Stargate: Atlantis, season 2

A new character arrives in the form of Jason Momoa as Ronon Dex, a Pegasus universe native who has been a blood-sport runner for seven years, implanted with a wraith tracking device. Did we need a new character? Is he just a diversionary device to make us worry that Teyla and Sheppard won't be lovers? He's got charisma and acting ability, but suffers greatly from the flatness incumbent upon all SG characters. Can this plucky, likable, visually-wondrous show make the leap from good to great? I'll stay tuned.
FOUR STAR
-Grace Under Pressure
Yes Virginia, a STARGATE episode with a four-star rating. Not quite seamless, but this one grabs tight and doesn't let go. Rodney is in a puddle jumper that crashes into the ocean. The pilot sacrifices his life, and they lose touch with the surface. Thousands of feet deep, hypoxic and hypothermic...suddenly his old crush Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping, SG1) appears. Aware that she's an hallucination, he works with her for his survival while they bicker. The presence of an SG1 character should be a drag, but isn't. This is a particular challenge of series writing, portraying life-or-death situations when the viewer knows the star won't die. If there isn't someone in Hollywood who gives seminars on that writing challenge and nothing else, i'd be amazed. This episode should be part of any such presentation.
NOTEWORTHY
-The Siege, pt. 3 ***
A ripping season-opener, as Earth sends an asgard warship to save Atlantis from the wraith fleet. My only complaint pertains to one of the series' overall weaknesses - there is a missed opportunity when Sheppard returns to the command center after the battle, and comes face to face with Elizabeth. They are so out-of-their-minds relieved and happy that one of them should have just impulse-kissed the other, right on the smacker. They've been living under the shadow of imminent, absolute death, but the show underplays that reality. There would be moments of genuine lunacy when it passes. It's not about a Sheppard/Elizabeth romance, just an absence of human moments which leave your characters not quite three-dimensional. Let's call it the LAW & ORDER syndrome.
-Coup D'etat ***
Finally, a fine episode that is lifted into noteworthyland by the luster of a juicy guest star (Colm Meaney, DS9). A fake genii insurrection against Cowen which turns out to be not fake...deceptions within deceptions...and O'Brien at ground zero of a nuclear strike.
-Michael ***
The most exciting moment of guest-star recognition in the show's short history. Connor Trineer (ENTERPRISE) wakes up in the infirmary without any memory. He is told he's a soldier who was rescued from the wraith. He's closely monitored, developing a friendship with Teyla and animosity with Ronon. He finally figures out he's a wraith who had his DNA re-written by Dr. Beckett. He grows resentful and violent. Well-written, and unusually dark.
-Inferno ***
The atlanteans help a society who inhabit an outpost of the ancients, on another planet. Not understanding the technology well, these people have had their shield on for too long, and the supervolcano they use as a power source begins to blow, heralding planetary extinction. The atlanteans manage to save most of the population, and salvage an intact ancient warship. Tight and dangerous.