Stargate: Atlantis 3.5: "Progeny"

Written by Carl Binder
Directed by Andy Mikita


So far this season, after a capable premiere, “SGA” has been struggling. A lot of the problems that plagued the second season have carried over into the third, and with the ratings down significantly from the first season (or even the second), the series needed a shot in the arm. While there is an argument to be made that the franchise is simply feeling the effects of “franchise fatigue”, given how often “SG-1” is run and how much material is available, the writers haven’t given the fans much reason to come back every week.

One of the obvious solutions is better writing, but as I’ve mentioned more than once, the key is giving the audience something more than a string of stand-alone episodes. The first season managed to incorporate long-term plot elements while telling relatively stand-alone stories, and the first half of the second season seemed to be on the same path. Returning to stronger continuity could and should cement the fanbase, and episodes like this are a good example.

On the one hand, some might consider this particular plot element an example of repeating plot threads from “SG-1”, rather than paving new ground. Yet this is something that “SGA” can do well: explain aspects of Ancient technology and history introduced on “SG-1” within a more direct context. This episode explains one of the lingering plot holes from earlier “SG-1” installments while delivering current consequences and complications for Team Atlantis. This series should explore the legacy of the Ancients, and if it retroactively explains some of the Ancient elements from “SG-1”, how could that be a bad thing?

All that said, the writers had an uphill battle once the Replicator concept came around again, because I’ve never been a huge fan of that particular threat. So it had to work well for me to overcome my lack of enthusiasm. What sealed the deal for me was the promise of long-term consequences. Weir and the others managed to escape for the moment, but there’s a lot of doubt as to whether or not it was a clean getaway. The Asurans could be more of a problem than the Wraith, and it’s one more reason for Team Atlantis to uncover more information about the Ancients, their history, and their technology.

Weir is now facing threats on various levels: the Genii, the Wraith, and the Asurans. With all of that happening in the Pegasus Galaxy, the question is how all of this will begin to overlap. It would be interesting if the writers managed to unleash the Asurans on the Wraith sooner rather than later, thus shifting the balance of power in the galaxy and forcing unusual alliances to emerge.

Of course, that is the other element that has yet to emerge: where are the allies for Team Atlantis? By this point in “SG-1”, the Tau’ri had made contact with the Asgard, the Jaffa Resistance, and the Tok’ra. The conflict between those groups, relative to the struggle against the Goa’uld, made it possible to touch on continuity and intrigue nearly every week. While Team Atlantis is facing serious threat from many corners, those threats can’t appear constantly, or survival seems contrived. If allies were to emerge (beyond the SGC), it might help give the writers enough complexity to develop a strong season arc. This is a good step forward; it remains to be seen if it will be enough.

(As a sidenote: I also have a podcast associated with my various reviews called “Dispatches from Tuzenor”. Recent episodes cover the “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: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10