Brain Storm

Season 5, Episode 16, Aired
EDIT

Episode Summary

McKay returns to Earth to witness the unveiling of his rival's latest breakthrough.
8.5
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Great
286 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Watch Online

Netflix
Subscription
Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (17)

See All

  • See Summary

    8.0
    "Great"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Nov 08, 2011 Report Abuse
    Brain Storm was quite a storm indeed! This was a fun and exciting episode with a cameo appearance by Bill Nye The Science Guy. The episode focused on the relationship growing between McKay and Keller. It was nice to see them take things to the next level, and join the Mile High Club! I think that the concept of this episode was good, though I was thinking that we were going to see Jeannie, McKay's sister, as it was her work as well as McKay's which Tunney utilized to create the device in question. He thought it could help save the earth from global warming, but things aren't always greener on the other side!!!moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 0

  • A relationship resolved

    7.0
    "Good"
    By entil2001, Nov 08, 2011 Report Abuse
    The romance between Rodney McKay and Jennifer Keller has been a point of contention since Keller's first foray into such territory. Fans were rankled by the abrupt nature of their mutual interest, especially since the writers had Ronon equally interested in Jennifer around the exact same time. Keller has struggled to gain traction with the fans, seen as an intrusive replacement for the "departed" Dr. Beckett, and her inclusion in a love triangle didn't help matters.

    Thankfully, this is a pleasant little episode that goes a long way towards demonstrating why Keller is a good match for Rodney. She gives him plenty of room for his ego, but she does manage to rein it in from time to time. She's got equal determination and looks after his best interests, particularly when he's in "speaking without thinking" mode. And she looks damn good in a party dress (but really, does Jewel Staite ever look horrible?).

    The plot had some interesting insights into the scientific community and the difficulties faced by those engaged in cutting-edge but classified research, but beyond that, it was a standard situation. Experiment goes awry, loved ones in peril, McKay saves the day. Special appearances by Dave Foley and Bill Nye the Science Guy weren't enough to overcome those issues.

    In fact, it felt like the episode was trying to be more humorous than it was. Don't get me wrong; there were definite moments with chuckle-worthy material, but by and large, the synthesis of comedy and drama didn't quite hit the mark. I doubt it made much of a difference in the end, however, since I imagine reactions to the episode were based less on the content and more on the McKay/Keller relationship as a whole.

    With only a handful of episodes left, it's a bit unfortunate that an entire episode was devoted to a couple of characters and an admittedly unpopular relationship. On the other hand, this does resolve the question of whether or not the two will even have a relationship, which ties up another potential loose end. The writers could certainly have done worse.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    4 3

  • the final episodes and this is all they come up with?

    7.5
    "Good"
    By Fwirrel, Nov 08, 2011 Report Abuse
    I saw the commercial for this episode and I thought it was going to suck. Back on earth, cliched researcher rivalries, and cheesy love mixed in... I'll admit it was better than I thought it would be, but still not that good. I don't like McKay and Keller at all. I think Keller and Ronon should be together. The plot in this episode was not interesting. The whole idea of going to a conference to see a rival's work and then having to fix it, just not that interesting. What made the episode watchable was the character development of McKay. Overall, just an average episode and I'm disappointed that they're not going out better.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 5

  • Good episode: very interesting story line and character development of Rodney. The ending could be better.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By Trekforever, Nov 08, 2011 Report Abuse
    I thought this episode was pretty decent actually. Despite being fed up with the fact that they're wasting the few episodes that are left of the final season of Atlantis focusing on only one or a few of the characters instead of giving us team episodes I did actually like Rodney in this for the most part. I actually found him sort of endearing in his egocentric tendencies and the stuff between him, Bill Nye, and Neil deGrasse Tyson was hilarious. Plus there's the fact that I enjoy Dave Foley quite a bit.

    It wasn't a particularly meaningful episode nor did it do anything to further any storyline but it was amusing and I think that TPTB actually did a really good job with the Mckay/Keller stuff. I don't have a lot of faith in them when it comes to romantic relationships on these shows but it was very sweet. That being said, are Jason Mamoa and Rachel Lutrell still employed? They seem to have been abducted. Hopefully they'll use the last few episodes of the series to showcase the entire team.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    4 0

  • A very not-so subtle messege about global warming with Bill Nye!

    7.0
    "Good"
    By Hutchinator2005, Dec 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    Right off the bat i want to say something. After reading some reviews about how bad the writing is and should have some continuity to the last episode ever, let me make this clear. I hope you realise this but long ago, months ago, the writers hatched out these stories without knowing their show was getting the axe hence the fillers. And stop reffering to BSG, it's a completely different show altogether. Stargate isn't BSG.

    Now that's off my chest, this story was intersting and nothing more. It held my interest and I liked the 'real' geniuses being there, aka Bill Nye. This story was served to prosper the McKay/Keller relationship which I don't really care that much about like many others. However, I'm willing to accept it and move along.

    The next few episodes with the wraith and the season finale won't give us closure but it might build a premise to the movie, so it can hit the floor running and have no need for exposition we've all heard before.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    2 7
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • A deleted scene from this episode has Bill Nye giving a speech about how science fiction can bring people to together in the pursuit of scientific interest. Martin Gero explains in the DVD commentary that the episode was to end with this scene but was ultimately cut due to time restraints. Edit
    • The theatre where the presentation is made,is the Carl Binder Memorial Theatre. This is named after the executive producer Carl Binder. Edit
    • McKay: Yeah, but, that's my bridge! My sister and I came up with it! McKay is referring to the season 3 episode "McKay and Mrs. Miller." Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • The cast and crew were notified of the series' cancellation on the last day of filming for this episode. Edit
    • Michael Robert Coleman (Front Desk Guy) previously played a Med Tech in the Stargate SG-1 episode "The Powers That Be." Edit
    • Rachel Luttrell and Robert Picardo do not appear in this episode. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • McKay: Oh, thank God. You're ok, you're ok. Keller: I'm really cold. McKay (rubbing her arms): Me too. (They gaze into each other's eyes.) Keller: You saved me. McKay: Guess that makes us even. I used an axe – a big axe! I mean, I really wish you were conscious, 'cause I think it's the coolest thing I've ever done in my... (Smiling, Jennifer leans forward and kisses him deeply. He gazes at her as she pulls back.) McKay: Oh, I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you. (She looks into his eyes.) Keller: I love you. (His eyes widen in amazement.) Keller: I have for some time now. Just wanted you to know. Edit
    • Tunney: Ok, I think that's it. Before I run it, just check my math. Bill Nye: I have been! Why do you think I'm standing here?! Edit
    • Keller: I'm gonna radio once I get through. McKay: Good luck. Keller: You too. (She turns and leaves.) Tunney: She seems like a very capable woman. McKay: She sure is. Tunney: It's your sister, right? Is she single? (Rodney rolls his eyes.) McKay: All right. (ignoring Tunney, he turns back to the consoles.) Where were we? Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Keller: You know, my Uncle George, he always hated the phrase "save the planet." This could be a reference to stand-up comedian George Carlin, who often voiced a similar stance on the phrase. Edit
    • Firefly: The discussion of strawberries between Keller and McKay maybe a reference to Jewel Staite's character Kaylee Frye, from Firefly, who had a known obsession for strawberries. Edit

Show Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies

Watch Stargate Atlantis Full Episodes

See All

Related Shows

Season 5 Episodes

See All
Ep 20
Enemy at the Gate
Ep 19
Vegas
Ep 18
Identity
Ep 17
Infection
Ep 16
Brain Storm
Ep 15
Remnants
Ep 14
The Prodigal
Ep 13
Inquisition
Ep 12
Outsiders
Ep 11
The Lost Tribe (2)
Ep 10
First Contact (1)
Ep 9
Tracker
Ep 8
The Queen
Ep 7
Whispers
Ep 6
The Shrine
Ep 5
Ghost in the Machine
Ep 4
The Daedalus Variations
Ep 3
Broken Ties
Ep 2
The Seed
Ep 1
Search and Rescue (2)

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use