SG-1 Season 6 At a Glance

My rating for each episode in season six.

Episode 1: Redemption: Part 1 -- Excellent
Episode 2: Redemption: Part 2 -- Good
Episode 3: Descent -- Very Good
Episode 4: Frozen -- Good
Episode 5: Nightwalkers -- Very Good
Episode 6: Abyss -- Excellent
Episode 7: Shadow Play -- Very Good
Episode 8: The Other Guys -- Very Good
Episode 9: Allegiance -- Very Good
Episode 10: Cure -- Very Good
Episode 11: Prometheus -- Good
Episode 12: Unnatural Selection -- Very Good
Episode 13: Sight Unseen -- Fair
Episode 14: Smoke & Mirrors -- Good
Episode 15: Paradise Lost -- Good
Episode 16: Metamorphosis -- Good
Episode 17: Disclosure -- Good
Episode 18: Forsaken -- Good
Episode 19: The Changeling -- Excellent
Episode 20: Memento -- Good
Episode 21: Prophecy -- Good
Episode 22: Full Circle -- Excellent

Daniel Jackson being gone from the show at the start of season 6 meant there was a void in the SG-1 team that needed immediate filling.  Both as a warm body, and as someone with Daniel Jackson's skill set, but who was not a Daniel Jackson clone.  Jonas Quinn was a nice fit.  I think both Micheal Shanks and Corin Nemec are talented, and both did a great job with their respective Stargate SG-1 characters.  I think praise is due for how Quinn did not become Daniel Jackson 2.0.  There was some handwavium to explain Quinn's encyclopedic knowledge, something lost with Daniel Jackson's departure.  Otherwise, Quinn had his own voice that wasn't a full on copy of Jackson.

I enjoyed Corin Nemec's portrayal of Jonas Quinn.  The one issue I have with the character is that Quinn is perfect in every way.  I think Quinn's biggest fault is that he has no faults.  The character was boxed in by perfection.  Stronger than most humans.  Incredible intelligence supplemented by being able to absorb and remember anything he read or saw.  Jonas Quinn is too good, and kind, and true.  He would be a lovely sort of person in real life.  In a television series, not so much.  A flawless “good guy” character, like a villain with no redeeming qualities, is not all that interesting.

The SciFi Channel's initial decision to cancel Stargate SG-1 after this season meant no new, long term plots that couldn't be resolved being introduced in season 6.  I think the show runners did a good job with this situation.  There was the intention to make Stargate SG-1 movies.  Ongoing plots from previous seasons remained, simmering on a back burner, waiting for future movies.  The late timing of the SciFi Channel's renewal of Stargate SG-1 meant that season 6 episodes were a done deal at that point.

The result for me is that season 6 is what it is: mostly a compilation of stand alone episodes that respect the ongoing Stargate SG-1 storylines without doing much to expand on them.  This is a good thing for a series that knows it will be cancelled.  There are important facets of Stargate SG-1 canon introduced in season 6: tretonin modified by the Tok'ra ("The Changeling"), countries other than just the U.S.A. and Russia being made aware of the stargate ("Disclosure"); and completion and testing of the Prometheus spaceship ("Memento").

While I enjoy many season 6 episodes, it is not my favorite season to rewatch.  As mentioned, the over-arching story doesn't advance much at all this season.  And, while there aren't that many Quinn-centric episodes, it feels as though there are too many Quinn-centric episodes.  Quinn and the Ancient ("Frozen").  Quinn and the Kelownans ("Shadow Play").  Quinn and Nirrti ("Metamorphosis").  Quinn and his psychic abilities ("Prophecy").  In addition to just being a part of the SG-1 team in other episodes, this season felt very Quinn heavy to me.

SciFi channel ended up renewing Stargate SG-1 for two additional seasons (and another two seasons later, for a total of 10 seasons of the show). This dramatically changes the stories and flow of story arcs in seasons 7 and onward.  I think season 6 is good on its own, and very good in the context at the time of being written as the series' final season.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 22

"Full Circle"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:

Martin Wood – Director
Jim Menard – 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: 

On Abydos, Skaara (“Pretense”) and other Abydonians discuss taking precautions for an incoming threat – Anubis.  There's talk of hiding the more vulnerable of the population, while the rest fight to protect what brings Anubis to Abydos.  Skaara points out that they have no chance fighting against Anubis.  One of those at the meeting turns around, and it is Daniel Jackson (“The Changling”).  He assures Skaara that the Abydonians will not be fighting alone.

Next we see O'Neill in an elevator at SGC.  Daniel Jackson appears in the elevator with O'Neill, asking for help with assisting the Abydonians, and preventing Anubis from obtaining an artifact that would make him incredibly powerful.  O'Neill is a hard sell for Jackson in a wonderful scene, as he knocks Jackson off his Ascended pedestal with some very good questions.

O'Neill meets with General Hammond and the rest of SG-1, explaining the situation with Anubis.  When asked what the source of his information is, O'Neill admits that it was the Ascended Daniel Jackson.  And, he is surprised when not only is his source (Jackson) accepted without question, but then Teal'c shares that he, too, has interacted with the Ascended Daniel (“The Changeling”).  Cognizant of just how dangerous Anubis is to Earth as well as the rest of the galaxy (“Fail Safe” “Redemption part 1 & part 2”), General Hammond gives a go for SG-1 to head to Abydos and help prevent Anubis from obtaining the artifact -- called the Eye of Ra -- needed for his weapon.

SG-1 searches for the Eye of Ra on Abydos, without Jackson providing the exact whereabouts of the artifact.  Partially because of the Ascended beings rule book, and partially because being Ascended doesn't make one omniscient, i.e., Jackson doesn't know the exact location.  There is one hard and fast rule in the Ascended beings playbook: no using Ascended powers in direct action to make major changes involving the lives of unascended beings.  Like saving Abydos and the rest of the galaxy from the badness of Anubis.  Violation of that rule will result in … something bad for the rule breaker.  Really bad.  Being on the receiving end of a lot of mind-bogglingly powerful beings retribution bad.  But, it's okay to use knowledge one possessed before becoming Ascended.  The bounds of the Ascended beings rule book seem wobbly to me, but I guess what with being immortal and outside of the normal rules of space and time, some Ascended beings can think of ways to test boundaries.

Anubis arrives at the planet before SG-1 finds the Eye of Ra.  Skaara, the Abydonians, and SG-1 desperately attempt to hold off Anubis' far superior forces.  O'Neill demands that Jackson do more to help, or SG-1 will walk, leaving the Eye of Ra (wherever it is) for Anubis to find.  Adamant that Anubis must not possess the Eye of Ra, Daniel pushes against the Ascended beings rule book, with mixed success.  The stakes are high, with the fate of Abydos, Earth, and the entire galaxy at stake.

Thought at the time to be the series finale, there is no resting on laurels here.  This episode holds nothing back.  There is action and adventure, good dialog delivered well, and a very touching but sad ending.  The effects are wonderful.  The story reconnects with the over-arching story of the Goa'ulds threat to the galaxy, and the threat of Anubis in particular.  The SciFi Channel did not renew Stargate SG-1 until very late in season 6.  This episode was meant as a lead up to Stargate SG-1 movies to tie up the loose story ends.  As we now know, the SciFi Channel did renew Stargate SG-1 for additional seasons.

Her'ak (“The Other Guys”) returns as the First Prime of Anubis.  Her'ak is outmatched in every verbal spat with O'Neill, resulting in some amusing dialog.  Micheal Adamthwaite is very good as Her'ak.  The performances of the regular cast are excellent.  Anubis is a form in a lot of shiny, loose robes.  His voice and actions exude menace, but the outfit – not so much.

Failures:

There is one point where, out of the blue, Ascended Daniel Jackson makes an offer that has zero sense.  It's such a non sequitur moment that it causes a disconnect in the flow of the scene.  The rationale for the offer is explained later, but in that moment it is awkward.

Ascended Daniel Jackson is kind of cold-blooded, willfully trading some lives for others.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 21

"Prophecy"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

William Waring – Director
Peter F. Woeste – Director of Photography
Rick Dean – Chief Lighting Technician

The commentary is interesting, and stays with what is on screen.

 

Review: 

SG-1 is off-world on P4S-237 sharing a meal with the folks living there.  Their leader, named Ellori, states that they live a hardscrabble life, working in mines for Ba'al (“Abyss”).  Carter says that they thought Ba'al abandoned P4S-237 about 100 years ago because there wasn't any more naquadah.  There isn't much, but Ellori's people scratch out what they can and give it to Ba'al's emissary, a Goa'uld named Mot.  Ellori seems to doubt that Mot is a god, but Chazen, another resident of the planet, pipes up that of course Mot is a god.  He says that at the very least, Mot has god-like destructive powers.  Very po-tay-toe, pa-tah-toe is Chazen.

During this chat, Jonas Quinn is looking a bit ill and wobbly.  Then, Jonas has a prophetic vision, which is proven true a few moments later.  Unaware of Jonas' vision, Ellari mentions that his people have an ancient prophecy that one day someone will travel to their world via the stargate and save the people of P4S-237 from their lot.  Roll credits on the episode title.  Things are getting a bit tense between pro-Mot Chazen and pro-not being enslaved Ellari when Jonas keels over and passes out.

Back at the SGC, Dr. Frasier cannot find anything conclusive that might be the source of Jonas' ailment.  There's mention of the possibility of it being related to naquadria, as in the past being around improperly shielded naquadria is shown to cause brain damage (“Shadow Play”).  More medical testing is needed, but for now Jonas seems to have recovered.

At a briefing, Carter shares the Tok'ra confirming Ba'al's abandonment of P4S-237 about 100 years ago, and he is not receiving naquadah shipments from there.  The general thought is Ba'al defeated Mot at some point in the past, and demoted Mot to lackey.  Mot is likely keeping P4S-237's naquadah for himself in hopes of overthrowing Ba'al one day.  SG-1 sees the situation as a chance to take down Mot, and free the people of P4S-237.  Since Ba'al and the other System Lords have the planet on their “not worth my time” list, there shouldn't be a problem with more Goa'ulds moving in after deposing Mot.  During the briefing, Jonas has another vision that later comes true.

This all happens before the opening credits finish rolling.

Dr. Frasier and other medical staff try to learn what is physiologically happening to Jonas, as his physical condition deteriorates with each vision.  Jonas thinks that whatever Nirrti did to him in “Metamorphosis” is the cause.  Considering that this episode's “previously on” is all about “Metamorphosis,” that seems likely.  Dr. Frasier discovers some sort of non-cancerous growth in Jonas' brain, and wants to operate.  Jonas wants to wait and see what his prophecies provide.  General Hammond agrees to let Jonas wait 24 hours before having the surgery, but does not clear Jonas for going off-world.

So, ¾ of SG-1 head to the gateroom, ready to go back to P4S-237 and see about taking down Mot. But, Jonas has another vision just before they gate out.  This time of a severely injured Carter.  General Hammond takes Carter off of the P4S-237 mission, just in case.  Teal'c, O'Neill, and SG-15 head off-world.  Jonas continues having periodic visions that he hopes will be of good use.  Until something happens that brings in to question the usefulness of Jonas' visions.  The first time he tried to change the future based on his visions didn't end well.  Things aren't going well for SG-15 and the ½ of SG-1 on P4S-237, either.

Everyone's acting performances are fine.  Victor Talmadge is very good as Mot, exuding a nice level of Goa'uld menace.  The regular cast performs well, with Corin Nemec's portrayal of an increasingly ill Jonas being the best.  The story is all right.  Jonas' prophetic ability overrode the other story in this episode, the situation on  P4S-237.  Carter and Jonas' discussions about seeing the future are mildly interesting.

Failures:

Nothing major.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 20

"Memento"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

Peter DeLuise – Director
Damian Kindler – Producer/Writer

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 Earth ship Prometheus is on a shakedown run in space, with SG-1 riding along.  But, the Prometheus breaks down, and the Asgard don't show up like a space faring AAA this time (bright spot – O'Neill commenting on the Asgard not showing up).  The ship can't get back to Earth.  But, hark!  There's a planet nearby that should have a stargate.  Uh, oh.  The ship's naquadria reactor malfunctions and is jettisoned before it explodes.  The reactor is spewed into space, near a planet.  One that the Prometheus crew doesn't know whether or not is populated.  Turns out it is, and the planet is called Tagrea by its inhabitants.

From the Tagrean perspective, Prometheus introduced itself by throwing an explosive brick through a window. So Tagreans launch an attack on the Prometheus with missiles capable of reaching and destroying the Earth ship.  Prometheus tries to convince the Tagreans that the big boom was an oops, not an act of war, and somehow that works.

The two sides meet, with Prometheus/SG-1 wanting to use Tagrea's stargate.  Except, Tagreans say they don't have a stargate.  But, there's a gate address for Tagrea. So, aha!  There must be a stargate on the planet that the Tagreans don't know about.  Or (I thought), whatever Goa'uld brought humans to Tagrea took the stargate with them when they abandoned the planet.  But, it looks like we're going with an unknown stargate.

After establishing that the Tagrean Commander Kalfas (military leader) and Chairman Ashwan (political leader) have different visions of first contact protocol after a seeming attack, SG-1 gets some historical information that doesn't shed light on where Tagrea's stargate is  located.  The information only covers the last 300 years of Tagrean history.  Turns out Tagreans would rather forget everything that happened more than 300 years before.  A statement which causes the Earthlings to clutch their pearls at the willful destruction and erasure of history.  Which happens on Earth, too, although not always with the vigor of the Tagreans.

With the Tagreans permission Teal'c and Jonas root around in Tagrea's archives.  There Teal'c and Jonas meet the charmingly squirrely Tarek.  Tarek says that he can help them find Tagrea's stargate.  Tarek is part of a secret sect that still worships Heru'ur (“The Serpent's Venom” and the Goa'uld who brought humans to Tagrea long ago) as a god.  In secret, because keeping the history of anything before the time Heru'ur left their world is frowned on.  Turns out that some digging with hand shovels uncovers the stargate.  Tagreans are really bad at hiding their past.

After Teal'c, Jonas, and some Tagreans successfully test the newly uncovered stargate, Kalfas rolls up on them in an armored vehicle, firing warning shots and backed by a lot of Tagrean military personnel and equipment.  SG-1 finds themselves in the midst of another world's two-sided internal conflict.  Again.  This time with the Prometheus' crew along. 

I give this episode a rating of Good because while the story had me sighing -- a lot -- everything else about the episode is done well.  The acting is very good.  John Novak (Ronson) and Miguel Fernandes (Kalfas) performances keep their respective characters from being one note.  There's more going on within those individual characters, even though their dialog isn't inspired.  Robert Foxworth as Ashwan shows a mature delight that there are not only others in the galaxy, but that those others don't to seem to want to fight.  Alex Diakun is quite a talent, and gives the character of Tarek Solamon a wonderful balance of twichiness mixed with certitude, without falling into caricature.  The special effects are very well done throughout.

One of my favorite parts: the glimpse of Ashwan's assistant messing around with the unfamiliar Earth food of mashed potatoes, while Kalfas' assistant doesn't even pretend to eat the Earth food because he's too busy glaring at the Earth folks during a meal on the Prometheus.  Nicely done.

Failures:

First impressions are lasting.  There are a lot of bad first impressions with this episode.  O'Neill's public snit fit over justified drills.  Dumping a naquadria generator near a planet without knowing anything about the planet's possible population.  Then there is various Prometheus bridge crew members, and SG-1, having to lay some very basic truths on Ronson, things he should have known on his own.  Colonel Ronson and Commander Kalfas – who is so hawkish at times I'm surprised when words instead of bird of prey screeches come out of his mouth – have a round of literal, “my guns are bigger than yours.”  Prometheus' uninspired “my bad” to Tagrea, and it being accepted (although not by Commander Kalfas).  When not bumping heads with Ronson, I thought that Kalfas was not wrong.  The well done effects and acting performances save this episode.

 

I think not focusing on the Tagreans purposely attempting to eradicate a chunk of their history is a missed opportunity, and had the makings of a more interesting story.  That was one thing where Ashwan and Kalfas were in complete agreement. I wonder, did another religion(s) replace the forced worship of Heur'ur, or do the Tagreans refuse to worship anything, or at least not worship anything that isn't tangible?  Juxtaposing the Tagreans willful erasure of history with some on Earth willfully re-writing, and at times trying to erase, history could've made for insightful dialog.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 19

"The Changeling"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:

Christopher Judge – “Teal'c”
Martin Wood – Director

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 episode opens in an Earth hospital, moving through the hallway towards an operating room.  There are two patients there, lying down for surgery, and one of them is a not yet anesthetized Teal'c.  As an anesthesia mask is placed on his face, the surgeon comes into Teal'c's view and is none other than Apophis.  Complete with the Goa'uld's glowing eyes and deep, reverberating voice.  Before I have time to pick my jaw up off the ground, the scene shifts to Teal'c waking up in a dimly lit bunk room.  Oh, it was just a bad dream, then.  Teal'c heads to the bathroom and splashes water on his face.  A concerned Jonas follows him there from the bunkroom, to check if Teal'c is alright.  Teal'c responds and … wait a minute.  The gold emblem from being Apophis' First Prime is gone from Teal'c's forehead!  There's no Goa'uld emblem at all on Teal'c's forehead, nor any sort of scarring where one might have been.  Meanwhile, the two briefly chat about something Teal'c is going to do for his stepfather.  And, to top it all off, Jonas calls Teal'c “T.”

Stepfather?  No forehead emblem?  Teal'c tolerating a nickname?  What's going on here?

What's going on is a skillfully crafted journey, with incredible surprises and amazing moments.  This outstanding episode is a prime example of how to keep the audience off balance, without the episode being off-putting.  Stargate SG-1 has demonstrated this before in the episode “Forever in a Day.”  “The Changeling” takes things to another level with the adeptly smooth transitions from one of Teal'c's “realities” to another, interlaced into an intriguing whole.  There are three scenarios rotating throughout the episode.  Teal'c the human fire fighter.  Teal'c the Jaffa, as we are used to seeing him as a part of SG-1 at SGC.  And, Teal'c in one more scenario which isn't revealed until about the last third of the episode.  All three have common threads about Teal'c processing vital, yet potentially deadly, situations.  

Throughout the revolving settings, all of the Teal'c variants interact with those he is closest to in Stargate SG-1.  O'Neill, Carter, Brat'ac, and Jonas.  Not just those currently alive have parts to play.  Apophis (“Enemies”) shows up, at times as a human and other times as a Goa'uld.  Shan'auc (“Crossroads”) appears alive, and human not Jaffa.  And, Daniel Jackson (“Meridian”) is also a guest star in this episode.  Even though there is a lot to take in, the story moves smoothly and logically.  Everything builds upon itself, with a very surprising ending.

Christopher Judge is remarkable as T. the human, and Teal'c the Jaffa.  All of the regular cast provide outstanding performances, especially when O'Neill, Carter, Bra'tac/Brae, and Jonas are interacting with T. the human, and yet interacting on a different note with Teal'c the Jaffa.  Teryl Rothery is in fine form as Dr. Janet Fraiser.  Carmen Argenziano as Jacob/Selmak also makes an appearance, which is always a pleasure.

Failures:

None.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 18

"Forsaken"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

Andy Mikita – Director/Producer
Damian Kindler – Producer/Writer

The commentary is interesting, and stays with what is on screen.

 

Review: 

SG-1 is off-world, on a planet never visited before by SGC because … reasons.  Carter has set up a small telescope to view a nebula.  The Goa'uld are still a threat, but somehow SGC's foremost SG team has time for this.  But, wait!  Jonas finds a crashed spaceship of an unknown design nearby.  Jonas comments that the markings on the ship resemble ancient Celtic.  And then, up pops three human survivors of the crash.

Everyone points weapons at everyone else.  Talking starts before the shooting.  The survivors are Aden, Tanis, and Lyle from a world (not the one the ship crashed on) they call Hebridan.  O'Neill is in top notch form, not too aggressively suspicious, with a definite “don't start nothing, won't be nothing” attitude.  Carter follows his lead.  Teal'c is ready for anything, always.  Jonas wants to be friends.  Things are moving along as a first contact, when the camera pans to two technologically advanced humanoid, very not human, beings spying on the chatting group.

A gun battle erupts with SG-1 and the Hebridans on one side, and the two humanoids on the other side.  Aden has said that the humanoids are vicious and murderous.  One of the humanoids is killed by Lyle, to O'Neill's annoyance because he can't question them.  Tanis is injured in the fight, and taken back to Stargate Command for medical treatment.

At SGC, Carter and Jonas report to General Hammond.  Carter wants to study the more advanced than Earth's Hebridian technology by helping to repair the crashed ship.  Carter has got a little sneaky in her, and I approve.  Carter heads back off-world to work on the ship, and Jonas heads to sick bay to seemingly tell everything he knows about everything to Tanis.  How Jonas ever got any kind of security clearance with SGC is a mystery.

By now, the three Hebridans are coming across as being less than truthful.  Aden is creeping on Carter so hard that his "flirting" attempts are painful to watch.  Back on Earth, Tanis flirts with Jonas a bit, but that proves unnecessary to get information from Jonas the blabbermouth.  Lyle likes to hit on folks too, but he uses weapons not words. 

Off-world, O'Neill and Teal'c catch one of the humanoids before Lyle can indulge his “kill 'em all” proclivity.  The humanoid's name is Warrick, and his story about the situation is quite a bit different from what Aden and company told.  SG-1 has to wend through conflicting stories to uncover the truth, and then survive the consequences of their discovery.

Martin Cummins does a great job as Aden, keeping the character's sleaziness from going over-the-top.  David Paetkau is good as Lyle, aptly sort of reigning in Lyle's kill any- and everyone who gets in his way tendency.  Sarah Deakins is okay as Tanis, which isn't a reflection on her acting abilities as it is that Tanis doesn't get to do or be much in this episode.  Dion Johnstone once again shines in a Stargate SG-1 episode, emoting through layers of prosthetics and make-up to bring the character of one of the humanoids to life.  The regular cast is very good.

Failures:

O'Neill seemingly lost interest in, and basic knowledge about, astronomy since “Children of the Gods” as he comments on not being able to see a nebula through a small telescope during bright daylight.  If this was an attempt at being humorous, it's a miss.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 17

"Disclosure"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

Don S. Davis – “General Hammond”
Joseph Mallozzi – Supervising Producer
Paul Mullie – Supervising 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: 

This is a clip show, with the framework being the U.S.A. and Russia finally telling a few (a very few) other countries about the Stargate program.  Representatives of Britain, France, and China are made aware of what has transpired for the past six years.

While I'm not a fan of clip shows, this is a good one.  Over the course of Stargate SG-1, the stakes for Earth have been very high.  SGC, and later Russia but still mostly SGC, determining actions that impact the entirety of Earth has always irked me about Stargate SG-1.  The addition of more countries being involved, or least being aware of, the stargate program is a good change, one that's long overdue.

Ronny Cox returns as Senator Kinsey (“Smoke & Mirrors”) and continues to be amazing as this character.  Kinsey still has no love for SGC (General Hammond and Jack O'Neill in particular), and does his darnedest to bring the representatives to his point of view.  Kinsey hasn't gone soft and caring.  Being who he is, Kinsey is trying to gain control of the stargate program.

Upon finding out about the advancements in technology and weaponry garnered from the stargate program, the representatives are unhappy with the U.S.A. and Russia having these advantages.  The anger and bluster of the representatives following this disclosure rings true.

There are weak points in the episode (outside of using clips).  The idea by some of the representatives to make the stargate program and the threat of the Goa'uld public is not believable.  There is no gentle way to share information about the stargate program, let alone the Goa'uld, with the general public.  Granted, at the start of “2010,” the general public is calm knowing about the existence of the stargate.  However, those folks also had the Aschen to smack down the Goa'uld or any other threats to Earth, except for the hidden threat of the Aschen themselves.  Go watch that episode.  In the Stargate SG-1 world of this episode -- the main timeline -- everyone knowing about the stargate program would, more likely than not, result in wide scale panic.

The finale of this episode holds up, but that is a spoiler.

Overall, this clip show has a decent support structure with the story.  And, the clips shown are very good.  Ronny Cox as Senator Kinsey, and Don S. Davis as General Hammond, provide strong performances that are a delight to behold.  Colin Cunningham as Major Davis is in Davis' balliwick as he makes points and counterpoints without backing down.  François Chau, Martin Evans, and Paul Batten are believable as other countries' representatives.  Garry Chalk is strong as Colonel Chekov, supporting the U.S.A. running the stargate program, without being crass or a crony.  Always a pleasure to see him on Stargate SG-1.

Failures:

It is a clip show.  But, I think that failure is minor as the framework for the clips does advance the Stargate SG-1 story.  I'm still not a clip show fan, and never will be one, however this episode is worth viewing.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 16

"Metamorphosis"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

Peter DeLuise – Director
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 Russians have their own teams out on offworld missions.  That team returns to SGC from P3X-367 with an unannounced visitor.  SGC is firmly against bringing unknown beings back to Earth without permission.  The alien – who is human in appearance and named Aldebran – says that the Goa'uld Nirrti (“Rite of Passage”) is experimenting with his people on P3X-367.  The Russian team's leader, Colonel Evanov, wrongly brought Aldebran back to SGC for the right reason.  Well, the right reason with a side of petty.  Evanov pointedly points out that SGC allowed Nirrti to go free after helping Cassandra.  Unsurprisingly, Nirrti didn't give up on engineering the perfect host for herself after departing SGC.  Leading to the current situation with Aldebran and his people.  Turning back to old habits, Nirrti is using the population of a little traveled planet for experimentation.  Again (“Singularity”).  This time it is Aldebran and his people.

Aldebran spectacularly demonstrates that SGC needs to address the situation on his planet.  General Hammond gives a go for SG-1 and Colonel Evanov's team to deal with Nirrti.  SG-1 and Evanov take down the Jaffa guarding the stargate on P3X-367, and then SG-1 heads to the location of Nirrti's lair with the Russians guarding the stargate.  At the lair, SG-1 meets those of Aldebran's people who still live.  Instead of a warm welcome, SG-1 is met with resistance by Alderan's people.  Nirrti stuck with the Goa'uld playbook by presenting herself as a god, and made some striking physiological changes to Aldebran's people.  Changes that include extraordinary powers, powers they use against SG-1 and Evanov.

Captured, SG-1 and Evanov are new test subjects for Nirrti's experiments.  In her search for crafting the ultimate host, Nirrti intends to get what she wants, even if the cost is the deaths of SG-1 and Evanov.

Jacqueline Samuda returns as Nirrti, and does a good job in her performance.  Everyone's acting is fine.  There are some nice special effects.  Kudos to the effects and make-up teams.

Failures:

Nirrti is up to no good, manipulating the physiology of humans.  All with Nirrti having the moral compass of, well, a Goa'uld.  Why wouldn't SGC immediately check Aldebran to see if he had a bomb inside of him like Cassandra did in “Singularity?”

 

This is an episode well worth viewing.  However, there is no clear message to the story, other than "Nirrti is up to her old tricks."  There are touching moments, due to the expertise of the actors.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 15

"Paradise Lost"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

Robert C. Cooper – Executive Producer

Michael Greenburg – Executive 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: 

Harry Maybourne, (“48 Hours”) suddenly shows up in Jack O'Neill's backyard.  This is surprising on two counts.  One: Harry is still guilty of being a traitor and faces a return to prison.  Two: Jack has insinuated, and flat out stated, a number of times that he would be okay with shooting Harry.    Before any gunplay ensues, Maybourne tells Jack that he knows why Frank Simmons stole the X-303 (“Prometheus”) – to plunder a stockpile of advanced alien weaponry.  Harry knows the stargate address where the weapons are located, and will provide it if he is allowed to go offworld to the location with the team.  On one hand, what Harry's saying doesn't have more than a whiff of believability.  On the other hand, Harry Maybourne has come through for SG-1 in the past.  The mission is approved by SGC.

So, Harry Maybourne provides the gate address to the alien weapons stash.  He and SG-1 head offworld.  Will they find the treasure trove, and return to Earth with their loot?  Of course not.  Maybourne is involved and (unsurprisingly) perfidy is afoot.  Maybourne's treachery takes SG-1 and SGC by surprise.  However, his plan doesn't pan out the way he thought it would, and instead places himself and O'Neill in a deadly situation.

Tom McBeath again excels as Maybourne.  Richard Dean Anderson provides a strong performance as well.  The two actors mesh their characters together perfectly.

Failures:

Carter gets utterly, totally, and completely defied and shut down by Dr. Lee (“Prodigy”.)  Granted, the Dr. Lee character is not yet as meek as he will be in future episodes.  Still, their exchange made Carter seem like an ineffective leader.  I think it could have been handled better.  What Dr. Lee said to Carter should have been delivered to her by General Hammond.  Getting verbally owned by the mild-mannered Dr. Lee totally undercuts Carter as an authority figure.

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 14

 "Smoke & Mirrors"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:

Peter DeLuise – Director
James Tichenor – Visual Effect Producer
Gary Jones – “Walter”

The commentary drifts away from what is on screen at times, but it is interesting.

 

Review: 

Events start fast, with Senator Kinsey (“2001”) being assassinated before the opening credits role. Considering Senator Kinsey's behavior in past episodes, the list of potential suspects for the assassination should be very long.

 

Jack O'Neill rolls into SGC, freshly back from his vacation, unaware of Kinsey's demise. Minutes later, MPs arrive at SGC to arrest O'Neill for killing Kinsey. The evidence against Jack is damning, but he insists that he is innocent. Does the rest of SG-1 believe that Jack is guilty? No way! Does General Hammond believe that Jack is guilty? Highly unlikely! Then there is Major Davis who, after looking at the mountain of evidence against Jack, seems a bit inclined to scratch O'Neill off of his holiday card list.  Major Davis is just being pragmatic.

 

There is a mystery afoot, and SG-1 is on the case, working to prove that Jack did not kill Kinsey. They have knowledge that is not widely known outside of SGC, and pursue leads to determine the true culprit. Carter connects with an N.I.D. contact, while Teal'c and Jonas pursue another lead.

 

This is an aptly titled mystery-based episode, and most anything I write about it would be a spoiler. It is a straight line mystery, not one full of twists and turns. So, I think it's best on the first viewing. Still, a good episode for subsequent viewings. A couple of the more entertaining parts of this episode are watching Teal'c trying to absorb the concept of due process, and then Teal'c's spin on interrogating a prisoner without physically attacking said prisoner. Christopher Judge is amazing as Teal'c.

 

All of the actors provide very good performances.

Failures:

Nothing egregious.

 

Stargate SG-1 Season 6, Episode 13

 "Sight Unseen"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Fair

Commentary by:

Peter F. Woeste – Director
Andrew D. Wilson – Director of Photography
Rick Dean – Chief Lighting Technician

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

Review:
This is a filler episode, set on Earth.  You'll lose nothing by watching this episode.  You won't gain anything, either.  The best part of this episode is the commentary.

Having learned nothing from past experience, SG-1 returns to Earth from an off-world mission, bringing back a piece of unknown alien technology.  What could go wrong?

Shortly after stepping through the Stargate back to SGC, Quinn sees a giant alien insect buzzing around the gate room.  No one else sees anything, but General Hammond sensibly sounds an alert.  Nothing is found.  What does the frontline defense against potential alien incursions to Earth do in this situation?  Pretty much blow raspberries at Quinn, dismissing his sighting.  And then, go on to putter around with the unknown alien tech they brought back to Earth.  It hurts my head to type this out.

Eventually, others begin seeing the technicolor big 'ol insectoids around SGC.  And, the cause is ... wait for it ... the alien tech.  Not even Carter understands how the alien machine works, yet she and Quinn work on the machine to fix things, i.e., make the giant bugs go away.  The situation becomes worse, with more people at SGC seeing the bugs, and then people outside of the SGC begin seeing the bugs.  In addition to exposing the Stargate program to the general public, the situation has the potential to become deadly.  SGC must find a way to fix the situation.

I'm bothered by the relatively mild reactions by SGC personnel when seeing the insectoids.  An 18 inch long, brightly colored, flying grub worm with very long fangs rates more than a fairly calm, “Whoa, did you see that?” in my book.  There should be screaming, throwing of things, running from the room, and possibly weapons fire.  Kudos to the person in the SGC mess hall who had an appropriate reaction to the situation.  Now, non-SGC folks have the sort of reactions I'd expect.  Much screaming and yelping.  Jody Racicot's performance as Vernon Sharpe is very good.  The candy color alien insects are a very nicely done effect.

The cast perform fine, my questioning the SGC characters near blase reactions aside.

Failures:

SGC has yet to learn not to bring unknown alien tech to Earth. 

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 12

"Unnatural Selection"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:

Andy Mikita – Director

Jim Menard – 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:

This episode picks up immediately after the end of “Prometheus.”  Colonel Simmons and the Goa'uld infested Adrian Conrad's (“Desperate Measures”) efforts to out maneuver each other ended in both their deaths, and the X-303 is stranded in space, light-years from home. Carter states that there is no way to get back to Earth. While SG-1 processes their current, untenable, situation an Asgard ship appears. It's Thor (“Descent”). The Asgard keep an eye out on hyperspace activity near Earth, and noted the X-303's trip. SG-1 is saved! Sort of. Thor's appearance is a mix of benevolence and self-interest. The Asgard homeworld has been overrun by Replicators (“Menace” ), and Thor needs SG-1's help. Oh, and the Earth's shiny, new, partially completed ship, too.

Turns out the Asgard used information gleaned from their study of Reese (“Menace”) as bait for a Replicator trap. The Asgard found one core command in Reese that all Replicators would follow, the command, “come forth.” Our favorite little gray aliens then broadcast this command throughout the galaxy, an irresistible “come hither” for all Replicators in the galaxy. Summoned to one location, where the Asgard set up a time dilation device trap. Within the time dilation device's bubble time is considerably slowed. One year passing for the Replicators in the bubble would be about 10,000 years passing in the rest of the galaxy. A trap that gives the Asgard a lot of breathing room for finding a permanent solution to defeating the Replicators. A great plan … that didn't work. The time dilation device did not activate.

Seemingly, the Replicators managed to disable the device. The Asgard need a physically fit team, one with projectile weapons and a space ship whose tech is so low brow that the Replicators would sneer at the thought of consuming it. So, the Asgard want SG-1 to enter Replicator dominated space, repair the time dilation device, and activate it.

O'Neill is reluctant on many levels about the Asgard's plan. There's little food on the X-303, and fewer weapons. O'Neill has zero authority to commit Earth's new spaceship to the mission. And, SG-1 is currently lost in space … oh, wait. No, they aren't. Thor instantly towed the X-303 back to Earth, beamed the non-SG-1 folks from “Prometheus” on the ship to SGC, and beamed up a huge stock of weapons and food stores from SGC.

Unsurprisingly, the mission is approved by SGC. Between the possibility of losing favor with one of their few space faring allies in the fight against the Goa'uld -- admittedly one that doesn't often help out -- and the threat of the Replicators, “no” wasn't really an option for Earth.

SG-1 heads to the location where the Asgard sent the “come hither” command, the Asgard's original home world of Hala. Upon arriving at Hala, Thor discloses new information. It turns out that the time dilation device was activated, however instead of slowing time within the device's bubble, time within the field is moving faster than for the rest of the galaxy. Replicators were smart enough to keep the time dilation device from activating; then reverse its effects; and essentially had hundreds of years of free time on their hands. Upon landing on the planet, SG-1 discovers just what the Replicators were up to within the time field. A new, bigger threat to not just the Asgard, but for the entire galaxy.

The acting and effects are great, and the story provides a chance for the members of SG-1 to reflect, and act, on their morality, rather than just running and gunning towards their mission goal.  Their moral quandary is tied to the Replicators, and the answer seems easy considering the Replicators' mandate to essentially destroy and consume everything in the galaxy. However, SG-1 is left to question a decision in regards to completing their mission -- do the ends justify the means?  I think the situation is well handled, with varying reactions from the different characters.  I like that they question their decision, with some team members being more overtly bothered by their actions.

I rate this episode as Very Good because while the story is engaging, there are enough minor plot holes to keep me from giving this episode a higher rating. And, because once again Carter is used as the target of alien insta-love, a ploy used all too often in Stargate: SG-1.

O'Neill and Carter are prominent in this episode's story, with Teal'c and Quinn having little input. Except for one moment where Quinn channeled Daniel so hard, it seemed like that bit of dialog was originally written for Daniel, not Quinn.

Failures:

O'Neill spends too much time considering helping the Asgard at the beginning of the episode, even after Thor tows the X-303 back to Earth. He knows he doesn't have authority to agree to the mission, yet doesn't come out and say so for far too long.

After all this time the Asgard have yet to develop something to for situations requiring the physical presence of robust individuals and some projectile weapons. Other than calling on Earth for some (literally) heavy hitters.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 11

"Prometheus"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:
Peter F. Woeste – Director
Andrew D. Wilson – Director of Photography
Rick Dean – Chief Lighting Technician

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

Review:
On Earth, a news reporter named Julia Donovan stops Carter on the street asking her about a project named Prometheus, where over two billion dollars of tax payer money is going. No big. Except the money was funneled to the project without Congressional oversight. That reporter is just fishing. Donovan also has a small sample of a shiny metal, saying it’s trinium, and she asks Carter about it. Whoa. Things just got real. Trinium is an off world metal (“Spirits”) obtained through the Stargate program. No way should Donovan know about it.

After blowing off the reporter, Carter meets with General Hammond at SGC to discuss the encounter. Even if the sample Donovan had was not actually trinium, just knowing the name of the material indicates a security breach. The Pentagon begins an investigation of Julia Donovan in an attempt to find out what she knows, and who she learned it from. Donovan’s report will go live in four days. Major Davis (“Descent”) is sent to talk Donovan out of running the story. She is so not intimidated by Major Davis.

Donovan thinks Prometheus is a fusion reactor (it isn’t). The possibility remains that she could find out more about Prometheus, and as a result learns about the Stargate program. The President (of the United States of America) phones the reporter’s boss’ boss’ boss, and the story is dead. SGC allows Donovan and a small news crew to document the Prometheus, with an understanding – and no doubt a ton of paperwork – to not disclose what they’re shown until the U. S. Air Force gives the okay. Which will be on the calendar date of never gonna happen. However, this buys time to find out how Donovan learns about things she shouldn’t know.

Carter and Quinn take Donovan, her editor, and a small tech crew on a tour of Prometheus. Prometheus is a huge space ship, Earth - built but incorporating off world tech. It’s the X-303 (the X-302 is in “Redemption, Part 2”). Unfinished, but flight capable, the Prometheus is the future of space flight for Earth. Everything is going smoothly, until an old adversary makes their presence known. Carter and Quinn use their knowledge and abilities to thwart their old foe, while O’Neill and Teal’c come at the problem from another vantage point.

The actors provide respectable performances. The Prometheus sets and effects look amazing.

Failures:
The end of this episode sets up the beginning of the next episode, “Unnatural Selection,”  but there’s not much else to it. It’s okay for a one time viewing, but if this episode didn’t exist, the beginning of the next episode wouldn't need much of a rewrite.  I rated this episode Good, but it’s a weak Good. The effects and sets are great; the acting is good; but the story is meh.

I like the Major Davis character, but he is terrible at trying to bluff others. He attempted to do this twice, and got owned both times, neither person buying Major Davis’ bluff for a second.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 10

"Cure"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Andy Mikita – Director
Damian Kindler – Producer
Jim Menard – 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:
SG-1 gates to the planet Pangar. The Pangarans studied their stargate, but had never been able to make it work. They are delighted to meet the Earth stargate travelers, and hope for a mutually satisfying relationship between the two planets.

Carter and O’Neill sit down with the Pangaran representatives to offer some safe, friendly stargate addresses in trade for a sample of tretonin -- an elixir the Pangarans developed which grants perfect health. The offered stargate addresses are ideal for a society new to gate travel. Thing is, the Pangarans want stargate addresses to dangerous locations, not namby-pamby safe zones. Exercising his usual level of tact (which is none) O’Neill questions why they’d want to travel to such locations. The Pangarans aren’t feeling the need to explain themselves to SG-1.

Meanwhile, Quinn and Teal’c meander around an archeological dig site where the Pangarans found their stargate, along with a native scientist named Zenna Valk. Having a seemingly eidetic memory, Quinn is the resident SG-1 walking encyclopedia. Teal’c has firsthand experience with the Goa’uld, and also provides information. Valk wants to tell Jonas something, but is reluctant to speak in front of the Pangaran security escort. So, Quinn sneaks off and riffles through Valk’s tent at the dig site. Not the most diplomatic thing to do, but the story has to keep moving.

Using the information he pilfered from Valk, Quinn and Teal’c investigate the location where Pangarans get their doses of tretonin. The pair uncover the main component needed to manufacture tretonin. Describing it as off-putting is an understatement. With their secret out, the Pangarans are more open with SG-1. Since there’s not much left to tell, this isn’t surprising. Oh, wait, scratch that last statement. There is a lot more to the Pangaran/tretontin story.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Already complex and interesting, the story adds another layer – the Tok’ra: Malek (“Allegiance”) and Kelmaa.  Through a well written plot twist, Pangarans need to extend blind trust to SG-1, and to the Tok’ra. Although the Tok’ra arrogance volume is turned down this episode, they still aren’t making friends with their charm. For once Earth’s survival isn’t at risk, but the Pangarans and Tok’ra are having a really bad day.

A very good episode, with some startling surprises. All of the actors’ performances are done well, and are solid and believable.

Failures:
From trying to blow up a moon populated by hundreds or thousands of people (“The Devil You Know”); to forcibly taking a host to save their snaky selfs (“In the Line of Duty”); to suppressing a human host’s persona (“Abyss”); various Tok’ra show a consistent disregard for the value of a non-Tok’ra life.

There’s a point in this episode where the fate of the Pangarans is in the hands of the Tok’ra, and the Tok’ra aren’t exactly rushing to the rescue. O’Neill points out that the Tok’ra might not help the Pangarans. Carter states that the Tok’ra would never do such a thing.  Considering past Tok’ra behavior, I don’t understand how Carter can say that with a straight face.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 9

"Allegiance"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Peter DeLuise – Director
James Tichenor – Visual Effects Producer
Gary Jones -- Actor

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

Review:
Off-world, at the SGC Alpha base, there are injuries and controlled chaos as an influx of Tok’ra come through the stargate. The SGC Alpha site is a planet unknown to the Goa’uld. Some SG team members (not SG-1) come with the Tok’ra. Anubis attacked the Tok’ra base. Out of options, Jacob/Selmak (“Descent”) dialed the Alpha site as an escape path for the remaining Tok’ra and SG team members.

Three quarters of SG-1 is at the Alpha site when the refugees arrive.  Quinn is at SGC. O’Neill is not happy about the unexpected arrivals, but works with the situation. The Alpha site is already a temporary home to many displaced Free Jaffa (“The Warrior”). Now, there are Tok’ra in the mix at the becoming less and less secret, secret Alpha site.

The Tok’ra do not like Jaffa, Free or otherwise, because while serving the Goa’uld, Jaffa killed Tok’ra. After what happened to him in “Abyss” O’Neill is not overly fond of the Tok’ra, except for Jacob/Selmak. The Free Jaffa do not like being dissed, condescended, or patronized – three behaviors often exhibited by the Tok’ra. A frustrated O’Neill, the proud Free Jaffa, and the arrogant Tok’ra, all forced together. What could go wrong?

A Tok’ra who had an altercation with a Free Jaffa is found dead. The Tok’ra blame the Free Jaffa. The Free Jaffa deny any part of the murder, and resent having their honor impugned. Then, the Free Jaffa accused of the murder is found dead. The tenuous peace at the Alpha site is crumbling. O’Neill must find out the truth of the deaths, while keeping allies from becoming enemies.

This is one of my favorite episodes because it goes beyond “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” A common enemy, in this case the Goa’uld, does not friendship make. Old angers aren’t far from the surface when the different races interact. Or newer anger, like O’Neill’s unhappiness with his trip to Tok’ra blending land. Despite this, the three species need to work together, or at least for the moment live together. All while trying to solve two murders. I like that the interactions aren’t magically happy and peaceful, all things considered.

There is much more to the interesting story in this episode, but I cannot reveal it without spoilers.

Richard Dean Anderson does a masterful job as O’Neill deals with all that is going on. Carmen Argenziano returns as Jacob/Selmak and is wonderful. Peter Stebbings is Malek, the Tok’ra commander of the base Anubis attacked. Mr. Stebbings performance is enjoyable and he portrays Tok’ra hubris very well. Tony Amendola returns as Bra’tac (“Redemption, Part 2”) and is excellent as always. Teryl Rothery is Dr. Fraiser (“Shadow Play”), and completely believable as a doctor in the midst of a crisis. Obi Ndefo returns as Rak’nor (“The Warrior”). Christopher Judge’s facial expressions as Teal’c are perfection, conveying exactly what Teal’c is thinking or feeling even when Teal’c is not speaking. All in all, a lot of very strong performances.

Failures:
Nothing major.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 8

"The Other Guys"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Christopher Judge – “Teal’c”
Martin Wood -- Director
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:
Ever daydream that you are the best of the best at whatever you want to be the best of? I don’t think it’s unusual. Whether that flight of fancy involves tights and super powers; or emulating someone you admire, most everybody has such moments.

In this episode an SGC scientist named Jay Felger is living the hero worshipper dream by being with his idols -- SG-1.

Felger, along with fellow scientists Coombs and Meyers, are off world studying an abandoned Goa’uld site. SG-1 is on guard duty, a.k.a. babysitting the trio as no danger is expected. Coombs and Meyers focus on their research. Felger focuses on impressing SG-1. With zero subtlety, he tries to be one of the team with SG-1. Disregarded by O’Neill and company; mocked by his fellow scientists; Felger is not deterred from fawning over SG-1.

Things take a turn when a large group of Jaffa loyal to a Goa'uld named Khonsu capture SG-1. Far away enough to escape the Jaffas notice, the trio of scientists see SG-1 taken onto an alkesh (a type of Goa’uld space vehicle). Standard procedure in such situations is for the three scientists to gate back to SGC when it’s safe. However, no way is Felger going to run away after his heroes are captured. Meyers returns to SGC while Felger, and a very reluctant Coombs, manage to gain entry on the alkesh. Don’t worry SG-1, Felger will rescue you! Maybe.

With lots of good intentions, and not a lot of good sense, Felger and Coombs make their way to SG-1. Will these other guys be the salvation of SG-1, or manage to cause even more problems? Bit of both. “The Other Guys” unfolds as a very funny episode, with a mix of laugh out loud humor, and action.

Patrick McKenna is Felger and is flawless as the character. John Billingsley is Coombs, and plays that part very well. The series regulars stay true to their characters, without devolving into being just foils for jokes. All the actors perform well, with Anderson being a standout. Michael Adamthwaite is Her’ak, First Prime of Khonsu. I enjoyed his performance, as Her’ak seems so young, and intent on proving himself. Yet Her’ak already has a huge streak of arrogance. Her’ak always loses when verbally sparring with O’Neill, leading to some funny moments.

Failures:
There are a few times when the fictional “facts” in the Stargate SG-1 realm are negated or disregarded in order to allow for humor. At one point Felger and Coombs disguise themselves as Jaffa, but none of the other Jaffa notice the two strangers in their midst. Including a time when Coombs wore his eyeglasses, an item that is not seen on Jaffa.

Khonsu has a lot of Jaffa at his base where SG-1 is held. Yet time and again there is not a Jaffa in sight, including at tactically important areas. No guards at or near the armory, or a room with controls for all aspects of the base? I don’t think so.

Despite the few failures, this is one of my favorite episodes, and I highly recommend it.