Customer Reviews
Sinking slightly 
2008-07-23
Season 3 of Stargate Atlantis, seemingly following tradition, is significantly worse than season 2. The storylines have become more contrived than ever, while the characters--although mostly unchanged--are bothersome. This is the Rodney season; even though there are only two Rodney-centered episodes, he is the one who always finds the answers, even to problems that others should solve instead.
Lt. Col. John Sheppard is Jack O'Neill Jr., as he was last season; even though he professed in season 2's `Coup D'Etat' that he `coulda been Mensa', he does anything but show it, instead working with the single talent of skillful piloting. Dr. Elizabeth Weir becomes almost paranoid in certain episodes; "They're trying to undermine me, Teyla!" she insists at one point--however, one can understand why `they' would try to undermine her, since there are times when she takes action instead of talking, as well as times when she insists on talking instead of taking action! Dr. Rodney McKay is his usual sunny self, condescendingly snapping at whoever disagrees with him. Teyla becomes almost useless in this season with barely anything to say; when she does speak, she is less than convincing. Ronon--reticent as usual--is the most likeable of all the characters, being the least changed from his original self. Dr. Carson Beckett, instead of being sincere as he was last season, becomes rather weak-willed at times.
The episodes:
No Man's Land--6 of 10--We pick up where season 2's `Allies' left off, with Wraith ships heading for Earth and the team trapped aboard them. The entire situation results in a brilliantly computer-generated battle. However, Col. Steven Caldwell, commander of the Earth ship Daedalus, gives us no reasons as to why he was chosen to command the ship; his tactics are less than stellar in several parts of the episode, such as when he wastes almost every single bomb that the ship has!
Misbegotten--5 of 10--Now that the Wraith on the hive ship have been turned into humans, the team dumps them on a deserted planet. Not one of Atlantis' crowning glories; after all, they should know that the Wraith can figure things out in minutes. Dr. Beckett is strangely foolish, while the others are simply stupid. All in all, this is a terrible ending to a potentially good cliffhanger.
Irresistible--5 of 10--In an obvious Star Trek imitation, the team comes upon a man--think Harry Mudd--whose fellow villagers simply adore him, even though he's a fool. Sheppard supposedly has a cold in this episode, although he demonstrates it rarely in the form of brief coughs and sneezes. Because of the very irritating nature of the man they meet, this episode is less than it could be.
Sateda--8 of 10--A figure apparently from Ronon's past brings him to his now-dead homeworld, forcing him to play a deadly game while looking against his will into his tragic and bloodstained past. Even with the surprising lack of explanations, this episode has movie-style action that never fails to thrill. We also see a long-lost scrap of Ronon's past, giving us a peek into his character.
Progeny--6 of 10--The team dials an address--which the Ancient database specifically said not to dial--and finds an advanced civilization that is much more than it seems to be. Unfortunately, this episode isn't as good as it sounds, because of the simple fact that the advanced civilization is based on something that has already been done in Stargate SG-1. It's true that some viewers haven't seen SG-1, but nonetheless I can't enjoy episodes featuring storylines that have already been used, especially in the original Stargate show.
The Real World--7 of 10--Dr. Weir wakes up in a mental hospital and is told that her entire life is a product of her imagination. This hoary old chestnut of a story has been done in Smallville, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and even The Dead Zone! However, the treatment of this episode makes it fairly enjoyable.
Common Ground--6 of 10--Sheppard is captured by an old nemesis, and is fed upon by a Wraith bit by bit. If it weren't for the identity of the nemesis, this story would be good. Nonetheless, the person who captures Sheppard was once a very interesting character, until he was changed to be the usual villain with the usual demands. For any fans of his, this is disappointing--especially since Sheppard is captured by way of a harpoon shot into his bulletproof vest!
McKay and Mrs. Miller--5 of 10--Rodney's sister Jeannie comes to Atlantis to help the former out. This episode is bad for two simple reasons: 1) The entire episode is based on another episode that ended in disaster and 2) Jeannie is equally as annoying as Rodney in a different way. She tells all and sundry that Rodney's real first name is Meredith, making him the butt of jokes, and teases him immensely; of course, Rodney doesn't take kindly to being teased, and makes everyone else's lives miserable by being twice as surly as usual. If it weren't for that, this episode would be at least bearable but, as usual, Rodney wrecks it!
Phantoms--8 of 10--One of the better episodes--the team finds a suspended Wraith experiment, which then makes them hallucinate all sorts of things, most of which are dredged up from the backs of their minds. There are some times when even the viewer can't distinguish between fantasy and reality, which keeps one on the edge of one's seat.
The Return, Part I--6 of 10--The Daedalus finds an Ancient ship traveling as fast as it can towards Atlantis, and helps the crew get back to the city. There, the Ancients proclaim that anyone and everyone living there are not needed whatsoever and should leave, as fast as possible. Of course, this results in retrospectives for the main characters and annoyance for the audience--basically, the Ancients think that, just because they have more control over the city, they can kick out the humans there. The only satisfying part of this episode is when the Ancients get their just desserts.
The Return, Part II--6 of 10--Now that enemies have taken over the city, Sheppard and friends must take it back. Yet another episode where they have to clean up the Ancients' mess! The plans they make to take back Atlantis are not half bad, but one can't help but think of what would've happened if the Ancients hadn't come around in the first place...
Echoes--4 of 10--Teyla sees strange figures wandering the halls and must find out who and what they are. This episode has the potential to be an intriguing mystery, but one thing puts a damper on it--everyone believes that the Ancients are trying to warn them of something! The Ancients have never warned anyone of anything, but according to our friends in the city, they have suddenly begun to worry for humans and are now wandering around purposefully, speaking a foreign language. It's very implausible that everyone would believe such a thing, given the attitude of Ancients in the past.
Irresponsible--4 of 10--The team runs across Lucius (Harry Mudd II from `Irresistible'), and finds that he's gotten himself into more trouble. If I were to choose between the two episodes, I would without doubt choose the first one--Irresponsible is terrible. The enemy who appears is amazingly dislikeable, even more so than his other appearance in `Common Ground', and Lucius is a pale, annoying version of Harry Mudd.
Tao of Rodney--8 of 10--Rodney is changed by a device and becomes almost Ascended, with incredible mind powers. If the main character of this episode were Teyla, Ronon, or even Sheppard, this episode would get a 10--the storyline is extremely interesting and has several touching moments. However, we all know by now that whatever happens to make Rodney a better person will never work, and so we watch this episode knowing that he'll be back to his usual self in the next one.
The Game--3 of 10--The team finds two villages that are part of an Ancient experiment, in which the people change their lives based on instructions from a console that is controlled by someone on Atlantis. It turns out that Sheppard and Rodney have each been `governing' one of the villages. This episode has extraordinary potential, but falls flat on its face. The leaders of the villages have horribly enhanced versions of Sheppard and Rodney's weak points; Dr. Weir suddenly becomes silent at the time when she is most needed; and, to make things even worse, the episode is resolved in a totally inexplicable manner! By far, the most awful of all season 3 episodes.
The Ark--4 of 10--The team finds an entire civilization locked within a stasis device, where they will rest, safe from the Wraith, until brought back into reality. Unfortunately, the people who are accidentally `resurrected' are the worst examples of the civilization--one is depressed and gets the team into almost irreversible trouble, whereas the other spends his time talking ceaselessly of the `ten thousand souls' that are in the device. Another episode with potential that was not utilized...
Sunday--6 of 10--Two scientists are infected with exploding tumors (thanks to yet another botched Ancient device) and in a race against time, Dr. Beckett must help them; every Atlantis fan already knows that this is Beckett's last and worst episode. The very event that dooms him is something that, with proper actions, he could have avoided! Naturally, the Ancients caused the problems here, as usual. Beckett's search for someone to go fishing with him, though, is an entertaining little piece that becomes bittersweet in the end.
Submersion--4 of 10--An underwater drilling platform is discovered near Atlantis and, while exploring it, the team is attacked by a Wraith queen. This is, quite frankly, a ludicrous episode--the queen, although not having fed for centuries, manages to swim near the seafloor under enormous water pressures. In the meantime, Teyla feebly lets herself fall into a very bad situation, unlike the warrior woman she's supposed to be. Those two points make the episode extremely weak.
Vengeance--4 of 10--Michael returns, this time experimenting with humans and Iratus bugs (the genesis of the Wraith). Since Michael is unsurprisingly a very gifted scientist, we in the audience can see it all coming. The people that he chooses for his experiment decided, for no apparent reason, to build their small and simple settlement upon a vast network of creepy abandoned tunnels. To top it all off, Sheppard has a chance to capture Michael and instead passes right by him. The only remotely good part of this episode is Ronon, who--when Sheppard tells him not to kill Michael--retorts by saying something to the effect of "No! He's caused enough trouble already, and I'm going to kill him this time."
First Strike--5 of 10--The enemies from `Progeny' return, with a weapon designed to destroy Atlantis. This episode is crammed full of mistakes--Dr. Weir insists on using diplomacy when it's obvious that it won't work; the Apollo, a new Earth ship, arrives with a mission that does nothing but inflame the situation; Atlantis does quite a few things in an effort to escape from its pursuer, all of which simply serve to make things harder; etc. etc. I, for one, have no idea how anything will be resolved in the beginning of season 4.
Better and better, with every season 
2008-07-14
This show is getting better and better with every season. In S3, there was only one episode that I didn't like and that was "Irresponsible", everything else was top-notch. The extras (commentaries, featurettes etc.) are great too, done by directors and writers who always have something interesting to say so it's not just empty talk. Definitely worth buying!
Love it! 2008-07-04
Love it! I think that Stargate keeps getting better. Although at times it reminds me of SG-1, overall the stories are fresh and fun. There were some very unique episodes on this set. 2 thumbs up!
StarGate Atlantis, season 3 2008-06-18
Had some trouble accessing some of the episodes, but very enjoyable.
(Might be my old DVD player).
Linda Sheean
Excellent 2008-06-07
Love this series. The acting, writing/stories, cast -- it really is fun to watch and keeps your interest. I enjoy it like I enjoyed the SG-1 series.
Excellent - for the most part 
2008-06-04
For the first time ever, fans can catch up on season 3 before season 4 begins on Sci Fi!
Didn't think I'd like it... 2008-05-30
I've always been a big SG-1 fan, and never wanted to give Atlantis a try. Once SG-1 officially ended, I decided to give Atlantis a try. I watched season 4 on TV, got into it, and realized they'd done a good job on this spin-off. I still had several questions, since I started watching season 4, so I picked up the 1-3 seasons here from Amazon. It didn't disappoint. While there were a few "dud" episodes (which show doesn't have those??), I really enjoyed the whole series thus far, and am looking forward to the new season.
Atlantis Season 3 2008-05-27
I'm a big fan of Stargate Atlantis so this is just adding to the collection!!!!
Love this series! 2008-05-21
This is what brought me into the Stargate universe. Since then, I've gone back to watch SG-1 and I like that too. But SGA is definitely my favorite.
Episode plots 2008-05-08
Season 3, Episode 1: No Man's Land
Original Air Date: 14 July 2006
Two Wraith Hive ships have captured Dr. McKay and Ronon and are on their way to Earth. It is up to Colonel Sheppard to rescue them and figure out a way to stop the Wraith from reaching a "new feeding ground".
Season 3, Episode 2: Misbegotten
Original Air Date: 21 July 2006
After turning a Wraith hive ship crew into humans, the Atlantis team must decide on their fate. Meanwhile, Dr. Weir finds herself under the scrutiny of Richard Woolsey and the I.O.A.
Season 3, Episode 3: Irresistible
Original Air Date: 28 July 2006
A man from another world has an unusual effect on the Atlantis team, causing them to behave strangely. The few unaffected team members must uncover the cause.
Season 3, Episode 4: Sateda
Original Air Date: 4 August 2006
Sheppard, Teyla and Ronon come under attack on a forested world. Ronon, realizing that he has been on the planet before, learns that his earlier visit came with harsh consequences.
Season 3, Episode 5: Progeny
Original Air Date: 11 August 2006
The Atlantis expedition encounters a highly advanced race, the Asurans whom they at first believe to be the Ancients. However, this new race is just a new face of an old nemesis.
Season 3, Episode 6: The Real World
Original Air Date: 18 August 2006
Dr Weir finds herself on Earth where, to everyone else, the Atlantis Expedition was just her delusion.
Season 3, Episode 7: Common Ground
Original Air Date: 25 August 2006
John Sheppard is captured by the evil Kolya of the Genii and imprisoned in a cell adjacent to a Wraith as Dr. Weir negotiates for his release.
Season 3, Episode 8: McKay and Mrs. Miller
Original Air Date: 8 September 2006
When his sister Jeannie comes up with a vital mathematical proof, Rodney returns to Earth to visit his sister Jeannie and take her to Atlantis. But things become complicated when another Rodney McKay from a parallel universe arrives.
Season 3, Episode 9: Phantoms
Original Air Date: 15 September 2006
Sheppard and Ronon find themselves under the influence of a Wraith mind-altering device that threatens to force the entire team to kill--each other!
Season 3, Episode 10: The Return: Part 1
Original Air Date: 22 September 2006
While testing a chain of Stargates that will allow travel from Atlantis to Earth in about 30 minutes (the "McKay-Carter Intergalactic Gate Bridge"), McKay, Sheppard and the team discover an Ancient ship traveling at almost the speed of light.
When Dr. Weir talks to the travelers, she is surprised by their request that the expedition members vacate the city of Atlantis.
Season 3, Episode 11: The Return: Part 2
Original Air Date: 20 November 2006
Major General Jack O'Neill's mission to defend Atlantis fails as he and Richard Woolsey are taken prisoner during an Asuran assault on the city.
Sheppard's team, Dr. Weir and Dr. Carson steal a Jumper from Stargate Command on Earth and come back to Pegasus galaxy with a plan to retake Atlantis.
Season 3, Episode 12: Echoes
Original Air Date: 27 November 2006
The whales of Lantea congregate around the city and the inhabitants of Atlantis begin to suffer ill effects. Are they there to communicate or attack?
Season 3, Episode 13: Irresponsible
Original Air Date: 4 December 2006
The team investigate rumors of an invincible hero off-world, only to find Lucius Lavin again manipulating a hapless village.
Season 3, Episode 14: Tao of Rodney
Original Air Date: 11 December 2006
While shutting down systems in Atlantis, McKay is zapped by a strange Ancient machine. He begins to have superpowers, but things are never as they seem, and Rodney and the team must race against his mutations to save his life.
Season 3, Episode 15: The Game
Original Air Date: 18 December 2006
To while away the hours, Sheppard and McKay have been secretly competing against one another in a real-time strategy game they discovered on Atlantis. To their surprise, they discover that this is more than just a game....
Season 3, Episode 16: The Ark
Original Air Date: 8 January 2007
The Atlantis team uncovers the last survivors of a civilization who have been placed in suspended animation aboard a space station. As some of the people awaken, problems from the past threaten to destroy everyone on the station, including Sheppard.
Season 3, Episode 17: Sunday
Original Air Date: 15 January 2007
Almost every member of the Atlantis expedition has a day off. Some of them are enjoying their free time or are catching up on some old work. The Sunday, a day like no other, suddenly turns bad and it appears that a lot of people are in danger.
Season 3, Episode 18: Submersion
Original Air Date: 22 January 2007
The team goes searching for an alternate power source beneath the surface of the Lantean ocean. When arriving at the power plant, Teyla senses a Wraith nearby.
Season 3, Episode 19: Vengeance
Original Air Date: 29 January 2007
After losing contact with the new Taranin (the people rescued by the Atlantis team when a super volcano threatened to destroy their planet) settlement, Sheppard's team leaves to investigate. Finding the town deserted, they move to investigate an extensive subterranean tunnel system. What they find there holds dark tidings for the entire Pegasus Galaxy.
Season 3, Episode 20: First Strike 1
Original Air Date: 5 February 2007
After learning the Asurians are building a fleet of ships, Earth sends it's newest ship, the Apollo, under the command of Colonel Abe Ellis to initiate a preemptive first strike to stop them from attacking Atlantis or worse, Earth itself.
