. That always amuses me,
although she's stopped by her next episode! :-) Daniel follows her lead, and
then realises his mistake, which makes me laugh! I think the interchange between
the two doctors is nice, and I think lays the foundation for their friendship.
She's not intimidated by Hammond at all, when he's talking about the new plague,
and swaps a few glances with Daniel. (I can't help noticing these things!)
Hehe. Lots of sedatives, courtesy of Janet! Does she really use them that much,
or is this one too many readings of the "Dark and Stormy Night" series?! All she
needed to do was use her penlight in this episode, and it'll showcase all her
favourite things (restraints, sedatives/needles and the penlight!)
"Doctor, teach them." Trust me guys, it'll come in useful over the next
several years!! And Hammond hasn't realised that technically, all those who
haven't come down with the virus yet (himself and Janet included) could
potentially all be immune. After all, Janet couldn't have tested everyone still
uninfected, could she? And Hammond was a bit of a fool, continuing to come down
to the infirmary, and coming in contact with the virus even more. {sighs}
Don't they think of these things? If people are infectious, avoid them!
And look, here's Hammond come down with the virus. And in a straightjacket (not
the last straightjacket on Stargate either!). Poor Janet's looking a bit
tired and frazzled here, but it's another great scene with Jack here. Really,
most of the great scenes in this episode comprise of her and/or Jack (one's
where she doesn't make an appearance that rate as great… go on guess! Locker
room anyone? Oh, not to mention the "Lucy, I'm home" scene. And it's also rather
amusing when Jack goes all "alpha male" on Daniel too! Didn't want to risk that
mating with multiple partners obviously!)
She's surprised when Jack's asking for more sedative – so am I! Okay, so it
could be surprise at the fact that he's actually talking and she can understand
him… but it could be another indication that she already knows how much he
dislikes needles from a past meeting
(either that, or she's a very quick judge of character and Jack's been
particularly bad since she was assigned to the SGC!) I love how she talks to him
like a little child, or puppy dog!
A smile! She's got such a pretty smile!
I did actually understand the start of the second biology lesson she began to
give Jack (possibly helped by the fact that I did work experience in a
pharmaceutical research company, and they were working with histamines next door
to where I was!) I love the compassion she shows in the episode, and how she's
not going to compromise her ethics and experiment on him.
When he traces her face with his hands, it's so sweet, and the way she holds his
to reassure him that he's not alone. I am NOT a Jack/Janet shipper. Nu uh, no
way (don't say anything LauraJo!) But I think it's definitely a show of intimacy
which indicates that they knew each other before they were assigned to the SGC.
I've put forward the theory of cousins, and that's how I will write them. {nods
firmly}
Hmm, I think they needed larger heels for Teryl in that scene with "Mr Teal'c".
The height difference between them wasn't as noticeable when Hammond and Daniel
were with them in the earlier scene, although they could have been a different
pair of shoes! (Yes. Slight obsession with the height of Teryl's shoes. I know.
Partially due to the fact that I would barely be able to stand if I wore shoes
the same height as some of hers!)
Hee, she's all excited! Bless her. Acute what?!
I love the fact that they gave her a reason not to fall ill. That always,
always bugs me when there's an epidemic and the doctor doesn't become sick
because they have to save the day! Go Janet!
Oh, I love the image of her holding up the needle and grinning. That, and the
penlight shot from "Window of Opportunity" really sum up at least the fandom
perspective of the character!
Why don't they take Janet with them?! Daniel could have been injured – the odds
are stacked that he would be! But then again, she should be safer on Earth. So
she should stay there. Always {nods firmly}
Wow! Sam's "Let me give him an injection" No wonder she and Janet become such
good friends ;)
Teryl Rothery dons the white coat for the first, and thankfully not the last
time, and gives an outstanding performance. It's another one of those episodes
that probably wouldn't have been as good as it was without her.
And I'm not going to make a comment about SG-1 not being gods, but she is!
Honest. Cult of Janet anyone?
Contributed by Vicki
