Review: Collaborators
Written by Mark Verheiden

Following up the New Caprican plotline is no easy task. There are so many different possibilities to elaborate on, I was interested in where the writers would take us first. Wasting as little momentum as possible, they decided to take a look into the aftermath of the Cylon collaborators.

In episode 3.5, Collaborators, a council of Caprican survivors decides the fate of known Cylon collaborators. Meanwhile, Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and the new President, Zarek (Richard Hatch), conspire to bring Laura back into office. Elsewhere, the exiled Gaius Baltar (James Callis) finds himself an uneasy guest aboard a Cylon Baseship.

With a full, uninterrupted season this year, I think we're going to have to get used to more than a few 'filler' episodes. I'd say Collaborators was essentially one, though even filler episodes of Battlestar manage to stay engaging and continue to advance the story.

The main plot--the 'trials' given to the Cylon collaborators--was rightfully the most important of the episode. Not only did we see the fate of one of the show's most visible snitches, Jammer, but it also set the stage for how the new post-Caprican fleet would operate. The general pardon given to the entire human race will certainly be referenced again. Because, by definition, Gaius Baltar should be allowed to re-join the fleet without reprisal. If such an event were to occur, I'm sure it would make a nice plot with Roslin having to choose between vengeance and ideals.

Though from the looks of it, Gaius may not be getting back to the human race. I've been waiting for the moment Gaius would board a Baseship, and although the experience thus far has been a little underwhelming (the situation, certainly not Callis' performance), I continue to hold out hope that this plot will be going somewhere delicious.

Rating: 7 / 10 "Good stuff"

Saw III - Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman
Rated R for strong grisly violence and gore, sequences of terror and torture, nudity and language.

"If its Halloween, it must be Saw." Pretty big words linking a horror movie franchise with a national holiday. Yet for the past two years, Saw has proven to be an unadulterated success that, in my opinion, has saved the exploitation/slasher genre. But is Saw III worthy to hold the title?

As with the previous two Saw films, the plot of Saw III is surprisingly deep and dependent on its surprise ending. Because of this, to avoid the risk of spoilers, I will try to review it as a whole, without delving too deep into specifics. Basically, Saw III picks up right where the second one left off. With Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) nearing death, his assistant Amanda (Shawnee Smith) continues his legacy.

First off, this movie is relentless. With a pace akin to that of a 50-yard sprint, by the first few minutes alone, you've already come close to seeing more death than in the entire first film. If you preferred Saw I's more methodical pacing, you may not enjoy Saw III to the same extent. More similar to Saw II in this regard, its good for what it is, but definitely not for everyone.

As part of the hype-machine leading up to Saw III's release, the creators boasted that it would put the other two to shame in terms of gore. Without a doubt, they did just that. This movie is just plain rude. Even a gore-hound like myself cringed at the seriousness of the brutality. If you're looking for campy, don't look to Saw III. Though, and without spoiling it, I found it ironic that the most difficult scene to watch wasn't an inventive torture trap, but rather a real medical procedure. If you feel the need to prepare yourself for Saw III, I recommend watching a few surgery shows on cable first.

Fast, brutal and questionably entertaining, Saw III delivers what it promised and then some. This movie, no matter how popular the franchise is getting, continues to stick to the roots of its niche genre, and for that I award it. With an ending that should feel satisfying to fans of the previous two films, Saw III breaks all expectations and continues to make this franchise the epitome of the hardcore Halloween movie-going experience.

Rating: 4 / 5

The Prestige - Directed by Christopher Nolan
Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images.

From the director of Batman Begins and the cult-favorite Memento comes this intriguing tale of two rivaling magicians. Borrowing its title from the third act of any good magic trick, The Prestige is a twisted amalgamation of late 19th century society and science fiction that, despite being all over the place in terms of genre, manages to be more successful than it probably should be.

Staring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Michael Caine (among a star-studded cast that includes, of all people, David Bowie), The Prestige follows the rivalry between two competing magicians in London. Their obsession to outdo one another drives them to the edge of sanity. With an exceptionally fleshed out story that comes to a satisfyingly twisted ending, it is likely to be one of the more brain-intensive movies you're likely to see this year. But I mean that in the most flattering of ways.

I'm a rabid Christian Bale fan, so I won't comment any more on his performance other than to say that it was superb. Likewise, Michael Caine is indeed the man. Though I was also entertained by Hugh Jackman, an actor I usually consider overrated.

I feel that where The Prestige falters most evidently is in scope of the story. To me, it felt like it was trying to be too many things at once. Some may call this literary depth, but it felt to me like they were trying to find yet another place to put cheese in a pizza. At times it was a character drama, at others it was a mystery, yet towards the end, it turned into a full-on sci-fi. A pizza is good with cheese, but as soon as I start finding it in the crust, it starts to be too much.

Bottom line, if you've seen Christopher Nolan's previous popular works, the above mentioned Batman Begins and Memento, I can guarantee you'll enjoy The Prestige. The best way I can describe it is a story akin to Memento, but presented with the flair and polish of Batman Begins. Suffice to say, you should see it.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Review: Battlestar Galactica - Exodus Part 2
Written by Bradely Thompson & David Weddle

Whereas last week's episode was primarily build up, this week, in Exodus Part 2, it's all starting to hit the fan...in a big way.

In episode 3.4, Exodus Part 2, Adama (Edward James Olmos) and the Galactica finally launch the rescue mission to free the human race from Cylon occupation on New Caprica. Making a risky FTL jump into the planet's atmosphere, the Galactica launched its Vipers to assist the insurgency while trying to take as much heat off the escaping ships as possible. Meanwhile, Tigh (Michael Hogan) has to make a difficult decision about his wife, who has been betraying the human resistance.

First off, I'd just like to say that the special effects in this episode rivaled that of some blockbuster movies. In a word, they were simply breathtaking. They way the artists fused real-world film and CGI when the Galactica appears of above the planet is truly remarkable. Likewise, the space battle between the Battlestars Pegasus and Galactica were equally inspired. I can't imagine how much money those effects shots cost, but it was money well spent.

Without trying to sound like some blubbering fanboy, my first thought after the episode ended was that it was probably one the best single hours of syndicated television I had ever seen. In fact, it didn't even really feel like a TV show. Really, with the special effects, powerful script, and solid acting all around, it was an experience I will not soon forget.

From the beginning, this episode takes you the short hairs and doesn't let up. Starting with Tigh murdering his wife then talking to her corpse was about as dark as TV gets. He wont be, but Michael Hogan frakking deserves to be nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal as Colonel Tigh. This character is so hardcore, words fail to accurately describe him. Likewise, James Callis certainly has the emotionally destroyed, almost going to cry look down to a science. No longer the arrogant and confident Baltar we all knew and loved, I can't help but feel sorry for him whenever he's on screen.

I'd say the only part of the episode that didn't seem to work was a somewhat hazy sequence near the end in which Gaius and Six try to stop D'Anna from setting off a nuclear bomb. It could be due to the fact that they simply couldn't afford any more effects shots, but I didn't feel a sense of urgency about her setting of a nuke, considering it looked like most the humans had already escaped. Also, in the next scene, we see D'Anna not arming a nuke, but visiting an oracle's hut. Something about that chain of events didn't sit right with me. Though thankfully it was only a small portion of the conclusion sequence.

With high-paced action and drama that winds down to a bitter-sweet ending, Exodus Part 2 is about as good as television can get. Combined with the stellar two-part premier, season 3 of Battlestar Galactica is already shaping up to be the best yet. Now I can't wait to see where the writers take the show from here.

Rating: 10/10 "Holy Shi-!"

~Khyron, 2006

The K-Files - 10.18.06

Looking around my computer desk, its hard not to notice a recurring theme in my literary and entertainment interests. First off, in my modest DVD collection, about half of the titles end in the phrase, "...of the Dead." Let's see...I've got 2 Night of the Living Dead's (original and the 1990 Tom Savini remake), Day of the Dead, 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead, Return of the Living Dead, Creepshow, Land of the Dead and 3 copies of Dawn of the Dead (original, special edition box set and the 2004 remake). Moving slightly over to my collection of Xbox 360 games, you'll find the lovely title, Dead Rising. Next to my trusty clock radio that I depend on to wake me up after it keeps me up listening to Coast to Coast AM, I've got a collection of comic books, including such gems as Spawn, Escape of the Living Dead and of course Robert Kirkman's fantastic The Walking Dead. Finally, displayed prominently above my pillow resides a fullsize Dawn of the Dead movie poster.

If you haven't figured it out yet, the recurring theme here is reanimation. Zombies, man. They creep me out. But the mythos behind the zombie is also something I find quite interesting. Brought into the limelight by master of horror, George A. Romero, in 1968's Night of the Living Dead, the zombie genre has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success over the decades. However, we are right now in the midst of a veritable Zombie Renaissance. Starting with the films Resident Evil and 28 Days Later in 2002, and continuing with the more recent Shaun of the Dead, the genre is exploding. So popular, it has also spawned its own society of wannabe zombies--roaming the streets and rave scene dressed up as the shambling undead.

It was this topic that was on display during this past Saturday's Coast to Coast Live radio program. Host Ian Punnett welcomed guest Dr. Kim Paffenroth to discuss his latest book, Gospel of the Living Dead. About as far up my alley as any Coast to Coast topic has even been, I enjoyed the hell out of the unfortunately brief interview.

A native Minnesotan like Ian, I remember the zombie news story he mentioned at the beginning of the show. It was featured in a sizeable front-page article in one of the local metro newspapers recently. I forget which paper it was in (both of our Twin Cities has its own, for those unfamiliar with area), but several people dressed as zombies were arrested on the streets of Minneapolis. Apparently the group was acting too strange, as they were soon arrested by police. Although I think the real reason they were booked was due to disrespect to the arresting officer, the official charge was that they were simulating a weapon of mass destruction because one of the zombies was wearing some kind of radio equipment on his back. Just so you know, yes, we are a bit wacko here in Minnesota. But in any case, the group was participating in what is known as a 'zombie rave.' Just as the name implies, there are gatherings all across the country--and the world, as Ian pointed out in the show--where people dress up like zombies and dance to techno music.

It sounds like quite the fun time, but despite my interest in the zombie culture, I have not yet attended any of these such events. I wouldn't be against going to one, necessarily (I do intend to dress up like a zombie some Halloween), but the dancing part kind of turns me off to it. Rather, I'd be more interested in the other zombie cultural outing Ian mentioned--mall walking. Inspired undoubtedly by the king of all zombie movies, Dawn of the Dead, people have been known to dress up and wander the halls of the Mall of America. I'd say at this point, walking around as a zombie would be the only thing that would make me want to go to that useless tourist trap.

Back on topic, Ian and Paffenroth discussed the various possibilities behind the recent surge in zombie popularity. Mr. Punnett brought up an interesting point that perhaps it has something to do with post-9/11 anxiety. I think that pretty much hits it right on the head. The zombie in these movies (the good ones, at least) is usually used as a metaphor for some kind of social commentary, and I think the current relevance of the genre can be seen in the way we as Americans view the threat of radical Islam. Like the zombie, they are an ever-present, utterly determined force that seems to have surrounded us. Part of the fear right now, and not only with terrorists but I think in the illegal immigration debate as well, is that there is this faceless crowd of malign strangers out there, threatening to devour our society and convert us into something we're not--which pretty much pegs the gist of just about every zombie movie ever made. But of course we mustn't forget about the subject of rampant consumerism, as it remains as prevalent now as it did in the 1970s when George Romero felt the need to make Dawn of the Dead.

All in all, this was just a quality interview by Ian Punnett. Paffenroth was an interesting guest, and his book sounds equally intriguing. I try to keep up on the latest happenings in the realm of the zombie, but I had not heard of Gospel of the Living Dead. It certainly sounds like something I'd consider purchasing in the near future. My only gripe with the interview was the length. Ian, in the minuscule chance that you ever read this, please...please try to get Paffenroth on for a full show, as you guys barely even scratched the surface on zombie films, let alone his book on science fiction. Oh, and about Shaun of the Dead...you have a good taste in movies, my friend.

~Khyron, 2006

Review: Battlestar Galactica - Exodus Part 1
Written by Bradely Thompson & David Weddle

Come on, they wouldn't kill off Laura Roslin, would they? Would they...?

After the frantic cliffhanger of an ending to last week's season 3 premier, I found myself asking these kinds questions in preparation for Exodus Part 1. It seems they kind of wrote themselves into a corner on it--either 2 main characters would need to be killed off or they would have to pull some freak plot device that cops out of the situation. Either way, Exodus Part 1 had the difficult task of both concluding the premier's end point as well as transferring the show's tremendous momentum to the rest of the season. Not an easy task by any stretch, but this episode made it look easy.

In episode 3.3, Exodus Part 1, the Cylon occupation of New Caprica is nearing its climax. With the human resistance continuing its suicide bombing and hit and run campaign against their oppressors, the Cylon leadership is beginning to question their goals. The beleaguered President Baltar (James Callis) finds himself in a depressed stupor, isolated from the rest of a humanity that hates his very being. Meanwhile, the Cylon D'Anna has a series of dreams that reveals the possibility that Sharon's Cylon/Human child may still be alive. But with the Galactica preparing for a daring raid, things are about to get dicey on New Caprica.

As has been the case thus far with this show, it never seems to pan out as I anticipate. I came up with what I felt to be the most satisfactory resolution to the premier's cliffhanger but was instead presented with something I never even considered. Chief Tyrol and crew interrupting the execution squad was an acceptable choice, only it felt like something wasn't right. I don't know if it was because Exodus Part 1 had a different director than Precipice, or what, but there was a noticeable break in continuity. It was a trivial matter, but noticeable nonetheless.

With the cliffhanger resolved, Exodus Part 1 featured a couple of scenes that I felt were quite outstanding in their dramatic effect. First of these was the inevitable revelation to Colonel Tigh that his wife sold out the insurgency to the Cylons. Man, the look in Tigh's good eye was disturbing to say the least. Of all the characters on Battlestar Galactica, Tigh is the one I'd least want to be pissed at me. Seriously, it looked like he was going to snap. This poor guy was tortured for days--now he has to deal with his wife being a traitor? Ouch. Not sure what's going to happen to Ellen, but she really frakked up big this time.

The other scene of importance that I feel stood out was the departure ceremony between the Galactica and Pegasus crew. The spreading and subsequent blending of a line of salt was a powerful visual representation of the crew's determination and camaraderie. Also, Fat Lee getting choked up when he said goodbye to his father was powerful stuff. Fat suit or not, Jamie Bamber is still a helluvan actor.

Primarily a build-up episode, build up the plot it did. There was nothing terribly explosive that went down, but it has certainly set the stage for Part 2. Ending with the Galactica about to jump into orbit around New Caprica, Exodus Part 2 looks to be a cant miss episode for the series.

Rating: 9/10 "Exceptional"

~Khyron, 2006

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning - Directed by Jonathan Liebesman
Rated R for strong horror violence/gore, language and some sexual content.

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year for one reason: slasher flicks. Starting this season of horror is director Jonathan Liebesman's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. A prequel to a remake, this Leatherface origin story suffers mostly from the overuse of the source material.

In The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, a group of young'uns find themselves at the mercy of a deranged Korean War veteran (R. Lee Ermey) and his cannibalistic family, which of course includes Thomas 'Leatherface' Hewitt (Andrew Bryniarski). It's up to leading lady Chrissie (Jordana Brewster) to save her friends from gruesome death.

R. Lee Ermey makes this movie. Without him, it would be almost completely useless. With a plot that is near identical to the 2003 Texas Chainsaw remake, the only thing of interest in The Beginning is Ermey's sadistic role as a war veteran turned sheriff turned cannibal. In fact, despite this film being built up as a Leatherface origins piece, the symbolic, chainsaw wielding character plays only a limited, supporting role.

At about 84 minutes long, don't expect anything too deep plot-wise. However, those primarily seeking gore will find a more violent film than the somewhat disappointing 2003 remake. Makeup and gore effects are surprisingly brutal and by no means campy. Almost completely devoid of humor (except that of R. Lee's twistedly dark variety), The Beginning is 84 minutes of violence with minimal fluff.

However, an extreme lack of originality and disappointing, sudden ending left me wanting oh so much more from this potentially great film. Although acceptable for fans of the genre, it's far from a horror classic. If you're looking for a fright this Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning will do the job, but you're better off waiting for Saw III.

Rating: 2.5 / 5

10.11.06

Welcome to the latest installment of The K-Files.

Saturday night brought quite the unexpected announcement for Coast to Coast AM listeners. Adding to the drama of his already turbulent year, founder and weekend host Art Bell announced that his new wife Airyn is pregnant. I was initially happy for Art, but I soon became shocked when I discovered all of the increased hate directed at him and his family as of late. I wasn't planning on covering this subject this week, but I feel I need to provide a source of support for Art in what I feel to be a growing sea of disapproval.

You'd better get ready, 'cause here come The K-Files...Full Article.

Welcome to the first KHYRON.NET Sci-Fi Showdown Galactaholic review. Over the coming weeks, I will be reviewing the latest episodes of the Sci Fi channel's hit show, Battlestar Galactica. As with the Gate-To-Gate edition, the Galactaholic edition will be posted every Monday night for your reading pleasure. Reviews are written--for the most part--from memory and prior to me listening to writer Ronald D. Moore's weekly podcast. Each episode will be given a rating on a 10 point scale, as well as a single word or phrase to describe my final thoughts.

Alright, we've all waited long enough. Let's get down to business with the review for the season 3 opener of Battlestar Galatica...

Occupation/Precipice - Written by Ronald D. Moore

Pound for pound, Battlestar Galactica is the best show on television. That said, even a diehard super-fan like myself can admit that after the season 2.5 episode Resurrection Ship, Galactica has seemed to have lost some of its edge. With hit and miss episodes like Black Market and Scar (for the record, I liked both episodes), certain fans have voiced concern that season 2.5 marked the shark-jumping moment for the show. Indeed, after the shocking "One year later..." they pulled on the season finale, even I had my doubts that season 3 could top the unbelievable first season.

Straight up, those doubts were dead wrong.

With the season 3 premier, Ronald D. Moore and crew have created a darker, grittier Galactica that (dare I say it?) is every bit as hardcore as the stellar first season.

The premier opens in standard Galactica form, featuring a montage set to Eastern sounding music. In a series of extreme closeups, we see Colonel Tigh (Michael Hogan) in what appears to be a prison cell, as well as someone wiring an explosive device of some kind. At its climax, Admiral Adama (Edward James Olmos) is seen throwing a model violently onto the Galactica's tactical display console. Battlestar always seems to have the most moving montage sequences, and this one was no exception. They definitely started the season on a high note.

With the season 2.5 conclusion moving the story ahead by a year, they missed out on a year of characterization opportunities. So in the first opening minutes of season 3, I was most interested in seeing how each of the characters had changed. The first and most shocking of these character changes was with Tigh. Looking completely different from the past 2 seasons, he's now sporting a shaggy beard and a missing right eyeball. Always a gritty character, his new look makes him even that much more of a hard-ass. Having been a Michael Hogan fan from the start, the increased importance placed on the Tigh character is a welcome addition in my book.

Wasting no time, the episode quickly moves in to the realm of political commentary. After the characters Tyrol and Anders detonate an improvised explosive device to kill a few Cylons, A Leoben model remarks, "Frakking insurgents." Its pretty obvious by now that this season will be taking more than a few jabs at the current Iraq war. Although the parallels are anything but subtle, they certainly give the show some serious dramatic quality. Thankfully, however, Ronald D. Moore was successful in keeping the issues as muddy as possible, thus avoiding useless political pandering. While preachy at times, the show asks the hard questions without giving a definite 'right' answer. As Americans, we can relate to both the humans and the Cylons. This blurring of the line between right, wrong, man and machine was the high point of the second season, and from the looks of it, will be a cornerstone of season 3.

One of my favorite scenes of the episode featured a discussion between President Gaius Baltar (James Callis) and several Cylon models--including the cynical preacher, Cavil (Dean Stockwell). Filled with more politically relevant commentary than I could count, it was a good showcase for both Stockwell's ability as an actor (he makes it look so easy...) as well as the superb writing on the show. I've been waiting for these Baltar/Cylon interaction scenes for a while now, and so far they've been everything I could have hoped for.

Now, back to dramatic character changes. Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace is in a bad situation at the start of season 3. Held captive in what appears to be the luxury living quarters of the Cylon model Leoben, she is being forced to keep her humanity while being brainwashed to love her Cylon jailer. With her hair in a more feminine style and being thrust into the role of a reluctant mother, the character is starting to become increasing female, as opposed to simply being a woman cast in a what was previously a male role.

By a third of the way in, the show switches gears to the other main plot--the 2 Battlestars that fled with the rag-tag fleet when the Cylons showed up at New Caprica. Lead by Admiral Adama (Edward James Olmos), the reduced crew is having a poor time preparing for a rescue mission. Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber) has certainly let himself go. In the only dramatic character change close to that of Tigh's, Lee has gained quite a bit of weight after being given command of the Battlestar Pegasus. I must give kudos to the makeup department on the fat suit. For a television show, the amount of work the crew has put into making it look better than some movies is nothing short of exemplary.

Then came the show's first big "Oh shi-!" moments. In a move seemingly ripped from the headlines, Colonel Tigh and his resistance (insurgent) movement plan a suicide bombing of a New Caprican Police graduation ceremony. Putting on a stereotypical explosive vest, the suicide bomber slaughters not only a few Cylons but more than a few of his fellow humans, as well. Designed to be a way for the humans to enforce their own, thus taking the security burdens off of the Cylon's backs, the police force becomes a target for the human resistance. For a second there, I forgot that I was watching a work of science fiction and not the evening news. Usually I'm not a big fan of such an obvious political message, but Galactica manages to keep the narrative flowing without shoving a specific ideology down your throat. It presents some pretty tough questions (Is suicide bombing ever justified? What does it mean to be a traitor? Can good intentions bring unspeakable horrors?) but again, no one side is presented as either absolutely just or completely evil. They're walking a thin line, but for now I'm going to give Moore and the writing team the benefit of the doubt in keeping the show from degenerating into a full-on liberal soapbox.

In the wake of the suicide bombing, the show moves on to the next commentary--detention without trial and prisoner torture. In a scene shot with a hand-held effect similar to that of "The Shield," ski-mask wearing New Caprican police take dissidents from their homes and ship them away for eventual execution. The premier comes to its shocking conclusion just as the detainees are about to be shot down. Among the group are main characters Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and Tom Zarek (Richard Hatch). And although fan-favorite Cally (Nicki Clyne) is freed at the last moment before the Cylons start shooting, I'm left counting the minutes before we can learn the fate of 2 of the show's most prominent characters in the next episode.

Uncompromising and incredibly relevant, Battlestar Galactica's season 3 opener proves only further that it is still the best show on television. Any doubts about whether or not Battlestar can still pack a dramatic punch are now all but destroyed. And although it's starting to border on preachy, the plot is doing what all good sci-fi plots should: examine the core of human interaction and conflict.

Rating: 10/10 "Godlike!"

~Khyron, 2006

10.04.06

Welcome to the latest installment of The K-Files. Having finally gotten over the terrible nightmare I suffered from last week, it's time to get back to the usual paranormal opinionating that you've come to expect from The K-Files.

For two weeks in a row now, I have managed to listen to Ian Punnett's Coast to Coast Live program. Last Saturday, he featured one of my most cherished esoteric topics: Spontaneous Human Combustion. Fascinated with this phenomenon for as long as I can remember, I was glad this interesting subject hasn't completely faded from people's minds. This week I present to you my $0.02 on the episode and on human combustion in general.

You'd better get ready, 'cause here come The K-Files...Full Article.

Sci-Fi Showdown GATE-TO-GATE - Season Awards

Welcome to the final post in the Sci-Fi Showdown Gate-to-Gate edition for the year 2006. For the past 10 weeks, I have been reviewing each new episode of Stargate Sg-1 and Stargate Atlantis. Though for those keeping track (as opposed to last year's Sci-Fi showdown), there really hasn't been much competition this time around. With Battlestar Galactica having been removed from the usual Sci Fi Friday lineup, I didn't much see the point in pitting 2 Stargate shows against each other.

That said, it is now time for the 'Showdown' part of this column. With the first half their seasons now completed, I shall proceed to name those actors and episodes I feel stood out...

Award: Best Single Episode
Winner: Progeny (Stargate Atlantis)

Stargate Atlantis has certainly come a long way in its short 3 season run. Although I've always been a fan of the show, it's really starting to come into its own. In fact, I think that at just about every turn, Atlantis outperformed Sg-1 in terms of writing, acting, and entertainment.

This particular episode was exceptionally great. With an "oh shi-" moment on par with anything in Sg-1's 10-season run, I consider this the turning point in which the torch was passed from original to spin-off. It is because of episodes like this one that I'm not terribly upset that Sg-1 will soon be going off the air. The 'Gate is still in good hands.

Runner-up: 200 (Stargate Sg-1)

Award: Best Leading Role
Winner: Joe Flanigan as John Sheppard (Stargate Atlantis)

Joe Flanigan has always been one of Atlantis' most appealing aspects. He plays the role of the team leader with an energy and style that Ben Browder on Sg-1 simply can't match. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Ben Browder, but there's something about Flanigan that just makes him fun to watch.

They key episode that influenced my choice was 'Phantoms.' In it, Sheppard suffers from a dramatic flashback to his Gulf War experience. It was a brief bit of gritty reality in the usually light-hearted Stargate Atlantis that brought greater appreciation to Joe's range as an actor. Good stuff.

Runner-up: Ben Browder (Stargate Sg-1)

Award: Best Bad Guy
Winner: Cliff Simon as Ba'al (Stargate Sg-1)

A fan-favorite (and rightfully so), Cliff Simon plays the ultimate bad guy. With a cruel smile, razor-sharp wit and mandatory accent, the necessarily over-played role of Ba'al is a bigger than life enemy with depth rivaling that of some show's main characters.

Runner-up: No one, really...Cliff Simon won this by a landslide.

Award: Best Single Line
Winner: Stargate Sg-1

"Damn you, Cam Mitchell!"

Award: Worst Single Episode
Winner (Loser?): Uninvited (Stargate Sg-1)

The more I think about this episode, the less I like it. A filler episode of the worst variety, it was one of the few that started to show Sg-1's age. Oh well. Can't win 'em all.

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for...

Award: Best Show Overall
Winner: Stargate Atlantis

With a combination of great scripts, a fun cast, and quality entertainment, I feel Atlantis out did its predecessor this season. Sg-1's record-setting 10th season was still a good one (with the quality 200th episode), but the darker, religious undertones of the current plot line doesn't compete with the stylized look and feel of Atlantis.

Because it needs to be said at least one more time, the Stargate is in good hands with Atlantis. Sg-1 going off the air will be a sad day, indeed...but with Atlantis going strong, fans can rest assured that the gate will stay open for many years to come.

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Thus concludes this season of the Sci-Fi Showdown. I hope you enjoyed my weekly reviews as much as I enjoyed reading them. It's the support and kind words from readers like you that keep me going.

Now, moving right along, get ready for next week as KHYRON.NET hails the return of the best show on television. Yup...that's right. Starting Friday, October 6th, the destined to be a classic 3rd season of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA begins. Stay tuned for all kinds of coverage right here, at KHYRON.NET.

"So say we all."
~Khyron, 2006