For the first time ever, fans can catch up on season 3 before season 4 begins on Sci Fi!
With Stargate SG-1 now permanently off the data screen (except for a TV movie or two) after ten productive seasons, it appears that the fate of the universe is now the responsibility of the Stargate Atlantis crew. Based on the latter's third season, whose 20 episodes (plus a wealth of bonus features) are made available here on five discs, we're in good hands. Three years into it, Atlantis has retained numerous familiar elements while continuing to evolve steadily. The core cast is intact, with the cocky wiseacre-hero Lt. Col. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and the egotistical, neurotic genius Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) still the most entertaining of the bunch; as the series explores the characters' personal lives and backstories, we even meet (in "McKay and Mrs. Miller") the latter's sister, who's every bit the wiz that he is. On the other hand, the roles of team leader Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson) and members Teyla (Rachel Luttrell) and Ronon Dex (Jason Momoa) are neither especially well-written nor well-played. The return of Richard Dean Anderson (and his sense of humor) as General Jack O'Neill, the SG-1 mainstay during most of its run, for a few cameos is most welcome, as is the presence of the Wraith, the series' principal villains (SG-1 fans will also recognize the "sentient machines" known as the Replicators from that series). With their flowing white locks, cat-like eyes, pale, almost translucent skin, ultra-fine black leather dusters, and, in one case, shades that would make a Hollywood hipster envious, the Wraith remain the coolest bad guys on the sci-fi scene. We already knew that they feed on humans, but this season brings some startling new revelations, particularly in "Common Ground," an excellent episode that finds Sheppard and a Wraith (Christopher Heyerdahl) forming an unlikely alliance against a mutual enemy; we also witness the return of the Wraith known as Michael (Connor Trinneer), who was the subject of the Atlantis team's ongoing "retro-virus" experiment (designed to make Wraiths human) in Season Two and plays a significant recurring role in Season Three. Other developments are apparent as well, but most dramatic of all is the death of one of the team's key members. Stargate Atlantis isn't the most original TV show ever created; in fact, elements of The Running Man, Alien, The Abyss, Enemy Mine, and other sci-fi works are sometimes so obvious that the characters themselves mention them in dialogue. But as always, the action sequences, special effects, models, and other technical elements are first-rate, as are the bonus features, which include episode commentaries, featurettes, and photo galleries. --Sam Graham
Beyond Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Third Season
Stargate SG-1 Complete DVD Series
Stargate Atlantis Books
Stargate Toys and Games
Stills from Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Third Season
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Another excellent season but it could have been much better:
The DVD set:
1. The editting is AWESOME. I owned many TV Series DVDs Set and NONE HAVE THE EDITTING OF SGA. The episode goes as a small movie and you can not feel where the commercial breaks were.
2. The art on some of the slim cases does look, like a bad print.
3. The DVDs themselves are great, easy to take and put back in, nice art.
4. The complete case is very slim, so it does not take a lot of space in your library.
5. There is no booklet, and there is a small summary on... more info
Excellent series!:
I bought two sets of these one as a gift and one for myself, both sets worked and great packaging. Fan of SGA since the start and this is worth every penny. I've watched this set at least 6 times since I've purchased it. The menu is a sga true layout with easy access to all functions of the dvd.
Great series!:
I really like the plot, the characters, special effects.... well it is a fun show to watch!
Another great Atlantis season:
This show just keeps getting better. The condition of the product was great when I got it.
