Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 11

"Desperate Measures"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:
Bill Gereghty -- Director
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:
In a country other than the United States, a Jaffa prisoner on Earth is taken by force from his escort of Russian soldiers.  No one at SGC is aware of the Jaffa's situation.  Carter is kidnapped near her home by a group of masked men.  Suspecting N.I.D. involvement with Carter’s abduction, O’Neill enlists the aid of the fugitive Harry Maybourne (“Chain Reaction”).  Maybourne suggests O’Neill start his investigation with Colonel Frank Simmons (“The Fifth Man”) of the N.I.D.  When confronted by O'Neill, Simmons points his finger back at Maybourne.

While others search for her, Carter is a prisoner at a secret location, undergoing mysterious medical testing.

Realizing there is a possible tie between his illegal activities, and Carter’s disappearance, Maybourne does some investigating of his own.  O’Neill contacts Harry again, and together they suss out the mystery.  They uncover ties between the people who took Carter, and the ones who took the Jaffa.  All paths lead to a reclusive multi-millionaire named Adrian Conrad.

O’Neill, Maybourne, and Simmons strive to find Carter, for different reasons -- rescue, redemption, and acquiring power, respectively.  Carter’s rescue is only a part of the mystery, which if left unsolved will result in her death, and a monster being unleashed on Earth.

Tom McBeath returns as Maybourne, and is still delightful as the morally ambiguous traitor.  Maybourne is not a static character.  Instead, he changes over the episodes, as each experience has an impact on his viewpoint.  Kudos to Mr. McBeath.  John de Lancie returns as Simmons, the N.I.D. agent with a disdain for SGC, and an enigmatic agenda.  Everyone performs very well.  The story is interesting, providing numerous touchstones for future Stargate SG-1 episodes.

Failures:
The plot is heavy with intrigue, and takes place solely on Earth.  This episode of Stargate SG-1 which lacks much adventure, and any off world travel, is okay, but not outstanding.