The Last Days of Stargate Atlantis: Another Great Sci-fi Franchise Ends Its Run

Stargate began with a motion picture in 1994. Director Roland Emmerich (of later Independence Day and Godzilla fame) gave us this film, which seeks to explain the mysteries of the Giza pyramids and unlock a door to the farthest reaches of the universe, a stargate.

The film was a success, though not without some critical lambasting, and spawned a spin-off television series, Stargate SG-1. The series expanded the concepts of the film, with a few minor discrepancies, quickly becoming of the most popular science fiction franchises of our time. In 2004, this television franchise became grew. The spin-off produced a spin-off, Stargate Atlantis.

SG-1 ran for ten seasons before being cancelled by its carrying network, the Sci-Fi Channel (US). According to the network, the decision was not driven by ratings, which were still very strong. Some fans still wonder why Sci-Fi chose to cut loose its signature show. Why kill the cash cow? Regardless, the show ended. Fortunately, the producers were able to tie up the loose plot threads in two direct-to-DVD films, with a third in consideration for early 2009. Production values, plot, and character development remain as strong in the DVD films as fans had come to love.

News of SG-1's demise hit the fans hard. Several were outraged. Others felt it was time for the show to end. After all, ten seasons is an impressive run. News of the DVD films softened the blow, but what kept most of us going was the simple fact that we still had one Stargate show on TV, Atlantis. While Atlantis arguably has not reached the level of depth in characters and plot as its parent series, it still maintains an avid fan base, enough to keep it afloat, for five seasons now. With SG-1 ending, many of that series's characters jumped over to Atlantis for a few guest appearances. It was still pretty good.

But the cancellation fairy visited us again. Yes, it's true. Stargate Atlantis will end its television run at the conclusion of this, its fifth season, having aired exactly 100 episodes. Executive Producer Joe Mallozzi stated the reason was mainly rising production costs and the devaluation of the US dollar. For fans, it doesn't matter. Atlantis is ending.

The decision has left many fans, as with SG-1, angered. Some have even created "Save Atlantis" online petitions. Others are more understanding. Whenever a franchise becomes as successful as Stargate, limits will ultimately be found. They can't keep making new episodes, can they? Eventually, there must be a finale. Admittedly, Atlantis makes it tricky.

For the past two seasons, Atlantis has been fighting to find its feet. The producers wrote out the Expedition's leader, Dr. Weir at the end of Season 3. They replaced her with Amanda Tapping, Colonel Carter from SG-1, a great move but only a temporary fix. Carter would make her exit at the close of Season 4. Yet another leader would take command in Season 5, Richard Woolsey, a non-military or scientific character who made frequent appearances on both SG-1 and Atlantis. The rest of the cast continues to play off their strengths and struggle occasionally. In many ways, the cast is just now beginning to gel as a unit, despite the changing command.

The Wraith remain the last great threat in the Pegasus Galaxy, Atlantis's setting. The cast did away with the Replicators already, well mostly. A few linger, but curently they're no threat. Recent episodes suggest that the cast may solve the Wraith threat soon. This season will likely leave little behind.

Fans need not worry themselves too greatly. A DVD film is already planned, with possibly more to come. Thus the show will end this Season, but it won't really end until production of the final film ends. And if that isn't all, the Stargate franchise will yet continue on television. A third television series, Stargate Universe, will make its debut in 2009. The series was officially green-lit on August 22, only two days after Atlantis's cancellation announcement.

So in a sense, it's not really ending. Reports of sequels to the original film still abound. Who knows where this franchise will go? Regardless, Stargate has certainly accomplished a lot on both large and small screens. Its influence will linger for years to come.