Stargate Atlantis (Stargate Atlantis)

Member Name: chris212

Product:	Stargate Atlantis
Date:	11/06/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: From one of the best franchise series

Disadvantages: Can seem a clone of Stargate SG1

* Be warned I may give away some of the story if you have never seen the series

Stargate Atlantis is a direct spin off of Stargate SG1, another spin off of the hugely successful stargate Movie that was released in 1994. This is not a stand alone spin off as it is directly related to Stargate SG1, unlike the new third part of the franchise, Stargate Universe, which is a complete stand alone series, or at least that is what it is stated as.

The series begins on Earth with the discovery of the lost city of Atlantis, an advanced star ship that was abandoned over 10,000 years ago and the stars of the series moving into this new home that is in another galaxy. One of the biggest part of the plot of the story over the first few series is that the team cannot get back home, as they do not have the power to do so. This was what made the series interesting as it meant that the cast of the show had to survive by their self's without any help.

What this sealing off of the travelling back to Earth did, was allow the show to develop on its own, and create its own mythology or develop the ones that were already established. This has gone on to the villains of the show, as in Atlantis, the aliens are the live sucking kind that regenerate.

With the show it centred, as most of similar types do on the command team of Atlantis. These are Major / Colonel Sheppard, who is the typical hero type that always safes the day and does the right thing. The only problem with this character is that it is compared with the main lead on the other show Stargate SG1, Colonel / Gereral O'Neill played Richard Dein Anderson, as both are very similar to each other, as both characters are portrayed as stupid, while hiding their intelligence. Another character is Dr Mackay, who is the scientist that always get the team out of trouble. This character was originally in Stargate SG1, but is not the typical hero, as the character is self obsessed, although the character has been developed over the course of the show to be more of a team player. Second to this is the side kick to the main character, in the first two seasons this was Lieutenant Ford, but was removed as the character was seen as not working by the production team as the character was seen as bland, and was replaced by Ronan. This is again almost a transplant from Stargate SG1, as it follows the interaction between Richard Dein Anderson and Christopher Judge's character. The other character that makes up the team is Teyla Emmogen, the person that almost acts as the conscious of the show, as she always does the right thing, almost the equivalent of Daniel Jackson of the other show.

When reviewing the show, I find that the show worked best when it was left as a separate show, as by opening up the return to Earth it slightly spoiled the show, as it always meant an easy way out of trouble. Although saying this it did add a different dimension to the show, as it did allow for cross overs from Stargate SG1. But one has to compare the show to Stargate SG1, as it is almost a direct comparison, and when one does, it can be seen that Atlantis is a lesser show, as it is only a spin off and what can be found with some episodes is the same stories from Stargate SG1 being retold. Although all this could be said I would recommend the show to anybody that enjoys Sci-Fi shows, as the franchise is one of the best, or even if you do not like Sci-Fi shows, as it is not one of the most Sci-FI heavy shows.

Summary: Would recommend even if you don't like Sci-Fi programmes