Stargate Atlantis Farewell

I'm not surprised that Stargate Atlantis has come to an end. While enjoyable, it was lacking some critical element that inspires an extensive and loyal audience.

I've been a Stargate fan since I was in junior high, which is what middle school was called in 1962. I discovered fantasy and science fiction grandé dame Andre Norton's book Star Gate ©1958. I was immediately enchanted by the story and the writer. I looked forward to each new book of hers and eagerly watched for some of her books to be made into movies. Naturally, with this background, I was one of the first in line to see the movie Stargate, even though it was thirty years since I'd read the book Star Gate. The movie was not an adaptation of Andre Norton's book, but it was a movie I found satisfying.

When the series Stargate SG-1 began in 1997 I naturally tuned in and was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked it. There was a chemistry between the main characters that made the series more interesting. I am one who always has to be engaged by the characters in order to enjoy a book, movie or TV series. Stargate SG-1 characters did that, which is why I remained a devoted fan for all of its ten years on the air. I not only watched it each week, but as the series came out on DVD I acquired each year and still rewatch the old shows.

With this background I began following the new spin off series Stargate Atlantis with great interest. I was somewhat disappointed. It wasn't bad, but while I was interested in various characters, the series never achieved the gestalt that SG-1 did. The main characters were interesting, but they never bonded and blended into the "family" that makes a series work. All the elements were there, but they never came together in a fashion that convinced me the series was going to make it. It was rather like a stew or casserole that is edible, but needs something more to make it really good.

Stargate Atlantis never found the something that would have lifted it into a good series in its own right. It was an okay watch if there was nothing better on or you didn't have something more interesting to do at the time. It was even good enough to capture on Tivo for a later viewing if nothing else interesting could be found. As a long time Stargate fan I do wish Stargate Atlantis could have found the magic seasoning that would have boosted it into the must not miss category. It didn't though, and since it is gone I'll turn my attention to Sanctuary with Amanda Tapping, who was always one of my favorites in any of the Stargate series or movies.