The team learns that a storm of catastrophic proportions is headed straight for the city of Atlantis. Without enough energy to power the shields, Dr. Weir orders that Atlantis be evacuated until the storm passes. But Dr. McKay conceives of a last minute plan to save the city – harness the power of the electrical storm to fuel the shields. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the Atlantis team, the Genii have learned of Atlantis' evacuation, and devise a dangerous plan to take over the city's weapons for themselves. With Weir and McKay taken hostage and Lt. Ford and Teyla aiding the evacuees, it is up to Major Sheppard to shut down the remaining grounding stations and save Atlantis from invasion before the storm hits.
Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.
Complete story — includes the ending
Exploring the planet, Sheppard and Teyla discover a colossal storm with the ability to crush the city in its current state. The Manarians (first mentioned in " Underground ") give shelter to most of the Atlantis Expedition. McKay and Zelenka think of a daring way to power up the shield, but it's no coincidence that the Genii invade the city at their weakest moment. Note: First appearance of Robert Davi as Acastus Kolya.