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| production=215
  
| production=215
 
| airdate=[[December 19]], [[2005]]
  
| airdate=[[December 19]], [[2005]]
−
| story=
  
 
| writer=[[Joseph Mallozzi]] & [[Paul Mullie]]
  
| writer=[[Joseph Mallozzi]] & [[Paul Mullie]]
 
| director=[[Andy Mikita]]
  
| director=[[Andy Mikita]]
−
| guests=[[Peter Woodward]] as [[Otho]]<br>[[Jay Brazeau]] as [[Lord Protector]]<br>[[David Bloom]] as [[Eldred]]<br>[[Richard Kahan]] as [[Baldric]]<br>[[Brendan Beiser]] as [[Tavius]]<br>[[Chelan Simmons]] as [[Mara]]<br>[[Mark Gibbon]] as [[Lord Protector's Guard|Constable]]<br>[[Anna Cummer]] as [[Petra]]<br>[[Chuck Campbell]] as [[Chuck]]
  
 
| preceded_by="[[Grace Under Pressure]]"
  
| preceded_by="[[Grace Under Pressure]]"
 
| followed_by="[[The Long Goodbye]]"
  
| followed_by="[[The Long Goodbye]]"
 
}}
  
}}
  +
{{Episode article navigation}}
−
{{ATL-2|Tower, The}}
  
 
'''"The Tower"''' is the fifteenth episode of the [[Atlantis Season 2|second season]] of ''[[Stargate: Atlantis]]''.
  
'''"The Tower"''' is the fifteenth episode of the [[Atlantis Season 2|second season]] of ''[[Stargate: Atlantis]]''.
   
 
==Synopsis==
  
==Synopsis==
−
[[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]]'s [[First Atlantis Reconnaissance Team|team]] visits a planet where they encounter a [[City-ship]] buried under foliage, and the central tower is used by the royalty of the planet.
 +
[[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]]'s [[Atlantis Reconnaissance 1|team]] visits a planet where they encounter a [[City-ship]] buried under foliage, and the central tower is used by the royalty of the planet.
   
 
==Plot==
  
==Plot==
−
[[File:Vlcsnap-2012-07-23-04h09m18s165.png|thumb|left|200px]]
 +
[[File:Ancient Tower Control Chair.jpg|thumb|left|Lord Protector's Ancient Control Chair]]
−
[[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]]'s [[First Atlantis Reconnaissance Team|team]] is on a planet and [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] begins complains about the primitive society, when a man named [[Eldred]] appears and tells them about the [[Tower]]. It supposedly protects them from the [[Wraith]], so he agrees to show it to them. When the team sees it they are surprised to find it looks like the central spire of [[Atlantis]]. Back in the village, Eldred tells them that the Tower destroys the Wraith ships by using thousands of lights, which the team recognizes as [[Drone weapon]]s. This sparks interest as the people in the Tower may have a [[Zero Point Module]]. They contact Atlantis and [[Dr.]] [[Elizabeth Weir]] orders them to find out more.
 +
[[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]]'s [[Atlantis Reconnaissance 1|team]] is on a planet and [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] begins complains about the primitive society, when a man named [[Eldred]] appears and tells them about the [[Tower]]. It supposedly protects them from the [[Wraith]], so he agrees to show it to them. When the team sees it they are surprised to find it looks like the central spire of [[Atlantis]]. Back in the village, Eldred tells them that the Tower destroys the Wraith ships by using thousands of lights, which the team recognizes as [[Drone weapon]]s. This sparks interest as the people in the Tower may have a [[Zero Point Module]]. They contact Atlantis and [[Dr.]] [[Elizabeth Weir]] orders them to find out more.
   
−
[[File:Ancient Tower Control Chair.JPG|thumb|left|Lord Protector's Ancient Control Chair]]
 +
[[File:Lord Protector 2.jpg|thumb|right|Ancient Control Chair activated viewscreen.]]
  ⚫
While McKay goes into the woods with a local guide to check the Tower, back in the village the rest of Sheppard's team intervene as some soldiers attempt to assault Eldred for his lack of respect. Another man named [[Otho]] appears and scans Sheppard's team with an [[Ancient]] device, then orders just Sheppard brought to the Tower. Sheppard is then brought into the Tower. He remains in radio contact with the others. He describes the interior of the Tower, which looks like Atlantis except that it is styled like an early modern throne room, mixing baroque and other elements.
−
[[File:Lord Protector Chair viewscreen.JPG|thumb|right|Ancient Control Chair activated viewscreen.]]
  
⚫
While McKay checks the Tower, the rest of Sheppard's team intervenes as some soldiers attempt to assault Eldred for his lack of respect. Another man named [[Otho]] appears and scans Sheppard's team with an [[Ancient]] device, then orders Sheppard to be arrested. Sheppard is then brought into the Tower where he is able to contact the others. He describes the interior of the Tower, which looks like Atlantis except that it is styled like an early modern throne room, mixing baroque and other elements.
  
   
−
[[File:Lord Protector.JPG|thumb|left|Lord Protector's throne room.]]
 +
[[File:Lord Protector 1.jpg|thumb|left|Lord Protector's throne room.]]
−
The throne, Sheppard realizes is actually an Ancient [[Control chair]]. McKay has discovered the Tower is merely the [[Atlantis control tower|main tower]] of a [[Lantean]] [[City-ship]], identical to [[Atlantis]]. In the throne room, the [[Lord Protector]] talks with Sheppard and invites him to dine with them. Afterward, Sheppard contacts his team and orders them to remain quiet.
 +
The throne, Sheppard realizes is actually an Ancient [[Control chair]]. McKay has discovered the Tower is merely the [[Atlantis control tower|main tower]] of a [[Lantean]] [[City-ship]], identical to [[Atlantis]]. In the throne room, the [[Lord Protector]] talks with Sheppard and tells him he is a guest, not a prisoner. He invites him to dine with them. Afterward, Sheppard contacts his team and orders them to remain quiet and keep a low profile.
   
−
In the evening [[Ronon Dex]], [[Teyla Emmagan]] and McKay eat with Eldred who tells them that they give the Tower half of their harvest. Meanwhile, in the Tower, Sheppard has dinner with the royal court, the Lord Protector reacts badly and is taken away. Later the Protector's daughter, [[Mara]] visits Sheppard's assigned quarters and tries to seduce him, revealing that her father wants them to marry.
 +
In the evening [[Ronon Dex]], [[Teyla Emmagan]] and McKay eat with Eldred who tells them that they give the Tower half of their harvest. Meanwhile, in the Tower, while Sheppard has dinner with the royal court, the Lord Protector reacts badly and is taken away. Otho tells Sheppard that the Lord Protector has had these attacks before, he should be fine in the morning.
   
  +
Later the Protector's daughter, [[Mara]], visits Sheppard's assigned quarters and tries to seduce him, revealing that her father wants them to marry.
⚫
[[File:Drone Activating on Drone Launcher.JPG|thumb|left|Drone activating approaching launch sequence.]]
  
  +
  ⚫
[[File:Drone Activating on Drone Launcher.jpg|thumb|left|Drone activating approaching launch sequence.]]
 
In the morning, Sheppard talks to Otho, who tells them that one of his duties is to find the best match for the royal bloodline so that the royalty will still be capable of using the [[Ancient technology]]. When he had scanned Sheppard the day before, he had found that Sheppard carries the [[Ancient Technology Activation gene]] and thus hoped that it will strengthen the royal bloodline. If Mara doesn't become the next leader of her people, it will fall to her brother, [[Tavius]]. Sheppard then calls [[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett]] to examine the Lord Protector and Otho leads Sheppard to a [[Puddle Jumper]] bay. There, Sheppard offers him the [[Ancient Technology Activation gene therapy]] to strengthen the ATA gene in the population. Later, Beckett informs Sheppard that the Protector has been poisoned and that nothing can be done to help him.
  
In the morning, Sheppard talks to Otho, who tells them that one of his duties is to find the best match for the royal bloodline so that the royalty will still be capable of using the [[Ancient technology]]. When he had scanned Sheppard the day before, he had found that Sheppard carries the [[Ancient Technology Activation gene]] and thus hoped that it will strengthen the royal bloodline. If Mara doesn't become the next leader of her people, it will fall to her brother, [[Tavius]]. Sheppard then calls [[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett]] to examine the Lord Protector and Otho leads Sheppard to a [[Puddle Jumper]] bay. There, Sheppard offers him the [[Ancient Technology Activation gene therapy]] to strengthen the ATA gene in the population. Later, Beckett informs Sheppard that the Protector has been poisoned and that nothing can be done to help him.
   
 
[[File:CityshipDroneStorage.jpg|thumb|right]]
  
[[File:CityshipDroneStorage.jpg|thumb|right]]
−
Meanwhile outside the Tower, McKay enters the underground of the city with a young man named [[Baldric]]. They find a room filled with racks of Drone weapons but when he activates the systems, the earth begins to shake and the corridor collapses, trapping them inside. They are unable to call for help, so McKay backtracks to the city's [[Auxiliary control center]] and begins to access the Ancient mainframe running the city. In order to provide air and regain radio contact, McKay decides to blow a hole in the ceiling with a Drone.
 +
Meanwhile, outside the Tower, McKay enters the underground of the city with a young man named [[Baldric]]. They find a room filled with racks of Drone weapons but when he activates the systems, the earth begins to shake and the corridor collapses, trapping them inside. They are unable to call for help, so McKay backtracks to the city's [[Auxiliary control center]] and begins to access the Ancient mainframe running the city. In order to provide air and regain radio contact, McKay decides to blow a hole in the ceiling with a Drone.
   
−
Back in the village, Ronon rescues [[Petra]] from the royal guard and in this process kills one of them. This causes a revolt in the village, much to Eldred's shock. Teyla quickly briefs Sheppard on the situation, and he then informs Otho. Suddenly, the villagers hear a bell, which signals that the Lord Protector has died. Otho tells Beckett and Sheppard to leave, at which point Sheppard attempts to bring Mara with him. However, Otho appears and arrests them, revealing that he is the new Lord Protector. He brings them to Tavius, also imprisoned, who says that it was Otho who actually poisoned the Lord Protector. Otho admits it. It turns out he is in love with Mara and Tavius had promised to marry her to Otho if Otho helped him kill his father. However, once Otho used the gene therapy on himself and it worked, he realised he could claim the throne for himself by blaming Tavius for the assasination and he would still be able to marry Mara.
+
Back in the village, Ronon rescues [[Petra]] from the royal guard and in this process kills one of them. This causes a revolt in the village, much to Eldred's shock. Teyla quickly briefs Sheppard on the situation, and he then informs Otho. Suddenly, the villagers hear a bell, which signals that the Lord Protector has died. Otho tells Beckett and Sheppard to leave, at which point Sheppard attempts to bring Mara with him. However, Otho appears and arrests them, revealing that he is the new Lord Protector. He brings them to Tavius, also imprisoned, who says that it was Otho who actually poisoned the Lord Protector. Otho admits it. It turns out he is in love with Mara and Tavius had promised to marry her to Otho if Otho helped him kill his father. However, once Otho used the gene therapy on himself and it worked, he realised he could claim the throne for himself by blaming Tavius for the assassination and he would still be able to marry Mara.
   
−
[[File:Drone Swarm.JPG|thumb|left|Drone swarm gathering around Tower.]]
 +
[[File:Drone Swarm.jpg|thumb|left|Drone swarm gathering around Tower.]]
−
Meanwhile, McKay contacts Teyla who tells him that he has to find the ZPM or the village will be destroyed by the drones in retaliation for the uprising. In the prison cell, Mara brings Sheppard his radio who contacts McKay and orders him to remove the ZPM because Otho's first act as Lord Protector will be the destruction of the village. As Otho activates the drones, Sheppard orders McKay to activate the city's [[Stardrive]], thus depleting the already weak ZPM. McKay does so and the ZPM is depleted, rendering the drones inert in mid-air and they harmlessly fall to the ground. Sheppard then confronts Otho who attacks him with a knife.
 +
Meanwhile, McKay contacts Teyla who tells him that he has to find the ZPM or the village will be destroyed by the drones in retaliation for the uprising. In the prison cell, Mara brings Sheppard his radio who contacts McKay and orders him to remove the ZPM because Otho's first act as Lord Protector will be the destruction of the village. However, McKay is unable to reach the ZPM and instead suggests a massive power drain to deplete it as the ZPM is already nearly depleted. After a moment of consideration, Sheppard orders McKay to charge the Tower's [[Stardrive]], the single greatest drain of power they can find. Despite the threat of the catacombs further collapsing on him, McKay charges the Stardrive and successfully depletes the remaining power in the ZPM, leaving the Tower powerless and rendering the drones inert just before they reach the village.
   
−
[[File:Vlcsnap-2012-07-23-04h12m30s55.png|thumb|200px]]
 +
[[File:Otho.png|thumb|200px]]
  +
Taking advantage of the shaking caused by the Tower's Stardrive powering up, Sheppard and Beckett escape their cell with Beckett locking Tavius within as he leaves. Arriving in the Throne Room just after the power is depleted, Sheppard confronts Otho and reminds him that without the ability to control the Control Chair anymore, he is no longer Lord Protector. Sheppard announces to the nobles around them that they no longer have to bow to Otho or anyone else, not noticing Otho drawing a knife. Mara shouts a warning, enabling Sheppard to dodge the attack and engage in a brief fight with Otho that ends with Sheppard disarming him, cutting Otho across the palm with the knife as he yanks it out of his hand. Otho tells Sheppard that Tavius was right, "I do have a fair knowledge of poisons" before collapsing dead from the fast-acting poison he'd coated his knife with and that had gotten into his system through his cut hand.
−
During the struggle, Otho is cut by the knife; having poisoned the blade, Otho has inadvertently poisoned himself and dies rather quickly.
  
   
 
Back on Atlantis, Sheppard informs Weir that they have received a supply of new drones and Puddle Jumpers in exchange for medical supplies and a [[Garage Door Opener]] so they can contact Atlantis if they need further help. The [[Atlantis expedition]] has also offered to help the villagers devise a new system of government. Weir asked if they offered to make him [[King]]; he says he declined.
  
Back on Atlantis, Sheppard informs Weir that they have received a supply of new drones and Puddle Jumpers in exchange for medical supplies and a [[Garage Door Opener]] so they can contact Atlantis if they need further help. The [[Atlantis expedition]] has also offered to help the villagers devise a new system of government. Weir asked if they offered to make him [[King]]; he says he declined.
   
−
==References==
 +
==Appearances==
  +
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" width="100%"
−
[[Ancient]]; [[Ancient Technology Activation gene]]; [[Ancient Technology Activation gene therapy]]; [[Auxiliary control center]]; [[City-ship]]; [[Control chair]]; [[Drone weapon]]; [[Drone weapon storage room]]; [[Earthquake]]; [[Flashlight]]; [[Heads up display]]; [[Kidney]]; [[Liver]]; [[Lord Protector's people]]; [[Lord Protector's Planet]]; [[Meals ready to eat]]; [[Particle magnum]]; [[Puddle Jumper]]; [[Sensor]]; [[Skirmish on the Lord Protector's planet]]; [[Stardrive]]; [[Tower]]; [[Wraith]]; [[Zero Point Module]]
  
  +
! Appearances for The Tower
  +
|-
  +
|
   
  +
'''Locations'''
⚫
==Notable Quotes==
  
  +
*[[Milky Way]] {{m}}
  +
**[[Earth]] {{m}}
  +
*[[Pegasus]]
  +
**[[Lantea]]
  +
***[[Atlantis]]
  +
****[[Atlantis control tower]]
  +
*****[[Stargate Operations]]
  +
**[[Lord Protector's Planet]]
  +
***[[Tower]]
  +
****[[Auxiliary control center]]
  +
****[[Drone weapon storage room]]
  +
  +
'''Events'''
  +
*[[Skirmish on the Lord Protector's planet]]
  +
  +
'''Items'''
  +
*[[Ancient Technology Activation gene]]
  +
*[[Ancient Technology Activation gene therapy]]
  +
*[[Atlantis expedition uniform]]
  +
*[[Axe]]
  +
*[[Barbeque]] {{m}}
  +
*[[Blood]]
  +
*[[Bread]]
  +
*[[Candle]]
  +
*[[Chamberlain]]
  +
*[[Colt M1911A1 pistol]]
  +
*[[Control chair]]
  +
*[[Drone weapon]]
  +
*[[Earthquake]]
  +
*[[Flashlight]]
  +
*[[FN P90 Personal Defense Weapon]]
  +
*[[Heads up display]]
  +
*[[Kidney]] {{m}}
  +
*[[King]]
  +
*[[Knife]]
  +
*[[Lantean medical scanner]]
  +
*[[Life signs detector]]
  +
*[[Liver]] {{m}}
  +
*[[Meals ready to eat]] {{m}}
  +
*[[Murder]]
  +
*[[Otho's knife]]
  +
*[[Particle magnum]]
  +
*[[Radio]]
  +
*[[Rope]]
  +
*[[Ronon's sword]]
  +
*[[Sensor]]
  +
**[[Ancient sensor]]
  +
*[[Sex]]
  +
*[[Soup]]
  +
*[[Stardrive]]
  +
*[[Sunglasses]]
  +
*[[Tablet]]
  +
*[[Tactical vest]]
  +
*[[Whip]]
  +
*[[Wine]]
  +
*[[Zero Point Module]] {{m}}
  +
  +
'''Vehicles'''
  +
*[[City-ship]]
  +
**[[Atlantis]]
  +
**[[Tower]]
  +
*[[Puddle Jumper]]
  +
  +
'''Sentient Species'''
  +
*[[Ancient]]s {{m}}
  +
*[[Human]]
  +
**[[Athosian]]
  +
**[[Lord Protector's people]]
  +
**[[Satedan]]
  +
**[[Tau'ri]]
  +
*[[Wraith]] {{m}}
  +
  +
'''Organizations'''
  +
*[[Atlantis expedition]]
  +
**[[Atlantis Reconnaissance 1]]
  +
*[[Canadian Forces]]
  +
*[[United States Air Force]]
  +
*[[United States Marine Corps]]
  +
|}
  +
  ⚫
==Notable quotes==
 
'''Sheppard''': They can't all be planets with cool technology and open minded women.<br />
  
'''Sheppard''': They can't all be planets with cool technology and open minded women.<br />
 
'''McKay''': I don't see why not.
  
'''McKay''': I don't see why not.
Line 61: Line 144:
 
'''McKay''': ''(worriedly)'' They are?
  
'''McKay''': ''(worriedly)'' They are?
   
−
'''[[File:Drone_Launcher.JPG|thumb|One of several drone launchers in an Atlantis like city ship.]]Baldric''': What'll happen if you succeed?<br />
 +
'''Baldric''': What'll happen if you succeed?<br />
 
'''McKay''': Well, two possibilities. Either we create a nice sturdy shaft that will give us some much-needed air and provide a big enough gap for the radio signal to get through, or it will bring the already unsteady ceiling down on us, burying us both alive.<br />
  
'''McKay''': Well, two possibilities. Either we create a nice sturdy shaft that will give us some much-needed air and provide a big enough gap for the radio signal to get through, or it will bring the already unsteady ceiling down on us, burying us both alive.<br />
 
'''Baldric''': I prefer to imagine the first possibility.<br />
  
'''Baldric''': I prefer to imagine the first possibility.<br />
Line 88: Line 171:
 
'''Weir''': They didn't offer you King?!<br />
  
'''Weir''': They didn't offer you King?!<br />
 
'''Sheppard''': I turned that down too!
  
'''Sheppard''': I turned that down too!
  +
  +
==Cast==
  +
'''Main Characters'''
  +
*[[Joe Flanigan]] as [[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]]
  +
*[[Torri Higginson]] as [[Dr.]] [[Elizabeth Weir]]
  +
*[[Rachel Luttrell]] as [[Teyla Emmagan]]
  +
*[[Jason Momoa]] as [[Ronon Dex]]
  +
*[[Paul McGillion]] as [[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett]]
  +
*[[David Hewlett]] as [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]]
  +
  +
'''Guest Stars'''
  +
*[[Peter Woodward]] as [[Otho]]
  +
*[[Jay Brazeau]] as [[Lord Protector]]
  +
*[[David Bloom]] as [[Eldred]]
  +
*[[Richard Kahan]] as [[Baldric]]
  +
*[[Brendan Beiser]] as [[Tavius]]
  +
*[[Chelan Simmons]] as [[Mara]]
  +
*[[Anna Cummer]] as [[Petra]]
  +
*[[Mark Gibbon]] as [[Lord Protector's Guard|Constable]]
  +
*[[Chuck Campbell]] as [[Chuck]] {{u}}
  +
*[[Simon Burnett]] as Tower Constable 1 {{u}}
  +
*[[Mike Desabrais]] as Tower Constable 2 {{u}}
  +
*[[Shawn Stewart]] as Tower Constable 3 {{u}}
  +
*[[Brad Loree]] as Tower Constable 4 {{u}}
  +
*[[Gentry Bromfield]] as Tower Constable 5 {{u}}
  +
*[[James Purcell]] as Villager {{u}}
   
 
==Notes==
  
==Notes==
−
{{Source images}}
  
 
*The episode's working title was "Sister City".
  
*The episode's working title was "Sister City".
  +
 
*The line about [[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]] turning down being king may be an allusion to the fact that [[Joe Flanigan]]'s original pitch for "[[Epiphany]]" was an episode where he'd be made king, but he was told they already did that in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "[[It's Good to Be King]]". This is a way to just slip it in.
  
*The line about [[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]] turning down being king may be an allusion to the fact that [[Joe Flanigan]]'s original pitch for "[[Epiphany]]" was an episode where he'd be made king, but he was told they already did that in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "[[It's Good to Be King]]". This is a way to just slip it in.
  +
⚫
*The doors holding everyone prisoner appear to be reused panels from SG-1's, Children of the God's/Mobius. Not the main gate but most likely a side/rear panel.
  
  +
*At 24:43 Otho tells John that the jumpers that are next to them ran out of power years ago. Seeing as the Atlantis Jumpers retained their power for over 10,000 years before being rediscovered, this must mean Ortho's jumpers ran out of power through heavy use (presumably by ancient ancestors of his fuedal society).
  +
  ⚫
*The doors holding everyone prisoner appear to be reused panels from the [[Chulak Prison]] in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' "[[Children of the Gods]]" and "[[Moebius, Part 2]]". Not the main gate but most likely a side/rear panel.
  +
  +
*The [[Auxiliary control center]] is a redress of the previously used ''[[Aurora]]'' bridge set from "[[Aurora (episode)|Aurora]]".
  +
 
*The character [[Baldric]] that helps [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] find an entrance to the lower sections of the Tower may be a reference to the character of the same name in the comedy series ''{{WPS|Blackadder}}'', the first series of which was based in a medieval court.
  
*The character [[Baldric]] that helps [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] find an entrance to the lower sections of the Tower may be a reference to the character of the same name in the comedy series ''{{WPS|Blackadder}}'', the first series of which was based in a medieval court.
  +
−
*Royal Shakespeare Company alumnus [[Peter Woodward]] ([[Otho]]) is also known for his portrayal of Technomage Galen in the ''{{WPS|Babylon 5}}'' series spin-off ''{{WPS|Crusade (TV series)|Crusade}}, ''and also for his role as The Source of All Evil on ''{{WPS|Charmed}}''.
 +
*Royal Shakespeare Company alumnus [[Peter Woodward]] ([[Otho]]) is also known for his portrayal of [[w:c:babylon5:Galen|Technomage Galen]] in the ''[[w:c:babylon5:Babylon 5 (TV series)|Babylon 5]]'' series spin-off ''[[w:c:babylon5:Crusade|Crusade]]'', and also for his role as [[w:c:charmed:The Source of All Evil|The Source of All Evil]] on ''[[w:c:charmed:Charmed (TV series)|Charmed]]''.
  +
 
*[[Richard Kahan]] ([[Baldric]]) is best known for playing [[w:c:4400:Marco Pacella|Marco Pacella]] on ''[[w:c:4400:The 4400 (TV series)|The 4400]]''.
  
*[[Richard Kahan]] ([[Baldric]]) is best known for playing [[w:c:4400:Marco Pacella|Marco Pacella]] on ''[[w:c:4400:The 4400 (TV series)|The 4400]]''.
  +
  ⚫
*[[Brendan Beiser]] ([[Tavius]]) is best known for playing [[w:c:xfiles:Pendrell|Agent Pendrell]] on ''[[The X-Files]]''.
  +
 
*[[Jay Brazeau]] ([[Lord Protector]]) previously played [[Harlan]] in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episodes "[[Tin Man]]" and "[[Double Jeopardy]]".
  
*[[Jay Brazeau]] ([[Lord Protector]]) previously played [[Harlan]] in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episodes "[[Tin Man]]" and "[[Double Jeopardy]]".
  +
 
*[[David Bloom]] ([[Eldred]]) previously played [[Scavenger (Prisoners)|Scavenger]] in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "[[Prisoners]]" and [[Spellman]] in the episode "[[Fail Safe]]".
  
*[[David Bloom]] ([[Eldred]]) previously played [[Scavenger (Prisoners)|Scavenger]] in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "[[Prisoners]]" and [[Spellman]] in the episode "[[Fail Safe]]".
  +
 
*[[Mark Gibbon]] ([[Lord Protector's Guard]]) previously played [[Thor]] (human image) in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episodes "[[Thor's Hammer (episode)|Thor's Hammer]]" and "[[Thor's Chariot]]" and [[M'zel]] in the episodes "[[Death Knell]]" and "[[Endgame]]".
  
*[[Mark Gibbon]] ([[Lord Protector's Guard]]) previously played [[Thor]] (human image) in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episodes "[[Thor's Hammer (episode)|Thor's Hammer]]" and "[[Thor's Chariot]]" and [[M'zel]] in the episodes "[[Death Knell]]" and "[[Endgame]]".
⚫
*[[Brendan Beiser]] ([[Tavius]]) is best known for playing [[w:c:xfiles:Pendrell|Agent Pendrell]] on ''[[The X-Files]]''.
  
   
 
==Goofs==
  
==Goofs==
  ⚫
*When the guard unlocks the gate to see the prisoners, he uses a key in an old fashioned tumbler style lock. As [[Dr.]] [[Carson Beckett]] and [[Lt. Colonel]] [[John Sheppard]] flee and Beckett closes the gate, it would not have locked as it would have needed a key to relock.
−
*When [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] is trapped in the catacombs with [[Baldric]], he turns toward Baldric after talking into his [[radio]]. At this point somebody walks behind him.
  
  +
−
*Otho uses a life signs detector despite not having the ATA gene.
  
  +
*Despite being away from the others when their weapons are taken, [[Dr.]] [[Rodney McKay]] doesn't have his [[M9 pistol]] after returning to [[Teyla Emmagan]] and [[Ronon Dex]].
⚫
*When the guard unlocks the gate to see the prisoners, he uses a key in an old fashioned tumbler style lock. As Beckett and Sheppard flee and Beckett closes the gate, it would not have locked as it would have needed a key to relock.
  
  +
  +
==Other languages==
  +
*'''Hungarian''': A torony (''The Tower'')
  +
*'''German''': Der Turm (''The Tower'')
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*'''French''': La tour (''The Tower'')
   
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
 
*{{GateWorld|atlantis/s2/215.shtml|The Tower}}
  
*{{GateWorld|atlantis/s2/215.shtml|The Tower}}
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*{{Solutionswiki|SGA_2.15_%22The_Tower%22_Episode_Guide|The Tower}}
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*{{MGMsite|view/episode/2734/index.html|The Tower}}
  
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{{Episodes Navibox}}
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[[fr:Épisode:La Tour]]
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[[Category:Atlantis Season 2 episodes|2.15]]

Latest revision as of 22:29, 17 February 2023

This article is for the episode, for the city-ship, see Tower

Gallery Episode Transcript

"The Tower" is the fifteenth episode of the second season of Stargate: Atlantis.

Synopsis

Lt. Colonel John Sheppard's team visits a planet where they encounter a City-ship buried under foliage, and the central tower is used by the royalty of the planet.

Plot

Ancient Tower Control Chair

Lord Protector's Ancient Control Chair

Lt. Colonel John Sheppard's team is on a planet and Dr. Rodney McKay begins complains about the primitive society, when a man named Eldred appears and tells them about the Tower. It supposedly protects them from the Wraith, so he agrees to show it to them. When the team sees it they are surprised to find it looks like the central spire of Atlantis. Back in the village, Eldred tells them that the Tower destroys the Wraith ships by using thousands of lights, which the team recognizes as Drone weapons. This sparks interest as the people in the Tower may have a Zero Point Module. They contact Atlantis and Dr. Elizabeth Weir orders them to find out more.

Lord Protector 2

Ancient Control Chair activated viewscreen.

While McKay goes into the woods with a local guide to check the Tower, back in the village the rest of Sheppard's team intervene as some soldiers attempt to assault Eldred for his lack of respect. Another man named Otho appears and scans Sheppard's team with an Ancient device, then orders just Sheppard brought to the Tower. Sheppard is then brought into the Tower. He remains in radio contact with the others. He describes the interior of the Tower, which looks like Atlantis except that it is styled like an early modern throne room, mixing baroque and other elements.

Lord Protector 1

Lord Protector's throne room.

The throne, Sheppard realizes is actually an Ancient Control chair. McKay has discovered the Tower is merely the main tower of a Lantean City-ship, identical to Atlantis. In the throne room, the Lord Protector talks with Sheppard and tells him he is a guest, not a prisoner. He invites him to dine with them. Afterward, Sheppard contacts his team and orders them to remain quiet and keep a low profile.

In the evening Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan and McKay eat with Eldred who tells them that they give the Tower half of their harvest. Meanwhile, in the Tower, while Sheppard has dinner with the royal court, the Lord Protector reacts badly and is taken away. Otho tells Sheppard that the Lord Protector has had these attacks before, he should be fine in the morning.

Later the Protector's daughter, Mara, visits Sheppard's assigned quarters and tries to seduce him, revealing that her father wants them to marry.

Drone Activating on Drone Launcher

Drone activating approaching launch sequence.

In the morning, Sheppard talks to Otho, who tells them that one of his duties is to find the best match for the royal bloodline so that the royalty will still be capable of using the Ancient technology. When he had scanned Sheppard the day before, he had found that Sheppard carries the Ancient Technology Activation gene and thus hoped that it will strengthen the royal bloodline. If Mara doesn't become the next leader of her people, it will fall to her brother, Tavius. Sheppard then calls Dr. Carson Beckett to examine the Lord Protector and Otho leads Sheppard to a Puddle Jumper bay. There, Sheppard offers him the Ancient Technology Activation gene therapy to strengthen the ATA gene in the population. Later, Beckett informs Sheppard that the Protector has been poisoned and that nothing can be done to help him.

CityshipDroneStorage

Meanwhile, outside the Tower, McKay enters the underground of the city with a young man named Baldric. They find a room filled with racks of Drone weapons but when he activates the systems, the earth begins to shake and the corridor collapses, trapping them inside. They are unable to call for help, so McKay backtracks to the city's Auxiliary control center and begins to access the Ancient mainframe running the city. In order to provide air and regain radio contact, McKay decides to blow a hole in the ceiling with a Drone.

Back in the village, Ronon rescues Petra from the royal guard and in this process kills one of them. This causes a revolt in the village, much to Eldred's shock. Teyla quickly briefs Sheppard on the situation, and he then informs Otho. Suddenly, the villagers hear a bell, which signals that the Lord Protector has died. Otho tells Beckett and Sheppard to leave, at which point Sheppard attempts to bring Mara with him. However, Otho appears and arrests them, revealing that he is the new Lord Protector. He brings them to Tavius, also imprisoned, who says that it was Otho who actually poisoned the Lord Protector. Otho admits it. It turns out he is in love with Mara and Tavius had promised to marry her to Otho if Otho helped him kill his father. However, once Otho used the gene therapy on himself and it worked, he realised he could claim the throne for himself by blaming Tavius for the assassination and he would still be able to marry Mara.

Drone Swarm

Drone swarm gathering around Tower.

Meanwhile, McKay contacts Teyla who tells him that he has to find the ZPM or the village will be destroyed by the drones in retaliation for the uprising. In the prison cell, Mara brings Sheppard his radio who contacts McKay and orders him to remove the ZPM because Otho's first act as Lord Protector will be the destruction of the village. However, McKay is unable to reach the ZPM and instead suggests a massive power drain to deplete it as the ZPM is already nearly depleted. After a moment of consideration, Sheppard orders McKay to charge the Tower's Stardrive, the single greatest drain of power they can find. Despite the threat of the catacombs further collapsing on him, McKay charges the Stardrive and successfully depletes the remaining power in the ZPM, leaving the Tower powerless and rendering the drones inert just before they reach the village.

Otho

Taking advantage of the shaking caused by the Tower's Stardrive powering up, Sheppard and Beckett escape their cell with Beckett locking Tavius within as he leaves. Arriving in the Throne Room just after the power is depleted, Sheppard confronts Otho and reminds him that without the ability to control the Control Chair anymore, he is no longer Lord Protector. Sheppard announces to the nobles around them that they no longer have to bow to Otho or anyone else, not noticing Otho drawing a knife. Mara shouts a warning, enabling Sheppard to dodge the attack and engage in a brief fight with Otho that ends with Sheppard disarming him, cutting Otho across the palm with the knife as he yanks it out of his hand. Otho tells Sheppard that Tavius was right, "I do have a fair knowledge of poisons" before collapsing dead from the fast-acting poison he'd coated his knife with and that had gotten into his system through his cut hand.

Back on Atlantis, Sheppard informs Weir that they have received a supply of new drones and Puddle Jumpers in exchange for medical supplies and a Garage Door Opener so they can contact Atlantis if they need further help. The Atlantis expedition has also offered to help the villagers devise a new system of government. Weir asked if they offered to make him King; he says he declined.

Appearances

Appearances for The Tower

Locations

Events

Items

Vehicles

Sentient Species

Organizations

Notable quotes

Sheppard: They can't all be planets with cool technology and open minded women.
McKay: I don't see why not.

Baldric: I'm not so sure this is wise.
McKay: Okay, I'm not interested in your primitive taboos, okay? It is a dark and scary place but it's not cursed or haunted or anything like that. It's perfectly safe.
Baldric: Actually the catacombs are prone to earthquakes.
McKay: (worriedly) They are?

Baldric: What'll happen if you succeed?
McKay: Well, two possibilities. Either we create a nice sturdy shaft that will give us some much-needed air and provide a big enough gap for the radio signal to get through, or it will bring the already unsteady ceiling down on us, burying us both alive.
Baldric: I prefer to imagine the first possibility.
McKay: Yes, yes, the power of positive thinking. Very good. While you do that, I will rely on my experience and expertise.
Baldric: You said you'd never done this before.
McKay: General expertise! Will you be quiet while I do this?

Baldric: I can't believe that worked!
McKay: What happened to positive thinking?
Baldric: I lied.

Teyla: Rodney, where have you been?
McKay: Where have I been? I have been trapped underground by an earthquake that blocked off our one exit from this section of the city, that's where I've been!
Teyla: Do you have access to the ZPM?
McKay: No, I don't have access to the ZPM, but thank you for your concern, by the way!
Teyla: Rodney...
McKay: No, no, no, no, no, no. No, it's fine. Your beloved friend has nearly died and while he has had to face the imminent threat of death, your first concern is for the ZPM? It's only natural!
Teyla: I am sorry, Rodney, but we have a few problems of our own. Colonel Sheppard and Doctor Beckett are no longer responding to our radio calls. As well, there is a good possibility that the Lord Protector is about to launch a drone attack on this village. If that happens, everyone here will die.
McKay: Oh.

Sheppard: We got the drones, we got a few Jumpers; I even got the girl.
Weir: You got the girl?!
Sheppard: Well, I mean I could have got the girl. I turned her down.
Weir: What did you offer them in return for the drones and the Jumpers?
Sheppard: A supply of medicines and an IDC if they need to reach us. We also offered to help them come up with a new way of running things when the time comes.
Weir: They didn't offer you King?!
Sheppard: I turned that down too!

Cast

Main Characters

Guest Stars

Notes

  • The episode's working title was "Sister City".
  • At 24:43 Otho tells John that the jumpers that are next to them ran out of power years ago. Seeing as the Atlantis Jumpers retained their power for over 10,000 years before being rediscovered, this must mean Ortho's jumpers ran out of power through heavy use (presumably by ancient ancestors of his fuedal society).
  • The character Baldric that helps Dr. Rodney McKay find an entrance to the lower sections of the Tower may be a reference to the character of the same name in the comedy series Blackadder, the first series of which was based in a medieval court.

Goofs

  • When the guard unlocks the gate to see the prisoners, he uses a key in an old fashioned tumbler style lock. As Dr. Carson Beckett and Lt. Colonel John Sheppard flee and Beckett closes the gate, it would not have locked as it would have needed a key to relock.

Other languages

  • Hungarian: A torony (The Tower)
  • German: Der Turm (The Tower)
  • French: La tour (The Tower)

External links

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