No Man's Land

DVD, Stargate Atlantis S3 (No Man's Land)

With 'Atlantis' still ongoing it doesn't feel like 'SG-1' is gone, and that was a pleasant realisation. There are still a couple of 'SG-1' films to come and now the prospect of anyone popping up in this series so it's a buoyant beginning to the new season, the first that stands alone, despite the potential for 'SG-1' crossover. I don't mean to keep going on about 'SG-1,' but it did make me happy that they included General Landry and a visit to the SGC for Weir as part of this opening story. I'd wondered how it would work now the parent series had gone, but with Landry there to provide moral support for Elizabeth and even the return of Wolsey to continue the continuity, the ties are as strong as ever. And these weren't just added for the thrill of it, Dr. Weir is called to account for her actions by the IOA. Wolsey may be sympathetic, but the others aren't. Weir knows she messed up, putting Earth in danger from Hive ships, but she's tough and she can take it, especially with Landry to back her, with his affecting words.

While there's a lot of warmth, there's also some plot confusion: how did they know The Wraith ships were going to call a halt just beyond the Pegasus Galaxy, an opportune time for both Daedalus under Caldwell and Orion under Loren to attack? For that matter, and the bigger question, why couldn't Weir bring the ZPM with her that would power the antarctic device to fend off an attack on Earth? Surely if she can travel through the 'gate herself she could bring it with her? I may be missing some wrinkle that's been explained before, like perhaps a ZPM can't go through a Stargate for some reason, but I needed them to remind me of it if there was one, and make one up if not. It's all very well using diversionary tactics with space battles galore and impressive visual effects, but the details need to be kept track of for the audience. And it was all very well, since the battle sequences were tense and exciting with missile blooms and terrific 'Matrix'-style drone squids ripping into the Hive, the furore of battle aboard ship caught also expertly in the furrowed brows, the sparking consoles and the fast, fluid dialogue as the teams all work together - it's more Trek than modern Trek is now, with no stinting on space visuals, ships battering each other without losing focus on the personal, the most important aspect of any screen battle.

With Robert Picardo back as Wolsey and Connor Trinneer returning as half-human Wraith Michael, it's almost a Trek episode in itself and I imagine they had intent in this three prong attack: Trek actors to bring in the Trekkers, 'SG-1' actors to get those 'gaters (or whatever they're called), to come back, and a thrilling opening for the mere viewers of 'Atlantis' itself. I'd say they succeeded and the only downside was that it was left 'To Be Continued…' I want it to continue now! And it could, since I have the DVDs sitting right next to me as I type. But I always do this weekly so I'm not going to change now, and it's encouraging that I'm in the position to look forward to coming back to the series again as quickly as possible, so it's doing its job! No one's forgotten, unless I'm forgetting them, pretty much everyone has something good to do. Okay, so Teyla is barely to be seen, but the boys all get good stuff and I'm sure she'll fare better as the season progresses.

It was very 'Star Wars,' partly for the special effects extravaganza, partly for other similarities, such as trying to escape from captivity aboard a huge enemy ship (at least they didn't end up in the rubbish compactor!), or Sheppard doing a Millennium Falcon and taking a ride on the outside of said vast ship. It was pleasing to see Michael assisting the good guys, Ronon and McKay do their bits, Zelenka does his, and Caldwell bravely takes his crew on a mission that looks like suicide. I like the way the characters act selflessly (though not needlessly - as McKay says, he'd rather use his last breath trying to get more oxygen if there's an option!), and come together in teamwork to find solutions. The deployment of the human-reverting genetic gas that changes Wraith back into their ancestral being (as far as I can remember), worked well, and the escalating threats and fast-paced drama that never lost sight of the characters and at the same time allowed moments of pause, such as the shots of ships hanging in space, plus humour that doesn't undercut the threat, made for a comfortingly balanced episode the way I like it and the way sci-fi should be done. Personal and global stakes, good effects and a hard-edged story all worked. One question: didn't all the Asgard die in the 'SG-1' finale, or were dying? If so, what effect does this have on Hermiod, the Daedalus' resident alien? I really hope they explore this and feel confident they will. Let's keep this quality going: 'Stargate' lives!

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