2. THE QUEEN
(Season Five, Episode 8)
Thanks to her latent Wraith DNA, Teyla is the perfect candidate to execute a plan concocted by Todd (Christopher Heyerdahl), the uneasy Wraith ally of Atlantis. The team proposes that Todd begin a drug trial using Michael’s research to remove the Wraith’s need to feed on humans. He agrees to present the idea to the Queen who rules his own particular alliance of hives … only he needs Teyla to pretend to be the Queen of his own ship. Once there, Todd quickly dispatches the other Queen and installs Teyla in her place.
For a woman who has both feared and hated the Wraith all her life, becoming one of them and obtaining the power to order them around — including sending them to their deaths by deliberately employing poor battle strategy — is a startling turn for Teyla’s character. The “face of the enemy” concept works perfectly here, as Teyla not only helps the plan to succeed, but really gets into character, threatening Todd that she will return as the Queen of his alliance if he steps out of line.
1. THE GIFT
(Season One, Episode 18)
One of the first episodes to focus on Teyla’s character remains one of the best. This late Season One episode is a haunting study of her past and her identity. Teyla turns to base psychologist Kate Heightmeyer (Claire Rankin) after she has disturbing dreams of being attacked by a Wraith … then of being a Wraith herself. This leads her to the discovery that she possesses Wraith DNA, due to secret experiments performed on her ancestors generations ago. She has always been able to sense when the Wraith are nearby — but now she learns that she can also telepathically connect to their shared hive mind.
That’s cool, and would prove strategically valuable in future episodes like “Submersion” and “Spoils of War.” But as we see in this episode, it’s also extremely risky. A Wraith’s mind is so powerful that, if Teyla is discovered, her worst enemy can quickly turn the tables and take control of her body. It’s a shame that these abilities and issues of her identity were not explored more in the series, but “The Gift” instantly made Teyla a more interesting character.
Tune in for the final episode of Stargate Atlantis, “Enemy At the Gate,” this Friday at 9 p.m. (8 Central) on SCI FI Channel in the U.S.!
I definitly liked Teyla! :D
I had the Same TOP 5 ! :)
espacially missing and the queen! those are my favoriout !
Generally the whole of the season four teyla story arc was great – a strong female character that’s really cool. Will be missed.
I hadn’t heard Beyond the Night before, my gosh, her tone is right bloody on! Does she have an album :D
1st off don’t like the login can’t come up with our own password what up with that ?? i do understand in away. ok CRITICAL MASS
was one of my best like ep loved the song in that ep. sad it coming to an end but all things do i hope it ends on a good note. i hope it on an an album :D
I AGREE
Aaronjw,
before Rachel luttrel was on Atlantis she was a professional singer
Awww, you remembered Teyla!!!
I really like her character, I wish it had been developed and explored more than it was, especially this season.
That said, I think Prodigal was my favorite Teyla ep – showed both her strength and her caring nature
Teyla is and well always be by far my favorite character of this series. She was and is beautiful without using it to get her way and manipulate. Graceful,wise, self sacficing,strong of character, gentle,kind…I could go on. It is sad as you mentioned that this character was so under utilized. The eps you highlight here are excellent examples of the character Teyla and the actress who made her what she was – Rachel Luttrell. However on a personal note wish you could have added others, but with only 5 it’s hard – LOL. Prodigal would have been on list as… Read more »
Teyla is a terrific character, portrayed by an equally terrific, and lovely, young woman. Best wishes to Rachel and her family.
Hmm.. Missing? Yeah. No. Not a very strong episode, even if it was Teyla centric. Personally, I think I think Critical Mass would sit at the top simply because it was a beautiful story arc for Teyla that really showcased Rachel’s acting abilities and the character of Teyla. It was the best character moments for her, to date. Behind that would be The Gift, then Kindred I, The Queen and then Suspicion because it gave us some great insight to the sacrifices Teyla was making for the greater good of being on Atlantis and really showed her understanding of what… Read more »
Gotta say when Atlantis first started I was not overjoyed with the Character. But, she grew on me and in doing so became one of my favorite female characters right along with Sam Carter. slight ajar off topic but I remember when Rachell had a guest appearence on the series Forever Knight. I didn’t even reconize her until I went back with this nagging feeling I’d seen her from somewhere before and low and behold there she was. She is not only a great singer she is also a wonderful dancer. With fighting moves like she can pull off it’s… Read more »
I don’t agree with these. I don’t think Missing was one of Teyla’s best episodes although Rachel was stellar in it. I think episodes like Spoils of War where she faced that Wraith Queen was fantastic! I also think that her speech in The Ark was fantastic! Her role in Rising was captivating and mesmerizing as well. Her fight with Sora in The Eye was FABULOUS! And Submersion was Spectacular! I wouldn’t put Kindred 1 as one of the best Teyla episodes. There are far more better episodes.
Camy – Thanks for mentioning the additional episodes. I really think Rising was her first best episode. I am really sorry they did not use Teyla and Ronan more in the final season episodes.
I don’t think this is a bad list, but I agree with Camy that I’m surprised to see Kindred 1 listed. Although it’s not a bad episode for Teyla, there are several that I believe are better choices. I’m not surpised that Missing was chosen because it was the first Teyla episode where she didn’t spend a lot of time with the team and it was good to see her ruthless side again, however, I believe that many of my favorite Teyla scenes were in episodes that weren’t really Teyla episodes. In additon to those scenes already mentioned in Spoils… Read more »
The Queen, Submersion, Missing, Spoils of War
she’s hot, pretty, graceful, and can definitely kick ass…
Teyla fits perfectly along with SG-1’s babes; Sam & Vala (yes, i love Vala too!)
i love every episodes that are with teyla! :D
she is so well knowing, and has a very good heart
Who is this person? I didn’t see her in the show last week. Was she in the final show? I can’t remember.
WOW, i was totally shocked to see the fan video i made was on one of my favorite sites! =≫ I’m so glade people liked it! Teyla is one of my favorite actors! Thank You Darren Sumner for using my video!