Ep 1. Search and Rescue

The opening episode of the fifth season of Stargate Atlantis is titled "Search and Rescue." After the dramatic finale of season four, the show picks up where it left off as the Atlantis team is struggling to find their abducted crew members. With their teammates missing, Colonel Sheppard and his team work tirelessly to locate their lost comrades and bring them safely home.

The episode opens with a bang as Sheppard and Teyla forcefully gain access to a powerful, experimental warship that could aid in their search and rescue mission. They board the vessel and encounter some very unfriendly aliens who are not thrilled with the humans' intrusion. Sheppard quickly finds himself in a one on one battle, fighting for his life to retrieve the missing team members' location information.

Meanwhile, back on Atlantis, Dr. Rodney McKay is left in charge of trying to locate their missing crew members from the control room. As brilliant as he is, McKay struggles to find any trace of the missing members. Despite his efforts, time is running out, and one by one, each team member's limited oxygen supply is depleting.

As the search continues, Cadman and Ronon end up trapped inside a damaged freighter that's quickly filling up with water. Their life support systems are failing, and it's up to the rest of the team to locate them before time runs out. Sheppard and Teyla, with some new alien allies, race against the clock to find the downed craft and save their teammates.

The season premiere of Stargate Atlantis season five is an intense, action-packed episode that immediately draws you right back into the world of the Atlantis team. The episode is interconnected with several storylines that all converge in a thrilling finish, leaving viewers on edge for the rest of the season. While the stakes have never been higher, the characters' development and relationships have certainly grown, making the show even more engaging for fans.

In summary, "Search and Rescue" is an explosive premiere to season five of Stargate Atlantis. The high stakes and interconnected storylines make for a thrilling episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. With intense action sequences, moments of heart-warming character development, and new challenges ahead, this season is sure to prove why Stargate Atlantis is a cult classic.