'Vegas' (519) General Discussion

[Kinetikat]

Neil Jackson as Wraith
David Nykl as Dr Radek Zelenka
Christopher Heyerdahl as "Todd"
Gary Jones as CMSgt. Walter Harriman
Frank Vincent as Frank
Steve Schirripa as Steve
Jody Thompson as Nurse
Mark Burgess as Laurence Foster
Chris Nowland as Crime Scene Guy
David-Paul Grove as Hotel Manager
Paul Jarrett as Captain Hendricks
Carmen Moore as Reporter
Loren Christopher Michaels as Dealer
Charlie Cohen as Poker Player
Joel Goldsmith as Poker Player
Roy Winston as Poker Player
Todd Brunson as Poker Player

So good that you know the cast list! Yes, I see that Christopher Heyerdahl played Todd. He is, as always, very wonderful in this role. However, the Todd character in 'Vegas' is NOT the Wraith who kills the radioactive guy. Todd is shut up in a big plastic hamster cage as the story begins, wearing unflattering overalls and going slowly loop de loop, and has been for years. The Wraith who kills the radioactive guy is the card-playing, shade-wearing, rock-music-playing Wraith-without-a-name played by Neil Jackson. Sorry if you didn't realise this, and I'm not trying to score points off you - 'Vegas' is one of my all time fave SGA episodes, and I love the CSI style for this one-off.

[big will]

vegas is a great episode. the a-10 warthog gun run was so awsome.

[Electric_Sheep]

This episode divides people, partly due to how different it is. I thought it was a solid episode, with some moments that sort of took me out of it. One in particular is when Sheppard decides to step out into the open and approach the Wraith's trailer, making himself a very easy target. As if you would do that. It just struck me as a really stupid thing to do, as evidenced when he gets shot. Other than that, it's a pretty good episode.

[mathpiglet]

It took several viewings, but I liked this episode this time. Maybe because I watched the last five episodes in a row.

[Lythisrose]

Best singular episode of the series for me.

[NowIWillDestroyAbydos]

Great episode, but a little slow paced.

I would say something about the AU Keller, but I give it kind of because it is Vegas, and people do look a little <insert word I can't think of>.

Tomorrow, the finale of Atlantis, and the middle leg of our mission through Stargate's run. It's also the conclusion to this episode.

[Krisz]

The best episode of SGA for me, mainly because it was so different. It gave us a totally different view of all the characters we've watched. Great cameos from some of the behind the scenes guys, and great guest stars made the poker scene fun to watch.

Sheppard was the star, Joe F gave a fantastic performance of this other reality Sheppard, the jaded cynical detective. The way he displayed the inherent heroism within Sheppard the man, that was buried in this reality's version was just fantastic. Doggedly trailing the Wraith and the showdown in the desert. His heroic death saving the world is one of the best moments in Stargate for me, dying alone without anyone to mourn him made for a really poignant moment.

Liked the use of popular music in this, 'Solitary Man' was just made for this Sheppard! The pounding rock music for the relentless Wraith on a mission to get in contact with his race whatever it took. Nice to see the use of the actual Vegas for 'Vegas', the total change of scenery added to the whole atmosphere of the episode.

Loved the way the Wraith made himself look like a human, good thing the vampire Goth look was fashionable. Great watching how people reacted to him as he walked through the street and the casino. What made it more realistic was that no one really gave a second look at the 'alien' amongst them!

[Don Pantaloons]

I enjoyed the episode, mainly for JF's performance. It was kind of weird to have an AU episode - one that had none of the "real" characters - as the penultimate episode of the series. The ending did set up the finale, so it made sense in that regard, but it seemed like they could have accomplished the same goal a different way.

My only real gripe would be the use of the Marilyn Manson song, as it's absolute crap.

[Matt G]

At some point...another ep of Atlantis...

1. Forgot how good the soundtrack was for one thing.

2. How ice-cool was that Wraith?

3. McKay was very dry here.

Very good ep.

[Lieutenant Sparrow]

Very very very cool ep. Easily my second favourite of the season. In my top 5 of Atlantis.

They have you thinking wth is going on right from the start. C.S.I Atlantis. Of course us Stargate veterans would work out very fast that it has to be an alternate reality ep.

A Wraith running rampant on Earth. Very scary. I love how while he was putting the make up on, they had Beautiful People playing in the background. Beautiful isn't quite the word I would use haha.

The Mafia guys talking about the finger that the dog bit off. That was hilarious. (Assuming they were Mafia guys)

I know Wraith are tough but that jump off the building had to hurt 'Ouch'

Hannibal Todd. I expected him to start talking about liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

Sheppard the hero. No matter what reality he's in.

Now our reality Earth is in deep do do.

[garhkal]

Makes you wonder if they ever fed that todd..

[Matt G]

Well, how often did the regular Atlantis team feed 'their' Todd?

[jelgate]

I wanted to watch Stargate Atlantis not CSI. I remember this was the episode where I had it with the lack of Ronon and Teyla. It had been annoying me for a while but I went a little nuts about the lack of these two with this episode aired. Some of you were there you probably mentioned it. Its just a bad episode. Its told as a cop drama with just a tiny bit of science fiction to justify having the episode being related to Stargate Atlantis. And because of that this episode is bad. I do not care about cop Sheppherd in an AU hunting down a murderer. Their are so many cop dramas that if I wanted too I could watch those TV shows. The only good part was about Woosley saying Star Trek The Experence closed down. Given Picardo's background I say it is hilarious. Like I said it is a bad episode filled of cliches that can be seen a mile away and just a ripoff of cop shows

[the fifth man]

I actually remember this episode pretty fondly. I should try and re-watch it soon.

[Lythisrose]

From Joe Mallozzi's Blog:

Photo of Det. Sheppard

VEGAS (519)

Robert Cooper coined the term “shepisodes” for these John-centered entries, and this is one of my favorites, an oh-so-different AU story that follows detective John Sheppard in his hunt for a serial killing alien.

The working title was CSI: Atlantis and, given its procedural trappings and colorful eye candy Vegas location, it’s no wonder. Rob does a terrific job writing, directing and producing one of the high points of Atlantis’s fifth and final seasons, with memorable performances by all involved. Joe Flanigan is perfect as the washed up detective with nothing to lose while David Hewlett delivers a what-might-have-been version of his character who is, at heart, very clearly, very much Rodney.

Great guest-performances led by Neil Jackson as the wraith-out-of-water. And there’s even a nod to Stark Trek: The Experience compliments of actor Robert Picardo who added the inside gag while shooting.

Everyone on the production who didn’t get to go to Vegas to shoot was, of course, jealous of everyone who did. I figured everyone had learned their lesson, so I was surprised that the next series, SGU was set on a spaceship flying through some distant galaxy. I thought we’d all agreed on Stargate: Hawaii!

Photos:

While we were shooting Atlantis’s final episodes, fans were fighting to save the series.
Sheppard’s sweet ride
It looks better without the bullet holes.
To: Das. Love: Wraith. The incredible Neil Jackson
A couple of Sopranos alums guest star: Frank Vincent and Steve Schirripa. Both were stand up guys.
Also putting in cameos: the late Joel Goldsmith (left) and former MGM Senior Executive VP and huge Stargate supporter Charlie Cohen (middle).
Director Robert Cooper demonstrates sleight of hand, setting up a shot and skimming some poker winnings.
John Sheppard, P.I.