Atlantis‘s leading man was a tough role to cast back in early 2004. The producers wanted an actor who could pull off the action, bravado, and humor that Jack O’Neill brought to the show’s predecessor, yet still make this new character his own man. They finally found their man in Joe Flanigan, then a 37-year-old actor from Los Angeles who had studied history at the University of Colorado before turning to acting.
In a bout of good timing, today is Joe’s birthday. He shares it with fellow Atlantis actor Paul McGillion (“Carson Beckett”).
Without further ado, here are our top five episodes featuring John Sheppard! Post a comment below to let us know which episodes make your list.
(Season Three, Episode 9)
After years of fan requests that we get to learn more about John’s back-story, the writers finally delivered with this third season episode. The team travels to a forested world and comes under the influence of a mind-altering Wraith device. We see flashbacks to a mission in Sheppard’s past, during which he acted against orders to try and rescue a friend from the deserts of Afghantistan, and was shot down. Sheppard begins to relive this incident in the present — opening fire on his friends, believing they are the enemy.
While not a particularly memorable episode in its own right, this one earns a spot on our Top 5 list because it filled in a vital piece of John’s history, an incident that has helped shape him into the man he is.
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vegas should not be in there and what about remnants?
Wait... i just thought of this... Are the events that McKay talks about in Vegas the same events we see in Phantom??
Happy Birthday Joe!!!!
And Paul too.
My new favorite Shep ep is Vegas, but I also love Common Ground, Doppelganger, Outcast, Remnants, The Eye if I had to only pick 5.
So many others too, he is the reason I have loved Atlantis for these 5 years!
The Vegas epp was one of his best acting.
Vegas was awesome, and Common Ground is one my favourite episodes. The Eye was great and Phantoms was good too. Not sure about Doppleganger though, I found it a bit boring
This is a nice idea although as team leader I think you should have saved Sheppard for last. I'm betting you give that honor to McKay. Oh well.
If I had to pick I think I would have chosen the same five episodes. Doppelganger may not have been a favorite of mine but at least it allowed us a peek into Sheppard's head and we learn a bit more about his character. The same goes for the other episodes.
Vegas was absolutely superb.
I liked all the above mentioned, but would have added Remnants to the mix instead of the Eye. I think it just said alot about the guilt that Shep carries around in that he pictured himself subject to that kind of abuse.
Vegas ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!
Common Ground makes my number one list and Phantoms would be my number two. The others wouldn't be on my list. Hated Vegas. Dopplegangor wasn't bad but not a favourite and didnt like the The Eye at all.
Others that would have made my list would be 38 minutes, Conversion and Infection.
Rising parts 1 and 2 and common grounda re up there but i love all of them really!