Stargate Atlantis Rewatch: Misbegotten

Michael's human again (Photo from GateWorld.net)

Misbegotten

Written By: Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie
Directed By: Martin Wood
Guest Starring: Connor Trinneer (Michael), Robert Picardo (Richard Woolsey), Scott Heindl (Merrick), Gary Jones (Walter Harriman), Brahm Taylor (Lathan), Mitch Pileggi (Steven Caldwell)

WARNING: SPOILERS ABOUND!

Summary
Since turning one Wraith into a human and lying to him worked so well before, our heroes decide to do the same thing to an entire crew of Wraith…with predictable results.

General Impressions
Wraith are sexy. Wraith turned into humans are still sexy. It must be the hair. I just had to get that off my chest.

The expedition screwed Michael over before, and they’re screwing them over again. Michael is such an interesting character, thanks to well-written dialog and Connor Trinneer’s performance. When he waxes philosophical with Tayla early in the episode, it’s painful. He’s the best thing about this episode, which sets up the trouble Michael will cause the expedition and the Pegasus galaxy later in the series.

The Good
I had issues with what they did to Michael, and I have even bigger issues with them doing it to a crew of Wraith. The difference this time is, I’m not the only one who has issues with it. Most notably, Woolsey calls Sheppard on it, pointing out the obvious: The former Wraith will never be allowed to fully integrate into human society, even if Dr. Beckett can make his treatment work without frequent injections. In this episode, unlike the episode Michael, there are consequences (and I don’t mean the bad wigs on some of the former Wraith). Some of the consequences don’t show up until later in the series, but they start here.

The B story of Woolsey questioning the people in Atlantis to evaluate Weir’s leadership is actually interesting. I like Robert Picardo, and his Woolsey is utterly a bureaucrat. We also get insights into other characters by their reactions to his presence and purpose in Atlantis. Sheppard bristles at Woolsey questioning Weir’s decisions, and Caldwell tells Woolsey point blank that he doesn’t have to answer any questions because he doesn’t answer to the I.O.A.

The Bad
Could they possibly do more to turn Michael against them? First they turned him and the other Wraith in his hive into humans, then they try to nuke them, and then they try to blast them to death from space. Nice job, heroes.

Is Ronon really this much of a one-trick pony? All he ever does is grunt and shoot. And look hot in leather.

When they’re trying to figure out why a hive ship is heading for the planet of former Wraith, why doesn’t anyone suggest the obvious—that the former Wraith are reverting and summoned the hive ship to get them off the planet? I guess sometimes it’s necessary to toss the idiot ball around for the sake of drama.

Again with the “Oh no! They’re all dead! No wait…they’re in the jumper.” Nobody ever dies for keeps on this show.

The Awesome
Connor Trinneer. Period.

Rating
8 out of 10. Consequences are good.