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I have been wondering to myself, "Why do I like SGA so much when SG-1 never really did anything for me?" Same premises, same shameless opportunities to play with classic plot cliques (body-switching, multiple universes, invisibility).
What is the difference?
I have the answer.
Stargate Atlantis is a geek show.
No, really. Lemme 'splain.
SG-1 functions on the premise of exploration. They find new peoples, Daniel gets excited over the culture, the rest of the team just plays along, aliens attack, hard choices are made... When wars are waged, its with fire an man-power. It's social. The aliens are parasites and the hosts are innocent victims and the show focuses on that humanity. Great for show, but it feels lacking, sometimes.
Atlantis is different. They're not figuring out the Stargate, they've already done so. They are in a different galaxy, far away from standard social norms, making their own way. Rodney and Sheppard? Both stunningly intelligent individuals who blow things up. The denizens of Atlantis? 80% are doctors and scientists. The problems they face? They fight them with brains, not brawn. They're forced to out-think their opponents, not outrun or out-fight them. And the bad guys? Are so inhuman, there is no sympathy to be had.
The jokes and references are geeked to the max. Sometimes they dumb some principles down for the audience, but their science is fundamentally sound and really kinda cool.
Geeks like this show.
And non-geeks canceled it, the bastards.
What is the difference?
I have the answer.
Stargate Atlantis is a geek show.
No, really. Lemme 'splain.
SG-1 functions on the premise of exploration. They find new peoples, Daniel gets excited over the culture, the rest of the team just plays along, aliens attack, hard choices are made... When wars are waged, its with fire an man-power. It's social. The aliens are parasites and the hosts are innocent victims and the show focuses on that humanity. Great for show, but it feels lacking, sometimes.
Atlantis is different. They're not figuring out the Stargate, they've already done so. They are in a different galaxy, far away from standard social norms, making their own way. Rodney and Sheppard? Both stunningly intelligent individuals who blow things up. The denizens of Atlantis? 80% are doctors and scientists. The problems they face? They fight them with brains, not brawn. They're forced to out-think their opponents, not outrun or out-fight them. And the bad guys? Are so inhuman, there is no sympathy to be had.
The jokes and references are geeked to the max. Sometimes they dumb some principles down for the audience, but their science is fundamentally sound and really kinda cool.
Geeks like this show.
And non-geeks canceled it, the bastards.
