The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the "First Contact" episode of the SciFi Channel's "Stargate: Atlantis."

It's always big news when a member of "Stargate SG-1" visits "Atlantis," and this week the "Save Daniel Jackson" fans were in heaven when Michael Shanks guest-starred.

This episode was obviously intended to be the "mid-season finale" or whatever they call it when SciFi Channel chops a season in half, something that frustrates me no end. However, with the network's decision to run the program's final year almost in one piece, we only have to wait two weeks. Next Friday will be the two-hour premiere of "Sanctuary."

What happened this week was that Daniel Jackson arrives at the city to follow up on a lead on a secret laboratory an Ancient scientist named Janus (from "Before I Sleep" in the first season of "Atlantis") had hidden in the city. Jackson and Dr. McKay look into a hint in an obscure log entry, and they find a cloaked room. Upon entering, they unknowingly turn on a signal that is heard on a planet far, far away. This causes a mysterious group of armored aliens to come to the city, then take a specific piece of machinery along with McKay and Jackson back to their home base.

The brainy pair find a device that will destroy any Wraith ships "entering hyperspace" and are forced to activate it even though they warn about "unforeseen side effects" when one of the armored aliens threatens Daniel Jackson's life. (Just wait until the SDJ folks get done with him!)

While all this is going on, Woolsey leaves Sheppard in charge of Atlantis, telling him not to blow the city up. Sheppard replies, "No promises."

On the Daedalus, Woolsey has a speech prepared when Todd the Wraith meets with him, but Todd will have none of it. The Wraith last seen in "The Queen" has bigger concerns -- what will happen to his race if they take the "cure" for absorbing human energy that Dr. Keller has developed? In the middle of this negotiation process, word comes to Todd that one of their facilities has been attacked by a rival Hive, and two ships prepare to join the battle, but they explode as a result of the Ancient device Jackson and McKay has activated.

After accusing the humans of using a device none of them has heard of to attack his people, Todd uses a hidden weapon to knock out the bridge crew, and begins transporting his soldiers over. Ronon, who went with Keller to protect her, takes her to get weapons only to find that Todd has shut everything available down.

Back at Atlantis, when the team activates the city's gate, it begins to overload. We see a part of the city blow up. (Can you say "unforeseen side effects?" I knew you could.) Then we are treated to the three words hated by every man, woman, and child who watches television: "To be continued."

The second part of this story, "The Lost Tribe," will air on SciFi Channel on Friday, October 10, at 9 p.m., the show's new time slot.

What Worked

I guess I'm just nostalgic, but every time I see an SG-1 member on any of the franchise spin-offs or films, I still enjoy it. And Shanks did a great job of interacting/competing with McKay, who doesn't like it when another genius "threatens his turf" (unless it is Sam Carter, of course). I'm glad Jackson still thinks like an archeologist, so he was more concerned about why things are the way they are than getting devices to run.

There were several computer-generated scenes of zooming around to see different parts of the city of Atlantis, and I think those were great. I don't feel we've seen enough of the scope of the city. This helps us see just how big that base actually is.

I'm a vehicle/ship guy, so I love it whenever the Daedalus appears. I like it almost as much as the Puddlejumpers.

It was also fun to see Sheppard have to function as an administrator instead of an away mission leader. He's bored almost all the time, of course, until the city comes under attack. His first instinct? Get out into the field, naturally!

Oh, and Dr. McKay is his usual caustic, acerbic, self-conscious, irritating self. At least he does it well!

I'll be interested to see just who is inside that armor. It ought to be someone related to the Ancients, but the episode title makes it seem like this is "first contact" with a new group.

What Didn't Work

Everybody gets something to do, but the pacing was definitely slowed down in several sequences like getting the hidden chamber's door to "open." But I guess that happens in a two-parter, especially one intended to be a cliff-hanger.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"First Contact" was written by Martin Gero, and directed by Andy Mikita. "Stargate: Atlantis" airs Friday nights at 9 p.m. on the SciFi Channel. The show stars Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, and Robert Picardo.

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Hear Michael Hinman on SyFy Radio every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SyFyRadio.

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