{Contains Spoilers} This is a fantastic stand alone episode of Atlantis. The episodes focus is almost entirely on Michael and this is what elevates it above much of the rest of season 2. The actor does a really convincing job and it is very easy to get swept into his story. The normal characters becoming the antagonists makes this a unique episode, very cleverly done. It lays the foundations for the end of season finale and the Wraith returning to Atlantis.
The downside to this episode is how it fits in with the general ethos of the show. The Atlantis crew (for want of a better word) have a moral ambiguity here, they will do anything to defeat the Wraith. In other episodes they have a strict moral code they tend to boast about. Here that is all forgotten about and it makes Elizabeth Weir look like a complete hypocrite (not for the first or last time but this is perhaps the biggest example). Also it is very out of Dr Carson Beckett's character for him to have done this. They also seem to have rather assumed the success of this venture, otherwise why have Michael on Atlantis?
The downside to this episode is how it fits in with the general ethos of the show. The Atlantis crew (for want of a better word) have a moral ambiguity here, they will do anything to defeat the Wraith. In other episodes they have a strict moral code they tend to boast about. Here that is all forgotten about and it makes Elizabeth Weir look like a complete hypocrite (not for the first or last time but this is perhaps the biggest example). Also it is very out of Dr Carson Beckett's character for him to have done this. They also seem to have rather assumed the success of this venture, otherwise why have Michael on Atlantis?