Stargate: Atlantis 3.2: "Misbeggoten"
Written by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie
Directed by Martin Wood
Though this is not formally the second half of a two-part episode, it might as well be, since most of the plot elements continue from the season premiere. More correctly, this is the fourth episode in a row to deal with the moral question of the Wraith “cure”. If anything, this episode puts Weir and her team in an even more compromised position. The situation was handled poorly, to say the least, and it’s hard to know what the long-term effects are likely to be.
The arrival of Woolsey in the Pegasus Galaxy is interesting, because it may result in a softening of his character. It wouldn’t be the first time; McKay began as a character with few redeeming values on “SG-1”, and now he’s one of the more sympathetic characters on the series. Will this same transformation take place with Woolsey?
It might be more interesting if it was less successful, especially if Weir and the others are lulled into a false sense of security. After all, one interpretation of this episode is that Woolsey let Weir off the hook to demonstrate his willingness to keep an open mind and be fair. He doesn’t seem to like being the bad guy while in such an isolated position. However, it could be a ploy; convince Weir and Team Atlantis that they Woolsey is one of the gang, making his job easier.
The mistake in this episode was not the decision to leave the converted Wraith on the planet or fooling them into believing that they were victims of a plague. It was close to the line, but under the circumstances, the best alternative short of wiping them out. The mistake was in letting Beckett’s crisis of conscience turn into an error in judgment. Once the colony was set up for injections, they should have been left alone. Sure, some of them would revert, and they would start killing each other. But the final outcome was the inevitable result of not following through on the isolation plan.
It’s also unfortunate that Michael could not be an ally of sorts. It might have worked to Weir’s advantage to have a group of “humanized” Wraith, if there was any chance of getting them to see other Wraith as the enemy. Michael would know, all too well, how his “humanized” brethren would be treated by other Wraith. They could have been a fifth column within the Wraith population. Granted, it was a long shot, but I think it might have made things a little more complex.
As it was, Michael’s characterization seemed out of synch with the previous episode, where it seemed more likely. I’m not sure whether or not this situation will continue to play a role in the season as a whole, or if the Wraith “cure” will give way to some new plot thread. The colony could have been that recurring element, but obviously, that won’t be happening now. The Woolsey subplot should keep going for a while, but that’s not going to be enough. I’m still wary after the second season, but I also remain cautiously optimistic.
(As a sidenote: I also have a podcast associated with my various reviews called “Dispatches from Tuzenor”. Future episodes will highlight “Stargate: Atlantis”, so it might be something of interest . Go to http://entil2001.libsyn.com if you want to listen!)
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Final Rating: 7/10
Directed by Martin Wood
Though this is not formally the second half of a two-part episode, it might as well be, since most of the plot elements continue from the season premiere. More correctly, this is the fourth episode in a row to deal with the moral question of the Wraith “cure”. If anything, this episode puts Weir and her team in an even more compromised position. The situation was handled poorly, to say the least, and it’s hard to know what the long-term effects are likely to be.
The arrival of Woolsey in the Pegasus Galaxy is interesting, because it may result in a softening of his character. It wouldn’t be the first time; McKay began as a character with few redeeming values on “SG-1”, and now he’s one of the more sympathetic characters on the series. Will this same transformation take place with Woolsey?
It might be more interesting if it was less successful, especially if Weir and the others are lulled into a false sense of security. After all, one interpretation of this episode is that Woolsey let Weir off the hook to demonstrate his willingness to keep an open mind and be fair. He doesn’t seem to like being the bad guy while in such an isolated position. However, it could be a ploy; convince Weir and Team Atlantis that they Woolsey is one of the gang, making his job easier.
The mistake in this episode was not the decision to leave the converted Wraith on the planet or fooling them into believing that they were victims of a plague. It was close to the line, but under the circumstances, the best alternative short of wiping them out. The mistake was in letting Beckett’s crisis of conscience turn into an error in judgment. Once the colony was set up for injections, they should have been left alone. Sure, some of them would revert, and they would start killing each other. But the final outcome was the inevitable result of not following through on the isolation plan.
It’s also unfortunate that Michael could not be an ally of sorts. It might have worked to Weir’s advantage to have a group of “humanized” Wraith, if there was any chance of getting them to see other Wraith as the enemy. Michael would know, all too well, how his “humanized” brethren would be treated by other Wraith. They could have been a fifth column within the Wraith population. Granted, it was a long shot, but I think it might have made things a little more complex.
As it was, Michael’s characterization seemed out of synch with the previous episode, where it seemed more likely. I’m not sure whether or not this situation will continue to play a role in the season as a whole, or if the Wraith “cure” will give way to some new plot thread. The colony could have been that recurring element, but obviously, that won’t be happening now. The Woolsey subplot should keep going for a while, but that’s not going to be enough. I’m still wary after the second season, but I also remain cautiously optimistic.
(As a sidenote: I also have a podcast associated with my various reviews called “Dispatches from Tuzenor”. Future episodes will highlight “Stargate: Atlantis”, so it might be something of interest . Go to http://entil2001.libsyn.com if you want to listen!)
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Final Rating: 7/10
posted by John Keegan | 15:22
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