Stargate Atlantis

Season 1 Episode 10

The Storm (1)

Aired Friday 10:00 PM Sep 17, 2004 on Syfy
out of 10
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Episode Summary

The inhabitants of the city and the mainland are forced to evacuate when a huge hurricane bears down on them. But things get even worse when the city is then captured by the Genii, forcing Sheppard to try and stay one step ahead when they capture Weir and McKay.moreless

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  • How were the Geniis able to read the Ancient writings. Fire the damn screenwriter, who wrote this episode. I pretty much agree with “hack103”



  • See Summary






  • Visually impressive...



  • Great episode!

    A storm threatens Atlantis and they fear there is no way to sheild the city from the power of the storm so the mainland and city are evacuated. However, McKay, Shepard, Weir stay behind to try to implicate a plan devised by the brilliant McKay. They go off and do some scientific stuff while the genii come threw the gate and take over the main room and capture Weir and McKay. The genii, led by Koyla, demand c-4, medicine, and weapons and John is the only one who can stop them. Overall great episode with an interesting cat/mouse thing between Shepard and Koyla.moreless
Joe Flanigan

Joe Flanigan

Major / Lt. Colonel John Sheppard

Torri Higginson

Torri Higginson

Dr. Elizabeth Weir

Rachel Luttrell

Rachel Luttrell

Teyla Emmagan

Rainbow Sun Francks

Rainbow Sun Francks

Lt. Aiden Ford

David Hewlett

David Hewlett

Dr. Rodney McKay

Erin Chambers

Erin Chambers


Guest Star

Michael Puttonen

Michael Puttonen


Guest Star

Colm Meaney

Colm Meaney


Guest Star

Robert Davi

Robert Davi

Commander Acastus Kolya

Recurring Role

Ryan Robbins

Ryan Robbins

Ladon Radim

Recurring Role

Paul McGillion

Paul McGillion

Dr. Carson Beckett

Recurring Role

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions


  • TRIVIA (11)

    • According to the Ancient database, every 20 or 30 years the sea around Atlantis gets unseasonably warm. Previously the Ancients either strengthened the shield or submerged the city deep enough not to be affected by the massive storm that is created.

    • Kolya: Say goodbye to Dr. Weir.
      Sheppard: This city has a self-destruct button. You hurt her, I'll activate it. Nobody'll get Atlantis.
      Kolya: Even if it exists, Major, you need at least two senior personnel to activate it.

      He's not sure he believes it exists but somehow Kolya knows it requires two codes to activate the self destruct? How?

    • Beckett: (to Ford) Neither one of us are real pilots.

      It is revealed in "Hot Zone" that Lt. Ford does not possess the necessary gene to use Lantean technology thus it is completely moot whether he is a good pilot or a bad one as he couldn't have flown the Jumper. It may seem strange, seeing as Doctor McKay received the gene artificially in the episode "Hide and Seek and is apparently permanent, however it is revealed later that not every one who receives the gene innoculation actually have it activated.

    • The Menarians were first mentioned in "Underground". Sgt. Bates' team had initiated a trade agreement with them off screen during the episode.

    • When Sheppard and Ford are asking the Menarian leader for shelter during the storm, the table at which they sit holds two very distinctive candlestick holders. In "Underground", at the feast, the exact same candlestick holders are present, emphasizing the alliance between the Menarians and the Genii.

    • Throughout this episode and the next, Beckett's Puddle Jumper bears a grey "J2" sign on the front of the flight console facing the window, obviously designating it as Jumper 2. However, outside of these two episodes, this sign and any others for different Jumpers are not present.

    • Teyla and Dr. Beckett are wearing their shoulder patches while they are on the mainland helping the Athosians. This is only the second time since "Rising (2)" that we see team members wearing their patches outside of Atlantis; the first being in "Home".

    • Goof: After Sheppard has picked up the Genii communicator from the dead soldier, he uses it to communicate with Kolya, however Kolya continues to use the radio Sheppard left in the C-4 container.

    • When the Genii first come through the Atlantis gate disguised as Athosians you can clearly see that there is one other woman in the group apart from Sora. You never see this woman again for the rest of the episode or during "The Eye".

    • Goof: When Commander Kolya is interrupted from training his troops, he tosses Sora's solid-colored staff to the other guy, and gives Sora the striped staff, but then in the next scene she has her staff back.

    • Goof: Since Dr. Weir had heard the plan to use lightning to power the shields once before, it seems odd that she asked if the city could handle the shock the second time McKay explained the plan.

  • QUOTES (48)

    • Sheppard: I'm not finished yet!
      Kolya: Neither am I. Say good-bye to Dr. Weir.
      Sheppard: The city has a self-destruct button. If you hurt her, I'll activate it. Nobody'll get Atlantis.
      Kolya: Even if it exists, Major, you need at least two senior personnel to activate it. And I'm about to take one of them out of the equation.
      Sheppard: Kolya!

    • Weir: The wraith are slowly waking. Soon, this entire galaxy will be embroiled in a war the likes of which our generations have never seen.
      Kolya: A war that you expedited.
      Weir: Disagreements like ours will no longer matter. The only thing of any consequence will be how prepared we are and what defense we are able to mount.

    • Weir: What did they do to you?
      McKay: I tried to keep my mouth shut, I tried, I just, I couldn't-

    • Sora: Where's Teyla Emmagan?
      Weir: You know Teyla?
      Sora: Is she here, in the city?
      Weir: No, she isn't. You must be Sora. I read the Genii mission report. I'm sorry about your father.
      Sora: He'll be avenged.
      Weir: Teyla didn't kill him.
      Sora: No. She left him to die.
      Weir: She had no choice-
      Sora: Are you finished?

    • Weir: We start investigating evacuation plans, both on the mainland and off-world somewhere.
      Sheppard: You know McKay will come up with something. He's just setting himself up to be a hero.
      Weir: Yeah, well maybe Rodney is, but Dr. Zelenka, he seemed genuinely concerned.

    • Sheppard: Come on, guys, this city's been around for a long time.
      Zelenka: Storm surge is inevitable.
      McKay: Not to mention the fact that by moving over a landmass just before hitting us, the likelihood of tornadoes and electrical activity is greatly increased.
      Sheppard: This is Atlantis. They've got to be able to handle that... Right?
      McKay: No.
      Weir: Why not?!
      McKay: The people who built this city knew they had a forcefield capable of holding back anything Mother Nature or, for that matter, the Wraith, could throw at them. Without that protection, Atlantis is remarkably fragile.

    • Sheppard: So my orders are to come up with a friendly planet that wouldn't mind putting us up for a night?

    • McKay: I was once almost struck by lightning.
      Zelenka: Lightning? (Inspired by a thought, he turns around to face Rodney just as Rodney jumps to his feet, obviously struck by the same thought.)

    • McKay: This planet is basically the same size as Earth. Now, hurricanes on Earth never get as big as this bad boy because once they hit the shore, the brakes get put on. Without as much landmass to slow it down here, it's just, uh, gaining momentum.
      Zelenka: Both of them are.
      McKay: Yes.
      Weir: Both of them?

    • Sheppard: Let me tell you what you did wrong here, Kolya. A, you lost two of your men. B, you damaged the switch before I could separate the grounding rods, which I'm sure you're going to get an earful from McKay for. And C, you lost all of what little credibility you had with me.

    • Kolya: You believe your people, who are not even of this galaxy, are closer to the Ancients than we are. Your arrogance is astounding.

    • Kolya: Your offer is very generous, Major.
      Sheppard: Yes, it is.
      Kolya: However, Dr. McKay recently shared with me there's a plan in action to save the city.
      Sheppard: He did?

    • Kolya: This is Commander Kolya.
      Sheppard: Kolya. That's a hard name to pronounce. Is that a first name?

    • Kolya: What's the meaning of this?
      Weir: I honestly have no idea.
      McKay: It's a radio. The arrow points to the talk button.

    • Kolya: You have a plan, don't you?
      McKay: I've got lots of plans about lots of things.
      Kolya: I'm interested in a plan you have to save the city.
      McKay: I never said anything about saving anything.
      Kolya: Not yet.

    • Weir: How do we know that you won't kill us once we give you what you need?
      Kolya: You don't.

    • Kolya: Just so we're clear. I know you're lying.

    • Weir: Which supplies did you have in mind?
      Kolya: All of your stores of the C4 explosive, all of your medical supplies, the Wraith data device you stole from my people, and one of your ships.
      McKay: Is that all?
      Kolya: No.

    • Ford: You heard him!
      Beckett: Take a look outside, hotshot. We're not flying through this.
      Ford: McKay and Weir were taken hostage, Doc. I'm not just going to sit here and do nothing.
      Beckett: Neither one of us are real pilots. If it was a bad idea an hour ago, it's an idiotic one now.

    • Sheppard: I'm here.
      McKay: I told you to contact me when you go to the first one, Major.
      Sheppard: I am at the first one, Rodney.
      McKay: Oh, sorry. I've already done mine.
      Sheppard: Oh, great. Good for you.
      Weir: Me, too.
      Sheppard: Good for everyone.
      McKay: Where are you now?
      Sheppard: I'm at the damn grounding station.
      McKay: No no no, not you.
      Weir: I'm in the transporter.
      McKay: There you are.
      Weir: There I am.
      Sheppard: Glad everybody's having such a good time.

    • Teyla: (waiting in the Jumper to leave for Atlantis) We are ready.
      Beckett: I think it's best if we wait it out. We're safe as long as we're in here. We've got rations, and we have plenty of water.
      Ford: Yeah, especially outside!
      (Carson looks round to Teyla, who looks at the storm raging outside the front windscreen)
      Teyla: (looking at the storm outside)Very well. I hope you're right, Doctor. We will not have a chance to change our minds if you are wrong.
      Beckett: It'll be cozy.

    • McKay: There are dozens, possibly hundreds of lightning rods placed strategically around the city.
      Sheppard: Wait a second.
      McKay: What?
      Sheppard: Why?
      McKay: Why what?

    • Doran: (drunkenly, pointing at the goblet) I'm finally at the point where I don't mind the taste of it.
      Smeadon: I was raised on this brew; burned away whatever taste sense I had.

    • Weir: So the city would survive?
      McKay: Mm, I'd give us a better than 90%...
      Zelenka: ...70...
      McKay: ...80% chance.
      Weir: Okay, so we should still evacuate.
      McKay: Yes, but not just because of Zelempka's pessimism.
      Zelenka: Zelenka.

    • Zelenka: It's an ingenious plan, really.
      McKay: I'm inclined to agree.

    • McKay: What is the one thing keeping us from having a shield?
      Weir: Uh, that would...
      McKay: Power. And what does a mega storm from hell have lots of?
      Weir: Power.
      McKay: In the form of...
      Weir: You want to build a windmill?
      McKay: ...electricity.

    • Zelenka: You know, in Czech Republic, we don't have to deal with hurricanes.
      McKay: We don't get that many in Canada either. Once, they were called "Hazel."
      Zelenka: Hazel?
      McKay: Hmm. Forty years ago.
      Zelenka: That's interesting.
      McKay: Not really.
      Zelenka: No, not really.

    • Sheppard: Well, I got a green light from Smeadon and the Manarians. I'm not sure how pleased they'll be if we get stuck there, though. That's not going to happen, right?
      McKay: Of course it's not. We can always 'gate off to another planet.
      Sheppard: Comforting. Thank you.

    • Sheppard: (about staying with the people on another planet) One night; two tops. We'll bring our own blankets.

    • Sheppard: One day you're gonna run across a problem and you're gonna need our help. (to Ford) Isn't that right, Lieutenant?
      Ford: Yes sir. We've got lots of ships and weapons we can ... help with. (He nonchalantly but pointedly lays his rifle on the table)
      Smeadon: You're telling me we can either be your friends or ...
      Sheppard: I much prefer 'friends'.

    • Sheppard: I know it's a lot to ask, but... I'm asking.
      Smeadon: What do you offer in return?
      Sheppard: I guess we'd owe you one.
      Smeadon: One what?
      Sheppard: A favor.

    • Beckett: (trudging over the mainland) I don't really have the right boots for this. I just meant to come out here and inoculate some wee babies.

    • Weir: You just said the Ancients experienced these storms every twenty to thirty years. Atlantis must have some sort of precautions put in place.
      McKay: In the past, the Ancients have been protected by the shield or submerged deep enough in the water not to be affected.
      Sheppard: Okay, strike those options. What else have we got?

    • Weir: (into the radio) Major, this is Weir. We didn't copy that. You're breaking up.
      Sheppard: (into the radio) I said there's ... (static) ... ermanence headed right ... (static) ... the weather forecasting.
      Weir: (to the tech sitting at the control panel) Did he just say 'weather forecasting'?!

    • Sheppard: That can't be a storm; it stretches across the whole horizon.
      Teyla: I've never seen something like that from so high.
      Sheppard: I've seen a lot of things from this altitude, but nothing like that.

    • Kolya: What are you doing here?
      McKay: From my understanding I'm being held hostage
      Kolya: I mean here in Atlantis. Why did some of you stay behind?
      McKay: Oh... Tie some loose ends.
      Kolya: Like what?
      McKay: You know, make sure everyone got out okay.
      Kolya: Isn't that the work of someone less important?
      McKay: You'd think so, wouldn't you!

    • McKay: You're right! If only we had a magical tool that could slow down time. I foolishly left mine on Earth. Did you bring yours?
      Zelenka: You know, you're not pleasant when you're like this, McKay.
      McKay: I'm always like this.
      Zelenka: My point exactly.

    • Guard #1: Bacon.
      Guard #2: The one thing you wish you had brought with you is bacon?
      Guard #1: It's the food that makes other food worth eating.
      Guard #2: You wish you brought bacon to another galaxy?!?

    • Weir: How were you able to bypass the shield?
      Koyla: With the time-tested combination of strong drink and a weak mind.

    • Weir: The city can handle that?
      McKay: Yes. Theoretically.
      Sheppard: Like 'dinosaurs turned into birds' theoretically or theory of relativity theoretically?
      McKay (looks confused): What? Um, somewhere between.

    • Beckett: Crops can be replaced and homes rebuilt. People can't.

    • Weir: Alright, what's the plan?
      McKay: From my calculations we have just under twelve hours until the storm hits, so, uh, we plan to have a plan by then.

    • Teyla: Yes, go. I will stay behind and give the hunters more time.
      Ford: I'll stay with you.
      Beckett: Okay, I get the point. We'll wait.

    • Sheppard: McKay will come up with something.
      McKay: I will try, but despite what you all may think, I am not Superman.
      Sheppard: Was anyone seriously thinking that?
      (everyone shakes their heads)
      Ford: No, sir.
      Zelenka: Never.

    • Koyla: You killed two of my men.
      Sheppard: I guess we're even!
      Koyla: I don't like 'even'.

    • Ford: How could something as big as Atlantis just sink?
      Sheppard: I'm sure the passengers on the Titanic were asking themselves the same question.
      McKay: Yes, well, let's not.

    • McKay: Now that, for reasons too boring to get into, means that hurricanes are more likely to form.
      Zelenka: Right, like El Niño. The ocean...
      McKay:(interrupting) Like I said, too boring to go into.

    • McKay: (explaining why Sheppard has to take the farthest grounding stations) I need to get done quickly so I can start working on the subroutines, and Elizabeth was complaining about her knee the other day so...
      Sheppard: Wait, whoa, w-wait a second. Are these things even close to a transporter?
      McKay: Uh, yes, Elizabeth's is.
      Sheppard: And mine?
      McKay: Uh, it's a brisk walk away.
      Sheppard: And by 'brisk' you mean... far?
      McKay: And, by 'walk' I mean 'run'.

  • NOTES (10)



      RMS Titanic (also SS Titanic) was the second of a trio of superliners intended to dominate the transatlantic travel business. Owned by the White Star Line and built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard, Titanic was the largest passenger steamship in the world at the time of its launching. During Titanic's maiden voyage, it struck an iceberg at 11:40 PM (ship's time) on Sunday evening April 14, 1912, and sank two hours and forty minutes later at 2:20 AM Monday morning.

    • "Khan!":

      The part where Sheppard shouts "Kolya!" into the communicator is just like in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan when Admiral Kirk shouts "Khan!" into a communicator.

    • McKay: I will try, but despite what you all may think, I'm not Superman.

      He referred, of course, to the iconic superhero published by DC Comics.