Stargate Atlantis: Preview of Season Four

The Sci-Fi Channel will kick off the fourth season of Stargate Atlantis on September 28^th. The popular SG-1 spin-off has many changes in store for it's fans in the new season. The most noticeable change will be the switch to the 10:00 PM time slot instead of 9:00 PM in previous seasons. The Atlantis team will have plenty to deal with this season from new team members to a new and powerful foe.

Season three ended with the city of Atlantis adrift in space, not knowing where they are and with limited power. The expedition had to flee the planet while being under attack as a result of launching a preemptive strike on the Replicator homeworld. This is the first of many challenges the team will face in the upcoming season.

Many Atlantis fans are still reeling from the loss of the beloved Dr. Carson Beckett, who met with an untimely demise in last season's "Sunday" episode. This character was so wildly popular that many "Save Carson" websites have popped up in an effort to persuade the network to bring him back. The campaign proved successful because according to executive producer, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul McGillion will reprise his role as Dr. Beckett for a two part story in the second half of season four.

The Atlantis expedition will be under new leadership this season as a familiar face will step in to take the reigns. Amanda Tapping will join the Atlantis cast as Col. Samantha Carter and will take over command of the expedition. Fans of SG-1 are already extremely familiar with the character since she was with the show for it's entire ten season run. It is unclear at this time exactly how Carter comes to assume command, but according to co-executive producer, Paul Mullie, the character of Elizabeth Weir is being written out as a regular cast member. Weir, played by Torri Higginson, has been the leader of the Atlantis expedition for the first three seasons. She was injured in the attack by the Replicators in the season three finale and her condition is unknown.

The other notable cast change is the addition of Jewel Staite, who will play Dr. Keller. Sci-Fi fans will recognize her from the popular but short lived series, "Firefly". She made a brief appearance toward the end of season three and will join the show as a regular cast member in season four. She will apparently take over for Dr. Beckett as head of the medical team.

This season the team will face familiar foes in the Wraith as well as the Replicators. According to Mallozzi, the show will also introduce a new race of technologically advanced humans. This should add an interesting twist to the show since most civilizations that the team encounters are not very advanced due to the presence of the Wraith.

The show's producers also promise to further develop the character relationships and backgrounds during this season. Each of the main characters will get a spotlight show in the first half of the season. There will also be an interesting story arc for Teyla, the character played by Rachel Luttrell, that will incorporate her real life pregnancy.

Dr. Rodney McKay, played by David Hewlett, will again be reunited with his sister in a story that focuses on those two characters.

An episode is also planned to explore more of the background of Ronan Dex, who is played by Jason Momoa.

Joe Flannigan will return as Col. John Sheppard, the ranking military officer of the expedition. He will also be featured in a few episodes as well as continuing to lead the off world exploration team.

In addition to focusing on each character individually, this season will explore the interpersonal relationships of the characters. According to the show's producers, we will be shown more intimate moments between the characters which is something they didn't really take the time to do in previous seasons.

With Stargate SG-1 ending it's run last season, Atlantis now has the opportunity to lead the Stargate franchise into the future. With the groundwork that has been laid in the first three seasons, this show looks poised to charge ahead and create a legacy all it's own.