Progeny debuted on 11 August, 2006. It was written by Carl Binder from a story by Binder and Robert C. Cooper.

We are introduced to the Asurans, a highly advanced race. In fact that may be Ancients. But things never go that easily in this series, and it is soon revealed that we know exactly who they are.

Things start off strangely when Weir (Torri Higginson) joins Sheppard’s (Joe Flanigan) team. Their probe reached the Asurans who invite them to visit, and when they step through the gate, it looks like they never left Atlantis.

Do the Asurans have a city? Are they Ancients? Well I already told you no on that second one, so who are they?

And hey look, it’s David Ogden Stiers as the Ausrans leader, Obereth.

When the team is able to escape, they return to Atlantis only to come under attack by the Wraith. But in a shocking discovery, we learn that it was all a manipulation of events in the team’s minds… the Aurans are Replicators!

We see the connection to the Ancients that the Replicators have, and their mission of vengeance because of it. But not all of the Replicators are intent on wiping out Atlantis and humanity.

Niam (John O’Callaghan) suggests an opportunity to change everything, and the Replicators command codes are open to McKay (David Hewlett).

Is there a way to stop them once and for all? With Atlantis hanging in the balance, and a giant threat facing them, things escalate quickly. And what of Niam?

I quite like the character interactions in this episode. These characters have really learned to work well together, and the banter is fun. It’s also cool to see how Atlantis handles the Replicator threat.

The Real World was written by Carl Binder and debuted on 18 August, 2006.

What if the entire Atlantis Expedition and even the Stargate Program itself were just a delusion?

That seems to be the case as Weir finds herself on Earth, in a mental facility. And she is being overseen by Dr. Fletcher (Alan Ruck!).

We know that in the context of the show, Atlantis is real, so what is going on here?

She asks for help, and reaches out to O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson). But he doesn’t seem to know what she’s talking about in regards to the Stargate, and there seems to be some strange things happening around her. Frightening things.

There are shadowy half-seen figures, and they seem to be watching her.

What the hell is going on here? And O’Neill seems insistent she go back to the UN to finish a treaty negotiation.

Things take a shift when the story moves to Atlantis, and we find that Beckett (Paul McGillion) is working on her. She’s been infected by nanites from Niam’s attack on her. Can he and McKay find a way to stop the nanites from replicating?

The story kicks into high gear nicely as Weir struggles inside her mind and body ,while Beckett, McKay and Sheppard try to save her life outside.

I really liked this one when it got going, and it ties in nicely with the previous episode.