Childhood's End is episode 6 of season 1 of Stargate Atlantis, first aired in 2004.
A world of children: on this planet no one lives past twenty-five, each offering themselves as a ritual sacrifice on the eve of their birthday to keep the Wraith away. The team discovers the mechanism behind the myth, an anti-Wraith shield powered by an Ancient ZPM, and the dilemma that comes with it: the truth sets you free, but it also disarms you.
Why it matters to the mythology
A standalone episode: Atlantis's first variation on the theme of institutionalized sacrifice, and a shield ZPM that whets McKay's appetite.
The review
The Logan's Run of Pegasus, with its teenage village chiefs and birthday suicide: the concept hits harder than its treatment, which stays tame. McKay unplugging the ZPM without a second thought, then owning the consequences, provides the episode's real moment, scientific arrogance confronting a protective faith. A few nice scenes with the children save the whole from routine. Minor, but not dishonorable.
Written by Sebastian
Founder and editor-in-chief of Stargate Initiative
Gallery · 5
Stills from the episode, via TMDb.
The community watches the episode
Creators watch it, react to it, break it down. We're just the bridge: the views stay on their channels.
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