Stargate Atlantis - Episode 205

Episode 205
Condemned

Having arrived through the stargate via puddle jumper, Sheppard, McKay, Teyla and Ronon set out to explore an unfamiliar, overgrown island. There, they discover a village that seems to have been abandoned only moments before.

Turns out, it's a trap: The villagers attack with primitive weapons and incredible ferocity. Outnumbered, Sheppard orders his team back to the puddle jumper. Even this retreat seems nearly impossible until a high-tech ship descends from above and drives off the islanders. Grateful for the rescue, Sheppard allows this mysterious new arrival to escort him and his team to safety on the planet's mainland.

There, they discover an advanced culture, complete with a gleaming city and an experimental power system that McKay is instantly itching to tinker with. The team meets with the planet's Magistrate, who is excited by the rare chance to trade with another advanced culture.

When the Magistrate announces that the Wraith always leave his people alone, however, Sheppard's team gets suspicious: The Wraith never leave advanced human cultures alone. The Magistrate then elaborates that his world's worst criminals are sent to the island, where the Wraith can come through the 'gate and feed without molesting the rest of the planet. Unnerved by this unique form of capital punishment, the team nonetheless prepares to return to Atlantis and escort Dr. Weir back to begin treaty negotiations.

As Sheppard pilots the puddle jumper toward the 'gate, however, the dangerously inventive islanders — led by their mastermind, Torrell — manage to shoot down the jumper. They take Sheppard and his team captive and force McKay to begin repairing the jumper for their own escape.

Concerned by the team's disappearance, Weir deploys a second jumper to investigate. She goes along to meet personally with the Magistrate. When she does, she learns that his deal with the Wraith is deeper and more disturbing than anyone — including his own people — ever knew.

Meanwhile, trapped on the penal island, Sheppard's team struggles to escape their devious captors. They have to work quickly, because the Wraith are hungry, and another culling is expected to begin at any moment....

Sheppard: "All right, stay close and stay quiet."
(Looks at McKay)
McKay: "Why does he say that to me?"

Torrell: "You'll figure it out."
McKay: "And if I don't?"
Torrell: "Well, I could kill you. But you strike me as the type of man who, despite being weak and cowardly on the outside, harbours a strength of character he doesn't even know he has."
McKay: "I'm sorry - was there a compliment in there?"

Weir: "Talk about cruel and unusual punishment."
McKay: "I prefer lethal injection, although I do have a fondness for the electric chair. Call me romantic."

Sheppard: "At least we have the element of surprise."
Ronon: "I was beginning to think you were afraid to fight."
Sheppard: "No. Just naturally lazy. But I will if I have to... and it’s starting to look like we have to."

Magistrate: "I hope you find the food acceptable as well. My new chef is quite competent."
Wraith: "I certainly hope so. Your previous chef unfortunately proved to be far more appetizing than the meals he prepared."

McKay: "What are you...oh my God, he's tasting it! You don't know what that is -- that could be their laundry!"
Ronon: (sampling stew) "Very good!"
McKay: "Oh yes, good idea! And when you're finished with their porridge, why don't we try their beds, hmm?"
Ronon: (to Teyla) "Want some?"
McKay: "How good is it?"
Sheppard: "Leave it be, Goldilocks."

[On trying to settle down Ronon]
Ronon: "Is that an order Sheppard?"
Sheppard: "I am beat up, tied up, and couldn't order a pizza right now if I wanted to. But if you need it to be, yeah… it’s an order."
Ronon: "Okay."

McKay: "There’s no signs of any settlements, at least nothing recent."
Ronon: "Other than the smoke from that camp fire."
McKay: "Ah… yes, well, other than that."

Teyla: "Are you alright?"
McKay: "I think I chipped a tooth. Did I chip a tooth? Am I bleeding? Because I am at high risk of endocarditis."