TV Guide Online: 7/23 SGA Reviewed
From TV Guide Online:
http://www.tvguide.com/tv/review/
(There's a photo of David Hewlett at the site.)
Tales of the City
Stargate Atlantis
(10 pm/ET, SCIFI)
The biggest surprise surrounding Stargate Atlantis is how long it took the eight-year-old Stargate SG-1 to churn out a spin-off. Last Friday's premiere was the most watched program in Sci Fi Channel's history, attracting over four million viewers. Take that SG-1.
So does it deserve all this attention? The answer is "definitely yes" if you're SG-1 fan and "maybe" if you're not. Atlantis is a science-fiction adventure that defines the term "formula." Like the original, the spin-off is a slick mix of heroic characters, wisecracking humor and insidious aliens. If SG-1 doesn't grab you, it's doubtful that you'll be inspired by Atlantis.
In the opener, the fabled city of Atlantis was discovered on a distant planet called Athosia. It seems that Atlantis was the site where the Ancients built the Stargates, portals that provide instant access to a variety of planets in the galaxy. Last week, a highly specialized team was assembled to explore the city and its technology. In charge is Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson), who ran Stargate Command prior to the promotion of Brig. Gen. Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson).
Higginson is very effective as Weir, playing her as a resourceful diplomat and tough-minded leader. Unfortunately, the fact that she and the rest of the cast are relative unknowns could be a drawback for new viewers. At least SG-1 had Richard Dean Anderson, the actor formerly known as MacGyver and General Hospital's Dr. Jeff Webber.
Now, I know what you Stargaters are going to say: "Listen punk, none of the actors on Star Trek: The Next Generation were that well-known at the start either!" Granted, but with all due respect, there's a huge difference in the interest generated by the Star Trek franchise and a Stargate spin-off. (Although truth be told, the gap is closing thanks to UPN's erratic Enterprise.)
Still, Atlantis's four million viewers seemed to welcome the newcomers with open arms. Anderson's character, O'Neill, certainly did. He slipped a bottle of champagne to the team just as the Stargate closed behind them. It was a classy send-off. Mind you, the Titanic got a classy send-off, too.
Like their SG-1 counterparts, the Atlantis characters are archetypal. Maj. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) is the maverick, a brash pilot cut from the same cloth as O'Neill. Lt. Aiden Ford is the reliable No. 2, who's in charge of security; and Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) is the smart aleck/resident scientific genius. Naturally, they quickly ally with the native population, led by the comely and noble Teyla Emmagan (Rachel Luttrell), who warns her new neighbors of the Wraith. These ravenous predators are a cadaverous, ghostly species that consider people a food group — an essential part of a complete breakfast.
But on tonight's episode, the menace is a creepy black cloud that siphons off the city's power supply. In the meantime, McKay alters his own DNA to gain access to the Ancients' technology, and in his zeal, he accidentally traps himself in an impenetrable shield.
The show's sudden success is hardly accidental. Hotly anticipated by the Stargate faithful, Atlantis could hardly fail with its parent show slated as a lead-in. The result is a tasty double helping of fast-food sci-fi ideally suited to a lazy Friday night. — G.J. Donnelly
|*|(*)|*|(*)|*|
Morjana
SG1-Spoilergate
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/SG1-Spoilergate/
Richard Dean Anderson Fans
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rdandersonfans/
http://www.tvguide.com/tv/review/
(There's a photo of David Hewlett at the site.)
Tales of the City
Stargate Atlantis
(10 pm/ET, SCIFI)
The biggest surprise surrounding Stargate Atlantis is how long it took the eight-year-old Stargate SG-1 to churn out a spin-off. Last Friday's premiere was the most watched program in Sci Fi Channel's history, attracting over four million viewers. Take that SG-1.
So does it deserve all this attention? The answer is "definitely yes" if you're SG-1 fan and "maybe" if you're not. Atlantis is a science-fiction adventure that defines the term "formula." Like the original, the spin-off is a slick mix of heroic characters, wisecracking humor and insidious aliens. If SG-1 doesn't grab you, it's doubtful that you'll be inspired by Atlantis.
In the opener, the fabled city of Atlantis was discovered on a distant planet called Athosia. It seems that Atlantis was the site where the Ancients built the Stargates, portals that provide instant access to a variety of planets in the galaxy. Last week, a highly specialized team was assembled to explore the city and its technology. In charge is Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson), who ran Stargate Command prior to the promotion of Brig. Gen. Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson).
Higginson is very effective as Weir, playing her as a resourceful diplomat and tough-minded leader. Unfortunately, the fact that she and the rest of the cast are relative unknowns could be a drawback for new viewers. At least SG-1 had Richard Dean Anderson, the actor formerly known as MacGyver and General Hospital's Dr. Jeff Webber.
Now, I know what you Stargaters are going to say: "Listen punk, none of the actors on Star Trek: The Next Generation were that well-known at the start either!" Granted, but with all due respect, there's a huge difference in the interest generated by the Star Trek franchise and a Stargate spin-off. (Although truth be told, the gap is closing thanks to UPN's erratic Enterprise.)
Still, Atlantis's four million viewers seemed to welcome the newcomers with open arms. Anderson's character, O'Neill, certainly did. He slipped a bottle of champagne to the team just as the Stargate closed behind them. It was a classy send-off. Mind you, the Titanic got a classy send-off, too.
Like their SG-1 counterparts, the Atlantis characters are archetypal. Maj. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) is the maverick, a brash pilot cut from the same cloth as O'Neill. Lt. Aiden Ford is the reliable No. 2, who's in charge of security; and Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) is the smart aleck/resident scientific genius. Naturally, they quickly ally with the native population, led by the comely and noble Teyla Emmagan (Rachel Luttrell), who warns her new neighbors of the Wraith. These ravenous predators are a cadaverous, ghostly species that consider people a food group — an essential part of a complete breakfast.
But on tonight's episode, the menace is a creepy black cloud that siphons off the city's power supply. In the meantime, McKay alters his own DNA to gain access to the Ancients' technology, and in his zeal, he accidentally traps himself in an impenetrable shield.
The show's sudden success is hardly accidental. Hotly anticipated by the Stargate faithful, Atlantis could hardly fail with its parent show slated as a lead-in. The result is a tasty double helping of fast-food sci-fi ideally suited to a lazy Friday night. — G.J. Donnelly
|*|(*)|*|(*)|*|
Morjana
SG1-Spoilergate
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/SG1-Spoilergate/
Richard Dean Anderson Fans
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rdandersonfans/
