Storytime with Rachel F Hundred

Top of the list of quality Atlantis episodes

Content warning: Discussion of torture scene

Common Ground is a showcase episode for Stargate Atlantis, at the heart of which is a very tightly written script by Ken Cuperus. Everything about the story is quality; the way it unfolds, the pacing, the dialogue, the mix of light and dark. All is married with superb acting from the whole cast and with excellent direction from William Waring to produce a fantastic episode.

The story is the key to the whole piece. It makes the most of the allies and enemies in SGA’s homemade mythology to date using both the Genii and the Wraith, and indeed adds to it with the revelations regarding the ability of the Wraith to give life and keeping Koyla is a renegade figure. The story teases the audience throughout with the questions of who is the monster and who is truly the enemy.

The Genii are known as a cunning society used to betrayal, coups and plots; Koyla using the Atlanteans to get to Ladon and the use of the Wraith as means of torture is believable and grounds the story on a firm foundation. He is also the perfect villain to effect the uneasy alliances between Weir and Ladon, and Sheppard and the Wraith. In both, Weir and Sheppard take a journey from mistrust to trust, and there is a definite tease of never quite being certain whether betrayal is just around the corner. This keeps the tension taut and the story moving forward at a steady pace – neither too quick nor too slow.

The pacing of the episode is fabulous. Action scenes are mixed with reflective moments yet the whole never loses forward momentum. It is like a beautifully choreographed ice dance with fast tempo pieces that provide excitement and speed but slow, intricate sections that allow the audience to catch their breath, marvel at the detail and absorb the story.

The dialogue is essential to this pacing; there is a purpose to every line which adds to the story or the characters rather than detracts. No line is wasted or meaningless. There is a large amount of verbal fencing in the story whether between Weir and Ladon, the Wraith and Sheppard, Koyla and McKay – the examples are endless. It complements the physical action pieces and in part is the reason why the exposition scenes have momentum. The dialogue is not placed carelessly either; each is placed with the right character and phrased in a way that fits with the characterisation. The best example is Sheppard whose lines resonate with his dry, biting sarcasm in the face of his ordeal but wonderfully it is not used primarily to evoke humour or lighten the dark storyline but to underscore his strength and determination such as in his exchange with the Wraith before his first torture session.

Not that there isn’t humour; the story and dialogue provide enough shades of light and dark to ensure the episode does not become too dark with the brilliantly executed and rather brutally realistic torture scenes. Although favourite is the Wraith and Sheppard laughing at the fact that the troops can’t find them because they themselves are lost searching for the Stargate, McKay is primarily used for these lighter moments with the pep talk to the troops and awkward thumbs up to Weir before the first rescue attempt and with the mouse shooting. This is perhaps the only and terribly minor moment which seems misjudged; McKay’s jumping at shadows a little too much given the character’s experiences to date. But it is minor and David Hewlett’s rendering of McKay’s awkwardness is a delight.

The whole cast in fact delivers a great performance. Every actor steps up to the high standard the script demands. Higginson and Flanigan who are called upon to carry most of the story are outstanding. Higginson seems to revel in a story that allows her character to be both a strong leader and a compassionate woman. Flanigan is superb. His anger at finding out his fellow prisoner is the Wraith is beautifully judged and wonderfully in character. Credit should also go to Christopher Heyerdahl who plays the Wraith and who manages to make the character sympathetic while staying true as a Wraith. Indeed, all the cast execute their roles with aplomb and it’s nice to see all being used (although even more of Rachel Luttrell’s Teyla would have been nice); there is a nice team feel throughout with the way the characters worry and work to rescue Sheppard and Sheppard’s belief his team will come for him.

If the acting adds a sheen of polish to the episode so does the attention to detail throughout the episode; the set designs of the prison are suitably dark and foreboding; the uniforms of the Genii drab and bland; the make-up on the Wraith unique and different yet identifiably Wraith-like and old Sheppard really looks like an aged version of John Sheppard. The musical underscore adds to the visual experience while never intruding upon it. Kudos has to go to William Waring for great direction in pulling it altogether.

In conclusion

The stand out moment is undoubtedly the first shocking torture of Sheppard by Koyla with the Wraith feeding watched by the Atlantis team in the video transmission. It is perfectly executed from dialogue and acting to direction, scenery and special effects. But it is difficult to find a moment in the episode that doesn’t have the same high quality execution. This has definitely gone to the top of my list as the best SGA episode to date. Big round of applause and pats on the back to all.