The starship Apollo arrives from Earth, and Colonel Ellis immediately pulls Dr. Weir, Colonel Sheppard and Rodney into a closed-doors briefing. Recent surveillance flybys of the Replicators’ planet have revealed that they’re building a fleet – and Ellis has arrived with order from Stargate Command to mount a first strike and take that fleet out before it can move against Atlantis or Earth. The Apollo’s mission appears to be a success, hitting the massive shipyards on the Replicator planet with nuclear weapons, but a circular satelite with a stargate at its center emerges from hyperspace in a geosynchoronous orbit above Atlantis, firing a beam that begins to weaken the city’s shields. As Rodney hatches a plan to buy more time by submerging the city again – the same way the Ancients did to escape the Wraith – Dr. Weir begins to question her future, worried that in every crisis, her decisions are second-guessed by the military. Sheppard and McCay finally realize that Atlantis needs to rise again and find a new home planet, if the city has enough power left.
written by Martin Gero
directed by Martin Wood
music by Joel Goldsmith and Neil AcreeGuest Cast: Michael Beach (Colonel Ellis), Jewel Staite (Dr. Kelly), Kavan Smith (Major Lorne), David Nykl (Dr. Zelenka), David Odgen Stiers (Oberoth), Chuck Campbell (Technician), Heather Doerksen (Apollo Tech), Donna Soares (Coleman), Jay Williams (Adams)
Notes: Jewel Staite previously appeared as the “devolved” Wraith Ellia in season 2’s Instinct, and is better known as Kaylee from Joss Whedon’s series Firefly. This marks her first appearance as Dr. Kelly, who would become a regular character in Atlantis’ fourth season. The Ancients’ undersea drilling station was introduced just two episodes prior, in Submersion. This episode also marked Torri Higginson’s last appearance as a member of the show’s regular cast.
LogBook entry by Earl Green