This is a solid episode. It is based on a really interesting concept: a civilisation made a deal with a Wraith, letting it feed upon their criminal, in exchange for which cullings stopped. Cold-blooded though it may be, you must admit that the idea is brilliant, a variation on traditional tributes. And I am glad that the episode acknowledges the moral issues that are at stake here. After all, this is just another form of death penalty --once that actually benefits the whole planet. The criminals get their just desert and the Wraith gets... well, just his dessert (sorry, was that in bad taste? ^^) I really appreciate how the dialogue shows both sides of the debate and conveys how the characters feel about it.
But this is only the basis, and the plot itself develops from there: we slowly discover that by the time Sheppard and Co. arrive, the deal has already backfired and the government is actually sentencing to death whoever they can get away with in order to pacify their Wraith "ally". This obviously changes the moral equation and puts a stop to any potential alliance, but before the team can warn Atlantis, they get stranded with the criminals (for the second time!). Once again, they have to make emergency repairs in order to get out before the Wraith comes back to take its literal toll -but the local boss has plans of his own. Meanwhile, Weir tries to understand what happened...
The plot actually manages to juggle all those story lines and situations without leaving too many loose threads, and the conclusion is a brilliant illustration of poetic justice. So this is a well-rounded episode: the initial setting is clever and thought-provoking, the pace never lets down, and every character gets something to do.
But this is only the basis, and the plot itself develops from there: we slowly discover that by the time Sheppard and Co. arrive, the deal has already backfired and the government is actually sentencing to death whoever they can get away with in order to pacify their Wraith "ally". This obviously changes the moral equation and puts a stop to any potential alliance, but before the team can warn Atlantis, they get stranded with the criminals (for the second time!). Once again, they have to make emergency repairs in order to get out before the Wraith comes back to take its literal toll -but the local boss has plans of his own. Meanwhile, Weir tries to understand what happened...
The plot actually manages to juggle all those story lines and situations without leaving too many loose threads, and the conclusion is a brilliant illustration of poetic justice. So this is a well-rounded episode: the initial setting is clever and thought-provoking, the pace never lets down, and every character gets something to do.
