Entry tags:
SGA fic/vid recs - main list, Part 3
Part 2 of my recs master list got too long as well, so I give you: Part 3.
About 50 recs in this post. Sorted by length. A lot of gen (mostly team, also character-centric: Rodney, Jennifer, Ronon, Teyla, Aidan, John). Also McShep, Rodney/Teyla, Rodney/Jennifer, and Sam/Rodney. (As to these last three pairings, I'm always looking for recs myself!)
note: I usually mention if there's character death, but not in those (very rare) cases where I feel it would spoil the story. (link to my warnings policy here)
novel length | long/multichapter fics |medium length | short fic/ficlets | comics/cartoons/illustrated fic | vids | meta/recs | older recs in Part 1 and Part 2
novel length (> 45,000 words)
Desert Orkids by![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tipper_green
gen; Rating: PG; team, with an emphasis on McKay; action-adventure; 103,304 words
Summary: Despite themselves, the Atlantians find themselves caught up in the mystery and politics of a desert world, a place where, if they dig too deeply, they could end up buried alive.
Great world building in this one; one of Tipper's strength is writing alien societies and settings and engaging original characters, each with their own agenda. Great plot, too... mystery, action, Ancient technology, and political intrigue. Our team get to play detectives. But who's playing them?
Black Helicopters at Dawn bywhizzy
McShep UST; R; AU; 64,000 words
Summary: Screw the bet. Rodney was going to prove the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. Oh, and incidentally, he might just catch the United States Air Force with their pants around their ankles.
Rodney McKay left his contract job with the Air Force on not-too-good terms and is now living in the middle of nowhere, northern BC, scanning the skies for signs of alien life (and snarking via internet with Radek). One day his satellite dish picks up a signal from a craft crashed in the woods...
This is a really interesting AU, with conspiracy theories and an underlying sense of paranoia... seen from Rodney's view, the Air Force and the SGC don't appear in the best light. I love all the technical detail in this fic. Rodney gets to be a physicist and prove his skill and ingenuity. Also very intriguing is the way the relationship with John is written... but I don't want to spoil too much so I'll shut up now. :)
Black Mountainside bywhizzy
Sheppard/McKay; UST; R; 66,000 words; AU, Series: Black Helicopters
Whizzy wrote another novel-length fic in her 'Black Helicopters' AU, in which the SGC exists but Atlantis hasn't been discovered yet, and our protagonists' lives have followed different paths in the past. This sequel is every bit as captivating and so well written, I was on a right fic-high after finishing it. :)
This has become one of my favorite Stargate AUs. I absolutely love Whizzy's take on the friendship/relationship between Rodney and John... original, and very intriguing. I love the thousands of little details, technical and otherwise, that make this story come alive. And the plot, terrific. Lots of twists I didn't see coming. Just go, read! (I suggest to read Black Helicopters at Dawn first, but I think this story could be read on its own as well.)
Never Stop Moving bytipper_green (or read it in chapters on ff.net)
Gen; Rating: T; Characters: Team, though Teyla is the heart; action/adventure, h/c; 83,404 words
summary: Chases, explosions, head wounds, twisted ankles, damaged ships and a desert serve as the backdrop to a rescue mission that doesn't quite go as planned. In other words, a typical Atlantis mission o' mayhem. Team Fic.
Where to start... this fic's got it all: Plot and fast-paced, nerve-wrecking action, wonderful team interaction, and most of all a terrific-written Teyla who is the heart and center of this story.
The story is pretty long but it's so action-filled that it just flies by - I was surprised when I saw the word count.
Born in the Barrens byrhymer23
gen; AU; Sheppard&McKay mainly; adventure; h/c; Rating T; Warning: mentions of torture in flashbacks (though nothing overly graphic); Length: 60,000 words
Summary: While on a mission to the city of the Genii, Rodney McKay, master alchemist, is given a gift of a slave.
Rhymer creates yet another fascinating AU, and I love her version of the characters (particularly Rodney... brilliant alchemist, reluctant hero, arrogant, socially clueless and very lonely). When the story ended, I didn't want to leave that universe. I'm already crossing my fingers for a sequel, since the set up for one is there! This story isn't open-ended though... it comes to a satisfying conclusion, but at the same time leaves room for more stories.
On the Wings of an Eagle byrhymer23
gen; PG; historical AU; 50,000, plus 6 pictures
Summary: It started with a man crashing into a herb garden. Soon a misfit band of four exiles are caught up in a wild ride of sword fights, sewing, rescue missions, shopping trips, high treason, lute-playing, changing the face of scientific knowledge forever, the imminent risk of hideous death, and comfits.
Among the Stars bynottasha (entire story in one file)
gen; PG; team; whump (Rodney); 54,142 words
summary: The team is searching for Gates to harvest and comes across a space station that was set up to record a supernova.
I really enjoyed this! Great plotty teamfic - and one of the few Atlantis fics I've read that are set entirely in space. I thought the descriptions of the station and the vastness of space work really well.
long/multichapter fics (15,000 - 45,000 words):
The Black Lake bytipper_green
gen; team plus Keller; Rating: K+; action/adventure; h/c; ~27,740 words
Summary: Things go belly up (because they always go belly up) on a rescue mission to save an SGA team stuck deep underground and running out of air.
Why rec'd: I was squeeing when I saw this posted, because, well, action-adventure teamfic-plus-Keller is one of my favorites. And I wasn't disappointed... this story put me in a great mood.:)
This was written for![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sga_genficathon for the prompt The journey of a thousand miles sometimes ends very, very badly, and it's a great, creatively literal take on the prompt. The setting feels genuinely alien and very scary; there's a constant sense of danger that makes for a gripping read. I love the characterization; particularly Teyla and Jennifer get to shine (but the guys get plenty of airtime, too). The dialogue could come right out of the show, it's spot on.
The ATA Affair byxparrot
gen; PG-13; AU; characters: team, various SG-1 and SGA cast in supporting roles; ~26,000 words
Summary: Written forsga_genficathon. Two of the S.G.C.'s top secret agents, Teyla Emmagan and Rodney McKay, are sent to the Casino Atlantis to investigate the suspicious business dealings of John Sheppard...
Why rec'd: This story is great fun! A fascinating Spy!AU that's plausible in itself, with pitch-perfect characterizations and gripping plot. Rodey and Teyla make a great team, and Ronon and John are quite mysterious. I love how it all plays out in the end. I'd read more in this verse!
Waiting For My Real Life To Begin bytoomuchplor
NC-17; Pairings: McKay/Keller, McKay/Sheppard; 25,929 words
Summary: It had changed so gradually with Jennifer, was the thing. Rodney couldn’t pick a moment when he’d felt the balance shift from “this is fucking awesome” to “wow, I’m really middle-aged”.
For months I've been shying away from stories with that particular pairing combination because I've read just one too many that did the most hideous things to Jennifer's characterization. But this story is safe for the Keller fan (unless they're at work. Worksafe, not so much.)
A joy to read... both for Rodney's exciting, sexually-adventurous-but-challenging relationship with Jennifer, and the quit, slowly building, middle-aged one he has with John. Good characterization all around, fair treatment of all the characters, believable relationships, and an interesting plot... I had a great time reading this.
Where the White Lilies Grow byrhymer23
gen; PG; AU; 44,400 words
Prompt Clarke's Law (i.e. "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic")
Summary: People tell stories about the wonders of the Time Before. They tell stories, too, about magical creatures with long, fair hair, who emerge from the hill and can turn you to dust in an instant. But John Sheppard has never been one to believe in stories...
In the Hollow Tree byishie
Rodney/Teyla; PG-13; 16,000 words
This one is a total AU that features Rodney and Teyla as a married couple who investigate supernatural phenomena. (Other Stargate characters make an appearance, too.) It's a plotty action/adventure/monster story, and it's a lot of fun to read. Apart from the cool plot and universe, I thoroughly enjoyed how the partnership between those two was written.
Perchance to Dream byeverybetty
gen; PG-13; 19,800~ words
Characters: primarily Sheppard and Rodney with the rest of the Team plus special guest stars.
Summary: John’s ATA gene brought him a new life in the Pegasus Galaxy. Now it may be the very same thing that takes his life away completely.
Sheppard is suffering from extreme sleep deprivation. Well-researched, well-plotted medical drama, great use of the characters. I was on the edge of my seat.
medium length (5,000 - 15,000 words):
Self-Sacrifice by Jem
gen; Rodney; PG-13, ~6,000 words
Summary: This isn't exactly Rodney's forte. He must convince a recalcitrant listener that some very important people are worth saving, when Rodney has never even articulated to them just how important they are to him. In other words, he must talk about his feelings. And the person he must convince is a very stubborn, very selfish scientist by the name of Rodney McKay . . .
Why rec'd:
omgawesomesquee This is a really original, well-rounded story. It's got time travel (of a sort). It's got Rodney arguing with himself. And it touches on all kinds of interesting concepts. Great interpretation of the prompt!
The Choices That Damn Us by Jem
gen; PG-13; AU; Teyla plus supporting; ~10,000
Prompt: “If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster.”—Isaac Asimov
Summary: In her last moments, Teyla Emmagen's memories flash back through the path that brought her here, through her discovery of her own identity and the gradual unspooling of the dark and monstrous truth behind the Stargate Program.
Why rec'd: This story comes with the warnings 'character death' and 'fairly dark', which it is, but I urge you not to let that deter you... you'd be missing out on an excellent, intelligent AU. I don't want to tell too much about the story; suffice to say it's a chilling vision of the gateverse gone wrong. It's a story that bears re-reading; there's a lot of food for thought. The pacing and structure work really well, too.
Confluence bycarolyn_claire
Rodney/Teyla; PG; written forsticksandsnark; ~9,500
Summary: Some things just work better together.
In Atlantis, he couldn’t imagine anything like this ever happening, but they hadn’t been in Atlantis for some time, now.
I'm reccing this story not because it was written for ME *happy dance* but because it's fantastic... Rodney and Teyla get stranded in time, and have to combine all their skills to survive. A very satisfying time-travel story with a lot of setting detail and lovely character stuff that ties back into the plot - excellent plot!
I also like the non-linear structure, it's really efficient. I was drawn in right away.
Firepower bypenknife
gen; PG; Rodney plus team; 5,000 words
summary: How Rodney stopped worrying and learned to love his P90.
A tremendously enjoyable fic that captures the season one vibe perfectly. I love the look at the team dynamic and Rodney's development as a character. The voices are spot-on.
With Friends Like These (John Will Never Make The Kessel Run In Less Than Twelve Parsecs) byargosy
Rodney/Teyla, John; PG; 5,400 words
Summary: John's in love, but Teyla and Rodney are the ones acting strange.
This story is adorable and very funny... I chuckled my way through it and it put a big smile on my face. Rodney and Teyla working together and being brilliant (and also kind of acting like dorks a lot) and Rodney being turned on by Teyla being brilliant... that's so much fun to read. I'd love to see more of that side of Teyla.
I think you'll love this fic even if you're normally not interested in this pairing: their story is told through the eyes of John and it's just as much about John and the new love of *his* life... his very own spaceship! (And if John is getting a little bitobsessed enthusiastic about his ship, it is understandable, right? ♥)
The Sting bykristen999
gen; PG; team; Action/Adventure; 13,600~
Summary: The team has to go undercover to root out the latest threat to Pegasus. A drug dealer trafficking the Wraith enzyme. Who’s going to con who? And most importantly. Who has the coolest costume? Team fic. Lots of guns, fights, and insults.
This fic had a cool plot and nicely balances drama with humor and teamy goodness. And it has the team undercover, in costume. :) The scenario is really plausibe; I could easily see this as an episode. (And what I'd give to see the Flan & Co act this out...)
A Far Better Thing byalex51324
gen; PG:13; Characters: Rodney, Rodney, team, Jennifer, Sam; ~18,600 words
Summary: After spending years trapped on a Wraith ship, Rodney McKay escapes and returns to Atlantis. The only trouble is, he's already there.
This one's by a writer who's new to the fandom. It makes me happy to see good writers discover the fandom even now. Go read, enjoy, and feedback her like crazy so hopefully she'll write more! (okay, I haven't commented myself yet because of the whole lack-of-time thing, but I will!)
A hugely entertaining, plotty genfic that reads like an episode - like an exceptionally good, moving episode, with some very interesting ideas and witty lines. I found all the characters really well written (Keller-fans proceed without trepidation ;) and Rodney's characterization(s) rang very true. The story uses a trope that's not uncommon to the gate'verse and it's doing it in an original, thoughtful and thought-provoking manner. I'm still finding myself thinking about it.
Darkest Before the Dawn bywildcat88
Gen; PG-13; Angst; Word Count: ~10,700 words
Summary: Some things have to be accepted; others have to be fought with everything you've got. A tragic off-world mission rocks Atlantis and shatters John. Struggling to pull the pieces together and move forward, he discovers he has one chance to set everything right.
Why rec'd: The feelings of grief and guilt... and of love, are explored in a way that feels honest and real. Beautiful team story that shows the bond between them. I also liked Kanaan's characterization very much - even though he has only a few lines, he somehow feels more present to me here than he did on the show.
One of Those Days All Week bymad_maudlin
gen; PG-13; whump, angst, humor; 5,145 words
Summary: Rodney has a bad day. A very long, very bad day.
This was written for linziday, less_star and myself, who all wished the same for the 'wish fulfillment' challenge at flashfic. Mad_maudlin writes Rodney running on empty, and she really gets into his sleep-deprived head. Very cool fic!
Walk a Klick bytrinityofone
Rodney/Teyla; PG; ~8,000 words
Summary: Teyla's head was killing her.
An original take on the bodyswap idea, in that they're not so much switching bodies as they're... switching. Identities. Everything. Fascinating idea, and fun to read.
Head High to the Finish bycinaed
McKay/Keller, McKay/Keller/Zelenka; PG-13; 5,800 words
Summary: The thing is, Jennifer really doesn't like Zelenka. At all.
This isn't a pairing combination I had ever considered before but I thought the author really pulls it off; I completely bought it. I love the slowly growing friendship between Jennifer and Radek and the fondness underneath Rodney's and Radek's bickering.
Cairns byliketheriverrun
gen, team, T
Summary: Forced into a native rite of passage, the team must each face life and death challenges along their chosen path. The only catch is that it's up to you to choose that path for them.
Warnings: There is the potential for character death, but don't worry, you can always start over and try again if it happens.
This fic is a Choose Your Own Adventure story. It's really fun to read/play, and I'm boggled at the thought of how much work must've gone into it! I've already played a few variations, but there are still a lot of paths I haven't explored. (I managed to get my team to safety on my first try. ^^ I was less lucky on the second run...)
In Medias Res by Blue Shadowdancer
Gen; Characters: Rodney, Carson, Sheppard, Rating: K+; 6,114 words
Summary: Rodney wakes up in the infirmary, with no memory of how he got there. Just another day? Not quite...
I'm trawling fanfiction.net because every once in a while one stumbles across an interesting new writer. This story is really interesting: a suspenseful fic with a deep Rodney-POV that's very effective.
short fic/ficlets (< 5,000 words):
Four Blatant Lies About Atlantis (And One Thing That's Totally True) bysabinelagrande
McShep; PG-13; humor; 4286 words
Summary: Wherein aliens don't make them do it, John loves ASCII, Carson hates everyone, Weir is highly amused, and Lorne's just trying to be a pal.
What's Done is Done bywildcat88
gen; PG; Carson and Rodney mainly; Spoilers: Sunday, This Mortal Coil, The Kindred; ~4500 words
Summary: After spending several days on Atlantis doing research, Carson decides he needs an afternoon off.
Excellent character study that deals with Rodney's and Carson's feelings of guilt in a way that feels very much in character. The emotional ramifications of the whole Carson arc were never really addressed in canon, and this story reads like an essential missing piece.
Aidan's Tale bywneleh
gen; PG; Ford, Kiryk, and other recurring characters; post-finale; 3,000 words
Summary: Post-series, Aidan Ford and Kiryk are off to find Atlantis.
This fic gives closure to Aidan Ford's story, and ties up a whole number of loose threads in a very satisfying way. I really enjoyed it.
Start From Now bybluflamingo
gen; Characters: Jennifer Keller, Katie Brown; spoilers for S3 Sunday; 2,211 words
Summary: Jennifer nearly turned down the Atlantis expedition when she got offered it...
An insightful character piece that provides some interesting and plausible backstory for Jennifer. The characterization is spot on and well-rounded... showing her confidence in her own skills as a medical professional as well as her inner conflicts; the determination beneath the insecurity. I also rather like the friendship she strikes up with Katie Brown... that we didn't see in canon (which I now think is a bit of a shame).
Oral Transmission bysobsister
gen; Jennifer Keller & John Sheppard; humor; spoilers: reference to Doppleganger; 1,972 words
Summary: A conversation between Dr. Keller and Colonel Sheppard goes slightly awry, for both parties.
A cute, funny Keller POV fic set in the infirmary. I love the Jennifer voice and the way she's characterized - competent in doctor mode, slightly dorky and bumbling when it comes to social matters. Though here, Sheppard has her beat on the bumbling
Five Times Rodney McKay Babysat the Athosians bycat_77
gen; PG; ~ 1,200 words
summary:The amazing thing was, they kept asking him to do it.
This was frikking hilarious!
Adventures in Babysitting bysiriaeve
gen; Ronon & Torren; 900 words
Uphill bypenknife
gen; PG; friendship; John Sheppard; ~1300 words
Summary: It's bad enough being trapped in a cave. Jennifer's pretty sure that in the Pegasus galaxy, things can always get worse.
Penknife is a new writer in the fandom, really worth checking out! Her voices are spot on and I love the interaction between the characters; makes me wish we had gotten more Jennifer-John screentime.
Pillow Talk byfairyglass
Sam/Rodney; Friendship/humor/romance; Rating 15+; 4,000 words
Summary: Sam makes the adjustment to leading the Atlantis Expedition and that means making certain personal adjustments, too.
I really like how Fairyglass has written the slowly developing friendship.
Rodney's Emo Cat byargosy
McKay/Sheppard; PG; ~3700 words
Summary: Pet ownership is a serious responsibility.
Hysterical! And really insanely cute.
Midwinter Burning byrhymer23
gen; PG, Team (Teyla POV); Spoilers through 4x10 This Mortal Coil; 3700 words
Summary: Teyla persuades her team to celebrate midwinter, and to find some hope in the darkness.
Browsing through my to-rec folder... A winter solstice story is maybe a weird choice to rec at spring time, but hey, it fits my mood and the themes come across no matter the season. I found this quiet story very powerful, with an overlaying sense of melancholy and of hope. A really beautiful, moving team story.
sholio wrote a very intriguing, dark, and twisted ficlet for Gen Battle
Prompt: Rodney, lost opportunity; 1400 wds; genfic; warning: AU, character death, dark
Statistical Improbabilities bybeanpot
Sam/Rodney; PG; Spoilers: Post SG1 Road Not Taken; 2,800 words
Summary:. Sam and Rodney attend a conference on Earth. Snark ensues.
Five hours into the conference and forty-five minutes into the main event, and so far everything had been ridiculous and Dr. Moran had only revealed that he’d seen a few episodes of Wormhole Xtreme and owned a mixer.
Good Sam/Rodney fic is so hard to find that I'm even happier when I stumble over something like this. They way they're written here is just what I love about the two: the gratuitous snark covering up a deep underlying affection. I wish there was more fic in that vein.
Second Story byelementalv
gen; PG; 1,500 words.
Summary: Everything changed.
Amazing Sheppard character study. With time travel.
Spaces Between bysholio
gen; PG; team; 1600 words
Summary: The planet looked just like British Columbia, as they often do.
A beautiful story about team love.
A Time to Heal bywildcat88
Rodney/Jennifer; PG; Spoilers for S4 through TLM; 3200 words
Summary: Circumstances and a three week journey put everything in a different light.
Why rec'd: This is a missing scene fic from The Last Man that is true to character for both, shows their relationship grow in a very believable manner, and fits seamlessly into the episode. It was just what I was looking for after watching that ep.
Friends and Old Wine byrhymer23
Ronon plus team; Gen; PG; Spoilers through 5x03 Broken Ties
Summary: Not long after arriving on Atlantis, Ronon is given a bottle of Satedan firewine, the last of its kind. Throughout the events of the next few years, it stays unopened, because Sateda is gone…
A beautiful character study!
I have known the eyes already bysabinelagrande
Sam/AU Rodney; NC-17; xover; spoilers for The Road Not Taken; 805 words
Summary: "This is the worst thing," he says, breaking off to catch her lips with his again, "that has ever happened to me."
So much good character stuff in this little ficlet.
So Much Trouble bysheafrotherdon
gen; PG-13; Keller, team; h/c; spoilers for 5x01; ~ 529 words
Summary: Keller tries to do what only John's team can. (tag to Search and Rescue; )
Sometimes friends are the best medicine... a lovely glimpse at Keller and team Sheppard in the infirmary.
Rodney Wakes Up in Yet Another Tiny Prison Cell bycoolbreeze1
gen; Ronon&Rodney; 400 words; (written for the Last Fic Writer Standing Challenge)
A great little Ronon & Rodney moment
comics/cartoons/illustrated fic:
vids:
vid rec:
The Writer bysuzvoy (download link)
McShep; Rating: no idea (one brief scene of nudity)
Summary: Constructed reality McShep music vid. An aspiring writer lacks inspiration until he starts a part-time job at a movie theater.
This vid is unusual since Suzvoy uses footage not just from SGA, but also at least two more movies of Hewlett/Flanigan. The idea is just cool - the writer (Joe Flanigan) writes himself into SGA canon to get over writer's block - and it's really well executed, too. Great storytelling!
Muppets in Atlantis bychayiana
Music: "The muppets" main theme
gen; humor; Spoilers up to 3x20 "First strike"
Chayiana's Lorne-vid "Be a Rockstar" is one of my favorite SGA vids ever, and one I use to recruit among my friends. So I checked out "Muppets", which is *hilarious*. She has great comedic timing. This one might also make a good recruiter vid though it giverfs a slightly, well, distorted view of the show. ;)
The Lost Button bychayiana (SGA/Dr.Who)
Music: Laurel and Hardy's theme; Artist: Marvin Hatley; Genre: Crossover, silent movie, action/humour
This vid really captures the feeling of that old b/w silent movie comedies. Funny and charming. Those two shows play together well.
About 50 recs in this post. Sorted by length. A lot of gen (mostly team, also character-centric: Rodney, Jennifer, Ronon, Teyla, Aidan, John). Also McShep, Rodney/Teyla, Rodney/Jennifer, and Sam/Rodney. (As to these last three pairings, I'm always looking for recs myself!)
note: I usually mention if there's character death, but not in those (very rare) cases where I feel it would spoil the story. (link to my warnings policy here)
novel length | long/multichapter fics |medium length | short fic/ficlets | comics/cartoons/illustrated fic | vids | meta/recs | older recs in Part 1 and Part 2
novel length (> 45,000 words)
Desert Orkids by
tipper_greengen; Rating: PG; team, with an emphasis on McKay; action-adventure; 103,304 words
Summary: Despite themselves, the Atlantians find themselves caught up in the mystery and politics of a desert world, a place where, if they dig too deeply, they could end up buried alive.
Great world building in this one; one of Tipper's strength is writing alien societies and settings and engaging original characters, each with their own agenda. Great plot, too... mystery, action, Ancient technology, and political intrigue. Our team get to play detectives. But who's playing them?
Black Helicopters at Dawn by
whizzyMcShep UST; R; AU; 64,000 words
Summary: Screw the bet. Rodney was going to prove the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. Oh, and incidentally, he might just catch the United States Air Force with their pants around their ankles.
Rodney McKay left his contract job with the Air Force on not-too-good terms and is now living in the middle of nowhere, northern BC, scanning the skies for signs of alien life (and snarking via internet with Radek). One day his satellite dish picks up a signal from a craft crashed in the woods...
This is a really interesting AU, with conspiracy theories and an underlying sense of paranoia... seen from Rodney's view, the Air Force and the SGC don't appear in the best light. I love all the technical detail in this fic. Rodney gets to be a physicist and prove his skill and ingenuity. Also very intriguing is the way the relationship with John is written... but I don't want to spoil too much so I'll shut up now. :)
Black Mountainside by
whizzySheppard/McKay; UST; R; 66,000 words; AU, Series: Black Helicopters
Whizzy wrote another novel-length fic in her 'Black Helicopters' AU, in which the SGC exists but Atlantis hasn't been discovered yet, and our protagonists' lives have followed different paths in the past. This sequel is every bit as captivating and so well written, I was on a right fic-high after finishing it. :)
This has become one of my favorite Stargate AUs. I absolutely love Whizzy's take on the friendship/relationship between Rodney and John... original, and very intriguing. I love the thousands of little details, technical and otherwise, that make this story come alive. And the plot, terrific. Lots of twists I didn't see coming. Just go, read! (I suggest to read Black Helicopters at Dawn first, but I think this story could be read on its own as well.)
Never Stop Moving by
tipper_green (or read it in chapters on ff.net)Gen; Rating: T; Characters: Team, though Teyla is the heart; action/adventure, h/c; 83,404 words
summary: Chases, explosions, head wounds, twisted ankles, damaged ships and a desert serve as the backdrop to a rescue mission that doesn't quite go as planned. In other words, a typical Atlantis mission o' mayhem. Team Fic.
Where to start... this fic's got it all: Plot and fast-paced, nerve-wrecking action, wonderful team interaction, and most of all a terrific-written Teyla who is the heart and center of this story.
The story is pretty long but it's so action-filled that it just flies by - I was surprised when I saw the word count.
Born in the Barrens by
rhymer23gen; AU; Sheppard&McKay mainly; adventure; h/c; Rating T; Warning: mentions of torture in flashbacks (though nothing overly graphic); Length: 60,000 words
Summary: While on a mission to the city of the Genii, Rodney McKay, master alchemist, is given a gift of a slave.
Rhymer creates yet another fascinating AU, and I love her version of the characters (particularly Rodney... brilliant alchemist, reluctant hero, arrogant, socially clueless and very lonely). When the story ended, I didn't want to leave that universe. I'm already crossing my fingers for a sequel, since the set up for one is there! This story isn't open-ended though... it comes to a satisfying conclusion, but at the same time leaves room for more stories.
On the Wings of an Eagle by
rhymer23gen; PG; historical AU; 50,000, plus 6 pictures
Summary: It started with a man crashing into a herb garden. Soon a misfit band of four exiles are caught up in a wild ride of sword fights, sewing, rescue missions, shopping trips, high treason, lute-playing, changing the face of scientific knowledge forever, the imminent risk of hideous death, and comfits.
Among the Stars by
nottasha (entire story in one file)gen; PG; team; whump (Rodney); 54,142 words
summary: The team is searching for Gates to harvest and comes across a space station that was set up to record a supernova.
I really enjoyed this! Great plotty teamfic - and one of the few Atlantis fics I've read that are set entirely in space. I thought the descriptions of the station and the vastness of space work really well.
long/multichapter fics (15,000 - 45,000 words):
The Black Lake by
tipper_greengen; team plus Keller; Rating: K+; action/adventure; h/c; ~27,740 words
Summary: Things go belly up (because they always go belly up) on a rescue mission to save an SGA team stuck deep underground and running out of air.
Why rec'd: I was squeeing when I saw this posted, because, well, action-adventure teamfic-plus-Keller is one of my favorites. And I wasn't disappointed... this story put me in a great mood.:)
This was written for
sga_genficathon for the prompt The journey of a thousand miles sometimes ends very, very badly, and it's a great, creatively literal take on the prompt. The setting feels genuinely alien and very scary; there's a constant sense of danger that makes for a gripping read. I love the characterization; particularly Teyla and Jennifer get to shine (but the guys get plenty of airtime, too). The dialogue could come right out of the show, it's spot on.The ATA Affair by
xparrotgen; PG-13; AU; characters: team, various SG-1 and SGA cast in supporting roles; ~26,000 words
Summary: Written for
sga_genficathon. Two of the S.G.C.'s top secret agents, Teyla Emmagan and Rodney McKay, are sent to the Casino Atlantis to investigate the suspicious business dealings of John Sheppard...Why rec'd: This story is great fun! A fascinating Spy!AU that's plausible in itself, with pitch-perfect characterizations and gripping plot. Rodey and Teyla make a great team, and Ronon and John are quite mysterious. I love how it all plays out in the end. I'd read more in this verse!
Waiting For My Real Life To Begin by
toomuchplorNC-17; Pairings: McKay/Keller, McKay/Sheppard; 25,929 words
Summary: It had changed so gradually with Jennifer, was the thing. Rodney couldn’t pick a moment when he’d felt the balance shift from “this is fucking awesome” to “wow, I’m really middle-aged”.
For months I've been shying away from stories with that particular pairing combination because I've read just one too many that did the most hideous things to Jennifer's characterization. But this story is safe for the Keller fan (unless they're at work. Worksafe, not so much.)
A joy to read... both for Rodney's exciting, sexually-adventurous-but-challenging relationship with Jennifer, and the quit, slowly building, middle-aged one he has with John. Good characterization all around, fair treatment of all the characters, believable relationships, and an interesting plot... I had a great time reading this.
Where the White Lilies Grow by
rhymer23gen; PG; AU; 44,400 words
Prompt Clarke's Law (i.e. "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic")
Summary: People tell stories about the wonders of the Time Before. They tell stories, too, about magical creatures with long, fair hair, who emerge from the hill and can turn you to dust in an instant. But John Sheppard has never been one to believe in stories...
In the Hollow Tree by
ishieRodney/Teyla; PG-13; 16,000 words
This one is a total AU that features Rodney and Teyla as a married couple who investigate supernatural phenomena. (Other Stargate characters make an appearance, too.) It's a plotty action/adventure/monster story, and it's a lot of fun to read. Apart from the cool plot and universe, I thoroughly enjoyed how the partnership between those two was written.
Perchance to Dream by
everybettygen; PG-13; 19,800~ words
Characters: primarily Sheppard and Rodney with the rest of the Team plus special guest stars.
Summary: John’s ATA gene brought him a new life in the Pegasus Galaxy. Now it may be the very same thing that takes his life away completely.
Sheppard is suffering from extreme sleep deprivation. Well-researched, well-plotted medical drama, great use of the characters. I was on the edge of my seat.
medium length (5,000 - 15,000 words):
Self-Sacrifice by Jem
gen; Rodney; PG-13, ~6,000 words
Summary: This isn't exactly Rodney's forte. He must convince a recalcitrant listener that some very important people are worth saving, when Rodney has never even articulated to them just how important they are to him. In other words, he must talk about his feelings. And the person he must convince is a very stubborn, very selfish scientist by the name of Rodney McKay . . .
Why rec'd:
The Choices That Damn Us by Jem
gen; PG-13; AU; Teyla plus supporting; ~10,000
Prompt: “If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster.”—Isaac Asimov
Summary: In her last moments, Teyla Emmagen's memories flash back through the path that brought her here, through her discovery of her own identity and the gradual unspooling of the dark and monstrous truth behind the Stargate Program.
Why rec'd: This story comes with the warnings 'character death' and 'fairly dark', which it is, but I urge you not to let that deter you... you'd be missing out on an excellent, intelligent AU. I don't want to tell too much about the story; suffice to say it's a chilling vision of the gateverse gone wrong. It's a story that bears re-reading; there's a lot of food for thought. The pacing and structure work really well, too.
Confluence by
carolyn_claireRodney/Teyla; PG; written for
sticksandsnark; ~9,500Summary: Some things just work better together.
In Atlantis, he couldn’t imagine anything like this ever happening, but they hadn’t been in Atlantis for some time, now.
I'm reccing this story not because it was written for ME *happy dance* but because it's fantastic... Rodney and Teyla get stranded in time, and have to combine all their skills to survive. A very satisfying time-travel story with a lot of setting detail and lovely character stuff that ties back into the plot - excellent plot!
I also like the non-linear structure, it's really efficient. I was drawn in right away.
Firepower by
penknifegen; PG; Rodney plus team; 5,000 words
summary: How Rodney stopped worrying and learned to love his P90.
A tremendously enjoyable fic that captures the season one vibe perfectly. I love the look at the team dynamic and Rodney's development as a character. The voices are spot-on.
With Friends Like These (John Will Never Make The Kessel Run In Less Than Twelve Parsecs) by
argosyRodney/Teyla, John; PG; 5,400 words
Summary: John's in love, but Teyla and Rodney are the ones acting strange.
This story is adorable and very funny... I chuckled my way through it and it put a big smile on my face. Rodney and Teyla working together and being brilliant (and also kind of acting like dorks a lot) and Rodney being turned on by Teyla being brilliant... that's so much fun to read. I'd love to see more of that side of Teyla.
I think you'll love this fic even if you're normally not interested in this pairing: their story is told through the eyes of John and it's just as much about John and the new love of *his* life... his very own spaceship! (And if John is getting a little bit
"I kissed her."
Oh. John was glad he was already sitting down. He hadn't been expecting that at all. A horrible thought occurred to him. "This isn't going to get in the way of you working together on my ship, is it?"
His ship. John still got a rush out of saying that out loud. He remembered the first time he'd boarded her. She was a little squishier than he liked in a ship, generally, and given the choice, he wouldn't have picked such... bold shades of purple and green for her interior. And he could have lived without the pulsing walls, but it had still been love at first sight. She had a real vibe about her. Rodney and Teyla must have felt it too.
"Sheppard!" Rodney snapped his fingers annoyingly close to his face. "Focus!"
The Sting by
kristen999gen; PG; team; Action/Adventure; 13,600~
Summary: The team has to go undercover to root out the latest threat to Pegasus. A drug dealer trafficking the Wraith enzyme. Who’s going to con who? And most importantly. Who has the coolest costume? Team fic. Lots of guns, fights, and insults.
This fic had a cool plot and nicely balances drama with humor and teamy goodness. And it has the team undercover, in costume. :) The scenario is really plausibe; I could easily see this as an episode. (And what I'd give to see the Flan & Co act this out...)
A Far Better Thing by
alex51324gen; PG:13; Characters: Rodney, Rodney, team, Jennifer, Sam; ~18,600 words
Summary: After spending years trapped on a Wraith ship, Rodney McKay escapes and returns to Atlantis. The only trouble is, he's already there.
This one's by a writer who's new to the fandom. It makes me happy to see good writers discover the fandom even now. Go read, enjoy, and feedback her like crazy so hopefully she'll write more! (okay, I haven't commented myself yet because of the whole lack-of-time thing, but I will!)
A hugely entertaining, plotty genfic that reads like an episode - like an exceptionally good, moving episode, with some very interesting ideas and witty lines. I found all the characters really well written (Keller-fans proceed without trepidation ;) and Rodney's characterization(s) rang very true. The story uses a trope that's not uncommon to the gate'verse and it's doing it in an original, thoughtful and thought-provoking manner. I'm still finding myself thinking about it.
Darkest Before the Dawn by
wildcat88Gen; PG-13; Angst; Word Count: ~10,700 words
Summary: Some things have to be accepted; others have to be fought with everything you've got. A tragic off-world mission rocks Atlantis and shatters John. Struggling to pull the pieces together and move forward, he discovers he has one chance to set everything right.
Why rec'd: The feelings of grief and guilt... and of love, are explored in a way that feels honest and real. Beautiful team story that shows the bond between them. I also liked Kanaan's characterization very much - even though he has only a few lines, he somehow feels more present to me here than he did on the show.
One of Those Days All Week by
mad_maudlingen; PG-13; whump, angst, humor; 5,145 words
Summary: Rodney has a bad day. A very long, very bad day.
This was written for linziday, less_star and myself, who all wished the same for the 'wish fulfillment' challenge at flashfic. Mad_maudlin writes Rodney running on empty, and she really gets into his sleep-deprived head. Very cool fic!
Walk a Klick by
trinityofoneRodney/Teyla; PG; ~8,000 words
Summary: Teyla's head was killing her.
An original take on the bodyswap idea, in that they're not so much switching bodies as they're... switching. Identities. Everything. Fascinating idea, and fun to read.
Privately, Rodney trusted John’s instincts and agreed that the odd incident on M7X-948 was worth further investigation; he also understood that Star Wars was an important philosophical work among the Colonel’s people.
Head High to the Finish by
cinaedMcKay/Keller, McKay/Keller/Zelenka; PG-13; 5,800 words
Summary: The thing is, Jennifer really doesn't like Zelenka. At all.
This isn't a pairing combination I had ever considered before but I thought the author really pulls it off; I completely bought it. I love the slowly growing friendship between Jennifer and Radek and the fondness underneath Rodney's and Radek's bickering.
Cairns by
liketheriverrungen, team, T
Summary: Forced into a native rite of passage, the team must each face life and death challenges along their chosen path. The only catch is that it's up to you to choose that path for them.
Warnings: There is the potential for character death, but don't worry, you can always start over and try again if it happens.
This fic is a Choose Your Own Adventure story. It's really fun to read/play, and I'm boggled at the thought of how much work must've gone into it! I've already played a few variations, but there are still a lot of paths I haven't explored. (I managed to get my team to safety on my first try. ^^ I was less lucky on the second run...)
In Medias Res by Blue Shadowdancer
Gen; Characters: Rodney, Carson, Sheppard, Rating: K+; 6,114 words
Summary: Rodney wakes up in the infirmary, with no memory of how he got there. Just another day? Not quite...
I'm trawling fanfiction.net because every once in a while one stumbles across an interesting new writer. This story is really interesting: a suspenseful fic with a deep Rodney-POV that's very effective.
short fic/ficlets (< 5,000 words):
Four Blatant Lies About Atlantis (And One Thing That's Totally True) by
sabinelagrandeMcShep; PG-13; humor; 4286 words
Summary: Wherein aliens don't make them do it, John loves ASCII, Carson hates everyone, Weir is highly amused, and Lorne's just trying to be a pal.
And then there was The Other List.
The Other List was pulled directly from the Ancient database. Its original name varied widely, depending on who was translating it. Dr. Weir referred to it as The Places We Do Not Go; consensus among the linguists was that it was closer to The Worlds That Are Not Clean; Rodney read it as The People Who Do The Bad Things.
John called it The Top Ten Pegasus Party Schools- but then, he didn't read Ancient, so his interpretation didn't really count.
What's Done is Done by
wildcat88gen; PG; Carson and Rodney mainly; Spoilers: Sunday, This Mortal Coil, The Kindred; ~4500 words
Summary: After spending several days on Atlantis doing research, Carson decides he needs an afternoon off.
Excellent character study that deals with Rodney's and Carson's feelings of guilt in a way that feels very much in character. The emotional ramifications of the whole Carson arc were never really addressed in canon, and this story reads like an essential missing piece.
Aidan's Tale by
wnelehgen; PG; Ford, Kiryk, and other recurring characters; post-finale; 3,000 words
Summary: Post-series, Aidan Ford and Kiryk are off to find Atlantis.
This fic gives closure to Aidan Ford's story, and ties up a whole number of loose threads in a very satisfying way. I really enjoyed it.
Start From Now by
bluflamingogen; Characters: Jennifer Keller, Katie Brown; spoilers for S3 Sunday; 2,211 words
Summary: Jennifer nearly turned down the Atlantis expedition when she got offered it...
An insightful character piece that provides some interesting and plausible backstory for Jennifer. The characterization is spot on and well-rounded... showing her confidence in her own skills as a medical professional as well as her inner conflicts; the determination beneath the insecurity. I also rather like the friendship she strikes up with Katie Brown... that we didn't see in canon (which I now think is a bit of a shame).
snippet: It wasn’t even a lie. She loved her job at the SGC, had loved it ever since Dr Andrews, who always did the medical recruitment visits, had turned up at her office with an airman in dress blues, talking about a research paper she’d just published and asking her to sign a non-disclosure agreement. It was exciting, and different, and she didn’t get guns waved in her face nearly as often as she had working in the ER (and the people who did usually came by to apologize, often with gifts, once they’d recovered from whatever alien thing had made them do it in the first place).
Oral Transmission by
sobsistergen; Jennifer Keller & John Sheppard; humor; spoilers: reference to Doppleganger; 1,972 words
Summary: A conversation between Dr. Keller and Colonel Sheppard goes slightly awry, for both parties.
A cute, funny Keller POV fic set in the infirmary. I love the Jennifer voice and the way she's characterized - competent in doctor mode, slightly dorky and bumbling when it comes to social matters. Though here, Sheppard has her beat on the bumbling
Five Times Rodney McKay Babysat the Athosians by
cat_77gen; PG; ~ 1,200 words
summary:The amazing thing was, they kept asking him to do it.
This was frikking hilarious!
Adventures in Babysitting by
siriaevegen; Ronon & Torren; 900 words
Ronon smiled at her with as much attention as he could spare from the vital task of not dropping Torren. "You sure there's no one else who can look after him?"
"Jennifer has several minor surgeries this afternoon," Teyla said, as smoothly as if she'd prepared these points beforehand, "Rodney is having his quarterly departmental review with Mr Woolsey, Dr Zelenka is engaged in a rather complicated simulation, and John is, well..."
Uphill by
penknifegen; PG; friendship; John Sheppard; ~1300 words
Summary: It's bad enough being trapped in a cave. Jennifer's pretty sure that in the Pegasus galaxy, things can always get worse.
Penknife is a new writer in the fandom, really worth checking out! Her voices are spot on and I love the interaction between the characters; makes me wish we had gotten more Jennifer-John screentime.
snippet: "We just need to find a way out of here," Sheppard says, as if she doesn't know that. He's being very patient with her, which makes her feel about ten years old. At this point, she's basically useless, and they both know it. Okay, if Sheppard gets hurt, she can give him what first aid she can manage without her medical kit, which is buried under a bunch of rocks. That's not really a scenario she thinks either of them is hoping for.
"We're going up," Jennifer says. "That's good, right?" She thinks she read that in some kind of book on wilderness survival, which she read on an airplane while drinking coffee and eating pretzels. She wishes she had some pretzels.
Pillow Talk by
fairyglassSam/Rodney; Friendship/humor/romance; Rating 15+; 4,000 words
Summary: Sam makes the adjustment to leading the Atlantis Expedition and that means making certain personal adjustments, too.
I really like how Fairyglass has written the slowly developing friendship.
"Goodnight Doctor McKay, Doctor Zelenka," Sam says indulgently, waving up at Rodney before tapping the conversation clear. There's both a sense of relief and... something that feels an awful lot like reluctance as she does so. She frowns at the thought. Has it really been so long that Rodney McKay is looking good to her?
Rodney's Emo Cat by
argosyMcKay/Sheppard; PG; ~3700 words
Summary: Pet ownership is a serious responsibility.
Hysterical! And really insanely cute.
Midwinter Burning by
rhymer23gen; PG, Team (Teyla POV); Spoilers through 4x10 This Mortal Coil; 3700 words
Summary: Teyla persuades her team to celebrate midwinter, and to find some hope in the darkness.
Browsing through my to-rec folder... A winter solstice story is maybe a weird choice to rec at spring time, but hey, it fits my mood and the themes come across no matter the season. I found this quiet story very powerful, with an overlaying sense of melancholy and of hope. A really beautiful, moving team story.
sholio wrote a very intriguing, dark, and twisted ficlet for Gen BattlePrompt: Rodney, lost opportunity; 1400 wds; genfic; warning: AU, character death, dark
Statistical Improbabilities by
beanpotSam/Rodney; PG; Spoilers: Post SG1 Road Not Taken; 2,800 words
Summary:. Sam and Rodney attend a conference on Earth. Snark ensues.
Five hours into the conference and forty-five minutes into the main event, and so far everything had been ridiculous and Dr. Moran had only revealed that he’d seen a few episodes of Wormhole Xtreme and owned a mixer.
Good Sam/Rodney fic is so hard to find that I'm even happier when I stumble over something like this. They way they're written here is just what I love about the two: the gratuitous snark covering up a deep underlying affection. I wish there was more fic in that vein.
Second Story by
elementalvgen; PG; 1,500 words.
Summary: Everything changed.
Amazing Sheppard character study. With time travel.
Spaces Between by
sholiogen; PG; team; 1600 words
Summary: The planet looked just like British Columbia, as they often do.
A beautiful story about team love.
A Time to Heal by
wildcat88Rodney/Jennifer; PG; Spoilers for S4 through TLM; 3200 words
Summary: Circumstances and a three week journey put everything in a different light.
Why rec'd: This is a missing scene fic from The Last Man that is true to character for both, shows their relationship grow in a very believable manner, and fits seamlessly into the episode. It was just what I was looking for after watching that ep.
Friends and Old Wine by
rhymer23Ronon plus team; Gen; PG; Spoilers through 5x03 Broken Ties
Summary: Not long after arriving on Atlantis, Ronon is given a bottle of Satedan firewine, the last of its kind. Throughout the events of the next few years, it stays unopened, because Sateda is gone…
A beautiful character study!
I have known the eyes already by
sabinelagrandeSam/AU Rodney; NC-17; xover; spoilers for The Road Not Taken; 805 words
Summary: "This is the worst thing," he says, breaking off to catch her lips with his again, "that has ever happened to me."
So much good character stuff in this little ficlet.
So Much Trouble by
sheafrotherdongen; PG-13; Keller, team; h/c; spoilers for 5x01; ~ 529 words
Summary: Keller tries to do what only John's team can. (tag to Search and Rescue; )
Sometimes friends are the best medicine... a lovely glimpse at Keller and team Sheppard in the infirmary.
Rodney Wakes Up in Yet Another Tiny Prison Cell by
coolbreeze1gen; Ronon&Rodney; 400 words; (written for the Last Fic Writer Standing Challenge)
A great little Ronon & Rodney moment
comics/cartoons/illustrated fic:
vids:
vid rec:
The Writer by
suzvoy (download link)McShep; Rating: no idea (one brief scene of nudity)
Summary: Constructed reality McShep music vid. An aspiring writer lacks inspiration until he starts a part-time job at a movie theater.
This vid is unusual since Suzvoy uses footage not just from SGA, but also at least two more movies of Hewlett/Flanigan. The idea is just cool - the writer (Joe Flanigan) writes himself into SGA canon to get over writer's block - and it's really well executed, too. Great storytelling!
Muppets in Atlantis by
chayianaMusic: "The muppets" main theme
gen; humor; Spoilers up to 3x20 "First strike"
Chayiana's Lorne-vid "Be a Rockstar" is one of my favorite SGA vids ever, and one I use to recruit among my friends. So I checked out "Muppets", which is *hilarious*. She has great comedic timing. This one might also make a good recruiter vid though it giverfs a slightly, well, distorted view of the show. ;)
The Lost Button by
chayiana (SGA/Dr.Who)Music: Laurel and Hardy's theme; Artist: Marvin Hatley; Genre: Crossover, silent movie, action/humour
This vid really captures the feeling of that old b/w silent movie comedies. Funny and charming. Those two shows play together well.