Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 18

"The Warrior"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Peter DeLuise -- Director
Dan Shea -- Stunt Coordinator, “Siler”

The commentary is very informative, and interesting.  Lots of behind the scene information.  The commentary stays on point with what is on screen.

Review:
Inspired by Teal’c and Bra’tac’s call for Jaffa freedom, Kytano, First Prime of the minor Goa’uld Imhotep, killed his Goa’uld master.  Now the leader of a group of Free Jaffa, Kytano wants to form an allegiance with SGC.  Teal’c and Bra’tac support the idea.  General Hammond, O’Neill, and Carter, are not immediately enthusiastic about the idea.  They agree with providing humanitarian aid to the camp of free Jaffa, however arming the Jaffa followers of the unfamiliar Kytano is not something lightly undertaken by SGC.

SG-1 gates to the Jaffa rebels' planet to investigate.  Differences between Jaffa and Taur’i cultures, and personality conflicts between O’Neill and Kytano, threaten the possible alliance.  Teal’c feels pulled towards the free Jaffa, which may lead to his leaving SG-1.  Kytano is charismatic, and knows how to work a crowd.  O’Neill is skeptical about Kytano's true motive.

Based on Earth's human history, O'Neill is familiar with the the cult of personality engendered by people who have swayed the masses, and risen to power.  Having been oppressed for thousands of years by the Goa'uld, the Jaffa do not have a lot of experience in dealing with such types.  O’Neill thinks Kytano is a megalomaniac.  Is Kytano truly freeing the Jaffa, or is he merely setting himself up to replace the Goa’uld as an oppressor of the Jaffa?  Regardless of whether O’Neill’s perception of Kytano is a fact, or a misinterpretation of Jaffa behavior by an Earth human, a Taur'i and Free Jaffa alliance is threatened.

Rick Worthy is Kytano, and is excellent in the part, displaying charm, and a strong personality that could make Kytano the savior, or the new doom, of the free Jaffa movement.  Kudos to Mr. Worthy.  The regular cast members provide very strong, and believable, performances.  "The Warrior" delves a little further into Jaffa culture, and spotlights some of the differences between Jaffa, and SGC viewpoints, something rarely addressed in the series to this point.

Failures:
There is a big flaw in the story, and that flaw is a spoiler, so I won’t write about the specifics.  The flaw is uncovered near the end of the episode, and makes the previous story line seem sketchy.  However, the overall story is strong enough to still have an enjoyable viewing experience.