For the role of the Athosian queen Mikala — renamed “Teyla” in later drafts of the pilot — the studio found actress Rachel Luttrell. Born in Tanzania to a mother from Tanzania and a father from Louisiana, Rachel moved to Canada with her family at the age of five. She studied music and ballet (including training at The Russian Academy of Classical Ballet and The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto), and after taking up acting appeared in shows such as ER and Touched By an Angel.
While we think Teyla has gotten a short shrift in the story department over the last five years, she’s definitely had some terrific episodes in which to shine. Here are our five favorite:
(Season Four, Episode 18)
Kicking off the 4-part climax to Teyla’s fourth season story arc, in this episode she experiences vivid dreams of her lost love, Kanaan (Patrick Sabongui). He and the rest of the Athosians have vanished from their new homeworld, and Teyla does not know if they are alive or dead. But Kanaan also has “the Gift” (Wraith DNA that allows him to tap into the Wraith’s telepathic network), and Teyla is convinced that he is actually trying to contact her to help her find him.
Alas, it’s all a trap. This episode shows Teyla’s strength and determination, her fierce loyalty to her people … and also her disturbing relationship with the hybrid Wraith Michael (Connor Trinneer). It is he who has taken the Athosians captive (to experiment on them, of course), and who used Kanaan’s image and Teyla’s feelings for him to lure her into a trap.
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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 a special mention*G*
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 it took to lead, in that she ultimately did not blame Weir for what happened with the trust between them and the Athosians.