#OR that Rodney THINKS Radek is smart enough and diabolical enough to be able to manipulate him easily if he wanted to

[bagheerita]

The way Sekkari!Zelenka manipulates Rodney is just masterful, no notes. Obviously the first time through the episode you don't notice because it's all Sexy Scientist Will Listen To Your Problems and I Guess Kolya's A Zombie Now, and the McKay-Zelenka banter just looks normal, but on a rewatch it's fantastic and hilarious watching him play Rodney like a kazoo. The AI is so sophisticated, to have observed Rodney and learned so much about his interactions with Radek while Radek wasn't even there, so that it could push its agenda without raising suspicion. Or maybe highly dramatic scientists were very common in the Sekkari civilization and it took one look at McKay and was like, "No worries, I could do this in my sleep."

#eternal stargate rewatch #stargate atlantis #spoilers #sekkari #rodney mckay #stargate atlantis remnants #so for both Woolsey and Sheppard their thoughts affected how the AI appeared to them in form and behavior #(though I think the interaction with Rodney is slightly different bc the AI has a specific and complex agenda #i.e. making sure the seed gets found recognized for what it is and brought to the attention of the correct people) #but i feel like that means that on some level Rodney WANTS Radek to manipulate him with flattery #OR that Rodney THINKS Radek is smart enough and diabolical enough to be able to manipulate him easily if he wanted to #corollary the AI chose to impersonate Radek bc he is the only person on Atlantis (or theoretically in all of 2 galaxies) #that Rodney believes is both smart and diabolical enough to manipulate him like this