I watched the final episode of Stargate Atlantis (SGA) today. As finalés go, it is fantastic. I discuss high and low points below so if you are concerned about spoilers, do not read further.
The interactions between Sheppard and Todd are excellent. These scenes serve as a break from the otherwise frantic pace of the story but also serve to remind viewers of some events that have gone before. For instance, Todd having several zero point modules, while seeming to be a deus ex machina, does make sense given the fact that he had stolen a number from the replicator planet before it was destroyed. It also makes sense he would have held them in reserve, both by his character and for tactical reasons.
Ronon’s death scene is brilliantly played. It serves to show the danger of combat and that main characters are not exempt from death. His subsequent resurrection by the wraith, while seeming somewhat contrived, also has a sound tactical reason, and although one does wonder why the wraith do not have some sort of life-signs detection, it is not a technology that has been prevalent on wraith ships so its lack is not a glaring omission.
The means of destroying the wraith ship makes a great deal of sense, even if it has been done to death. They do receive points for having a plan that would have worked without the arrival of Atlantis as the last possible microsecond, even if all the main characters would have died. Thus, the fact that several plot contrivances bring the team together and later allow their lives to be saved can be swallowed since these contrivances themselves were not required to save Earth.
Wormhole drive, on the other hand, is one technology of the week too many. Zelenka saying that McKay has been working on it for years does not excuse its introduction, either, although the statement about its dangers does explain why it has not been used previously. I should point out that it is not the existence of such a technology that bothers me since it does fit within the Stargate universe nicely. It is merely the convenient timing of its revelation and the reason its revelation is required that make it an iffy contribution. All that aside, it does not cause any particular strain on the narrative and does, in fact, serve to heighten tension.
The mention of Hammond’s death was a nice touch as there is no doubt that had Don S. Davis would have happily reprised his role for this episode had he not died last summer. That Hammond died in the same manner as Davis and had a ship named after him was a very nice touch and no doubt Davis would be touched by the gesture.
Finally, the scene with all the primary cast members standing at the rail on Atlantis with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge was a great end. In fact, I think that scene ranks among the absolute best finalé moments ever.
No doubt there are people who didn’t like the fact that the episode felt cluttered just like any other episode. Some won’t like the fact that the wraith are still out there. Some won’t like the tech babble. Some won’t like the clichéd moments. But, you know, when it comes right down to it, the episode felt like a Stargate story. And had absolutely all the loose ends been tied up, those same people complaining about that would be complaining that things were tied up in too nice a package. Also, were this reality, just because a group of people decided to stop observing another group of people, it does not mean that other group of people is no longer there. Their trials and tribulations continue.
There is a SGA movie scheduled for release some time in 2009 which will, no doubt, be exciting. And, there is a new Stargate series scheduled to air this summer which should be interesting as well. No doubt both of these will eventually be able to pick up loose ends from SGA (and SG1 before it) to make an even bigger overall mess.
So now I leave you with one question. Just what, exactly, is this super top secret mission the Odyssey is on?