When most people watch TV, they don’t give a lot of thought to the camera angles, the colors, the music or the pace. But all of these things together give a show its signature style, a style you probably aren’t even aware of until they take it away.

To that, I give you Stargate Atlantis: Vegas. From the first few moments of this, second to the last episode, I began thinking of it as CSI: Atlantis. So imagine my surprise when I found out that was what the production staff had labeled it early on in the process.

The story follows Detective John Sheppard as he investigates a series of bizarre murders in the desert outside of Las Vegas. He’s thinking basic serial killer but starts to think otherwise when government types (ie FBI Special Agent Woolsey and a slicker, secretive version of Rodney McKay) get in on the hunt. Turns out there’s a Wraith running loose on the planet and other than the killing thing, he’s assimilated rather nicely (and I must say, he looks quite fine in those jeans).

Chase scenes, guns, high-stakes poker, skulking about in back alleys, explosions and death in the desert Quentin Tarantino style – this is no ordinary episode of Stargate Atlantis. As a matter of fact, it’s quite extraordinary, so much so that my husband kept saying, ‘are you sure you’re watching Atlantis?’

It’s not that we’ve never seen an alternate universe on the show before, but it’s how they crafted the episode that really makes it a stand-out. They dumped every style convention that was synonymous with Atlantis and replaced it with a style more suited to CSI or 24.

Just look at the color palette. Atlantis is known for its cool blues and grays balanced with rich forest tones. But Vegas is yellow and red and over-exposed. It feels hot and sweaty. The visuals come with artsy camera work, slow-mos and fast cuts. And the music! Gone are the symphonic sounds of the great city of Atlantis and in its place are Johnny Cash’s Solitary Man, Marilyn Manson’s Beautiful People and The Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil. It’s a fabulous soundtrack, but one they could only manage in an episode like this one – an episode that throws away the handbook in favor of one last hurrah.

I think a lot of people are going to hate “Vegas.” I loved it. This is a show I’d watch every week if they made it, kind of CSI meets The X-Files. As for it being the second to the last episode of the entire series. . . why not? You’re already out the door so why not go all in? But for those who fall on the other side of the fence, don’t worry. The final episode of the series, which ties in nicely to Vegas, is a sweet homage to that which has gone before and it’s 100% Stargate Atlantis — soundtrack, production style, uniforms and all.

Watch Stargate Atlantis: Vegas, this Friday, January 2 on SCI FI Channel

Photos courtesy of SCI FI Channel

Post from: SF Universe

“Sheppard, John Sheppard”

Stargate Atlantis: “Vegas” Part One and Two

Air Date: Friday, January 2 at 9:00 on SCI FI

And here’s how it goes. . .

Police find a desiccated corpse on a desert road outside Las Vegas, Nevada, the seventh victim of a bizarre serial killer. Detective John Sheppard, called in to assist, is baffled by these murders. Then a clue, traces of radiation found on the bodies, leads him to a strange looking man with super human attributes who easily evades capture.

Some time later, Sheppard is detained and driven to Area 51. There he meets Dr. Rodney McKay who reveals that the suspect is, in fact, an alien – a wraith – who feeds on human energy. What’s more, McKay and his team have traveled to Earth from the Pegasus Galaxy, by way of a stargate, to prevent this wraith from compromising the security of the planet. But so far, Sheppard is the only one who’s been able to get close to him.

Did I mention that I have a DVD of this episode in my hot little hands?  I’ll have a teaser review for you soon of this and the series finale (sob). You wouldn’t want me to give too much away now, would you?

I will however, offer you more photos after the jump.

SCI FI Channel Photo: Eike Schroter

Post from: SF Universe