There are few things I hate more in a series than inconsistencies, especially in sci-fi or fantasy shows where they begin bending the very rules they created in earlier episodes. This episode is plagued with copious amounts of such inconsistencies, which is then further amplified by cringe worthy illogical decision making, and cliches.
Let's ignore the blatantly rash and illogical decisions that lead to the the wraith and human factions ending up in this position in the first place. Even then, the decisions thereafter are far from what you'd expect of seasoned war veterans or technological geniuses. Ronon is one of the prime examples, who the writer appear intent on reducing to nothing more than grunt with a gun. His character's lack of depth and blatant stupidity, is matched only by his insatiable urge to fight and shoot everything. He wouldn't even be welcome on my base, let alone be on the flagship team with traits like his.
Then there are the horrible inconsistencies, most notably of which relate to the new found faction of rogue Asguard. This plot twist is interesting and the exchange between them and Daniel Jackson proves to be the only interesting part of the whole episode. Are we to believe that these Asguard have only managed to salvage old ancient tech and not fabricate any of their own in the 10,000 years they've been there? Have they not gone searching the galaxy for the "key" to the device, if they believed it was so pivotal to their survival? How is it that their ships, which are apparently Atlantean, could penetrate the shields, when the replicator ships couldn't (which are obviously of Atlantean design too)? And, are we supposed to believe these same Atlantean ships, which now suddenly use energy pulse weapons, instead of the drones, and are inferior in battle to a single "crude" Traveller ship? Speaking of the Traveller ship, wouldn't the ship have had to latch onto the Daedalus, like the cargo ship in the SG1 franchise, with the asteroid? Then, there's the gate blowing up. The radiation they supposedly needed to boost the shields to contain suddenly just disappears after the explosion? The whole tower and possibly even more of the city, would be contaminated! The list could go on, but I think you see the point.
Then there are the cliches. Needing to pick the right crystal, or the antenna array will explode; haven't heard that one before. The ultimately inconsequential overtaxing of the hyperdrive on the Traveller ship, and the apparent genius of this 15 year old, compared to Zelenka. And of course, the cringe worthy exchanges with Ronon flirting with Keller.
Ultimately, there are so few redeeming parts to the episode and despite so introducing so many new potential story arcs, none of them end up being overly consequential. Completely forgettable episode, and a bitter disappointment to the build up from the previous episode.
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