Stargate SG-1, Season 7, Episode 14

"Fallout"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:

Martin Wood — Director
Paul Mullie — Writer
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:  

The stargate activates at SGC.  Hey, it’s Jonas Quinn (”Homecoming”).  But, this isn’t a social visit.  Some types of crystals used by Goa’ulds store information.  The Langarans have been studying a crystal left by a Goa’uld named Thanos, who was last on Langara about 3000 years ago.  This crystal indicates that naquadria is not a naturally occurring material.  Instead, Thanos’ experimentation resulted in veins of naquadah being transformed into naquadria, and in Thanos' death which is why Langara is the only source of nadquadria.  Okay, cool.  Except, there is a particularly large vein of naquadah on Langara undergoing the conversion into naquadria.  Naquadria is powerful, and unstable.  The result of the conversion will destroy Langara.  Okay, not cool.  Carter goes to Langara with Jonas to work on the problem, with the aid of Jonas’ Langaran co-worker Kianna Cyr.

Back at SGC, representatives on the governing council of Langara's three countries — Kelowna, Andari, and Tirania — gate in to discuss the naquadria problem.  They meet with General Hammond, O’Neill, Teal’c, and Daniel.  Turns out that while the three countries aren’t openly at war with each other anymore, they still do not trust each other.  And, still think that geopolitical boundaries are magical barriers, i.e. only Kelowna will be affected if the naquadria explodes since it is located under Kelownan land.

After explaining that the problem is the entire planet's, SGC offers to provide help in relocating Langarans. People of the planet Madrona (”Touchstone”) are willing to accept some Langaran refugees.  However, Madrona could not handle the influx of all Langarans at one time.  Well, the Andari rep pipes up that they want to be evacuated to a planet of their own.  Which sets off a lot of bickering between the three Langaran reps.  Which sets O’Neill off, since the clock is ticking on their planet exploding.  Teal'c is done with the Langaran reps nonsense, too.  O’Neill and Teal’c tap out on the talks, leaving Daniel to try and get the reps to focus on the here and now, and get their priorities straight.

On Langara, Carter and Jonas come up with a possible plan to save the planet.  Kianna is helpful, but something is a bit sketchy with her.  Hmm.  The idea to save Langara is a long shot, but the alternative is the planet blows up.  The Langaran reps still seem more inclined to squabble than co-operate towards mitigating the annihilation of their people.  Jonas and Carter’s plan to save the world isn’t without its flaws and challenges.  There is no guarantee it will work.  To top things off, an old enemy rears up, adding their chaos to an already chaotic mix.

This is a wonderful episode on many levels.  Seeing Corin Nemec back as Jonas Quinn is delightful.  The story logically supports Quinn’s reappearance, and Mr. Nemec’s performance is done well.  With the planet in danger of being destroyed not being Earth, the peril is very believable.  Patricia Drake as Tarthus, the Andari rep; Julian Christopher as Eremal, the Tiranian rep; and Gillian Barber returns as Dreylock, the Kelownan rep.  All three actors do a fine job in their roles, aptly exhibiting the ongoing antagonism between the Langaran countries.  The sets and costumes are outstanding.  The regular cast turn in great performances, with the exact tone needed at a given moment.

Failures:

None.