TV episode review
US airdate 9 January 2009 (Sci Fi Channel)

Todd makes contact with Atlantis to request help. He has been ousted from his hive after experiments with a stash of ZPMs has allowed the hive ship to gain efficiency and become immensely powerful. Engaging with the new superhive the Daedalus looks doomed. That is until the ship breaks off its attack when it receives the message through the rift giving the location of Earth…

Satisfyingly, if not a little sadly, this is an episode that manages to neatly end the run of Atlantis while setting up some novel avenues for future one-offs and also perhaps offering a tantalising clue to the new spin-off series. There is a strong sense of pacing throughout the episode, with a slow burn and a few rollercoaster highs before an astonishing climax. And as befits a series that is renowned for its brilliant effects work, the set pieces are spectacular.

Plotwise, there aren’t many surprises and there’s the inevitable pull back from any extreme downbeat moments, but it pushes all the right buttons in a very efficient way. It’s nice to see some familiar characters nab a few scenes (or a namecheck), and to experience the pleasure of seeing Atlantis come full circle.

There may have been some blips in this final series, but it’s really good to know that the production teams can still deliver episodes that come up above par. The future looks promising. Roll on Stargate Universe… Brigid Cherry

VERDICT: 8/10

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