Solar Flare: Science Fiction News

Letters From Pegasus is a strange mixture of an episode from this first season of Stargate: Atlantis. On the one hand it features some very touching moments, particularly when Dr Weir sends personal messages to the family of each team member who has died (and damn aren’t there a lot of those already). On the other hand they featured so many flashbacks that it was in danger of turning into a clip show.

On my third hand, the episode did an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of impending doom. But, on my fourth (and you’ll be glad to know final) hand, the little trip that Teyla and Sheppard took served no obvious purpose at all since all we saw was them sitting in the ship. It just felt like filler to me.

So I guess ten out of ten for concept, but only about six out of ten for execution.

Again and again with Atlantis I find that I’m really wanting to like the show, but it rarely seems to quite click like it should. McKay remains the only character who consistently entertains me. While Sheppard and Beckett have their moments the feel too stereotypical to me. The female cast come off particularly badly. Weir is rarely allowed to do much more than emote concern and Teyla isn’t even allowed that much.

I’m left feeling that there’s huge untapped potential in the Stargate: Atlantis setup. While they hint as a little tension in the city there’s no real evidence of it. Some genuine conflict in the ranks would definitely increase my interest.