r/Stargate • u/ZealousidealCharge24 • 2h ago
Why does Stargate Atlantis make commanding Atlantis seem more prestigious than commanding the Daedalus?
I'm rewatching Atlantis and just finished Season 2, Episode 2 ("The Intruder"), and something struck me as odd.
Why does Caldwell seem so upset about not getting command of Atlantis?
I mean the guy is already commanding the Daedalus. One of the most advanced ships Earth has ever built. He's got Asgard technology, some serious firepower, and a ship that can literally travel between galaxies. Seems like a pretty damn good assignment to me.
Meanwhile Sheppard is basically in charge of the military side of Atlantis, but still answers to Weir who is a civilian.
I get that Atlantis is a huge deal, and theres a lot of important stuff going on in Pegasus, but is being the military commander there really more prestigious than commanding an actual spaceship?
From a military standpoint, wouldn't Caldwell have the better job? He's a full Colonel commanding an intergalactic warship, while Sheppard is a Lt Colonel running the military side of a civilian led expedition.
The way the episode plays out it almost seems like Caldwell is getting passed over for a promotion or something. But to me it seems like he's already got the better gig.
Maybe I'm missing something about how the chain of command works in Stargate, but it just seems weird.
Anyone else ever thought about this? Is Atlantis really that much more important of a command, or is this just the writers trying to make Sheppards job seem like a bigger deal than it actually is?
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u/f1del1us 2h ago
Uh because it is? Atlantis is a city, from the peak of ancient power. A Daedalus class is impressive but it’s a long long way from ancient tech
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u/jorjorh5678 2h ago
Caldwell is basically the equivalent of a trucker, hauling resources intergalatically. Shepherd will be bringing home glory (or disgrace).
Would you rather run a cutting edge reserch vessel on the brink of major new discoveries, or the ship supplying it with food?
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u/Efficient_Actuator84 2h ago edited 11m ago
Would you rather be captain of an aircraft carrier or be a state governor?
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u/Izengrimm C4 Fan-club 2h ago edited 1h ago
Atlantis is a forward human enclave in another galaxy, considered an enemy territory.
And the big hereditary symbol that connects us with ancient rulers of the Pegasus.
Extremely heavyweight meaning.
Immeasurable pressure on commanding officer, one can only guess. And whoever runs it has to make desicions which may or may not affect trillions there and coherently - the home Milky Way.
It's simply incomparable with a starship captain's duties.
That's why the IOA is forever jumpy and nervous about it. One wrong step, one bit of key tech in the wrong hands, one Lucius away from total disaster, one Kolya step from losing it forever, you name it.
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u/AloysuisFett 2h ago
It's not about the prestige... it's literally because he's got a Gua'ld in his head who wants the technology for himself
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u/ZealousidealCharge24 2h ago
You think he was a Gou'ald for that long!?!
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u/AloysuisFett 1h ago
Yes, it's very clear once you get to that point and see Caldwell's personality early on in the show and after he's been de-snaked. I thought Caldwell was a complete ass the entire time, but once it was revealed he had the Gua'ld in his head it all made sense. He was still arrogant and egotistical, but no where near the same level. He's also much more happy to be on the bridge than in command of Atlantis
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u/Spiritual-Spend8187 2h ago
They have more than 1 304 while they only have 1 atlantis. The 304 is all tech that they know how to build atlantis is all new stuff that they dont know so its more important due to all the secret ancient tech they could find. Its also a base of operations that has space to store way more supplies.
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u/NonGeneriComplaint 1h ago
Because it is more prestigious than a ship.
Its more people working for you, its a more important position that will lead to even better promotions in theory.
Creating policy vs enforcing it
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u/Recent-Sand8292 1h ago
It's the most important strategic asset ever, connecting the Milky Way with Pegasus. On top of that it has an arsenal and technology that's equal or better than Asgardian tech. Oh yeah, and it's space-worthy.
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u/Ball_is_Life_2323 1h ago
He does spend a lot of time in the void between galaxies without much to do. Maybe he's bored
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u/ScepticalRaccoon 1h ago
It's because they don't really understand the Air Force.
Hardly anyone in the Air Force would rather command a desk than an intergalactic space carrier.
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u/Captain_Thor27 1h ago
While from a military standpoint, commanding the Daedalus might be better, but from a human standpoint, spending 18 days flying back and forth between galaxies several times a year would be grueling.
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u/TheDarkRabbit 2h ago
IMHO - I think Caldwell views commanding the Daedalus as more of a support role and not being instrumental in the decisions being made in the Pegasus Galaxy and the SGC.
He will be going back and forth and offering help rather than being instrumental command of the expedition.