20. First Strike — Episode — Stargate Atlantis

20. First Strike

With the arrival of the Apollo to Atlantis comes intel that the Replicators appear to be building a large armada to directly attack earth. Planning to strike first, Col. Ellis with the aid of the Atlantis team launches a surgical strike nuking the entire armada. Believing that all imminent danger has been avoided the team is shocked when a satellite housing a stargate takes up geosynchronous orbit above Atlantis.

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

After the Apollo arrives, they launch a pre-emptive strike against the Asurans when it is discovered that they are building a fleet of ships but later a weapons satellite appears above the city, firing a beam at Atlantis which leaves everyone trapped in the city and the Expedition unable to use their Stargate. Ronon, Rodney and Teyla are left injured and Elizabeth fights for her life when the beam strikes the Control Room. Atlantis is left floating helplessly in space due to the hyperdrive shutting down and has only 24 hours of power left before the shields fail and everyone dies.

Sources and content license

Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Stargate Atlantis season 3. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license