TV episode review
US airdate 11 July 2008 (Sci Fi Channel)

Having been caught in the explosion in Michael’s lab, Ronan, Sheppard, Lorne and McKay await rescue. Carter leads a team of engineers in an attempt to reach them before Michael, alerted by the triggering of his trap, arrives at the planet…

The opening episode of Atlantis’s fifth season sees the cliffhanger resolved and the loose ends from the season four storylines nicely tied off. Neat plotting, strong writing and some amazing novel effects sequences add gloss to the episode, even if it doesn’t pull any really big surprises.

As might be expected, the comic elements are milked when Rodney has to help Teyla deliver her baby, but most of the characters get their psychologically satisfying moments. These are handled well and detract from the fact the underlying storyline is pretty formulaic.

In a way, it’s a shame that there will be further cast changes this season. I can’t help thinking that it’s a backward step to replace Carter with Woolsey – he’s just about the most obnoxious, shallow and downright annoying character in science fiction drama ever. But the series is still well worth watching, and this opener whets the appetite for more adventures with Sheppard, McKay, Ronan et al. Brigid Cherry

VERDICT: 7/10

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