First hints at ‘Infection’ story

The first scarce story details have arrived at GateWorld for “Infection,” an upcoming episode of Stargate Atlantis‘s fifth season.

Written by staff writer and producer Alan McCullough, the episode is currently slated to be the seventeenth in production order.

Here’s what we know about the episode so far:

Colonel Sheppard and his team investigate a Wraith vessel, which apparently has shown up near Atlantis. The ship appears to be abandoned — but, of course, with these kinds of mysteries things are never as they appear.

The team is joined by Major Lorne (Kavan Smith) and his men, which include a pair of Marines. One of them, Lt. Williams, stands guard in a remote part of the ship when he hears a noise. Williams investigates, and finds that part of the wall is melting away, revealing a hidden corridor behind it. He radios Lorne (who is with Sheppard) and investigates, and is startled when a Wraith creature suddenly reaches out of the opening and grabs him.

The Wraith is described as a warrior without its mask on — a truly gruesome creature seen in last season’s “Spoils of War” (pictured above). When Sheppard and Lorne arrive on the scene with the other Marine, they find the Lieutenant gone … only his weapon left behind.

Elsewhere, Dr. Jennifer Keller is being challenged to expand her knowledge of Wraith physiology. The pressure is on, and Jennifer candidly confesses a lack of self-confidence to Rodney McKay. The two have begun to grow closer, and he takes her hand as he tries to encourage her.

Guest characters include Major Lorne, Lt. Williams, and a Marine. The episode is expected to go before cameras later in August, and should air on SCI FI Channel in the United States in early 2009.

According to executive producer Joseph Mallozzi, the episode deals with “a mysterious arrival, a difficult dilemma, and the continuation of a storyline introduced in ‘The Queen.’“

Learn more about what is to come in Atlantis‘s new season in GateWorld’s Season Five episode guide!