Monday, December 12, 2011

Stargate SG-1, Season 4, Episode 6


"Window of Opportunity"
images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Episode Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:
Peter DeLuise -- 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:
On the planet P4X 639, in the midst of some ruins, SG-1 studies a massive solar flare.  Daniel interacts with a human archaeologist, named Malakai, who is not from Earth.  Malakai attacks Daniel, and then turns on some ancient machinery in the ruins.  While attempting to physically restrain Malakai, O’Neill and Teal’c are enveloped by an energy disturbance.  The flare of the energy washes out the scene.  Fade to the next scene.

O’Neill is having breakfast with Carter and Daniel.  Daniel is waiting for O’Neill’s response to a question.  Not so strange.  Except, O’Neill experienced the exact same moment the day before, prior to SG-1 gating to P4X 639.  The exact same spoonful of cereal being raised to his mouth.  Daniel saying the exact same words as the day before.  Teal’c is also experiencing a repeat of events from the day before.  In an homage to Groundhog Day, the same day (actually, a ten hour segment of a day, I think) is repeated over and over.  Only O’Neill and Teal’c are aware of being stuck in a repeating time loop.  O’Neill and Teal’c must solve the mystery with fragmented help from the oblivious SGC staff, or forever repeat the same segment of time.

Episodes that are homages to films can be sketchy.  This episode hits all the right notes.  A wonderful blend of the pertinent aspects of Groundhog Day, with the wonders of Stargate SG-1.  This is a fun episode.  Anderson and Judge excel as the frustrated O’Neill and Teal’c.  All of the cast provides enjoyable performances.  Robin Mossley portrays Malakai.

The writing is superb.  If I had a higher rating than “Excellent” I would give it to this episode because of the deft handling of the emotional range the characters experience during the events of the episode.  It is not easy to smoothly transition from humor to despair, or absurdity to determination.  However, these things are done, and done well, in this episode.

Failures:
None.

2 comments:

  1. One of my favourite episodes.

    Teal'c's stoic patience with the airman who keeps slamming the door in his face cracks me up every time.

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  2. This is one of my favorite episodes, too. I'm laughing just thinking about that scene of Teal'c losing his patience with the airman. I also liked how O'Neill's repeating day starts. He is holding a spoonful of Fruit Loops for an episode about a time loop.

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