2004 |
20 50 minute episodes |
SF elements |
hostile alien contact; FTL travel |
Review |
It's difficult starting a new series spun off from an existing successful one. Some succeed (Angel, for example), but most fail (Crusade springs to mind). Stargate Atlantis is one of the successes. The premise is simple: a group of scientists and soldiers leave Earth for a trip to the lost Ancient city of Atlantis in the Pegasus galaxy, hoping to find technology to help in the war against the Goa'uld. But it will be a one-way trip unless they can find a power source to open their Stargate for their return. Once there, they discover an even bigger threat to humanity: the Wraith. The team struggle with advanced technology, limited numbers of personnel, and a galaxy full of people who have been harvested by the Wraith for generations. The series takes a few episodes to get going, for the characters to shake down. It manages not to fall into the trap of a strict "planet of the week" structure, but has just a few set pieces, with an arc that builds up to a fantastic climactic battle against the Wraith, and a nail-biting cliff-hanger. Roll on season 2! |
Rating: 3 |
[ unmissable | great stuff | worth watching | mind candy | waste of time | unfinishable ] |
reviewed 18 September 2005