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Stargate Commentaries
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What Stargate Means to
Me by Jenn West |
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I came
across this while surfing one night, and decided to 'show' my appreciation for
THE show of the past few years.
I had been
a fan of Richard Dean Anderson when a teen and it's true how things come back
around when you get older. I found out I was still a fan. (I was even a
member of the MacGyver Fan Club and still have an autographed 8X10).
How I
discovered I was still a fan was by accident. I helped out with a group of Down
Syndrome kids at a group home. I started this just to get out and do something
when the company I was working for went 'belly up' and I could not locate
employment. I helped them with homework, stayed with them at night when the RN
was not available, took them places, and just fell in love with these kids. But
there was one Friday night that the RN could not get anyone else to stay while
she went to watch her son play high school football. (This is a big thing here
on Friday nights.) Since I had no children involved with that yet, I started
volunteering for Friday nights so she could attend. I have always been an avid
supporter of 'kids first' and I have attended everything my kids have been
involved in.
The first
Friday night, the 'in home kids' informed me that they were not to be bothered
come 9:00. The RN had told me that there would be a couple of hours when you
would not even know they were there because they watched some TV show. This
started when it was on Showtime and came on at 9:00 & 10:00. The RN did not
know what she was missing by not joining them in the TV room. They had a big
screen TV with surround sound and it was spectacular. But on the first time
seeing it, I was hooked. One girl would get very angry if anyone talked while
her "Colonel Jack" was on the screen. I didn't let them know it, but
she wasn't alone. I printed out some of the photos from various sights and gave
to them when I found another job and was unable to spend a lot of time with
them. I had to cut my time with them after that and wanted to give them
something to show my appreciation of them. To show them they gave me the
strength to face my small problem compared to what they faced every day.
They have
since grown and moved on. I still think of them on Friday nights while I sit in
front of my own big screen TV with surround sound watching Stargate. And I will
miss it very much. I am going to have to save up and buy the season sets one by
one. Or either go back and print out some of those photos for myself to look
at. Hey, that might be better! Colonel Jack, all the time, wherever I am!
Thanks,
Richard Dean Anderson, for in a round about way, giving me a lesson in life.
For if not for your show, I would not have realized that a group of kids with
disabilities aren't disabled at all and are very much like my own two
children.
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My Stargate Favorites |
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Having
just seen the season seven cliffhanger on SciFi & watched
"Abyss" again on DVD, it becomes very clear to me what I love about
"Stargate." The human element, & the sense of family -- the
Chemistry -- among the characters, which is manifested because the same
exists among the cast & the crew, is what hooked me seven years ago,
& what keeps me coming back. In a sense, their awareness of that Chemistry
& their willingness to share it with us fans extends that sense of family
from the fictional world of a television show to the real, sometimes scary,
world we inhabit these days.
It's
difficult to name a favorite "SG-1" episode, but there are plenty of
instances where that Chemistry has seized my imagination. I'm not easily given
to crying, but these guys make me care enough to do so on occasion. And with
one exception, "Stargate SG-1" is the only show that I watch
on a regular basis.
To
celebrate International Stargate Appreciation Month, and to thank Brad
& Rob, & everyone who puts their efforts into the show,
here's my top dozen-plus list of What I Love about "Stargate
SG-1":
* Any
scene with Richard Dean Anderson & Michael Shanks in a small room that has
no props;
* Any
scene where Amanda Tapping struggles to maintain her composure after one
of RDA's ad-libs;
* Chris
Judge's cocked eyebrow;
* RDA
& Michael Shanks' rhythmic, rapid-fire banter;
* The
incalculable meaning Chris Judge can pack into a monosyllable or into the
word "Indeed";
* Amanda
Tapping's unparalleled ability not only to speak paragraphs of technobabble,
but to understand them;
* Michael
Shanks' faster-than-the-speed-of-light delivery when Daniel is excited;
* RDA's
ability to stomp on the brakes with a simple "What?";
* Corin
Nemic's grace, both coming and going;
* Don
Davis' portrayal of a figure that we'd all trust with our lives;
* Dan
Shea's & Gary Jones' & Colin Cunningham's simply being there;
* Tony
Amendola's smile;
* Carmen Argenziano's
portrayal of one of the coolest dads in the galaxy;
*
Watching Neil Denis grow up as Ry'ac;
* The
unspoken affection among the principal characters;
* The
dreaded, unwelcome, unwanted, yet oh-so-dignified departure of Teryl
Rothery in "Heroes";
* RDA's
no-dialogue, hand-on-the-cheek gestures of affection;
* Chris
Judge's giggle, so unlike Teal'c;
* The
myriad in-jokes in "Wormhole X-Treme!" & the crew's willingness
to share them with the fans;
* Martin
Wood's or Peter DeLuise's name in the directing credit triggering yet another
game of Find the Director's Cameo;
* Peter
DeLuise's hysterical DVD commentaries.
Wherever
the 'Gate takes us in the coming years, we're all grateful for the wild ride
thus far!
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I Love Stargate |
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Favorite Episodes:
(1) A Matter of Time
(2) Window of Opportunity
(3) Any episodes with the Asgard in
them. I call them the cute little alien guys. It's sad, I know.
I've known about Stargate the movie
and Stargate SG-1 for a long time. I knew it was a show and movie that had a
big fan-base behind it and myself being a Science Fiction fan thought about
watching the show many times. In the end, I found the first two volumes of
Season 1 at my local video rental place and decided to watch it as well as the
movie.
After watching the movie, my
feeling going into the show was a little ecstatic but also a little skeptical.
I've seen wonderful ideas be torn apart and ruined when someone wants to take a
good book, movie, comic book, game or whatever and make it into a TV show. Some
have succeeded to a sizable fan-base, some sky-rocketed to a huge fan-base, but
not big enough to be equally noticeable by the networks.
Taking the risk, I watched the
pilot episode and loved it. I think Richard Dean Anderson is an awesome actor.
I love what he's done with the character of Jack O'Neill (WITH TWO L'S). I
think that Teal'c is a great character as well with how new he is to what
happens in Earth's culture. I laughed when in Ascension it mentioned that he
had watched Star Wars 9 times. Sam Carter is also a great character, even
though the rest of the team never have any idea what she talks about half the
time. She brings a strong female figure to the team, but also the keen eye and
insightful intelligence that Jack O'Neill needs to keep his ego in check.
Daniel Jackson is the humanitarian, if you will, as well as the other part of
the brilliant mind the equation needed to have to make the Stargate program
work. His knowledge is what helps SG-1 interact with other cultures that may
not speak English. Though many of the cultures just happen to speak English,
ironically. Hmm. I guess it's what you have to do to not frustrate the audience
with having to listen to dozens of different languages.
After watching the first two
volumes, and to my dismay, my video rental place not having any more volumes after
that, I began the process of buying the first five seasons on DVD, which I
stand being in the middle of Season 5 currently and have hopes to someway get
through to Season 7 before Season 8 starts. When I've expressed my newfound
liking to Stargate to some of my friends, they have expressed their dislike of
the show, some believing it isn't possible. I say to them I like it so they
should go eat worms. But in my mind I think such an idea as the Stargate is
possible. And you never know, it all could be real. Don't we all wish that?
Finally, I cannot wait to get
myself up to speed in the Stargate universe. Purchasing the DVD box sets and
burning a huge wormhole sized hole in my wallet, but giving the
ever-so-wonderful stress-relieving feeling whenever I watch an episode. I hope
that Season 8 will not be Stargate's final Season. And that Stargate: Atlantis
will enjoy half as much or more of the popularity its predecessor has basked
in.
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What I Love Most About Stargate by Paola Sabatini |
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Hi, my name is Paola, I am Italian and the following is my "contribution" to the Int.l Stargate Appreciation Month.
It is a sci-fi serial. There is action and also friendship.
The ties between the characters are developed during the seven seasons and
the same characters grow up. After the return of Dr. Jackson I have found again
the great complicity between the two main characters,
Jack O'Neill and Daniel Jackson, different like day and night, nevertheless
tied by a great mutual respect.
I have found again the great confidence between the two of them that have
always characterized Stargate-SG1.
Unfortunately, complicity, understanding, affection, friendship were of all lack in the sixth season.
FAVORITE EPISODES
"Forever in a Day"
"The First Ones"
"Fallen" and "Homecoming"
All the episodes above are full of emotion, great interaction between the main
characters and excellent plots. Praise
to the turbulent relationship between Jack and Dr. Rothman in The First Ones.
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Why I Love Stargate |
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I would like to take a different
approach to the essay. We were asked to write about one episode, and I would
like to pick one from each season!
From the episodes that I have
chosen these are reasons and many more I enjoy Stargate as a series because
just something about an episodes stays with you! You can think back to it and
smile, you can watch an episodes and see yourself saying the lines with it! You
enjoy the cast members as a whole cause of what they bring to each character
and why we keep watching for seven years now going on year eight! All in all
its been a show I am glad I found oh so long ago and have enjoyed the
friendships I have made, to those friends I raise a glass and say thank you for
those nights where I can sit in chats and just enjoy myself around a group of
people who are just like me! Thank you guys and Happy 10th Anniversary!
[Sue’s comments about her favorite
episodes appear under each season heading.]
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What I love about
Stargate |
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I guess you'd expect me to tell you
how much I like the good acting, the witty plots and the great special effects.
And, yeah, I do like all these things about my favourite TV show. But what I
truly love about Stargate has little to do with the production and all the more
with my private life.
I love that, whenever I watch
Stargate, it completely takes my mind off anything going on in real life. No
matter how turbulent things are, every week I get away from it all for 42
minutes.
I love that the acting on the show
is so good it turns the most detached person into a bundle of compassion. It
has a tendency of putting your own problems into perspective.
I love that Stargate makes you
think about issues you didn't even realize were there. Offering two or more
different opinions, watching Stargate with friends often leads to extensive
discussions, especially when the topic refers to our personal reality.
I love that Stargate never aimed
for plastic-perfect actors à la Baywatch, but instead presented us with natural
beauty. More importantly, even the smallest role is usually filled with very
talented and intriguing actors.
I love that even when I re-watch an
episode for the tenth time, I still yell at the bad guys on screen.
I love that after a rough day, I
get the utmost satisfaction from watching SG-1 shoot down the baddies or blow
something up.
I love that my ex-boyfriend and I
agreed that Stargate-time means armistice.
I love that after seven years, I
still do the happy dance when I have a new episode in my near future. Every
week I expect something extraordinary, and I'm not usually disappointed.
I love that Stargate brought forth
a fandom of polite, interesting people who aren't afraid to speak their mind,
nor afraid to hear opinions contrary to their own. With these people,
everything seems to be discussable, as long as you stay respectful.
I love that Stargate enables me to
find a common ground with people much younger and much older than me.
I love the way Stargate makes my
sister cock her head in utter confusion, but she stays and watches it anyways.
I love that my friend Becca quotes
Stargate all the time, even though she has never seen it.
I am grateful that Stargate numbed
the second wave of pain after my best friend's death.
I love how TPTB manage to add a new
and interesting twist to even the oldest sci-fi plots. Some things just never
get old!
I love the subtle humour that makes
me laugh hysterically when it's not as subtle as expected.
I love Peter DeLuise's humour!
I love the word "What",
cause O'Neill gave it a whole new meaning.
I love scenes where we see SG-1 off
duty, especially when it includes fishing or battle in a ring of jello.
I love that Stargate manages to
combine moral, ethics and action without appearing inconsistent. Many have
tried to achieve this, few have succeeded.
I love that so many people's
imaginations run wild over it, and I get to enjoy the fruit of their labour!
I love that TPTB walk the fine line
of keeping the fans happy while staying true to their own ideas. Going to one
extreme or the other ruined several great shows that shall go unnamed.
I love that the characters are
created so well, between April and July I feel like some of my friends are
abroad and I anticipate their return.
I love that the cast and crew put
so much passion in their work.
I love that the cast and crew take
the time to do interviews, conventions and special features. Being their fan is
definitely rewarding.
I love that TPTB were never afraid
to address sickness and death, and they managed to do so without being
schmaltzy or emotionally overrunning the viewers.
I love the moment when I realize I
just used an O'Neillism and have to smile.
I love that I can say that someone
who doesn't watch Stargate can't be a good person by nature and get away with
it.
I love that Stargate is a small yet
integral part of my life that makes everyday life that much better.
I love Stargate.
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Stargate and Me |
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In 1994 I
was geeked to see a new movie called "Stargate" because I had read
all about the (then) new technology used in the filmmaking process. Now, we
call it CGI and watch it everyday without another thought. So I dragged a few
friends with me one night after we finished work at the bookstore. Let me tell
you that first trip through the wormhole, in THX and from about the 4th row in
the theatre was indeed trippy, in an almost drug-induced kind of way. The
visual effects were all they were touted to be. And, despite the fact that
James Spader did then (and does still) seriously give me the wiggins, I went
back every night for a week to see Stargate again and again. Special effects
long forgotten: I was there for the story.
And, boy,
what a story! Aliens involved in ancient earth culture. Transplanted humans
freed from slavery. Astrophysical theory....
But what
kept bringing me back was the story of two men, both who'd lost all hope,
unexpectedly finding through each other its restoration. We all know that
through the proximity of sheer, stubborn Daniel-ness the will to live was
rekindled in Jack. But, by allowing this 'geek' on his team, and affording him
a grudging respect (hey, he kept Ferretti off DJ's back!) Jack offered Daniel
chances to not only prove his theories, but to touch history itself in the
guise of Abydos. And the best bit of all was that the good guys won in the end
because Jack and Daniel worked together. It wasn't all military might and
cunning. It wasn't all learned conjecturing and intuition. The resolution came
from the powerful combination of both ways of being.
So, a few
years later, color me geeked again to learn there was to be a TV series made
from Stargate. Until I found out it was on Showtime. Quickly ungeeked at that
point. Too poor for cable at the time. I didn't see any of SG-1 until it went
into syndication. Which, in the area I live in, the local station ran it at
1:00am on Saturdays. The first episode I ever saw was "Bane". I came
in about 10 minutes late. And another 10 minutes after that had a few serious
wtf? kind of concerns. (Jaffa? Who's this Carter person? That kid sure can
act... will he be back next week?) But, what the hay, I thought, I'll give it
at least another episode or two. Gotta chuckle at that now. Seeing as it is YEARS
later and I'm still watching. Everyday.
Hi.
I'm 13 years old and I love Stargate and I don't really know why, just that I
can learn a lot of things. I also like it because the characters are really friendly.
I know almost everything about it but my friends make fun of me because I'm
kind of a geek. I also like it because like every family we have fights, so it
helps me get over them faster.
Love Sally.
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My Favorite Scenes |
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I couldn’t narrow it down to just one favorite episode; there are so many special scenes in various episodes that I dearly love, so I’ve chosen to pick a few of my favorites and comment on them.
Children of the Gods: Is there anyone here who doesn’t tear up when the Abydonians are surrounding Daniel and telling him goodbye? That was the scene when I realized exactly how good an actor Michael Shanks is; he had me believing every word coming out of his mouth and the pain Daniel was feeling communicating itself directly to me.
Enigma: My favorite here is the scene between Daniel and Omac on the mountaintop. Daniel innocently wonders aloud that it should take a very, very long time for that message to get to the Nox. You can almost see the thoughts going through Omac’s head as he finally decides to try and explain, in simple terms, how the message is in fact already there. Daniel, naturally, doesn’t understand.
It’s the innocence of the comment and acceptance of his inability to understand the answer that endears Daniel to me. The way Omac, before he responds, seems to weigh Daniel and find him worthy of a response points out to me how special Daniel is.
Shades of Grey: Watching Jack and Daniel in the living room of Jack’s house after he’d “retired” proves to me what a deep friendship holds these two men together. I feel that Daniel was suspicious all along about Jack’s intentions in stealing the weapons device from the Tolllans; watching his face during the briefing room scene shows puzzlement rather than the horror obvious on Carter’s face. Talking to Jack at home later his questions are more in a probing line of “what’s really going on, then?” as opposed to “why did you do this?”
And Jack knew exactly what to say to turn Daniel away from questioning him. Deny the friendship they’d both worked so hard to build. Tear away the foundations from a young man who hadn’t had that many foundations in his life to begin with. The look on Daniel’s face when Jack agreed that there wasn’t much of a foundation to their friendship was heartbreaking. It was a wonderfully acted scene.
Enemy Mine: “Daniel? Go to Your Happy Place.” ‘Nuff said!
Birthright: Chris Judge wrote a beautiful scene between Daniel and the little girl who was next to need a symbiote. She was instructed not to talk to him. So they talked to each other by not talking to each other. “Who are you talking to?” “Nobody.” “Who are you talking to?” “Nobody.” It was beautifully written, directed and acted, and the bond that was developed at that moment between Daniel and the child was so apparent to me it was almost visible.
I love Stargate. I loved it more in the beginning because I don’t agree with all the changes that have been made over the years, and I miss the mythology, exploration and the great friendship we used to see between Jack and Daniel. I suppose I live in hope that all this will return some day.
Season One
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Torment Of Tantalus |
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If anyone asks you, “So, what’s Stargate SG-1 about then?” just give them a tape of Torment of Tantalus and tell them, “This. This is what it’s about.”
It’s about history, both real and fictional. The post-war dash for scientific advance during the Cold War is reflected in the scientists’ attempts to make the gate work, eventually succeeding without being sure exactly how and certainly not what it is. It’s about the contrast between women’s place in society in the 1940s and the 1990s. In 1945 Catherine is limited to providing advice from outside (and ironically, it is her advice that enables the scientists to get the gate working), while 50 years later, Sam is a respected member of the SGC, an Air Force Captain and Doctor of Astrophysics.
It’s about courage. The courage of scientists and explorers willing to risk their lives to find out what lies beyond. Ernest’s courage to continue studying the “alien United Nations” even without hope of rescue. SG-1’s courage every time they step through the Stargate.
It’s about exploration and the joy of discovery. In 1945 Ernest set off through the event horizon, clad in a deep-sea diver’s kit, only to find himself trapped alone on an abandoned planet. 50 years later, Daniel, caught up in the breathtaking potential of knowledge, of the “meaning of life stuff” they find at Heliopolis, is willing to remain behind to continue studying the repository of alien knowledge.
It’s about the continuation of the story started in the movie. With delightfully underplayed points of continuity, such as Catherine’s pendant of The Eye of Ra, linking seamlessly to the Stargate movie.
It’s about laying the foundations for stories to come. The Nox, the Asgard, the Ancients, the Furlings are introduced – three alien races which will have significant roles to play in Earth’s future, in the SGC’s future, and one race which remains a mystery!
It’s about the characters. Wonderful characters such as Catherine and Ernest, their relationship delicately portrayed without cliché or disrespect. Jack, fully in charge and getting the best from all his team. Sam, scientist, exploring all possibilities to get the gate working. Teal’c, supportive and stoic. Daniel, relishing the knowledge of Heliopolis, but finally realising the truth in Ernest’s statement that pursuit of knowledge has little point unless that knowledge can be shared.
And it’s about an engaging storyline, well-researched, well-written, well-structured and beautifully acted, with breathtaking special effects that are integral to the plot rather than a distraction from it.
Mainly though, it’s about the team. Four peaceful explorers, working together as friends and team-mates. All part of the story, all making a contribution, all looking out for each other. These are the people who attracted me to this show, from the Jack and Daniel of the movie, to the SG-1 team of the series – engaging, warm, compassionate and passionate – this is why I watch the show. This is what it’s about.
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The Beginning |
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Season One. A hard season to pick
from since you had episodes such as “Fire and Water,” “Children of the Gods”
and “There but for the Grace of God!”
See what I mean? I named three episodes that I enjoyed because there is
just something I remember about them that have made them my favorite!
Take for example, “Children of the
Gods,” the very first episodes to which we had a re-introduction to some of the
characters from the original movie: Jack O'Neill, Kawalsky, Ferretti, and of
course, Daniel
Jackson, his wife Sha’re and her
brother Skaara. We also meet the new
characters that later become members of SG1: Teal’c, Captain Samantha Carter
General Hammond who is now in charge of the SGC! This was a good introduction to all the characters because from
this episode on, we wanted to find out what adventures were in store for the
team!
We also saw Skaara and Sha’re taken
as hosts, which turned into a mission to save the two from the Goa’ulds they
now had inside them!
We also met one of the arch
enemies: Apophis.
There are several scenes that standout
to me: the re-introducing of Daniel Jackson; Daniel taking Carter and Jack to
see the cartouche room; how Daniel tells the people of Abydos to close the
gate, that he will try to return to tell Kasuf about his daughter, but they are
not to take the cover stone off until the time comes for him to come back. The
way they all hug him, touch him and don't want him to leave; it amazes me how
Michael Shanks had us all embraced with him in that scene!
There is the scene when Daniel is
back at the SGC, standing in the hallway and Jack comes up behind him and
Daniel says: "They don’t know what to do with me. And I don’t know what to
do with myself." That scene has
deep meaning for me. Next we see Jack and Daniel drinking beer at Jack’s house,
talking about Daniel’s time on Abydos; a nice scene with the two!
All in all this is one of my
favorites of Season One, as well as “Fire and Water” when the team thinks
Daniel is dead and just how sad they are that he is gone. It’s interesting how,
after a short time together, that they’ve all become so close that losing
Daniel hits the team HARD.
Season Two
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A Duo For Season Two by
Sue Beattie |
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“Serpent’s Lair” has always held a
soft spot in my heart because of the fact this episode is the one that got me
to start watching Stargate and I am glad it did. It showed me just how close a
friendship Daniel and Jack have; Jack hated to leave Daniel behind on the ship
after he was shot by the Jaffa, but also the team’s reaction at the end when
Daniel comes forward to show that he is alive. We have the hug from Jack and
the new nickname: Spacemonkey!
Another episodes that I enjoy in
this season is “Holiday.” Along side Ma’chello, Daniel touches one of the old
man’s devices and they switch places. While Daniel lays dying in Ma’chello’s
body, Ma’chello, in Daniel’s younger body experiences freedom. Jack and Teal’c
also switch bodies after they accidentally activate it when attempting to bring
it back to the SGC. It’s up to Sam to get everyone back into their rightful
body before Daniel dies in Ma’chello’s body!
Why else is this one of my faves?
Michael Shanks went to great lengths to “become” Ma’chello, sitting in the
makeup chair for hours. But I also enjoy his portrayal of Ma’chello finally
seeing what freedom is like and meeting up with Fred. When they finally capture
Ma’chello and bring him back to the SGC, he feels he did no wrong by doing this
exchange with Daniel since Daniel is just an archeologist and most likely no
one would miss him.
What’s also nice about this
episode: the three men playing each other! Christopher Judge playing Jack,
Richard Dean Anderson playing Teal’c and Daniel, and Michael Shanks playing
Ma’chello, Daniel in Ma’chello’s body, Ma’chello in Daniel’s body and Jack.
All in all this is a reason this is one of my faves because you got to see the actors take on their co-workers characters.
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Need by Mary |
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In many ways “Need” is difficult to watch. In the course of an hour, we see Daniel change from his normal, rather sweet self, into a monster… into a man capable of pointing a gun at his best friend, with every intention of killing him.
What stopped him? What stopped Daniel from killing Jack? I believe it was the love that these two friends have for one another. They have been through hell and back (all right, so that doesn’t happen until Season Three) and what remained constant up to this point in the series was the deep friendship these two men have. How else do you explain the hug in the storeroom? How else do you explain Jack’s willingness to forgive Daniel for what he had just done? Jack proved at that moment he was a far better man than he let the world know.
It is this sort of raw emotion which draws me time and again to “Need.” Difficult though it is to watch, the resolution is what makes this a truly great episode. When Daniel had reached his lowest point, Jack was there to let him know he was not alone.
Season Three
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A Lot of Crazy Talent |
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I have to go with “Legacy” simply
because of the magnificent job Michael Shanks did as Daniel slowly broke down
after being infected by another one of Ma’chello’s anti-Goa’uld devices. His
performance in the white, padded room when the team come to visit him is just
so phenomenal. He sees one of the dead Linvris from the chamber, runs towards
Teal’c and we see the creature that was making him go crazy slip into Teal’c.
As Teal’c ends up getting sick,
Daniel tries to convince Doctor McKenzie that he is fine now, and that the
Doctor should contact the SGC to find out if Teal’c is sick
The whole first sequence of this
show leaves me in awe of the talent that Michael has as I watch his breakdown
and actually feel for him as this is going on!
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Maternal Instinct |
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In a race to get the Harsesis child before Apophis, the team gets a tip from Bra’tac and discover that Kheb is a forbidden planet where the Goa’uld fear to go. They arrive on Kheb with Bra’tac and begin to realize Apophis had discovered the child was hidden there and sent some Jaffa to retrieve him; they find what remains of the Jaffa as charred bodies.
SG-1 make their way to a temple in the distance to find answers. A monk who speaks in riddles greets them and Daniel believes that he practices an ancient form of Buddhism. Daniel is quite fascinated by what the monk has to say, and a being called Oma that he speaks of. Jack is not quite as impressed and thinks they should just try and find the kid.
Daniel tries to learn from the monk and begins to shows some amazing powers. He now thinks that Oma wishes him to learn these things so he can protect the boy. Suddenly Jaffa arrive and begin to advance on the temple.
Daniel sees the being known as Oma and she shows him the boy. He tells her he can protect him and starts to leave with him when he realizes he is not the one with the power, she is, and she can protect the boy. He then goes and tells Jack and the others that Oma has the power and not to fire upon the Jaffa.
The Jaffa do not heed his warning and Oma kills them all. Daniel says a last good-bye as Oma takes the boy away to a new and safe location.
This is a great Daniel episode, as Daniel gets his first taste of the teachings of Oma. He realizes that there is so much more out there, more than he even imagined. Daniel keeps his promise to Sha’re, and also gets to see her child. He has some touching moments and some humorous moments with Jack on how to find the boy. The special effects are also neat; the lighting bolts and Oma are well done. It is a great treat to see Bra’tac as well, he’s quite an amusing and admirable character. He is funny, and wise. I think he has some amusing moments with Jack. They are quite different in some ways, but also I can see some very important common things between them. All together Maternal Instinct is a great episode and stands out in my mind the most from season three.
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Jolinar’s Memories and The Devil You Know |
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These two episodes are basically one long one so combining them into one is not a stretch. Martouf visits with some bad news, Jacob has been captured by Sokar and has been sent to hell…or Netu, a moon controlled by Sokar. Martouf states that a rescue can be mounted with the help of Sam. However, Jolinar is the only person known to actually escape from Netu. After convincing General Hammond, they set off in a cargo ship due to the fact that Netu had no gate.
Martouf plans to bring Jolinar’s memories to the surface by a mind reading technology that the team saw previously when captured by Hathor. On the cargo ship Sam delves into Jolinar’s and a mixture of her own thoughts. They arrive at Netu where Martouf tells them they have to go down with no weapons and in escape pods. Jack does not go along with the no weapons policy and takes a pistol with him.
They crash land on Netu leaving Teal’c to tend the cargo ship and hopefully lead their escape. Jack, Daniel, Sam and Martouf make their way into the depths of Netu to locate the denizens, as Martouf calls them. After making some new ‘friends’ and meeting the masked first prime of Bynarr, the lord of Netu, Bynarr has them thrown into the dungeon after Sam tells him she is host to Jolinar.
Sam tells them she believes that Bynarr was how Jolinar escaped but she is not sure how. They discover a hurt Jacob in the dungeon and form a plan of escape. Sam is brought before Bynarr and confronts him on their relationship. He was betrayed by her and plans on taking his revenge. She notices that he has transport rings in his quarters and remembers this is how Jolinar escaped. Just as he is about to kill her, Bynarr’s first prime busts in and kills him. He tells her nothing has the guards carry her back to the dungeon. She tells the others what happened and they form a plan to escape in the chaos.
Jack and Martouf and Daniel jump some guards. They quickly gather up Jacob and make a run for Bynarr’s quarters. As Martouf rigs the device the guards break down the door and Bynarr’s first prime bursts in, quickly claiming that he is now the ruler of Netu. To the teams surprise he reveals who he really is: Apophis. Apophis decides to torture them for information to use to appease Sokar in the hopes of getting close to him and killing him.
He takes each of them in turn as uses a drug called the ‘blood of Sokar’, however, he doesn’t learn anything. Martouf gives him something when Sam is brought before him and in his drugged state sees Jolinar. When returned to the dungeon he quickly assures her that he knew the truth and what he told Apophis was false. Apophis then asks for an audience with Sokar in the pretense of offering this information.
In the meantime Teal’c has gone back to the Tok’ra to ask for assistance. He returns with Aldwin and a bomb that the Tok’ra wish to plant in Netu to destroy it and Sokar when he moves his ship to close. Teal’c receives a message from the team but is unable to stop Aldwin from launching the bomb and Netu quickly becomes unstable. The team uses this to their advantage and gets out once again in hopes of using the rings to get to Sokar’s planet and safety. Teal’c uses the cargo ship to intercept the rings and brings them safely aboard. Meanwhile Apophis has met with Sokar and attacked him and runs off he rings to the planet leaving Sokar on the ship dangerous close to Netu. As the team make their escape with Jacob and Martouf, Netu erupts and Apophis looks over his new domain.
These two episode I think are a wonderful reminder of how the team and the people they care about can come together and pull it all off in the end. If Teal’c had not been so stubborn then Daniel, Jack, Sam, Martouf, and Jacob would have been lost forever. The team relationship was very strong and showed in these two episodes. The setting was also amazing. Netu just screamed hot, dirty, and in one word, hell. Sokar is a typical over the top clichéd bad guy as Jack likes to call them, but Apophis saved the ‘bad guy’ day by popping up like he does and shaking the plotline to make it even more fun. We learn more about Jolinar and what she did to survive her stay. This effects how Sam reacts and what she may or may not personally feel towards Martouf, plus her worry for saving Jacob plays heavy on the emotions had they all put themselves in great anger to rescue him which shows their fondness of him as well. All together these two episodes are a great reassurance of the team in tiptop shape!
Season Four
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Upgrades |
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This episode starts off introducing a new character that makes several appearances throughout season four. Anise who is a Tok’ra scientist--or should I say Archaeologist--brings an alien device created by a now extinct race called the Atonieks. The device enhances the natural abilities in humans but prove to be useless on anyone with a symbiote. Anise proposes that Sg-1 become test subjects.
The games begin, so to speak, with Jack, who becomes faster and stronger in no time flat. Daniel and Sam then join in. After sometime the results are even surprising to Anise. As the team adjusts to their new abilities, they begin to lose their common sense thinking. Their bodies also become more dependent on energy consumption and develop “serious protein cravings”.
As their judgment becomes more impaired so does their craving for protein and they sneak off into town for steaks. There they get into a small scrap and get busted by Hammond. Anise approaches them with a practical way to use their new abilities and Hammond believes that this was her plan all along despite her protest to the contrary. Hammond orders the team to quarantine due to their recent behavior and unpredictable actions.
Sam, Jack, and Daniel access the information that Anise has uploaded to the SGC computers and plan to undertake the mission anyway. Apophis is making the ultimate ship and they need to destroy it. So with snacks in hand they drug some personnel, lock out the gate and take off. They quickly plant explosives and Daniel takes away some Naquadah from some Jaffa. Just as they are trying to make their escape the armbands suddenly come off one by one and they become unconscious.
Teal’c arrives to assist them after being sent by Hammond when Anise realizes this might occur. After a narrow escape and still managing to destroy the ship Anise shows some regret at them losing the arm bands and expresses a desire to work again with the team. Jack is sure a court martial will ensue, but Hammond clearly states his belief that they were not themselves as they are whisked away to the infirmary and the credits roll.
Upgrades is an interesting episode due to the team being not quite themselves, except for Teal’c. They had their basic wants and needs but they were amped by the armbands. Daniel could “read really fast.” Sam could see in the dark and write books! Jack was boxing like a pro on steroids and he is his funny self, at his peak! Some of the basic team cohesive also plays. Teal’c goes in after them despite the odds against him.
Jack won’t leave Sam and that can go back into the whole ‘ship’, but I won’t. Teal’c and Daniel won’t leave without Jack and Sam. They hold the never leave anyone behind motto to the highest. The bar scene alone makes this episode in my opinion. Evil Daniel peeks out. Sam cleans house in pool. Jack tosses a guy around. Fun is had by all!
An interesting thing about this episode is the introduction of Anise. For some reason she is a big controversy. I think mainly over her clothes which I didn’t see anything wrong with them. They seemed fine and pretty much consistent with the other Tok’ra styles and since we have mostly only seen Tok’ra men (which I am not complaining about at all) we have no reference for her style. I would of liked to see more of her character develop, though, to form a better opinion.
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Beneath the Surface |
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Beneath the Surface is the typical ‘keep ya guessing’ episode. It starts off with the team in a strange place with names we have never heard and not acting very nice to each other. The tension between Jack (Jonah) and Daniel (Carlin) you can cut with a knife.
Teal’c (Tor) is the first to realize that this new life of theirs is not what they are supposed to be doing or where they belong, but his efforts are quickly dismissed as ‘night sickness,’ an illness that effects these underground dwellers. As he is taken away for treatment the charade continues as the team goes about their duties.
Sam (Thera) still very smart with her new identity makes suggestions to Brenna, the leader of the plant. Brenna knows who they really are and is not comfortable with her part in the deception. After some close calls in the plant, the team band together by some sort of instinct as though they know in their hearts that they are a part of something else. They begin to remember who they are slowly and question why and who.
As the truth comes out Administrator Calder, the leader of the city that these workers serve without their knowledge, orders them killed. He knows that his new workers are now a liability. Brenna does not wish to do so and tries to free them instead.
Administrator Calder intersects and tries to kill her as well, just as Teal’c, who has been in a deep meditation after realizing he is different from everyone else, regains consciousness and surprises the guards. The rest of the team quickly steps into action and their memories return. They free their fellow workers and declare they will take them to a planet, an island paradise to live out their lives.
Beneath the Surface is a great character episode for the team, even though they are not really in character. Their identities are seemingly unknown to them, yet you can see their true personalities and how they come together. The interaction between Jonah (Jack) and Thera (Sam) is a close one which indicates that they may have a personal relationship, which is indicated that Sam and Jack may never be able to do because of their working relationship. Although there is much controversy on the subject I thought it was a nice touch that they bonded despite the odds.
It is also quite amusing that Carlin (Daniel) finds himself a companion as well which dates back to Jack’s comment in the first season episode "The Broca Divide" that Daniel will have a woman on every planet if he is not careful. Teal’c is little seen in this episode as he plays sick for the most part.
There are some amusing references as well. When Jack tries to remember the name of the bald man with the short-sleeved shirt…Homer? When Thera (Sam) calls Jonah (Jack) Sir. When Jonah (Jack) says For Crying Out Loud. Carlin (Daniel) starts to question everything and he is the first to notice something might be amiss. All of these personality traits creep out and are used in subtle and funny ways.
The setting and simplicity of this plant is used to make an unsavory place but an understandable one. All together this episode is a great reminder of why we love the team and what kind of mischief they can get themselves into.
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The First One In A
Great Trilogy by Sue Beattie |
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“The First Ones.” This is one of my
favorites in season four because this episode shows us everything Daniel
Jackson is about! A very well written and directed episode by Peter DeLuise,
the story has Daniel captured by an Unas to be sacrificed. The Unas, Chaka,
eventually learns he can be friends with the guy he has captured.
The most enjoyable scenes in this
episode are when Daniel first tries to communicate with Chaka, the scene around
the campfire with the tossing of the Goa’uld symbiote head, and when Daniel
offers Chaka a little something better in the form of an energy bar. The ending
where Chaka is trying to make the other Unas understand that he wishes to bring
his new friend Daniel into the tribe is wonderful.
This is such a well-acted show by
both Michael Shanks and Dion Johnstone (Chaka). PDL did such a wonderful job on
the script and the directing; I was glad when we got more episodes with Chaka
and Daniel.
Season Five
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Another Unas Episode |
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Season Five was a hard season to
watch because of what happened at the end of the season (Meridian). I do have a
favorite: “Beast of Burden,” the continuing saga of Chaka and Daniel.
Daniel feels guilty when Chaka is
captured because he left an energy bar for him, so the team travel to the
planet to save Chaka. Daniel and Jack are captured by the bad guys while Sam
and Teal’c have to rescue them. I have to say I enjoy the little discussion
that Chaka and Daniel have and the look on Jack’s face as he watches them.
At the end when Chaka and his
friend go off to fight a war, Daniel gives Chaka a zat in the hope that fewer
people will die.
I was happy to see a continuation
of the Unas Arc. Again a well written script by PDL and of course Michael and
Dion did a wonderful job in their scenes together as Daniel and Chaka were
reunited!
Season Six
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A Favorite From Season
Six by Sue Beattie |
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Abyss.
Two actors stuck in a small room
acting their hearts out.
Michael Shanks and Richard Dean
Anderson put on one hell of a performance together.
This episode was a good way to
bring the ascended Daniel back in a way to help Jack as he was being tortured
by BAAL.
Season Seven
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A Season 7 Favorite |
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Now this season it’s hard to
choose, but I will go for “Orpheus” because it was a Daniel and Teal’c story;
Teal’c, feeling weak since he started taking the Tretonin, and Daniel having
memories of Ry’ac and Bra’tac, but not sure why.
There were so many nice moments
with the team being a team again. The scene in the gym with Daniel and Sam
talking about movies and how she just rips them apart. Daniel and Jack going to
talk to Teal’c who admits he is weak and does not want to join back up with
SG-1 until he feels he is ready. Daniel and Teal’c doing kel-no-reem and
Daniel’s flashbacks. The team rescuing Bra’tac and Ry’ac and Daniel getting the
recognition for being the one who knew they were in trouble. The conversation
at the end with Teal’c and Daniel just talking and Daniel saying how he feels
like he belongs now.!
Organized by Our Stargate and SDJ.com (http://www.savedanieljackson.com) from an idea by Our Stargate Forum poster Heather Morrow. For more information go to International Stargate Appreciation Month.
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