History Recap / StargateAtlantisS01E01E02Rising

* WholePlotReference: To [[Recap/StargateSG1S1E1ChildrenOfTheGods "Children of the Gods"]]. Structurally, "Rising" follows many of the exact same narrative beats as the ''SG-1'' Pilot 7 years earlier (ex. Characters being captured halfway through, a running battle during the climax and escape back through the Stargate -- replete with enemy mooks in pursuit and dying by PortalSlam).

* SeenItAll: Part of the compare-and-contrast between Jack and Sheppard's reactions to the Ancient Drone after it nearly shoots him down. Sheppard's understandably shaken whereas with Jack, it's basically another day at the office for him.

* ContrivedCoincidence: Invoked when Weird and Sheppard discuss the Wraith attack on Athos. Given the timing, Weir fears it's either one hell of a coincidence...or that one of the Athosians tipped off the Wraith to the Expedition's presence. Sheppard reluctantly concedes it's possible (which incurs Weir's anger, as bringing the Athosians to Atlantis is now a massive security threat if they're compromised). Whether or not there's a traitor among the Athosians will be answered in a few episodes.

* EvilLearnsOutsideContext: The Atlantis expedition accidentally awakens [[OurVampiresAreDifferent the Wraith]] and alerts them to the presence of humans in the Milky Way, which they want to ''eat''.

* ContrivedCoincidence: Invoked when Weird and Sheppard discuss the Wraith attack on Athos. Given the timing, Weir fears it's either one hell of a coincidence...or fears one of the Athosians tipped off the Wraith to the Expediton's presence. Sheppard reluctantly concedes it's possible (which incurs Weir's anger, as bringing the Athosians to Atlantis is now an obvious security threat if they're compromised). Whether or not there's a traitor among the Athosians will be answered in a few episodes.

* HelpingHands: Wraith Arm.

* ContinuityOverlap: The Pilot chronologically begins after the events of ''New World Order'' (with O'Neill defrosted and Weir having stepped down from the SGC to head up the research investigation).

* SpinoffSendoff: The Expedition departs for Atlantis from the SGC's Gate. O'Neill and Daniel represent ''SG-1''during Part 1 (and are fitting choices for this Trope too, given they're the original ''Stargate'' characters).

* SpinoffSendoffP: O'Neill and Daniel (and fitting choices given they're the original ''Stargate'' characters).

'''Season 1, Episodes 1 and 2'''

* Understatement: Weir's fiancee tries to call her after watching her goodbye video.

* FirstEpisodeSpoiler:

* NamesTheSame: Don't confuse our Major John Sheppard with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiRDJLcYua0 Commander John Shepard]].

* DistantPrologue: The opening scene shows Atlantis departing pre-historic from Earth millions of years ago.

* EngagingChevrons: Defied. [=McKay=] starts the routine, but after a DeathGlare from Dr. Weir, he gives up and just punches the buttons without ceremony.
** Played straight earlier during the dial to Atlantis but justified as a way to build tension for the journey to Atlantis. After all Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad.

* CaliforniaDoubling: The Pemberton Glacier in British Columbia doubles for Antarctica.

* YouLookFamiliar: Weir's boyfriend Simon is inexplicably that Tollan guy who was in love with Carter.

** Played straight earlier during the dial to Atlantis but justified as a way to build tension for the journey to Atlantis. After all TropesAreNotBad.

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Jack O'Neill, he may not initially want the team to go to Atlantis, but the last thing he sends through the gate after them is ''a bottle of champagne with his congratulations''.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Sheppard rescued most of his people, but by killing the Wraith leader, he triggered the awakening of all Wraith in the Pegasus Galaxy.

* {{Crossover}}: [[Characters/StargateSG1 Daniel Jackson]],[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siler_%28Stargate%29#Siler Siler]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayiana#Ayiana Ayiana]] and [[Characters/StargateSG1 Jack O'Neil]] from ''Series/StargateSG1'' are there to get the SpinOff started on the right foot.

The Wraith zoom around and vacuum up a bunch of people, including Teyla and Sumner, before retreating through the gate. Luckily, another member of the team, Lieutenant Ford, manages to catch six out of the seven symbols in the gate address. Ford and Sheppard evacuate the remaining natives, whose village has been utterly destroyed, through the gate to Atlantis. This is the last straw for the failing ZPM, and the force fields collapse, drowning the city forever.

As it turns out, the Lost City of Atlantis is surprisingly well-preserved. And it seems to like them, since it starts turning on lights everywhere. And it's conveniently under water! These last two turn out to be a major problem, as [=McKay=] soon discovers that the city is almost out of power, and the effort of keeping them alive is weakening the force fields holding back the sea. [[FromBadtoWorse Even worse]], an Ancient recording reveals that the city was ultimately abandoned by the Ancients and sunk for safekeeping after they had their butts handed to them by a sinister alien race just as powerful as they were. [[OhCrap Well, crap.]]

Heading the one-way mission into the unknown is civilian Dr. Elizabeth Weir, who had replaced General Hammond at the SGC, and was given Antarctica as a concession prize when she stepped down in favor of General O'Neill. Under her are Colonel Marshall Sumner, USMC, and Dr. Rodney [=McKay=]. And a lot of other people who may become relevant. When the MALP reports breathable air, and after being repeatedly warned that this is a one-way trip, they all step through the gate into darkness.

Heading the one-way suicide mission into the unknown is civilian Dr. Elizabeth Weir, who had replaced General Hammond at the SGC, and was given Antarctica as a concession prize when she stepped down in favor of General O'Neill. Under her are Colonel Marshall Sumner, USMC, and Dr. Rodney [=McKay=]. And a lot of other people who may become relevant. When the MALP reports breathable air, and after being repeatedly warned that this is a one-way trip, they all step through the gate into darkness.