(May 29, 2021) I like this episode. On the disc commentary, the director explains why it was written (plot development). It also has fun sexual tension between Lt. Col. Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and Larrin (Jill Wagner). Unfortunately, the director does not mention the idea is a total ripoff of the brilliant (and much loved) TV series "Firefly" (2002-2003). It's very obvious to anyone who has seen both. In spite of this, it's still a good watch.
5 Reviews
Poorly Written Episode...
jasonemartin-759273 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
One major red flag with writing for a television series is when the characters do things that don't make sense. And Sheppard's behavior in this episode really doesn't make sense.
Why would he agree to hand over a warship of the Ancients that could provide tremendous technology for reverse engineering to the scientists of Earth... and to hand that ship over to a group of people so unethical they would kidnap Shepppard, take his blood from him against his will to control an Ancient ship, and above all torture Sheppard? What's more, they threatened to kill Sheppard if he didn't do what they want. Do people like this sound trustworthy? I mean, Sheppard handing over control of the ship to them is a bit like handing over the ship to the Genii. It's something Sheppard would never do.
And Larrin's claim that she needs the ship to benefit her people was an utter joke of a justification for Sheppard's behavior because the Genii would make the same claim, yet Sheppard would never give them such a ship.
It's also a highly unethical decision for Sheppard to make to hand over control of an Ancient warship to people who are so unethical because he is handing over the ship to people who have already demonstrated a propensity for unethical behavior, and who are demonstrably untrustworthy. It would be like arming the Genii. Any reasonable person would have a strong suspicion that the weapons of the ship would not be used for an ethical purpose.
Sheppard's behavior in this show is essentially him providing weapons of war to violent criminals who torture and kill people to get what they want. It's not something Sheppard (or any ethical person) would do, and is therefore bad writing.
Why would he agree to hand over a warship of the Ancients that could provide tremendous technology for reverse engineering to the scientists of Earth... and to hand that ship over to a group of people so unethical they would kidnap Shepppard, take his blood from him against his will to control an Ancient ship, and above all torture Sheppard? What's more, they threatened to kill Sheppard if he didn't do what they want. Do people like this sound trustworthy? I mean, Sheppard handing over control of the ship to them is a bit like handing over the ship to the Genii. It's something Sheppard would never do.
And Larrin's claim that she needs the ship to benefit her people was an utter joke of a justification for Sheppard's behavior because the Genii would make the same claim, yet Sheppard would never give them such a ship.
It's also a highly unethical decision for Sheppard to make to hand over control of an Ancient warship to people who are so unethical because he is handing over the ship to people who have already demonstrated a propensity for unethical behavior, and who are demonstrably untrustworthy. It would be like arming the Genii. Any reasonable person would have a strong suspicion that the weapons of the ship would not be used for an ethical purpose.
Sheppard's behavior in this show is essentially him providing weapons of war to violent criminals who torture and kill people to get what they want. It's not something Sheppard (or any ethical person) would do, and is therefore bad writing.
Integral to the season story arc, but otherwise forgettable
n-middleton-1176 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The episode introduces a new race, the Travellers, who will become important in the story arc of the season as one of the few other technologically advanced races to master interstellar travel.
However, the whole episodes revolved around Shepard and the lead female character of Larrin, who is a polarising character. Although she superficially seems to have a lot of the characteristics to make her appealing to a wide range of audience; she's good looking, she's a leader, and she fights hard, she also is a character that seems very artificial and woefully illogical. Common sense seems to go out the window when writing her scenes just in an attempt to make her appear to be more of a bad a***.
It's not that we don't like the writers trying to make characters appear strong, but it's more admirable when they do so in realistic ways. Seemingly having a physical dominance over Shepard, who in one scene, cops a beating from her in his cell, rather than defending himself and escaping just seems wrong. It makes Shepard seem week and incompetent more than it does to portray Larrin as a tough and strong leader.
Overall, the episode still earns a pass grade, because the story isn't terrible ad it's forms an important part of the rest of the season, but it loses marks for sloppy writing and failing to properly sculpt a new character who could have otherwise been really admirable.
However, the whole episodes revolved around Shepard and the lead female character of Larrin, who is a polarising character. Although she superficially seems to have a lot of the characteristics to make her appealing to a wide range of audience; she's good looking, she's a leader, and she fights hard, she also is a character that seems very artificial and woefully illogical. Common sense seems to go out the window when writing her scenes just in an attempt to make her appear to be more of a bad a***.
It's not that we don't like the writers trying to make characters appear strong, but it's more admirable when they do so in realistic ways. Seemingly having a physical dominance over Shepard, who in one scene, cops a beating from her in his cell, rather than defending himself and escaping just seems wrong. It makes Shepard seem week and incompetent more than it does to portray Larrin as a tough and strong leader.
Overall, the episode still earns a pass grade, because the story isn't terrible ad it's forms an important part of the rest of the season, but it loses marks for sloppy writing and failing to properly sculpt a new character who could have otherwise been really admirable.
Worst Episode
JLI202310 October 2023
I'm re-watching Atlantis and had to stop to write a review for this spectacularly terrible episode. Shepherds behavior is totally inconsistent with prior episodes. He blunders around the whole time making mistakes and letting himself get duped. It's just so painful to watch. This is the guy who single-handedly stopped the Geni invasion!? The lady is unethical and her strategy for getting Shepard's help makes no sense. All I'm asking for is consistency in the main characters and common sense motivation for new characters. I understand this episode is important for the plot arc, but I wish it was also watchable.
Pleasing Adventure But Missing The Expected Punch Line
StuOz6 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Sheppard is on a mystery spacecraft with a sexy woman.
Wow! I am the first to review this, I was expecting a few reviews.
While this episode is not perfect it is a nice change to leave those Canadian jungle filming locations and have an hour in a more confined setting (large spaceship).
The chemistry between Colonel John Sheppard and the sexy woman is what makes this tale rather pleasing. And there are moments of pure suspense when The Wraith get involved in things.
The final minute of the hour was just crying out for Rodney McKay to make another one of his Star Trek: The Original Series references when Sheppard explains he was too busy to have any funny business with the woman. I was expecting McKay to say - "Captain Kirk would have had time" - but never got it.
Wow! I am the first to review this, I was expecting a few reviews.
While this episode is not perfect it is a nice change to leave those Canadian jungle filming locations and have an hour in a more confined setting (large spaceship).
The chemistry between Colonel John Sheppard and the sexy woman is what makes this tale rather pleasing. And there are moments of pure suspense when The Wraith get involved in things.
The final minute of the hour was just crying out for Rodney McKay to make another one of his Star Trek: The Original Series references when Sheppard explains he was too busy to have any funny business with the woman. I was expecting McKay to say - "Captain Kirk would have had time" - but never got it.
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