Saturday, December 31, 2011

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 3


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

Overall Rating:  Fair

Commentary by:
Martin Wood -- Director
James Tichenor -- Visual Effects Producer
Amanda Tapping -- “Carter”

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 is off-world, exploring ruins.  One structure is different from the others.  Daniel studies writing located outside of the building.  Carter studies alien technology located inside the building.  O’Neill wants to go, leaving the study to a specialized SG team.

An unseen presence floats down to the area near Carter.  Cue a flash of light, and Carter is unconscious.  Back at SGC’s infirmary, Dr. Frasier checks out the now awake Carter.  SG-16, lead by Colonel Reynolds (Major Reynolds in “Touchstone”) is assigned the task of researching the off-world site.  Daniel will go with them to try to decipher the alien language.  The rest of SG-1 is given time off.  Carter wants to go with SG-16, however Dr. Frasier nixes that idea.  Carter is forced to go home, and relax.  We learn that: Carter has a very nice house; her car is a sweet ride; and that she has no life outside of SGC.

Back home, Carter discovers she has a stalker, whose name is Orlin.  Orlin can suddenly appear and disappear, as well as walk through kitchen counters.  A ghost?  Nah.  This is Stargate SG-1.  It is an alien in human form, because he is crushing on Carter, big time.  She hightails it away from Orlin, and contacts SGC.  Carter’s house is thoroughly checked out, but no sign of her visitor is found.  Orlin eventually returns to Carter’s house, and she interacts with him.  Since no one else has seen Orlin, folks at SGC are a bit worried about Carter’s seemingly imaginary friend.  Meanwhile, SG-16 continues to research the alien tech off-world.  Unknown to SGC, or Carter, another government faction wants to capture Orlin, and study him.

Everyone’s’ performance is fine.  A new, delightfully nasty villain is introduced.

Failures:
There are many interesting aspects of the story.  But, I dislike the science fiction insta-love plot device, which I think taints the entire episode.  This is not the first time insta-love is used on Stargate SG-1, and Carter has previously been the object of instantaneous alien affection.  In this episode, I think the insta-love plot device is a cheap ploy.  I think it would be far more interesting, and tell me more about Carter’s character, if her motivation did not involve her falling in love within seconds.

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