Stargate Atlantis will head into the back half of its upcoming season with a clips show — one that tells a compelling story of the Atlantis expedition’s past, present, and future place in the Pegasus Galaxy. Now the first story details have arrived at GateWorld for “Inquisition,” currently slated to air as the twelfth of Season Five.
The episode was written by newcomer Alex Levine, who works as the show’s script coordinator.
Atlantis is introduced to a group trying to form a coalition of humans from many different worlds against the Wraith. They have asked specifically for John Sheppard and his team — who have gained a bit of notoriety in the Pegasus Galaxy over the past few years — to visit one of their worlds. Among the representative leaders is Kelore of Latira, Shiana of the Tribes of Santhal, and Dimas of the Free Peoples of Riva.
But soon after the team arrives, they find that they have not been asked there to join the alliance. Instead, the Coalition has other plans for the team: they are to stand trial for the Atlantis expedition’s crimes against the Pegasus Galaxy. Sheppard is made to explain things such as the existence of Michael, a sort of Wraith-human hybrid (“Michael”), and the catastrophic Hoffan plague that recently swept through the galaxy (“The Kindred”).
Major Lorne and his team escort a Coalition representative, Myrus, through the gate to meet with Mr. Woolsey in Atlantis. He explains the situation, arguing that Atlantis has been making unilateral decisions in the war against the Wraith that affect the lives of countless millions on many worlds. The Coalition intends to institute accountability and due process.
Finally, Woolsey decides to travel to the Coaltion planet himself, and put his diplomatic skills to use: He will be taking over the team’s public defense. But the ethical arguments and political twists have only just begun — and nothing less than the future of the expedition is at stake.
Guest characters include Lorne, Dimas, Shiana, Kelore, Myrus, and a villager.
Learn more about Season Five in GateWorld’s always expanding episode guide! New episodes return to SCI FI Channel on July 11.