Sci-Fi Showdown GATE-TO-GATE - Week 10

Welcome to the latest edition of the Sci-Fi Showdown.

Man has time really flown by. Hard to believe that 10 short weeks ago, I started this latest series of Sci-Fi Showdown's. But, with Stargates Sg-1 and Atlantis having aired their Summer Season finales, it's time to bring the Showdown to a close.

I present to you now my reviews for the Stargate season finales. Be sure to check back next week as I award the shows and actors that I feel were the best this season.

Stargate Sg-1 ("The Quest part 1")

With the announcement of Stargate Sg-1's cancellation, I find myself cherishing each episode this 10th season. It's unclear as to how they will be ending the show come this spring, but I should think that from here on out, the shat will start to hit the fan in a big way.

In episode 10.10, The Quest part 1, things are really starting to heat up. The goal of this current story arch has been to find the Holy Grail--a weapon with the ability to destroy ascended beings. At the episode's start, Daniel (Michael Shanks) (with the help of an inspired Vala (Claudia Black), discover what must certainly be the Grail's location. However, once on the planet, things get progressively worse when after it is revealed former System Lord Ba'al is also searching for the Grail, an Ori army arrives to convert the local populace and take the weapon for themselves.

I was glad the writers decided to include Ba'al in the finale. The last remaining Goa'uld with any real power, he's played superbly by actor Cliff Simon. I always like to see former enemies team up with the good guys in end-game stories such as this. The tension between Ba'al, Teal'c and Mitchell is excellent--you can just feel the stress of Teal'c having to hold back from killing him on the spot.

Most of the finale revolved around a series of Indiana Jones-style puzzles. Sg-1 had to show themselves capable of a series of positive human qualities in order to gain access to the Holy Grail. It was nothing original, but entertaining nonetheless. However, I was a little turned off by Carter (Amanda Tapping) and her Tricorder like PDA device...it just seemed a little too Trek-like for my tastes.

Then came the episode's dramatic cliffhanger moment. Now don't get me wrong, as I like the idea in theory, but the episode ended with a long close-up on a poorly animated CGI dragon. Like something out of a Sci Fi Original crap-fest movie, it was more comical than dramatic. If this show hadn't jumped the shark so many times before, I'd say this would have been the moment...but as this show is light-hearted enough as it is, I can look past this with a little chuckle.

Can't wait to see how they bring the entire show to a close next season!

Rating: 7.75/10

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Stargate Atlantis ("The Return part 1")

With Sg-1 slowing to its end, Stargate Atlantis is just now starting to pick up. I've always been a fan of Atlantis, but season 3 has been better than I could have ever expected. With the expansion of the Wraith and addition of the Replicators, this show is dishing out the goods more and more each week.

In the season 3.0 finale, The Return part 1, the Daedalus discovers an Ancient warship traveling at near light-speed toward the Milky Way Galaxy. After catching their attention, the ship stops and reveals that they are Ancients fleeing from Pegasus. After a joyous return to Atlantis, however, the Ancients ask that the Earth expedition leave their rightful home. Begrudgingly, the Atlantis team packs up and heads back to Earth. However, when the human-form Replicators return to greet their former masters, things don't happen as planned.

What a fine way to end this terrific Summer season. What The Return part 1 lacked in action, it certainly made up for in emotional value. With the team (temporarily, of course) breaking up, much of the episode was concerned with the characters saying their goodbye's and being forced to continue with their lives back on Earth. Of the cast, Dr. Weir (Torri Higginson) was hit the hardest, with Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and Dr. Beckett (Paul McGillion) taking it upon themselves to help cheer her up.

Also worth mentioning was Richard Dean Anderson's guest starring role as General O'Neill. Surprising that Anderson appeared in Atlantis' finale as opposed to Sg-1's, but not at all unwelcomed. And after the episode's top-notch conclusion, it looks like Anderson will return next season on Atlantis, as well. The more Richard Dean, the better, I say.

But with a touching script and monster cliffhanger, this season finale is one for the record books. It was truly the perfect way to bring this superb season to a close.

Rating: 9/10

Thus concludes the Week 10 reviews for the Sci-Fi Showdown, Gate-to-Gate edition. Again, be sure to check back next week as I declare my favorite episodes, actors, and much, much more.

~Khyron, 2006