2. MIDWAY
(Season Four, Episode 17)
Ronon Dex is at the center of Season Four’s outstanding crossover episode, which brought Stargate SG-1‘s Teal’c (Christopher Judge) to the city of Atlantis. The I.O.A. is about to give Ronon his annual evaluation, and the team is concerned that his characteristic short fuse will get him into trouble. Teal’c is a fellow alien warrior who is used to Earth politics, and he offers his council — which the prideful Ronon takes as a personal insult. But when the time comes for them to travel to Earth together, they arrive on the Midway Station and find that the Wraith have figured out how to get there. They are invading Stargate Command on Earth, and only Ronon and Teal’c are in a position to stop them.
“Midway” is a nice study of Ronon’s character, from his impatience with Teal’c to his desire to stand on his own and prove himself. If only that character study had gone a bit deeper, we might have had the chance to learn something about Ronon that we didn’t already know. But Ronon, Teal’c, a space station positioned in the expanse between two galaxies, crafty Wraith, and big guns make the episode one of the most entertaining hours in Stargate history.
1. SATEDA
(Season Three, Episode 4)
Also vying for the title of “Most Kickass” is this third season episode, written and directed by Robert Cooper. After the team wanders into a village where Ronon inadvertently brought the Wraith years before (that pesky tracking device wouldn’t even let him stop for a hot meal and one night’s rest), the locals recognize him, imprison him, and hand him over to the Wraith in exchange for future protection. A super-bad Wraith (Dan Payne) makes him a Runner once again, taking him to the rubble of Sateda and sending Hunters to pursue him through the abandoned streets and buildings. Ronon takes them out one by one — but he can’t take the lead Wraith himself, and is rescued by the team (and Carson’s point-blank shot from a Puddle Jumper).
From the music and cinematography to the action sequences and explosions, “Sateda” is cool, cool, cool. This is Ronon absolutely in his element — a pitbull unleashed, unrestricted by Earth regulations or Sheppard’s command authority. It’s just Ronon and his worst enemy, no holds barred. But there is much more to this episode than combat and explosions. Throughout the ordeal Ronon remembers what his homeworld and his old life were like, including the woman he loved — and how she died. Being back on Sateda is haunting, and Ronon must fight through even his memories to keep his cool and stay alive. Action plus heart: That’s why “Sateda” is our favorite Ronon episode.
Don’t miss tonight’s exciting conclusion to Stargate Atlantis! “Enemy At the Gate” airs at 9 p.m. (8 Central) on SCI FI Channel. Here’s a recap of our finale week celebration (so far!) …
Monday – The Best of John Sheppard
Tuesday – The Best of Teyla Emmagan
Wednesday – The Best of Elizabeth Weir
Thursday – The Best of Rodney McKay
Friday – The Best of Ronon Dex
Ronon Dex top 5 (ah make that top 8!) No Man’s Land (for the whole scene with Rodney in the cocoons); Sateda (for the sadness of his back story revealed plus his loyalty in sacrificing himself for Sheppard and Teyla); Reunion (for realising (too late perhaps) who his true friends are and being man enough to admit it); Quarantine (for using his knowledge of Earth movies to attempt a breakout of the infirmary); Midway (Indeed – I think that says it all really); Search and Rescue (For making his deal with Sheppard despite Sheppard’s protests plus the “Whatever” response when… Read more »
I honestly believe that Ronan and Teyla were both underused when Dr. Keller’s character became more prominent on the show. And it is a shame, because there should have been more Ronan character driven stories like Sateda and Runner. Now we can only hope that he gets equal screen time in the movies to come.
The show where Ronan an Teyla are forced to take Wraith enzyme and go at each other while eating is brilliant… they make a great show of the glee they have getting into a fight under the influence of the enzyme..
It was brilliant
Ronon’s and Todd’s last stand in “The Last Man” also deserves a mention.
Ford’s character arc (and lack there-of in season one) also deserve a mention. Him popping back up to Sheppard during “Search and Rescue” really drove the point home about Sheppard’s personality.
The person who said, “Alls well that ends well.” is NOT sitting in my livingroom consoling the crying lady on the couch hugging her Sheppard pillow.
I really going to miss this show. More so then SG1. :(
I agree, I started watching as a sci fi and Momoa fan, but, Shepard is great. A marvelous personality as well and good looking… I’m catching up, how many years later?
I didn’t have a tv for 20 years, no time and little worth watching but finding some great shows I missed…
I agree with Kara Sheppard….I’m really going to miss this show….. This has been a short but great series.. Thanks to all
Jacer
I raised my glass to the fine actors and stories of Stargate Atlantis. You will be missed and will always be very loved. God speed.
I’m glad you included MIDWAY as one of the best Ronon episodes as I not only agreed, but thought it perhaps my favorite of all SGA. And, all your ‘Best Of’ have indeed reminded me how good much of it has been. (and how I missed Elizabeth Weir -even though the episodes that led to her end were among her best).
I thought Runner would have been placed higher on the list, but I haven’t seen all of these so … *shrug*
On a separate note, why isn’t Carson getting a top 5? Because, uhm, he really deserves it too. >.>
I loved all Ronon-centric episodes – he is my fave character and Jason Momoa is my fave actor. Midway – Sateda – Runner – Broken-Ties – and Outcast, I know it was Shep’s back story but I liked seeing Ronon on earth. Hope we see momoa again on telly soon!
Midway is one hell of an episode of Ronon!
oh, and definitely Search & Rescue! his goodbye line with John beneath the rubble still makes me cry