First Strike - Review
23/10/2008 03:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rachel500First Strike is the 20th episode in Season Three of Stargate Atlantis.
Review
Review
If there is one thing Atlantis does very well it is season finales, and First Strike assumes its rightful place as the best to date. The story scores on every level and with such a solid foundation, the characterisations and performances are assured with the guest cast nicely added to the mix. The special effects simply rock and every aspect excels. The result is a finale that seduces the viewer into falling in love with the show all over again and sets expectations for S4 very high.
The story is well constructed in three parts; the first focusing on a strike against the Asurans to save Earth resulting in a retaliatory strike against Atlantis; the second, being the resulting desperate attempts by the Atlantis team to save the city and the final third being the execution of the plan to save the city. What holds it together is the tension created in the story between the military and civilian elements of the Atlantis expedition. In the first third, the military has ascendancy; in the second, the civilian; yet it is only when both are reconciled in the last part that the city can be saved.
The tension provides some great drama and conflict between the characters. The Weir and Colonel Ellis battle for command is great especially the ‘twelve rounds’ speeches. Weir and Sheppard also clash fabulously. The early scene in the briefing room where the initial plan is revealed and the first crack appears as Weir asks ‘Can you believe this?’ and Sheppard shocks her with ‘it’s almost too good to be true’, is well performed by both Torri Higginson and Joe Flanigan. It showcases the respect and working relationship the two characters have achieved yet demonstrates their fundamental difference in approach.
McKay’s skirmishes with Ellis also provide for a widening of the division as Ellis peremptorily beams McKay to the Apollo, Ellis snaps at McKay not to give him the history on his plan and McKay responds smugly that it isn’t Ellis who gets to decide whether to submerge the city. David Hewlett plays a McKay fiercely loyal to Weir yet trying to do the right thing to perfection. Yet the story excels by also providing resolution to the conflict through Sheppard and McKay. It is only when the two of them work together that the team finally have a plan that may save the city.
What is great is that this conflict/resolution is at the heart of the Stargate history. In the original movie, it is only when Jack and Daniel work together that they defeat Ra. SG1 continued to showcase that premise in its ten year run; success is borne from the differences within the team. It is this concept that is also expressed in the scene between Sheppard, Teyla and Ronan, with the Fantastic Four comparison. It’s a funny moment which lightens the story, provides the hardly used and excellent Rachel Luttrell and Jason Momoa with something to do, and which importantly is the watershed on the conflict. The scene in the lab where both McKay and Sheppard get the same notion at the same time is also a nice nod back to the film whether intentional or not. Given that SGA will carry the flag for the franchise next season, it’s a nice touch.
Stargate history is also referenced elsewhere in the story namely in terms of the wider mythology of the Lost City. McKay notes that they’ve come ‘full circle’ that being the name of the SG1 episode which introduced the idea of the Lost City to the Stargate audience. The music that plays as Sheppard sits in the Ancient chair and the above shot of him all reminiscent SG1’s Lost City. The submerging and then flying of the city neatly references Rising. And the final cherry on this particular sub-text cake? The city ends up lost again at the end. This feels all at once a tribute to the story that created Atlantis yet a casting off too of the old chains; Atlantis is truly reborn.
The addition of new characters adds to this feeling. Colonel Ellis, played with verve by Michael Beach, is a great creation; focused, direct, with his ‘I’ll wait for your autobiography quip’ showing humour. Yet he’s clearly done his homework, is sincere in his respect for both Weir and Sheppard and has a warmth about him. I feel I could grow to like Ellis very much. The new CMO played by Jewel Staite doesn’t have much onscreen time but plays her medical scenes well enough and is quirky in the leadership discussion with Weir.
Leadership was a major theme for this story. Having flirted with the notion that Weir’s leadership was on trial at the beginning of the season, it is nice to see it picked up again. Her scene with Teyla in particular provides some good material for Weir’s character. Equally, Sheppard’s proclaimed discomfort with leading Atlantis provides him with potentially some nice character development going forward.
With so many episodes failing to get the mix of character and action right, it is astonishing to realise that First Strike is also packed with action. The special effects are great; the city’s submersion is well done, the flight less so. Particularly great though shocking is the attack on the Asuran planet with the Horizon missile platform and the mushrooming nuclear fallout clouds. Sobering.
It is hard to believe that so much was packed into one episode without the whole feeling rushed or crammed. Both Martin Gero and Martin Wood deserve praise for writing and direction respectfully; the cast for another set of exemplary performances and all for great execution. The result is a polished, quality episode that made me fall in love with the show again after a somewhat mixed season. I’m very much looking forward to S4 and I only hope it can live up to the very high standard First Strike sets. Kudos to all; I loved it.
The story is well constructed in three parts; the first focusing on a strike against the Asurans to save Earth resulting in a retaliatory strike against Atlantis; the second, being the resulting desperate attempts by the Atlantis team to save the city and the final third being the execution of the plan to save the city. What holds it together is the tension created in the story between the military and civilian elements of the Atlantis expedition. In the first third, the military has ascendancy; in the second, the civilian; yet it is only when both are reconciled in the last part that the city can be saved.
The tension provides some great drama and conflict between the characters. The Weir and Colonel Ellis battle for command is great especially the ‘twelve rounds’ speeches. Weir and Sheppard also clash fabulously. The early scene in the briefing room where the initial plan is revealed and the first crack appears as Weir asks ‘Can you believe this?’ and Sheppard shocks her with ‘it’s almost too good to be true’, is well performed by both Torri Higginson and Joe Flanigan. It showcases the respect and working relationship the two characters have achieved yet demonstrates their fundamental difference in approach.
McKay’s skirmishes with Ellis also provide for a widening of the division as Ellis peremptorily beams McKay to the Apollo, Ellis snaps at McKay not to give him the history on his plan and McKay responds smugly that it isn’t Ellis who gets to decide whether to submerge the city. David Hewlett plays a McKay fiercely loyal to Weir yet trying to do the right thing to perfection. Yet the story excels by also providing resolution to the conflict through Sheppard and McKay. It is only when the two of them work together that the team finally have a plan that may save the city.
What is great is that this conflict/resolution is at the heart of the Stargate history. In the original movie, it is only when Jack and Daniel work together that they defeat Ra. SG1 continued to showcase that premise in its ten year run; success is borne from the differences within the team. It is this concept that is also expressed in the scene between Sheppard, Teyla and Ronan, with the Fantastic Four comparison. It’s a funny moment which lightens the story, provides the hardly used and excellent Rachel Luttrell and Jason Momoa with something to do, and which importantly is the watershed on the conflict. The scene in the lab where both McKay and Sheppard get the same notion at the same time is also a nice nod back to the film whether intentional or not. Given that SGA will carry the flag for the franchise next season, it’s a nice touch.
Stargate history is also referenced elsewhere in the story namely in terms of the wider mythology of the Lost City. McKay notes that they’ve come ‘full circle’ that being the name of the SG1 episode which introduced the idea of the Lost City to the Stargate audience. The music that plays as Sheppard sits in the Ancient chair and the above shot of him all reminiscent SG1’s Lost City. The submerging and then flying of the city neatly references Rising. And the final cherry on this particular sub-text cake? The city ends up lost again at the end. This feels all at once a tribute to the story that created Atlantis yet a casting off too of the old chains; Atlantis is truly reborn.
The addition of new characters adds to this feeling. Colonel Ellis, played with verve by Michael Beach, is a great creation; focused, direct, with his ‘I’ll wait for your autobiography quip’ showing humour. Yet he’s clearly done his homework, is sincere in his respect for both Weir and Sheppard and has a warmth about him. I feel I could grow to like Ellis very much. The new CMO played by Jewel Staite doesn’t have much onscreen time but plays her medical scenes well enough and is quirky in the leadership discussion with Weir.
Leadership was a major theme for this story. Having flirted with the notion that Weir’s leadership was on trial at the beginning of the season, it is nice to see it picked up again. Her scene with Teyla in particular provides some good material for Weir’s character. Equally, Sheppard’s proclaimed discomfort with leading Atlantis provides him with potentially some nice character development going forward.
With so many episodes failing to get the mix of character and action right, it is astonishing to realise that First Strike is also packed with action. The special effects are great; the city’s submersion is well done, the flight less so. Particularly great though shocking is the attack on the Asuran planet with the Horizon missile platform and the mushrooming nuclear fallout clouds. Sobering.
It is hard to believe that so much was packed into one episode without the whole feeling rushed or crammed. Both Martin Gero and Martin Wood deserve praise for writing and direction respectfully; the cast for another set of exemplary performances and all for great execution. The result is a polished, quality episode that made me fall in love with the show again after a somewhat mixed season. I’m very much looking forward to S4 and I only hope it can live up to the very high standard First Strike sets. Kudos to all; I loved it.
