We’re just one day away from the final episode of Stargate Atlantis, airing this Friday night on the SCI FI Channel in the U.S.! While the network airs its five days of marathons this week, we’re celebrating five years of Atlantis with our top five episodes for five team members. Today it’s the snarky and irascible Dr. Rodney McKay. Tomorrow we’ll look at the best of Ronon Dex, and cap things off this weekend with a look at what might have been in a Season Six.
When the script for the pilot episode was written, Dr. Weir’s right-hand man was to be Dr. Benjamin Ingram — an African-Canadian scientist who would provide some key techno-babble exposition, but wasn’t necessarily even a member of Sheppard’s off-world recon team. The producers wanted to find someone like David Hewlett, who had played the arrogant yet brilliant Dr. McKay in three episodes of Stargate SG-1 (“48 Hours” and the two-parter, “Redemption”). Then they hit upon a stroke of genius: Why not just have David Hewlett audition?
The audition was a hit, and Benjamin Ingram became Rodney McKay. Needless to say, it’s a role that will greatly define David’s career among science fiction fans. He had also appeared in films like Cube, and TV series including Traders, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, and guest spots on several network shows. During Stargate Atlantis he married and had a child, and also wrote, directed, and starred in his first film, A Dog’s Breakfast.
Rodney is a condescending, know-it-all, arrogant, lemon-fearing jerk … and once we got to know him, a complex character, a sensitive guy, and a good friend. The writers have loved writing McKay episodes over the last five years, so this list is particularly hard to narrow down. But here are our five favorite:
5. DUET
(Season Two, Episode 4)
McKay and security officer Lt. Cadman are scooped up by a Wraith Dart, which is subsequently shot down. When the team manages to rematerialize Rodney from the Dart’s storage, they find that Cadman’s consciousness is now stuck in his head. Hilarity ensues when she learns that she can take control of his body (and put the moves on Carson Beckett, who she has a thing for). But the two minds in one head thing can’t last, and the two learn that one of them will likely perish.
Playing a socially inept genius with a beautiful woman in his head, who is trying to initiate a relationship with a nice girl while she is jonesing for some Beckett time, leading to a fight over his body, a mental breakdown, and a guy-on-guy kiss is every actor’s dream. Right? “Duet” is a tour de force for David Hewlett, and mixes a hilarious look at Rodney’s personal life with a touching story about sacrifice for another.
Will Friday bring the Best of Dr. Keller episodes?
I would put the first season episode “Hide and Seek” on this list. After Rodney’s work on SG-1 I felt that this was a necessary episode to make Rodney a more likeable character as he braved death to save everyone else. This was an early, but important step for Rodney’s character.
No plans for a Keller list, Zack. To match with the five seasons and five days of marathons, we went with the five main characters who were cast members the longest.
Since the Atlantis writers didn’t do tons of character-centric episodes, I think it would be tough to find five episodes for Keller, Woolsey, or Carter (or even perhaps Beckett), let alone five that are stand-outs.
That was an entirely facetious comment regarding Keller episodes. Many thanks for the interesting choices and commentaries you have presented.
Great choices. However, after just viewing the Tao of Rodney yesterday, I’d have to put it ahead of the Shrine. I forgot just how moving and amazing that episode was! When Weir tells Rodney that they all love him, it’s a very touching moment.
I can’t restrict myself to a top 5 or even a top ten for Rodney McKay best episodes. If I could force myself to do it I’d choose from the following 12 episodes: The Eye “I’m an extremely arrogant man who tends to believe that all his plans will work”; Duet “Well, we can’t all be track stars, now, can we?”; Trinity “Look, I don’t know how else to say this, but none of you are capable of understanding this on the same level that I do.”; Grace Under Pressure “Oh, wow! I’m arguing with myself about who had an… Read more »
The Shrine has to top the list for sure. others I liked were Duet, and I prefered Miller’s Crossing to Mckay and mrs miller. Also, Letters from pegasus, although it wasn’t as mckay centric as the others. He has some great moments in every episode really.
I can’t wait for the best of Lt. Ford
It’s not gonna be Ford, the last one will be Ronan.
The shrine made me cry!
I’d have to agre with ShiViva. I have loved McKay since SG1! Narrowing his performance to a top five is just too well narrow. You have to make room for his super size ego and snark! Big heart and Cowardly lion soul. I’d had to say though. The best line he ever spouted that had me rolling on the floor in tears laughing was Duet. “Dr. Fumbles McStupid!” 38 minutes.. “Because I’m the only one who truly comprehends how screwed we are!” and most importantly “In-Vul-Ner-Able” :D. Sorry can’t shove Rodney into a small corner. He wouldn’t go quietly. All… Read more »
McKay never got to name a spaceship that just sad The shrine was good acting
I love the character of Rodney, but haven’t really liked most of the eps where he is the focus, other than The Shrine, which was superb. Mostly I enjoyed his interactions with the other characters, especially Shep and wish we’d seen more time devoted to his relationships with Teyla and Ronon.
His back and forth with Zelenka never ceases to amuse me.
(Unfortunately, I have started to dislike him a bit in the latter half of this season, and I blame the McKeller effect for that – he seems much less himself around her and I don’t like it)
My all time favorite episodes are Duet (for laughs) and The Shrine (for tears). I loved all the episodes with his real life sister. I hope she is in the movies. They are great on screen together.
im gonna miss rodney
I love Rodney and I have to say for once that I agree with your top five list for best episodes for a character. Then again since this is Rodney McKay’s list I have to say that you could have easily had other episodes picked and I still would have agreed with it since there isn’t a McKay centric episode I didn’t love. I will miss seeing David Hewlett/Rodney McKay the most when Atlantis finally ends :-(
The entire show has been the best of Rodney McKay. Are there even other people on this show?
I would say The Shrine was such an amazing episode for all invlolved, not just for Rodney, although DH was spectacular in it.