Podcast: Download

SSG251: What happens when a two-year strategy game turns out to have been shaping two real civilizations? In “The Game,” Sheppard and McKay discover their friendly competition on an ancient terminal has guided the development of Geldar and Helona — rival nations on a Pegasus galaxy planet — and their differing play styles have pushed those nations to the brink of war.

Victor Lams, Jeff Haecker, and Lisa Jones work through what makes this one of the more satisfying Atlantis episodes: it has real stakes, pays off two years of unseen character history, and manages to be genuinely funny while making a pointed argument about the dangers of unchecked intervention. McKay’s civilization is a perfect mirror — his people fear citrus, sport the popular short blonde hairstyle, and live under paintings of their oracle’s face. Sheppard’s Helona is militarily aggressive and pragmatic. When the two leaders are ordered to negotiate, Sheppard and McKay can’t stop bickering long enough to help.

The production history adds another layer of interest. Carl Binder wrote the script from a story by two other writers; the Zelenka/Lorne subplot — a panel favorite — was added after director William Waring flagged the episode was running short. The game displays were shot entirely on green screen, with actors told to tap wherever felt natural and VFX filled in the graphics later. Robert C. Cooper pushed for game tables instead of wall monitors, a decision that anticipated Microsoft Surface touchscreen table technology just entering the market at the time.

The trolley problem cold open, with Teyla and Ronin raising the practical objections philosophers never consider, serves as deliberate thematic setup. Weir’s final observation — “clearly we’re not qualified” — lands harder because of it.

The resolution, in which McKay hacks the consoles to simulate a doomsday scenario and the Daedalus provides realistic-looking explosions, is both clever and surprisingly affecting. The simple game dot graphics make you feel for the little dots. Because you know they’re people.

Get all new episodes automatically and for free:

Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.

Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Stargate. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?

Links for this episode:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
• You can watch all of the Stargate series on Amazon Prime.
• Get the official Secrets of Stargate t-shirt at sqpn.com/merch.
• Join the conversation at the SQPN Facebook page.
• Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord
• Send your feedback or comments to [email protected]

Want to Sponsor A Show?
Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.