Fans of Stargate SG-1 know that the Stargate universe is rich with culture, technology, intrigue and oftentimes, just plain coolness. But the spin off series Stargate: Atlantis brings in a whole new level.
SG-1 frequently puts our heroes on strange new planets where they are isolated from contact with home and have to scrape a way out in order to make it back. Atlantis finds our heroes in a completely different galaxy; even if they make it back to their new base, getting home is another matter all-together.
In season 1 we saw the evolution of the expedition as they explored their new surroundings and coped with the idea of possibly never getting home. We saw great characters with emotions and foibles that were all the more pronounced by the fact that they had no way to go back to their own planet. We then saw all these characters come together at the end of the season to collectively defend themselves from an enemy more powerful than anything they could imagine.
Season 2 has brought more depth to the characters, new enemies and new friends, and a startling development with the main antagonists. And although getting home is no longer the insurmountable task it once was, we are always reminded that Atlantis is isolated and things work differently here, from how problems are solved to how wars are fought.
The main enemies of the series, the Wraith, are much like the Goa'uld of SG-1 fame. They spread fear across the galaxy to ensure that the humans they depend on never grow to a level that can challenge their superiority. They are faster, stronger, more advanced, and all around just creepier than humans. But like their Milky Way counterparts, they need humans and love to fight each other. It's the more subtle differences--along with the glaring ones, like their intimidating physical appearance--that make them memorable.
The characters are similar to those in SG-1 as well. Alien team members who seem to be incapable of grasping Earth culture (and speech mannerisms), leaders who range from hotheaded but good-hearted to cool and calm, yet always with a strong moral core. Quirky scientists who can solve any problem with the most insane solution possible also inhabit both series.
Humor blends with action and drama, as always, in the most spectacular fashion. The only real gripe is that, like the enemies, many of the plots (at least from the first season) seem like rehashes of early SG-1 plots. Although it helps to establish the connection between them and contrast the characters with differing solutions to the same problems, season 2 was helped greatly by the original story lines.
All in all, the show is a great addition to the Stargate family, and since it takes place in a completely different galaxy and is still so young, it has the potential to keep going even after SG-1 eventually ends. Here's to hoping.
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