S11E239 - Instinct

In this episode of Walking Through the Stargate, hosts Brent and Zach dive into the Stargate Atlantis episode 'Instinct,' exploring its narrative, characters, and deeper moral themes. The episode centers on the Atlantis team's arrival on a mysterious planet where they confront a village terrified of a creature called the Deimos. What begins as a monster hunt unravels into a poignant story about compassion, identity, and the ethics of altering an entire species. The team discovers that the 'monster' is Elia, a young wraith raised by a human man, Zadok, who has protected her from her own kind. The episode raises profound questions about whether the Wraith can be reformed, and whether it's ethical to erase their nature through science—especially when the retrovirus meant to 'cure' them instead causes horrific transformation. Brent and Zach reflect on how the episode sidesteps fully confronting these moral dilemmas, instead resolving them through tragedy and death, but still praise its emotional depth, strong performances—especially Jewel Staite's under prosthetics—and excellent cinematography. They appreciate the episode’s subtle worldbuilding and its role in setting up future storylines, particularly the retrovirus arc. The hosts also engage in their signature banter, discussing podcasting logistics, coffee math, and their own evolving dynamic as co-hosts. They share personal reflections on the episode's themes, drawing parallels to real-world issues like dehumanization, cultural norms, and the dangers of personifying evil. Despite some minor criticisms about exposition and plot convenience, they both give the episode a perfect 7/7 rating, citing its emotional resonance, visual style, and the way it invites deeper thought. They conclude with predictions for the next episode, 'Conversion,' where John Sheppard is revealed to be turning into a wraith, setting up a high-stakes narrative arc. The episode ends with a mix of excitement, humor, and a reminder of the podcast’s independent spirit and community-driven ethos.