What It's About:
Stargate Command's investigation of an Antarctic outpost built the Ancients (the technologically advanced race that built the stargates) led to the discovery of an abandoned city in the Pegasus Galaxy. A team headed by the diplomat Elizabeth Weir (later replaced by Col. Samantha Carter and then by Richard Woolsey) and Major John Sheppard is sent to create a new base of exploration, where they soon encounter the deadly hive-based, parasitic race known as the Wraith, the humaniform Replicators, and other enemies.
Origins:
Stargate Atlantis is a spin-off of the popular and long-running Stargate SG-1, coinciding with the latter's eighth season premiere after discovery of the Antarctic base at the end of the seventh season. With the closing out of SG-1 at the end of its tenth season, Atlantis became the franchise standard-bearer. The original seed for the show came out of ideas for a film that would have followed SG-1's cancellation by Showtime at the end of its fifth season, but evolved into a spin-off instead.
Key Characters:
John Sheppard's charms and the physical presence of actor Joe Flanigan have made him the natural focus of fan attention, but this Sheppard's nature has increased the pleasant contrast with his more abrasive colleagues -- in particular McKay (David Hewlett) and Beckett (Paul McGillion), who was killed off at the end of season 3 but later resurfaced.
- Cast and characters
- Interview: Robert Picardo
- Interview: David Hewlett
- Carson Beckett: Killing off a Fan Favorite
Flavor:
Stargate Atlantis is in many ways a straightforward science-fiction drama informed by such predecessors as Deep Space 9 and Babylon 5 as well as its own parent show, Stargate SG-1. The plot mechanics of an all-but unstoppable alien threat are balanced with the lure of the unknown and the forging of a team that can meet any crisis, if not without some internal tension.
Network:
Stargate Atlantis is shown on Sci Fi. For showtimes see Show Listings.
DVD Information:
Stargate Atlantis seasons are released on DVD shortly before the following season premieres. They generally contain several commentary tracks, featurettes about season milestones, and directors' discussions of key episodes.
