Friday, October 21, 2011

Stargate SG-1, Season 3, Episode 14


"Foothold"
images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

SG-1 returns to Earth from a mission to find the Harcesis child, who was hidden away by Amonet (“Forever in a Day”).  Per protocol, SG-1 heads to the infirmary for a check-up.  A chemical spill occurred at SGC, however it is being contained.  The team is given shots which knock them unconscious.  Because of the Goa’uld symbiote he carries, Teal’c awakens first.  He sees an alien standing near Dr. Frazier and General Hammond, and no one is alarmed by its presence.  With the alien, plus being drugged, Teal’c deduces that SGC has been invaded by aliens -- a foothold situation.  Teal’c is able to find, and awaken, only Carter.  They try to escape from Cheyenne Mountain.  Colonel Maybourne is contacted by Carter, and told there is the foothold situation at Stargate Command.  Or, is there?

The chemicals from the spill can cause hallucinations, and paranoia.  Carter and Teal’c may just need some medication to overcome the side effects of the chemicals.  However, if the foothold situation is true, then Earth’s fate rest on a few people confronting an alien army, without knowing who is human, and who is not.

This is one of the best Stargate SG-1 episodes that is unrelated to the ongoing Goa’uld story arc.  The dialog is not sparkling, however it has strength, and rings true to the situation.  Tom McBeath returns as Maybourne, and is great.  The regular cast performs very well, with Tapping excelling as Carter.  The possible foothold situation is dramatic, and believable.  The aliens have an interesting appearance, unlike other aliens previously seen on the show.

Failures:
None.

2 comments:

  1. Found your blog via Gateworld. Love it!! I enjoyed this episode as it gave Carter a chance to shine. I also enjoyed how she got to tell Maybourne he was an idiot!! One of my more favored episodes of season 3.

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  2. Thank you! I think Carter telling off Maybourne is just great. This is one of my favorite episodes of season 3, too.

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