Atlantis Review




Season 1


Wraith Caretaker and Colonel Marshall Sumner Adian Ford and John Shepard in a Puddle Jumjper Atlantis Rising	*Rising* Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Brad Wright & Robert C. Cooper Originally aired July 16, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan as Major John Shepard, Torri Higginson as Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Rachel Luttrell Teyla Emmagan, Rainbow Sun Francks as Lieutenant Aiden Ford, and David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay. With Richard Dean Anderson as Brigadier General Jack O'Neill, Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Andee Frizzell as Wraith Queen, Christopher Heyerdahl as Halling, Robert Patrick as Colonel Marshall Sumner, Dan Shea as Sgt. Siler, and Dan Payne as Wraith warrior. The area around the ancient weapon in Antarctica is now a large research station full of scientists searching for information about the Lost City of the Ancients. Daniel Jackson puts it all together. It's in another galaxy and requires an eight symbol address. But, as Rodney points out, it will take the power output of the Ancient power device, called a Zero Point Module, or a ZPM. And there is only one. Using it to power the Stargate leaves Earth, at least, temporally, defenseless. Nonetheless, a large group of people, led by Dr. Weir, go to Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy. All is well until they discover that the city is underwater, protected by a shield. And, because they just turned the power on, the last ZPM is about to fail. When the shield collapses, everyone will die. So, they dial a random address, hoping to find a safer place to live. They find the Wraith. Unlike the Goa'uld, who want to enslave humans, the Wraith raise humans as food. And they are nearly impossible to kill. Making them an even more malevolent enemy than the Goa'uld. In Stargate SG1, Dr. Weir was played by Jessica Steen. In Atlantis she is played by Torri Higginson. Am not sure why the producers changed actresses, but they both do a fine job. Christopher Heyerdahl, who played Pallan in Revisions, plays Halling, a recurring character. And Dan Payne, who plays a Kull Warrior in SG1, plays a Wraith in this episode. This is a great episode. It moves right along with lots of excitement and just the right amount of humor. Rodney is still obnoxious but tamed down from his appearances on SG1. Shepard is both intense about things he feels are important and laid back about most everything else. It is a great introduction the Atlantis series. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 23, 2021


Rodney Trying to Drink The Blob at the Stargate	*Hide and Seek.* Season 1. Episode 3 Directed by David Warry-Smith. Written by Story by Brad Wright & Robert C. Cooper. Teleplay by Robert C. Cooper Originally aired July 23, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, David Hewlett, and Paul McGillion. With Craig Veroni as Dr. Peter Grodin, Christopher Heyerdahl as Halling, Reece Thompson as Jinto, Casey Dubois as Wex, Boyan Vukelic as Sgt. Stackhouse, Meghan Black as Marta, Rodney is the first human to be given gene therapy, so he can use the Ancient devices. He activates a personal shield making him invincible. But he can't eat. He can't ever touch the device to turn it off. That night, Jinto, Holling's son, gets lost. He discovers a transporter and gets transported into a room with a device that looks a bit like the one that generated strange creatures in Stargate SG1 episode Sight Unseen. Jinto inadvertently turns it on or rather releases the entity trapped inside it. As this dark shadow flows around the city, sucking power from the Naquadah generators, it grows and nearly kills Ford. It is reminiscent of the Blob (1988 movie The Blob). It's less solid-looking than that Blob, but special effects have improved significantly. It is smart enough not to go back into the cage that trapped it for thousands of years. And it's pissed. It wants freedom. This is a fun episode. On the surface, Rodney is insensitive, selfish, and obnoxious, but when it counts, he risks his life to save the city. It shows everyone settling in and exploring the Atlantis. It also highlights the difference between the Athosians and the humans. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 25, 2021


Shepard and the Bug The Stuck Jumper	*Thirty-Eight Minutes* Season 1. Episode 4 Directed by Mario Azzopardi. Written by Brad Wright Originally aired July 30, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, David Hewlett , and Paul McGillion. With Craig Veroni as Dr. Peter Grodin, Christopher Heyerdahl as Halling, Ben Cotton as Dr. Kavanagh, Fiona Hogan as Simpson, Joseph May as Sgt. Markham, Boyan Vukelic as Sgt. Stackhouse, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka. The Puddle Jumper gets stuck halfway through the gate. The front half, with all the controls, is demolecularized while the back half is still in normal space. Shepard is in the back half with Rodney, Teyla, and Ford. An alien bug has attached itself to Shepard's neck and is slowly killing him. And in thirty-eight minutes, the gate will shut down, vaporizing everyone in the front and exposing the rest to space. Apparently, anything that enters the event horizon must enter completely before it is sent on to the destination. Zelenka on Atlantis and Rodney in the Jumper try to find some way to get the ship unstuck. Teyla and Ford try to get the bug off Shepard. Not everyone on Atlantis is helpful. Weir gets sidetracked by Kavanagh's self-importance and conceit and the Athosian's death rituals. Besides being a 'ticking bomb' type story, it further develops several characters. And it introduces a creature that will be important in the understanding of the Wraith. Reviewed by Romana Drew September 3, 2021.


The Wraith Telya Under Suspicion	*Suspicion* Season 1. Episode 5 Directed by Mario Azzopardi. Written by Story by Kerry Glover. Teleplay by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired August 6, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, David Hewlett , and Paul McGillion. With Christopher Heyerdahl as Halling, Ross Hull as Dr. Corrigan, Dean Marshall as Sgt. Bates, Boyan Vukelic as Sgt. Stackhouse, James Lafazanos as Wraith, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka. After five of nine off-world missions are disrupted by Wraith, there is a general consensus that a Wraith spy may be in Atlantis. Since it is inconceivable that one of the humans would call the Wraith, it must be an Athosian, which also doesn't make sense. Although Teyla understands Weir's position and the need to question everyone, Holling and the rest of the Athosian aren't happy about being accused of calling the Wraith. As a bit of comeuppance, Rodney takes a stunner blast in the face. No permanent damage, but he can't talk for a while. Eventually, they do find what called the Wraith and use it to capture one. This is a well-paced and interesting episode. The characters are getting organized and learning about this new world. But they still don't have a ZPM to power the shield, so keeping a Wraith on board might not be all that wise. I do have one question. How would the Wraith use the pendant on Teyla's necklace to track Ancients? Why would an Ancient carry it around? Since it emits an electromagnetic signal, wouldn't the Ancients notice that, assuming the Wraith managed to tag them somehow? Reviewed by Romana Drew September 5, 2021.


Keras Preparing for the Sacrifice. Rodney and the Kids	*Childhood's End.* Season 1. Episode 6 Directed by David Winning. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired August 13, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks , and David Hewlett . With Courtenay J. Stevens as Keras, Dominic Zamprogna as Aries, Sam Charles as Casta, Jessica Amlee as Cleo, Shane Meier as Neleus, Julie Patzwald as Pelius, Calum Worthy as Hunter Kid, John, Teyla, Rodney and Ford crash on M7G-677 when the Puddle Jumper hits and electrometric field. They are surrounded by teenagers with bows who take the intruders to the village elder, a twenty-four-year old named Keras. The villagers believe they are safe from the Wraith as long as no one is older than twenty-five. So, they kill themselves on their twenty-fifth birthday. In reality a Wraith proof EM shield is powered by a ZPM, which Rodney steals causing the Wraith to return. Although vaguely reminiscent of The Lord of the Flies, this is a successful society. My only complaint is that the Aries character is repetitive. His point is made too many times. Otherwise, this is a well written and thoughtful story with good pacing and plenty of excitement. We even get to see Rodney in a couple of delightfully comic scenes with the children. Reviewed by Romana Drew September 14, 2021.


No so Amish-Like After All John and the Backup Plan	*Underground* Season 1. Episode 8 Directed by Brad Turner. Written by Peter DeLuise Originally aired August 27, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks , and David Hewlett . With Erin Chambers as Sora, Ari Cohen as Tyrus, Colm Meaney as Cowen, and Craig Veroni as Dr. Peter Grodin. Teyla takes John, Rodney, and Ford to meet the Genii, an Amish-like society, to trade for food. On closer examination, the Genii are not simple farmers and not so friendly. The Genii want to build an A-Bomb to annihilate the Wraith. Actually, they want to build enough bombs to blow up all the Wraith ships at the same time. Rodney is more than happy to tell them how. Of course, without an adequate supply of reasonably pure uranium-235, the A-Bomb will, as you might say, bomb. And pure U-235 is not only hard to come by but dangerously radioactive. Of course, they foolishly attempt to collect intel aboard a Wraith ship. Cowen, the Genii leader is played by Colm Meaney who played Miles O'Brian on Star Trek: Next Generation and DS9. The Genii are not the most pleasant of people. They are arrogant and self-centered. Although that is part of what makes this episode work, it is also what makes it less enjoyable than other episodes. However, it is well written and has good pacing. It may not be the best episode ever filmed, but it is worth watching. Reviewed by Romana Drew September 16, 2021.


The Fog John and Teyla in the Alternate Reality	*Home* Season 1. Episode 9 Directed by Holly Dale. Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired September 10, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks , and David Hewlett . With Don S. Davis as Major General George Hammond, Garwin Sanford as Simon Wallis, Noah Beggs as Dex, Stephen Spender as Mitch, and Gary Jones as Sgt. Walter Harriman. A mysterious fog shrouds M5S-224. Rodney believes the Stargate draws energy from the fog. There just might be enough energy to open a wormhole to Earth. He takes the control crystal from the Atlantis gate and gives it a go. It works. They all get to Earth, but things are not quite right. It first, it seems like happy reunions until they learn that the Prometheus is damaged and they can never return to Atlantis. Then dead people show up. I only have one question. If Rodney took the control crystal from the Atlantis Stargage, how did he gate to the fog world? This episode is interesting although a little slow. It is pretty obvious early on that something isn't quite right, but it takes a long time to figure out what it is. It is nice to see General Hammond again. Reviewed by Romana Drew September. 2021.


Rodney, Kolya and Weir The Dynamic Duo	*The Storm* Season 1. Episode 10 Directed by Martin Wood. Story by Jill Blotevogel. Teleplay by Martin Gero. Originally aired September 17, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Robert Davi as Commander Acastus Kolya, Erin Chambers as Sora, Ryan Robbins as Ladon Radim, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Michael Puttonen as Smeadon, Colm Meaney as Cowen, and David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka. John and Teyla are cruising in a Puddle Jumper when they see massive storm clouds covering about twenty percent of the planet. Not only will it decimate the Athosian settlement, but it's headed straight for Atlantis. Without a ZPM, there is no way to power the shield. While Rodney and Zelenka work on a plan to save Atlantis, Sheppard and Ford arrange to have everyone gate to Manaria for a few days while the storm passes. Little do they know that the Manarians are friends with the Genii. Puddle Jumpers transport the Athosians from the mainland to Atlantis, where they gate to Manaria for the duration. As the storm approaches, Teyla, Beckett, Ford, and the last of Athosians are stranded on the mainland in the Puddle Jumper while the storm rages outside. Using an Athosian IDC, Kolya, Sora, and a contingent of Genii step through the Stargate disguised as Athosians. They shoot the remaining two guards and take Rodney and Weir hostage. Kolya wants the device Sheppard took from the Genii, all the C4, and all the medical supplies. Sora wants Teyla to avenge her father's death. Sheppard, the only other human on Atlantis, is still trying to disengage the grounding stations so lightning can power the shied and save the city. Koyla ups the stakes. He wants the city, not just the supplies, and will kill Weir to get it.

Sora and Telya Sora, Rodney, and Weir	*The Eye* Season 1. Episode 11 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero. Originally aired November 8, 2004 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Robert Davi as Commander Acastus Kolya, Erin Chambers as Sora, and Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett. Rodney convinces Kolya that he needs Weir because she knows the codes to raise the shield. And only he can fix the remaining grounding station to power the shield. Sheppard has a life-signs detector and can track the Genii coming after him. The Genii get the life-signs detector working in the command center so they can track Sheppard. The hunt is on. While Sheppard slinks around disabling generators and killing Genii, Koyla, Rodney, and Weir attempt to fix the broken grounding station in a drenching rain. Back on the mainland, the eye of the storm passes over the Puddle Jumper, so Beckett flies it back to Atlantis just before the worst of the storm hits. The shield is still not working. The wind is howling. The waves are crashing. And rain is flooding the city. The grounding station scenes with Rodney, Weir, and Kolya were filmed in drenching rain. I feel for the actors having to work while sopping wet and having water poured on them continuously. These two episodes were aired two months apart. I don't know why. It was the middle of the season. I suggest they be viewed back to back or on consecutive days. The only thing I don't like about these episodes is Kolya. The actor did such a great job portraying an obnoxious, conceited, megalomaniac that I despise seeing him. Kudos to Robert Davi for his superb performance. Reviewed by Romana Drew September 27, 2021.


Wraith and Glow bugs Rodney and John	*The Defiant One* Season 1. Episode 12 Directed by Peter DeLuise. Written by Peter DeLuise Originally aired January 28, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Richard Ian Cox as Dr. Brendan Gall, Paul Magel as Dr. Abrams, James Lafazanos as Wraith, and Joseph May as Sgt. Markham, While investigating a huge but dead Lantian weapon's platform, Shepard, McKay, Dr. Abrams, and Dr. Gall notice a distress call from a nearby planet. There they find a long-dead Wraith cargo ship. So, they investigate. What could possibly go wrong? Wraith can hibernate for tens of thousands of years and are not opposed to feeding off shipmates to survive, making this episode a homage to the survival of the fittest, or at least the most desperately depraved. There is nothing complex aboutThe Defiant One. It is a battle between a Wraith and John Shepard, with a little help from his friends. In spite of the simple story, the episode works quite well. The only drawback to this episode is too much bitching by Rodney. I really like the stunt when John runs into the force field. It isn't the most specular stunt ever done, basically just a fall, but it works well and adds both tension and humor. Reviewed by Romana Drew September 18, 2021.


Rodney About to Die - Again Teyla and John	*Hot Zone* Season 1. Episode 13 Directed by Mario Azzopardi. Written by Martin Gero. Originally aired February 4, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Craig Veroni as Dr. Peter Grodin, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Dean Marshall as Sgt. Bates, Damon Johnson as Peterson, Lindsay Collins as Dr. Biro, Nahanni Arntzen as Dumais, and Peter Grier as Hays. During a survey of the storm damage, several people find a lab with broken containers. Six hours later, they see monsters and die from a brain aneurysm. All the people they come in contact with also see monsters and die six hours after the contact. The city goes into lockdown mode, trapping people where they just happen to be at that moment. Sheppard does manage to save the city (or this would be the end of the series), but he has to disobey Weir's orders to do so. Although they attempt to reconcile, Sheppard is not someone who defers to others. Rodney again believes he is about to die and talks a bit too much about it. This is a well-paced, exciting episode, but one question is unanswered. Did the Ancients (or someone else) build nanites to kill humans, and why? The Wraith didn't do it. The may be evil but not stupid enough to kill off their food. Reviewed by Romana Drew October 4, 2021.


Chaya and John Athar's Weapon	*Sanctuary* Season 1. Episode 14 Directed by James Head. Written by Alan Brennert. Originally aired February 11, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Robert Thurston as Zarah, Craig Veroni as Dr. Peter Grodin, and Leonor Varela as Chaya Sar. While investigating a new planet, Wraith Darts attack the Puddle Jumper. Outnumbered and outgunned, Sheppard runs for his life. Just before his ship is destroyed, a giant burst of energy destroys the Darts but doesn't harm the Puddle Jumper. Thinking it might be an Ancient weapon, they land to investigate. They find a pre-industrial society that has never heard of the Wraith. There is no sign of a weapon or a ZPM. So, they go in search of Athar, the local God who protects this planet. This is an interesting episode. There is obviously something different about Chaya, but what doesn't become evident until rather late in the show. Although, you can probably guess it earlier. Although Rodney doesn't trust Chaya, John finds her charming. There is a bit too much of Rodney's protests and critical comments. Otherwise, this is a great episode. Reviewed by Romana Drew October 6, 2021.


Weir and Weir Rodney About to Die - Again	*Before I Sleep* Season 1. Episode 15 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired February 18, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Gildart Jackson as Janus, Matthew Walker as Moros, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Craig Veroni as Dr. Peter Grodin, Melia McClure as Melia, and David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka. While exploring the city, they find a woman in stasis. She has been there for ten thousand years and is nearly dead. Dr. Beckett revives her. Instead of an Ancient, she turns out to be Elizabeth Weir. Apparently, the first trip to Atlantis didn't go all that well. Weir got transported back in time just before the Ancients left for Earth. Before I Sleep explains why there is a time travel Jumper but not how it got to Harry Maybourne's world in the SG1 episode It's Good to be King. This is a quiet but compelling episode with a few flashbacks. Most of it is the old Elizabeth Weir telling the story of the first expedition. Torri Higginson does a compassionate portrayal of the elderly Weir. Reviewed by Romana Drew October 10, 2021.


The Tiles You don't need math to put them in the correct order. Rodney and His Fancy Lasers.	*The Brotherhood* Season 1. Episode 16 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired February 25, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett . With Robert Davi as Commander Acastus Kolya, Jana Mitsoula as Allina, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Adrian Hough as Pranos, Laura Mennell as Sanir, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, and Dean Marshall as Sgt. Bates. Shepard, Teyla, Ford, and Rodney go to Dagan to look for a ZPM. There is a ZPM, but the locals don't know it is a powers source they worship it. After a complicated scavenger hunt to find the ZPM. They also find Kolya, the Genii, and the Brotherhood. Needless to say, things go south after that. Back in Atlantis, the wraith hive ships are still lightyears away, but a dart makes it to the city. This episode shows another way to not bring a ZPM home as well as upping the tension for the eventual confrontation with the Wraith. Except for the Genii bits, it moves along just fine. In fact, I think it would be better if the threat posed by Koyla wasn't known to the viewer until he actually shows up. Look closely at the nine bricks that to be arranged, there are several hints as to the positions they are supposed to be in. Reviewed by Romana Drew October 18, 2021.


The Wraith Armada Dr. Beckett Recording a Message to His Mother	*Letters from Pegasus* Season 1. Episode 17 Directed by Mario Azzopardi. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired March 4, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Amanda Tapping as Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter, Terence Kelly as Orin, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Ben Cotton as Dr. Kavanagh, Gary Jones as Sgt. Walter Harriman, Dean Marshall as Sgt. Bates, and Manami Hara as Miko. This starts immediately after the previous episode. The Wraith hive ships will arrive soon, along with an armada of battlecruisers. Every so often, they drop out of hyperspace to feed. Taking a guess at the next stop and wanting to get a close-up look at the fleet, John and Teyla take a jumper to the nearest stargate and watch the carnage. Back on Atlantis, Rodney figures out how to send a microburst of data to Earth, so everyone has a chance to record a message for loved ones. Some of these are quite good. They also send data on Atlantis and their various adventures in the way of flashbacks. Minus the flashbacks and some of the messages, this is an exciting and sometimes funny episode. With the flashbacks and all the messages, it tends to drag a bit. Reviewed by Romana Drew October 20, 2021.


Teyla's Dream Teyla's View of the Wraith Ship	*The Gift* Season 1. Episode 18 Directed by Peter DeLuise. Story by Robert C. Cooper and Martin Gero. Teleplay by Robert C. Cooper. Originally aired March 11, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Claire Rankin as Dr. Kate Heightmeyer, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Ben Cotton as Dr. Kavanagh, Dean Marshall as Sgt. Bates, Brenda McDonald as Charin, and James Lafazanos as Wraith. The Wraith are coming. With so many Wraith awake, Teyla has nightmares that they are feeding on and that she is a Wraith. Not only does she have Wraith DNA, but with a little help, she can telepathically enter the mind of a Wraith. All goes well until he turns the tables and takes over her body. This episode explains how the Wraith evolved from the Iratus bug feeding on humans. And why Teyla and other Athosians can sense the Wraith. It also introduces Dr. Kate Heightmeyer, a counselor. She will be in a few more episodes. This episode ups the tension. The Wraith are coming. There is little Atlantis can do to stop them or to survive the attack. Not only that, the Wraith don't really want Atlantis. They want Earth. Reviewed by Romana Drew October 12, 2021


Rodney's EVA A Wraith and John	*The Siege: Part 1* Season 1. Episode 19 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired March 18, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Craig Veroni as Dr. Peter Grodin, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Christopher Heyerdahl as Halling, Dean Marshall as Sgt. Bates, James Lafazanos as Wraith, Rob Avery as Lt. Miller, and Craig Fraser as Security Officer. While Rodney takes a team to repair an ancient defense weapon, John searches for a new Alpha site. Back on Atlantis, a Wraith prowls the city. The hunt is on. Rodney gets the weapon working, but it only takes out one of the three hive ships and none of the military escort ships. The city is still defenseless, and the Wraith will be there in a matter of minutes. This is an exciting first half of the conclusion to season 1. There are good moments on the weapons platform. For all his moaning, Rodney does come through when needed. And Teyla must still endure those who question her loyality. You'll probably want to watch part 2 the next day or sooner. Reviewed by Romana Drew October 27, 2021.


Wraith Attack Everett and His Men	*The Siege Part 2* Season1, Episode20 Directed by Martin Wood. Written byJoseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie. Originally aired March 25, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Clayton Landey as Colonel Dillon Everett, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Chris Britton as Prenum, David Orth as Captain Radner, James Lafazanos as Wraith, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician. The Wraith bear down on the city. The evacuation order is given, but an incoming wormhole forms. Out march, a company of Marines and Colonel Dillon Everett. He dismisses Weir and takes command. The Daedalus will arrive in a few days with a ZPM. The Wraith arrive before that. They also bring several nukes and an enhanced Naquadah generator that will power the ancient weapons platform. Unfortunately, it only has a few dozen drone weapons left. Against Weir's advice, he deploys all the nuclear bombs in space. They are easily defeated by the Wraith. Before the bulk of the Wraith fleet arrives, a wave of darts attack the city. Everett and his men eventually destroy them, but the loss of life is severe, and there are now many Wraith in the city. And the main fleet isn't far off. John heads off in a cloaked Jumper with a Genii A-bomb to blow up one of the hive ships. And this isn't the end of the story. Although the Genii are obnoxious as usual, at least Kolya isn't in this episode. The rest of the episode is exciting - a great ending to season 1. You will probably want to watch the first episode of season 2 shortly after this one. Reviewed by Romana Drew October 29, 2021.


Season 2


Blowing Up a Wraith Ship Wraith Attack on the Shield	*The Siege: Part 3* Season 2, Episode 1 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired July 15, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Ellie Harvie as Dr. Lindsey Novak, Clayton Landey as Colonel Dillon Everett, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Kirby Morrow as Captain Dave Kleinman, Heather Doerksen as Bridge Pilot, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Trevor Devall as Hermiod (voice), and James Lafazanos as Wraith. With the help of the Daedalus and the ZPM the city is saved from the Wraith attack. Adian Ford is found floating face down in the ocean with a Wraith attached to him. The Wraith is dead, but he is alive but unconscious. It isn't long before a dozen more hive ships head for Atlantis. The Daedalus tries to head off the Wraith but fails, landing in Atlantis just before the shield is activated. While the Wraith throw everything they've got at the city, Ford goes bonkers. The Wraith pumped him full of a drug used to aid in feeding. He is addicted and is willing to kill to get more of the drug. The shield won't last forever, and the Wraith won't give up until it fails, giving them access to a Stargate that takes them to Earth. Although the bits with Ford get a bit tedious, the rest of this episode is quite fine. The special effects of bombs falling on the shield are rather pretty. And the solution is quite unique. Reviewed by Romana Drew November 6, 2021.


Hermoid, Rodney, and the Computer Virus The Dog Fight	*The Intruder* Season 2, Episode 2 Directed by Peter DeLuise. Written by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie Originally aired July 22, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and David Hewlett. With Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Beau Bridges as Major General Hank Landry, Garwin Sanford as Simon Wallis, Lucia Walters as Lara, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Kimani Ray Smith as Dr. Lindstrom, Robert Patrick as Colonel Marshall Sumner, Dean Marshall as Sgt. Bates, Boyan Vukelic as Sgt. Stackhouse, Reece Thompson as Jinto, Stefano DiMatteo as Toran, Casey Dubois as Wex, and Dan Shea as Sgt. Siler. Returning from Earth on the Daedalus Weir, Shepard, Rodney, and the rest must deal with a Wraith AI the takes over the ship. The old trick of turning everything off and on again doesn't work. That clever AI manages to hide in one place and then another. Eventually, it gives John a run for his money in an F-302 dog fight. There are quite a few flashbacks of Weir's experiences while on Earth. She must fight to keep her crew and her authority intact. She also must confront her boyfriend, who isn't interested in following her to Atlantis. This episode is slightly tedious but not bad. I wasn't all that interested in the personnel selection process the military's attempts to override Weir's wishes. But the dogfight is great. Although John slams on the breaks letting the AI zoom ahead, so he is now behind. It looks great and will work with cars or airplanes. But just cutting the thrust in space doesn't slow the ship down at all. With no air resistance, it continues forward at the same velocity. To do that maneuver, the ship would need thrusters in the front to counteract the forward momentum. And while I'm at it, the ship needs thrusters in multiple directions to turn in space. A couple of engines out the back just won't do it. Reviewed by Romana Drew November 8, 2021.


Ronon Dex Aiden Ford	*Runner* Season 2, Episode 3 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Robert C. Cooper Originally aired July 29, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, David Hewlett, and Paul McGillion. With Jason Momoa as Ronon Dex, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Jonathon Young as Dr. Parrish, Dan Payne as Lt. Reed, James Lafazanos as Wraith, When a Wraith is found dead with it's enzyme sack removed, Shepard and Teyla take a puddle jumper to that planet to look for Ford. They end up in a cave, prisoners of Ronon Dex, a Runner. Ronon has a Wraith tracking device imbedded in his back. The Wraith have been chasing him for sport for the last seven years. This episode introduces Ronon, played by Jason Momoa, one of the more unique members of Atlantis. Jason Momoa has had many roles but is probably best known as Aquaman. Runner also gives more information of the fate of Ford, which doesn't look promising. The episode is well paced and exciting. It has a couple of great scenes with McKay trying to confront Ford, and hanging upside down. Reviewed by Romana Drew November 16, 2021.


Rodney and Laura Laura (in Rodney's body) and Carson	*Duet* Season 2, Episode 4 Directed by Peter DeLuise. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired August 5, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, David Nykl, and David Hewlett. With Jaime Ray Newman as Lt. Laura Cadman, Claire Rankin as Dr. Kate Heightmeyer, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, and Brenda James as Dr. Katie Brown. Rodney and Lt. Laura Cadman get scooped up by a Wraith dart that crashes, leaving them stuck inside the transporter. Zelenka can only get one out. Random chance brings Rodney's body out but Laura's consciousness is also inside Rodney's mind. That causes a bit of conflict. This is a pretty funny episode as the two personalities try to assert themselves. David Hewlett does a decent job of being in conflict for control of his body as well as when Laura is in control of the body. It also gives Zelenka an opportunity to shine since Rodney is too confused to effect his own rescue. Reviewed by Romana Drew September 18, 2021.


Ronon,Sheppard, Teyla, and Rodney A Wraith Enjoying a Human Feast	*Condemned* Season 2, Episode 5 Directed by Peter DeLuise. Written by Story by Sean Carley Teleplay by Carl Binder Originally aired August 12, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Darcy Belsher as Eldon, Christian Bocher as Torrell, A.C. Peterson as Magistrate, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Kyla Wise as Marin, and James Lafazanos as Male Wraith. Sheppard and team fly through the Stargate to a new world. As soon as they step out of the Jumper, the locals attack with bows and arrows. Another ship flies overhead and escorts them to a technologically advanced city. But when they get close to the Stargate to leave, they are shot down. The Stargate is on an island populated by prisoners put there to feed the local Wraith. It's a deal with the Devil. Unfortunately for the Olesians, the Devil might be more trustworthy than the Wraith. This is not a story of the humans trying to get the Olesians to see the error of their ways. It is a simple story of escape. The way Sheppard, Teyla, and Ronon are tied up is interesting. It seems to me that they should be able to work those sticks off to one side. That would free their arms enough to get their bonds untied. I also wonder why there are no women in this prison. But that is never addressed. The episode is well crafted and quite exciting. Reviewed by Romana Drew November 20, 2021.


The Weapon Powering Up The Weapon on Top of the Ancient Base	*Trinity* Season 2 Episode 6 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Damian Kindler Originally aired August 19, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Sean Campbell as Solen Sincha, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Chris Gauthier as Mattas, and Barry Greene as Hendon. Rodney attempts to repair and activate an Ancient weapon on a destroyed planet. Making the technology work would create an energy source much more powerful that ZPMs. In spite of the obviously dangerous instability of the weapon, Rodney persists in believing that he can fix what the Ancients couldn't. On another world, Telya and Ronon trade for seeds. Ronon learns that some of his people escaped the Wraith culling. The juxtaposition of the two stories is a bit disconcerting. While the Rodney story is has a lot of fast paced action and tension, the Teyla story is more subtle. They have nothing to do with each other. The change from one story to the other is sometimes a bit jarring. The ending of the Rodney story is great. Although I don't know how five-sixths of a solar system can be destroyed. I'm assuming the sun is still intact but most of the planets are now clouds of dust and rocks. If the sun is gone, any planets that were not consumed have nothing to orbit. Reviewed by Romana Drew November 22, 2021.


Ellia as a bug Ellia and her 'father'	*Instinct* Season 2, Episode 7 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Treena Hancock & Melissa R. Byer. Originally aired August 26, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Jewel Staite as Ellia, John Innes as Zaddik, Stephen Dimopoulos as Goran, and Tom Bates as Barkeep. Sheppard, Teyla, Ronon, and Rodney try to help a village eliminate the Daimos, a Wraith, who has been killing people. He arrived a few years back when his ship crashed. They find a teenage female Wraith, Ellia, and her 'father', a human that raised her. He claims she doesn't feed on humans. She was also on the ship that crashed. Ellia is a very conflicted teen. She doesn't want to feed on humans but . . . When Dr. Beckett explains the Iratus bug serum, she takes some. Instead of making her more human, she starts to turn into a bug. Why was Ellia on the ship with the other adult Wraiths? Were any of them her parents? Since young Wraith eat normal food, the parents or someone must care for them. The male terrorizing the village knows about Ellia because they communicate telepathically. Why doesn't he rescue her from the humans? Jewel Staite, Kaylee Frye in Firefly, does a great job as the insane half-bug Ellia. She even feeds on John for a moment. Why does the cave Ellia lives in have square holes in the roof? Roots hang through, making it an interesting set, but holes would let in rain, leaves, and bugs. Not only that, the place would be impossible to heat in the winter. I've been in caves, prehistoric hillforts with glass cylinders in the roof to provide light for the tourists. And ancient ships had glass' deck prisms' to light the lower decks. But the cave looked like a dropped ceiling with the panels missing. This is a good episode with lots of action and a different take on the Wraith. Reviewed by Romana Drew November 29, 2021.


Just walk in there and get a few eggs. It's Started	*Conversion* Season 2, Episode 8 Directed by Brad Turner. Written by Story by Robert C. Cooper & Martin Gero Teleplay by Martin Gero Originally aired September 9, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne and Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell. Ellia, the teen Wraith from the previous episode, briefly fed on John Sheppard. Now, he is turning into an Iratus bug. In order to save him, Beckett needs Iratus bug stem cells. That means collecting a few eggs. Of course, the eggs hang from the ceiling of a cave swarming with bugs making egg retrieval impossible. And with each passing hour, John gets worse. This is an exciting episode with a good deal of tension. However, as is common in these kinds of stories, the creation of the cure happens impossibly fast. There are some great scenes. John gets has the hots for Teyla. And he does a great leap to the egg nest. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 1, 2021.


Aurora Virtual Enviornment A Wraith has never looked so good.	*Aurora* Season 2, Episode 9 Directed by Martin Wood. Story by Carl Binderand Brad Wright. Teleplay by Carl Binder. Originally aired September 23, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Bruce Dawson as Captain, Pascale Hutton as First Officer Trebal, James Lafazanos as Wraith, Kirby Morrow as Captain Dave Kleinman, Ryan W. Smith as Aurora Crewman, Graham Kosakoski as Aurora Guard, and Anne Openshaw as Daedalus Pilot. On an Ancient ship, the Aurora, the team finds thousands of stasis pods with sleeping Ancients. After ten thousand years, the bodies, although still alive, are so old that revival isn't possible. However, their minds are telepathically linked and active. John links in and joins the conversation. Only it isn't a conversation. It's a virtual reality simulation where the crew is working hard to improve the hyperdrive. Before long, they throw him into a cell. Two Wraith cruisers are on the way. The Daedalus must to destroy the Aurora before the Wraith get to it. If they get hold of the Ancient's hyperdrive technology, they can travel to Earth. But John and Rodney are still in pods interacting with the crew of the Aurora. The virtual reality sets are beautiful. The slightly overexposed and pale blue lighting gives the space a unique, almost restful feeling. The characters are anything but restful, and not all the characters are what they appear to be. Although the Aurora's crew are all in a virtual reality simulation, they apparently have some control over the ship's mechanics, which doesn't make much sense. But it does make for a great ending. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 3, 2021.


Ford and His Team Preparing the Dart for Flight	*The Lost Boys* Season 2, Episode 10 Directed by Brad Turner. Written by Martin Gero. Originally aired September 23, 2005 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Rainbow Sun Francks as Lt. Aiden Ford, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Aaron Abrams as Kanayo, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Paul Anthony as Jace, Woody Jeffreys as Bouncer, James Lafazanos as Wraith, Aleks Holtz as Guard, and Andee Frizzell as Wraith Queen. Sheppard, Telya, Ronon, and Rodney hike along a woodland trail and get stunned. They wake in a cave with Ford and friends. Ford has escaped from the Wraith ship that scooped him up in a previous episode and has recruited several men to follow him. They all take the Wraith enzyme. After feeding Ronon, Teyla, and Rodney the Wraith hormone, Ford recruits them to destroy a Wraith Hive Ship. He keeps Sheppard free of hormone to act as his witness. Of course, that doesn't go as planned. The Ford character gets a bit hard to take after a while, but he always seems to get the upper hand on everyone else. There are some great scenes with Ronon and Teyla hyped up on Wraith hormone. The inside of the Wraith ship is interesting. The landing bay seems impossibly large and impractically configured. This ends in a cliffhanger, so you might want to watch the next episode, The Hive, without much of a break. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 5, 2021.


The Wraith Queen Trapped in a Wraith Cell	*The Hive* Season 2, Episode 11 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired January 6, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Rainbow Sun Francks as Lt. Aiden Ford, Aaron Abrams as Kanayo, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Jenn Bird as Neera, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, James Lafazanos as Male Wraith, and Andee Frizzell as Wraith Queen Sheppard and team, along with Ford and his minions, are imprisoned on a Wraith hive ship. McKay, being held on the planet, is prevented from gating home for help. They escape, run around the ship, get captured, and so forth. Another Wraith ship drops out of hyperspace which complicates matters, but also presents opportunities. This is an action-packed, exciting episode. Rodney is great while hyped up on Wraith hormone. But not so easy to take when going through withdrawal. This is also the end of the Ford character. His fate is never confirmed, but he doesn't play a role in future episodes. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 21, 2021.


Meditation The Monster	*Epiphany* Season 2, Episode 12 Directed by Neil Fearnley. Story by Joe Flanigan and Brad Wright. Teleplay by Brad Wright Originally aired January 13, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Chad Morgan as Teer, David McNally as Avrid, Nicole Munoz as Hedda, and Scott E. Miller as Pilot. A force shield protects a cave entrance, which is next to a wall with Ancient writing. Rather than carefully reading the sign, Sheppard goes in. Although, he didn't really intend to. Sheppard is trapped inside a time barrier, so time passes much faster inside the field than outside. The people inside the field are trying to ascend and join the Ancients. Even after months inside, John still struggles to adapt to his new life, while outside, there is a frantic search for a way to free him before so much time passes that he dies of old age. Just to make things exciting, a semi-visible monster keeps attacking the villagers. This is a well-crafted and well-paced episode. It is also nice to be free of the Wraith for a while. However, the monster is a bit contrived. If the monster was created by the villagers' imaginations to give them a fear they needed to overcome, how come their parents and grandparents were able to ascend? If the villagers' fear of the monster is conquered before each ascension, wouldn't the people left behind realize that and know that the monster wasn't real? This is a good episode well worth watching. It was written by Joe Flanigan (John Sheppard) and Brad Wright (a frequent writer on Atlantis and SG1) Reviewed by Romana Drew December 23, 2021.


Zelenka Returning From the Planet With the Kids The Ring Ceremony The Saboteur	*Critical Mass* Season 2, Episode 13 Directed by Andy Mikita. Story by Brad Wright and Carl Binder. Teleplay by Carl Binder. Originally aired January 20, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Beau Bridges as Maj. Gen. Hank Landry, Jaime Ray Newman as Lt. Laura Cadman, Ellie Harvie as Dr. Lindsey Novak, Ben Cotton as Dr. Kavanagh, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Bill Dow as Dr. Bill Lee, Peter Flemming as Agent Malcolm Barrett, Gary Jones as Chief Master Sgt. Walter Harriman, Mitch Pileggi as Col. Steven Caldwell, Brenda McDonald as Charin, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck - Technician. This story takes place on both Atlantis and Earth. The Trust has planted a bomb in Atlantis that will go off when they dial Earth. The search is on to find a way to warn Atlantis. Rodney pulls the ZPM, so it can't overload, but Wraith cruisers are on the way and will find Atlantis without the cloak. And there is a saboteur in the city. And, to add a little more confusion, Teyla insists upon having a proper funeral for Charin. A lot is going on in this episode, some of it misdirected. Weir questions Kavanagh, believing him to be the saboteur with little evidence other than his obnoxious personality and career choices. During the Ring Ceremony, Rachel Luttrell is actually singing. She has a wonderful voice. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 26, 2021


Rodney and Imaginary Sam Rodney and Imaginary Sam	*Grace Under Pressure* Season 2, Episode 14 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero. Originally aired January 27, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Amanda Tapping as Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, William MacDonald as Captain Griffin, Peter Abrams as Dr. Donaldson, and Nimet Kanji as Dr. Bryce. During a test flight of a repaired Puddle Jumper, things go south. Rodney gets trapped in the rear hold as it sinks thousands of feet underwater. With the front half of the jumper flooded, the long-range radio won't work, making it impossible to call for help. While Zelenka must find the jumper with almost nothing to go on, Rodney conjures Sam to help him stay alive. There is some great dialogue between Sam and Rodney. Sam is dressed in a bright pink outfit that I doubt the real Samantha Carter would ever wear. I feel sorry for the actors who had to do many scenes waist or shoulder deep in water. I hope it was heated. Rodney is one of those characters best taken in small doses. However, the addition of Sam moderates his character. Enough time is spent on the rescue attempts, so there is never a feeling of too much Rodney. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 28, 2021.


Eldred The Tower	*The Tower* Season 2, Episode 15 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired February 3, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Peter Woodward as Otho, Jay Brazeau as Lord Protector, David Bloom as Eldred, Richard Kahan as Baldric, Brendan Beiser as Tavius, Chelan Simmons as Mara, Anna Cummer as Petra, and Mark Gibbon as Constable. While touring a planet with an agrarian society, Sheppard and his team discover a tower that looks like the central spire of Atlantis. It is another city identical to Atlantis, which is now mostly underground, with people living in the upper part. The royal family has the gene that lets them use the control chair to intimidate the villagers with drone attacks. They do nothing, take half of the villagers' harvest, and live like kings. The city's ZPM is nearly depleted, and there are thousands of drones in storage. Sheppard is trapped in the city. Rodney gets trapped in an underground passage that is unstable. The roof is about to collapse. Teyla and Ronon are in the village, dealing with obnoxious soldiers from the city. This is a complex story about political intrigue and power struggles. Who can be trusted and who can't isn't all that obvious. One thing that seemed strange was that the drones simply fell from the sky once the ZPM shut off. Apparently, they were both guided and powered by the city since they didn't explode when they fell from the sky. And they fell as if stopped. If the power had simply failed, they would have continued on a forward trajectory toward the ground, not just dropped out of the sky. Eldred is a complex character that isn't exactly what he seems. He reminds me a lot of Galen from Babylon 5. Although Eldred looks and sounds a lot like Galen. They are played by different actors. The episode has an ending reminiscent of Hamlet in some ways. Reviewed by Romana Drew December 28, 2021.


It isn't love! Aiming at Phoebus (Weir) Aiming at Thalan (Sheppard)	*The Long Goodbye* Season 2, Episode 16 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Damian Kindler Originally aired February 10, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, and Gerry Durand as Sergeant. While exploring a moon in a jumper, Sheppard discovers two escape pods in orbit. They take the pods back to Atlantis. Since the bodies inside are extremely old and near death, it seems safe to open them in the hope they find Ancients. The first pod contains Phoebus, a wizened old lady. Her consciousness is transferred into Weir without her consent. Since Phoebus' consciousness will fade in a few hours, it seems prudent to wait out the time. At her request, her husband, Thalan's, consciousness is transferred in Sheppard. Instead of a loving reunion, they attempt to kill each other. They were on opposite sides in a conflict that destroyed their world. Even though the imprinting will only last a few hours, and the bodies belong to innocent people, Phoebus and Thalan cannot let go of their hate. Each is willing to destroy Atlantis if necessary to get the last word or, in this case, the kill shot. Really? Knowing you only have a few hours of consciousness left and your entire civilization has long ago fallen to dust, why spend those hours hunting the innocent body that contains the consciousness of your ex. Just like you, his consciousness will cease to exist in a few hours anyway. That is an amazing level of hate and disillusionment. This is an exciting and well-crafted episode. The pacing is fast, and the plot twists are clever. Watch, enjoy, and don't ask too many questions. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 12, 2022.


Ladon Radim Cowen	*Coup d'Etat* Season 2, Episode 17 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired February 17, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Ryan Robbins as Ladon Radim, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Sonja Bennett as Dahlia Radim, Colm Meaney as Cowen, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Penelope Corrin as Dr. Lindsay, Dan Joffre as Barkeep, and Meg Roe as Young Barkeep. There's trouble brewing inside the Genii leadership. Ladon has a plan to overthrow Cowen, and of course, it involves Atlantis. Using a ZPM as bait, he lures Shepard and team into he scheme. This story has many twists and turns before the true nature of Ladon and his plan is revealed. Although I like Colum Meany as Miles O'Brian, is don't care much for the Cowen, so it is fine with me that he finally gets his comeuppance. This is a good episode with quite a bit of tension. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 13, 2022.


Oops Sheppard and Norina	*Inferno* Season 2, Episode 19 Directed by Peter DeLuise. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired March 3, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Kevin McNulty as Chancellor Lycus, Brandy Ledford as Norina, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Patrick Gallagher as Vonos, and Trevor Devall as Hermiod (voice). The Taranians need help with their shield. Their world is an Ancient outpost with a shield against the Wraith and everything. Instead of being powered by ZPM's, it is powered by geothermal energy. And therein lies the problem. They have run their shield continuously for way too long, causing increasing volcanic activity. In fact, the main city is in the middle of a gigantic caldera. A supervolcano that can destroy the world. And it is about to erupt. When the gate gets swallowed by lava, things get interesting. This episode builds as it continues. More and more problems make escape seem impossible. Obviously, the cast is not killed because the series continues, but the way they ultimately escape is unexpected. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 27, 2022.


Michael Queen Wraith	*Allies* Season 2, Episode 20 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired March 10, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett. With Brent Stait as Michael Kenmore, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, James Lafazanos as Wraith Scientist / Human-form Wraith, Andee Frizzell as Wraith Queen, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Kirby Morrow as Captain Dave Kleinman, Sheri Rabold as Lab Assistant, and Trevor Devall as Hermiod (voice), Michael returns to Atlantis, asking for help. The Wraith are at war amongst themselves. He wants to use the Wraith retrovirus to turn his enemies into humans. Never trust a Wraith, or at least, don't trust Michael. Things don't go as planned. Ronon and Rodney are trapped on a Wraith ship. John, in an F-302, lands on a hive ship just as it goes into hyperspace headed for Earth. There is a little too much of Michael, the Queen, and the test victim, but the rest of the episode is quite exciting. It is the final episode of season 2. You will have to wait until season three to find out what happens next. Reviewed by Romana Drew January 19, 2022


Season 3


Rodney and Ronon Michael and John	*No Man's Land* Season 3, Episode 1 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired July 14, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Connor Trinneer as Michael Kenmore, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, Kavan Smith as Maj. Evan Lorne, Tamlyn Tomita as Shen Xiaoyi, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Gary Jones as Chief Master Sgt. Walter Harriman, Brahm Taylor as Lathan, Scott Heindl as Merrick / Wraith, Christopher Heyerdahl as Male Wraith, Andy Maton as Chapman - British Representative, Mitch Pileggi as Col. Steven Caldwell, Beau Bridges as Maj. Gen. Hank Landry, Andee Frizzell as Wraith Queen, Kirby Morrow as Capt. Dave Kleinman, Angelique Naude as Young Female Scientist, and Heather Doerksen as Capt. Pat Meyers. Weir sends the Daedalus and Orion to engage the Wraith ships and stop them from reaching Earth. However, both of those ships had been severely damaged in their last encounter with the Wraith and they are not ready for combat. But these Wraith are the only ones who know where Earth is, so they must be stopped no matter the cost. Weir is recalled to Earth accused of poor management allowing Wraith to gain knowledge of Earth and the ability to travel to the Milky Way. With McKay, Ronon, and Sheppard still on the Wraith ship, there is a huge space battle. The Daedalus and Orion are no match for the Wraith. This is a rather exciting episode, and it isn't quite the end of this story arc. It turns out the retrovirus gas works just fine, but a ship full of almost human ex Wraith poses both ethical and practical complications. Not to mention that Michael is human again. It is foolish to think he will stay that way. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 1, 2022.


Human form Michael Huminized Wraith	*Misbegotten* Season 3, Episode 2 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie Originally aired July 21, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Connor Trinneer as Michael Kenmore, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, Scott Heindl as Merrick / Wraith, Gary Jones as Chief Mst Sgt. Walter Harriman, Brahm Taylor as Lathan, Christopher Heyerdahl as Male Wraith, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Emy Aneke as Lt. Morrison, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, and Kirby Morrow as Captain Dave Kleinman. While Woolsey comes to Atlantis to continue his investigation of Weir, Shepard, and team return with a commandeered hive ship full of humanized Wraith. Unable to keep them in stasis, they are placed on a planet where Beckett continues to give them the retrovirus. Of course, the humanized Wraith aren't quite as human as they appear. They call a hive ship, and things go downhill from there. Michael is a difficult character to like. He is played by Connor Trinneer, who also played Trip on Star Trek Enterprise. The actor does a fine job, but the character is stuck between being a Wraith and being human. With few options, he cannot be trusted. Woolsey is an interesting character. He is played by Robert Picardo, who played the EMH on Star Trek Voyager. Woolsey is a classic bureaucrat, seemingly a pawn of the IOA, except he is a lot cleverer than he lets on. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 3, 2022.


Lucius and Wives Lucius at Atlantis	*Irresistible* Season 3, Episode 3 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Story by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper Teleplay by Carl Binder Originally aired July 28, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Richard Kind as Lucius Lavin, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Julia Benson as Willa, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, and Lisa Marie Caruk as Heleen. On an unexplored planet, Sheppard and team find a farming village with a charismatic leader named Lucius. He isn't really charismatic, he isn't really anyone special at all, but the villagers treat him as if he was the most wonderful person in the world. Since Lucius claims to have miracle cures for many diseases, Beckett stays behind to investigate. Before long, he brings Lucius to Atlantis, obviously enamored of the man. Before long, the entire station is fawning over him. Although there aren't any big battles, this is a great and funny episode. Richard Kind does a wonderful job as Lucius. There is no reason anyone should ever be fooled by this character or think he is anything except a con man, but every single person falls under his spell, except, fortunately, Sheppard. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 5, 2022.


Ronon on the Warpath Wraith Leader	*Sateda* Season 3, Episode 4 Directed by Robert C. Cooper. Written by Robert C. Cooper Originally aired August 4, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Frank Collison as Keturah, Chiara Zanni as Melena, Curtis Caravaggio as Major Elliot Rutherford, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Dan Payne as Big Wraith, David Pauls as Aton, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Todd Scott as Malik, Alexandra Carter as Linor, and John Stewart as Villager. While exploring a new planet, Ronon is recognized by a villager. They call him a Wraithbringer. When he was a runner, the Wraith tracked him to this world. He escaped, but the village was culled. The villagers made a deal with the Wraith to return Ronon if ever they found him. With the promise that their village would not be culled. They turn in Ronon, but the Wraith take everyone anyway. Ronon is implanted with another tracker and released on Sateda. The chase is on. Sheppard must find Ronon before the Wraith kill him. And the Wraith leader wants to watch his minions kill Ronon. Ronon has other plans. This is an exciting episode with lots of action. The Wraith leader seriously underestimates Ronon. And in the end, Beckett gets to be the hero. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 7, 2022.


Oberoth Niam and Friends	*Progeny* Season 3, Episode 5 Directed by Andy Mikita. Story by Robert C. Cooper and Carl Binder. Teleplay by Carl Binder Originally aired August 11, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With John O'Callaghan as Niam, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Hellena Taylor as Asuran Counselor #1, Kerry Sandomirsky as Asuran Counselor #2, David Ogden Stiers as Oberoth, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician. It doesn't take Sheppard and team long to determine that the people of Asuras are unascended Ancients. Since they seem to have an abundance of ZPM's, Weir attempts to negotiate for one. When that fails, they get ready to leave. It turns out that the Asurans are not quite Ancients. They are replicators that the Ancients created. And they want Atlantis. I have no complaints about this episode. It is exciting, and it is fun to watch. I just wish the writer had left replicators in the Milky Way. True, the Ancients thought they could control these human form replicators, but it still seems like a bit of a cop-out. It is also not the end of these bad guys. Oberoth is played by David Ogden Stiers who also played Major Charles Emerson Winchester III in Mash. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 9, 2022


Rodney and Jeannie The Other Rodney	*McKay and Mrs. Miller* Season 3, Episode 8 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired September 8, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Amanda Tapping as Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter, Kate Hewlett as Jeannie Miller, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Brendan Gall as Kaleb Miller, Madison Bell as Madison Miller, and Trevor Devall as Hermiod (voice) Rodney's sister, Jeannie, sends a mathematical proof to a university. It gets forwarded to Stargate Command. It may be the key for extracting energy from a parallel universe. Rodney attempts to persuade her to come to with him. She doesn't believe him, so he beams her to the Daedalus. Eventually, she agrees to go to Atlantis. The bridge doesn't bring much in the way of energy, but is does bring another Rodney McKay from the parallel universe. A very different Rodney. Rodney's sister is played by David Hewlett's sister, Kate. They even look a bit alike. David Hewlet does a fine job of portraying the two very different personalities of the two Rodney's. He even gets jealous of his alter ego. But Jeannie steals the show. While Rodney and Jeannie are on the Daedalus traveling from Earth to Atlantis, Zelenka heads the team that builds the device. It is nice to see Zelenka get out from under Rodney's shadow. Besides bringing anther Rodney to Atlantis, the bridge is about to destroy both universes, so there is much more to this episode than just a family reunion. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 11, 2022.


Taking Control of Atlantis Going Home	*The Return Part 1* Season 3, Episode 10 Directed by Brad Turner. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired September 22, 2006 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Richard Dean Anderson as Maj. Gen. Jack O'Neill, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, John O'Callaghan as Niam, Bill Dow as Dr. Bill Lee, Gary Jones as Chief Master Sgt. Walter Harriman, David MacInnis as Talus, Panou as Cetus, Mitch Pileggi as Col. Steven Caldwell, Beau Bridges as Maj. Gen. Hank Landry, Kirby Morrow as Capt. Dave Kleinman, and Elias Toufexis as Replicator. With Atlantis' ZPM depleted, at chain of Stargates is stretched across the expanse between the Milky Way and Pegasus galaxies. There is a waystation in the middle. This will reduce travel time from three weeks to thirty minutes. The long range scanners pick up on Ancient battle ship traveling from Atlantis to Earth. Although it is close to the speed of light, it does not appear to have hyperdrive. The Daedalus intercepts the ship just long enough to beam the survivors on board. They are Ancients. However, when they get to Atlantis, they take control of the city and an tell all the humans to go back to Earth. Finding no way to avoid being evicted, everyone packs up to leave. Jack and Woolsey stay to negotiate with the Ancients. Back on Earth the members of Sheppard's team disperse. When an Asuran ship threatens Atlantis, the Ancients are not worried. They programed the replicators to never harm them. Oops. Hubris has its shortcomings as the cliff hanger makes obvious. They never do explain where they got all the Stargates. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 13, 2022.


Hand in Jack's Head Wait for it.	*The Return Part 2* Season 3, Episode 11 Directed by Brad Turner. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired April 13, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Richard Dean Anderson as Maj. Gen. Jack O'Neill, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, John O'Callaghan as Niam, Bill Dow as Dr. Bill Lee, Gary Jones as Chief Master Sgt. Walter Harriman, David MacInnis as Talus, Panou Panou as Cetus,Mitch Pileggi as Col. Steven Caldwell,Beau Bridges as Maj. Gen. Hank Landry, Kirby Morrow as Capt. Dave Kleinman, and Elias Toufexis as Replicator. Even though the Asusrans have killed all the Ancients, they think there may still be humans on Atlantis. Since the battle damaged a lot of the city, including the sensors, they are having a hard finding the humans. Sheppard and his team retrieve Niam, the replicator they left in space a while back. Rodney attempts to change his coding, causing all the Asurans to freeze, making it possible to destroy them with anti-replication guns. Of course, that doesn't work. So they resort to plan B, then plan C, then even more desperate attempts to get rid of the replicators. There are some great scenes with Woosley and Jack, sitting in the hallway as explosions go off. And again in the jail. Jack has been here before, but Woosley will never be the same. These experiences will help him when he later plays a much larger role in Atlantis. This is an exciting conclusion to the story. And it has a bit of a surprise ending. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 15, 2022.


A Phantom There be Whales	*Echoes* Season 3, Episode 12 Directed by William Waring. Story by Carl Binder and Brad Wright. Teleplay by Carl Binder. Originally aired April 20, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Claire Rankin as Dr. Kate Heightmeyer, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Patricia Nudd as Ancient Woman, David Neale as Ancient Man, David Quinlan as Ancient Scientist #1, Amanda Burke as Ancient Scientist #2, and Michael Chase as Ancient Med Tech. Rodney becomes enamored of a sea creature like the one he saw when he was trapped in a puddle jumper underwater, while Teyla has visions of Ancients roaming the halls. Pretty soon more creature converge on the city and everyone starts having visions. Nothing is quite what it seems at first. The creatures aren't attacking, and the visions aren't dangerous, but the sun is, and the sea creatures know it. This is a bit of a mystery. The Ancients were able to protect most of the planet from the impending doom, because they had three ZPM's. With only one ZPM, Atlantis may not even be able to protect itself. The solution is both unique and a bit farfetched. After a bit of confusing and misleading attempts, the episode has an exciting conclusion. And for once, it is Sheppard that finds the technical solution to the problem. Leaving Rodney to doubt his sanity. Reviewed by Romana Drew February 17, 2022.


Sheppard Facing Kolya Lucius and Kolya	*Irresponsible* Season 3, Episode 13 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie Originally aired April 27, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Richard Kind as Lucius Lavin, Dean Wray as Genii, Meredith McGeachie as Wench, Robert Davi as Commander Acastus Kolya, Adam Bergquist as Amaris, Johnny Cuthbert as Fortnum, and Ashley O'Connell as Fruit Stand Owner. Lucius is back. Thanks to an Ancient personal shield, he is the savior of a simple village, taking out any and all bad guys, even the ones he pays to make him look good. Along comes Sheppard and team, Kolya and the Genii. This can't turn out good. This is an interesting episode. Lucius, as always, is a bit hard to take. How can anyone be that much of a lying braggard? Kolya is his normal hard to take, arrogant, evil self. And the villagers seem to lack the common sense to realize that they can't rely on a superhero. Often when main characters get killed, the death is dramatic or prolonged, not so in this case. The demise of Kolya is ever so much more satisfying in that it is quick and simple. It reminded me of Indiana Jones shooting the man who was threatening him by twirling swords around. Reviewed by Romama Drew March 2, 2022


Rodney Rodney Attempting to Ascend	*Tao of Rodney* Season 3, Episode 14 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Damian Kindler Originally aired May 4, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Leela Savasta as Dr. Rafaela Esposito, Donna Soares as Dr. Coleman, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician. While investigating an Ancient lab in Atlantis, Rodney gets zapped. He develops superpowers, telepathy, telekinesis, increased intelligence, and etc. The machine was designed to give the user the skills needed to ascend. Rodney must either figure out how to ascend or die. Neither of which suits his ego. Tao is a complicated word. In simple terms, it means path, road, or way. This is an interesting plot. It gives insight into the Ancients, showing that they are not always as brilliant as they sometimes appear. I find the Rodney character is best taken in small doses. Too much gets grating. And there is a lot of Rodney in the episode. In typical Rodney fashion, he doesn't think of anyone but himself. But he is genuinely distraught when Radek is grievously injured. So much so that he uses his healing power to save his life. It as an exciting ending, and of course, Rodney doesn't either ascend or die. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 5, 2022.


On the Planet With Nola and Baden To the Rescue in the Jumper	*The Game* Season 3, Episode 15 Directed by William Waring. Story by Don Whitehead and Holly Henderson. Teleplay by Carl Binder Originally aired May 11, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Laura Harris as Nola, David Dayan Fisher as Baden, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, James Long as Helkin, and John Shaw as Garth. Sheppard and Rodney find an Ancient game room. The world-building game is compelling. Apparently, things happen in real time. For months, they manipulate their respective societies. Rodney advances the scientific knowledge of his people while Sheppard champions military advancement. After they have significantly altered their communities, they discover that the characters in the game are real people, and they are about to go to war. This is an interesting concept. The communities on either side of the river each have a console where their benefactor tells them what to do. It had been silent for many centuries, but when it activated, they were more than happy to do as told. I would expect there to be many more skeptics in the society. Sure, a few people may feel compelled to take unsolicited advice from an ancient machine, but everyone? Also, why would the communities stagnate just because they don't have outside influence? This is a good and thought-provoking episode with an exciting ending. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 7, 2022.


The Wraith Queen Sheppard, Ronon, Weir, and the Queen	*Submersion* Season 3, Episode 18 Directed by Brenton Spencer. Written by Ken Cuperus Originally aired June 8, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Andee Frizzell as Wraith Queen, Michael Tayles as Dr. Graydon, Noel Johansen as Dr. Dickenson, and Donna Soares as Dr. Coleman. Sheppard takes a group of people to find an underwater drilling platform. The platform is in good working order and the team turns on the power, getting it started again. However, Teyla senses a Wraith. The Wraith queen has been sleeping in a crashed ship for ten thousand years, and she is hungry. She swims to the drilling platform and causes havoc. One of the things that really bothers me about this episode is the water pool inside the drilling platform. Unless the pressure inside the platform equals the pressure outside, the water will fill up the platform, not sit there like a pool. If there is a force field keeping the water at bay, how come it stayed powered up while the rest of the platform was shut down? And along the same line of thinking, how come the station is not supper cold when they first enter. Without heat, it should be the same temperature as the surrounding water. And shouldn't the structure be covered with sea creatures, the Lantian version of barnacles, sponges, algae, and tube worms, things that grow all over hard surfaces underwater? This is a well-paced and exciting episode. Teyla has a great scene overpowering Ronon. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 9, 2022.


The Monster and Rodney Michael and Teyla	*Vengeance* Season 3, Episode 19 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired June 15, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Connor Trinneer as Michael Kenmore, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Ryan Jefferson Booth as Lt. Negley (as Ryan Booth), Sam Polin as Creature, Brian Ho as Stunt Creature, and Josh Blacker as Screaming Man. Sheppard investigates why the Taranians haven't contacted Atlantis in a while. They discover the village is abandoned but find underground tunnels with giant hanging brood pods and deadly creatures. Michael is back and up to no good. He is breeding an army of Iratus bug/human hybrids. This episode has shades of Alien in it. It is tense and fast-paced. The hybrids are big and scary. The costumes are easy to see in stills, but during the episode the fast action and dark corridors makes it hard to get a good look at the monsters. However, the Michael character gets old easily. Fortunately, he doesn't have too much screen time in this episode. And we haven't seen the end of him. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 12, 2022


Atlantis Under Attack Attack on the Asuran world	*First Strike* Season 3, Episode 20 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired June 22, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett . With Michael Beach as Colonel Abe Ellis, Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, David Ogden Stiers as Oberoth, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Heather Doerksen as Captain Pat Meyers, and Donna Soares as Dr. Coleman. The Asuran replicators are building a fleet of battleships. The Apollo arrives with a slew of nukes to bomb the ships. Weir is opposed. She wants to talk to the Asurans first. But Colonel Ellis assures her that bombing the ships will solve the problem. This is a case of military intelligence vs. common sense. After all, if we destroy their ships, they will just sit there and accept the defeat - right. Wrong. They use a black hole to power a space-mounted Stargate and send a deadly beam at Atlantis. The shield will not last much longer. This is the first of a three-part story that gets Atlantis headed for new adventures on a new planet. But first, there is the immediate problem of survival. The episode starts with ordinary problems and then political and ethical discussions about the bombing. But once the Asuran weapon is in orbit, the tension builds, and the pace picks up. I don't quite understand why the Asuran's want to attack Earth. There are plenty of planets in the Pegasus Galaxy to raid. This is the final episode of Season 3. It ends with a cliffhanger. It would be good to plan to watch the next episode without much of a wait. Reviewed by Romana Drew March 14, 2022.


Season 4


Adrift in Space Dr. Weir	*Adrift* Season 4 Episode 1 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired September 28, 2007 Starring , Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, David Hewlett, Torri Higginson, and Jewel Staite. With David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Michael Beach as Colonel Abe Ellis, Bill Dow as Dr. Bill Lee, Linda Ko as Marie, Syn Narula as Young Doctor (as Surin Narula), Yee Jee Tso as Systems Tech, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician. Atlantis is dead in space. Weir was critically injured in the Asuran attack and not expected to recover. The shield is collapsing exposing most of the city to vacuum. And the city is headed into an asteroid field which will tear it apart The start of season 4 puts just about everything in jeopardy. This is the second in a three part story, and a major turning point for the series. There are a few interesting problems with this story. While wearing space suits, Sheppard hears micro-asteroids zooming through the city. Space is a vacuum. Sound doesn't transmit through space. Space is huge and mostly empty. Randomly dropping out of hyperspace near anything is somewhat unrealistic. Space isn't randomly littered with asteroid fields. They form around objects with a lot of gravity, such as suns. Even if there was a random bunch of asteroids, the area would still be mostly empty space. In any path through an asteroid field, it would be easier to miss everything than to hit anything. Still, shooting the asteroids makes for an exciting part of the story. In the end, they still need a ZPM to survive the next few hours. Reviewed by Romana Drew April 25, 2022.


Sam on the Apollo Radek Zelenka	*Lifeline* Season 4 Episode 2 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Carl Binder! Carl Binder Originally aired October 5, 2007 Starring , Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, David Hewlett, Torri Higginson, Michael Beach, and David Nykl. With Bill Dow as Dr. Bill Lee, David Ogden Stiers as Oberoth, and Sharon Taylor as Replicator Technician. The fastest way to get a ZPM and save the city is to steal one from the replicator homeworld, but that's suicide, so they decide to take Weir. With replicator nanites keeping her alive, she may be able to give them the intel they need to find the ZPM, and to escape. Rodney has installed a kill switch in case Weir is compromised. At the same time Samantha Carter on the Apollo searches for Atlantis. McKay uses this opportunity to activate a command instructing the replicators to destroy the Wraith. Of course, things don't go as planned. David Ogden Stiers, Major Charles Emerson Winchester III in MASH, is perfect as Oberoth. He brings just the right amount of upper-class snobbery to the part. And although he appears to overpower Weir, don't count her out just yet. This is a tense and exciting episode that takes Atlantis to a new planet with a new commander and new problems for the new season. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 1, 2022


Ronon and Telya Welcome Sam	*Reunion* Season 4 Episode 3 Directed by William Waring. Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired October 12, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Christopher Judge as Teal'c, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Scott Heindl as Wraith, Aleks Paunovic as Rakai, Kyra Zagorsky as Ara, and Mark Dacascos as Tyre. The IOA sends Smanatha Carter to head up Atlantis. Teyla and Ronon go to a planet to set up trade. Ronon meet a few other Satedans. Glad to be among his own people, he commandeers Sheppard and friends to join them on an expedition to destroy a Wraith facility. On the mission, everything goes wrong. This isn't your average facility. And Ronon's friends aren't what the appear to be. In fact, they work for the Wraith. Although humans working for Wraith has been used before, it is difficult to believe. In every war there are quislings. But working for the enemy isn't quite the same as working for a creature that wants to feed on you. In the end, they find a great way to destroy the facility. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 3, 2022


Shepard Fighting Shepard The Crystal Creature	*Doppelganger* Season 4 Episode 4 Directed by Robert C. Cooper. Written by Robert C. Cooper Originally aired October 19, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, David Hewlett, and Jewel Staite. With Claire Rankin as Dr. Kate Heightmeyer, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Linda Ko as Med-tech, and Yee Jee Tso as Technician. On a jungle planet, Sheppard touches a crystal growing on a tree and is knocked unconscious. Back in Atlantis, Sheppard is fine but lots of other people start having nightmares where Sheppard is a bad guy. The dreams become so traumatic that Dr. Heightmeyer is killed. Of course, the crystal contained an alien entity that is now terrorizing people. This episode has similarities to a SG1 episode Cold Lazarus where Jack touches a crystal and is duplicated. This is an interesting episode. It takes a while to figure out what is happening. And, of course, eventually Rodney gets infected. Sheppard's fight with himself lasts a bit too long. But if you like fight scenes, it is a good one. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 5, 2022.


Shepard Tied Up Larrin and a Wraith	*Travelers* Season 4 Episode 5 Directed by William Waring. Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired October 26, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Jill Wagner as Larrin, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Sean Rogerson as Nevik, Michael Cram as Silas, Scott Heindl as Wraith, and Chris Kalhoon as Crewman. Sheppard's puddle jumper gets hijacked by the Travelers. A group of humans who live on spaceships and travel around the galaxy. They have an aurora class battleship and need someone with the ancient gene to make it work. This is one of those stories where force is used when 'please' might have worked better. Soon Sheppard and Larrin come to an uneasy truce so they can fight the invading Wraith. The Sheppard / Larrin relationship is a bit forced. Sheppard would not fall for her tricks that easily. And Larrin comes off as unbelievably manipulative and untrustworthy. There is a 'chemistry' between them but it never feels real. Still it is a good, exciting episode. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 7, 2022.


Rodney and Karie A room full of confused people.	*Tabula Rasa* Season 4 Episode 6 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Alan McCullough Originally aired November 2, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, David Hewlett, Jewel Staite, and David Nykl. With Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, and Brenda James as Dr. Katie Brown. Everyone has lost their memories. They don't know who they are or what they're supposed to be doing. Everyone except Teyla and Ronon. This episode jumps around in time between the present, when Rodney wakes tied to a chair with a note telling him to find Teyla and earlier when people first started to get sick. Each has their own idea of what to do, none of it useful. There are some pretty funny scenes when Sheppard flies Ronon to the mainland to find the cure for the disease. Sheppard is somewhat less than cooperative. Rodney has a girlfriend, Dr. Katie Brown. Of all the characters in the show, Rodney seems the least likely to have a romance. After all, he is pretty self-centered. But Katie really likes him. And he likes her. Tabula Rasa is the hypothesis that humans are born without any innate knowledge. All that we know must be learned. That may be hard to prove as many behaviors, especially in babies, appear to be innate. The cure for the disease is a bit unbelievable. Ronon brought a few bags of plants, but how that cured everyone is never really explained. And if this plant cures the disease so easily, how did Ronon and Teyla get sick enough to develop immunity? Reviewed by Romana Drew May 9, 2022.


Dr. Keller and Teyla. Teyla and the Bola Kai	*Missing* Season 4. Episode 7. Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Carl Binder. Originally aired November 9, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, David Hewlett, and Jewel Staite. With Johann Helf as Nabel Golan and Danny Trejo as Omal Teyla and Dr. Keller set off to visit the Athosains on New Athos. Teyla has a "hot date," and Dr. Keller plans to do routine health checks. Instead of Athosains, they fine Bola Kai and run for their lives. After narrowly evading capture, they find an injured man named Nabel. He isn't Bola Kai. He claims to have information about the Athosains, but his ability to tell the truth is limited. Most of this episode follows Teyla and Keller as they run and hide from the Bola Kai. It is more than Dr. Keller bargened for. She is forced to overcome some of her fears and timidity. The Bola Kai don't seem to have any advanced technology, and it is not clear why they want Telya and Keller. But they pursue them with vigor. The episode gets rid of the Athosains and gives Teyla a reason to be pregnant. There wasn't anything wrong with the Athosains, but they didn't cause any conflict and weren't very exciting. Since Rachel Luttrell was pregnant in real life, it was written into the show. It also gives the writers a way to remove the baby from the show, keeping the Telya character the same. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 24, 2022


Davos The group on Vedeena	*The Seer* Season 4 Episode 8 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Alan McCullough Originally aired November 16, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Martin Jarvis as Davos, Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller, Kimberley Warnat as Linara, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, Chuck Campbell as Chuck, the Technician, Telya wants to go to Vedeena to visit a seer named Davos. She thinks he may be able to tell her where her people are. Woolsey comes to Atlantis to review Sam's job performance. Davos can make people have visions, but he is sick, so they bring him to Atlantis. In the meantime, Todd wants to meet on M2R-441. Todd is also brought back to Atlantis and put into the brig. It turns out that Todd, and the Wraith, have a common problem. Rodney changed the Asuran's programming a while back, and they are bent on destroying the Wraith. That sounds good, except they are doing it by destroying the Wraith's food supply - humans. This episode gets a bit confusing with people going in all directions and Woolsey thinking he knows better than everyone else what should be done. But it does set up the alliance with Todd. Christopher Heyerdahl plays Todd with a tongue-in-cheek kind of arrogance. He also played Halling in earlier episodes. Although Halling required less makeup, the character was a bit flat. Todd is anything but flat. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 26, 2022


Rodney and Jeannie Wallace and his daughter	*Miller's Crossing* Season 4 Episode 9 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired November 30, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Kate Hewlett as Jeannie Miller, Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, Peter Flemming as Agent Malcolm Barrett, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Brendan Gall as Kaleb Miller, Gary Jones as Chief Mst Sgt. Walter Harriman, Steven Culp as Henry Wallace, and Madison Bell as Madison Miller. Rodney's sister is kidnapped by Henry Wallace. His daughter was given nanites to cure her leukemia, but it isn't working. He works for Devlin Medical Technologies and knows more about alien technology than he should. He wants Jeannie Miller to solve the problem and save his daughter. It isn't long before Rodney is also kidnapped and placed in the same room with his sister. To add encouragement, Wallace infects Jeannie with the same malfunctioning nanites. If she and Rodney can't find a solution, Jeannie will die. These nanites are tricky little things. They don't seem to have the patient's best interest at heart. Eventually, the humans have to enlist Todd's help. It is nice to see Kate and David Hewlett together again. And to see different sides of Todd. Although Steven Culp reminds me of Robert Culp, as far as I can find out, they are not related. This is a great episode with lots of clever banter between Jennie and Rodney, and between Todd and everyone else. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 28, 2022


The Replicants Meeting Your Replicant	*This Mortal Coil* Season 4 Episode 10 Directed by William Waring. Written by Story by Brad Wright and Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Teleplay by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired December 7, 2007 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Torri Higginson as Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Reese Alexander as Major Jordan, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck, the Technician, The gate won't work, and Rodney isn't able to fix it. Ronon goes to the medical center because he needs stitches. But when he gets there, his wound is completely healed. In fact, everyone has a magical ability to instantly heal wounds. They are all organic replicants manufactured by the Asurans. They escape and later meet the real Atlantis team, but things don't go all that well. This is not the first time Stargate has had a story where the main characters were duplicated. It was a recurring theme in SG1. The first part of the episode is quite well done. Not only does the viewer believe that these are the real characters, but so do the characters. Something is obviously wrong when Weir shows up. Even though there are plenty of people, very few life signs register on the scanners. In the end, the replicants do the honorable thing and sacrifice themselves because they are duplicates. But, given that they have the same feelings as the real characters, their altruism is just a bit too convenient. On the other hand a bunch of duplicates running around would complicate future stories. This is first of a three-part story arc. Reviewed by Romana Drew May 30, 2022


FRAN Zelenka and Rodney The Battle	*Be All My Sins Remember'd* Season 4 Episode 11 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired January 4, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Michael Beach as Colonel Abe Ellis, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Jill Wagner as Larrin, Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith (voice), Brendan Penny as Todd the Wraith, Michelle Morgan as F.R.A.N., Martin Christopher as Major Marks, Torri Higginson as Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Niall Matter as Lt. Kemp, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Here come the Asurans. Rodney has ten hours to develop a virus to knock out the Asurans. If he fails, Colonel Ellis will blast them from space. The problem with that is simple, the Asurans don't die in space. They can be found and reactivated by some future race. Failing at creating a virus, even with Todd's help, Rodney tries a variation of the anti-replicator gun. It will work, but someone needs to take it into the heart of the Asuran homeworld. To do that, he creates a human form replicator, F.R.A.N. (Friendly Replicator Android), who looks like a pretty woman. Destruction of the Asuran homeworld takes a great space battle, ZPM enhanced explosions, and a covert operation into the core room itself. This is an exciting episode. It builds in tension and action until the rather magnificent conclusion. Although there is a lot of doubt about FRAN. It does it's job without extra heroics, which it nice. There is enough going on. Having FRAN malfunction at the end would have been too much. This appears to be a way for Todd to escape, but he has other plans for the humans. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 1, 2022


The Queen Todd with a ZPM	*Spoils of War* Season 4 Episode 12 Directed by William Waring. Written by Alan McCullough Originally aired January 11, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Scott Heindl as Male Wraith, Brendan Penny as Wraith scientist, and Andee Frizzell as Wraith Queen, So many Wraith are now awake and hungry that they are fighting each other over the limited human food supplies. Rodney notices a Wraith broadcast that seems to be aimed at Atlantis. They investigate and find an abandoned hive ship. Teyla flies the ship to a Wraith cloning facility, where Todd is imprisoned. The facility is capable of producing millions of Wraith. This is a good episode with lots of running around inside a hive ship. In previous episodes, the Wraith ships were rather colorful inside, with lots of reds and purples, but this one is rather gray. Maybe because all the Wraith are dead. After all of Rodney's attempts to destroy the facility by overloading the ZPMs fail, Sheppard has a much more effective solution. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 3, 2022


Katie and Rodney Ronon and Teyla	*Quarantine* Season 4 Episode 13 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired January 18, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Brenda James as Dr. Katie Brown, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, and Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, Rodney takes an engagement ring to his lunch date with Katie, but before he can say anything, an alarm rings, and the doors close. They are trapped in the botany lab, and neither has a comm. The entire city is now in lockdown. Everything is out, ventilation, communication, transportation. Rodney believes the lockdown is the result of a disease and soon gets sick. There aren't any enemies or fights in this episode, but it has lots of tension and excitement. Without Rodney to solve the problems, Sheppard and Zelenka come to the rescue. If the city senses a disease outbreak, shutting doors and ventilation makes sense, but why turn off communications? If people can't communicate, how are they supposed to solve the problem? Will the city wait until everyone is dead and then start over? Without ventilation, only people with access to the outside will fresh have air. Also, when John breaks a window, the self-destruct starts. Someone broke quaratine, so kill everyone? All that aside, this is a good episode. It also set up some tension between Rodney and Ronon over Dr. Keller. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 5, 2022


Rodney and Harmony Harmony's Version of Events	*Harmony* Season 4 Episode 14 Directed by William Waring. Written by Martin Gero. Teleplay by Alan McCullough Originally aired January 25, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Jodelle Ferland as Harmony, Alexis Kellum-Creer as Flora, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe as Mardola, and David Richmond-Peck as Toran. Harmony must complete a rite of passage. She is thirteen and chosen to be the next queen, but first, she must travel alone to the Ruins of Larris. Her older sisters ask John and Rodney to help keep her safe on her journey. The route through the forest is fraught with dangers. There is a mysterious beast, collapsed bridges, and, of course, the Genii shoot at them. Harmony doesn't think she needs help and isn't all that cooperative. This is an interesting episode. Neither the beast nor the presence of Genii make any sense in the beginning. And there isn't much of anything at the Ruins of Larris, except a way to recharge a talisman. Jodelle Ferland does a great job as a snotty, self-righteous teenager. She also played seven-year-old Adria in Stargate SG1. The interaction between Harmony and Rodney gets a little old. Although I think it is meant to show Rodney's inability to deal with kids, it makes Harmony difficult to like or care for. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 7, 2022


John and Nancy - His Ex Ava and John in Her World	*Outcast* Season 4 Episode 15 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Alan McCullough. Based upon an Episode concept by Joe Flanigan Originally aired February 1, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Kari Wuhrer as Nancy Sheppard, Emma Lahana as Ava Dixon, Stephen E. Miller as Dr. Richard Poole, Dylan Neal as Dave Sheppard, Bill Dow as Dr. Bill Lee, Dean Marshall as Agent Bates, and Adrian Hein as Replicator. Ronon and Sheppard gate to Earth to attend Sheppard's father's funeral. There they meet a replicator running amok. Devlin Medical Technologies, the same company Henry Wallace worked for in Miller's Crossing, has used nanite technology to create a human form replicator on Earth - more than one, actually. Of course, the replicator is nearly impossible to kill, and in spite of being a machine, able to out-think those who are after it. John, Ronon, and Agent Bates chase and fight this guy until he finally escapes. But not for long. All the chasing and fighting the replicator is well done and exciting. But the episode also covers some of Sheppard's early life and his relationship with his brother and ex-wife. It also has a compassionate, although somewhat unrealistic resolution for the Ava replicator. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 9, 2022


Looking Up at the Hole in the Roof The Kids Who Never Helped	*Trio* Season 4 Episode 16 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Martin Gero Originally aired February 8, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller, Sam, Rodney, and Jennifer fall into a hole. They want to wait until someone realizes they are missing and comes to their rescue, except they are in an abandoned mining structure that is about to fall into a crevasse. Rodney tries so hard to be the hero, but it all fails. Sam waits patiently while he throws the rope everywhere except through the hole, then she does it on the first try. Sam is a little out of character in places. She is too patient and accepting of Rodney's condescending behavior. It seems like this episode should get a bit repetitious and boring as they attempt to escape and repeatedly fail, but it doesn't. It is well-paced and interesting throughout. Sam's and Rodney's characters are well established at this point, but Jennifer proves she has become more resilient and determined. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 11, 2022


Midway Exterior View Ronon and Teal'c	*Midway* Season 4 Episode 17 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired February 15, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, and David Hewlett. With Christopher Judge as Teal'c, Rob LaBelle as Coolidge, Bill Dow as Dr. Bill Lee, Scott Heindl as Wraith leader, Ben Cotton as Dr. Kavanagh, Brendan Penny as Wraith technician, Gary Jones as Chief Mst Sgt. Walter Harriman, Toren Atkinson as Dempster, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Nickolas Baric as Hester, and James Chutter as Wraith scientist. Teal'c and Ronon together, finally! Teal'c comes to Atlantis to help Ronon prepare for IOA interviews. After a couple of hours sparring with each other, they head for the Midway station on route to Earth. The Wraith invade the station and then invade Earth. Ronon and Teal'c follow. Back at Midway, the station is crawling with Wraith and about to explode. This is a great episode. It takes a while for Ronon and Teal'c to "get to know" each other, but when they do, they are an effective Wraith elimination team. Midway station is destroyed in this episode, preventing easy travel between Earth and Atlantis. Although this is hard on the personnel, it helps with the long-term storytelling. The Wraith will have to find another way to Earth. Atlantis is relatively free of IOA oversight, but cannot expect timely rescue should something happen. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 13, 2022


Teyla and Michael Teyla's Dream	*The Kindred Part 1* Season 4 Episode 18 Directed by Peter F. Woeste. Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired February 22, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Stait, and David Hewlett. With Connor Trinneer as Michael Kenmore, Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Patrick Sabongui as Kanaan, Artine Tony Browne as Trader, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, The Athosians are still missing. Teyla is having dreams about Kanaan. And a plague is spreading through several planets, killing about 30% of the population. It is a variation of the Hoffman drug, which will kill any Wraith who feeds on an infected Human. Telya is kidnapped by Michael. Todd is promised information about the plague in exchange for help rescuing Teyla. Although they don't find Teyla, they do find someone else. And Michael escapes again. This is an important episode because it deals with the fate of the Athosians, and it brings Carson back. However, it is a bit long-winded. Teyla's dreams tend to slow things down, and there is too much of Michael being nasty to Teyla. Also, with more infected humans to worry about, Todd may see Dr. Keller's offer to eliminate the need to feed on people as a good idea. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 23, 2022


Teyla, Michael, and Kanaan Carson and the Group	*The Kindred - Part II* Season 4 Episode 19 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Alan McCullough Originally aired February 29, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, and David Hewlett. With Connor Trinneer as Michael Kenmore, Christopher Heyerdahl as Halling, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Patrick Sabongui as Kanaan, and Johann Helf as Nabel Carson died in Sunday, (season 3 episode 17), but he is in Atlantis alive and well - almost. He is a clone, and without the drug that Michael gives him, his body will fail in days. With the help of Carson, they find Teyla, Kanaan, and the rest of the Athosians. However, Michael manages to escape with Teyla and everyone - again. And Carson is about to die, so he is stored in a stasis pod until a cure can be found. This is another important episode as far as long story arcs are concerned. But again, the episode spends a lot of time with Michael. His ability to torture and manipulate people is a bit unbelievable. He is invariably one step ahead of everyone and always has a way out. It is getting rather old. Why Michael kept the Athosians alive all this time is also a bit of a mystery. Reviewed by Romana Drew June 25, 2022


The Future of Atlantis John and Rodney	*The Last Man* Season 4 Episode 20 Directed by Martin Wood. Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie. Originally aired March 7, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, and David Hewlett. With Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, Connor Trinneer as Michael Kenmore, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Kate Hewlett as Jeannie Miller, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey, Andee Frizzell as Wraith Queen, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician. After an unsuccessful search for Teyla, Sheppard gates home to Atlantis, but a solar flare causes the gate to malfunction, sending him 48,000 years into the future. The city is abandoned except for a much older, holographic Rodney McKay. The sun is a red giant, and the oceans have turned to dust. When Sheppard doesn't get home, Michael kills Teyla, and with her baby, takes over the galaxy, destroying humans and Wraith alike. John can save the galaxy if he can save Teyla, but he has to wait another eight hundred years for another solar flare. Off to the stasis pod he treks. But the corridor has collapsed, and a raging sand storm blocks his route path. During this episode, Rodney tells Sheppard what happened after he went missing. It brings conclusions to most of the main characters' lives, leaving Michael as the supreme ruler of the galaxy, surrounded by his hybrids. Of course, that isn't a very satisfying conclusion to the series, and there is still another season to go. The episode jumps back and forth between John and Rodney and the rest of the characters. It's rather like reading a bunch of interconnected short stories. Rather than being disjointed, it holds together. And although Michael takes over the galaxy, he doesn't have much screen time. From my point of view, A little bit of Michael is sometimes too much. Todd, on the other hand, is an interesting Wraith. Since Rodney didn't know the sun would turn into a red giant, how does he predict when the next appropriate solar flare will happen? In past episodes, prediction solar flares was not possible. Now Rodney can predict one eight hundred years in the future. I find that hard to believe, but it works in the story. The cliffhanger ending comes as a bit of a surprise. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 8, 2022.


Season 5


Sam and Dr. Keller Teyla and the Baby	*Search and Rescue* Season 5. Episode 1 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Martin Gero. Originally aired July 11, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, David Hewlett, and Robert Picardo. With Connor Trinneer as Michael Kenmore, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Martin Christopher as Major Marks, Amanda Tapping as Colonel Samantha Carter, Patrick Sabongui as Kanaan, Leela Savasta as Captain Alicia Vega, Jeremy Jones as Lt. Edison, Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, Rainbow Sun Francks as Lt. Aiden Ford, and Annalise MacCulloch as Torren. Sheppard and Ronon are buried in the rubble from Michael's facility. Rodney and Major Lorne are trapped in a different area. When Michael learns that his facility has been destroyed, he sends a cruiser to investigate. Atlantis sends a rescue team that includes Dr. Keller and Samantha Carter. Kanaan helps Teyla escape Micheal's grasp. The Daedalus comes to the rescue. Then things get exciting. Teyla goes into labor at the most inconvenient moment, forcing Rodney to assist with the birth. This may have been somewhat predictable, but it is also well done. By this time, I am tired of Michael stories, so anything about Michael gets tedious. However, Michael doesn't have a lot of screen time, which is good. But unfortunately, it isn't quite the end of this character. There is a lot of tension and a bit of humor in this episode, making it good to watch. Also, it completes one story and brings several important changes, which makes it a must-see episode. The ending of the episode set the storyline up for the movie Stargate: Continum and for a change in leadership. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 23, 2022


Dr. Keller Sheppard, Beckett, and Jennifer	*The Seed* Season 5. Episode 2 Directed by William Waring. Written by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie. Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired July 18, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, David Hewlett, and Robert Picardo. With David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Linda Ko as Marie, Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, Annalise MacCulloch as Torren. Carson is freed from the stasis chamber and recovering. Dr. Keller has tendrils growing out of her body, taking over the city. Everyone else is also infected. Woolsey's first command doesn't go as planned. He desperately wants to follow the rules, but that isn't an option, not if he wants to save Keller and Atlantis. As much as I like Sam, and hated to see her go, Woolsey is a great character. He doesn't quite know what to do. But he cares about the people and realizes his short commings. The Woolsey character has grown in both complexity and competency since he first set foot in Stargate Command back in season 9. Then he was a sniveling pawn of the IOA, ignoring the obvious, thinking Khalek didn't pose much danger, even though it was obvious to everyone else that he did. In this episode he realizes that his by the book decisions won't work and lets the team members save the day. I do find it amazing that all of the stuff covering Dr. Keller and invading Atlantis can be so easily cleaned up. You would think the doctor would have massive internal damage and mangled skin. But no, she recovers without a scratch. Of course, she needs to be herself for the next episode. It is so nice to see Carson Becket again. Even if he is a clone, he's still Carson. Reviewed by Romana Drew July 26, 2022.


The Duplicates One of the Problems.	*The Daedalus Variations* Season 5. Episode 4 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Alan McCullough Originally aired August 1, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Tracy Waterhouse as Commander Sobel, Annalise MacCulloch as Torren, The Daedalus suddenly appears in orbit above Atlantis. But the Daedalus is in the Milky Way Galaxy close to Earth. Sheppard, Teyla, Rodney, and Ronon go to investigate. There they find their duplicates - all dead. Every once in a while things change. They are above the same planet but Atlantis is gone. Then they jump again and are attacked. All the ship's supplies have been exhausted. If they can't find a way back to their reality, they will starve just like their duplicates. This is an interesting concept. Why the original members of this Daedalus wanted to travel between realities is a bit of a mystery, but it makes for a good story. With each jump, things get more desperate, creating a lot of tension. If this were to really happen, I would expect each reality to be rather boring, but that wouldn't make for much of a story. I can see the writers sitting around thinking up what can go wrong in each world, how can the situations get even worse. And is there a way out? Reviewed by Romana Drew July 31, 2022.


Weir looking like FRAN About to leave Atlantis	*Ghost in the Machine* Season 5. Episode 5 Directed by Ken Girotti. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired August 15, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Michelle Morgan as Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Robert Moloney as Koracen, Leanne Adachi as Lia, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Richard Busch as Marine, Torri Higginson as Dr. Elizabeth Weir, David Ogden Stiers as Oberoth, Patricia Cullen as Replicator Crew Member, On a routine survey mission, the jumper goes bonkers. Just before everyone dies, it fixes itself and the crew returns safely to Atlantis. Then the city experiences random glitches until Rodney gets a text message from Elizabeth Weir. Her consciousness is trapped in subspace. She eventually finds the machine Rodney used to create FRAN. Elizabeth uses that template, builds a human replicator body and downloads her conscious into it. Then a dozen or so other replicators do the same. They tried to ascend but ended up stuck in subspace, a miserable existence. Weir wants to build human bodies so they can live out their lives as humans, but that doesn't work out all the well. This episode deals with questions about what to do with people who can't really be trusted. How long can you keep them confined? Having just destroyed all the replicators, creating more is probably not a good idea. Is Weir really Weir? Although there isn't much in the way of action, it is a very good episode. The ending, is both clever and sad. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 3, 2022.


Maybe making Teyla a Queen wasn't such a good idea. Teyla as a Queen	*The Queen* Season 5. Episode 8 Directed by Brenton Spencer. Written by Story by Alex Levine & Alan McCullough Teleplay by Alan McCullough Originally aired September 12, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, Apollonia Vanova as Wraith Queen, Richard Zeman as Commander Wraith, Tyler McClendon as Kenny Wraith, James Chutter as Bridge Officer Wraith, Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, Todd is in trouble and asks for help. He needs a queen and Keller wants to test a treatment that will let Wraith eat food rather than humans. They strike a deal. Todd seriously considers Keller's proposal. The Pegasus Galaxy is a bit short on humans. It would free him from fighting other hives to get food. First, he desperately needs a Queen. Teyla agrees to take the position temporally. Most Wraith episodes get a bit tedious and predictable, but this one works great. Rachel Luttrell is barely recognizable as a Wraith. Although she is startled by how ruthless Todd is, she takes over the role and puts Todd in his place. This isn't the end of Todd, but it does set up for Todd to have many more adventures with the Atlantis team. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 5, 2022.


Keller and the Runner Keller and the Little Girl	*Tracker* Season 5. Episode 9 Directed by William Waring. Written by Story by David Schmidt & Carl Binder Teleplay by Carl Binder Originally aired September 19, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Mike Dopud as Kiryk, Neela Todd as Celise, Chelah Horsdal as Erran, Domonique Danielle as Burly Woman, . Rodney volunteers to go with Jennifer to treat a disease outbreak in a village. When he gets to the gate, Ronon is there also volunteering to help. Things go fine on the planet until Jennifer is kidnapped by a runner. The runner takes her to a cave to treat a seriously injured child. In the mean time, Rodney, Ronon, and the Wraith are after the runner. This is a well paced and interesting episode. Things are not always what the seem, which adds to the tension and keeps the viewer engaged. There is also a bit of character development in this episode. The competition between Rodney and Ronon for Jennifer's affections is rather charming. Jennifer has lost much of her fear and timidity. Instead of cowering, she takes on a Wraith, doing a good job of keeping him occupied until Rodney can reload and finish him off. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 9, 2022.


Rodney and Daniel The Aliens	*First Contact* Season 5. Episode 10 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Martin Gero. Originally aired September 26, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, Martin Christopher as Major Kevin Marks, Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, James Chutter as Billy Wraith, Tyler McClendon as Kenny Wraith, Daniel Jackson comes to Atlantis in order to find Janus' hidden lab. He and Rodney head off to do that while Woolsey, Jennifer, and Ronon beam up to the Deadalus to meet with Todd about freeing the Wraith from the need to feed on Humans. Daniel and Rodney find the hidden lab. A sub space transmitter activates. Soon a ship enters the system and zooms right through the city's shields. Daniel, Rodney, and a device are captured and taken to another world by aliens in body armor, somewhat reminiscent of the Borg. The aliens force Daniel and Rodney to make the device work, which they do. Todd is on the Deadalus when one of his ships opens a hyperspace window and explodes. Todd gets a bit pissed blaming the humans for activating device that will cause Wraith ships to explode when opening a hyperspace windows. But it has another rather serious side effect. This episode has a lot of setup before the function of the device is made clear, and even more set up before the armored aliens are identified. Todd's ability to take over the Deadalus so easily is a bit hard to believe. But it is needed to make the plot work. Rodney has a couple of things to deal with. He can't help competing with Daniel. And Ronon went off with Jennifer. He eventually comes to respect and even care for Daniel. Also, most of the problem solving is done by Rodney since the technical stuff just isn't Daniel's area of expertise. This is an exciting and complex episode. But be warned, it ends in a major cliff hanger. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 13, 2022.


Rodney and Daniel Todd and Woolsey	*The Lost Tribe* Season 5. Episode 11 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Martin Gero. Originally aired October 10, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, Daniella Alonso as Katana Labrea, Martin Christopher as Major Kevin Marks, Tyler McClendon as Kenny Wraith, Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, Linda Ko as Marie, Claire Robertson as Mila, James Chutter as Male Wraith. Rodney and Daniel are prisoners. Todd controls the Deadalus. Wraith ships and Stargates are exploding all over the place because the Attero device has been activated. Sheppard and Zelenka survived the exploding Stargate although the control room is destroyed. Todd contacts them from the Deadalus demanding the location of the Attero device, or he will kill everyone on the ship. Zelenka agrees that the device must be destroyed before exploding Stargates kill millions of people. But Todd is unlikely to care if destroying the device kills Daniel and Rodney. In an almost too convienent coincidence, a Traveler ship arrives just in time to help. This is the conclusion of First Contact. The plot is very complex with characters in several different locations working independently, without knowledge of the entire situation. Sometimes their actions complement each other and sometimes they don't, which makes for a fascinating episode with lots of excitement and tension. There are interesting developments between Jennifer and Ronon, as well as Rodney and Daniel. Although, Rodney's jealousy of Daniel and Ronon is a bit overplayed. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 14, 2022.


Todd Sheppard and Sefaris	*Outsiders* Season 5. Episode 12 Directed by William Waring. Written by Alan McCullough Originally aired October 17, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Joel Polis as Elson, Sean Tyson as Jervis, Agam Darshi as Novo, Sarah Deakins as Renni, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, and G. Michael Gray as Sefaris. Beckett is providing medical help on a world that has taken in survivors of the Hoffman drug. Sheppard and his team arrive to bring supplies. Then the Wraith show up, and things get nasty. The Wraith haven't come to cull the locals. They want the survivors of the Hoffman drug. Some of the locals are willing to turn the survivors over. Others want to protect them. A few power-hungry people use their fears to justify mistreating others. A vigilante mentality takes over, and everyone suffers. On the hive ship, the Wraith haven't quite succeeded in finding a way of detecting the Hoffman drug. They coerce Beckett and McKay to complete the research. This plotline has a couple of great twists at the end. Running around the village and getting in and out of the jail is well-paced, but it is also a bit tedious. It is typical of the 'us' versus 'them' mentality. Carson and Rodney on the Wraith ship is quite delightful. The two play off each other well and add both humor and tension to the episode. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 18, 2022.


John Being Tortured by Kolya Vanessa and Woolsey	*Remnants* Season 5. Episode 15 Directed by William Waring. Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired November 14, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Robert Davi as Commander Acastus Kolya, Tamlyn Tomita as Chinese Ambassador Shen Xiaoyi, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Anna Galvin as Vanessa Conrad, Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, Haley Cook as Dr. Kiang, Jonathon Young as Parrish, Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician, Carlo Fanella as Genii Soldier, and Linden Banks as Dovelock. Sheppard finds himself in the woods facing Kolya. With the help of Zalenka, McKay retrieves a pod from the ocean. Woolsey is smitten by Vanessa, a woman no one else can see. As it turns out, none of this is real. Koyla, Zalenka, and Vanessa aren't there. This is a fun episode, even though Sheppard gets tortured a bit too much for my tastes. Shen Xiao is after Woolsey's job, and he knows it. It is hard to imagine Atlantis under her command. It takes a while to figure out what is real and what is imaginary. It takes even longer to figure out what is causing people to have such vivid hallucinations. That makes this an interesting and compelling episode. I found it difficult to believe that an ancient device created by a silicon based life form could so easily manipulate the minds of humans, a species that they had never encountered before. The differences in physiology must be enormous. Also, that AI was way too smart to be believable. However, the episode works great. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 22, 2022.


John Being Tortured by Kolya Vanessa and Woolsey	*Brain Storm* Season 5. Episode 16 Directed by Martin Gero. Written by Martin Gero. Originally aired November 21, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Dave Foley as Malcolm Tunney, Marshall Bell as Terrence Kramer, Bill Nye as Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson as Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Gary Jones as Chief Mst Sgt. Walter Harriman. Rodney takes Jennifer to a scientific conference on Earth as his date. Dr. Malcolm Tunney, Rodney's old school rival, is the guest of honor. Tunney demonstrates a way to cool a warming Earth. He turns on a matter bridge, sending heat into an alternate reality. Of course, once started, it won't shut down. Soon people are freezing to death. This episode has both Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson playing themselves. This is a great episode. Rodney is at his obnoxious but world-saving best. Jennifer shows that she is a strong character and willing to put up with Rodney no matter how socially inept. The concept of bridging alternate realities so the heat can be channeled off Earth is a bit far-fetched. Heat isn't an object. It is a measure of the kinetic energy of an object, including air. You can transfer kenetic energy (heat) from one object to another. You can't just send it away. Why this bridge would reduce the kinetic energy of the air isn't clear. Why it sent bolts of freeze lighting around the building was a bit strange, but it was fun to watch. This is one of my favorite episodes. It is odd that, of all the characters, Rodney is the one with the girlfriends. Reviewed by Romana Drew August 26, 2022.


Todd Fighting off the Hungry Wraith	*Infection* Season 5. Episode 17 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Alan McCullough Originally aired December 5, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, and Christopher Pearce as Marine Williams. Todd's Hive ship visits Atlantis, but everyone on board is either dead or in stasis. They took Keller's treatment and now must eat food, but a virus is killing both them and the ship. Wraith keep coming out of stasis and eating people. Todd is increasingly frustrated and uncooperative. Teyla tries to control the ship but fails. This episode portrays the Wraith in a new light. Instead of trying to feed on humans, they need our help. Todd sees the wisdom of alternate food sources, but this complication was not expected, and he is pissed. Even though quite a bit if time is spent wandering around the Wraith ship getting lost and figuring out what is happening, there are a great many exciting moments in this episode. Everyone is in jeopardy most of the time. After the end of Ghost in the Machine, the ending of this episode isn't clear. Did Sheppard save Todd's life or get rid of a nuisance? Reviewed by Romana Drew September 6, 2022.


John Being Tortured by Kolya Vanessa and Woolsey	*Identity* Season 5. Episode 18 Directed by William Waring. Written by Carl Binder Originally aired December 12, 2008 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Dawn Olivieri as Neeva Casol, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Ron Selmour as Jannick, and Todd Thomson as Bordal. Neeva Casol finds herself in Atlantis looking like Jennifer Keller. She hasn't a clue why and nearly kills Zelenka. On another world, far away, Keller finds herself looking like Neeva Casol and facing execution. Neeva, a smuggler and general disreputable person, just can't pass for Jennifer. Although no one knows what happened, they know it isn't Jennifer. Jennifer does a little better at playing Neeva, even though she doesn't understand why she is in this predicament. There is a lot of tension in this episode as Jennifer is constantly under threat, both from the people who want to execute her and Neeva's companions who realize she isn't Neeva. It's harder to get emotionally involved or care much for Neeva. She isn't that nice of a person. Although her ultimate fate is left up to the viewers' imagination, it doesn't look promising. It is great to see how much Rodney cares for Jennifer. Reviewed by Romana Drew September 6, 2022.


The Crew The Golden Gate Bridge Atlantis on Earth	*Enemy at the Gate* Season 5. Episode 2 Directed by Andy Mikita. Written by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie Originally aired January 9, 2009 Starring Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo, and David Hewlett. With Christopher Heyerdahl as Todd the Wraith, Mitch Pileggi as Colonel Steven Caldwell, David Nykl as Dr. Radek Zelenka, Kavan Smith as Major Evan Lorne, Michael Beach as Colonel Abe Ellis, Martin Christopher as Major Kevin Marks, Gary Jones as Chief Mst Sgt. Walter Harriman, Amanda Tapping as Colonel Samantha Carter, Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, Colin Cunningham as Major Paul Davis, Sharon Taylor as Amelia Banks, Ben Cotton as Dr. Kavanagh, Tyler McClendon as Wraith, and Chuck Campbell as Chuck the Technician. Todd warns Woolsey that a Wraith hive ship powered by ZPMs is on its way to Atlantis. The ship disables the Daedalus and jumps to hyperspace headed for Earth. Fortunately, Todd tells them where to get ZPMs. A fully powered Atlantis flies to the rescue. Of course, nothing goes as planned, making this an exciting episode and a great way to end the series. Everything gets thrown into the toilet. The ancient chair on Earth is destroyed. Atlantis' hyperdrive fails between the two galaxies. Ronon gets killed. With Beckett flying the city, Sheppard is free to do much more exciting things like flying F302 with a nuke into the heart of the Wraith ship. But in the end, it all works out. The future is left up to the viewers' imagination. Atlantis is safely in the Pacific Ocean cloaked. Todd is still in Atlantis. I wonder what will happen when Atlantis eventually uncloaks, or some unsuspecting boat runs into it. Reviewed by Romana Drew September 14, 2022.


Final Thoughts


Click on the arrows to scroll through the images. ❮ ❯	Sometimes spinoffs work, and sometimes they don't. In this case, Atlantis works great. The characters are fresh and interesting, and the villains worthy. Some of the villains were recycled, like the Replicators. The ancients are not as nice in this show. One actor stands out for playing so many different characters. Christopher Heyerdahl played Todd and other Wraith, Halling, and Pallin in SG1 Revisions. I liked the way Atlantis never lost contact with Stargate Command. In the early years, Earth was very difficult to get to. Atlantis was considered basically a one-way trip. But later, travel became easier, and characters from both shows had adventures together. I think that improved both shows. After 100 hundred episodes of Atlantis and 214 episodes of SG1, I think I am done. In truth, I reviewed almost all the episodes. I'm missing a few. Maybe I'll find the missing episodes or tackle Universe in the future, but not right now. I hope you enjoyed reading these reviews.