STARGATE ATLANTIS: Pride of the Genii by Melissa Scott

STARGATE ATLANTIS: Pride of the Genii by Melissa Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pride of the Genii written by Melissa Scott is the latest Stargate Atlantis novel released through Fandemonium aka Stargate Novels and is part of the Legacy series. If you are unaware of this series of novels then they begin where the TV series left off and followed Atlantis back to the Pegasus galaxy and into the chaos that was the Wraith and the Genii as well as many other factions who rode out the turbulent times after the city returned to the Milky Way.
This latest novel from Melissa focuses on the Genii and the recovered Ancient warship they brought to the final battle with Queen Death. Now fully repaired (or at least the best it can be without an Ancient shipyard) the Pride of the Genii with her crew many with ATA gene therapy derived from Wraith tech the Genii venture forth on a "goodwill" tour of allied worlds. This mission is the jewel in the still young leadership of Ladon Radim and nothing can go wrong but with the military coup an accepted way to gain power any weakness or misfortune could spell the end of his rule and his life.
Pride of the Genii is a great addition to the Legacy series of Stargate Atlantis novels as it builds strongly on the core of the series in growing societies and factions that were side stepped on the tv show or simply had so much more to offer. The Wraith have benefited greatly from the world building over the course of Legacy and now it's time for the Genii and for a society that played a part as an antagonist on the tv show there is so much more we need to know about them as a people and the individuals. Melissa delivers in full by not only cementing Ladon as a central character (who still has shades of light and dark) but bringing forth the social order he oversees. A military culture was firmly crafted for the show but we see a bit more of the push and pull within the military and how the science division and even civilian elements operate. As for the Atlantis and her people not a lot was added that we did not already know, this novel really wasn't about their development although John still dealing with the demands of leadership had its moments. I did mention in my first review of a Legacy novel how I really enjoyed the description of the symbiotic relationship between pilot and Ancient ship (Atlantis in that case) but here again we get a wonderful description of the bonding and emotional element between certain Genii and the ship and later with John. The hint of maybe sentience and certainly trauma was captivating, the idea the ship itself recalled its previous close call with death and the loss of her crew and her "screams" as the atmosphere burnt her skin in an uncontrolled reentry were totally immersive. The fact the Genii commander also felt the closeness with the ship says a lot for that officer and the type of man he is, another who would be open for honest and fair dealing with Atlantis.
Overall Pride of the Genii was an excellent read, a very entertaining story with great development of a culture that was never really my favourite but I am ready for the Genii to take more of a center stage in any future Legacy novels. The Genii after all may be right, the Wraith could renege on their deal, maybe not now but in a century who knows and woe anyone that isn't prepared....

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The Furies by Jo Graham

Stargate Atlantis: The Furies by Jo Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The threat of Queen Death escalates not only to every human in Pegasus but also to the factions of Wraith who she is alienating thanks to her scorched earth policy and together they face a stark truth. There is no help or salvation but from themselves and they all know in their hearts that the current dynamic within Pegasus has been shattered forever, for Pegasus to survive will take not only a military alliance but a fundamental shift in attitudes from everyone. This is the situation which has Teyla once again embracing the part of her which is Wraith and taking her place as a Queen for only a Queen can influence and manipulate the events in the direction which could mean a future for all.
The Furies by Jo Graham once again gives its all to lovers of Stargate Atlantis while enhancing and massaging the established canon from the tv series, some may see this as a bad thing but Legacy has to evolve the characters, it would have happened on the tv show and maybe in a similar direction. I still adore diving deep into the Wraith culture and the introduction of Waterlight was beautiful as is how the Wraith see the humans. The overlay of their worldview on the Atlantis command structure and personnel is inspired and makes so much sense and as is often the case it's the lack of understanding and insight which blocks potential solutions from being seen.
With the revelations and events in The Furies we can only look forward to their consequences in the next Legacy novel "Secrets", can't wait.

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Stargate Atlantis: Allegiance

SGA-18 Allegiance by Melissa Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reviewing the Legacy series is tricky, I was fortunate I read it well after the fact but was totally unaware of the major plot points but I never went looking for reviews either.
So here we go, Allegiance is the third novel in the series and Rodney is still very much missing and unaware he is helping to bring down his friends and family in Pegasus and after the failure of the first retrieval mission things look bleak. Atlantis greets some old and new friends from Earth but before anyone can get settled the city is attacked by forces loyal to Queen Death, the city survives mainly intact for all but one critical element. However we also see that Sateda in a small way is rising from among the ashes of it's former civilisation offering hope to Ronon but there are always other worlds and groups looking to exploit the resources of worlds unable to protect themselves. It seems diplomacy will be the tool of the day to protect and nurture alliances within the humans of Pegasus but the consequences of the bargaining being done could be severe...
Allegiance is another fine addition to the Legacy series, Melissa and Amy have done a great job incorporating new and previously seen aspects of the Atlantis tv show into this series and maintained the pacing and entertainment value while holding true to the spirit.

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Stargate Atlantis: The Lost

Stargate Atlantis: The Lost by Jo Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lost is the second book in the Stargate Atlantis Legacy series and the story quickly picks up from the first novel where McKay was captured by the Wraith. The fate of McKay was unexpected but in hindsight perfectly in sync with events as seen in the television series. The complexity of dealing with Todd and the Genii added some depth to the novel which did feel a little like a staging story, moving pieces into places ready for a more hard hitting events to come.
That said I am loving how the Wraith are being written and the creation and expansion of their world is one reason why this Legacy series needed to exist and while I've never been a fan of the Genii their presence in this story certainly gave counterpoint to dealing with Todd and the threat of the uber Wraith Queen. Overall a good addition to the series, not every book is going to be all action and suspense and the series will need to balance things out but so far the first two novels are proving well worth the time to read.

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Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Final Part)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 5 (continued)

Brain Storm
Mckay takes Keller to a physics review back on Earth and well things go wrong and
it's left to Mckay to unravel the experiment (based on his own work) and save the Earth.
Things also hot up between him and Jennifer:)

Infection
Todd's Hive ship is on course for Atlantis but on arrival no life signs are detected.
Upon investigation they find the crew in hibernation victims of the drug intended to revert them
to feeding the traditional way. Then they wake up not quite the Wraith they once were.

Identity
A woman inhabiting Keller's body causes mayhem in Atlantis before eventually being discovered
for who she is and the cause of the mind swap is discovered leading to a race against time to save
Keller who is in the thieves body awaiting sentence.
Dawn Olivieri guest stars as  Neeva Casol.

Vegas
An alternate Earth with familiar faces in different roles. A wraith survives an attack on the Earth
and plays poker in Vegas to get the cash to build a communications device but has to feed continually
thanks to the radiation exposure.
A phenomenally good but different episode, one of if not my favourite from the whole series,
great music and visuals.

Enemy At The Gate
The consequences of Vegas echo in our reality, the Wraith are on their way to Earth and they have
to be stopped at any cost. An ok season finale but a weak series finale.

Extras
Three Commentaries
Mission Directive
SGA goes to Vegas
Deleted Scenes

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 18)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 5 (continued)

The Shrine
A mission goes awry and McKay gets infected with a parasite responsible for a degenerative
disease common to the people of the Pegasus galaxy, it is fatal but it is said  a shrine on one
world will reverse the effects for a single day.
Kate Hewlett guest stars as Jeannie Miller once again:)

Whispers
Sheppard and McKay give support to the team led by Major Teldy who have found one of
Michaels old labs next to a deserted village. As night draws in a mist envelops the land bringing
the Whispers and a fight for survival.
Christina Cox, Nicole de Boer, Leela Savasta and Janina Gavankar guest star.
Bloody brilliant episode:)

The Queen
Once more Todd and his Wraith are brought into a plan to use a gene therapy on
his people to convert them to eating solid food but to make this plan viable the most powerful
Hive Queen will have to be convinced. Without his own Queen it is upto Teyla with apporpriate
surgery to play this role.

Tracker
Keller is kidnapped whilst on a medical mission, Ronon and Mckay go after her but it's one
of the Wraith Tracker victims who has her and is as experienced as Ronon in fighting and
evading his foes. Mike Dopud plays Kiryk, the actor returns with a recurring role in SGU.

First Contact
Daniel Jackson visits Atlantis looking for a hidden lab and together with McKay they discover
it and within hours a highly advanced alien race break into the city and steal a piece of technology
and take Daniel and Rodney as well.
Meanwhile the Deadalus has rendevoused with Todd's Hive in preperation for testing the drug
which could free the Wraith from feeding off life force.
A stunning mid-season cliffhanger, lots going on.

Extras
Four Commentaries
Misson Directive
Submerging the Stargate
Conversation with Joe Flanigan

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 16)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon
Season 4 (Continued)

Trio
McKay, Carter and Keller fall through into and old mining facility, trapped with the hole only
a few meters above them and in a shaky structure they attempt to escape with mixed results.
A middling episode but works due to the banter and chemistry between the characters.

Midway
Teal'c visits Atlantis to help Ronon prepare for an IOA interview, sparks fly.
Meanwhile the Wraith attack the Midway station and well the stunt guys are called to go above
and beyond. Christopher Judge guest stars. Loved this episode even though the chemistry
between the two strong and silent types was a little too forced, strangely enough when the
mist had cleared their relationship was a lot more believable.

The Kindred, Part 1
Teyla has a disturbing dream about her missing people and Keller investigates a plague that is
spreading quickly though human worlds in Pegasus. Teyla has a further vision of her babies father
leading her to believe he is still alive and is guiding her to find him.

The Kindred, Part 2
The failed resuce mission for Teyla does have it's own rewards with the unexpected discovery of
the man locked away in Michael's facility. With the information he provides and that from a
captured prisoner another mission is dispatched resulting in the rescue of the last remaining
Athosians but Michael with his prize once again escape.

The Last Man
A solar flare disrupts a wormhole and Sheppard is transported 48,000 years into the future and
it's not all wine and roses. Atlantis has been abandoned and he may be the only human left in
the galaxy but a McKay hologram has set a plan in motion to return Sheppard and armed
with foreknowledge of Michael's endgame.

Extras
Five Commentaries
Season 4 a Look Back
Deleted Scenes
Making of Trio

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 15)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon
Season 4 (Continued)

Be All My Sins Remember'd
The gangs all here and equipped with Asgard beam weaponry which proves highly effective
against Replicator ships. In a surprising move the Replicators retreat forcing a change of tactics
and a larger alliance to lay siege to their homeworld.
Michelle Morgan plays Fran the replicator in this uber CGI fest.

Spoils of War
A deserted Hive ship is found after tracking Todd's transponder.
The team eventually track him to a secret Wraith facility which is being used to clone a huge
army of new Wraith with the ZPM's and Todd's knowledge.

Quarantine
Once again the city locks everything down under a contamination threat leaving a number of people
trapped and dealing with various relationship issues and then the self destruct countdown begins.

Harmony
Sheppard and McKay agree to provide protection for a princess threatened by disloyal elements
in the court and aided by an outside power. Fun and games with the stroppy young woman.
Jodelle Ferland plays Harmony.

Outcast
Sheppard returns to Earth to attend the funeral of his father and Ronon tags along but as you
would  expect there is always something that will complicate matters. This time the nano-tech
experiments on Earth have created a rogue replicator lifeform.
Kari Wuhrer guest stars as Nancy Sheppard and Emma Lahana plays Ava Dixon.

Extras
Five Commentaries
Mission Directive

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 12)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 3 (Continued)

The Ark
The discovery of a time capsule which contains the last survivors of a culled world
is a cause for celebration until heartbreak and regrets lead to the crippling of
it's support system. The team are trapped in a decaying orbit desperate for esacape
and if possible to save the thousand souls. Not a great episode but the set design is wonderful,
it's filmed in such a way it looks absolutely huge and every room is dressed as a feast to the eye.

Sunday
A sanctioned day off the inhabitants of Atlantis, Carson is busy trying to last minute
organise his fishing trip to the mainland but everyone seems to be embrassing other
activites many of which only occur because it's the first official day or rest.
The final Rodney and McKay scene had me, bastards!

Submersion
The discovery of a Wraith vessel deep in the ocean whilst searching for a drilling rig
awakes the Wraith ships occupant, Teyla is the first to recognise the threat they are
under even if McKay refuses to accept her assurances.

Vengeance
After losing contact with the survivors of the Taranian people (S2e19) Sheppard and
co visit the planet but find the settlement deserted but then detect a single life
form deep into the tunnels beneath the settlement. The discovery of the dead Taranians
and the creature responsible has the team fighting for their lives and an even greater
threat appears. A wonderfully dark episode, not only in terms of sets and atmosphere
but the brutal research being undertaken and the resulting monstrosity.

First Strike
Faced with the Asuran building ships in large numbers the newly built Apollo nukes
the ship building facilities and in response a planet killer weapon arrives in orbit
above Atlantis. A top notch season finale with guest stars Jewel Staite and Michael Beach
and a really imaginative Asuran weapon.

Extras
Five Commentaries
Mission Directive
Season 3 A Look back

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 11)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 3 (Continued)

The Return, Part 2

Atlantis is under the control of the replicators and standing orders for a Foothold
situation is the desturction of the city. Sheppard and his team disobey orders and
mount a resuce mission for Jack and Woolsey and to save the city.
An excellent conclusion to the two parter, Jack is at his heroic best and the writing
is exceptionally good.

Echoes
Disturbances within the force, the magnetic force causes halluciantions which leads
to the discovery of apredictable flaw in the output of the Lantean star one which
with a 3 zpm powered shield would not be a problem.
A very interesting idea combining the technology and the organic elements of this world.

Irresponsible
Lucius (Richard Kind) is back and as to be expected mayhem insues especially when koyla
pops by for a visit. Fantasy Garden World was used for the village.

Tao of Rodney
Whilst shutting down systems to save energy Rodney comes across a Ancient experiment
which zaps him while he is messing with the controls. He seems ok until he gains
mental powers which allows him to read minds, use telekinesis and other abilities.
A true McKay episode:)

The Game
A seemingly innocent computer game has unforetold ramifications when it turns out
the game is actually real and the inhabitants of a far away world are subject to the
whims of those that play it. Laura Harris stars as Nola and David Dayan Fisher as Baden.
Now this was a very clever episode.

Extras
Five Commentaries
Mission Directive
Masters of the Alien

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 9)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 3 (continued)

No Man's Land
The season premiere kicks off from where the season ended, the aftermath of the battle between the
Dadealus and the two Hive ships. A desperate order is given to pursue the Hives and engage despite
both of them not being battle ready and to complicate things Weir is ordered back to Earth to brief
the IOA.

Misbegotten
With the captured Hive ship under going analyst the prisoners are being held on another world dosed
up on the Wraith anti-viral drug but as before it's ability to keep them unaware of who and what they
are is over estimated.

Irresistible
While searching for unused Stargates the team come across a small but tidy villiage with an many
mighty fine looking women including SGU's very own Julia Benson (Vanessa James). The cause
of this is one very unlikely "hero" called Lucius (Richard Kind) who seems to be loved by everyone
and eventually that includes the Atlantis personnel all except Sheppard.
A funny episode, Richard is fantastic as I guess the Harry Mudd of Stargate.

Sateda
Ronon is taken prisoner after visiting a village he had passed through when he was a Runner.
He is once again taken by the Wraith and returned to his homeworld of Sateda there is be the
game in one final hunt for his captors.
A good solid action episode adding to Ronon's backstory, some good McKay humour as well.

Progeny
An intact fully populated Ancient city, too good to be true?
Well of course it is, nothing is ever that easy in the Pegasus galaxy.

Extras
Five Commentaries
Two Mission Directives
Inside the VFX Department
Rachel Luttrell Profile

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 8)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 2 Continued

The Long Goodbye
The discovery of two escape pods in orbit around a distant world lead to Weir and Sheppard
playing host to the final few days of two personality imprints. Claiming to be man and wife
the truth is only revealed when the shooting starts.

Coup D'etat
Teams start to vanish and Major Lorne and his are believed to be dead but investigations reveal
a much darker agenda and meanwhile the Genii are offering a ZPM in exchange for weapons with
which to pull off a coup and put a new government in charge.
Colm Meaney reprises his role as Cowen and Laden is played by Ryan Robbins (Sanctuary).

Michael
The Wraith retro-virus is tested on a captured Wraith with very promising results but the folly
and arrogance of such a plan is shown when the prisoners memories and desires start to return.
The first episode in what will become a pivotal plot for the rest of the series.
Connor Trinneer (Enterprise) guest stars as Michael.

Inferno
Coming to the aid of the Taranian people who are having issues with their Ancient based defence
shield Mckay discovers that the geo-thermal energy used to power the shield is putting extreme
pressure which is pushing the super volcano to the point of eruption and that is a planet killer.
Brandy Ledford guest stars as Norina with Kevin McNulty as Lycus.

Allies
A Wraith Hive ship tracked for the last month arrives in orbit above Atlantis bringing a surprise
visitor. Faced with a new opportunity the two enemies agree to pool their resources with the goal
to convert Wraith into humans for the remainder to feed upon reducing the overall numbers and
creating a new balance in the galaxy.
Andee Frizzell once again plays a Wraith Queen.
A traditional oh my god SG season cliffhanger.

Extras
Five Commentaries
Paul McGillion Profile
Road To A Dream (Martin Gero)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 7)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 2 Continued

The Hive
Prisoners on board the Hive ship so much for Ford's brilliant planning. Faced with interrogation,
torture and betrayl the future looks very bleak as does the people of the world about to be culled.
A good conclusion to this two parter, stunning CGI and some interesting tweaks to the
Wraith mythology.

Epiphany
A protected society becomes the home for Sheppard when he is unable to pass back through
it's barrier. Time moves on and months later he had accepted the world he now lives in and
even protects the village from the beast that preys on these people but his friends have not
given upon resucing him either. An interesting story or acceptance and community with the
Ancient angle fleshing out their back story.

Critical Mass
The Trust/Goa'uld infiltrate Atlantis with the intent to destory it and make sure they Wraith
are unable to encroach on the Milky Way.
Who is the mole, someone on base or someone on the Deadalus?

Grace Under Pressure
A repaired jumper is taken for a test flight and crashes in the middle of the ocean.
McKay is trapped as it sinks into the depths and his head injury leads to some interesting
conversations with himself and a version of Sam.
Wonderful epiosde with Amanada Tapping guest starring.

The Tower
A socity controlled by a small elite with access to Ancient technology captures the team with
the intent to gain access to genetic element that Sheppard posesses to contine the ruling blood line.
Peter Woodward (Crusade) and Jay Brazeau (SG1) guest star.

Extras
Five Commentaries
David Hewlett Profile
Stunts

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 6)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 2 Continued

Trinity
The discovery of a dead world surrounded by the wrecks of Wraith Hive ships leads to the
discovery of a powerful weapon powered by an advanced Ancient energy generation system.
Mckay gets the go ahead to continue the experiment and his arrogance leads him into doing
something stupid. A "b" plot follows Teyla and Ronon on a trading mission which is used to
explore some of his backstory.
An excellent episode highlighting the weak elements of some of our main characters.

Instinct
A low tech world and people are terrorised by what seems to be a Wraith which survived a crash
a decade previously. Offering their help the team enter the woods and find a young Wraith female
too young to have been part of the massacre ten years ago and her existence revels more about the
world and the people.
A nice episode, touching in some respects and Jewel Staite first appearance on SGA.

Conversion
Sheppards injury from the previous episode flares up and slowly his DNA is rewritten with elements
of the Iratus bug. A risky medical procedure is undertaken by Carson with the prime ingredients only
being found on the Iratus homeworld and so the mission is on to find and claim the
necessary components.

Aurora
With long range sensors back on line a long missing Ancient warship is identified in deep space.
The Daedalus is sent to rendezvous but the ship is dead and the crew in long term cryo-storage but
their brains are active and interfaced with the ship which allows them to "live" in a artificial reality.
This is a cracking episode, the Aurora is not a pretty ship but the interior is clean and sharp
befitting the Ancients and what a great idea to have the crew not aware of what had happended
these last 10,000 years.
Pascale Hutton (Sanctuary) plays First Officer Trebal, looks great in a uniform:)

The Lost Boys
The team are ambushed by Ford and his men all juiced up on the Wraith enzyme. Desperate to
convince them that the drug is nothing but a positive they are exposed and then the plan to attack
a Hive ship is revealed, first of a two part story.
Welcome back Ford who has got far more interesting since he went "dark" and a good story
for his character.
                             
Extras
Mission Directives
Five Commentaries
Introduction to Ronon Dex

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 5)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Season 2

The Siege (Part 3)
The battle for Atlantis continues with the first round won thanks to the nuclear option and the
arrival of the Daedalus which then takes the fight to another incoming Wraith Fleet. Lt Ford is
under the influence of the Wraith hormone and and a wild and risky gambit is taken to save the day.

The Intruder
On route back to Atlantis mysterious accidents and deaths occur leading to the discovery of an
insidious stowaway on board the Daedalus. McKay and Hermoid are on the case, humour ensues:)
It's not the first time this plot has been used in the franchise but it's done well and the characters
involved work well together, the use of flashbacks also adds a lot of weight to the story.

Runner
Finding evidence of Lt Ford's handy work on another world Sheppard and Teyla are captured by
Ronon Dex a "runner" released by the Wraith for their sporting pleasure.
With little trust between them and Ford and pretty much everyone else it's all treading on egg
shells and then the Wraith arrive.
An excellent episode full of action and humour and a good story to introduce Ronon (Jason Momoa).

Duet
Now this is an out and out funny episode.
McKay and Cadman (Jaime Ray Newman) are zapped up by a Dart which is then shot down.
Zelenka retrieves one of the patterns which turns out to be McKay but Cadman's
spirit/soul/personality is now sharing his brain and body.
An absolutely brilliant episode with Claire Rankin as McKay's love interest:)

Condemned
A world with high technology has the potential to be a good trading partner despite their use of
prisoners to sacrifice to the Wraith a tradition that has been going on for centuries. Trapped on
this prison Island where the Stargate is positioned the team has to battle the inhabitants unaware
that they are on the menu for the local Wraith commander.
The story required a lot of leeway from the viewer but it didn't turn out to bad.

Extras
Mission Directives
Five Commentaries

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part 4)

Stargate Atlantis Marathon Disk 4

Season 1 (continued)

The Brotherhood
Armed with gate co-ordinates to a number of worlds that should contain a ZPM the team
visits the world of Dagan. The ZPM had been protected 10000 years ago by an order of monks
who were then culled by the Wraith so armed with only clues to it's location a treasure hunt is
undertaken but unknown to them the search reaches the ears of the Genii.

Letters from Pegasus
With the arrival of a Wraith fleet just a couple of weeks away Sheppard and Teyla go on a
recon mission while back on Atlantis McKay works out how to get a message to Earth and
with 1.3 seconds of digital data personal messages can be included. This is brilliant episode,
we see the Wraith in full culling mode as well as some of the major and minor characters
expressing themselves to the camera, some are very funny and others moving.

The Gift
Teyla is having trouble sleeping and is more troubled than those around her by the arrival
of the Wraith. She visits her people on the mainland to get advice from an elder and hears stories
of her ancestors including tales of some who were taken and then returned. Armed with this
knowledge she attempts to make telepathic contact with a Wraith but finds their minds too powerful.
A mixed episode, yes they had to lay the ground work for the revelation with Teyla but the suspicion
and threats were a little too telegraphed, that aside building nicely to the finale.

The Siege (Part 1)
McKay and Grogin (Craig Veroni) go to the weapons platform with the intent to repair it as it will
be in the path of the Hive ships when they enter the solar system, as they know it is dead
(from the last war) they will not be expecting the ambush. Meanwhile back on Atlantis the search for
a Wraith is under way and work towards a reliable self destruct method is devised.

The Siege (Part 2)
The Wraith are knocking on the door but events in the Milky Way have allowed for re-enforcements
to arrive armed with heavy weapons and nukes with which to put up a viable point defence of Atlantis.
Of course the Wraith were smart enough to handle the Ancients and it's little arrogant for Earthlings
to expect to win this battle but the stand has to be made.
The Siege parts 1 & 2 are an excellent conclusion to the first season, we get lots of action, CGI
which would not look out of place in the theatre and a few surprises and if combine them with
Rising 1 & 2 and you have top quality bookends for the season.

Extras
Mission Directives
Four Commentaries
Season 1 Review

Stargate Atlantis Marathon Part 3

Stargate Atlantis Blu-ray Disk 3

Season 1 (continued)

The Eye
The conclusion to the The Storm as the battle for Atlantis continues now becalmed in the
eye of the storm. Sheppard aided by the return of a jumper from the mainland continues
the war to attrition with Koyla which has rapidly become personal. Who is going to blink first?
Another cracking episode, top notch performances and full use made of the standing sets.

The Defiant One
A jumper journey to a planet on the far side of the solar system leads to two discoveries.
The first is an Ancient weapons platform which looks undamaged but powered down and the
second a crashed Warith vessel which holds one very nasty surprise.
This was quite a good character episode both for Sheppard and McKay and shows how
resourceful the Wraith can be.

Hot Zone
Whilst exploring Atlantis a number of people seem to become infected and start hallucinating
until their brains pop. Faced with a potential outbreak the city is locked down and we see the first
dissent shown by Sheppard to Weir which leads to more problems when the city itself expands
the lock down due to this mysterious contagion.

Sanctuary
Under fire from Wraith Darts the team are running for their lives when a huge energy sphere
from a planet wipes the Wraith out but leaves the jumper intact. Investigating the planet they
discover the temple of Athar and the priestess Chaya/Sar played by Leonor Varela who
accepts the invitation to visit Atlantis.
Sanctuary is a good episode, very much in the spirit of classic SG1 combining action,
humour and a dose of relationships/ethics to create a good story.

Before I Sleep
The discovery of a woman in Ancient hibernation poses some questions and the answers are
not what anyone expected.
The franchise never seems to make a poor time travel episode and this one really works as it
offers up an alternative set of results for when the expedition arrives at Atlantis. It's also
interesting in to what we see of the Ancients as they were before Ascending including
a couple of familiar faces.

Extras
Mission Directives
Four Commentaries

Stargate Atlantis Marathon (Part2)

Season 1 (continued)

Childhood's End
A mysterious malfunction leads the team to a society where everyone us young and when
reaching 25 years of age the people take their own lives in the belief that the sacrifice is
helping to keep the Wraith away. Given leave to repair the jumper the team struggle with
the desire to prove Ancient technology is the reason the kids are safe not the sacrifice but
when McKay removes the ZPM the Wraith are on their way.
This episode was a little too cliched for my liking although nice to see Courtenay J Stevens
who has appeared in SG1.

Poisoning the Well
On the planet of Hoff the people continuously rebuild their society after a Wraith culling
thanks to depositories of knowledge carefully hidden along with the secret of a compound
believed when developed to make them immune to the being harvested by the Wraith. Carson
adds his expertise to the research and the drug is created and tested but has a worrying result
which could make this world a prime target for destruction not feeding.
This was a good episode, some nice twists and turns coupled with ethical issues.

Underground
A peaceful agricultural community hides a dark secret.
This is the episode we meet the Genii who play a major part in the early adventures in the
Pegasus galaxy as well as giving us two excellent protagonists in the shape of
Cowen (Colm Meaney) and the yet unseen Kolya.

Home
A huge energy field surrounds a Stargate on a dark and dank world.
McKay believes the gate can tap this energy and once setup be able to dial an Eight symbol
address and connect to the gate on Earth. This is achieved and a number of Atlantis personnel
return to home but something is not quite right.
This was a very imaginative episode and great to see some familiar faces from SG1.

The Storm
A huge hurricane/cyclone is heading towards Atlantis which has no shield protection but a crazy
idea using the lightening is used as an excuse to get 99% of the people out of the city and
leave a token few onboard who then have to defend the city from an incursion by the Genii led
by koyla (Robert Davi).
A cracking episode combining a good story, lots of action and tense situations.

Extras
Wraith Doc
Rainbow Sun Francks
Two Commentaries

Stargate Atlantis Marathon

Stargate Atlantis (Disk 1 Blu-ray)

Season 1

Rising (Parts 1 & 2)
The discoveries made at the Artic facility lead the SGC to identify the location the Ancients
travelled to from Earth and with a Gate address an expedition is formed for what could be a
one way mission.
On arrival a desperate need for an energy source has them gating to a planet where they meet
the native peoples and by bad luck or carelessness wake a Wraith Queen and her Hive.
An excellent series premiere with a solid guest performance from Robert Patrick and a story
that got into it's stride very quickly and set up the "world" we will be sharing with them.

Hide & Seek
McKay under goes the Gene therapy to allow him to use Ancient tech and in what sets the tone
for his adventures it doesn't quite go according to plan and more complications arise with an
intruder in the city.
A weak episode but I guess they are still finding their feet.

Thirty Eight Minutes
A puddle jumper gets stuck in an active gate, with only 38 minutes before the gate shuts down
and chops the jumper in half decisions and sacrifices have to be made. Complicating matters
is the issue with Sheppard who has an alien "bug" embedded around his neck slowly killing him.
A classic genre trope with a definitive timeframe to solve a problem, always works well.

Suspicion
The Wraith continue to appear as if by magic on worlds the team visits. Suspicion falls on Telya's
people and they are restricted in their movements causing upset and conflict.
Sheppard discovers the mainland and the Wraith get a nasty surprise.

Extras
Three commentaries
On the Set tour

The series kicked off very strong, Rising is a top notch pilot although drawing on events 
from SG1 certainly helps matters. The next three episodes did not reach the same level 
but they do  have to handle the world setup and that's tricky to do whilst maintaining a 
solid arc narrative so they get some leeway from me:)
I also got chills when the theme kicked in, excellent piece of music and hadn't heard it 
since the series finale nearly 3 years ago.