(S04E01) Man, I'm having a hard time finding an opening for this review. I want to say that the season premiere of Atlantis was so much better than any episode of SG-1 that aired in its final season. However, that will probably piss off the SG-1 fans who say that Atlantis doesn't hold a candle to the original series. I want to say that, despite the standard science-fiction storyline that was the plot of this episode, the writers and producers did a great job of making it different, interesting, and a bit suspenseful. Yet, fans of science-fiction might get angry and say its all been done before and better.
I also want to say that, like other successful spinoffs in the history of television, producers and writers of Atlantis have learned what and what not to do from their years on SG-1 and have been able to create a better show with more interesting characters. Of course, the SG-1 crowd will agree about the mistakes made on the original show, but they may not agree that its younger sibling is better.
I want to say all of that. Oh, wait, I just did. So, um, welcome to the fourth season of Stargate:Atlantis!
This really was an enjoyable episode. Not only did it get right into the action, but it featured some really good visual effects and resolved a lot of questions unanswered from last season's finale. The major question being 'Will Elizabeth survive' (cue soap-opera organ music). Of course she did, silly! Although, she survived only because a bunch of reprogrammed Replicator nanites repaired her organs and replaced them with nanite technology. This actually plays an important role in next week's episode.
The reprogramming of the nanites was made by Genius Boy himself, Rodney McKay, and led to quite an ethical dilemma. Both he and Jennifer Keller, new CMO on Atlantis, agreed that the nanites were the only way for Dr. Weir to survive. Colonel Sheppard wasn't buying that. He felt that not only was there a huge risk that the Replicators would be able to take control of Elizabeth once the nanites were reactivated, but Elizabeth herself would never agree to this decision if she were awake. When John found out that Rodney went ahead with the reprogramming anyway he was mightily pissed. It almost looked like he was going to confine McKay to quarters for his actions.
That would've sucked, because McKay, with able assistance from Zelenka, was the man keeping the city of Atlantis space-worthy while everything else was falling apart around him. The running gag with Rodney was that everytime he said things seemed to be running smoothly something else would pop up, like a asteroid field or the hyperdrive going down. He was more stressed out than usual. Yet, it seems that the more stressed out he is the less, er, rude he is with everyone else.
Zelenka should be given additional credit here as well. He took it upon himself to get the hyperdrive repaired (even though it couldn't be used because the city had drained too much of its energy) and ended up getting injured by a micro-asteroid that went through his leg like a hot knife through butter. I'll be honest, when I saw that happen I cringed a bit -- it seemed extremely painful. I don't know why David Nykl, who plays Zelenka, is not in more episodes. He's an interesting character that I'd like to see fleshed out a bit more.
Sheppard was the man this episode. Since Elizabeth was out of commission he was the head cheese and he did an admirable job at coming up with solutions to many of the problems that kept cropping up. The best one was getting all of those jumpers to shoot a path through the asteroid field to allow Atlantis to plow through with minor damage. I like Sheppard. He's a no-nonsense type of leader, yet he has that same bit of brashness that Jack O'Neil showed constantly on SG-1.
I want to go back to that scene in the asteroid field. That was probably one of the best visual effects of the entire episode. All of those asteroids blowing up while the jumpers were flicking around the field was great to watch. It was also quite tense. There were a few times I was saying to myself 'Don't crash. Don't crash' when one of those jumpers came too close to an asteroid or an exploding asteroid. It also produced one of the best lines of the episode when McKay compared what they were about to do to a game of Asteroids and he was terrible at that game.
This episode of Stargate: Atlantis, and the second part of this season premiere, have me excited for this season as a whole. With the shakeup in the city's administration and a new planet to explore it looks like an interesting time for Sheppard and his team. Hope you'll join us here at TV Squad to talk about it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-29-2007 @ 2:03PM
Manda said...
I like how politely and quietly Shephard asked McKay to keep him in the loop. One of the things I love about scifi is good drama without the need for all the drama. Course' McKay did a big nono, but we all knew that was coming anyhow.
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9-29-2007 @ 2:46PM
Morjana Coffman said...
"Adrift" had the Stargate Atlantis team busy trying to save the city from the cold vacuum of space (hoover or dysan?)...
Lot of favorite scenes in this episode, but overall, I think I was impressed most by Dr. Z. What a trooper!
LOVED the look on Shep's face when Keller told him the full magnitude of Weir's condition. Terrific acting by Joe. He sold that scene hands
down.
LOVED the little talk Ronon had with Weir. Beautifully done.
LOVED Zelenka insisting on finishing his work on the array, even though he had just been wounded and was in shock. For telling Shep that he thought Shep had made the right decision about Elizabeth.
LOVED the puddle jumpers clearing the way through the asteroid field.
LOVED Rodney! Had to save Elizabeth, no matter the cost. Apologized to Shep - and meant it. Called Shep "John?" Wow!
LOVED Teyla. Supportive of Elizabeth, heck, supportive of everyone.
Wonderful special effects, terrific music, and also appreciated on how they diversified the background actors more this episode.
To be continued next week in "Lifeline" -- when we find out if Rodney can get the experimental jumper working.
Morjana
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9-29-2007 @ 7:38PM
Kevinc said...
SG-A isn't as good as SG-1 was in it's prime. I've always had a major problem with McKay. He was an idiot, who never got things right on SG-1 and now he is the head scientist. (even so, I'll agree this was better than any of the FINAL season episode of SG-1)
Good effects, except for the space jump which sucked, and stupid storyline...(Why didn't they just use a jumper to get to the wrecked conduit? or even park one in front of themselves to protect them from the rock bullets???)
Not a bad episode. Not enough Ronon.
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9-29-2007 @ 7:56PM
Aberdeen said...
I have to admit I watched the first season of Atlantis and thought it was okay, but not a hat on SG1. Then, things on SG1 changed (it's just not the same without Jack. Sorry) from fun to okay to Hey, is this Farscape or what? and I stopped watching both shows. So I missed the entirety of the last season, but it still feels like I've not missed a lot.
Frex, I'd like to know when Teyla's going to get to do something. What's-his-face is still hot, but please, the dreadlocks have got to go. Ditto for him getting something to do. Glad to see Zelenka's getting more air time, I always liked him. Dr Weir I never cared for, but hey, next week looks promising where she's concerned...
So, um, yeah. I would say it's neither better nor worse than SG1 - at this stage. I watch it if it's on, but um, don't miss it when it's gone.
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9-29-2007 @ 9:08PM
chris w said...
Missed the premiere. SciFis' fault(little promo) AND my fault(no BSG, no SciFi for me). I'm just glad this is now the ONLY first run SG on the air. The quality will be up. I'll be watching next week.
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9-29-2007 @ 10:53PM
Ron H said...
Got to agree on the last season of SG-1...sucked.
I did enjoy the episode...except for the part with Carter and plant boy.
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9-30-2007 @ 1:39PM
Brett said...
Great episode, but I'm not thrilled with were it's heading. I'm pretty sick of replicators.
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9-30-2007 @ 1:36AM
Sue said...
Nice episode recap. However, Jack's last name is actually spelled O'Neill.
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9-30-2007 @ 5:43AM
leoraine said...
I quite liked the first few season of SG-1. At the time, I thought it was the best show on TV and I still think that the first three season were very good. But the rest? Don't think so. What with Daniel dying, ascending, then becoming human once again and all the stuff around, it kinda lost it's appeal and when Jack left the show, I stopped watching it.
As for Atlantis - loved the cast from the first episodes!!! Sheppard is cool, and I like McKay more than I liked Carter. Beckett, Teyla and Zelenka [who is Czech and to tell the truth, I am kinda too, so... love the moments when he starts cussing in czech, lol!] I'm not a fan of Weir, kinda tolerating her, but if she leaves, no loss. All in all, I think this episode was quite good, and I can't wait for the next one. In the end, I like Atlantis better than the last few seasons of SG-1.
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9-30-2007 @ 9:49AM
Joe said...
I loved last season's finale, which just threw me so deep into love with this show that I almost didn't care SG-1 had finished. This premiere didn't disappoint, nor does the second episode from what I've seen.
Yet despite all this, I can't find myself liking Teyla or Ronon. SG-1 had strong characters that represented unique views and the like, but Teyla is useless and Jason Momoa is just horrendous. Send them the way of Rainbow Sun, Paul McG and Torri.
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9-30-2007 @ 6:23PM
Ian said...
Seems Elizabeth will be phased out of SGA soon and become a guest enemy "Replicator" witjh both sides at times questioning her loyalty.
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10-01-2007 @ 10:12AM
Chuck said...
Am I the only one who seemed to think the asteroid belt was a) completely hoaky (sp?) and b) scientifically bad? I mean, they destroy a huge asteroid right in front of the city, and yet the debris does no damage at all? Really, the city should have been destroyed by the millions of tiny asteroids they created, flying in every direction. Not the pithy three or four that did fly by, (which weren't supposed to be debris in the first place).
That being said, I love this show and had a great time watching this episode.
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10-01-2007 @ 12:21PM
Mimi said...
I liked this episode - I can't say that I loved it, but it was worth watching. I think this will be a good season and I am looking forward to seeing what happens. I'll be glad when the whole Replicator thing is over though - not one of my most favorite enemies. I miss the Wraith! They were much cooler!
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10-03-2007 @ 1:13PM
An Official Team Stargate Member said...
The brand new Official Stargate: Atlantis online game is available at stargate.MGM.com. This game goes along with Adrift. With a new mission every week.
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