LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - A new and exciting adventure series surfaces with the debut episode of "Stargate Atlantis" — the spin-off of "Stargate SG-1" — opening the door to distinctive characters, mysterious worlds and a ghoulish new enemy to battle.

The much-anticipated companion series is a well-paced, enjoyable romp, proving the franchise has plenty of life and drama in it.

As chronicled in the original series "SG-1," the ruins of the ancient city of Atlantis are discovered on Earth, along with the coding of that city’s new location in a galaxy far, far away. Last season and the debut opener of "SG-1" on July 9 featured the story line that prepares viewers for the spin-off series.

The two-hour pilot episode of the new series focuses on a team that travels to a faraway galaxy in search of technological secrets contained in the underwater city of Atlantis, once inhabited by the "Ancients," the people who built the stargates. (As the faithful know, the stargates are alien artifacts that lead to distant worlds.)

Heading the new team initially are diplomat Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson, "The City"), and Col. Marshall Sumner (Robert Patrick, "The X-Files").

It’s too bad that Patrick is but a guest star on the series; his solid, authoritative appearance apparently is a one-shot. The central personality conflicts will be handled by Higginson’s character and Maj. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan, "The Precinct"). She takes a cautious approach to challenges, and he’s for gung-ho, can-do action. Higginson does a fine job as the tough supervisor, and Flanigan, serving to a lighter touch, is a fine counterpart for her.

Although the advance DVD is a rough cut with many temporary visual effects, it’s clear that a lot of fine work went into the design of "Atlantis." There’s a cool outer-space pursuit and, inevitably, a close encounter with an attractive, capable female leader representing the human culture on one of the new planets. The leader of the new culture, Teyla, is played with charm and intelligence by Rachel Luttrell ("Feast of All Saints").

The ticking clock of urgency appears as the team discovers there are serious problems to face in the high-tech city of Atlantis and a dangerous alien race called the Wraith. They’re going to have to scrounge for solutions, and fast.

In Sci Fi’s "Stargate SG-1," Richard Dean Anderson continues to portray the often irreverent and iconoclastic Col. Jack O’Neill, leader of the key exploring team. Last week’s eighth-season opener saw him promoted to brigadier general, placed in charge of the entire stargate program. That makes him the head honcho supervising Elizabeth Weir and her "Atlantis" band. He also appears briefly in "Atlantis."

As in the "Star Trek" franchise, an ancient race "seeded" many planets with their own stock, which accounts for why so many of the planets visited are inhabited by Homo sapiens — many of them attractive women.

After its two-hour debut, "Atlantis" will run from 10-11 p.m. Fridays, following "Stargate SG-1."

Cast: Maj. John Sheppard: Joe Flanigan; Dr. Elizabeth Weir: Torri Higginson; Dr. Rodney McKay: David Hewlett; Teyla: Rachel Luttrell; Lt. Aiden Ford: Rainbow Sun Francks; Dr. Beckett: Paul McGillion; Peter Grodin: Craig Veroni; Jack O’Neill: Richard Dean Anderson; Daniel Jackson: Michael Shanks; Col. Sumner: Robert Patrick.

Executive producers/creators/writers: Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper; Executive producer: Michael Greenburg; Director/co-producer: Martin Wood; Co-executive producer: N. John Smith; Consulting producers: Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie; Directors of photography: Michael C. Blundell, Andreas Poulsson; Production designer: Bridget Mcguire; Costume designer: Christina Mcquarrie; Editor: Brad Rines; Music: Joel Goldsmith.