I think one of the things that makes Atlantis feel so genuine and hence so interesting is it's treatment of minor characters. The focus is on the first Atlantis team but compared to SG1 the secondary characters get quite a deal of development and there are quite a few of them. Most notably:
Paul McGillion plays Dr Carson Beckett, a frequently recurring character whose wit, exasperation and dislike of gate travel and anything related to the ancient technologies is wonderful as the Scottish Chief Medical Officer.
Czech engineer Dr. Radek Zelenka - it takes one scene in "38 minutes" for David Nykl to make Zelenka endearing and subsequent screen time seems inevitable and anticipated. He just as quickly adds more character in his few minutes than others have with dominant screen time.His scenes with Rodney McKay are one of the gems of Stargate Atlantis.
Other minor characters such as Peter Grodin, Dr Kavanagh, Sgt Bates and even lesser characters leave an impression and are part of what gives the series its texture. It begins to feel like its real. That beyond the expeditions of the primary team there is a whole city full of people from all over the world, each with their own story, striving to bring Atlantis to life.
Of course, that's not say it doesn't have it's little
wobbles. Every show trying to find it's feet has shaky moments, Atlantis is no exception. They do succumb to the urge to cover cliché plots from every other sci-fi show ever shown but these occurrences are limited. One of them even acknowledging it with a few remarks about Kirk from Star Trek in such a way that you're almost willing to forgive them for it.
The character of Teyla(Rachel Luttrel) however is something that I'm not prepared to forgive them for yet. Clearly an attempt at a female Teal'c equivalent for SA:1 the character has no depth, in my opinion is there simply to be looked at. She's also very annoying.
Lt Aiden Ford (Rainbow Sun Francks) spent the entire season being very boring.
I feel Torri Higginson's character, Dr Elizabeth Weir, does have a lot of potential in her but its not something that's been greatly explored yet. It does look as if they're building up to something with her though. A strong, female civilian leader for Atlantis was a wonderful idea and is very nice to see.
Dr Rodney McKay becomes a wonderful character, going from the irritating git you want to deck, to the irritating git that despite yourself you love. One of the most interesting and yet exasperating characters with the everyman "Run away!" reaction he's portrayed wonderfully by David Hewlett who takes full advantage of a chance to shine and develops very well.
Our resident hero, Major John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) was not someone I took to at first, although I found he grew on me. After mid-season episodes "The Storm" and "The Eye" I was pleased to say I liked him. He was also very cool. Whether this was just me or some intentional build up I don't know but it worked very well.
"The Storm" and "The Eye" were very good episodes and had great character plays from Dr. Rodney Mckay and Dr Elizabeth Weir as well. Teyla was annoying. Ford too. I don't think anyone can fail to love Beckett for his comments to Ford.
Unlike Stargate SG:1, the majority of relationships in Atlantis are hinted at, alluded to, suggested of not trampled over and dealt with with all the subtlety of the self destruct system. This also allows for the potential pairings of a number of different characters which while it would lead down the soap-opera road if they dared follow it creates a lot of layers of interest for fans.
"Letters from Pegasus" is in essence a flashback episode such as Stargate SG:1 torture us with every so often the result usually leaving us feel cheated of an episode. Atlantis' version doesn't. The idea behind the episode itself is rather sweet, they use it to advance character development and keep you entertained throughout. It is entirely an episode in itself, interspersed with some definitive moments from the earlier episodes. Bravo.
"The Siege" Parts 1 and 2 are the season finale and what a finale they are. They contain something that Stargate SG:1 has not managed to pull off in a long time - suspense. There is a genuine feel of danger here and while you know they're going to get out of it you really, really, really want to know how they're going to do it in the "Siege Part 3" next season. They're also clever enough to add just the right incidents to add a distinct fear and make you question what is going to happen. You know fine well they must survive but exactly who will survive and at what cost is a question that genuinely floats through the viewers mind. It's also at this point you realise that not only is the plot brilliant but that you don't want these characters to die.
There isn't the deep love that men like Joss Whedon can create from his audience towards his characters but there is the care and concern towards them that many programmes simply lack. Any care still felt for SG:1 is really don't to being accustomed to them. In Stargate Atlantis it's because they've managed to interest you. To keep you entertained and intrigued. You don't know what's going to happen next and you want to. For once you actually give a damn about characters from the Stargate universe. So way to go Stargate Atlantis. Very well done, let's hope it stays that way.
Oh, and the Wraith? The plot motivations the entire series is based upon? Far creepier than the Goa'uld ever were. You know from the first glance they're going to be cool and creepy. See for yourself.
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