TV Review: Stargate Atlantis 5.10 – First Contact
Posted by Kevin Carr (kevin@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 27, 2008
Stargate: Atlantis, SciFi, Airs Friday 10/9c
Episode: “First Contact” (Season Five, Episode 10)
Synopsis: Dr. Keller (Jewel Staite) accompanies Woolsey (Robert Picardo) and Ronon (Jason Momoa) to rendezvous with Todd the Wraith (Christopher Heyerdahl) to start administering the new gene therapy. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) comes to Atlantis to search for an secret Ancient lab with the help of Rodney (David Hewlett). However, when they discover the lab, a device attracts mysterious soldiers who kidnap Rodney and Daniel, along with a powerful weapon against the Wraith.
Review: After faithfully watching four and a half seasons of Stargate: Atlantis, I recognize that David Hewlett is probably the most versatile actor they have. With very few exceptions, he is the guy you can pair with anyone – from human to Wraith. In the past, we haven’t seen Daniel Jackson and Rodney McKay share much screen time. Previous SG-1 crossovers paied McKay with Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping). This made sense, considering the torch that McKay carries for Sam and the fact that both of them are mathematical geniuses.
However, pairing McKay with Daniel Jackson proves fruitful ground for the humorous side of the show that the fans love. Opposites work in the Stargate universe – and while they’re both geniuses, Rodney’s focus is math and physics while Daniel’s focus is Ancient history. That’s why Daniel Jackson was a good foil for Jack O’Neill and why Rodney is a great foil for Col. Shepherd (Joe Flanigan). This show ends in a cliffhanger with Rodney and Daniel as hostages off-planet, so we can expect more banter in the next installment.
Overall, this season of Stargate: Atlantis is shaping up to be one of its best. The shaky alliance between Todd’s Wraith and the Atlantis team is threatened, and the entire Wraith war is escalating with the realization of new weaponry and tactics. As much as I love this show, the fact that it hasn’t been renewed for another season might play out well for the fans. After all, how many more season-ending cliffhangers can we handle in which the Atlantis team is double-crossed by the Wraith. Things are heating up for one hell of a season finale, and I’m pretty freakin’ excited for that.
Up Next: In two weeks, Stargate: Atlantis returns with the second part of this episode. We find out the fate of Shepherd and Zalenka, and we might just discover who the masked captors are. It’s being billed as “The Most Talked About Episode Yet.” That may not be necessarily true, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.
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Did you watch Stargate: Atlantis this week? If so, feel free to discuss below.
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