I actually missed the last 3 seasons of Atlantis, so a slight binge-watch was required for me to catch up.
This episode ties in to the previous "alternate-timeline" episode "Vegas" (which was filmed in Vegas) where we got to meet another alternate version of John Sheppard, one who was very much like his Wraith Buddy "Todd": i.e., half crazy. Originally I assumed that the Mackay alternate in that episode was the same one that rode Mackay's "Bridge" and caused yet another ZPM to be prematurely depleted. But that Mackay had stated that his "Sheppard" was even smarter than he was, a Mensa type. This parallels Sheppard to Jack O'Neil who while feigning simplicity or ignorance, was actually very smart.
Something very bad from that alternate episode finds it's way into our Atlantis 'verse, but it happens while the Daedalus is trying to deal with a Hive Ship that is being powered by a ZPM! Of course, our friend Todd the Wraith had brought Atlantis this information. and of course, he has left out many important things.
This episode starts like all the rest of the Season-5 episodes, but it escalates from five minutes in. By sheer luck, the Daedalus is not vaporized by the ZPM-powered Hive, but that same ill luck brings that bad thing from the alternate universe into our 'verse.
Surprisingly, this episode features that last ever appearance of "Kavanaugh" (Ben Cotton) and he saves the day, just like he did when he suggested blowing the back hatch of the Puddle Jumper in the Season 1 episode that introduced the Iratus Bugs. So, after 5 years of being assigned butt-jobs on Midway Station and on the Daedalus, Kavanaugh finally becomes a hero- If he had not been actually doing his job, it never would have happened.
But from then on, it becomes a race to Earth. Who will get their first, the ZPM'd Hive ship or... Well, Both Oddysey Class ships are in the Milky way, so what ship can be used to get to Earth? Also, when Atlantis tries to open the Gate to Earth, it does not quite connect. But where is it going? Or are they too late and the Wraith are already bombarding Homeworld Command?
Meanwhile, Sheppard had gated to Earth because he was supposed to be using the Antarctic Weapons Platform, the only problem is due to stupidity, it was moved. So he has to man an X-302, and once again he has to bring it right into a Hive Ship.
From all angles, it looks like a suicide mission, for everyone. But the shark jumps in just the right way to make this an unexpected ending of a great show.
I had hoped that Atlantis were to be given at least two Movies or Miniseries like SG-1 had been given, but the promised "Stargate: Extinction" never happened, unless you count a comic book version.
Regardless of how these shows ended, there is still much more story to tell. And more "Even Worse" bad guys waiting out there.
This is why I like the Stargate Universe (Including the show of that name), it may not be as cool as the Star Trek universe, but there are plenty of interesting things out there, many of them dangerous, but many of them very cool. Which is why I hope these franchises will one day be re-ignited.
This episode ties in to the previous "alternate-timeline" episode "Vegas" (which was filmed in Vegas) where we got to meet another alternate version of John Sheppard, one who was very much like his Wraith Buddy "Todd": i.e., half crazy. Originally I assumed that the Mackay alternate in that episode was the same one that rode Mackay's "Bridge" and caused yet another ZPM to be prematurely depleted. But that Mackay had stated that his "Sheppard" was even smarter than he was, a Mensa type. This parallels Sheppard to Jack O'Neil who while feigning simplicity or ignorance, was actually very smart.
Something very bad from that alternate episode finds it's way into our Atlantis 'verse, but it happens while the Daedalus is trying to deal with a Hive Ship that is being powered by a ZPM! Of course, our friend Todd the Wraith had brought Atlantis this information. and of course, he has left out many important things.
This episode starts like all the rest of the Season-5 episodes, but it escalates from five minutes in. By sheer luck, the Daedalus is not vaporized by the ZPM-powered Hive, but that same ill luck brings that bad thing from the alternate universe into our 'verse.
Surprisingly, this episode features that last ever appearance of "Kavanaugh" (Ben Cotton) and he saves the day, just like he did when he suggested blowing the back hatch of the Puddle Jumper in the Season 1 episode that introduced the Iratus Bugs. So, after 5 years of being assigned butt-jobs on Midway Station and on the Daedalus, Kavanaugh finally becomes a hero- If he had not been actually doing his job, it never would have happened.
But from then on, it becomes a race to Earth. Who will get their first, the ZPM'd Hive ship or... Well, Both Oddysey Class ships are in the Milky way, so what ship can be used to get to Earth? Also, when Atlantis tries to open the Gate to Earth, it does not quite connect. But where is it going? Or are they too late and the Wraith are already bombarding Homeworld Command?
Meanwhile, Sheppard had gated to Earth because he was supposed to be using the Antarctic Weapons Platform, the only problem is due to stupidity, it was moved. So he has to man an X-302, and once again he has to bring it right into a Hive Ship.
From all angles, it looks like a suicide mission, for everyone. But the shark jumps in just the right way to make this an unexpected ending of a great show.
I had hoped that Atlantis were to be given at least two Movies or Miniseries like SG-1 had been given, but the promised "Stargate: Extinction" never happened, unless you count a comic book version.
Regardless of how these shows ended, there is still much more story to tell. And more "Even Worse" bad guys waiting out there.
This is why I like the Stargate Universe (Including the show of that name), it may not be as cool as the Star Trek universe, but there are plenty of interesting things out there, many of them dangerous, but many of them very cool. Which is why I hope these franchises will one day be re-ignited.