Stargate SG-1, Season 4, Episode 21

"Double Jeopardy"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Episode Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:
Michael Shanks -- Director
James Tichenor -- Visual Effects Supervisor

The commentary is very informative, and interesting.  Lots of behind the scene information.  The commentary stays on point with what is on screen.

Review:
SG-1 uses the stargate to travel to an alien world, called Juna by its residents.  Teal’c discovers evidence of recent Jaffa activity nearby.  Despite being on the alert, SG-1 is ambushed, and taken captive, by human residents of the planet.  There is a Jaffa amongst the humans.  The human Junans were snatched from Earth long ago by Goa’uld.  One of the Junans, named Darian, recognizes SG-1 from a previous visit of theirs to the planet.  However, SG-1 team members do not recognize Darian, and have never before traveled to this world.  Stifle that groan.  I promise that this is not another ‘SG-1 has amnesia’ story.

Darian says that during their previous visit SG-1 helped the Junans rebel against the Goa’uld Heru’ur’s Jaffa.  After the successful rebellion, SG-1 told the Junans to bury their stargate, and the Goa’uld would not return.  Great plan, except that it completely disregards the fact that Goa’uld have ships capable of intergalactic travel.  Oops.  Cronus (“Crossroads”) arrived on the planet after the rebellion, and claimed the world for himself.  With Heru’ur dead (“The Serpent's Venom”), the other Goa’ulds divvy up his empire.  Back then, Cronus severely punished Darian’s people for their uprising against Heru’ur’s Jaffa.

Now, Cronus is back on the planet, thrilled by the chance to torture, and eventually kill, SG-1.  Darian is ordered to kill Daniel, which he reluctantly does.  This causes a cascade of activity involving Darian’s people; three planets; and a visit by a previous acquaintance of SG-1 to SGC.  A fast-paced, action-packed, very fun episode, with a lot of charm, and a bittersweet ending.

Ron Halder returns as Cronus.  Everyone performs well, however Anderson is the standout.

Failures:
None.