Even though The Siege:3 was officially the first episode of Season 2, there is no doubt that Intruder really counts as its real beginning. It starts a few months after the events in the Siege, just as it would after summer recess, and we learn about what happened back on Earth through several flashbacks.
Honestly, after everything that happened in The Siege, the main plot line, involving a killer IA that somehow got into the Daedalus's systems, seems rather dull. As Rodney points out, we've already had that (several times!) on SG-1 -and really, most of what happens is rather predictable. Still, the action is well-paced, smart and doesn't allow for loose ends. Besides, we don't spend that much time dealing with it. Intruder rather is an opportunity to get reacquainted with the characters, their quirks, their relationships and their evolution. Rodney and John are great, both individually and as a team; Weir once again shows her qualities as a leader and even gets a few minutes for womanly emotions (poor Weir). As for Teyla, although she's sadly absent from most of the episode, we understand that *she* was left in charge on Atlantis, which is rather neat considering she's an alien. Even Ford, though still AWOL, is very much present in everybody's mind. Finally, we meet Col. Caldwell and the Daedalus.
Now I must say that I was initially dismayed that the long-awaited return to Earth should be completely left out of the episode. Clearly, this is intentional: the team's "home" is on Atlantis now, so it's only fitting that this "Atlantis" episode should begin once the ship reaches the Pegasus Galaxy --while the Milky Way is only seen through hazy memories. And I also like that the flashbacks let us guess at the character's feelings instead of going for drama, as they might have.
Finally, I really love all the little moments and details that really define a good Stargate episode: Hermiod's difficult interaction with humans is just hilarious; Rodney's antics are always funny and never over-the-top; and did you notice that every single one of those F302 is customised with assorted stuffed toys and whatnot? To me, this is exactly the kind of silly little additions that give life to a show.
Honestly, after everything that happened in The Siege, the main plot line, involving a killer IA that somehow got into the Daedalus's systems, seems rather dull. As Rodney points out, we've already had that (several times!) on SG-1 -and really, most of what happens is rather predictable. Still, the action is well-paced, smart and doesn't allow for loose ends. Besides, we don't spend that much time dealing with it. Intruder rather is an opportunity to get reacquainted with the characters, their quirks, their relationships and their evolution. Rodney and John are great, both individually and as a team; Weir once again shows her qualities as a leader and even gets a few minutes for womanly emotions (poor Weir). As for Teyla, although she's sadly absent from most of the episode, we understand that *she* was left in charge on Atlantis, which is rather neat considering she's an alien. Even Ford, though still AWOL, is very much present in everybody's mind. Finally, we meet Col. Caldwell and the Daedalus.
Now I must say that I was initially dismayed that the long-awaited return to Earth should be completely left out of the episode. Clearly, this is intentional: the team's "home" is on Atlantis now, so it's only fitting that this "Atlantis" episode should begin once the ship reaches the Pegasus Galaxy --while the Milky Way is only seen through hazy memories. And I also like that the flashbacks let us guess at the character's feelings instead of going for drama, as they might have.
Finally, I really love all the little moments and details that really define a good Stargate episode: Hermiod's difficult interaction with humans is just hilarious; Rodney's antics are always funny and never over-the-top; and did you notice that every single one of those F302 is customised with assorted stuffed toys and whatnot? To me, this is exactly the kind of silly little additions that give life to a show.
