Stargate Atlantis

What It's About: Stargate Command's investigation of an Antarctic outpost built the Ancients (the technologically advanced race that built the stargates) led to the discovery of Atlantis, their greatest city, in the Pegasus Galaxy. A team headed by the diplomat Elizabeth Weir and the easygoing pilot John Sheppard is sent to create a new base of exploration at Atlantis, where they soon encounter the deadly hive-based, parasitic race known as the Wraith.

Origins: Stargate Atlantis is a spin-off of the popular and long-running Stargate SG-1, coinciding with the latter's eighth season premiere after discovery of the Atntarctic base at the end of the seventh season. With the closing out of SG-1 at the end of its tenth season, Atlantis became the franchise standard-bearer. The original seed for the show came out of ideas for a film that would have followed SG-1's cancellation by Showtime at the end of its fifth season, but when the show thrived on Sci Fi, the Atlantis idea evolved into a spin-off instead. It premiered in July 2004.

Popular Characters: John Sheppard's charms and the physical presence of actor Joe Flanigan have made him the natural focus of fan attention, but this Sheppard's nature has increased the pleasant contrast with his more abrasive colleagues -- in particular McKay (David Hewlett) and Beckett (Paul McGillion).

Flavor: Stargate Atlantis is in many ways a straightforward science-fiction drama informed by such predecessors as Deep Space 9 and Babylon 5 as well as its own parent show, Stargate SG-1. The plot mechanics of an all-but unstoppable alien threat are balanced with the lure of the unknown and the forging of a team that can meet any crisis, if not without some internal tension.

Network: Stargate Atlantis is shown on Sci Fi. For showtimes see When It's On.