I thought that the Js character was very unsympathetic/uncommunicative (monosyllables to his *boss*, brush off to the pretty nurse virtually begging him to "call me") and the episode only picked up when Rodney arrived. Before that it had been a CSI-wannabe/poker film and I was losing interest... as the ep started we were all guessing "It's an AU/VR game on Atlantis/Alien mind control/chemicals/Oh please God let it not be "and he woke up and it was all a dream ..."Aaargh!"
Then we had the thought that they were trialling a pilot for JF. Of course killing your lead at the end pretty much trashed that theory, though I did think they were quite brave not to do a wrap with *our* Atlantis and the Team all OK, but to leave him dead in the desert.
Hell of an expensive songvid for "Solitary Man" though ...