This morning, I went to IGN to see how the newest episode of Stargate Atlantis was rated. The episode - which features Rodney McKay suffering from a Pegasus equivalent of Alzheimer’s that the locals refer to as Second Childhood - contains within it some of the best acting that I have ever seen. The writing is excellent. Even the visual effects (where the team gates into a flooded valley adjacent to a glacier) were incredible.

So, while looking to see what the reviewers at IGN thought about it, I stumbled across this article. Stargate Atlantis has been cancelled. The fifth season will be the final season.

I think this is idiotic. Stargate SG-1 lasted for 10 seasons on plots that were complete garbage. Oh, another System Lord named after an Egyptian God? No fucking way! Stargate Atlantis has only dealt with specific villains for shorter spans of time, and has therefore evolved a landscape where the protagonists can face three different enemies threats at the same time. Moreover, the political landscape has been able to change so that even enemies can be at war with other enemies, and some enemies can briefly become allies.

Plus, Atlantis builds upon everything it has done previously. Over their five seasons, they have constantly added to their knowledge of the evolution of the Wraith, how the “grow” their ships out of human hosts, and how they require human beings for sustenance. They have truly developed the Wraith as characters, from their methods of torture (bringing people within an inch of death by feeding on them, and then restoring that life force, only to take it again) to their technology (organic, rather than inanimate, like ours).

They’ve even had some really breathtaking space battles.

But apparently none of this quality television appeals to people. And now one of my favourite shows is going off the air. Battlestar Galactica only has half a season left, and Lost is two seasons away from their final bow.

After that, I think I’ll just stop watching television.