STARGATE ATLANTIS
Season 4 Volume 5
DVD Review by Nigel A. Messenger

UK Release Date: 28 July 2008
UK certificate: 12

Stars: Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Amanda Tapping, Jewel Staite, Jason Momoa, David Nykl

Review:

The fifth and final disc in Stargate Atlantis Season Four delivers another four excellent episodes with three diverse stories as THE KINDRED is a double episode.

In a way it's almost a surprise that THE KINDRED is not the final episode split across seasons four and five as it really has that end of season feel about it. There are lots of things going on that continue the series story arc and major events happen that won't be resolved until season five. The episode also sees the return of previous series regular Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett, a big surprise as he was well and truly killed off in a past story.

The final season episode THE LAST MAN could almost be a stand alone episode as much of it focuses on Shepperd retuning to an abandoned Atlantis in the future. Joe Flanigan (Shepperd) really carries this episode with David Hewlett (Rodney) who gets the chance to portray himself as an older more mature figure. There is definitely a different feel about this episode even with the constant flashbacks to what was supposed to have happened in Shepperds absence and not to worry... there is still a big season ending!

MIDWAY is in fact the first episode on this disc but I have saved it until last because it's not just my favourite on the disc but my favourite of the whole season. Teal'c (Christopher Judge) finally crosses over to ATLANTIS from STARGATE SG-1 although only for one episode unfortunately. Teaming him up with tough guy Ronon (Jason Momoa) is a stoke of genius in this totally action packed adventure with more guns blowing Wraith to hell than you could possibly wish for. I love it!

MIDWAY
Teal'c arrives in Atlantis to 'coach' Ronon before his interview with the IOA back on Earth which will determine his suitability to continue to serve in the Stargate program. When the time comes for the two of them to return to Earth they use the series of stargates via the Midway Station where everyone is quarantined for 24 hours before their final gate back to Earth. While on Midway the station is invaded by a rogue faction of Wraith who take temporary control of the station and use it to travel to Earth but not before sending a device which knocks out everyone in Stargate command. Teal'c and Ronon follow the Wraith to Stargate command and are the only ones who can stop the Wraith invasion.

THE KINDRED PARTS 1+2
An unknown disease is taking hold in the Pegasus galaxy that is affecting humans as well as Wraith. The Wraith named Todd offers his help and combined with Teyla's visions the source of the disease is traced back to Michael's experiments. Teyla is captured by Michael, so Shepperd and the rest of his team attempt to rescue her but instead of finding Teyla they find someone they were not at all expecting... Dr. Carson Beckett!

In Part 2 of this adventure Keller discovers that Beckett is a clone who has been forced to work for Michael for the past two years. Meanwhile the captured Teyla is reunited with Kanaan who is now under Michaels influence.

THE LAST MAN
Shepperd returns through the stargate to Atlantis but to his amazement finds the base totally abandoned. Looking out of the windows he sees the water has dried up and been replace by desert. Eventually he finds a lone hologram which appears to be an aged Rodney who informs him that he has been transported 48,000 years into the future where the artificially intelligent Rodney hologram has been waiting for him. We find out that Shepperds last trip through the stargate had been disrupted by a solar flare transporting him through time and since Shepperds disappearance terrible events have occurred. Shepperd must now go into stasis for 1000 years to wait for another solar flare which will interact with the stargate to send him back in time and stop these events from taking place.

DVD EXTRAS

Special Features:
Look back at Season 4
Deleted scenes
Photo Gallery
Commentaries from cast and crew

Language: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Commentary 2.0
Main Feature Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (16x9 FF)