Stargate Atlantis Rewatch: Season 2, Disc 2 Special Features

Special Features

Mission DirectiveInstinct
Andy Mikita talks about making Instinct, which was done as a sort of creature feature a la Frankenstein. Lots of creepy fog in the forest, a secret lab and villagers with pitchforks. He discusses the challenges of shooting on location in the forest and in a small cave. OMG, the Wraith girl was played by Jewel Stait! I did not know that.

Character Introduction: Ronon Dex
All about Chewie and the actor who portrays him, with writer/producer Robert C. Cooper and director Martin Wood. Cooper says Ronon adds “a testosterone factor” to the show. No, really?

Audio Commentary for Condemned
Director Peter DeLuise and SG1 actor Gary Jones. Are these guys hetero life partners, or what? They do every Peter DeLuise commentary together. Gary’s not on this show. Can we do commentary with an actor who is? I’ve come to the point of not wanting to listen to the commentary between these two. In fact, I won’t.

Audio Commentary for Trinity
Director Martin Wood and writer Damian Kindler. This episode was meant to be an allegory to the Manhattan Project that created the atomic bomb in World War II. Also, producer Brad Wright has a thing for physics. This explains much. It’s also fun how many sets used in Atlantis are just redressed SG1 sets, like the village in this episode being the one used in the SG1 episode Origin.

Audio Commentary for Instinct
Director Andy Mikita and producer Paul Mullie. The opening scene in the inn is a shout out to American Werewolf in London. Lots of details about the sets and atmosphere of the episode. Oh, and they’re big Jewel Stait fans (who isn’t?) The part was originally written by the female writers to be a male Wraith, but the male producers decided a female would generate more immediate sympathy. I guess it didn’t hurt that they dressed her in white.

Audio Commentary for Conversion
Writer Martin Gero and actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett. These guys really love composer Joel Goldsmith (who doesn’t?) That cool set that looks like a bridge inside the city? It’s forced perspective. Who knew? Joe was happy to get a full arc in a single episode. Joe loves the one-on-one scenes, too. Oh wow, there’s a picture in Sheppard’s quarters that is actually Joe Flannigan as a child with Evil Knievel. Neat! They all love this episode for the character moments.

Production Design & Photo Gallery