Saturday, January 14, 2012

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 17


"Fail Safe"
images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Andy Mikita -- Director
Paul Mullie -- co-Writer
Jim Menard -- Director of Photography
James Tichenor -- Visual Effects Producer

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

Review:
On Earth, an amateur astronomer spots a giant asteroid.  Its trajectory means it will crash into the Earth.  If it hits the planet, all life on Earth will be wiped out.  SGC, and SG-1, think one of their alien allies with advanced technology will help.  Well …
  • The Nox: No way to contact them.  (“The Nox”)
  • The Tollans: Wiped out.  (“Between Two Fires”)
  • The Tok’ra: Still scattered, and on the run.  (“Last Stand”)
There is always the Asgard.  The Asgard will save Earth!  Oh, wait, no they won’t.  The Protected Planets treaty (“Fair Game”) prevents the Asgard from interfering with natural disasters.

SGC is on their own.  The decision is made to blow up the asteroid using a naquadah enhanced mega-bomb.  The bomb will be delivered using the Goa’uld shuttle Jacob/Selmak crashed on Revanna in “Last Stand.”  Thing is, the shuttle needs repairs, and the asteroid will hit the Earth in approximately 11 days.  There is a lot that can, and does, go wrong with the plan.  However, failure means the end of life on Earth.

The grim plot is nicely offset with moments of light, charming humor.  The necessary chain of events often falters, however the story’s solutions mostly fall within the realm of the believable.  The regular cast performs very well.  An entertaining story, with a very surprising connection to another episode.

Failures:
None.

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