The essential episodes of Stargate Atlantis
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Stargate Atlantis — each pick states its reason.
- 01
The Stargate SG-1 team discovers what they believe to be the remnants of the lost city of the Ancients – the originators of the Stargates and Stargate Command launches an investigation to find the mythical city of Atlantis. Situated in the distant Pegasus Galaxy, it's farther than any Stargate team has ever traveled. With only enough power to make a one-way trip, a new team, headed by civilian Dr. Elizabeth Weir, is formed and travels through the gate to this unknown galaxy. There, they discover the marvels of the lost city of Atlantis…. and encounter a sinister new enemy.
- 02
The team learns that a storm of catastrophic proportions is headed straight for the city of Atlantis. Without enough energy to power the shields, Dr. Weir orders that Atlantis be evacuated until the storm passes. But Dr. McKay conceives of a last minute plan to save the city – harness the power of the electrical storm to fuel the shields. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the Atlantis team, the Genii have learned of Atlantis' evacuation, and devise a dangerous plan to take over the city's weapons for themselves. With Weir and McKay taken hostage and Lt. Ford and Teyla aiding the evacuees, it is up to Major Sheppard to shut down the remaining grounding stations and save Atlantis from invasion before the storm hits.
- 03
When an approaching storm with awesome destructive capabilities causes Dr. Weir to evacuate the city, the Genii launch an invasion, and take control of Atlantis' weapons. With Dr. Weir and Dr. McKay taken hostage and Major Sheppard fending for himself against the ruthless Genii troops, the rest of the Atlantis team desperately tries to find a way to get back to the city while the storm rages around them.
- 04
Rescued from a near-fatal encounter with the Wraith, Lt. Aiden Ford receives medical care at the Atlantis base. However, his abnormally quick recovery leads Dr. Beckett to worry that the Wraith who attacked Ford may have injected him with a harmful enzyme, causing long-term and unpredictable damage. Meanwhile, as the Wraith's siege of Atlantis rages on, Sheppard finds himself surrounded by the enemy. He is rescued by the timely arrival of Colonel Steven Caldwell, commander of the Daedalus. Launched from Earth and sent in to assist the Atlantis team during battle, the Daedalus helps to defeat the Wraith's first wave assault on the city. Their relief is short-lived, however. The team soon learns that the Wraith are planning the next wave of their onslaught -- an entire fleet is about to descend on the city. With a little over a day before the assault, Dr. Weir realizes that the Daedalus will not be enough to fight the Wraith's forces. McKay devises a drastic plan – but there may not be enough time to perfect the complicated technology his plan requires before the Wraith arrive.
- 05
Summoned to a planet by a communication code they had previously given their Genii allies, the team is ambushed by Kolya, who has now created his own faction of Genii after being forced from the inner circle of the Genii leadership. While the rest of the team manages to escape, Sheppard is taken prisoner.
- 06
With the entire city ordered to take a personal day the team does their best to unwind and enjoy their leisure time. Without warning a mysterious explosion rips through the city killing and injuring unsuspecting citizens. Dr. Rodney McKay and Dr. Carson Beckett arrive on the scene to find Teyla critically injured by shrapnel from the explosion. Unable to find explosive residue, the only leads they have to go on are eyewitness accounts saying one of the base-scientists just suddenly exploded.
- 07
Now armed with the means to track Replicator ships throughout the Pegasus Galaxy, the Atlantis teams strives to eliminate the Replicators once and for all.
- 08
During an off world mission, Carter, McKay and Dr. Keller become trapped in an underground mining chamber rocked by fierce seismic tremors.
- 09
Mr. Coolidge is the newest member of the IOA and openly distrustful of alien participation in any facet of the Stargate program. Despite his bias, the IOA has entrusted him with interviewing Teyla Emmagan and Ronon Dex about their suitability to continue as members of the Atlantis expedition. This does not bode well for Ronon who is next on the list to travel to Earth for questioning.
- 10
As Teyla continues to search for her people, a mysterious new illness sweeps throughout the galaxy, killing scores of people.
- 11
An old friend's unforeseen return spurs a race against time to rescue a missing teammate.
- 12
Following another unsuccessful search for Teyla, Lt. Colonel Sheppard returns home to Atlantis to find the city completely abandoned.
- 13
An old foe, bent on revenge, infiltrates the Gate Room to take control of Atlantis.
- 14
Dr. Keller accompanies Dr. McKay to Earth to attend a top secret scientific demonstration by McKay's former rival.
- 15
Atlantis rushes to destroy an advanced Wraith hive ship before it presents a threat to Earth.
Shows like Stargate Atlantis
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