Stargate SG-1, Season 7, Episode 6

"Lifeboat"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:

Peter DeLuise – Director
Peter F. Woeste – Director of Photography

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

Review:  

Off world, a MALP detects a large space ship of unknown design that crash landed on the alien planet.  SG-1 investigates the ship and discovers what appear to be humans in individual stasis pods of some sort.  While the crash survivors appear human, the ship is truly alien in design, not seen before by SGC.  There are a lot of pods, and Sam discerns that the people within are unconscious but still alive.  A few pods were damaged, possibly in the crash, and the people within the damaged pods did not survive.  O’Neill calls for a quick survey of the number pods, with the intent to turn the situation over to an SGC science team.  Suddenly, there is a strange sound, and bright flash of light.  SG-1 drops, unconscious from whatever just happened.

A short time later, at least a short enough time where SGC isn’t wondering why SG-1 is out of contact, Teal’c awakens.  He finds the rest of SG-1, but can only rouse Daniel.  But, Daniel is not okay.  Seeing Teal’c, Jackson screams like he just stepped on a Lego piece with his bare foot.  Back at SGC in the med bay, O’Neill and Carter eventually regain consciousness and seem to be fine.  Daniel on the other hand is acting very not Daniel, and insists his name is Martice, and that he is the Sovereign of Talthus.  Martice says he was on the ship, bound for another world, not the one where the ship crashed.  Somehow Daniel’s mind is now inhabited by Martice.  Hold up.  Also occupying Daniel’s mind is Tryan, an engineer on the ship, and a young boy named Keenin who was a passenger on the ship, and possibly up to a dozen different personalities total.

Martice is overbearing and demanding.  Tryan is polite and confused about the situation.  Keenin is incredibly frightened.  The rest of SG-1 and Dr. Fraiser are stymied by what the how happened to Daniel.  General Hammond gives a go for Sam and Teal’c to check out the cryogenic system on the crashed ship, seeking answers.  O'Neill stays at SGC for Daniel.  Dr. Fraiser speaks with the personalities in Daniel as they surface, hoping to learn more about how they wound up in Daniel.

Daniel’s current state is unsustainable, with the different personalities fighting and jostling for dominance and control of Daniel’s body.  A solution to the situation must be found before Daniel Jackson’s consciousness is lost forever in a morass of strangers occupying his mind.

A good story is elevated to a very good episode primarily due to Michael Shanks’ performance.  He is amazing, giving every surfaced personality its own voice and demeanor.  Teryl Rothery does a fine job as Dr. Fraiser, aptly and smoothly matching Fraiser’s delivery to the dominant personality inhabiting Jackson in a given moment.  The regular cast is fine.  That’s not a reflection of their acting skill.  This episode is very much a Michael Shanks showpiece.  James Parks is a guest star in this episode, and does a masterful job portraying his character.

I rate the story as good, and Mr. Shanks and Mr. Parks’ performances as excellent.  Overall, a very good for the episode as a whole.  The crashed ship is wonderfully done, both as an effect with the exterior, and the practical effects with the look of its interior.  Costume design is great, as well.

Failures:

The ending keeps me from loving this episode.  Daniel had no input in the final decision on how to save him.  SGC decided saving one of their own to be the greater good, and used extortion to get it done.  I question if Daniel would've approved of what happened, but his reaction to the cost of his being saved is never shown.  And, extortion is never a good look.

I think this is definitely an episode worth seeing, but it is also one that leaves me feeling a bit dissatisfied.