Solar Flare: Science Fiction News

Last season’s cliffhanger is quickly resolved with the arrival of the Daedalus just in the nick of time. Not only do they have a ZPM to power Atlantis shields, but they’re loaded with so much Asgard technology they can take on one of the Wraith Hive ships. But there are still Wraith all over Atlantis and our heroes are largely unaccounted for.

Its an action packed opening quarter, but the primary threat of the Wraith is removed just a little to easily for my satisfaction. The special effects are every bit as impressive as I’ve come to expect from Stargate: Atlantis

As a closing episode for the three part Siege storyline, this is a fairly effective episode. Most dangling plot threads are resolved, though perhaps a little too neatly in some cases. As an opening episode for the new season, it’s not so strong. While it was largely hidden for most of the season, season 1 did have the constant threat of the Wraith arriving somewhere in the background.

The basic threat of the Wraith has always been overwhelming numbers. By being able to take down those three hive ships so quickly that threat is dramatically watered down. Yes, Atlantis couldn’t win the battle one on one, but they’ve shown their technology is capable of defeating the Wraith. Suddenly 57 Hive ships doesn’t seem like so many does it?

As usual with episodes of Stargate Atlantis, Rodney is the most interesting character and many of the others still come across as very bland. But they have taken steps to make Lt. Ford more interesting at least. Of course they then promptly appear to write him out of the series on any regular basis.

Still if the rest of the season manages to stay as good as this one, season 2 of Stargate Atlantis will be superior to season 1 and how much more can you really ask for?