Wow...this episode outdistances SG-1 again, in my opinion. I'd been reading on Gateworld that we'd get to see Kolya again, and as usual, the creep didn't disappoint. I think it's good for a show if one of the main characters has a recurring nemesis, and the Kolya/Sheppard is perfect. Kolya is the quintessential delusional tyrant hell-bent on revenge.Â
Impressions:
I thought this was a well-constructed episode, right from the beginning when Kolya used that weird grappler to grab on to Sheppard. Even though you had to know that Sheppard would survive, the tension in this episode, like in SG-1, was palpable from the beginning. Using the Wraith as a torture instrument and sending the video to Atlantis was a nice, sadistic touch. I think they went just a touch overboard with the distrustful attitude toward the Genii, but I do understand where they were coming from on it. It's not like they didn't have reason to distrust Ladon, but Ronan was becoming a bit grating. There isn't much to say beyond this, the plot was simple and relatively predictable (who didn't know that the Wraith was going to heal Sheppard at some point?) but as usual it was so well-written and acted that you couldn't help but stay riveted, even with the predictable nature of the script.
Characters:
How can you not love to hate Kolya? Robert Davi plays the role perfectly as usual, and dang if he didn't escape again. We also get to see exactly how much faith Sheppard has in his team, as well as the concern and care the Atlantis team shows for him. Ronan seems to have learned what it means to be part of the team after the events of Sateda, and his character is both better and worse for it. Better because he finally starts to feel like part of the team, worse because he still has that single-minded fury and distrust for just about everyone. McKay was his usual self, though much less annoying for a change. I like Carson Beckett quite a bit, but I think he's starting to get a bit too much screentime in my opinion. Having him in on the assault of the wrong complex, when McKay shot the mouse, was a bit much in my humble opinion. Weir continues to get better, more self-assured and at the same time tortured by the sometimes tragic decisions she has to make. This will only continue to make her character better. Teyla...well, as her shirt neckline continues to plunge with each episode, she seems to be shifting from a significant character that is an asset to simple window-dressing. Very hot window-dressing, but still...Oh, and according to Gateworld, the Wraith was played by Christopher Heyerdahl, who also plays Halling. Good choice, he did a fantastic job.
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