Review: Atlantis, series two, episode one
With a later time slot for its second series, Atlantis promised to be a lot darker then everything we've seen from the show before.
If you haven't yet seen Atlantis, it's a BBC drama that follows the character of Jason (Jack Donnelly) as he travels back in time to the city of Atlantis in search of his father, and his true destiny.
Episode one or series two lived up to this darker promise, with a lot more fighting and violence reflecting the later airing at 8:30pm for 'A New Dawn: Part 1'. Not that that meant the episode was in anyway let down by this - quite the opposite. Clearly reflecting a positive change in the show, the sword fights in the epsiode were very well done - and a refreshing and more mature change compared to the aerobatics we're used to seeing from Jason. It was great to see Jason as a more believeable hero thanks to the addition of the hand-to-hand combat. I hope this continues in the rest of the series!
Something that particularly pleased me about the episode was the character of Pythagoras (Robert Emms) - as my favourite character from the show, I adored the development he was given in this episode. The lines that began to establish him as a more logical and reasoned character really made me smile, while still leaving him with a particular comedic line that added to the fantastic balance Atlantis has between comedy and action. Also, a particular scene that revealed why he travelled with Jason and Hercules (Mark Addy), nearly had me in tears.
All of the cast did a terrific job in the first episode. Donnelly and Addy have both revived their roles equally well. While Aiysha Hart has really excelled at her new role as Queen Ariande. Sarah Parish is still as impressively villianous as Pasiphae, and the new additions of the intriguing characters Medea (Amy Manson), Lord Sarpedon (Robert Pugh) and Dion (Vincent Regan), made the episode all the more memorable.
The plot of the episode was gripping - ending on a terrific cliffhanger that leaves you worried sick for both the city of Atlantis and Jason, Pythagoras, and Hercules. Proving that 'A New Dawn: Part 1' is an explosive and impressive start to what looks to be an amazing new series - and era - for Atlantis. I can't wait for part two!
