Stargate: Atlantis (2004–2009)

An international team of scientists and military personnel discover a Stargate network in the Pegasus Galaxy and come face-to-face with a new, powerful enemy, The Wraith.

Creators:

Robert C. Cooper, Brad Wright

Stars:

Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, David Hewlett

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 18 wins & 36 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Joe Flanigan	...	Lt. Colonel John Sheppard (99 episodes, 2004-2009)
Rachel Luttrell	...	Teyla Emmagan (99 episodes, 2004-2009)
David Hewlett	...	Dr. Rodney McKay (99 episodes, 2004-2009)
Jason Momoa	...	Ronon Dex (78 episodes, 2005-2009)
Torri Higginson	...	Dr. Elizabeth Weir (63 episodes, 2004-2008)
Paul McGillion	...	Dr. Carson Beckett (62 episodes, 2004-2009)
David Nykl	...	Dr. Radek Zelenka (54 episodes, 2004-2009)

Storyline

With the Ancients' city of Atlantis discovered in the Pegasus Galaxy by Stargate Command, Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Major Sheppard lead a scientific expedition to the ancient abandoned city. Once there, the team not only find themselves unable to contact Earth, but their explorations unexpectedly reawaken the Ancients' deadly enemies, The Wraith, who hunger for this new prey. Now with the help of newfound local allies like Teyla Emmagan, the Atlantis Team sets about to uncover their new home's secrets even as their war of survival against the Wraith begins.

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Plot Keywords:

galaxy | scientist | military | planet | good versus evil | 

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Taglines:

A new gate will open. A lost city will rise again.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi | Adventure

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Sci Fi Channel

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English Czech

Release Date:

16 July 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Atlantis

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Acme Shark, MGM Television, Pegasus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min 45 min (100 Episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Paul McGillion and Amanda Tapping are the only regular actors who appeared in all five seasons (although Paul was a regular only for two seasons and Amanda just during Season 4). Torri Higginson, Jason Momoa and Jewel Staite appear in four seasons (although Jewel was a regular only during Season 5 and she played a different role in Season 2). Robert Picardo and Rainbow Francks appear in three seasons (they were only regulars in one season).

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Quotes

Dr. Rodney McKay: Did I mention that I know almost everything about almost everything?

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.194 (2011)

User Reviews

Darker, funnier, better

An international expedition lead by Dr. Elizabeth Weir is set of through the Stargate into the Pegasus galaxy. They discover a threat far beyond anything encountered before. A race that destroyed the Ancients, the most developed race known to man.

As a big SG-1 fan I had my doubts that this spin-off would succeed in being close to SG-1. To my great surprise I found Atlantis better in many ways.

First there is a great well written story. They use the new galaxy for all it's worth. The casting is great. A nice mix of civilians and military. I find the characters here better then SG-1. David Hewlett and David Nykl make a perfect couple as Dr. McKay and Dr. Zelenka. And season two newcomer Ronon Dex is also turning out to be good as the quiet more mysterious type.

Atlantis is a lot darker then SG-1. It's one of the more darker sci-fi of it's kind I've seen and it works. Specially since the mood is so well captured. The cinematographers does a great job at that. However, at the same time it's dark, the show manage to have humor. I like that. They don't overdo it. It's a nice mix. It gives the show a kind of looser feeling. A feeling of that they don't take them selves all too seriously. That it one of the things I really like about the Stargate series.

The directing is also very good. The fact that the same directors and creative crew members work or has worked on both series gives the series much of the same qualities and they manage to stay somewhat in the same style without the one being a copy of the other.

Stargate Atlantis features some of the best special effects you find on television. The plain CGI sequences is very well made and when they mix CGI and real footage you can hardly tell the difference. There are also some pretty nice fight scenes. These are very well coordinated and well executed. The Wraith makeup and makeup through out the show is also nice done. So are the costumes.

As spin-offs have a tendency to might not be as good as the original Atlantis is on many points better then the original. This is a show you should catch if you get the chance.