Stargate Atlantis Rewatch: Condemned
Chewie, Han and Leia get captured (Photo from GateWorld.net)
Condemned
Story by Sean Carley
Teleplay by Carl Binder
Directed by Peter DeLuise
Guest starring Darcy Belsher (Eldon), Christian Bocher (Torrell), Alan C. Peterson (Magistrate), Kavan Smith (Major Lorne), Kyla Anderson (Marin), James Lafazanos (Male Wraith), Chuck Campbell (Technician)
WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!
Summary
Sheppard’s team is captured on a planet that keeps the Wraith at bay by sacrificing criminals.
General Impressions
This episode raises an important moral question about capital punishment. As Sheppard and Weir are suggesting that they might not want to have a relationship with the Olesians because they condemn their prisoners to being fed on by the Wraith, Tayla asks: “Do you kill your violent criminals on Earth?” Sheppard, the American, doesn’t want to have the conversation, which would reveal his (and Weir’s) hypocrisy. Rodney, the Canadian, tells Tayla they execute their criminals “in some countries” with a meaningful look at Sheppard. Having seen the whole series, I can’t help but find it ironic every time the expedition tries to claim the moral high ground. Having said that, I wonder how many worlds in the Pegasus galaxy came up with a similar solution.
The Good
Great to see some new advanced tech. Unfortunately we don’t see it again after this episode, but that’s the Wraith’s fault. I really liked the police ships on Olesia and the city. The contrast between the clean, high-tech Olesia and the dump that is the penal colony reminded me of the above ground/underground contrast in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, which is my all-time favorite movie.
This episode has the first instance of Sheppard calling Ronon “Chewie”, which makes Sheppard Han Solo and Tayla Princess Leia, perhaps? I guess that makes McKay C3PO.
The Bad
So I guess the Olesians send their prisoners to the island with a supply of tatty leathers. Perhaps this is prison garb from the advanced society that dresses in gray not-leather? Mad Max, anyone? OK, they probably made their clothes from the hides of animals they hunted for food. Still, bit clichéd.
The Awesome
The Olesian city and technology was fantastic. I also loved the irony of the Americans condemning capital punishment when in many States it’s legal, including the one I live in. Is it morally correct to punish murder by killing the murderer?
The Magistrate getting hoisted by his own petard when the prisoners flee the island leaving only the city dwellers for the Wraith to feed on.
Nice to learn something new about the Wraith and to see a Wraith that doesn’t just monologue about how he’s going to feed on us all. This Wraith has a little more personality to him. The Wraith’s explanation for his ability to eat food is repeated word-for-word in season 5 by Todd the Wraith: “Although it may provide me a moment’s pleasure, it does not sustain me.” Wraith and humans share a common ancestor, and some Wraith apparently retain the ability to digest food, if not derive nourishment from it.
Rating
7 out of 10. This isn’t one of my favorite episodes, but it does present an interesting moral dilemma and reveals something new about the Wraith.
