Stargate SG-1, Season 1, Episode 21

"Within the Serpent's Grasp"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating: Excellent

Stargate Command is in the process of being shut down.  Daniel is still trying to convince his teammates that the events in “There But For the Grace of God” were real.  Daniel wants to go against orders barring further gate travel, and journey to the co-ordinates he brought back from the alternate universe Earth.  The possibility that a vast Goa’uld force could attack Earth outweighs any punitive repercussions for the team, and they all decide to go.  SG-1 commandeers the vacant stargate control room, and activates the gate, using Daniel’s coordinates.

SG-1 arrives in a Goa’uld storage area, empty except for crates.  The task of verifying Daniel’s experience, in order to keep the SGC going as Earth’s first line of defense against alien attack, changes when the team is stranded in Goa’uld territory, with no way to contact Earth.  Alone, SG-1 must try to stop the Goa’uld, and their Jaffa, before all civilization on Earth is destroyed.

A fast paced episode that provides lots of action, and surprises.  Events that began in “Children of the Gods” come to a head in this season finale.  A few of the characters introduced in the first episode return, and they are powerful, and not happy with Earth.  Tension builds from the start, ending in a cliffhanger.

Stargate SG-1’s ensemble cast is in the groove.  Carter is finally allowed to be an extremely intelligent Air Force officer, without side trips into “just in case you haven’t noticed, she’s a woman!” sketchy story lines.

In the first view of the stargate in this episode, the gate room is vacant, and the stargate is draped with a large cloth, ready for storage.  This scene is reminiscent of the first view of the stargate in the “Children of the Gods.”  A very nice touch.

21st episode broadcast.
21st episode in the DVD set.

Failures:
The Goa'uld stargate being in an empty storage area is a mild stretch, but not so far out there as to be unbelievable.  Also, considering that SG-1 is surrounded by a Goa’uld force, they don’t run into very many Jaffa.  The episode is so good that I don’t mind these lucky circumstances.

O’Neill’s statement that, “Hammond’s given up,” is literally true, but annoyingly worded.  General Hammond put forth a lot of effort, and tried to call in favors, to keep the SGC from being shut down.  The wording doesn't acknowledge Hammond’s efforts.  Irks me every time I hear it.

Stargate SG-1, Season 1, Episode 20

"Politics"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating: Very Good

This episode begins immediately after the events in “There But For the Grace of God.”  Daniel is in the infirmary getting medical treatment for his injuries.  He is in the midst of trying to convince the rest of SG-1 that they need to take quick action to avoid suffering the same fate as the alternate reality Earth.  Although they do not understand how Daniel became injured by a Jaffa staff weapon blast, no one is buying the idea of an alternate reality.  Carter thinks alternate realities are only hypothetical; Teal’c is doubtful; and O’Neill believes that Daniel dreamt, or hallucinated, the events.

Major Samuels, last seen in “Children of the Gods” is now Lt. Colonel Samuels.  Always a bit of a twerp, he is now a complete twerp, oozing smugness.  Transferred from SGC to the Pentagon since he was last on the show, Samuels is back at SGC for a hearing with the powerful Senator Kinsey.  The topic: shutting down the stargate program, something Samuels always advocated.  Stargate missions, primarily SG-1 missions, are put under a microscope, and found wanting.  Senator Kinsey, and Samuels, want the SGC shut down.

This is a clip show, a compilation of scene snippets from the season’s previous episodes.  I usually loathe clip shows on general principle.  I understand they save money due to lower production costs, still, I think of them as wasted episodes.  However, I like this clip show because of the awesomeness that is Ronny Cox playing a bad guy.

Ronny Cox perfectly portrays the domineering, arrogant, and patronizing Senator Kinsey.  Kinsey fears the potential of the stargate more than he opposes the monetary cost of running SGC.  Kinsey is deaf to any viewpoint other than his own, and not afraid to wield power like a club against any who oppose him.  The Goa’uld are a powerful enemy of Earth.  Senator Kinsey is a powerful enemy of SGC.  Kudos to Mr. Cox.

20th episode broadcast.
20th episode in the DVD set.

Failures:
It is a clip show.  However, most of the inherent wrongness of this sort of episode is negated by the acting talent of Ronny Cox.

Stargate SG-1, Season 1, Episode 19

"There But For the Grace of God"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating: Excellent

SG-1 gates to a planet where the stargate is inside of a sophisticated building.  They find a wealth of interesting objects, but no life.  Teal’c recognizes a large symbol that Goa'uld leave as a warning on planets where they have destroyed the civilization, and contaminated the planet with radioactivity.  O’Neill orders the team back to Earth.  Daniel, distracted by the collection of artifacts, lags behind the rest of the team.

Forgetting a basic rule from childhood -- look with your eyes, not with your hands -- Daniel fiddles with a large, mirrored item.  He calls to the rest of SG-1 to help carry the item back to Earth.  Not finding any of his teammates, Daniel thinks he has been left behind, and gates back to Earth.  Upon arrival, the usual contingent of armed military personnel in the gate room aim their weapons at Daniel.  No one, not even familiar faces, know who Daniel is.  A prisoner, Daniel strives to figure out what happened, but he does not have much time as a threat looms that could destroy Earth’s civilizations.

Michael Shanks excels as a confused, and confounded, Daniel Jackson.  The ensemble cast is superb as they interact with a Daniel they do not know.  This is one of my all time favorite Stargate SG-1 episodes.  A taut, tense story that flows smoothly, with surreal surprises, and great action.

This episode establishes the 38-minute time limit for maintaining an active wormhole, which has a vital impact in future episodes.

19th episode broadcast.
19th episode in the DVD set.

Failures:
Only one.  Near the beginning of the episode, Daniel assumes that the rest of SG-1 left the planet without him.  Daniel did not know the reason O’Neill ordered the team back to Earth.  Even so, I don’t buy leaving a team member on a planet, without any explanation, is such a regular occurrence that it doesn't surprise Daniel.  Otherwise, this episode is stellar.

Stargate SG-1, Season 1, Episode 18

"Tin Man"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating: Very Good

SG-1 arrives on a planet on which the stargate is located in a large, windowless, multi-floored complex.  There is a lot of machinery, and the equipment appears more advanced than Earth’s, but is in disrepair.  While examining some of the equipment, an electronic whine begins to sound.  With a lesson learned in "Thor's Hammer," O’Neill tells the team to retreat to the gate, but they only get a few steps, before dropping unconscious due to a stun beam of some sort.

When SG-1 members regain consciousness, their weapons and uniforms are gone, and they are wearing some sort of leisure tracksuit.  Soon, a humanoid enters the room, Harlan, who is the last being on the planet (which is called Altair).  Harlan is puppy dog friendly.  However, he is not forthcoming when asked direct questions by SG-1.  Harlan admits only to making the team members “better.”  Frustrated with not getting an explanation of “better,” SG-1 heads back to Earth, leaving Harlan.  Harlan warns that they will return to Altair.  Back at SGC, O’Neill, Sam, Daniel, and Teal’c discover what Harlan meant by “better,” taking subjective interpretation to a new level.  SG-1 gates back to Altair, possibly leaving Earth forever.

O’Neill shines in this episode, followed by Daniel.  O’Neill is the first to comprehend the ramifications of being made “better.”  Anderson is great as O’Neill wrestles with the urge harm Harlan, and the realization that only Harlan can undo making SG-1 “better.”  Shanks is very good as Daniel, who is bemused by both Harlan, and the idea of being “better.”

Jay Brazeau is wonderful as Harlan.  The most noticeable aspect of Harlan is humor.  What I enjoyed most about Mr. Brazeau’s portrayal were the non-funny moments.  Harlan’s sense of loss, and wistfulness, when describing how he became the last one of his society.  His confusion when SG-1 is not delighted by being made “better.”  Harlan’s worry when some of the machinery stops functioning, something that could result in his, and SG-1’s, demise.  Harlan is a clown who smiles and laughs while decimating your life.  Not because he is evil or cruel, but because he is so focused on existing, he has forgotten what it means to live.  Bravo, Mr. Brazeau.

I really like the Altair set used in this episode.  A cramped maze of patched together machinery.  Very nicely done.

18th episode broadcast.
17th episode in the DVD set.

Note:  An instance when not being in broadcast order affects the story line, albeit minimally.  O'Neill's experience in "Solitudes," 17th episode broadcast, dovetails nicely with his reactions in this episode.  Not a huge impact, but one worth noting.

Failures:
SG-1 took their weapons, and equipment, with them the first time they left Altair.  They returned to Altair without any equipment.  Without transmitters to get SGC to open the iris, how did SG-1 get back to Earth the second time they left Altair?

I’m good with everyone in the universe speaking the same language.  While not particularly feasible, it does ease the viewing experience, and keeps stories from being bogged down with endless translating.  I’m less forgiving when everyone in the universe uses the same measurements for time, or distance.  How does Harlan know about Earth hours shortly after SG-1 regains consciousness?

The SGC has the best resources to help Daniel in his search for Sha’re.  Although his ability to search for Sha’re is crippled by Harlan, and he may never be able to search for her, Daniel never mentions Sha’re.

I can think of a number of explanations for all three instances I mentioned above.  However, I believe there’s a line between filling in the blanks, and writing part of the story.  These three inconsistencies cross into the viewer writing part of the story.

Stargate SG-1, Season 1, Episode 17

"Solitudes"

images used above are courtesy of Gateworld and MGM

Overall Rating:  Good

SG-1 immediately heads back to Earth after being attacked with a barrage of heavy weapon’s blasts shortly after arriving on a planet.  Teal’c and Daniel manage to make it back to the SGC, but before Carter and O’Neill can come through, the Earth stargate’s power systems overload, damaging the gate.  The wormhole destabilizes and shuts down.  The crew at Stargate Command works around the clock to repair the stargate.

O’Neill and Carter did get away from the planet.  Instead of SGC, they find themselves trapped underground in a glacial chamber, on an unknown planet.  Carter, and a severely wounded O’Neill, must survive in frigid conditions while Carter works on finding a way home.  Simultaneously, their teammates work to find Carter and O’Neill, and bring them home.

This is a Sam Carter-centric episode.  Amanda Tapping does a respectable job portraying Carter -- concerned about her injured teammate, resourceful, and as always, very intelligent.  Carter’s adherence to logic is a counterpoint to O’Neill’s unsubstantiated belief that things will work out for the best.  He is a good commanding officer, one who offers encouragement when needed to keep hope alive.

This episode marks Dan Shea’s first appearance as Sergeant Siler.  If you think Mr. Shea looks familiar, that may be because he is Richard Dean Anderson’s stunt double in every episode of Stargate SG-1.  Beginning in season three, he is also the show’s stunt coordinator.

The ice cavern looks very impressive.

17th episode broadcast.
18th episode in the DVD set.

Failures:
Nothing, really.  The episode isn’t an epic success, or failure.  It isn’t inspiring, or annoying.  It’s okay.