TVSquad

(S04E20) "This is the most elaborate practical joke of all time, or I'm in serious trouble." -- John Sheppard

And there you have it. Atlantis wraps up its fourth season, its first out on its own, with a little time travel and a big cliffhanger ending. It was a finale that I had heard described as "different." Having now seen it, it's hard to argue with the description. Having 56 minutes of your finale be things that didn't actually happen is certainly not the norm. While we can probably all agree on the different label, the bigger question is, "Was it good?"

Gallery: Stargate Atlantis

(S04E19) "Just another day in outer space." -- Colonel John Sheppard

Now, let me introduce to you...the one and only Carson Beckett! Is he live or is he Memorex? That was the question on everyone's minds this week as fan favorite Dr. Beckett returned to Stargate Atlantis after his unceremonious death last season. Of course, Dr. Keller told us at the very beginning of the episode that he was Carson Beckett. This didn't mean squat, though, because there was a whole episode for that claim to be disputed.

So, was Carson actually Carson or something entirely different? And, what happened with Teyla and Michael? For that, read on.

Gallery: Stargate Atlantis: The Kindred - Part 2

(S04E13) 'Wait, what are the other numbers?' -- Teyla

'42.' -- Sheppard

'What is that?' -- Teyla

'It's the ultimate answer to the great question of life, universe and everything.' -- Sheppard

I seem to be getting the episodes of Stargate Atlantis to review that remind me of episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This week's episode, in which various members of the Atlantis team are trapped in different parts of the city after a false quarantine is declared, reminded me very much of the TNG episode 'Disaster', in which the crew members of the Enterprise are trapped in different parts of the ship after being struck by a quantum filament.

Gallery: Stargate Atlantis: Quarantine

(S04E06) One of the complaints that many have about Stargate Atlantis is the amount of one-shot stories that air as opposed to constant episodes involving the continuing battle with the Wraith, or Replicators, or Romulans, or whomever the evil race du jour is. While a continuing storyline such as this would be all well and good I think that it would also be boring and perhaps deter new viewers from watching. Heck, even Babylon 5 and the later seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had stand-alone stories. By allowing these episodes Atlantis gives newbies a chance to jump on without being utterly confused.