But it is still on the scale. For me placement on the scale doesn't diminish the crime. I will never have peace with that decision. I think that destroying the Wraith part of who they are and leaving just the human part behind is still genocide to me anyways. Atlantis was forcing their view of what is right/best for the Pegusus Galaxy on a Sentient race.
I don't think it isn't a crime, but I do think the magnitude of the crime, and the motivation, makes a difference (else manslaughter and murder one would be the same). I don't agree with what the Lanteans did to Michael in the first place, especially the inexcusable second betrayal, I do think it was wrong, but I also think that it's worth looking at their actions in context of the larger picture, particularly how few options they really had. To a large degree, it was the writing of the show (and the lack of nuance in how the Wraith were portrayed, at least in the first couple of seasons) that pushed them into a place where their options were basically a) genocide or b) unauthorized medical experiments. And every day they delayed implementing their "cure", more people died.
It wasn't right, but to some extent they were simply trying to make the best of a terrible situation. And I think their more humanitarian second solution, and the fact that they're trying to get the help of the Wraith in implementing it, indicates that they did learn from their mistakes to some extent.
I am going to be so sad when Atlantis finishes up because what will have to debate about.
Hee! I guess we can go back to debating the early episodes. XD I'm sure there are still people out there who are willing to debate whether McKay deserved to be lemon-chickened after "Trinity" ...
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I don't think it isn't a crime, but I do think the magnitude of the crime, and the motivation, makes a difference (else manslaughter and murder one would be the same). I don't agree with what the Lanteans did to Michael in the first place, especially the inexcusable second betrayal, I do think it was wrong, but I also think that it's worth looking at their actions in context of the larger picture, particularly how few options they really had. To a large degree, it was the writing of the show (and the lack of nuance in how the Wraith were portrayed, at least in the first couple of seasons) that pushed them into a place where their options were basically a) genocide or b) unauthorized medical experiments. And every day they delayed implementing their "cure", more people died.
It wasn't right, but to some extent they were simply trying to make the best of a terrible situation. And I think their more humanitarian second solution, and the fact that they're trying to get the help of the Wraith in implementing it, indicates that they did learn from their mistakes to some extent.
I am going to be so sad when Atlantis finishes up because what will have to debate about.
Hee! I guess we can go back to debating the early episodes. XD I'm sure there are still people out there who are willing to debate whether McKay deserved to be lemon-chickened after "Trinity" ...