it is a crying shame that this series has been cancelled but this was an excellent ending to the show. It was very well scripted, the whole story came together nicely calling upon a whole string of previous story lines and references. I particularly liked the end scene which was a nice nod in the direction of the star trek franchise. This show has been both a great success in terms to sci fi with great story lines and an great sense of humour which is not easy to achieve. I am glad they did not leave it as a cliff hanger for the movie and look forward to the arrival of said movie. I would much rather of had at least 2 more seasons out of these characters.
13 Reviews
Absolute and Utter Madness
XweAponX7 September 2015
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.
There's no place like...
owlaurence22 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is a very good, solid finale. It's just too bad that it's also the end of the series, because as things stands there are a few questions that will remain unsettled, simply because you cannot possibly wrap up 5 years of intergalactic mysteries in 40mn. So we'll never get back to those rogue Asgaards we'd only recently met; Jennifer's "cure" won't be improved, the Wraith will continue to plunder Pegasus. "Will there BE a next time?", Todd asks. Like millions of fans, I'm hoping the upcoming movie will tie up the remaining loose threads. EDIT: so there will be no movie, but I recommend the series of novels "Stargate Atlantis Legacy", which picks up right after this episode --and does it well.
Apart from that, there's really nothing to criticise about Enemy at the Gate. With so little time left, it understandably focuses on the plot much more than on character development or dialogue, so a few characters are a bit underexploited here, particularly Teyla and Jennifer, but everyone else gets their moment in the spotlight. And I really appreciate that the show manages to bring back so many familiar faces for the last bow (even paying a really nice homage to Don S. David / General Hammond; it's rare that an actor who had already left a show gets more than a "in memoriam" note in the credits).
The plot has a quick, efficient pace, although we have to wait for a long time for the follow-up on last episode's conclusion. There are one or two weak points (e.g.: Wormhole drive? Genius idea -so why had it never ever been mentioned?) but you'd have to be very picky to complain. In fact, with everything that takes place, it's a real pity that this episode couldn't be extended to a full-fledged two-parter, because some major action scenes deserved more development: the hive-ship's devastating race to the Milky Way; Atlantis's second flight and its desperate efforts to be there on time; Earth's last stand, with the destruction of the Ancient chair that has been its last line of defense for so long. Amid all the confusion, Ronon's death barely has time to register before he's back. (By the way, would even Sheppard go back for his corpse when Earth is on the brink of annihilation?!)
As for the ending, it definitely does its job, and it feels satisfactory on many levels, with all the different battle plans culminating in a single, rather impressive all-out space fight. In a way, as Woolsey points out, it closes a circle that had begun eons ago when the Ancients first left Earth to found Atlantis. Of course, I reckon that Atlantis won't become a permanent fixture of the San Francisco Bay, but the final shot of the team watching the Golden Gate Bridge from the same balcony where they used to watch Pegasus feels rather moving and makes a great conclusion --as great as the show could possibly make it on such short notice.
Apart from that, there's really nothing to criticise about Enemy at the Gate. With so little time left, it understandably focuses on the plot much more than on character development or dialogue, so a few characters are a bit underexploited here, particularly Teyla and Jennifer, but everyone else gets their moment in the spotlight. And I really appreciate that the show manages to bring back so many familiar faces for the last bow (even paying a really nice homage to Don S. David / General Hammond; it's rare that an actor who had already left a show gets more than a "in memoriam" note in the credits).
The plot has a quick, efficient pace, although we have to wait for a long time for the follow-up on last episode's conclusion. There are one or two weak points (e.g.: Wormhole drive? Genius idea -so why had it never ever been mentioned?) but you'd have to be very picky to complain. In fact, with everything that takes place, it's a real pity that this episode couldn't be extended to a full-fledged two-parter, because some major action scenes deserved more development: the hive-ship's devastating race to the Milky Way; Atlantis's second flight and its desperate efforts to be there on time; Earth's last stand, with the destruction of the Ancient chair that has been its last line of defense for so long. Amid all the confusion, Ronon's death barely has time to register before he's back. (By the way, would even Sheppard go back for his corpse when Earth is on the brink of annihilation?!)
As for the ending, it definitely does its job, and it feels satisfactory on many levels, with all the different battle plans culminating in a single, rather impressive all-out space fight. In a way, as Woolsey points out, it closes a circle that had begun eons ago when the Ancients first left Earth to found Atlantis. Of course, I reckon that Atlantis won't become a permanent fixture of the San Francisco Bay, but the final shot of the team watching the Golden Gate Bridge from the same balcony where they used to watch Pegasus feels rather moving and makes a great conclusion --as great as the show could possibly make it on such short notice.
"RIP" In Memory Of Actor "Don S. Davis" AKA Gen Hamond
javiergarcon25 March 2021
This was the episode where SG1 Samantha Carter recognizes General Hamond "Don S. Davis" and Because in a previous episode where COL. Shepperd was told that COL Carter Died Commanding the "Phoenix". So Commander Carter decided to rename the Phoenix to the "Hamond". That gave me chills because that really meant they where saying there goodbye in a immortal way and now here I am in 2021 re-watching this very same episode in his memory. RIP Don S. Davis may you be remember always for all your contribution in our fantasy and our Stargate world! You will never be forgotten.
Farewell, Atlantis...
robrosenberger8 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I rolled into this episode with grand hopes, assuming that SGA had intended to finish after five seasons. But no, it was canceled, and even more saddening, a cable movie has been "indefinitely shelved". For all its limitations in terms of character, the series is a delightful ride. As a finale, this one will leave you wanting more (the romance between Sheppard and Teyla that never happened, a resolution to the wraith problem and Ford's plot line), but much like the series itself, if you can ignore the flaws, you'll have a sweet ride. They went for the highest octane action they could, and hit the mark. A super-powered wraith hive ship finds the location of Earth. Another uneasy alliance with wraith Todd (the under-appreciated Christopher Heyerdahl, whose unexpected moment of laughter is the highlight of the show) provides two ZPMs, and the whole city flies into hyperspace in pursuit. A battle above Earth ensues, with Sheppard already aboard the hive in a nuclear suicide mission. Parts of it are a little too easy (Ronon's death scene! No, never mind!), you might long for a little more guest star juice, and wish they'd been able to incorporate something unexpected into the grand action...but enjoy it, because it's a burner.
Sad to see it end
yugurtz14 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I came very late to the show once I saw that it was available with Amazon Prime.
We should be grateful it got an ending and not a cliffhanger.
Season 5 was a bit of a drag and It felt like we crawled to the finish line.
The finale had a bit of everything:
Yes, there are parts that were a bit too convenient like the wormhole travel, Todd having two zpms at his disposal (how many more is he hiding! oh well it doesn't matter now), the stargate placed on a Hive ship (I mean it was initially smart to act as a stargate block), and enough firepower from one nuke to take out a hive. I also found it interesting that they didn't decide to give anyone an honorable death scene, given that the the show was canceled. The only character that actually dies is Weir. It would have been nice to at least feel the weight of losing Ronan.
Enjoyed the show and its diifferent plot arcs. They really under used Teyla, Ronan in the latter seasons. I'm going to miss the stargate dialing sound, those obligatory medieval world episodes and ancient tech we never knew more about. I'll miss the entire cast excluding McKay.
We should be grateful it got an ending and not a cliffhanger.
Season 5 was a bit of a drag and It felt like we crawled to the finish line.
The finale had a bit of everything:
- Nostalgia -- the chair, the city going into orbit/hyper drive, seeing the inside of the Hive ship one last time.
- Atlantis returning to Earth.
- The banter between Sheppard and Todd. I'm glad they didn't go away from their usually respectful but cautious bond. Even until the end, both guys still kept their biases for each other's kind.
Yes, there are parts that were a bit too convenient like the wormhole travel, Todd having two zpms at his disposal (how many more is he hiding! oh well it doesn't matter now), the stargate placed on a Hive ship (I mean it was initially smart to act as a stargate block), and enough firepower from one nuke to take out a hive. I also found it interesting that they didn't decide to give anyone an honorable death scene, given that the the show was canceled. The only character that actually dies is Weir. It would have been nice to at least feel the weight of losing Ronan.
Enjoyed the show and its diifferent plot arcs. They really under used Teyla, Ronan in the latter seasons. I'm going to miss the stargate dialing sound, those obligatory medieval world episodes and ancient tech we never knew more about. I'll miss the entire cast excluding McKay.
A rushed finale
n-middleton-11712 September 2020
This was a fitting end to the show, not so much because it was a brilliant finale, but rather it demonstrated what the series had become by its end. The Stargate franchise has been exceptional over the years and has many reasons to be considered one of the best sci-fi universes ever fabricated, but it's not without its flaws.
The Atlantis series began to fall victim to some inconsistent writing issues, which were most evident in this most recent and final season. This series finale embodies that rather well, as it has the underpinnings of a decent storyline with a nice fairytale ending, but it's a storyline that's only possible by allowing for the aforementioned inconsistencies. Suddenly giving a Hive almost ludicrous super powers, purely by giving it a ZPM is not only illogical, but it brings into question why other ZPM powered, ally ships haven't yielded similar benefits in previous engagement. Some questionable tactical decisions, which appear to only be made in the effort of creating further suspense only serve to augment the writing issues. To cap it all off, the episode is plagued with cliches, which is also something we've become accustomed to in recent seasons.
Overall, it's easy to see why people enjoy the episode, but it most certainly doesn't deserve to be lauded over. It feels like an episode that the producers were rushed into making in order to wrap up a series they had hoped would continue for at least another season. It's a shame the series didn't get a better send off, but given the steady decline in writing quality, it's also not unexpected.
The Atlantis series began to fall victim to some inconsistent writing issues, which were most evident in this most recent and final season. This series finale embodies that rather well, as it has the underpinnings of a decent storyline with a nice fairytale ending, but it's a storyline that's only possible by allowing for the aforementioned inconsistencies. Suddenly giving a Hive almost ludicrous super powers, purely by giving it a ZPM is not only illogical, but it brings into question why other ZPM powered, ally ships haven't yielded similar benefits in previous engagement. Some questionable tactical decisions, which appear to only be made in the effort of creating further suspense only serve to augment the writing issues. To cap it all off, the episode is plagued with cliches, which is also something we've become accustomed to in recent seasons.
Overall, it's easy to see why people enjoy the episode, but it most certainly doesn't deserve to be lauded over. It feels like an episode that the producers were rushed into making in order to wrap up a series they had hoped would continue for at least another season. It's a shame the series didn't get a better send off, but given the steady decline in writing quality, it's also not unexpected.
Rushed is the appropriate word
MarshFlats18 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I love Stargate as much as the next guy, and that's why I'm honest when they mess up. This should have been a two-part episode, with several preceding episodes to lead up to it.
For example:
The wraith figuring out how to make a super hive by integrating a ZPM should have been its own episode.
Atlantis sending a team to recover additional ZPMs based on Todd's intel should have been its own episode.
Atlantis testing and implementing the "wormhole drive" should have been its own episode.
Once all of that excess info was extracted and the show was given an hour and a half finale, there would be plenty of time in the episode for a couple good ship battles between the hive and Earth's various warships, and ultimately a realistic final battle between Atlantis and the hive, rather than Atlantis just suddenly having the ability to travel across the universe with barely any risk and a single nuke destroying the ship instantly.
(Not to mention I really think we should have gotten a bit more closure on Ford. It would have been really nice to team up with him in the finale, with him either finally getting off the Wraith enzyme or dying, as a nice bookend to his story.
On top of that, there was no time at the end for necessary closure for any of the characters. Realistically, we should have seen Teyla go back to be with Kanaan and Torren among her people. Most everyone else would likely remain on Atlantis, but more time would have given more time for Rodney/Jennifer to talk about their future, Sheppard to get another well-deserved promotion, and a handful of other ways to wrap up the show.
For example:
The wraith figuring out how to make a super hive by integrating a ZPM should have been its own episode.
Atlantis sending a team to recover additional ZPMs based on Todd's intel should have been its own episode.
Atlantis testing and implementing the "wormhole drive" should have been its own episode.
Once all of that excess info was extracted and the show was given an hour and a half finale, there would be plenty of time in the episode for a couple good ship battles between the hive and Earth's various warships, and ultimately a realistic final battle between Atlantis and the hive, rather than Atlantis just suddenly having the ability to travel across the universe with barely any risk and a single nuke destroying the ship instantly.
(Not to mention I really think we should have gotten a bit more closure on Ford. It would have been really nice to team up with him in the finale, with him either finally getting off the Wraith enzyme or dying, as a nice bookend to his story.
On top of that, there was no time at the end for necessary closure for any of the characters. Realistically, we should have seen Teyla go back to be with Kanaan and Torren among her people. Most everyone else would likely remain on Atlantis, but more time would have given more time for Rodney/Jennifer to talk about their future, Sheppard to get another well-deserved promotion, and a handful of other ways to wrap up the show.
rushed, forced, and phoned in
korthmichael28 January 2021
Abrupt ending
llowboy20 June 2021
So bad I laughed for 2 hours straight, got muscle pain
tomasajdari11 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This episode ties to the middle of season 4, where humans are too stupid to steal ZPMs from the replicator homeworld after doing just that 10 episodes earlier. The Wraith are not. Neverthless, one Wraith group uses this to grow a super-hive and one Wraith group gives ZPMs to Atlantis. The ZPM powered Hive is much, much more powerful than Daedalus class cruisers + ZPMed Atlantis! For no reason at all! Later, the Atlantis team decides that sending nukes or drones through a stargate inside the super-hive is not the best option and they send a team of people with guns and grenades instead.
20× more ridiculous plot point follow. Horrible yet quite funny.
20× more ridiculous plot point follow. Horrible yet quite funny.
Hurried Writing and Dumb To Boot
Easygoer103 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is such a stupid episode. If I produced this series, I would have either (A) Canceled it after Season 4 or (B) Made a film or (C) Made Stargate Universe far better. One of the worst parts of Season 5 are the "Deleted Scenes" on the DVD or BluRay set. These total 17 minutes, and the writers/producers waste half of the time explaining what, how and why they left the scenes out. The only upside is a great sword fight between Ronon and Tyre. However, many scenes are plain stupid. For example, they spend 3 or 4 minutes explaining why a scene was left out and it turned out to be Drs. McCay and Beckett arguing over pet turtles. Really? Last but not least, the previous episode "Vegas" is pretty good. The producers explained they wanted a "CSI" look with a lot of great lighting and fast cutting/edits. Unfortunately, they forgot to write a good story. It is actually better as a silent episode. Why waste time and money on style with no substance, because that is exactly what "Vegas" is. However, the powers that be should have thought about the tie in to this final episode, because it is really weak. I love ambiguity, but it needs to be in the right place. Taken as a whole, I like this series. However, I would not allow so much verbal exposition. They break rule number 1 in cinema: Don't verbalize things you have already seen on the screen! In closing, watch the first 4 seasons. Skip Season 5. It's like "Stargate SG1" in that respect: The first 7 seasons are very good; the last 3 not so much. "Stargate Universe" could have been superb. Unfortunately, the casting was bad (with a couple of exceptions); the writing was worse. What a shame.
An unfortunate ending to a fantastic series
jc120130 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
For a show with such great character chemistry, consistently good writing, and some of the most interesting sci-fi concepts for the time period this was not a fitting send off.
EVERYTHING is rushed to the point of silliness. As someone else mentioned, this should have been at least a four episode cycle - inventing the wormhole drive (has this EVER been mentioned before? Maybe once? It's the McGuffin required to get the whole city to earth instantly), the wraith building a super ship, stealing the ZPM's from the wraith to power Atlantis (it's finally at full power! Now we've got like, 1 minute to enjoy that!), and then finally launching Atlantis and chasing down the hive, coordinating with earth, etc. 3 episodes minimum, 4 ideally.
What we get is all of that crammed into ONE EPISODE with so many Stargate tropes trotted out it almost plays like a parody of a Stargate episode. A sorry goodbye to an excellent series.
From Wikipedia research it looks like they were banking on a movie that was permanently shelved. After that Joe Flanigan himself attempted to put together funding for another season (he must have really liked playing Jon!) but just when it was about to be green lit for an almost inconceivable "10 more seasons" MGM (the current owner) went bankrupt *sad horn sound*.
Maybe in a parallel universe we got another ten years of (say it in Todd's voice) "SHEPARD."
EVERYTHING is rushed to the point of silliness. As someone else mentioned, this should have been at least a four episode cycle - inventing the wormhole drive (has this EVER been mentioned before? Maybe once? It's the McGuffin required to get the whole city to earth instantly), the wraith building a super ship, stealing the ZPM's from the wraith to power Atlantis (it's finally at full power! Now we've got like, 1 minute to enjoy that!), and then finally launching Atlantis and chasing down the hive, coordinating with earth, etc. 3 episodes minimum, 4 ideally.
What we get is all of that crammed into ONE EPISODE with so many Stargate tropes trotted out it almost plays like a parody of a Stargate episode. A sorry goodbye to an excellent series.
From Wikipedia research it looks like they were banking on a movie that was permanently shelved. After that Joe Flanigan himself attempted to put together funding for another season (he must have really liked playing Jon!) but just when it was about to be green lit for an almost inconceivable "10 more seasons" MGM (the current owner) went bankrupt *sad horn sound*.
Maybe in a parallel universe we got another ten years of (say it in Todd's voice) "SHEPARD."
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