The Wraith emerged as the primary antagonistic alien species inStargate Atlantis. From their first appearance in the show’s pilot episode, “Rising,” they captivated viewers and brought a chilling allure to the series.
In the early seasons, the Wraith dominated the Pegasus Galaxy, displaying an insatiable hunger and unyielding dominion. They decimated civilizations, reducing them to dust, and mercilessly feasted upon the life force of their victims. This cosmic struggle added an irresistible allure toStargate Atlantis, transforming the narrative into a spine-tingling odyssey. Just who were these villains, and what were the goals of their villainy?
RELATED:Stargate Atlantis Cast: Where Are They Now?
Background and Origin
The Wraith, humanoid in form butinsect-like in behavior and hive-based existence, originated from a disturbing union between humans and the ancient Iratus bug. This encounter forever altered their existence. When Major John Sheppard encountered the Iratus bug, a parasitic creature that attached itself to his neck, a chilling revelation unfolded. The Wraith soldier pursuing Sheppard abandoned him, aware of his impending fate. It seemed they understood the Iratus bug’s thirst for life force, shown in theSGAepisode “Thirty-Eight Minutes.”
Through scientific inquiry into Atlantis, the theory emerged that the Iratus bugs, once a source of sustenance for humans, underwent a metamorphosis, resulting in the birth of the hybrid species known as the Wraith. The Wraith’s physical appearance reflects their insectoid heritage. Their waxy skin, colored pale teal or white, is an eerie canvas for their long, white hair. Their visage is completed by translucent yellow teeth, pointed and menacing, which reflect their persistent hunger. Armed with exceptional martial prowess, they strike fear into the hearts of their adversaries.
The most frightening aspect of the Wraith is that their sustenance lies in the essence of human life force. Only humans or similar beings,such as the Ancients or Lanteans, possess the nourishment that can satisfy the Wraith’s appetite. Their unyielding hunger often drives them to cannibalism. In “Thirty-Eight Minutes,” Dr. Carson Beckett proposes a connection between the arrival of the Ancients in the Pegasus galaxy and the evolution of the Wraith. Dr. Elizabeth Weir discovers linguistic ties between the Wraith and the Ancient civilization, leading to the speculation that the Ancients may have contributed to the development of the Wraith, spreading humanity on worlds that were once inhabited by the Iratus bugs.
Lantean Vs. Wraith
The Lanteans, descendants of the Ancients who had fled their dying Milky Way, unwittingly bore the responsibility for the existence of the Wraith. Initially, the Lanteans held the upper hand in the war, with their advanced ships dominating the celestial stage. Their confidence led them deeper into Wraith territory. However, the tides turned swiftly. Through great sacrifice and significant cost, the Wraith managed to capture Lantean warships and the coveted Zero Point Modules that powered them. Thisdramatic turn of events, documented in the episode “Spoils of War,” unveiled the Wraith’s secret weapon: a cloning facility that multiplied their numbers and shifted the balance of power in their favor.
Like an unstoppable tide, the Wraith surged forward, devouring the territories once held by the Lanteans. They faced mighty weapons and impregnable outposts, determined to dismantle their enemy. The struggle extended for years until only Atlantis remained. In theSGAepisodes “The Defiant One” and “Before I Sleep,” a desperate Lantean delegation ventured forth, hoping to negotiate a truce. Shielded by formidable warships, they believed they could withstand the Wraith’s onslaught. However, their optimism shattered when the Wraith’s massive fleet ambushed them, obliterating their hopes and dreams.
After that fateful battle,the fate of Atlantishung by a fragile thread. The Wraith tightened their grip, laying siege to the once-mighty capital for a grueling century. Like a beast sinking its teeth into its prey, they gnawed away at Atlantis. It was a protracted struggle, a clash of ancient titans echoing through time. Thus, the haunting tale of the Lanteans and the Wraith came to an end. In the desolate corridors of Atlantis, the echoes of their war still reverberate, a reminder of a civilization on the brink of annihilation. The Wraith emerged triumphant, forever etching their name in the annals of cosmic conquest.
Encounter With The Tau’ri
The Wraith would abduct their prey and retreat into a dormant slumber. This gruesome pattern persisted for 10,000 years until the arrival of the Atlantis expedition disrupted the status quo. Led by Major John Sheppard and Lt. Aiden Ford, a daring rescue mission was launched to retrieve their captive compatriots from the Wraith homeworld. In theheart-pounding three-part episodetitled “Siege,” the Tau’ri and the Ancients, with their combined might, struck a devastating blow against the Wraith forces. Forced to abandon their stronghold on Planet Lantea, the Wraith sought sustenance from the dwindling population of scattered humans in the galaxy.
However, upon Atlantis' return to the Pegasus galaxy after six long months, a new figure emerged from the shadows of the Wraith hierarchy: Queen Death. As a formidable “queen of queens,” she united the fractured hive ships under her iron grip, leaving no resistance. This chilling revelation came to light as the Atlantis expedition uncovered her guidance behind the kidnapping ofthe brilliant Doctor Rodney McKay, transforming him into one of their own in exchange for coveted ZPM technology and limited shield capabilities. Yet, hope flickered amidst the darkness. McKay was rescued, and a new alliance formed under the leadership of Guide and the enigmatic Teyla Emmagan.
A decisive battle loomed over the very planet where the Wraith originated, as Queen Death’s alliance clashed with the united forces opposing her reign. Teyla, wielding her own brand of justice, struck the final blow, bringing Queen Death to a grisly end. However, the truth revealed itself in the aftermath. A puppet master named Ashes,the last surviving original Wraith, had manipulated Queen Death and her alliance. Driven by an insatiable thirst for revenge against the long-gone Ancients, Ashes faced justice at the hands of Queens Alabaster and Waterlight. They ensured that he paid for his treacherous actions in the gripping episode “Legacy.”
With the consequences of Death’s defeat rippling through the galaxy in the climacticStargate Atlantisepisode “Inheritors,” a fragile peace descended upon the remnants of the Wraith. A treaty was forged, relinquishing half of the Pegasus galaxy to the Tau’ri. This newfound harmony was made possible by the creation of a revolutionary retrovirus. The retrovirus strengthened human physiology while providing sustenance to the Wraith, forgingan unsettling symbiotic relationshipwhere feeding on humans was no longer an automatic death sentence for the prey.
