Stargate Atlantis: worth watching?

Bob the Gunslinger · Post by **Bob the Gunslinger** » 2008-02-25 01:21am

So my wife and I are big fans of SG1 and we're currently halfway through season 9. Well, the characters keep mentioning Atlantis, but all we've seen is the tv movie Atlantis Rising, and it kind of sucked. So, does SGA get better? Is it worth buying and watching? Do we need to watch it for SG1 season 10, or should we just read the spoilers?

Also, is there a lot of good back story for the Wraiths and the Ancients and/or a completely different threat after season 1? Or is it just a bunch of lame wraiths and bickering?

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-25 03:33am

I am not a huge fan of Atlantis. It has a few good moments, particularly early on with good team dynamics between McKay, Sheppard, and Ford, as well as solid supporting characters like Beckett and Halling. I can't say I'm too keen on Higginson's Weir though (I vastly preferred the original actress).

Eventually though, Ford stops being a regular character and that kills a lot of what little Atlantis had in the first place. Plots tend to be recycled garbage with the fucking Reset Button on damn near every single episode (oh, what's that, you got a new ZPM? No, we can't have that, sorry, it explodes. Oh, you found a way to dial Earth again? No, can't have that either... it, um... mysteriously disappears in a computer virus! Yeah, that's it).

The Wraith themselves are fucking dull. Uber space vampires. Yay. In the later season we do get a cool Wraith character by the name of 'Todd', and they've been playing him up lately, but other than that Wraith are goddamned retarded, both as concepts and in-universe. There's a fair bit in the way of the Ancients, expanding on them much more than SG-1 ever did, but all of it's in context with their war with the Wraith.

Apart from a few cross-overs, occasional mention of the other show, and some familiar cast members, they're pretty independent. You don't really need to watch Atlantis to follow SG-1 seasons 8, 9, and 10.

Superboy · Post by **Superboy** » 2008-02-25 04:08am

You definitely don't need to watch Atlantis in order to understand anything in SG:1 season 10. There's one crossover episode, but there's nothing in it to really be confused about, other than maybe the names of some of the characters.

As for whether it's worth watching, I certainly enjoy it. It's true that the Wraith are shitty villains, but they're used for some good story telling a lot of the time and they're not the only enemies Atlantis encounters.

Like Brother-Captain said, the reset button is used a lot. I can't count the times they've gotten a hold of some new powerful ship only to have it destroyed later that episode.

Despite these flaws, it usually is very entertaining and some of the characters are just a lot of fun to watch.

PREDATOR490 · Post by **PREDATOR490** » 2008-02-25 06:27am

To sum it up bluntly.

Atlantis is a lame attempt to milk the cash cow by reproducing the same material as SG-1 down to character clones of the original team. They hammer the reset button quite frequently and their story arcs are fractured with shit loads of fillers.

However, if you want to see more comedy filler content from interactions then Atlantis does that a lot with McKay and Sheppard. It isnt the same as SG-1 interactions but they have their moments. Basically, if you want to see a show that uses flashier effects and centres on mocking McKay then Atlantis isnt that bad. I would definetly say watching Siege is worth it mainly due to the build up they had going for them in season 1.

As for SG-1, watching SGA isnt required to keep up but watching it will allow you to understand what they are talking about when they occasionally mention Atlanits. SG-1 has a single crossover episode in Season 10 where you will see Atlantis so if your not keen on buying Atlantis you might want to skip to that episode to see it from an 'SG-1' perspective.
I never watchted Atlantis until I saw up to Season 9 of SG-1 and at best found it somewhat annoying how they were making references to things I didnt know about. Thats what got me to go and hunt down Atlantis and finally watch it so, as things go, Atlantis is it's own little universe with occassional overlap and languishing development.

Braedley · Post by **Braedley** » 2008-02-25 09:01am

While I'll admit that the reset button does get pushed in SGA far more often than SG1, it isn't as bad as some other series, namely Voyager ("Year of Hell" anyone? Great 2 part episode, but biggest button mash at the end ever). And when the button does get pushed, there are still elements of the plot remaining for following episodes, so not everything gets reset. I think our opinions may be a bit biased by season four, which has pressed the button (or at least lightly tapped the button) at the end of almost every episode thus far.

Zixinus · Post by **Zixinus** » 2008-02-25 10:05am

Like Brother-Captain said, the reset button is used a lot. I can't count the times they've gotten a hold of some new powerful ship only to have it destroyed later that episode.

Didn't they do the same thing with SG-1 for several seasons, up until Prometheus (the ship)? I mean they destroyed two perfectly fine and badass spaceplanes.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2008-02-25 10:12am

Having an episode where there's no fundamental change in the setting is hardly 'pushing the reset button' folks.

Honestly, Atlantis is usually entertaining to watch, and frankly, that's what matters, and makes it a good series.

Darksider · Post by **Darksider** » 2008-02-25 01:12pm

I'll second Necronlord's opinion.

Atlantis is usually fun to watch, although it has really been slipping for the past two seasons.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2008-02-25 01:46pm

Darksider wrote:I'll second Necronlord's opinion.

Atlantis is usually fun to watch, although it has really been slipping for the past two seasons.

Aye, with the exception of the stupid uber-wraith bug episode last season. That one was so mind fucking stupid that I almost quit watching. Theres also another episode just before that called "Sunday" that damn near made me quit watching as well. I won't spoil it for you, but you're gonna be mad as hell after you do.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-25 03:05pm

NecronLord wrote:Having an episode where there's no fundamental change in the setting is hardly 'pushing the reset button' folks.

I'm not decrying a lack of change. Unlike a lot of people here, I have absolutely no problem at all with so-called 'filler' that has nothing to do with the plot; in fact I prefer it.

What bothers me is the tendency for Atlantis to get something new, only to have it written off either by the end of the episode or within the next one or two. This has happened countless times with ZPMs, a connection with Earth, or some other new toy or gadget. If the writers don't want these things to upset the balance of power, they shouldn't write them in in the first place.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-25 03:10pm

Ghetto Edit: I should also point out that this includes character changes. Ford, okay, but losing Ford was pretty lame. All kinds of stuff keeps happening to McKay and Sheppard, only to have them magically restored to normal afterward. Compare with SG-1, where Carter is permanently altered by Jolinar, Jackson Ascends (and despite coming back to relative normalcy, it still affects him afterward), Teal'c gets tretonin and loses his symbiote, and O'Neill, well, he's O'Neill I guess.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2008-02-25 03:54pm

Brother-Captain Gaius wrote:Ghetto Edit: I should also point out that this includes character changes. Ford, okay, but losing Ford was pretty lame. All kinds of stuff keeps happening to McKay and Sheppard, only to have them magically restored to normal afterward. Compare with SG-1, where Carter is permanently altered by Jolinar, Jackson Ascends (and despite coming back to relative normalcy, it still affects him afterward), Teal'c gets tretonin and loses his symbiote, and O'Neill, well, he's O'Neill I guess.

Fourth season spoilers ahoy!

Well, we do have Teyla being knocked up, and the fact that she was genetically altered by the wraith.

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2008-02-25 03:54pm

If you like SG-1, you'll probably like SGA. I'll admit to being closer to it than SG-1 as I've been watching since halfway through the first season (as opposed to SG-1, where I came in during Season

. SGA Season 1's good, Season 2's even better, but Seasons 3 and 4 have faltered somewhat due to weaker stories, bad production calls, and a cast-in-flux reminescent of SG-1's later seasons. I'd still recommend it, though there are a number of flaws.

CaptJodan · Post by **CaptJodan** » 2008-02-25 05:03pm

I'll echo Brother Gaius' remarks regarding the reset button, among others. In fact, the one area where they haven't yet hit the reset button is the Asgard beam and shield technology, where Earth clearly has an advantage over almost everyone else (and certainly over the Wraith).

The absence of the Odyssey, along with some of it's more interesting toys installed (along with the EVERYTHING we've seen from the Asgard) in it still makes me wonder if the the last movie hasn't taken care of that huge jump in tech.

I mostly watch for McKay and his invariable antics, and if they rid the show of him, I doubt I'd tune in again. I always felt the overall concept of Atlantis left something to be desired. The Wraith seemed barely equal in overall strength to the Goa'uld, and the humans get a highly advanced (if not horribly flawed) city, and the benefits from years of technological upgrading with the fight against the Goa'uld. Atlantis, I feel, had a lot shorter distance to travel before the scales between them and the Wraith were equaled.

It just seems like now the writers are trying to find excuses to make their stories work.
"The team is trapped on an alien world with no way out!"
"Why not just have the Daedalus come and beam them up?"
"I...uh...it's back at Earth getting refitted."
"Ok, then what about the Apollo?"
"It's...busy doing something else."
"The Odyssey?"
"Shut up!"

It's seems, especially in the past two seasons, like they are having to find ways to invalidate the advances they've made by just becoming retards. No Atlantis based 302 squadrons, no Asgard beam weapons (you know, for when you just don't have a ZPM to power drones, which somehow don't need a ZPM in ancient warships to work), no set rotation schedule so that you have at least one BC-304 on station at any given time for defense of this very important outpost. The list goes on.

Ultimately, SGA is without a doubt a lesser version of SG-1. It's still watchable, but I have to turn off my brain more in SGA. I'd say that most of the characters, with exception to McKay, are nowhere near as interesting. Having said that, I think their supporting characters have been good (Zalenka, Keller (who I didn't like, but she's growing on me), Beckett, etc).

Paolo · Post by **Paolo** » 2008-02-25 06:35pm

I'm pretty disappointed with all the filler this season, plus the disconnected thinnness of the midseason three parter and Midway, and especially the rush job that is Kindred 1. They could've done a great deal more with the Teyla and Athosian subplot, especially considering the critical role it plays in Kindred, and even if Tori's not coming back in Season 5 (and assuming Be All My Sins is connected with Kindred), they could've sacrificed a lot of the later filler fleshing out that thread.

All in all, I had high hopes for Season 4 and I'm coming away feeling unsatisfied.

Bob the Gunslinger · Post by **Bob the Gunslinger** » 2008-02-25 09:14pm

You've given me much to think on. We'll have to discuss it and figure out if $30 is too much to spend on a 'watered-down SG1'...

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2008-02-25 11:03pm

I found season 1 and 2 actually pretty good, along with the conclusion to each cliffhanger. It was a lot like how SG-1 used to be, back when it was good. The characters only got.. familiar... when Ford Left, and Teyla/Ronin joined up... then ran out of stories after season 2 ended.

Still! The episodes with the Genai rule, as does 'The Seige'.

Post by **Vympel** » 2008-02-26 07:52pm

I've got to say, Season 4 is not impressing me so far. Most episodes I am giving the Deep Space 9 treatment - have it running in the background on my PC while I'm doing other things, going back to see what's happening if it looks interesting.

Needless to say, the plot of the latest episode was virtually incomprehensible to me for this very reason - I just wasn't interested enough to listen.

Though I did notice the uber-contrived way that Michael's Wraith cruiser fired on Daedalus and yet somehow the Daedalus didn't fire back with its beams and instantly blew it up, and instead just took fire until it got away - at which point it fired its beams and missed

But Seasons 1 to 3? I was pretty entertained.

Chris OFarrell · Post by **Chris OFarrell** » 2008-02-27 02:06am

Yeah I'd agree with most of the recommendations here.

Season 1 was the show finding its feet, but it had some excellent episodes The Storm / The Eye was VERY entertaining for me. There were also some great stand alone episodes, as well as the arc towards the end which had the Wraith coming to pay a visit.

Season 2 was so far the best season IMO. Siege III was great and there were some awesome episodes in it, critical mass remains one of my all time Stargate favs for various reasons. The characters appeared more natural, though I did quickly get sick of Ronan and Teyla increasingly went nowhere.

Season 3 was a little 'meh', the Replicators were a good idea in some ways, but just done very very poorly for what they COULD have been. There were some good stand alone episodes and the mid season 2 parter with Atlantis under attack was great fun, but less then season 2 IMO.

Season 4 has just been 'meh' for most part. Its the first season of Atlantis/SG1 I havn't been religiously...acquiring....the episodes. After the mid season arc finished, I've in fact skipped more or less everything, but I'm...acquiring...the season arc ender. Teyla actually got some character development, too bad its about two season too late really.

Vertigo1 · Post by **Vertigo1** » 2008-02-27 03:07pm

Pretty much the only reason why I still watch the show these days is because of McKay. If it wasn't for that character, Atlantis would have been cancelled after the second season. (if it made it that far)

You'll love the Sheppard/McKay interaction in the first season. Particularly in the second episode.

I won't spoil it for you, but the first few minutes will leave you rolling on the floor laughing.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » 2008-02-27 08:58pm

While I'll admit that McKay IS my favourite SGA character he's NOT the only thing making SGA worth watching (though the McKay/everybodyelse interaction goes a long way towards it).
And if anything what would have resulted in SGA being cancelled after the second season was the abysmally stupid hybrid Wraith Ford story arc.

No, it's not quite SG-1 leave alone at its height. Yes, the characters are practically carbon copies of the SG-1 team. It's still worth watching, and it still has its moments of greatness.
A lot of them involving Rodney McKay, admittedly.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2008-02-27 09:01pm

I liked McKay's interplay with Beckett. And Carson's accent <3.

But you could tell they aimed pretty low, if they duplicated an SG-1 villain.

Not to mention they dropped why the Wraith are 'The Wraith' after episode 1, instead of 'generic blue alien guys who suck health points out of you'.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » 2008-02-27 09:19pm

Excuse me? The concept of the Wraith doesn't change at the very least until the end of season 3?

CaptJodan · Post by **CaptJodan** » 2008-02-27 10:22pm

Batman wrote:Yes, the characters are practically carbon copies of the SG-1 team.

That's always been something that has grated for me as well, though it applies to Cameron moreso. I always felt SG-1 might actually have been interesting had they gone with the Russian-on-the-team idea that they toyed with when O'Neill stepped out. Instead of being an O'Neill clone (with just an addition of "My grandma always said..."), we could have had someone who shook up the team, and provided a different cultural perspective on things. It doesn't ALWAYS have to be about the USAAF.

SGA would have done good if they increased the diversity of their pool as well, especially since it was touted as being an international group. At this point the only person who comes from a "radically" different culture that gets air time is Zalenka. They got rid of their token black guy, and got rid of Beckett. Replaced by a white, Rambo-esque guy and a white American doctor respectively. I don't necessarily feel like every show has to conform to a certain number of diverse characters if it doesn't call for it, but damn it, Atlantis was supposed to be an international team, and I'd like to see more (and reoccurring) characters from other countries.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2008-02-27 10:26pm

CaptJodan wrote:That's always been something that has grated for me as well, though it applies to Cameron moreso. I always felt SG-1 might actually have been interesting had they gone with the Russian-on-the-team idea that they toyed with when O'Neill stepped out. Instead of being an O'Neill clone (with just an addition of "My grandma always said..."), we could have had someone who shook up the team, and provided a different cultural perspective on things. It doesn't ALWAYS have to be about the USAAF.

Damn straight. Not to mention the implied insult to Carter by bringing in a "joint leader" who is entirely her junior and has little to no stargate experience whatsoever, and the frankly nauseating prevailing idea that you have to have a "male lead" to carry the show. Hell, they could have even done the "joint leadership" thing if they really wanted to by just making Jackson a sort of civilian leader counterbalance to Carter's military background. And then you get your damned "male lead" too. Aieee.