No edit summary |
m (→References) Tag: sourceedit |
||
| (48 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox Episode |
{{Infobox Episode |
||
| − | | |
+ | |name=Enemy at the Gate |
| − | | |
+ | |image=[[File:EnemyAtTheGate11.jpg|250px]]{{caption|Carter, Sheppard, and Major Davis formulate a plan.}} |
| − | | |
+ | |series=''[[Stargate: Atlantis]]'' |
| − | | |
+ | |episode=[[Atlantis Season 5|5.20]] |
| − | | |
+ | |production=519 |
| − | | |
+ | |airdate=[[January 9]], [[2009]] |
| − | | |
+ | |story= |
| − | | |
+ | |hidec= |
| − | | |
+ | |writer=[[Joseph Mallozzi]] and [[Paul Mullie]] |
| − | | |
+ | |director=[[Andy Mikita]] |
| − | | |
+ | |guests=[[Christopher Heyerdahl]] as [[Guide|Todd]]<br/>[[Mitch Pileggi]] as [[Colonel]] [[Steven Caldwell]]<br/>[[David Nykl]] as [[Dr.]] [[Radek Zelenka]]<br/>[[Kavan Smith]] as [[Major]] [[Evan Lorne]]<br/>[[Michael Beach]] as [[Colonel]] [[Abraham Ellis]]<br/>[[Martin Christopher]] as [[Major]] [[Kevin Marks]]<br/>[[Gary Jones]] as [[CMSgt.]] [[Walter Harriman]]<br/>[[Amanda Tapping]] as [[Colonel]] [[Samantha Carter]]<br/>[[Paul McGillion]] as [[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett (clone)|Carson Beckett]]<br/>[[Colin Cunningham]] as [[Major]] [[Paul Davis]]<br/>[[Sharon Taylor]] as [[Amelia Banks]]<br/>[[Ben Cotton]] as [[Dr.]] [[Peter Kavanagh]]<br/>[[Tyler McClendon]] as [[Wraith underling]]<br/>[[Chuck Campbell]] as [[Chuck]] |
| − | | |
+ | |preceded_by="[[Vegas]]" |
| − | | |
+ | |followed_by=''[[Legacy: Homecoming]]'' |
}} |
}} |
||
{{ATL-5}} |
{{ATL-5}} |
||
| − | '''"Enemy at the Gate"''' is the twentieth episode of the [[Atlantis Season 5|fifth season]] of ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]'' and the landmark 100th and final episode of the series. |
+ | '''"Enemy at the Gate"''' is the twentieth episode of the [[Atlantis Season 5|fifth season]] of ''[[Stargate: Atlantis]]'' and the landmark 100th and final episode of the series. |
==Synopsis== |
==Synopsis== |
||
| − | "[[Todd]]" informs the [[Atlantis expedition]] that a rogue group of [[Wraith]] |
+ | "[[Guide|Todd]]" informs the [[Atlantis expedition]] that a rogue group of [[Wraith]] has acquired several [[Zero Point Module]]s to power a [[Super-hive|formidable new Hive Ship]], and wants it destroyed. However, after the ''[[Daedalus]]'' is disabled, they learn that the ship is heading straight for [[Earth]], and they must stop it before it gets there. |
==Plot== |
==Plot== |
||
| − | [[File:BattleOfTheZPMPoweredHiveShip.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The [[Daedalus]] opens fire]] |
+ | [[File:BattleOfTheZPMPoweredHiveShip.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The ''[[Daedalus]]'' opens fire]] |
| − | [[Todd]] contacts Atlantis and reveals that a [[Wraith underling|Wraith subordinate]] has mutinied and managed to use several [[Zero Point Module]]s, acquired during the destruction of [[Asuras]], to power a formidable new |
+ | [[Guide|Todd]] contacts [[Atlantis]] and reveals that a [[Wraith underling|Wraith subordinate]] has mutinied and managed to use several [[Zero Point Module]]s, acquired during the destruction of [[Asuras]], to power a formidable new [[Hive ship]]. He urges [[Richard Woolsey]] to attack and destroy it before it becomes a threat to Atlantis. On board the ''[[Daedalus]]'', [[Colonel]] [[Steven Caldwell]], [[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]] and the rest of the [[First Atlantis Reconnaissance Team|team]] rush to engage the new [[Super-hive]]. But the vessel proves itself an impressive opponent, crippling the ''Daedalus'' before making a sudden and inexplicable jump into [[hyperspace]]. |
| − | Puzzled over the Wraith's sudden departure, [[ |
+ | Puzzled over the Wraith's sudden departure, [[Dr.]] [[Peter Kavanagh]] on board the ''Daedalus'' picks up a weak subspace signal in Wraith code. [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] is quick to recognize that the communique was sent, through subspace, from an [[alternate reality]]. Once deciphered, their worst fears are realized: the Wraith message contains a familiar set of coordinates — the hive ship is on its way to [[Earth]]. McKay is able to calculate where the hive ship will drop out of hyperspace before reaching Earth, of which they can notify [[Stargate Command]] via Atlantis once the communications array is repaired. |
| − | [[File:Atalntishyperspace.JPG|thumb| |
+ | [[File:Atalntishyperspace.JPG|thumb|right|200px|[[Atlantis]] traveling through space]] |
| − | The team returns to Atlantis once the Daedalus' engines are repaired, but are dismayed to learn from a video transmission sent by [[Colonel]] [[Abraham Ellis]] that both Earth's starships, the [[Apollo]] and the new [[Sun Tzu (spaceship)|Sun Tzu]], have failed miserably to stop the [[Wraith]] ship, with the Apollo, in bad shape herself, taking on crew from the crippled Sun Tzu. Sheppard interrogates Todd for the location of more ZPMs, which [[Evan |
+ | The team returns to Atlantis once the ''Daedalus''<nowiki>'</nowiki> engines are repaired, but are dismayed to learn from a video transmission sent by [[Colonel]] [[Abraham Ellis]] that both Earth's starships, the ''[[Apollo]]'' and the new ''[[Sun Tzu (spaceship)|Sun Tzu]]'', have failed miserably to stop the [[Wraith]] ship, with the ''Apollo'', in bad shape herself, taking on crew from the crippled ''Sun Tzu''. Sheppard interrogates Todd for the location of more ZPMs, which [[Major]] [[Evan Lorne]] and his team are able to locate; Atlantis, now with her full complement of three ZPMs, will return to Earth in a last-ditch effort to defend it. Sheppard expects to be the one flying the city, but he is informed by Woolsey that he will be returning to Earth. The task of flying the City ship then falls to [[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett (clone)|Carson Beckett]]. |
| + | [[File:F-302sBattleDartsInEATG.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[F-302 fighter-interceptor|F-302]]s battle [[Wraith Dart]]s]] |
||
| − | + | Beckett launches the city and Sheppard returns to Earth via the Stargate, alone, to command the chair from the [[Antarctic outpost]] at [[Major General]] [[Jack O'Neill]]'s request. Back on Earth, [[Colonel]] [[Samantha Carter]] is temporarily in charge of Stargate Command, and [[Major]] [[Paul Davis]] informs Sheppard that the Wraith ship has arrived shockingly earlier than anticipated and is now on the other side of the [[Earth's Moon|moon]], sitting still and doing nothing. They assume it is going to complete its integration with the ZPM and then attack Earth. Sheppard is able to convince Carter and Davis to let him lead a squadron of [[F-302 fighter-interceptor|F-302]]s refitted with [[Nuclear warhead]]s, which are diverted to intercept [[Wraith Dart]]s sent to destroy the [[Ancient]] [[Control chair]] (which had been relocated to [[Area 51]]), in advance of the main Wraith attack. The attack succeeds and with the chair destroyed, Earth is defenseless; Sheppard volunteers to go on a suicide mission to destroy the hive ship from the inside with the nuke onboard his F-302. |
|
| − | Meanwhile, |
+ | Meanwhile, [[International Oversight Advisory]] dignitaries prepare to escape Earth to the [[P4X-650|Alpha Site]] (Davis quips as "courageous to the end") but discovers the Wraith have overridden Earth's gate. At the very edge of the [[Milky Way]] [[galaxy]], Atlantis' hyperdrive disengages due to overtaxing. Woolsey tries to dial Earth, only to find that it has dialed the hive ship above Earth — [[Ronon Dex]], [[Teyla Emmagan]], Lorne, and McKay enter the gate to infiltrate the hive ship. Meanwhile, Sheppard separately infiltrates the hive with his F-302 through the [[Hive Ship#Dart bays|Dart bay]], unbeknownst to the rest of the team. In a desperate battle on board the hive ship, Ronon is stabbed in a fight with two [[Wraith warrior]]s. The knife has pierced his lung, and he dies from the resulting blood loss; with Teyla and McKay visibly upset, Lorne forces them to leave his body behind. |
| − | Back on Atlantis, with the hyperdrive out of commission, Zelenka proposes activating a highly experimental and potentially dangerous [[Wormhole |
+ | Back on Atlantis, with the hyperdrive out of commission, [[Dr.]] [[Radek Zelenka]] proposes activating a highly experimental and potentially dangerous [[Wormhole drive]] based on the same wormhole technology as the Stargate. With it, they could potentially reach Earth in seconds. |
| + | On the hive ship, just as Sheppard is about to activate his nuke, he receives a radio transmission from McKay who suggests activating it by remote, allowing the team to escape through the Stargate to the Alpha site. Sheppard and the team return for Ronon's body, only to discover the Wraith underling has revived Ronon for interrogation; the team kills the Wraith underling and his two guards and is able to rescue Ronon. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | However, Sheppard and his team run out of time as they attempt to reach the gate and stopped in a corridor, Sheppard prepares to activate the nuke with all of them still |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Everyone at Stargate Command waits for news with bated breath, but erupts into celebration when Atlantis lands successfully over water. Although the re-entry caused a giant fireball across the sky, the city is able to cloak before landing, and the area in which they land, just past the Golden Gate Bridge on the Pacific Ocean side, is placed under naval quarantine, so for now at least, Earth's population is still in the dark. |
||
| ⚫ | However, Sheppard and his team run out of time as they attempt to reach the gate and stopped in a corridor, Sheppard prepares to activate the nuke with all of them still on board. Thankfully, Atlantis arrives in position between the Hive and Earth to buy them more time. Atlantis takes the brunt of the hive ship's assault on Earth and launches a barrage of [[Drone weapon]]s in retaliation. The sheer force of the Hive's weapons fire is pushing the city ship into Earth's atmosphere, and it is straining the shields. With little power left, Beckett can either adjust the course of Atlantis, or keep firing at the enemy ship; Woolsey gives the order to keep firing. The team manages to escape to the [[P4X-650|Alpha Site]], and the nuke successfully detonates, destroying the hive ship, but Atlantis is now forced to make a landing through Earth's atmosphere, risking burning up during re-entry. |
||
| ⚫ | Everyone at Stargate Command waits for news with bated breath, but erupts into celebration when Atlantis lands successfully over water. Although the re-entry caused a giant fireball across the sky, the city is able to [[cloak]] before landing, and the area in which they land, just past the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] on the [[Pacific Ocean]] side, is placed under [[United States Navy|naval]] quarantine, so for now at least, Earth's population is still in the dark. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Sheppard visits Todd, who still locked in a holding room. Todd boasts about his help in saving Earth because of his ZPMs and asks if Sheppard has come to kill him, but Sheppard does not respond. Ronon is visited in his [[Atlantis infirmary]] bed by Sheppard when [[Amelia Banks]] walks in. She takes him to join the rest of the senior Atlantis staff on a balcony overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in [[San Francisco]]. |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
| + | [[304]]; [[AIM 120A air-to-air missile]]; [[Alternate reality]]; [[Ancient Technology Activation gene]]; [[Antarctica]]; [[Antarctic outpost]]; [[Antarctic Treaty]]; ''[[Apollo]]''; [[Asgard plasma beam weapon]]; [[Asgard transporter]]; [[Asuran]]s; [[Asuras]]; [[Atlantis infirmary]]; [[Atlantis' shield]]; [[Battle of the Super-hive]]; [[Briefing Room]]; [[C-130]]; [[Chair room]]; [[Champagne]]; [[Cloak]]; [[Control chair]]; ''[[Daedalus]]''; [[Dial Home Device]]; [[Drone weapon]]; [[Drone weapon deployment platform]]; [[Earth's Moon]]; [[F-302 fighter-interceptor]]; [[FN P90 Personal Defense Weapon]]; [[Fragmentation grenade]]; ''[[George Hammond]]''; [[Gift of Life]]; [[Golden Gate Bridge]]; [[Lt. General]] [[George S. Hammond]]; [[President of the United States|President]] [[Henry Hayes]]; [[Heart]]; [[Heart attack]]; [[Hive ship]]; [[Homeworld Security]]; [[International Oversight Advisory]]; [[Major General]] [[Henry Landry]]; [[Lung]]; [[McMurdo Air Force Base]]; [[Midway space station]]; [[New Lantea]]; [[Nuclear warhead]]; ''[[Odyssey]]''; [[Major General]] [[Jack O'Neill]]; [[P4X-650]]; [[Pacific Ocean]]; [[Particle magnum]]; [[Planet (Enemy at the Gate)]]; [[Puddle Jumper]]; [[Riggs]]; [[San Francisco]]; [[Sensor]]; [[Stardrive]]; ''[[Star Wars]]''; ''[[Sun Tzu (spaceship)|Sun Tzu]]''; [[Super-hive]]; [[Tau'ri fleet]]; [[United States Navy]]; [[Wormhole drive]]; [[Wraith]]; [[Wraith cloning facility]]; [[Wraith Dart]]; [[Wraith energy weapon]]; [[Wraith scout ship]]; [[Wraith tracker]]; [[Wraith warrior]]; [[Zero Point Module]] |
||
| − | [[Antarctic outpost]]; [[Apollo]]; [[Atlantis]]; [[Battle of the ZPM powered Hive Ship]]; [[Golden Gate Bridge]]; [[Hive Ship]]; [[Planet (Enemy at the Gate)]]; [[Riggs]]; [[San Francisco]]; [[Sun Tzu (spaceship)|Sun Tzu]]; [[Tau'ri fleet]]; [[Wormhole drive]]; [[ZPM]]; [[ZPM powered Hive Ship]] |
||
==Notable Quotes== |
==Notable Quotes== |
||
| + | '''McKay''': Kavanagh. What the hell are you doing here?<br /> |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | '''Kavanagh''': Reassignment. More fun and adventure in the Pegasus galaxy. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | ''' |
+ | '''Todd''': I may have acquired a few more than I let on.<br /> |
| − | ''' |
+ | '''Woolsey''': How many more?<br /> |
| + | '''Todd''': Let's not get caught up in unnecessary details.<br /> |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | '''Woolsey''': I like… details. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | '''Sheppard''': The other ZPMs you talked to Woolsey about? Tell us where to get 'em, and maybe it'll improve your situation.<br /> |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | '''Todd''': Am I supposed to be enticed by this offer?<br /> |
||
| + | '''Sheppard''': No. I'll probably kill you anyway. But, don't forget, this Wraith betrayed you and got away with it. For no other reason, you might want to do it out of pure spite.<br /> |
||
| + | ''(Todd leans back, studying Sheppard.)''<br /> |
||
| + | '''Todd''': You...know how to talk to me, John Sheppard. |
||
| + | |||
| + | ''(about Todd's credibility for the ZPMs)''<br /> |
||
| + | '''Woolsey''': He actually came through for us.<br /> |
||
| + | '''Sheppard''': Maybe he's turning over a new leaf.<br /> |
||
| + | '''Woolsey''': Get those down to Zelenka immediately.<br /> |
||
| + | '''Lorne''': Yes, sir.<br /> |
||
| + | ''(Lorne starts to leave.)''<br /> |
||
| + | '''Sheppard''': Or maybe they're going to blow up when you plug them in.<br /> |
||
| + | '''Woolsey''': ''(changing his mind)'' Have Doctor McKay check them first.<br /> |
||
| + | '''Lorne''': Right... |
||
| + | |||
| + | ''(McKay makes some final adjustments on a control panel.)''<br /> |
||
| + | '''McKay''': ''(into radio)'' All right. I've finished recalibration on the chair. Radek, how are things at your end?<br /> |
||
| + | '''Zelenka''': ''(over radio)'' ZPMs are online and functioning one hundred percent. We're good to go.<br /> |
||
| + | '''McKay''': Okay! Who's flying this puppy?<br /> |
||
| + | ''(Beckett quickly enters the room.)''<br /> |
||
| + | '''Beckett''': That would be me.<br /> |
||
| + | '''McKay''': ''(confused)'' Carson?<br /> |
||
| + | '''Beckett''': Rodney.<br /> |
||
| + | '''McKay''': What, they called you in for this?<br /> |
||
| + | '''Beckett''': Aye.<br /> |
||
| + | '''McKay''': You must have a higher CIA than I thought.<br /> |
||
| + | '''Beckett''': Excuse me?<br /> |
||
| + | '''McKay''': Chair Interface Aptitude. We have a... we have a ranking system.<br /> |
||
| + | '''Beckett''': Well, apparently, after Colonel Sheppard, I'm number two.<br /> |
||
| + | '''McKay''': ''(skeptical)'' Really? I'll have a look into that. |
||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
''(The Wraith underling revives Ronon and demand information about the rest of the team)''<br /> |
''(The Wraith underling revives Ronon and demand information about the rest of the team)''<br /> |
||
| − | '''Wraith underling |
+ | '''Wraith underling''': Where are they?!<br /> |
''(The Wraith underling gets his answer as Sheppard and the others show up and kill him and his guards)'' |
''(The Wraith underling gets his answer as Sheppard and the others show up and kill him and his guards)'' |
||
| + | |||
| + | '''Sheppard''': Well, how you feeling?<br /> |
||
| + | '''Ronon''': Ready to get out of here.<br /> |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
''(last lines)''<br /> |
''(last lines)''<br /> |
||
| − | '''Keller |
+ | '''Keller''': ''(to McKay)'' You OK?<br /> |
| − | '''McKay |
+ | '''McKay''': I'm alive. ''(Keller laughs)'' And I've got you, what else would I need?<br /> |
| − | '''Sheppard |
+ | '''Sheppard''': Nice view.<br /> |
| − | '''Woolsey |
+ | '''Woolsey''': Yes... yes it is. |
==Notes== |
==Notes== |
||
{{Source images}} |
{{Source images}} |
||
| + | *Although it is not seen, this episode introduces a new [[Earth]] ship, the ''[[Sun Tzu (spaceship)|Sun Tzu]]'', a [[China|Chinese]] ship. It is the fifth [[304|''Daedalus''-class ship]] to enter service. The other four Deep Space Cruisers are the ''[[Daedalus]]'', first seen in the Season 2 ''[[Stargate: Atlantis]]'' episode "[[The Siege, Part 3]];" the ''[[Odyssey]]'', first seen in the Season 9 ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "[[Off the Grid]];" the ''[[Korolev]]'', first seen in the Season 9 SG-1 episode "[[Camelot (episode)|Camelot]]."; and the ''[[Apollo]]'', first seen in the season 3 Atlantis episode "[[First Strike]]". |
||
| − | * Carter reveals to Sheppard she is leaving |
+ | *[[Colonel]] [[Samantha Carter]] reveals to [[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]] she is leaving [[Stargate Command]] to command the ''[[George Hammond|Phoenix]]'', which has been renamed to ''George Hammond'' in honor of [[Lt. General]] [[George S. Hammond]] (in an homage to [[Don S. Davis]], who died of heart failure on June 29, 2008). The ship would later be featured on ''[[Stargate Universe]]''. |
| − | *In this episode, Dr. Beckett is the last person seen in an Ancient Control |
+ | *In this episode, [[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett (clone)|Beckett]] is the last person seen in an [[Ancient]] [[Control chair]] and he uses that chair to fire [[Drone weapon]]s. In "[[Rising]]", the pilot episode, [[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett]] is the first one seen in the chair, and his first act was to accidentally fire a drone. It is also revealed that he has the second best [[Control chair#Ancient uses|Control Interface Aptitude]], after Sheppard. [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] is mildly annoyed by this and in "Rising", he was annoyed that he didn't have the [[Ancient Technology Activation gene]]. |
| − | * |
+ | *This is the second time that a [[Hive ship]] has entered [[hyperspace]] rather than continuing to fire on the ''[[Daedalus]]''; a similar instance occurred in "[[Allies]]" when two regular Hives entered hyperspace just as the ''Daedalus'' planned to retreat. Those Hives also had left after learning of [[Earth]]'s location. |
| ⚫ | |||
| + | *This episode marks the first appearance of [[Major]] [[Paul Davis]] since ''[[Stargate: Continuum]]'' and final appearance of Davis in the Stargate franchise. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | *All three [[United States Air Force]] commanders of [[Stargate Command]] are mentioned, [[Major General]] [[Henry Landry]] who is heading a task force in [[Washington D.C.]], [[Major General]] [[Jack O'Neill]] recalling Sheppard and [[Lt. General]] [[George S. Hammond]] who has recently passed away. Coincidence or not, on top of this, this is also the last episode of the three current series to show the SGC, although the SGC does appear in a video in "[[Air, Part 1]]". |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | * This episode marks the first appearence of Major Davis since [[Moebius, Part 1|"Moebius, Part 1"]]. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | * |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
*This episode was to premiere in January, however an unfinished copy (a DVD screener) was leaked to the internet on December 22, 2008. |
*This episode was to premiere in January, however an unfinished copy (a DVD screener) was leaked to the internet on December 22, 2008. |
||
| − | *Brad Wright stated: Don't expect a final and total defeat of the Wraith, just because the television series is ending. Some storylines will be wrapped up by series end, but the Wraith will continue to be a presence beyond our 100th episode. |
||
| − | *Joseph Mallozzi stated: Does Season Five end on a cliffhanger? "Depends what you mean by 'cliffhanger. Not so much. It's a great story that Paul and Joe wrote. It's a terrific script, and there's a 'What now?' aspect of it. That's for sure. But there's no fingers dangling on the edge of a cliff, as we have done in the past." |
||
| − | *Joseph Mallozzi mentioned in the December 15-21, 2008 issue of ''TV Guide'' (pg. 33) that things come to a full closure in this episode and a rogue Wraith leads an invasion of Earth. |
||
*At the end of the original airing of this episode on [[Sci Fi Channel]], there is a brief trailer for ''[[Stargate Universe]]'', saying that the first episode would premiere sometime in the Summer of 2009. However, the airdate was later moved to fall. |
*At the end of the original airing of this episode on [[Sci Fi Channel]], there is a brief trailer for ''[[Stargate Universe]]'', saying that the first episode would premiere sometime in the Summer of 2009. However, the airdate was later moved to fall. |
||
| − | *This episode shares its title with the World War II film '' |
+ | *This episode shares its title with the World War II film ''{{WPS|Enemy at the Gates}}''. |
| ⚫ | *This episode marks the only time [[Guide|Todd]] is addressed directly by that name, when Sheppard answers his radio call at the beginning of the episode. Curiously, he seems to know it is he being addressed. Presumably, he heard it mentioned at some point off-screen, possibly from [[Kenny]], who heard McKay call him that in "[[The Queen]]". |
||
| − | *Atlantis drifting in to San Fransisco bay is a possible homage to Star Trek as the area is closely associated with Star Trek (eg. the location of Starfleet Headquarters) |
||
| + | *In this episode, another [[Hive ship]] is destroyed by [[Atlantis]]. This brings the total to 29 since the expedition arrived in the galaxy. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | *In a tactic used often by the [[Goa'uld]], the [[Wraith]] have a [[Stargate]] on board their ship to prevent [[Earth]] from dialing out. In this case as it's a [[Pegasus]] Gate it takes precedence over the Earth Gate as the dominant Gate to prevent Earth's gate from working at all. |
||
| + | ** Though Stargate Command could have easily applied the work around that they used on the Midway station but did not for some reason. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | *[[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]], [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] and [[Teyla Emmagan]] are the only characters to appear in both the pilot and finale of ''[[Stargate: Atlantis]]'' ([[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett]] technically appears in both the pilot and the finale as well, but this doesn't entirely count as the Beckett in the finale is a clone of the original). |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | *[[Tyler McClendon]] ([[Wraith underling]]) previously played [[Lt.]] [[Adam Banks]] in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "[[Avalon, Part 1]]", [[Wraith Commander (Broken Ties)]] in the ''[[Stargate: Atlantis]]'' episode "[[Broken Ties]]", [[Kenny]] in the episodes "[[The Queen]]", "[[First Contact]]" and "[[The Lost Tribe]]" and [[Wraith]] in "[[Outsiders]]". |
||
| + | *[[Joe Flanigan]] ([[John Sheppard]]), [[David Hewlett]] ([[Meredith Rodney McKay|Rodney McKay]]), [[Rachel Luttrell]] ([[Teyla Emmagan]]), [[Paul McGillion]] ([[Carson Beckett]]) and [[Christopher Heyerdahl]] ([[Halling]] / [[Guide|Todd]]) are the only actors to appear in both this episode and "[[Rising]]". |
||
| + | * While its not shown in the aired version, the DVD version confirms that not only did the [[Iratus bug]] treatment work, but it reverted Todd to an ordinary Wraith again, not just cured his disease. |
||
| − | == |
+ | ==Awards== |
| + | ===Wins=== |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | *Won Leo for "Best Overall Sound in a Dramatic Series" ([[Kelly Cole]], [[Patrick Ramsay]], [[Bill Mellow]], [[Joe Watts]], [[Hugo DeLaCerda]] and [[Kevin Belen]]) |
||
| + | *Won Leo for "Best Sound Editing in a Dramatic Series" ([[Jay Cheetham]], [[Steve Smith]], [[Kirby Jinnah]], [[Matthew Wilson]] and [[Jason Mauza]]) |
||
| + | |||
| + | ===Nominations=== |
||
| + | *Nominated Gemini for "Best Visual Effects" ([[Mark Savela]], [[Jason Gross]], [[Paul Hegg]], [[Brandon Hines]], [[James Kawano]], [[Alec McClymont]], [[Krista McLean]], [[James Rorick]] and [[Luke Vallee]]) |
||
| + | |||
| + | ==External links== |
||
| + | *{{GateWorld|atlantis/s5/520.shtml|Enemy at the Gate}} |
||
| + | *{{MGMsite|view/episode/2833/index.html|Enemy at the Gate}} |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | *{{Solutionswiki|_5.20_Enemy_At_The_Gate_Episode_Guide|Enemy at the Gate}} |
||
| + | [[Category:Atlantis Season 5 episodes]] |
||
| + | [[Category:Story arcs/Wraith|5.20]] |
||
Revision as of 23:55, 28 September 2015
Template:ATL-5 "Enemy at the Gate" is the twentieth episode of the fifth season of Stargate: Atlantis and the landmark 100th and final episode of the series.
Synopsis
"Todd" informs the Atlantis expedition that a rogue group of Wraith has acquired several Zero Point Modules to power a formidable new Hive Ship, and wants it destroyed. However, after the Daedalus is disabled, they learn that the ship is heading straight for Earth, and they must stop it before it gets there.
Plot
The Daedalus opens fire
Todd contacts Atlantis and reveals that a Wraith subordinate has mutinied and managed to use several Zero Point Modules, acquired during the destruction of Asuras, to power a formidable new Hive ship. He urges Richard Woolsey to attack and destroy it before it becomes a threat to Atlantis. On board the Daedalus, Colonel Steven Caldwell, Lt. Colonel John Sheppard and the rest of the team rush to engage the new Super-hive. But the vessel proves itself an impressive opponent, crippling the Daedalus before making a sudden and inexplicable jump into hyperspace.
Puzzled over the Wraith's sudden departure, Dr. Peter Kavanagh on board the Daedalus picks up a weak subspace signal in Wraith code. Dr. Rodney McKay is quick to recognize that the communique was sent, through subspace, from an alternate reality. Once deciphered, their worst fears are realized: the Wraith message contains a familiar set of coordinates — the hive ship is on its way to Earth. McKay is able to calculate where the hive ship will drop out of hyperspace before reaching Earth, of which they can notify Stargate Command via Atlantis once the communications array is repaired.
Atlantis traveling through space
The team returns to Atlantis once the Daedalus' engines are repaired, but are dismayed to learn from a video transmission sent by Colonel Abraham Ellis that both Earth's starships, the Apollo and the new Sun Tzu, have failed miserably to stop the Wraith ship, with the Apollo, in bad shape herself, taking on crew from the crippled Sun Tzu. Sheppard interrogates Todd for the location of more ZPMs, which Major Evan Lorne and his team are able to locate; Atlantis, now with her full complement of three ZPMs, will return to Earth in a last-ditch effort to defend it. Sheppard expects to be the one flying the city, but he is informed by Woolsey that he will be returning to Earth. The task of flying the City ship then falls to Dr. Carson Beckett.
F-302s battle Wraith Darts
Beckett launches the city and Sheppard returns to Earth via the Stargate, alone, to command the chair from the Antarctic outpost at Major General Jack O'Neill's request. Back on Earth, Colonel Samantha Carter is temporarily in charge of Stargate Command, and Major Paul Davis informs Sheppard that the Wraith ship has arrived shockingly earlier than anticipated and is now on the other side of the moon, sitting still and doing nothing. They assume it is going to complete its integration with the ZPM and then attack Earth. Sheppard is able to convince Carter and Davis to let him lead a squadron of F-302s refitted with Nuclear warheads, which are diverted to intercept Wraith Darts sent to destroy the Ancient Control chair (which had been relocated to Area 51), in advance of the main Wraith attack. The attack succeeds and with the chair destroyed, Earth is defenseless; Sheppard volunteers to go on a suicide mission to destroy the hive ship from the inside with the nuke onboard his F-302.
Meanwhile, International Oversight Advisory dignitaries prepare to escape Earth to the Alpha Site (Davis quips as "courageous to the end") but discovers the Wraith have overridden Earth's gate. At the very edge of the Milky Way galaxy, Atlantis' hyperdrive disengages due to overtaxing. Woolsey tries to dial Earth, only to find that it has dialed the hive ship above Earth — Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Lorne, and McKay enter the gate to infiltrate the hive ship. Meanwhile, Sheppard separately infiltrates the hive with his F-302 through the Dart bay, unbeknownst to the rest of the team. In a desperate battle on board the hive ship, Ronon is stabbed in a fight with two Wraith warriors. The knife has pierced his lung, and he dies from the resulting blood loss; with Teyla and McKay visibly upset, Lorne forces them to leave his body behind.
Back on Atlantis, with the hyperdrive out of commission, Dr. Radek Zelenka proposes activating a highly experimental and potentially dangerous Wormhole drive based on the same wormhole technology as the Stargate. With it, they could potentially reach Earth in seconds.
On the hive ship, just as Sheppard is about to activate his nuke, he receives a radio transmission from McKay who suggests activating it by remote, allowing the team to escape through the Stargate to the Alpha site. Sheppard and the team return for Ronon's body, only to discover the Wraith underling has revived Ronon for interrogation; the team kills the Wraith underling and his two guards and is able to rescue Ronon.
Atlantis engages the Hive.
However, Sheppard and his team run out of time as they attempt to reach the gate and stopped in a corridor, Sheppard prepares to activate the nuke with all of them still on board. Thankfully, Atlantis arrives in position between the Hive and Earth to buy them more time. Atlantis takes the brunt of the hive ship's assault on Earth and launches a barrage of Drone weapons in retaliation. The sheer force of the Hive's weapons fire is pushing the city ship into Earth's atmosphere, and it is straining the shields. With little power left, Beckett can either adjust the course of Atlantis, or keep firing at the enemy ship; Woolsey gives the order to keep firing. The team manages to escape to the Alpha Site, and the nuke successfully detonates, destroying the hive ship, but Atlantis is now forced to make a landing through Earth's atmosphere, risking burning up during re-entry.
Everyone at Stargate Command waits for news with bated breath, but erupts into celebration when Atlantis lands successfully over water. Although the re-entry caused a giant fireball across the sky, the city is able to cloak before landing, and the area in which they land, just past the Golden Gate Bridge on the Pacific Ocean side, is placed under naval quarantine, so for now at least, Earth's population is still in the dark.
The senior Atlantis staff.
Sheppard visits Todd, who still locked in a holding room. Todd boasts about his help in saving Earth because of his ZPMs and asks if Sheppard has come to kill him, but Sheppard does not respond. Ronon is visited in his Atlantis infirmary bed by Sheppard when Amelia Banks walks in. She takes him to join the rest of the senior Atlantis staff on a balcony overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
References
304; AIM 120A air-to-air missile; Alternate reality; Ancient Technology Activation gene; Antarctica; Antarctic outpost; Antarctic Treaty; Apollo; Asgard plasma beam weapon; Asgard transporter; Asurans; Asuras; Atlantis infirmary; Atlantis' shield; Battle of the Super-hive; Briefing Room; C-130; Chair room; Champagne; Cloak; Control chair; Daedalus; Dial Home Device; Drone weapon; Drone weapon deployment platform; Earth's Moon; F-302 fighter-interceptor; FN P90 Personal Defense Weapon; Fragmentation grenade; George Hammond; Gift of Life; Golden Gate Bridge; Lt. General George S. Hammond; President Henry Hayes; Heart; Heart attack; Hive ship; Homeworld Security; International Oversight Advisory; Major General Henry Landry; Lung; McMurdo Air Force Base; Midway space station; New Lantea; Nuclear warhead; Odyssey; Major General Jack O'Neill; P4X-650; Pacific Ocean; Particle magnum; Planet (Enemy at the Gate); Puddle Jumper; Riggs; San Francisco; Sensor; Stardrive; Star Wars; Sun Tzu; Super-hive; Tau'ri fleet; United States Navy; Wormhole drive; Wraith; Wraith cloning facility; Wraith Dart; Wraith energy weapon; Wraith scout ship; Wraith tracker; Wraith warrior; Zero Point Module
Notable Quotes
McKay: Kavanagh. What the hell are you doing here?
Kavanagh: Reassignment. More fun and adventure in the Pegasus galaxy.
Todd: I may have acquired a few more than I let on.
Woolsey: How many more?
Todd: Let's not get caught up in unnecessary details.
Woolsey: I like… details.
Sheppard: The other ZPMs you talked to Woolsey about? Tell us where to get 'em, and maybe it'll improve your situation.
Todd: Am I supposed to be enticed by this offer?
Sheppard: No. I'll probably kill you anyway. But, don't forget, this Wraith betrayed you and got away with it. For no other reason, you might want to do it out of pure spite.
(Todd leans back, studying Sheppard.)
Todd: You...know how to talk to me, John Sheppard.
(about Todd's credibility for the ZPMs)
Woolsey: He actually came through for us.
Sheppard: Maybe he's turning over a new leaf.
Woolsey: Get those down to Zelenka immediately.
Lorne: Yes, sir.
(Lorne starts to leave.)
Sheppard: Or maybe they're going to blow up when you plug them in.
Woolsey: (changing his mind) Have Doctor McKay check them first.
Lorne: Right...
(McKay makes some final adjustments on a control panel.)
McKay: (into radio) All right. I've finished recalibration on the chair. Radek, how are things at your end?
Zelenka: (over radio) ZPMs are online and functioning one hundred percent. We're good to go.
McKay: Okay! Who's flying this puppy?
(Beckett quickly enters the room.)
Beckett: That would be me.
McKay: (confused) Carson?
Beckett: Rodney.
McKay: What, they called you in for this?
Beckett: Aye.
McKay: You must have a higher CIA than I thought.
Beckett: Excuse me?
McKay: Chair Interface Aptitude. We have a... we have a ranking system.
Beckett: Well, apparently, after Colonel Sheppard, I'm number two.
McKay: (skeptical) Really? I'll have a look into that.
Woolsey: You're being asked to fly to another galaxy...to take - what might turn out to be the losing part - in a battle that isn't yours.
Ronon: You mean like everyone on this base has been doing for the past five years?
Teyla: Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Woolsey, but I assure you it is not necessary.
Ronon: We're not goin' anywhere.
Woolsey: (proudly) Very well.
(The Wraith underling revives Ronon and demand information about the rest of the team)
Wraith underling: Where are they?!
(The Wraith underling gets his answer as Sheppard and the others show up and kill him and his guards)
Sheppard: Well, how you feeling?
Ronon: Ready to get out of here.
Sheppard: Take your time, the city's pretty banged up. Even with the ZPMs we're not going anywhere for a while.
Ronon: And when they fix it, you really think they're going to let us take it back to Pegasus?
Sheppard: I'll make sure you get home.
Ronon: This is my home.
(last lines)
Keller: (to McKay) You OK?
McKay: I'm alive. (Keller laughs) And I've got you, what else would I need?
Sheppard: Nice view.
Woolsey: Yes... yes it is.
Notes
- Although it is not seen, this episode introduces a new Earth ship, the Sun Tzu, a Chinese ship. It is the fifth Daedalus-class ship to enter service. The other four Deep Space Cruisers are the Daedalus, first seen in the Season 2 Stargate: Atlantis episode "The Siege, Part 3;" the Odyssey, first seen in the Season 9 Stargate SG-1 episode "Off the Grid;" the Korolev, first seen in the Season 9 SG-1 episode "Camelot."; and the Apollo, first seen in the season 3 Atlantis episode "First Strike".
- Colonel Samantha Carter reveals to Lt. Colonel John Sheppard she is leaving Stargate Command to command the Phoenix, which has been renamed to George Hammond in honor of Lt. General George S. Hammond (in an homage to Don S. Davis, who died of heart failure on June 29, 2008). The ship would later be featured on Stargate Universe.
- In this episode, Dr. Beckett is the last person seen in an Ancient Control chair and he uses that chair to fire Drone weapons. In "Rising", the pilot episode, Dr. Carson Beckett is the first one seen in the chair, and his first act was to accidentally fire a drone. It is also revealed that he has the second best Control Interface Aptitude, after Sheppard. Dr. Rodney McKay is mildly annoyed by this and in "Rising", he was annoyed that he didn't have the Ancient Technology Activation gene.
- This is the second time that a Hive ship has entered hyperspace rather than continuing to fire on the Daedalus; a similar instance occurred in "Allies" when two regular Hives entered hyperspace just as the Daedalus planned to retreat. Those Hives also had left after learning of Earth's location.
- This episode marks the first appearance of Major Paul Davis since Stargate: Continuum and final appearance of Davis in the Stargate franchise.
- All three United States Air Force commanders of Stargate Command are mentioned, Major General Henry Landry who is heading a task force in Washington D.C., Major General Jack O'Neill recalling Sheppard and Lt. General George S. Hammond who has recently passed away. Coincidence or not, on top of this, this is also the last episode of the three current series to show the SGC, although the SGC does appear in a video in "Air, Part 1".
- Joseph Mallozzi confirmed in his blog that the Odyssey's secret mission is Icarus Base related, thus informally introducing Stargate Universe.
- Unlike the 100th episode of Stargate SG-1, this is not a comedy episode.
- This episode does not go out on a cliffhanger; and the first Stargate: Atlantis movie would have wrapped up the storyline.
- This episode was to premiere in January, however an unfinished copy (a DVD screener) was leaked to the internet on December 22, 2008.
- At the end of the original airing of this episode on Sci Fi Channel, there is a brief trailer for Stargate Universe, saying that the first episode would premiere sometime in the Summer of 2009. However, the airdate was later moved to fall.
- This episode shares its title with the World War II film Enemy at the Gates.
- This episode marks the only time Todd is addressed directly by that name, when Sheppard answers his radio call at the beginning of the episode. Curiously, he seems to know it is he being addressed. Presumably, he heard it mentioned at some point off-screen, possibly from Kenny, who heard McKay call him that in "The Queen".
- In this episode, another Hive ship is destroyed by Atlantis. This brings the total to 29 since the expedition arrived in the galaxy.
- In a tactic used often by the Goa'uld, the Wraith have a Stargate on board their ship to prevent Earth from dialing out. In this case as it's a Pegasus Gate it takes precedence over the Earth Gate as the dominant Gate to prevent Earth's gate from working at all.
- Though Stargate Command could have easily applied the work around that they used on the Midway station but did not for some reason.
- Colonel Samantha Carter, CMSgt. Walter Harriman and Major Kevin Marks all appear in the finales of both Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis.
- Lt. Colonel John Sheppard, Dr. Rodney McKay and Teyla Emmagan are the only characters to appear in both the pilot and finale of Stargate: Atlantis (Dr. Carson Beckett technically appears in both the pilot and the finale as well, but this doesn't entirely count as the Beckett in the finale is a clone of the original).
- Christopher Heyerdahl appears in both the pilot and finale though as different characters; in the pilot he played Halling and in the finale he played Todd.
- Tyler McClendon (Wraith underling) previously played Lt. Adam Banks in the Stargate SG-1 episode "Avalon, Part 1", Wraith Commander (Broken Ties) in the Stargate: Atlantis episode "Broken Ties", Kenny in the episodes "The Queen", "First Contact" and "The Lost Tribe" and Wraith in "Outsiders".
- Joe Flanigan (John Sheppard), David Hewlett (Rodney McKay), Rachel Luttrell (Teyla Emmagan), Paul McGillion (Carson Beckett) and Christopher Heyerdahl (Halling / Todd) are the only actors to appear in both this episode and "Rising".
- While its not shown in the aired version, the DVD version confirms that not only did the Iratus bug treatment work, but it reverted Todd to an ordinary Wraith again, not just cured his disease.
Awards
Wins
- Won Leo for "Best Overall Sound in a Dramatic Series" (Kelly Cole, Patrick Ramsay, Bill Mellow, Joe Watts, Hugo DeLaCerda and Kevin Belen)
- Won Leo for "Best Sound Editing in a Dramatic Series" (Jay Cheetham, Steve Smith, Kirby Jinnah, Matthew Wilson and Jason Mauza)
Nominations
- Nominated Gemini for "Best Visual Effects" (Mark Savela, Jason Gross, Paul Hegg, Brandon Hines, James Kawano, Alec McClymont, Krista McLean, James Rorick and Luke Vallee)
External links
- Enemy at the Gate on GateWorld. (backup link)
- Enemy at the Gate on the official MGM website. (backup link)
- Enemy at the Gate on Wikipedia
- Enemy at the Gate article on Stargate SG-1 Solutions' The StargateWiki