Carter is a genius ... and McKay wouldn't let anyone think that he was anything less than the smartest of two galaxies.

Where does Rush fit into this? Does his inability to access the ship's primary systems show that he isn't quite up to the task? Or do you think that even someone like Carter or McKay would have trouble in the same situation?

If "smartness" can be measured in a Stargate scientist, is Rush further down, or higher up on the ladder than Carter/McKay?

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On another note:
I think it's likely that either Carter or McKay will eventually make their way onto the ship using the communication stones (imagine McKay's complaints at having to use someone else's body! A smaller brain not capable of holding all of his genius, perhaps? ) - both of them can't be kept busy with other tasks forever, so I'm assuming they'll get their chance on the ship in season 3 or 4. If Rush is still there, how do you think he'd react to having another scientist on board to contradict him?

i would say that Rush isn't as "smart" as McKay or Carter in the sense that he isn't the same kind of genius. I would say he's more intuative that sheer intelligence, plus we haven't really seen him dealing with the same kind of ancient tech that Carter or McKay have to deal with, so who knows maybe he could be as good with later ancient tech as Carter or McKay 

and as to ure other idea, i hope so, cause it would be epic!   

You're probably right. I'm trying to compare them on uneven ground so there's no way we can compare at the moment.

I hadn't seen season 5 of SGA until now. I've watched the first 5-6 eps over the past few days, trying to take it as slowly as possible. When they're done, I have nothing new to watch until SGU finally comes back in a few months' time How do you deal with the withdrawal symptoms?

The 5th race - A Stargate podcast 

with difficulty   

Aha! Unfortunately, that's not enough for me. Revisiting old episodes will never be as good as discussing fresh, new ones. It's good listening though, of course.

I have found a solution though... Battlestar Galactica! Have just watched the miniseries and season 1. Three more seasons, two movies and some webisodes to go.

Will keep me busy until April... hopefully ;-)

I think Rush is as smart as Mkay and Carter but he has no respect for human life in general and would be more of an ass then mkay to work with

That's a good way of putting it. I'd have to agree... Rush's main difference is that McKay and Carter were heroes, Rush is more of a villain in that he seems to care only for himself (and the woman he seems to care about)

I assume it is his wife