Rising (Stargate Atlantis)

Last updated
"Rising"
Stargate Atlantis episodes
RisingSGA.jpg
John Sheppard arrives in Atlantis
Episode nos.Season 1
Episodes 1 & 2
Directed by Martin Wood
Written by Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright
Production codes101 and 102
Original air dateJuly 16, 2004 (2004-07-16)
Running time43min (each episode)
86min (put together)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"New Order (Stargate SG-1)"		Next →
"Hide and Seek"
Stargate Atlantis (season 1)
List of episodes

"Rising" is the pilot episode for season one of the military science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis , a Canadian-American spin off series of Stargate SG-1 . The episode was written by executive producers Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, and directed by Martin Wood. The episode was the strongest episode of the whole series on Nielsen household ratings. The episode got strong reviews from major media publishers worldwide.

Contents

"Rising" is about the establishment of the Atlantis expedition, it follows Major John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) and Colonel Marshall Sumner (Robert Patrick) and their mission to the Pegasus Galaxy in part one. The second part is about the awakening of the Wraith and freeing prisoners of war from them. The pilot has various guest stars from Stargate SG-1 as for example Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and Siler (Dan Shea) among others.

Plot

Part 1

The technologically advanced Ancient race from Stargate SG-1 series voyaged to the Pegasus Galaxy from Earth via a colossal starship to spread new life. The city of Atlantis served as a maneuvering station as well as a base of operations. Their mission was unsuccessful and they met a terrible new enemy called the Wraith, the Ancients lost the war with the Wraith and after a long siege Atlantis was submerged under the ocean.

Discovering evidence of the Ancients journey to another galaxy, a large team of scientists and military personnel, led by diplomat Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson) examine residual technology in an Antarctic outpost with hopes to travel to Atlantis, thereby discovering any knowledge left behind and unraveling the mystery of the abrupt disappearance of its citizens. With the assistance of Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) and Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) they are able to travel to Atlantis through the Stargate.

Using an Ancient power resource known as the Zero Point Module (ZPM) to supply the energy essential for the unusually extended wormhole, an assembly of volunteer representatives from many different countries joins the Atlantis expedition under the command of Colonel Marshall Sumner (Robert Patrick) of the United States Marine Corps. Shortly after crossing, Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) determines that because of the immediate depletion of power due to their arrival, the shield protecting the city from the ocean water, will imminently collapse. Without enough energy to return to Earth, a squadron including Colonel Sumner, Major John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), and Lieutenant Aiden Ford (Rainbow Sun Francks) travels to a random planet for help. The local villagers, led by Teyla Emmagan (Rachel Luttrell), are permitted to breed for generations before being systematically harvested by the Wraith. They assist the strangers, but as Colonel Sumner arranges an exploration of a vacant Ancient settlement, three Wraith starships travel through the Athosian Stargate to begin herding the planet’s human inhabitants.

Part 2

The Wraith starships head toward the village and start attacking. The military personnel start attacking the starships, but are eventually outmaneuvered by the Wraith. Back in Atlantis the shield is getting weaker and the remaining personnel there receive immediate orders to evacuate. Before they are able to press the gate address John Sheppard and the Athosian villagers come through the Stargate. When the shield fails, rather than taking on water, the city rises to the ocean surface. The captured military personnel and Athosian villagers wake up in a Wraith cell, three Wraith start taking out prisoners from the cell, one at the time. After tracking where the Wraith hideout is, Rodney McKay reveals to Sheppard that they can use one of the Ancient spaceships, dubbed "Puddle Jumper" by Sheppard, to get there. In the meantime, Carson Beckett shows Elizabeth Weir what he found out about the Wraith DNA.

Weir authorizes the rescue mission led by Sheppard, and he assembles a team together with Aiden Ford, to go through the Stargate. After leaving the Spacegate (a Stargate placed in Space, or in Orbit around a planet) on the other side, they eventually find the location of the Wraith base on the planet below. Meanwhile, Marshall Sumner is confronted by a Wraith woman (The Keeper). She tells him about their race and then uses her telepathic abilities to find out about Earth which she hopes to use as a new feeding ground for the Wraith. In the meantime Sheppard and Ford infiltrate the Wraith base and trying to locate the survivors from the Wraith attack. They split up, and Sheppard finds Sumner and the Keeper. The Keeper begins to feed on Sumner, and Sheppard shoots him, after witnessing his suffering. After Ford locates and saves the others survivors, he saves Sheppard from being fed upon by the Keeper. Sheppard kills her, but she tells him with her dying breath, that he has awoken them all. Sheppard and Ford witness the Wraith awakening from their hibernation pods, and decide to leave.

The remaining soldiers, protecting the Jumper outside the base are attacked by Wraith Darts. The team is able to escape the planet with the Jumper, but is held up by Wraith Darts blockading the Spacegate. Sheppard eventually manages to maneuver the Jumper to the gate. Back in Atlantis Sheppard, Ford and Weir talk about the situation with the Wraith and Sheppard apologizes because he hasn't made them many friends. However, Weir then shows him the Athosians, and Teyla Emmagan agrees with her, since they will help them find more friends. While the expedition celebrates their arrival in Atlantis, Weir asks Sheppard which members he wants in his team, since they have to go out there to fight the Wraith.

Production

Cooper, writer and executive producer for the show with Wright Robertcooper.jpg
Cooper, writer and executive producer for the show with Wright

The pilot episode, "Rising (Parts 1 and 2)" was written by Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright, and directed by Martin Wood. The Pemberton Glacier in British Columbia doubles for Antarctica during the opening flying sequence. [1] The Antarctic scenes in the start of the episode was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. [2] The budget for the two-part episode was estimated around $5 million US dollars. Rodney McKay was actually supposed to be African-Canadian under the name Dr. Benjamin Ingram, but when the producers hired Rainbow Sun Francks to the play the young tactical genius, they approached David Hewlett to audition for the role. The producers eventually came to a solution where Ingram would be replaced by McKay from the former Stargate SG-1 series. The character Teyla Emmagan was originally named "Mikala" in the early drafts of the Stargate Atlantis script. [3] At the end of February, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) announced the inclusion of Robert Patrick's character Marshall Sumner. The official announcement said that he would only be featured in part one, but was later extended to both parts one and two. [4] In January 2004 the Stargate producers announced including Jack O'Neill (portrayed by Richard Dean Anderson) and Daniel Jackson (portrayed by Michael Shanks) in the two-hour premiere pilot episode to make it easier for fans to relate to. [5]

Stargate Atlantis was supposed to be set on present day Earth, after Stargate SG-1 was canceled. This cancelation of SG-1 didn't happen and Stargate Atlantis was released while Stargate SG-1 was still airing, so the story arc was set in a new galaxy under the name, Pegasus. The story was set in another galaxy so the two running series would not collide with each other and to stop plot interferences. [3]

Reception

Director Martin Wood at Comic Con 2007 Martin wood.jpg
Director Martin Wood at Comic Con 2007

"Rising" is Stargate Atlantis strongest episode of the series, with a 3.2 on the Nielsen ratings. [6] The episode was the most watched episode ever broadcast by Sci Fi Channel gathering over 4 million viewers in the United States according to Variety in 2004, but was beaten by Warehouse 13 in 2009. [7] In the United Kingdom, it was viewed by 1.28 million people, placing it first in the most viewed shows in Sky One for the week. [8] The two-part pilot episode was released on DVD after its initial broadcast on TV. [9] The pilot episode was awarded a Gemini Award in the category Best Visual Effects. [10] The episode was also nominated for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series", [11] a Leo Award for "Best Production Design in a Dramatic Series", [12] and a Visual Effects Society Award for "Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Series". [13] The original and first release date of "Rising (Part 1)" was on July 16, 2004 and was released internationally on September 19, 2005. [3] "Rising (Part 2)" was released at the same time as Part 1 in the United States, but was released internationally on September 26, 2006. [14]

David Nusair from Reel Film Reviews said "as a pilot episode, there's no denying that "Rising" gets the job done." [9] IGN reviewer Filip Vukcevic gave the episode, 6 out of 10 and said "while this pilot does have promise, it doesn't appear to deliver anything but average sci-fi fare. Hopefully the series itself has more spice." [15] Dan Heaton from Digitally Obsessed said "Rising provides a strong introduction to an original series that retains the positive aspects of its predecessor but does not simply copy its success," and gave the episode an A. [16] Taylor Brown when reviewing the Rising (Part 1) from GateWorld said "as a pilot episode, "Rising" gives viewers a lot of hope for the series to come," the episode was given 4 out of 5 stars. [3] Virginia Heffernan from The New York Times called the episode "Dull" and further commented that it was a "relic of our own unenlightened time," but said that the show could win fans with its "Lavish special effects". [17]

Related Research Articles

Stargate Atlantis is an adventure and military science fiction television series and part of MGM's Stargate franchise. The show was created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper as a spin-off series of Stargate SG-1, which was created by Wright and Jonathan Glassner and was itself based on the feature film Stargate (1994). All five seasons of Stargate Atlantis were broadcast by the Sci-Fi Channel in the United States and The Movie Network in Canada. The show premiered on July 16, 2004; its final episode aired on January 9, 2009. The series was filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aiden Ford</span> Fictional character from Stargate Atlantis

First Lieutenant Aiden Ford, USMC is a fictional character in the 2004 Canadian-American Sci-Fi Channel television series Stargate Atlantis, a military science fiction show about a combined civilian and military team exploring another galaxy via a network of alien transportation devices. Played by Rainbow Sun Francks, Aiden Ford is introduced as a main character in the season one premiere "Rising", holding the military rank of first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney McKay</span> Fictional character

Meredith Rodney McKay, Ph.D, is a fictional character in the 2004 Canadian-American Sci-Fi Channel television series Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, two military science fiction television shows about military teams exploring two galaxies via a network of alien transportation devices.

John Sheppard (<i>Stargate</i>) Fictional character in Stargate

Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, USAF is a fictional character in the 2004 Canadian-American military science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis, which chronicles a civilian operation exploring the Pegasus Galaxy via a network of alien transportation devices. Portrayed by Joe Flanigan, Sheppard holds the military rank of lieutenant colonel in the series and is the second-in-command of the Atlantis Expedition following the death of Marshall Sumner in "Rising".

Elizabeth Weir (<i>Stargate</i>) Character from the television series Stargate Atlantis

Dr. Elizabeth Weir is a fictional character in the Canadian-American Sci-Fi Channel television series Stargate Atlantis, a military science fiction show about a military team exploring another galaxy via a network of alien transportation devices. Elizabeth Weir is introduced as a recurring character in the Stargate SG-1 season seven two-parter, Lost City. She does not hold any military rank since she is a civilian. Weir is the leader of the Atlantis expedition in Stargate Atlantis until the last episode of season three, titled "First Strike".

The Siege (<i>Stargate Atlantis</i>) 19th and 21st episodes of the 1st season of Stargate Atlantis

"The Siege" is the season finale for season one and season premiere for season two of the military science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis, and the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first episode of the series overall. The episodes were written by executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie and Martin Gero, and all three were directed by Martin Wood. The episodes were one of the series strongest in season 1 on Nielsen ratings and part three gathered the strongest rating with "Instinct" in season 2. The episode got strong reviews from major media publishers worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carson Beckett</span> Fictional character in the television series Stargate Atlantis

Dr. Carson Beckett is a fictional Scottish character in the 2004 Canadian-American science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis, a spin-off series of Stargate SG-1. He is portrayed by Scottish-born Canadian actor Paul McGillion, who previously played Dr. Ernest Littlefield in the first season of SG-1. The character's Scottish nationality was only decided after McGillion's audition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teyla Emmagan</span> Fictional character in Stargate Atlantis

Teyla Emmagan is a fictional character played by Rachel Luttrell in the science fiction series Stargate Atlantis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Lorne</span> Fictional character from the Stargate universe

Major Evan Lorne, USAF is a fictional character in the 2004 Canadian–American Sci-Fi Channel television series Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, two military science fiction shows about military teams exploring the galaxy via a network of alien transportation devices. Played by Kavan Smith, Evan Lorne was first introduced as a recurring character in the seventh season of Stargate SG-1, holding the military rank of Major in the United States Air Force. He joins the Atlantis expedition after "The Siege" as one of the personnel on the Daedalus class battlecruiser.

"First Strike" is the 60th episode and the third season finale of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis. The episode originally aired in Canada on February 5, 2007, on The Movie Network, and subsequently aired March 14 on Sky One in the United Kingdom, and June 22 on the United States Sci Fi Channel. It was written by executive producer Martin Gero, and directed by Martin Wood. The episode is the first of a three-parter, in which the new Earth ship Apollo arrives at Atlantis to conduct a preemptive strike against the Asurans before they can launch a fleet to attack Earth.

"Adrift" is the 61st episode and the fourth season premiere of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis. The episode first aired in the United States on September 28, 2007, on the Sci Fi Channel, and subsequently aired October 9 on Sky One in the United Kingdom. It was written by executive producer Martin Gero, and directed by Martin Wood. The episode continues from the third-season finale "First Strike", where Atlantis drops out of hyperspace in the middle of deep space with 24 hours of power left after an Asuran attack.

"Lifeline" is the second episode of the fourth season, and the 62nd episode overall, of the science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis. The episode first aired in the United States on October 5, 2007, on the Sci Fi Channel, and subsequently aired October 16 on Sky One in the United Kingdom. It was written by executive producer Carl Binder, and directed by Martin Wood. The episode is a continuation of the previous episode, "Adrift", following Colonel Sheppard and his team as they perform a mission to steal a Zero Point Module from the Asurans. It was described by executive producer Joseph Mallozzi as a "big op eppy."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Keller</span> Fictional character

Dr. Jennifer Keller is a fictional character from the Canadian-American military science fiction series Stargate Atlantis, a spin-off series to Stargate SG-1. She is played by Canadian actress Jewel Staite, who previously played the Wraith Ellia in season two episode "Instinct". She was created by the producers, who wanted someone to fill in for Carson Beckett after Paul McGillion's departure from regular status in the series. Keller had a recurring role in the fourth season, and was later promoted to a regular in Season 5.

"Search and Rescue" is the fifth season premiere of science fiction television show Stargate Atlantis, and is the 81st episode of the series. The episode premiered on July 11, 2008 in the United States on SCI FI channel, and was then shown on Canada's The Movie Network. The episode premiered over a month later in the United Kingdom on August 19 on Sky One. iTunes USA also made the episode available for download several days later. However, by the next episode, "Seed", shows will be added at the same time as they are scheduled to air. This is the 26th episode of Stargate Atlantis to be written by Martin Gero. The episode introduces several changes in the personnel and command of Atlantis, seeing Richard Woolsey take over command of the base.

<i>Stargate Atlantis</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the television series Stargate Atlantis commenced airing on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States on July 16, 2004, concluded on The Movie Network in Canada on January 31, 2005, and contained 20 episodes. The show was a spin off of sister show, Stargate SG-1. Stargate Atlantis re-introduced supporting characters from the SG-1 universe, such as Elizabeth Weir and Rodney McKay among others. The show also included new characters such as Teyla Emmagan and John Sheppard. The first season is about a military-science expedition team discovering Atlantis and exploring the Pegasus Galaxy. However, there is no way to return home, and they inadvertently wake a hostile alien race known as the Wraith, whose primary goal is to gather a fleet to invade Atlantis and find their new "feeding ground", Earth.

<i>Stargate Atlantis</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the television series Stargate Atlantis commenced airing on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States on July 15, 2005, concluded on The Movie Network in Canada on January 30, 2006, and contained 20 episodes. The show itself is a spin off of its sister show, Stargate SG-1. The series was developed by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, who also served as executive producers. Season two regular cast members include Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay. The second season focuses on the Atlantis Expedition continuing to make the Wraith think that the city self-destructed, while continuing to explore Pegasus and hunt for ZPMs this means at times lying to new allies about the city even sometimes claiming to be a small contingent that escaped the Siege; the season also marks the first time the Expedition is able to make contact with Earth although doing so uses a lot of power so the contact is oftentimes via the Daedalus, an intergalactic Earth-Asgard vessel commanded by Col. Steven Caldwell who makes clear his desire to be Military Leader of Atlantis but eventually settles for a sort of advisory role as it becomes clear that Dr. Weir and the Lt.Col Sheppard are a duo not to be messed with. The central plot of the second season is the development of Dr. Beckett's retrovirus, which can, theoretically, turn a Wraith into a human.

<i>Stargate Atlantis</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of Stargate Atlantis, an American-Canadian television series, began airing on July 21, 2006 on the US-American Sci Fi Channel. The third season concluded after 20 episodes on February 5, 2007 on the Canadian The Movie Network. The series was developed by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, who also served as executive producers. Season three regular cast members include Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion, and David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay.

<i>Stargate Atlantis</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the military science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis commenced airing on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States on July 11, 2008, concluded on the same channel on January 9, 2009, and contained 20 episodes. The show itself is a spin off of its sister show, Stargate SG-1. The season upgrades previous supporting characters cast members such as Richard Woolsey and Jennifer Keller. Amanda Tapping's character Samantha Carter was downgraded to recurring character in this season. The fifth and final season is about a military-science expedition team fighting against the Wraith from their base of operation, Atlantis. The Wraith primary goal is to gather a fleet to invade Atlantis and find their new "feeding ground", Earth.

References

  1. ↑ Sharon Gosling (July 2005). "Rising (I)" . Stargate Atlantis: The Official Companion Season 1. London: Titan Books. pp.  26. ISBN   1-84576-116-2.
  2. ↑ "Flanigan chills out on 'Rising' location". GateWorld. May 3, 2004. Archived from the original on 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Taylor Brown. "Rising, part 1". GateWorld. Archived from the original on 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  4. ↑ "Robert Patrick to appear in Atlantis premiere". GateWorld. March 1, 2004. Archived from the original on 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  5. ↑ "Michael Shanks gates to Stargate Atlantis". GateWorld. January 16, 2004. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  6. ↑ Darren Sumner. "Atlantis finale week is ALL Atlantis". GateWorld. Archived from the original on 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  7. ↑ Denise Martine (2004-07-19). "'Stargate' a blast for Sci Fi". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  8. ↑ "BARB's multichannel top 10 programmes (Go on w/e 17 Oct 2004, and scroll down to Sky 1)". barb.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 October 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  9. 1 2 David Nusair. "Stargate: Atlantis "Rising"". Reel Film Reviews. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  10. ↑ Darren Sumner. "Atlantis rises to Gemini Award victory". GateWorld. Archived from the original on 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  11. ↑ Sumner, Darren (July 14, 2005). "Stargate series earn three Emmy noms". GateWorld. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  12. ↑ Sumner, Darren (May 30, 2005). "Stargate takes home three Leo Awards". GateWorld. Archived from the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  13. ↑ "3rd Annual VES Awards Nominees and Recipients". VES Awards. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  14. ↑ D. Read. "Rising, part 2". GateWorld. Archived from the original on 2009-03-30. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  15. ↑ Filip Vukcevic (8 June 2005). "Stargate Atlantis — Rising". IGN. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  16. ↑ Dan Heaton. "Stargate Atlantis —Rising". Digitally Obsessed. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  17. ↑ Heffernan, Virginia (2004-07-16). "TELEVISION REVIEW; Atlantis Mystery Is Solved; Now, About the Wormhole". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.