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.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 7

"Shadow Play"

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:
The Kelownans (“Meridian”) from Jonas Quinn’s home world of Langara contact SGC via the stargate. What with the Kelownans accusing Daniel Jackson of sabotage, and Jonas Quinn defecting to Earth, things are a little frosty between Kelowna and SGC. But, the Kelownans seem ready to declare bygones, and want to enter a trade agreement with SGC. Technologically inferior to Earth, all the Kelownans can offer is naquadria – the more powerful, but less stable, version of naquadah currently found only on Langara.

Carter wants access to naquadria. Jonas is hesistant to deal with his old home world. Teal’c is thoughtful. O’Neill is disgruntled at the idea of making nice with Kelowna, but can’t deny potential benefits from naquadria.

A Kelownan delegation gates to SGC to discuss a possible trade deal. One member of the delegation is Dr. Keiran, a mentor and friend of Quinn’s. Turns out there are three major powers on their planet: Kelowna, Tirania, and The Andari Federation. Mostly the three powers fought against each other, a stalemate. Now the Tiranians and Andaris plan to sign a non-agression pack with each other, meaning the two powers could work together to beat up Kelowna. Kelowna wants SGC's military technology in order to withstand a presumed attack from the other two countries.

Dr. Kieran has an additional bit of information told in secret to Jonas. There’s a covert organization working to overthrow Kelowna’s current government. Tired of the fighting between the countries, they plan a coup, and Dr. Keiran is a member of this group. Keiran wants Quinn’s help. SGC wants to learn more about this group as they want somebody on Langara to cough up some naquadria, preferably without becoming involved in an off-world war. SG-1 gates to Langara to offer the Kelownas non-military technology in trade for naquadria, and gain more information about Dr. Kieran’s group.

On Langara, SG-1’s negotiations with the Kelownans don’t go well, to the surprise of no one. Kelowna desires techno-amazing flying machines of destruction. SGC offers antibiotics.

The Kelownans want Earth military technology through trade, or by Jonas re-defecting back to Langara. Yup, the Kelownan leader tries to sweet talk Quinn into dumping SGC and coming back. The Kelowan government wants the tech. The resistence wants SGC to help with their revolution. SGC is like, “nope” to both. Meanwhile, war on Langara looms closer.

SGC is getting a taste of how the Tollans (“Between Two Fires”) felt about SGC’s requests for advanced technology. Granted, SGC wanted the Tollans help to fight against the threat of the Goa’uld. But, there was always a chance that someone might succumb to an urge to use the Tollan tech against a foe other than the Goa’uld. Now, the Kelownans want the SGC’s advanced tech to establish a balance of power against the Tiranians and Andaris. But, there’s a chance that Kelowna might go with a, “why defend against them when we can destroy them?” line of thought.

There’s a lot of subtext expertly woven into this episode. SGC experiencing the point of view held by advanced off world societies when asked to provide technology to Earth. Jonas wanting all three of Langara’s major powers to learn about the wonders and challenges in the galaxy, when only Kalowna knows about Langara’s stargate. A situation similar to Earth’s in that very few countries, and virtually none of the general population, knows about the stargate. There is no definitive villain in this episode, and I think this is a strength. The story is a study of behavior, without becoming heavy handed, or preachy.

A well written, well acted, episode.

Dean Stockwell portrays Dr. Keiran, and provides a solid performance. All of the actors performances are well done. The Kelownan sets and costumes look amazing. Kudos to everyone involved in this episode.

Teal’c lays some wisdom on Jonas about being considered a traitor by ones people. Very nicely done. Teal’c is also the most effective negotiator with the Kelownans by cutting to the chase when others are dancing around a point, or just bickering.

Failures:
None.

Stargat SG-1, Season 6, Episode 6

"Abyss"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:
Martin Wood -- Director
James Tichenor – Visual Effects Producer
Christopher Judge – “Teal’c”

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

Review:
Past: At the end of “Frozen” the Tok’ra take O’Neill away to temporarily blend with a symbiote. O’Neill needs a Tok’ra symbiote to heal, but wants it out of him as soon as he’s back on his feet. No, the Tok’ra aren’t going soft. Staying true to character, the Tok’ra want information the symbiote has. Ever short of hosts, the Tok’ra agree to the symbiote leaving O’Neill after he is healed and the Tok’ra have the information they need.

Present: The Tok’ra named Thoran (“Frozen”) arrives at SGC. General Hammond wants to know where Colonel O’Neill is, and why he hasn’t yet returned. Thoran has some bad news for SGC. After blending with the Tok’ra symbiote named Kanan, healing, and debriefing, Kanan/O’Neill left the Tok’ra base. The Tok’ra do not know Kanan/O’Neill’s location.

The Tok’ra blame O’Neill, convinced that another Tok’ra would never go against the wishes of its host. SGC blames the symbiote, knowing that O’Neill could not force a symbiote to do something against its will. Thoran is offended that SGC believes a Tok’ra would force a host to do something. SGC is over Tok’ra bluster, and want to find out what happened to O’Neill.

Where is O’Neill?

Turns out that O’Neill is captured by a Goa’uld named Ba’al -- a powerful System Lord, well versed in many forms of torture. Methods he uses on O’Neill. Ba’al tortures; kills; and then using a sarcophagus brings O’Neill back to life over and over. He wants to know why O’Neill is at Ba’al’s base. Thing is, O’Neill doesn’t know because Kanan used Jack’s body to enter Ba’al’s base. But Kanan skittered off, abandoning O’Neill when capture was certain. Convinced that the information he seeks is buried somewhere in Jack’s mind, Ba’al won’t stop until he gets the answers he seeks.

SGC does not know where O’Neill is. The Tok’ra aren’t forthcoming about Kanan’s activities just prior to blending with O’Neill. There is one person who knows O'Neill's location, but cannot help Jack.

This is one of the episodes I would rate higher than Excellent. The basic story is: O’Neill is missing, and how will he get back to SGC. The episode contains so much more. Phenomenal acting from Richard Dean Anderson and others. Intense, revealing dialogue. Wonderful effects. And, General Hammond letting the Tok’ra know that their arrogant attitude does not fly when it gets in the way of finding a member of SGC.

Cliff Simon is Ba’al and is amazing in the part. Profoundly evil, but never crossing over into cliché evil doer, or being over the top. Mr. Simon’s performance shows Ba’al being suave, charming, elegant, as well as willing and capable of doing anything he sees fit, such as heinous torture. Ba’al is equal yet opposite to Apophis (always portrayed to perfection by Peter Williams). Ba’al is just as willing and capable of reprehensible behavior as Apophis. However, Ba’al’s actions slip silently upon his victims, rather than being announced with cannon fire like Apophis.

Kudos to Cliff Simon for his portrayal of Ba’al. Ba’al and Apophis are my two favorite Goa’ulds on the show. Dorian Harewood returns as the Tok’ra Thoran.  Every actor performs well.

Failures:
None.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 5

"Nightwalkers"

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:
It is a dark and stormy night. No, really. A man runs to a parked car, gets in it, and drives off. He calls Carter from the car, and claims to know about what happened to her in “Desperate Measures.” Frightened, the caller states that the project is still going on, and asks for protection. Then, there’s a crash, and the call cuts off before Carter can get more information.

Mysterious caller, mysteriously knowing about classified events, with his call being mysteriously cut off by a mysterious accident. I think this episode is going to be a mystery.

Despite the “Mysteries 101” start, this is a very good episode, and well worth viewing.

Three quarters of SG-1 heads to the town where the mystery caller, named Dr. Fleming, lived. O’Neill is still with the Tok’ra (“Frozen”). Dr. Fleming lived in the small town of Steveston, Oregon, and worked at the town’s main employer, Immunitech Research, a company with ties to Adrian Conrad. Fleming’s crashed car is found by local authorities, but not his body. Carter speaks with the town’s cooperative sheriff, named Knox, but there’s nothing of major note about Fleming or Immunitech.

SG-1 uncovers a few facts about Dr. Fleming, but the information they learn can easily be interpreted as mundane. Still, the question remains: how did Fleming know about what happened to Carter in “Desperate Measures?”

Steveston is a nice town. Everyday folks going about their everyday business. There is one man in the town who is suspiciously skulking, peeking around corners at SG-1 at times. A new layer to the mystery, or possibly a not so mysterious perv.

The town’s sidewalks roll up when the sun sets. Teal’c and Quinn head out after dark for a bite to eat, and the town folk in the bar greet the pair with silence, and hostility. Just as things are about to get violent, Sheriff Knox enters the restaurant, and calms things down. That Sheriff Knox is such a nice man. After Quinn and Teal’c leave the establishment, Knox threatens to kill the town folk instigators if they ruin the plan. Wait … what? In another area, a large group of town folks, their expressions blank, shuffle off into the darkness. They are also willing to kill to protect the mysterious plan, including killing SG-1. The creepy meter is being dialed up.

This episode begins with one mission: to find how Stevenson knew about the events in “Desperate Measures.” The puzzling situation deepens and expands as SG-1 investigates. Are the creepy town folk part of the mystery, or something else? The viewer experiences the unraveling of the mystery as the episode progresses. Unaware of the danger, SG-1 uncovers exactly what is happening in Steveston.

This episode is a fascinating mystery, well done in all aspects. The writers ably keep most of the mystery hidden until the last 15 minutes. The lighting and sets are amazing, giving off a vibe of being normal, but with an edge of potential menace. The music is phenomenal, as usual, this time being a perfect partner for the strange going ons. The regular cast provide solid performances, and the guest stars shine. Blu Mankuma is wonderful as Sheriff Knox, both when being kindly, and also when being quietly threatening. Kudos to everyone involved in this episode.

Failures:
None.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 4

"Frozen"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:
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:
Scientists at an Antarctic research station find a body, one frozen in ice a few million years ago. SG-1 and Dr. Fraiser travel to the research station to investigate. They discover that the body appears to be a human female, caught in the ice long before human beings evolved on Earth. Then, the ice woman slowly becomes conscious. Apparently SG-1 and company never read John W. Campbell’s novella Who Goes There or saw the movies Thing from Another World or The Thing. Because everyone reacts with wonder and surprise at the awakening, rather than immediately cobbling together flamethrowers.

Named Ayiana by one of the scientists, the no longer on ice woman is ... remarkably calm considering the circumstance.  She doesn't speak at first.  Quinn spends time with Ayiana, trying to communicate with her, but having limited success. Carter, Fraiser, and the research station scientists marvel at the possibilities of this new discovery. From finding out where she came from, to possibly rewriting the history of human evolution on Earth. But, the humans at the research station come down with a potentially fatal disease. Dr. Fraiser declares a quarantine at the station, and the group tries to find out what is causing their illness before everyone succumbs.

As if that isn’t enough, Tok’ra come into the picture this episode. Always long on the condescension, and short on the good news, things rarely look up when Tok’ra come calling. But, Dorian Harewood – an amazing actor with a voice that is a joy to hear, plays this Tok’ra. A chance to see Mr. Harewood act, and hear his voice, makes it all okay.

I prefer my science fiction adventures with a lot of action. Space ships! Ray guns! Epic battles! There is none of that in this episode, but I enjoyed it. The writing is well done. While exposition heavy, the flow of story doesn’t falter. The acting is good, with every one providing solid performances. The sets and exterior shots are fantastic. I’ve never been to an Antarctic research station. But, watching this episode I felt as though I was looking at an Antarctic research station.

Failures:
One of the things I’ve come to learn is outside of print stories aliens will often look humanoid or completely human. There are exceptions, some quite phenomenally well done, but for the most part portrayed aliens tend look human or human-ish. Sometimes, an explanation of this fits the narrative, like the Goa’ulds snatching humans from Earth, and using humans as hosts.  There is an attempt to rationalize why Ayiana looks so human, but I think it would have been better to leave it in the same place as why almost every culture encountered on other worlds speak English.  Pretty much, "Don't ask.  Just go with it."

With the exception of Jacob/Selmak, when it comes to the Tok’ra I don’t understand why SGC doesn’t approach any contact with them as coming from a place of, “they do not have our best interests at heart.” Tok’ra don’t use humans like the Goa’uld do, but the Tok’ra often don’t seem to respect humans any more than the Goa’uld do.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 3

"Descent"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Peter DeLuise -- Director and Co-Producer
Peter F. Woeste -- Director of Photography
Gary Jones -- Actor

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

Review:
Taking place not long after the events of "Redemption, Part 2" Anubis’ ship is spotted near Earth.  Yikes!  But, there’re no signs of life or activity on the ship.  Hmm.  SG-1 and Jacob/Selmak head out in a Tel’tak (a small space vessel of Goa’uld design) to check on Anubis’ ship.  Major Davis and a scientist named Friesen, are also part of the Tel’tak crew.

Jonas Quinn is now a member of SG-1, but O’Neill has not declared bygones about Quinn being slow to come forward with the facts of the accident that lead to Daniel Jackson's death ("Meridian").

Quinn and Teal’c are left on the Tel’tak, while the rest go over to Anubis’ ship.  O’Neill is less about forgive and forget, and more about putting aside differences.  He treats Quinn like the newbie on the team – SG-1 material, but untested out in the field.  Teal’c staying on the ship makes sense because he can fly the Tel’tak, and/or beat Quinn senseless, if either becomes necessary.

Aboard Anubis’ ship, everything seems to be working.  The ship is abandoned for no clear reason.  There’s an odd sound periodically coming from the ship’s P. A. system.  Certain areas have staff weapon damage, but there's no sign of why.

That’s a lot of intrigue.  This episode needs something more.  Some action!  How about a deadly mystery sabotaging Anubis’ ship, sending the ship crashing on Earth.  And a deadly mystery damaging the Tel’tak so there’s no escape for O’Neill and the others from Anubis’ ship before the crash.  That’ll do it.

Teal’c and Quinn return to SGC to work towards rescuing their comrades stuck in the crashed ship.  Aboard the ship, the survivors of the crash try to suss out what happened on Anubis’ ship to lead to it seemingly being abandoned.  An interesting episode, with some surprising twists.

Corin Nemec portrays Jonas Quinn.  Quinn replaces Jackson in SG-1.  Overall, I think Corin Nemec does a fine job as Jonas Quinn.  Quinn fills the knowledge gap left by Jackson’s demise, while being a unique character and not a Jackson clone.  Quinn has a lot of Jackson’s viewpoints on certain situations, but responds in his own voice without parroting Jackson.

Quinn becoming part of SG-1 is handled well.  He didn’t get instantaneous, 100% acceptance from O'Neill, Carter, and Teal'c, although he is never mistreated.  The long-standing SG-1 team members react to Quinn differently.  That rings true for me.

Side note: Christopher Judge does a most excellent menacing stare as Teal’c.

Failures:
None.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 2

"Redemption, Part 2"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:
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:
Continuing the events from “Redemption, Part 1,” with the failure of the X-302 as a means to contact the Asgard, the clock is ticking for Earth.  The energy build-up in the stargate continues.  Dr. Rodney McKay (“48 Hours”) is at SGC, working with (and against) Carter, and other scientists, to find a way to stop the impending explosion of the stargate.  Anubis revealed himself as the perpetrator of the latest attempt to destroy Earth.

Unknown to SGC, Teal’c and Bra’tac learn about Anubis’ attack on Earth, and they attempt to find, and stop, that Goa’uld.  Just two Free Jaffa against the might of Anubis’ Jaffa forces?  Of course not.  That would be silly.  Rya’c is going with them, so it is three Free Jaffa against the might of Anubis’ Jaffa forces.

Continuing the theme of redemption, Rya’c wants to prove himself a warrior to his father by accompanying him to stop Anubis.  Back at SGC, Jonas Quinn wants to redeem himself in O’Neill’s eyes, and work on his survivor’s guilt about Daniel.  After pushing a plan into action to stop the energy build-up in the stargate that fails, and leads to Carter being injured, Rodney McKay wants to redeem himself to Carter, sort of.  O’Neill does not have jack to redeem himself for, and is taking heroic measures to help save Earth.

While “Redemption, Part 2” is rife with adventure and suspense, it fails to maintain the quality level of the characters interactions and motivations in part one.  This episode lacks smooth transitions as individuals strive to redeem themselves for their real, or perceived, failings.  Instead, their redemptions take the form of grand acts whose successful completion is sketchy, or by pointing out the obvious to those folks around them.

All of the actors’ performances are fine.

Failures:
“Redemption Part 1” mixed character development with exciting action, and suspense.  In this episode, the character development is a distant second to the action.  I enjoy the action, and the special effects are phenomenal.  I think the handling of the characters seeking redemption in this episode is too glib, especially when compared to part one.

Stargate SG-1, Season 6, Episode 1

"Redemption, Part 1"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:
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:
Three months after the events in "Meridian," SG-1 is off-world, running for the stargate, chased by a large number of the planet’s very angry inhabitants.  The team makes it back to SGC.  O’Neill’s knee is injured, and the ninth replacement for Daniel Jackson’s position in SG-1 is off the team.

Jonas Quinn lives on base at SGC, as Kelowna considers him a traitor.  He still blames himself for Daniel's injuries caused by the naquadria-bomb accident.  Teal’c is stoic about Daniel’s ascension, as ascension is the ultimate goal of many Jaffa who are at the end of their days.  Carter is cool towards Jonas, showing a disjointed mix of behavior towards him that wavers between acceptance and resentment.  O’Neill distances himself from Jonas, still angry that initially Jonas was willing to allow Daniel to be blamed for the naquadria-bomb accident.

Speaking of naquadria, a new flying craft is developed at Area 51 -- the X-302.  It is based on Goa’uld death gliders, but engineered from the ground up on Earth.  The X-302 flies in an atmosphere, or in space.  Additionally, the craft can also generate a hyperspace window, thanks to the naquadria pilfered from Kelowna by Jonas.

Colonel Chekov (“48 Hours”), the Russian envoy to SGC, wants a Russian to become the fourth member of SG-1.  Jonas Quinn also wants to become a member of SG-1.  O’Neill does not want either a Russian, or Jonas, on his SG team.  Jack is still hating on all things Russian.  Jonas’ initial unwillingness to come forth with the truth about what happened to Daniel left O’Neill not believing that Jonas Quinn is trustworthy.

Bra’tac gates to SGC with news for Teal’c.  Drey’auc is gravely ill.  Teal’c goes to Drey’auc, currently on the planet where the Free Jaffa movement is encamped.  There, he reunites with his son, Rya'c (“Family”), and checks on Drey’auc.

Later, SGC’s stargate activates.  No IDC is received, and no energy is detected coming through the wormhole.  Yet, the wormhole remains active, not shutting down even after the 38 minute window passes, the maximum time that a wormhole can continue (“There But For the Grace of God”).  Eventually, a build-up of energy is detected in the SGC stargate, a build-up that will lead to the destruction of the gate in a few days.  If the gate explodes, it will mean the end of life on Earth.  Unable to stop the energy feeding into their stargate, the decision is made to use the X-302 to contact an off-world ally for help.

“Redemption, Part 1” sets up a series of unrelated events that gradually begin to entwine.  Individual characters face the ramifications of their past actions, and wonder if there is any chance of redemption.  This is a very well written story, tying character driven plots with adventure.  All of the actors provide strong performances.  Chris Judge is outstanding in a brief scene between Teal’c and Rya'c.  Garry Chalk returns as Colonel Chekov, Tony Amendola is Bra'tac, and Neil Denis returns as Rya'c.

Failures:
None.

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 22

"Revelations"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Martin Wood -- Director
James Tichenor -- Visual Effects Producer
Joseph Mallozzi -- co-Writer
Paul Mullie -- co-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:
Daniel ascended in "Meridian," with the help of Oma Desala, leaving SG-1 to deal with the grief of losing their teammate, and friend.  Since Daniel ascended, rather than dying a true death, no one knows if they will ever have contact with him again.  Everyone is stoic, dealing with their feelings privately.  Except Carter, who is grief-stricken, and having a difficult time working through the conflict of hope because Daniel is not actually dead, and mourning Daniel's absence.

Freyr, an Asgard (“Red Sky”), arrives at SGC via the stargate with news.  Thor (“Small Victories”) is dead, his ship destroyed in a one-on-one confrontation with a Goa’uld mothership.  That Goa’uld (Osiris, although only the viewing audience knows this) used technology that rivals the Asgards’, and far exceeds the level of sophistication previously known to be in the possession of the Goa’uld.  The threat of facing the Asgards’ superior weaponry kept the Goa’uld in check, and made the Protected Planets treaty viable.  One Asgard space ship could take out numerous Goa’uld vessels.  Now, the Goa’uld have little reason to fear the Asgard, leaving all of the planets under the protection of the Asgard vulnerable to Goa’uld attack, including Earth.

The destruction of Thor’s ship occurred above a planet where the Asgard built a secret laboratory.  An Asgard scientist named Heimdall is still on the planet, and the Goa’uld vessel is in orbit above, searching for the lab.  The Asgard fleet is tied up in battles with the Replicators.  So, Freyr asks SGC to use the Goa’uld shuttle they have (“Fail Safe”) to go and rescue Heimdall.  Carter is still in grief mode, and does not consider SG-1 ready to take on new assignments.  O’Neill thinks the sooner the team goes out on missions, the better.  The now three-member team of SG-1 will try to rescue Heimdall.

Arriving at the planet where Heimdall, and the lab, are secreted, SG-1 learns the mission is more than a simple in-and-out rescue.  The team finds out why the Asgard kept a research facility in such an isolated location.  They also learn that a friend who is believed gone, is not, and attempt to help them return.  The simple retrieval of a stranded Asgard transforms into a mission pitting SG-1 against an overwhelming Jaffa force, and an insidious, very dangerous Goa’uld.

A well-written story that acknowledges the grief felt by SG-1 at the loss of Daniel, without getting mired in the team’s emotions.  I like that O’Neill, Teal’c, and Carter have very different ways of dealing with their feelings about Daniel, rather than everyone evincing the same behavior.  There is not one standout performance, however the separate portrayals mesh, demonstrating how the team members differences work together to make them stronger as a unit.  The effects are very well done.

Failures:
None.

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 21

"Meridian"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

Commentary by:
William Waring -- Director
Jim Menard -- Director of Photography

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

Review:
SG-1 gates back to SGC.  Daniel rushes to the infirmary.  While off world, he was exposed to a lethal dose of radiation.  How Daniel came to be exposed to radiation is covered in flashbacks, as he receives medical treatment in the SGC infirmary.

Flashback:  SG-1 gates to a planet with three major countries, arriving in the country of Kelowna.  The Kelownan society is technologically comparable to the United States in the 1940s.  The Kelownans discovered the stargate only 15 years ago.  In the spirit of forming an alliance, SGC offers information about the stargate system; Kelowna offers information about naquadria -- a more powerful, but less stable, version of naquadah.

A Kelownan named Jonas Quinn takes SG-1 on a tour of Kelownan research facilities.  One of the projects is a naquadria-fueled bomb, something potentially more powerful than the bomb used on the asteroid in “Fail Safe.”  Daniel is very vocal in expressing his disapproval of the naquadria bomb.  Something happened to the bomb, causing the release of radiation.  Daniel, and Jonas Quinn, are two of the people present when the bomb experiment fails.  The Kelownan leaders blame the accident on Daniel, accusing him of sabotage.  SGC, and SG-1, do not believe that, however Daniel will not talk about the accident.

Present Day: The truth about the accident on Kelowna is revealed.  Daniel is rapidly succumbing to the effects of the radiation.  SGC tries to contact some of their off world allies, hoping to gain access to more advanced treatment options, while Dr. Frasier and her medical staff work to save Daniel’s life.

The Pentagon really wants some naquadria, and does not have a problem throwing the dying Daniel under the bus for the sake of diplomacy.  Even though Daniel’s death is eminent, O’Neill refuses to accept the sacrifice of Daniel as a way to placate the Kelownans.  Jack strives to uncover the truth about the incident.

Corin Nemec is Jonas Quinn.  Everyone performs well.  The end of the episode is very touching.

Failures:
This episode contains a lot of exposition, and retrospection.  It is a turning point for the Stargate SG-1 saga.  Take away that one aspect, and what's left is an okay story.

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 20

"The Sentinel"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Peter DeLuise -- Director
Gary Jones -- “SGC Tech”

This commentary is best suited for fans of Mr. DeLuise, and Mr. Jones, who primarily want to hear the two of them talking, although not always talking about this episode of Stargate SG-1.  This is not a good commentary for someone looking for the usual amount of behind the scene, or technical, information.  The commentary often ignores what is on screen, as the two gentlemen chat, and joke, with each other.  Mr. DeLuise frequently tries to pull the conversation back to what is happening on screen, with varying degrees of success.

Review:
SG-9 is off world, on the planet Latona.  The Latonans are human, with a peaceful civilization.  They have some advanced technology, however, the knowledge of how most of its functions is lost.  The Latonans have little to no understanding of how their technology works, or how to fix it if it stops working.  The usage of their sophisticated machinery has devolved into a code of behavior, with no understanding of the mechanics.

Before being shutdown by the government, rogue N.I.D. teams posing as part of SGC (“Shades of Gray”) visited Latona.  They wanted access to the Sentinel, an advanced machine that provides planet-wide protection from Goa’uld invasion for the Latonans.  Marul, the Latonans leader, refused to grant the rogue N.I.D. teams access to the Sentinel.

SG-9 went to Latona to try to create an alliance with Earth, and the SG team is long overdue for their check-in with SGC.  General Hammond dials Latona, and learns that Jaffa forces of a Goa’uld named Svarog are invading the planet.  Apparently, the Sentinel is no longer protecting Latona.

Suspecting the rogue N.I.D. team’s activities are the reason for the Sentinel not functioning, O’Neill speaks with the captured rogue team member, Colonel Grieves.  In prison, convicted of treason, Grieves, and another rogue named Kershaw, agree to help, if they get an improvement in their prison sentences.  Both admit to examining the Sentinel, but deny doing anything that would stop the mechanism from working.  Arguing that they are the best choices to fix the problem, Grieves and Kershaw want to go back to Latona.  O’Neill agrees, and takes the two traitors, along with SG-3 and the rest of SG-1, through the stargate.

Shortly after arriving on Latona, they find a member of SG-9, Lt. Grogan ("Proving Ground”).  O’Neill and Grogan head to the city to speak with Marul.  SG-3 goes after some Jaffa, intending to stop them before they can alert other Jaffa.  The rest go to the location of the Sentinel, hoping to fix whatever is wrong.

Arriving at the location of the Sentinel, Grieves and Kershaw, with Daniel’s aid, work to discover how their examination of the machine could have stopped it from functioning.  They are hunted by Jaffa, and the Latonans are under threat of being subjugated, or destroyed, by the Goa’uld named Svarog.

Frank Cassini is excellent as Colonel Grieves.  His portrayal paints Grieves as being guilty of the charge of treason, but unrepentant due to his belief that he was doing the right thing in order to ensure Earth’s safety from alien incursion.  Bravo, Mr. Cassini.  Henry Gibson is Marul.  Mr. Gibson is charming, and provides a perspective of the Latonan viewpoints and beliefs.  The regular cast members provide solid performances.  Christina Cox is Kershaw.  Ms. Cox was T'akaya in "Spirits."

A well conceived story, blending characters with action.  The ramifications of the rogue N.I.D. agents activity is once again addressed, and done so more fully than it was in “Touchstone.”

Failures:
None.

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 19

"Menace"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:
Martin Wood -- Director
James Tichenor -- Visual Effects Supervisor

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 explores the ruins of a seemingly advanced civilization on another planet.  Plants overrun the metal bones of decimated structures.  Searching for the source of faint energy readings, the team enters one of the ruins.  Inside, they discover the source of the energy readings -- the perfectly preserved body of a young woman.  She is an artificial life form.

After continuing the incredibly bad practice of bringing unknown alien technology back to Earth, Carter examines the robot at SGC.  She determines the android’s power supply is drained, and that is why the machine is motionless.  Continuing the incredibly bad practice of activating unknown alien technology, Carter replaces the robot’s expired energy source, with General Hammond’s blessing.  The android awakens.

Her name is Reese.  Rather than a cold, analytical machine, Reese behaves like a living human being, albeit an emotionally immature, occasionally cranky, one.  Reese’s almost childlike qualities can be charming, and she wants to explore the wonders of Earth.  However, Stargate Command gives in to the good sense side of the Force, and keeps her in lockdown at SGC.  Reese denies knowing what happened to her planet.  Also, she seems unaware that she is a robot.

Further exploration of Reese’s home world by SG teams uncovers the probable cause of its destruction.  SGC, and SG-1, investigate how Reese survived what overcame her civilization.  They discover how Reese survived, only to face the appearance of a threat to the existence of Earth’s civilizations.

Danielle Nicolet is wonderful as Reese.  Reese and Daniel form a child/guardian bond over the course of the episode.  Their relationship is touching, and believable.  Kudos to Ms. Nicolet, and Michael Shanks.  All of the regular cast members provide excellent performances.  This story is a perfect blend of character driven drama, and exciting action sequences.  Bravo to everyone involved in this episode.

Failures:
Carter’s communication to O’Neill about an event occurring near the end of the episode precipitates the story's violent conclusion.  However, her interpretation of the event does not make sense based on the information available to her.

SG teams continually bringing alien technology back to Earth, and then activating it without having much of a clue about the consequences, perpetually bugs me.

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.

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 17

"Fail Safe"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Very Good

Commentary by:
Andy Mikita -- Director
Paul Mullie -- co-Writer
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:
On Earth, an amateur astronomer spots a giant asteroid.  Its trajectory means it will crash into the Earth.  If it hits the planet, all life on Earth will be wiped out.  SGC, and SG-1, think one of their alien allies with advanced technology will help.  Well …

• The Nox: No way to contact them.  (“The Nox”)
• The Tollans: Wiped out.  (“Between Two Fires”)
• The Tok’ra: Still scattered, and on the run.  (“Last Stand”)

There is always the Asgard.  The Asgard will save Earth!  Oh, wait, no they won’t.  The Protected Planets treaty (“Fair Game”) prevents the Asgard from interfering with natural disasters.

SGC is on their own.  The decision is made to blow up the asteroid using a naquadah enhanced mega-bomb.  The bomb will be delivered using the Goa’uld shuttle Jacob/Selmak crashed on Revanna in “Last Stand.”  Thing is, the shuttle needs repairs, and the asteroid will hit the Earth in approximately 11 days.  There is a lot that can, and does, go wrong with the plan.  However, failure means the end of life on Earth.

The grim plot is nicely offset with moments of light, charming humor.  The necessary chain of events often falters, however the story’s solutions mostly fall within the realm of the believable.  The regular cast performs very well.  An entertaining story, with a very surprising connection to another episode.

Failures:
None.

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 16

"Last Stand"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:
Martin Wood -- Director
Robert Cooper -- Writer & Executive Producer
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:
“Summit” ends with Osiris presenting herself to the System Lords.  She recognizes Daniel, who is posing as Yu's servant.  Zipacna’s fleet is attacking Revanna, the Tok’ra home base.  Many of the Tok’ra are dead.  SG-1, minus Daniel, is trapped in the Tok’ra underground tunnels, along with a severely injured Lieutenant Elliot, the only survivor of SG-17.  Lantesh, a Tok’ra symbiote, managed to survive Martouf’s death in “Divide and Conquer” although Lantesh is still very weak.  The container that Lantesh was recuperating in is destroyed during the Jaffa bombing of Ravanna.  Lantesh blends with the injured Lt. Elliot, which is the only chance they both have of surviving.

Now, Osiris confronts Daniel when they are alone.  She did not out Daniel to the System Lords because Goa’uld do love intrigue.  Daniel uses the Reole chemical on Osiris, and continues as Yu’s personal servant.  As Daniel prepares to release the symbiote poison amongst the System Lords, Osiris reveals to the gathering that Anubis is the Goa’uld who has been harrying the System Lords' forces.  Anubis wants to be a System Lord again.  Again?  It turns out that Anubis was a System Lord in the past, and was banished from the Goa'uld coalition because he was so deviant, and evil, he creeped out the other Goa’uld.  That is pretty bad.  Believed to have died about a thousand years ago, his resurfacing means that the Tok’ra plan cannot be implemented.  Doing so would leave one all-powerful Goa’uld -- Anubis -- controlling their entire empire, a nightmare scenario for the Tok’ra, and the rest of the galaxy.

Back on Revanna, O’Neill, Carter, Teal’c and Lt. Elliot hide from Zipacna’s Jaffa forces.  Trapped, with no opportunity to get to the stargate, the team continues the deadly hide and seek, trying to keep themselves -- and the formula for the symbiote poison -- from being captured by Zipacna’s Jaffa.

Continuing to pose as Yu’s personal servant, Daniel remains at the summit, attempting to gather information about Anubis’ plans.  Yu is the only current System Lord who held that position a thousand years ago.  He knows just how bad Anubis is.  Daniel overhears Osiris tell Yu that Anubis offers the destruction of Earth in trade for Yu’s vote accepting Anubis back as a System Lord.  Daniel does not learn the details of Anubis’ plan, and risks death as he continues in the part of Yu’s human servant.

The rest of SG-1, and Lt. Elliot, are stranded on Revanna, hunted by a large Jaffa contingent.  Earth is under threat from Anubis.  Daniel is in the lion’s den, his cover wearing thin.

“Last Stand” continues the high quality level of action, and intrigue, began in “Summit.”  The regular, and guest, cast maintain their strong performances.  Kudos to everyone involved in all aspects of this episode.

Failures:
In “Summit,” Jacob/Selmak mentions that the Goa’uld population has recently had zero growth for the first time in thousands of years.  The reason is given in this episode.  However, that reason doesn’t jibe with the established canon regarding the vast numbers of infant Goa’uld born in a single spawning, and the numerous spawnings across the galaxy.  There must be a lot of squirmy baby Goa'ulds around, because every adult Jaffa is toting one around in his, or her, belly pouch.

Perhaps, once the Goa'uld larva matures in a Jaffa's belly pouch, it is destroyed, rather than being allowed to infest some body.  That would be a believable rationale for the Goa'uld's zero population growth, something the reason given in this episode is not.  Why would adult Goa'ulds kill their offspring?  They're Goa'ulds.  They do bad things all the time.  Doing something like that is completely in line with their established behavior.

Ultimately, mentioning that the number of Goa'ulds stopped increasing is irrelevant.  It just provides a chance for some nicely done special effects.  I'm all for special effects.  However I do not appreciate when a plot point is presented as being vitally important, but then turns out to be of no consequence.

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 15

"Summit"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:
Martin Wood -- Director
Joseph Mallozzi -- co-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:
“Summit” is the first of two parts.  The story concludes in the next episode, “Last Stand.”

Somewhere in space: Tanith’s unnamed boss, mentioned in “Between Two Fires,” has Zipacna (“Pretense”) recruit Osiris (“The Curse”).  The plan is to form a new alliance of powerful Goa’ulds to take over the System Lords.  The Goa’uld in charge of the new alliance is named Anubis.

Back on Earth: the Tok'ra Ren'al (“Enemies”) arrives at SGC with news about the System Lords.  The deaths of Cronus (“Double Jeopardy”) and Apophis (“Threshold”) resulted in battles between the remaining System Lords for the two dead Goa’ulds’ territories and armies.  The dissension between the System Lords kept their focus on each other, the Goa’uld power base in chaos.  Ren'al tells General Hammond, and SG-1, that the System Lords are declaring a truce amongst themselves, and meeting to discuss their future plans.  The Tok’ra plan to wipe out all of the System Lords at that summit.

The summit’s location is a space station, which is impossible to breach due to heavy security.  The Tok’ra want to send an agent to the meeting, one who can pass as a System Lord’s human slave.  Daniel’s fluency with the Goa’uld language makes him the perfect candidate.  He agrees to help the Tok’ra.  SG-1, and SG-17, gate to Revanna, the planet where the Tok’ra have their home base.  Jacob/Selmak (“Enemies”) will go with Daniel on the mission, although he cannot enter the Goa’uld space station.  With a modification of the chemical the Reole (“The Fifth Man”) used on SG-1, Daniel will convince the System Lord Yu (“Fair Game”) that he is the Goa’uld’s most trusted human servant.  SG-17, and the rest of SG-1, will remain on Revanna.

Once Daniel, Yu, and all the other System Lords arrive on the space station Daniel will release a poison gas.  The poison only kills Goa’uld symbiotes.  The Tok’ra have worked on developing the poison for some time.  The summit is a perfect opportunity to kill all of the System Lords at one time, thereby leaving the Goa’uld presence in the galaxy leaderless, and in chaos.

While the Tok’ra plot against the System Lords, Anubis plots against the Tok’ra.  Zipacna captured a Tok’ra spy, and extracted the location of Revanna from the Tok’ra, as well as information about the symbiote poison.  The Tok’ra plan to destroy the System Lords.  The System Lords plan to consolidate their power base, and become a greater threat to free beings in the galaxy.  Anubis plans to destroy the Tok’ra, and take the System Lords’ power.  All three plans proceed, and all three parties are poised for success.  With mutually exclusive goals, someone will lose.

This is a very exciting episode, filled action and suspense.  The trio of disparate goals collide, and the resolution is not obvious.  This is not a story where the viewer knows who will win, and waits to see how victory is achieved.  There is no blatantly apparent winner in this episode, which helps to make it an excellent viewing experience.  The plot is powerful, and engrossing.  Kudos to the writers.

“Summit” has a large cast of guest stars, many of whom portray returning characters.  To the credit of every actor, no character’s arc is lost in the telling.  Excellent performances are given by all of the participants.  Costuming, sets, production, and effects are supreme.  Bravo to everyone involved in this episode.

Failures:
None.

Stargate SG-1, Season 5, Episode 14

"48 Hours"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Excellent

Commentary by:
Peter Woeste -- Director
Andy Wilson -- Director of Photography

James Tichenor is not on this commentary, and his presence is missed.  In addition to providing information about the effects on episodes, Mr. Tichenor is often a representative of the viewer, asking questions that fans of the show might ask.  When present, he keeps the flow of commentaries going, if needed.  This commentary has some stretches of silence, as the commentators seem to quietly watch the show.  I checked my DVD setting a few times during the silence, thinking I had accidentally turned off the commentary.  When the commentators are speaking, their remarks are very informative, and interesting.

Review:
SG-1 is in the midst of an off world battle against Goa’uld forces.  Death gliders pound the team’s position.  SG-1 fights their way to the stargate, and returns to SGC.  Teal’c is the last to leave the planet, firing on an Al'kesh, which is a large Goa’uld vessel capable of flying within a planet’s atmosphere.  The Al'kesh is damaged, and crashes into the stargate as Teal’c jumps through the wormhole.  The crash results in an energy surge that wreaks havoc on the stargate.  Teal’c does not come through the gate at SGC before the wormhole shuts down.  Diagnoses reveal that Teal’c is trapped in the stargate’s mechanism, his essence still within the gate instead of reintegrating at SGC.

Activation of SGC’s stargate before resolving the problem of Teal’c’s reintegration will erase Teal’c from the gate’s memory, essentially obliterating him.  SGC resets their iris, forcing incoming wormholes to exit at the Russian’s stargate, thereby buying time to solve the problem of getting Teal’c back.  Daniel is sent to Russia, along with Major Davis (“Absolute Power”), to negotiate the further use of the Russian stargate.  The Russians use the opportunity to air their grievances about the United States not upholding their end of an agreement to share alien technology with Russia.  The Russians use the United States' needs as a way to force compliance with the agreement.

Back at SGC, Dr. Rodney McKay is brought in from Area 51 by Colonel Simmons (“Desperate Measures”) to work with Carter on getting Teal’c back.  However, there is a forty-eight hour time limit to reintegrate Teal’c.  Colonel Simmons has scientific support that any longer than 48 hours will result in too much of Teal’c’s information being lost by the stargate mechanism to ever bring him back.  Carter disagrees with that assessment, however Simmons has enough political pull to force SGC’s stargate back into use at the end of the 48 hour window.

Out of the blue, Maybourne (“Desperate Measures”) contacts O’Neill, warning him not to trust Simmons.  Neither of them know that Simmons is the one who shot O'Neill in “Desperate Measures,” and made off with the Goa’uld infested Adrian Conrad.  O'Neill thinks Maybourne shot him.  O’Neill is not sure whether to trust the word of the proven traitor with occasional moments of honor, Maybourne, about the antagonistic representative of a sketchy government agency, Simmons.

The three plots converge, as the overt distrust between the Russian and United States stargate programs, and the covert dealings of the N.I.D.’s Simmons, threaten to end any chance of getting Teal’c back alive.

Tom McBeath returns as Harry Maybourne, and continues his excellent portrayal of the morally ambiguous traitor.  John de Lancie returns as Frank Simmons, who is still sketchy, making it difficult to determine whether or not he is part of the darker side of the N.I.D.  Garry Chalk returns as Colonel Chekov ("The Tomb").  This episode introduces the character of Rodney McKay, played by David Hewlett.  All of the regular cast members provide great performances.

This is a complex story, with three separate plots, which are expertly woven together.  Except for the opening scene, the story is based on Earth, something that has the potential to become dull.  However, in this instance, the excitement is not diminished by the lack of off world travel.

Failures:
None.