The Daedalus Variations

Firstly, I will say that the new alien in one of the alternate realities had better be back in future episodes, otherwise this episode will be a waste, albeit a very fun waste. In this exciting episode of Atlantis, John, Teyla,  Ronan, and Rodney find themselves shifting through alternate realities when they board the Daedalus which suddenly appeared out of thin air. They shift through four differing realities before McKay figures out (predictably) how to reverse the process. This all happens due to some “alternate reality” drive invented by another McKay in another reality. The first reality is exactly same as the present one but Atlantis is gone, the second (and most interesting) sees an alien ship attacking Atlantis, the third presents the team with a problem as the ship seems to be in a decaying orbit over a sun, and in the fourth the planet housing Atlantis was possibly destroyed millions of years ago.

This was an interesting concept and those respobsible did at least an okay job with the stories. The visuals were great, particularly the latter of two space battles. Absolutely spectacular and exciting to watch. However, even though the episode was somewhat clever and exciting to watch, it was essentially another filler episode. The characters weren’t developed any further (or at least not very much), which is disappointing. The “variations”  were interesting, but not nearly as spectacular, mind-boggling, or interesting as they could have been (the exception being the second one). The episode moves at such a fast pace that we never get to explore the stories of these realities (again, particularly the second). Where is Atlantis and why is it gone? Why are these new aliens attacking Atlantis? Better yet, who are they? We did actually get the backstory to the sun variation. Why and how was the planet destroyed? We just get questions, which gives the realities their proper mystique I guess but leaves me wanting. Also, Woolsey didn’t make any appearance in the episode which is also disappointing. Imagine the possibilities if he were to have accompanied Sheppard and the crew on their journey.

All of that being said, this may have been a filler episode, but it was a spectacular and exciting filler episode. Were this made even stronger, this could have been a masterpiece of sci-fi. The aliens, at first, reminded me of the Borg from the Star Trek franchise until they started growling and showing their aggressive battling. They were very menacing which is something that the Wraith as of late distinctly lack. Their space ship and fighters had an interesting design as well as weapons fire (possibly because they are just new to the show). It is my hope that we will see them again on the show, perhaps becoming a prime villain, though if they do I hope they are not as soulless and character-less as most of the Wraith have turned out to be. What gets me even more excited is the fact that the writers (or whoever responsible) left a window open at the very end of the episode, with McKay stating that the ship still does have some jumps left in it (jumps to different realities) before the drive fails, leaving open the possibility that someone could board the spacecraft and take it back to our Atlantis.

There were some funny bits, particularly when Sheppard compliments his double over the intercom (his double does not know that it is Sheppard he is speaking to). The sole character moments came at the very beginning and the end. They were brief but welcome and somewhat humorous. I think it’s time, though, for a Woolsey episode. Also, a Sheppard episode would be nice since it’s been a while since his character got a workout. Dr. Keller (who, incidentally, also didn’t appear in the episode) needs some character time as well if we are ever going to care about her.

Overall, The Daedalus Variations was a fun and exciting episode, even if it was a filler episode, with some good potential consequences which will hopefully spring forth in subsequent episodes. I’ll probably return to it again just to watch the big space battle.

I give this episode a 7/10