DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Stargate Atlantis - The Complete Fourth Season

By June L. Jul 8, 2008, 12:55 GMT

An acclaimed cast that includes Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa and Amanda Tapping returns for season 4 of the incredible Stargate Atlantis series. Colonel Samantha Carter (Tapping) takes charge as the city\'s new leader, facing new and daunting challenges, including joining forces with the dangerous Wraith in order to fight a common enemy--the seemingly unstoppable Replicators. ...more

Changes and the adjustments required by them are some of the most challenging facets of real life.  Season four of Stargate Atlantis chronicles major changes in the lives of those connected with Atlantis, personally, professionally and well, even geographically.  It is another amazing season, now to enjoy on DVD with all kinds of interesting and entertaining “extras.”

Before going any further, our world and the Stargate world underwent an irreparable change through the loss of a beloved alumni on June 29th.  Don S. Davis who played General Hammond in both the SG-1 series and SG Atlantis until 2004, passed away. 

He brought an authenticity to the role, imbuing the character with great wisdom, a quiet sense of command and much humor.  He will be remembered with fondness and appreciation.

Without giving away too many changes, when the city of Atlantis flew into space, I did wonder if we were about to see the most geographically stupendous “jumping the shark” ever.  Obviously NOT!  It was a great move, and Season 5 starts this week on Sci-Fi channel, perhaps to prove that sometimes changes can be good. 

This allowed more diverse storylines and interesting moves in different directions for the characters.  No longer were we seeing a formula (nothing wrong with that, just that this is different) episode of “a team” going on an adventure “off world” and finding A-bad aliens whom they have to fight, or B good aliens to become allies.

The arrival of Colonel Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) as a permanent member of the group is a fine addition.  It has been fun to see her interact with the other characters bringing her knowledge and skills to another area of the Stargate universe. 

As the creators of the series say in interviews that Stargate world includes all characters and places and we like to know what is going on with them, even though we don’t always see them, Sam is now in Atlantis, and we can imagine that our other favorites are continuing equally interesting lives. 

Jewel Straite as Dr. Jennifer Keller is another great choice for a new character, a good balance with Sam as they both get more familiar with the place and the people, and gain acceptance.

Stargate Atlantis Season Four is presented on 5 discs and is in widescreen format with subtitles in English, French and Spanish available.  The running time is 827 minutes. 

In addition to the episodes there are great specials, including commentaries by various writers, directors, producers and stars on most of the episodes, Mission Directive featurettes on selected episodes, deleted scenes, and for the first time ever (?) Stargate Atlantis Bloopers.  

The stories in Season Four are multidimensional and go beyond the “explorer” mode.  There is a lot of personal divulging and emotion in Season four.  The Atlantis group faces several losses (which are hard on the fans), but handled with grace, in a way we would hope to be able to emulate in real life as work and living must go on. 

Stargate Atlantis - The Complete Fourth Season is now available at Amazon. It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for an Aug. 4th release. Visit the DVD database for more information.