Stargate SG-1, Season 4, Episode 13

"The Curse"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Episode Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Andy Mikita -- Director
Peter Woeste -- Director of Photography
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:
One of Daniel’s archeology professors is killed in an explosion.  At the professor’s funeral in Chicago, Daniel reunites with an old flame, and an old competitor.  While looking through the last artifacts the professor studied, Daniel finds a canopic jar with Goa’uld symbols on it.  According to a manifest of items from the same archaeological expedition, there is a second canopic jar.  Also, another item the professor studied is missing.  A seemingly accidental death, plus missing items with ties to the Goa’uld, is a cause for concern.  Daniel contacts SGC.

The jar with the Goa’uld symbols on it is sent to SGC for examination.  Something other than the expected preserved organ of an ancient Egyptian mummy is found inside of the canopic vessel.  Daniel, and SGC, head down a path strewn with mystery, and death, as they try to determine the significance of the missing items, and who took them.

The mystique of the story is maintained through out, as the viewer learns what is happening along with the characters.  There is some international travel, however the transition from one continent to another is very abrupt, and feels false.  I do not get a feel that the story has moved to another country, as much as I get the feeling the show has moved to a very nicely done set.  The deus ex machina ending is tolerable.

Failures:
Daniel mentions the Goa’uld during a call he makes from his workaday cell phone.  That seems very unsecure.  Not an ideal practice to keep the stargate program in strict secrecy.