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And so begins Sam's thread of doomed romances.
Narim isn't my favorite of Sam's suitors, but he's not a bad match for her. Sure, he comes on a little strong with his line that he thought she was a space angel, but he's direct with her, telling her—and showing her—how he feels. From there, he lets her decide. I appreciate that he gives her space to figure out her feelings, and that those feelings are unresolved at the end of this episode. What would have happened if Narim had been allowed to stay on Earth without threat from the NID? Would Sam have eventually reciprocated his feelings? It's a nice little what if, and I appreciate that the future appearances with Narim don't forget their initial attraction (even though by then the show was deep into the Relationship Endgame).
But let's talk about the Tollan in general for a moment because this culture is fascinating. This is a culture that values emotions enough that they have a device to record feelings and deem that technology essential enough to carry into a potential suicide mission. They care deeply about how people feel. It is their remorse at interfering with and unintentionally destroying Sureeta that motivates Omoc to appear cold while dealing with the SGC, but obviously he is like the other Tollan and deeply values emotions. I wonder what mental health care looks like on Tollan since they can literally share their feelings. (Anyone know of any fics dealing with that? I'd be interested in reading one!)
A few last notes of significance:
- The Tollan are the first advanced humans the SGC has come across.
- If there haven't been animals on Tollan for generations, I would assume they are all vegetarian.
- This marks the introduction of Colonel Maybourne and the NID.
- Are there fics about Sam's emotion device? I assume Narim left it with her. (She doesn't give it back on screen, but I didn't count his armbands in later scenes.) Assuming he left it with her, just consider Sam on a lonely night reassuring herself that someone among the stars loves her.
- Thank you for continuing to use Daniel's civilian status to undermine the megalomaniacal parts of the government.
- The guest appearance by Lya is fantastic and illustrates the connected nature of SG-1. There's character growth in how SG-1 reacts to advanced technology being withheld and acknowledgement of their growth from Lya. All of this is a build up to "The Fifth Race," and fits so perfectly together that I can't help but think it was planned.
Quote of the Week:
- Hammond: I can't let you do that. We'd all be court martialed.
Jack: General, I'm about a hair away from not caring. However, Daniel…
Daniel: I can't be court martialed, sir.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.18 Solitudes
Much like how the last episode was Sam fully becoming the complex character we recognize throughout the rest of the series, this episode fully crystalizes the Teal'c we see for seasons to come. "Bloodlines" provided a foundation, introducing more of the world Teal'c came from and giving him family and friends and history. But this episode focuses on the ugly side of that history, uncovering the damned distasteful things he did while in the service of Apophis and not only contextualizing his service, but exploring how he felt about that service.
Chris Judge kills it in the scene with RDA in which he explains why he wants to face judgment for the death of Hanno's father. There's still the trademark Teal'c composure, but breaking through in his shaking, barely controlled voice and haunted eyes is Teal'c's guilt and fear that he'll never be able to atone for all the wrong he has committed. Despite knowing in this instance he chose the lesser of two evils, Teal'c agrees with Hanno that his choice was cowardly and evil. All of that emotion comes through Judge's performance and finally, finally Teal'c feels like the complex, emotionally resonant character I absolutely love.
And while we don't get the conversation directly between Daniel and Teal'c in which Daniel forgives Teal'c for his part in Sha're's abduction, the scene with Daniel recounting Teal'c's role in those events and explaining that "a different Teal'c" chose Sha're canonically presents that Daniel had a difficult time working with Teal'c at first. I wish we could have seen that—and seen Daniel come to terms with it—but that's what we have fanfic for, isn't it?
A few last notes of significance:
- This is the second time Teal'c has been willing to stay behind to take responsibility for crimes he committed while under Apophis's command.
- In season 1, Jack is especially ensconced in the "American way" and I appreciate every instance in this episode in which Daniel breaks down that historically the American justice system is kind of unusual.
- While the iron prisons SG-1 uses for the next ten years look fairly authentic in most of these settings, they must have been hell to film around so you can actually see the actor's faces.
- This episode features the return and death of Shak'l. Exciting stuff, here.
Quote of the Week:
- Hanno: You would save those who wish to kill you?
Teal'c: I would save those who deserve to live.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.17 Enigma
This is the episode when Sam really comes into her own and can be identified as the Sam Carter I know and love. She's got some stellar moments before this—in "The Nox" and "Thor's Hammer," particularly, and it's her cool thinking in "Hathor" that saves the day—but this is the episode that pulls together all the disparate parts of Sam and turns her into a complicated, conflicted person.
The evolution of Sam's character in this episode is encapsulated by her relationship with Cassie. Sam's patience with Cassandra, and the way Cassandra breaks down Sam's walls as much as Sam breaks down Cassandra's walls is what cracks open this character and finally gives Sam the same complexity Jack and Daniel have been rocking from day one. (Okay, Daniel's complexity may have rocketed a notch in "Bloodlines," you know what I mean.) There's huge growth between Sam telling Daniel, "Sometimes I forget you're not military" and her breaking down in the elevator before going back for Cassie. It's amazing to see Sam wrestle with the divide between her heart and her head, and then come to a decision that honors her as a human instead of just as a role on the team.
Amanda Tapping's performance is the most natural it has been this early in the series. From the first moment of this episode Sam feels more alive and more complete. (Compare this episode to say "Emancipation" and it's easy to see what I mean.) And the way Tapping plays off Katie Stuart (Cassandra) to slowly form their relationship is masterful. The time devoted pays off, cementing Cassie in the hearts of the audience and priming her for future appearances—this is the kind of emotional work we love seeing in SG-1!
A few last notes of significance:
- Teal'c coaxing Cassie out of the bushes is the cutest thing. ♥
- Daniel voices concern that the SG team had dismissed the Hankan mythology. Considering the Goa'uld, it's nice to see someone make the link that alien mythology might have more basis in science than the Tau'ri might think.
- This is the first time they identify the Stargate is made of naquadah and the first time they say "naquadah."
- Teal'c says that Nirriti is an enemy of Apophis, but we know Hanka is Nirriti's domain, so did Nirriti independently try to destroy the Tau'ri 'gate? Or was Nirriti contracted by Apophis/the System Lords? Or did she decide to shut this down as soon as she saw SG-7? I have questions.
- Nirriti is referred to by male pronouns in this episode.
- The way the guys support Sam in this episode is so good. Everything from Daniel sitting outside Cassie's room—there, but giving Sam space—to the fact that none of them will clear out before the explosion. SG-1 is the greatest version of the Three Musketeers.
- Daniel spends a lot of this episode not wearing his glasses and It.Is.Kill.Ing.Me.
Quote of the Week:
- Sam: I know I'm supposed to be detached.
Daniel: Who said that?
Sam: Sometimes I forget you're not military.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.16 Cor-ai
It's hard to talk about Hathor without talking about rape. That is what happens to Daniel in this episode and it is clumsily brushed off in canon with Daniel's sheepish, "A lot of that [DNA] will probably be mine," and Jack's wholly inadequate and inappropriate, "Ew."
BUT THANK GOD FOR FANFIC. Because for several days after watching the episode, I read about fifteen different takes of Daniel getting acknowledgement and support concerning what happened to him. Instead of talking about the episode this week, I need to talk about fandom and why it's so important to this series.
The wonderful thing about Stargate has always been the way it tackles serious and often uncomfortable issues. It doesn't shy away from the tough stuff, but also, as a result of it being a television show that has to appeal to marketers, being produced in the late 90s, and, yeah, being mostly created and controlled by men, they often either miss the mark for nuance or fail at the dismount, by which I mean the repercussions of some of the events. Like rape, or deaths of recurring characters, or a lot of things involving minorities of any kind.
But surrounding the series is an amazing fandom that fleshes out and explores all the weaknesses of the series. It fills in the gaps between episodes, it deals with the mental health of the main characters, it connects to their grief and healing, and by God, it explores the topics left poked but gently prodded by the series.
It was no surprise to me the number of fics I found related to "Hathor." In pursuing this project it's become clear to me how much of the early SG-1 fic has been lost—stories weren't archived on AO3, other archives have slowly folded, and even painstakingly kept rec lists can have dead links. But damn, were there still a lot of "Hathor" fics. And I truly think that's because we all saw the need for episode tags. What happened to Daniel was pretty obvious and if the fanfic writers didn't explore it—didn't help Daniel—there was no way we could buy him being okay in the next episode.
Fandom is great for additional content, for expanding the universe and adding color commentary, but it also often provides an important level of context and nuance that is essential for anyone who wants to get obsessive. Fandom, thank you and I love you.
PS This episode is so, so uncomfortable.
A few last notes of significance:
- I love when we get to remember that Daniel is a disgraced academic. Warms my heart every time. (That sounds sarcastic, but I swear, it is my happy place.)
- I'm now assuming that Hathor walked to Colorado Springs from Mexico because that image is funny.
- This is the first incursion of the SGC. Also, the concept of Goa'uld queens is first introduced here.
- I have so many questions about how the Jaffa creation process works. We don't keep our immune systems in our stomachs. Where do those organs go? How else has Jack's body changed in the handful of seconds it took to create "the womb"?
Quote of the Week:
- Daniel: Hathor was the Egyptian goddess of fertility, inebriety and music.
Jack: Sex, drugs and rock and roll?
Daniel: In a manner of speaking, yes.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.15 Singularity
Even though Daniel has been declared dead before and all of the human members of SG-1 temporarily bite it in "The Nox," this is the first time in which the team has believed Daniel dead and actually grieved. It's the grieving part that I think is the most interesting because so often
So, what exactly makes Daniel so special? Why spend all this time grieving for him?*
In the confines of this episode, grief is literally a plot point. SG-1 believes Daniel is dead, they have a funeral, but—twist!—Daniel isn't dead. Makes total sense when you're breaking apart the plot of the episode that they would have a memorial service, Jack would eulogize Daniel, and they would be sad about losing their friend. But the grief here shows so much more than them just losing a team member. Kawalsky didn't get this level of on-screen attention from anyone—including Jack. Daniel is special and this episode underlines that for everyone. Daniel is the man who opened the Stargate, the man who (co-)killed Ra, and as Jack says in his eulogy, the conscience of the SGC. If anyone thought Daniel wasn't important, this episode is a flashing neon light of just how important Daniel is to this world.
It all starts with the acting of Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, and Chris Judge. When the team first 'gates in and Jack reports "Daniel's dead, sir," the hollowness in his eyes is a knife in the gut. Sam's telling of Daniel's death to Fraiser and during the inquest is equally heart wrenching. This is SG-1 at its finest, emotionally compromised and completely committed to each other.
That commitment may be the reason Daniel is grieved over and over. It's not just that Daniel is important to the existence of the Stargate Program, or that he is often the viewer surrogate, but it's that SG-1 is a family and not acknowledging the loss of one of the core members would feel false. The prolonged "death" of Jack in "Lost City" plays out in similar ways to "Meridian." Each team member gets a moment to say goodbye. There isn't an episode of denouement as in "Revelations"—but, uh, they originally thought the series was ending, so…—but there's enough of the grieving process in "Lost City" to still make it feel significant.
Honestly, there's more to unpack on this topic, but I'm leaving this here for now since that pretty well covers this specific episode.
*I am not griping about the treatment of other prominent deaths here, just talking about what makes Daniel so special.
A few last notes of significance:
- So many of my notes are about Daniel's eyes and his beautiful face. This is one of the top five episodes for OMG How Are Michael Shanks's Eyes That Blue.
- How does Daniel translate any cuneiform without his books? Are they sure he doesn't have some Ancient evolved brain powers, too?
- Have you ever paused to read Daniel's journal? It's hilarious. The line Sam reads is literally stuck in the middle of Daniel musing about, presumably, the Jackal and the Hound. I'm impressed the prop guys bothered to stick it in.
- Sam volunteers as tribute! For hypnosis.
- It's so disappointing we never see Nem again. He had cool technology and could have been a link to other, ancient allies.
- An interesting article on SG-1 Solutions posits that Marduk—the Goa'uld from Kendra's homeworld—may have also been Belus, the Goa'uld who killed Omoroca.
Quote of the Week:
- Jack: Daniel Jackson made this place… happen. As a member of SG-1, he was our voice—our conscience. He was a very courageous man. He was a good man. For those of us lucky enough to have known him, he was also a friend.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.14 Hathor
This episode builds on the groundwork from "The Nox," fleshing out more of Teal'c's backstory and introducing what life is like for the Jaffa living under Goa'uld rule. The deep dive into Chulak finally humanizes the Jaffa, developing their lives beyond being canon fodder and introducing the idea that there are others like Teal'c who are none too accepting of Goa'uld rule (or who, like the kreshta, might be easily convinced to welcome something different).
It also lays out the consequences of Teal'c turning traitor, and illustrates how his decisions affected the people he loves (another recurring theme of the self-sacrificing SG-1). Drey'auc does not play around with her recriminations, and her words are underlined by Rya'c's illness, which ups the tension of the whole episode. I think Drey'auc is vilified by the viewer far too often, but, dude, is she ever a survivor, just doing what she can to keep herself and her son alive. She has it tough and does the best she can in that situation.
I would not be me if I didn't talk about Daniel killing the tankful of symbiotes. Because, wow, that is a thing that happened!
Daniel's reasoning aside, taking the MP5 to the Goa'uld larvae is cold as hell. This anger and darkness has been lurking inside him since Sha're was taken as a host. Losing her undercut his faith in a way he wasn't prepared to face. At this point, it's a wound that's still raw and in this moment his anger takes over and he loses control. (This is also the darkness that "Absolute Power" highlights and intensifies.) Despite the tragedy here, losing control is good for Daniel. It's rock bottom in terms of his morality, but also serves to educate him on what he still has to lose. I assume he remembers this at other times when he might prefer the ease of giving in to his anger and fear.
A few last notes of significance:
- Whoa. I didn't remember they were trying drug therapy for Jaffa this early in the series.
- Daniel casually munching a protein bar after gunning down the larvae is frustrating because I see this moment as fairly pivotal to Daniel's emotional arc. But I guess killing a bunch of defenseless babies works up an appetite. :P
- Every note I took about Bra'tac is variations of "Bra'tac is awesome," so let it be known: Bra'tac is awesome.
- It's a good thing Teal'c has a very young Goa'uld since he's planning to stay on Earth a long time.
Quote of the Week:
- Jack: Well, we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.
Bra'tac: No. The bridge is too well guarded.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.13 Fire and Water
Catherine Langford gets short shrift in SG-1, only appearing in three episodes in the first two seasons before she unceremoniously dies off screen in "Moebius." But if they're going to ignore her, at least we have "The Torment of Tantalus" to fill in some of her history with the Stargate and provide a reminder that the SGC exists because of this amazing woman who wouldn't give up.*
Jack and Daniel remember Catherine's contributions to the Stargate Program and shower her with the respect she deserves. The image that best captures this feeling is when they escort her through the 'gate, each one taking an arm. In Season 1 there's a very real threat that the 'gate might toss her across the room and she'd break all her old lady bones, but I don't think their escort duties are entirely about her physical safety. She is royalty to Jack and Daniel. They both owe their lives to her for involving them in the original Abydos mission. Without her, they wouldn't be who they are. The dialogue supports that time and again in this episode, but that one moment says so much.
This episode also lays the groundwork for two major SG-1 themes: the meaning of life stuff and the inability to both learn and share this knowledge. I love that this episode begins with Jack noting that Daniel seems "a tad obsessed" with the 1945 'gate tests and then ends with Daniel leaving behind his new obsession, the Heliopolis book devised by the four alien races. Daniel is doomed to relive this moment again and again, having the ability to learn all the secrets of the universe, but never being able to share it. We see it when he Ascends and again in "Unending." Poor Daniel. I'm sorry we all love to watch you be frustrated.
*This is where I'm going to remind everyone that Stargate: Origins exists. If you're unfamiliar with it or haven't seen it, it is a canon-compliant adventure of Catherine going through the Stargate to Abydos in 1938. (Memory loss via ribboning allows it to fit in universe, just go with it.) If you like Catherine, I would recommend it, though you may want to take a few deep breaths if you are heavily invested in SG-1 canon. Maybe I'll write a review of it at some point.
A few last notes of significance:
- Anyone keeping tabs on the Season 1 timeline, "The Torment of Tantalus" takes place about six months after "Children of the Gods."
- How did Daniel ever keep his security clearance? It was a good call when they started leveraging that he was a civilian.
- When Catherine compares Daniel to Ernest, there's a little stab in my heart, because yeah, Daniel is also more in love with the Stargate than he is with his wife.
- Has anyone noticed that the Ancient seems to be written sideways?
- Never do the math on Catherine's age, it makes no damn sense. I'm going to assume she misspeaks in this episode when she says she was 21 in 1945. Age 25 in 1945 makes much more sense. That would make her 18 during Stargate: Origins and 8 when the Stargate is discovered in 1928.
- How is Jack and Daniel's race to the 'gate so tense? I know they're going to make it and yet the pacing of the scene, the intercut of Sam's worried looks, and the destruction of the fortress make it tense enough to hold my attention on repeat viewings.
- I know we mostly focus on Jack and Daniel in this episode (er, at least I do), but Sam has some shining moments here. The conversation she shares with Catherine about Ernest is one of the most humanizing conversations she's had up to this moment.
Quote of the Week:
- Ernest: No prize is worth attaining if you can never share it! There would be no point! Believe me. I know.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.12 Bloodlines
Gentle readers, I hope you know that I have been trying to reign in my feelings about Daniel for these reviews, but there is no way for me to restrain them with this episode. For me this episode is all about Daniel's journey—the intense hope that springs from meeting Kendra and finding out about Thor's Hammer and then the utter loss when he is asked to destroy the Hammer to save Teal'c. Teal'c who, let me remind you, is responsible for choosing Sha're to be a host. Stick a knife in my heart, it's going to be an emotional review.
The end of this episode is really about Jack and Daniel's priorities. Daniel the Optimist is looking to the future, to the possibility that they will rescue Sha're and Skaara, and then use Thor's Hammer to free them from the Goa'uld. He's not wrong, and Teal'c is so guilt-ridden that he offers to stay in the labyrinth until Sha're and Skaara are rescued. But Jack the Realist—Jack the Cynic—can't be sure they'll ever rescue Sha're and Skaara (it's a damn big universe, after all) and Teal'c is someone Jack knows he can save today. Jack refuses to sacrifice the present for the future, and honestly my therapist will be so happy that I identified that.
I used to think it was mean of Jack to make Daniel destroy the Hammer, but it's not about cruelty at all. Daniel has to be on board with this, too. SG-1 can't work if Daniel resents that Jack freed Teal'c over Sha're. Asking Daniel to do it—and yeah, he never commands Daniel to do it—allows Daniel the final choice in what they do with the Hammer. When Daniel fires the staff weapon, he's agreeing with Jack that while they both want the same future, they can't get there by sacrificing today.
Urk, feelings. Daniel. Zrrrrk.
Okay. Deep breaths taken, let me talk about another thing that I really love about this episode: the setting. Cimmeria is the first world they've encountered that has actually evolved since being stranded by the Goa'uld. No no, still no advanced tech, but when Daniel explains that "a-viking" means trading and fighting, Gairwyn responds, "That was in the old days. Nowadays they go to the towns to look for work. It's been a hard season for farmers." Whoa, the culture has developed and adapted in the thousand years since the Goa'uld grabbed them? Amazing. Seriously, it's a relief that Cimmeria was allowed to evolve and wasn't just another culture-in-a-bottle for Daniel to drool over. I love that it's treated as though it were a real place inhabited by real people. It's one of the details that makes Cimmeria one of the most memorable worlds SG-1 visits.
A few last notes of significance:
- This is a reminder that in Season 1, the gate ejected people and it was hilarious.
- Daniel makes some amazing assumptions in this episode, including that the Goa'uld didn't build the Stargates and that the Norse gods are aliens. This would seem ridiculous coming from any other character, but he already correctly predicted that the pyramids were landing platforms for alien ships and that the 'gate glyphs were constellations, so sure, Daniel, keep making insane leaps of logic. It's a good look on you.
- This is the first appearance of the Goa'uld healing device and of the Unas.
- Kendra is amazing. First she was strong enough to influence her Goa'uld symbiote, then she survived the painful extraction process, and then she sucks it up and takes Sam and Daniel back to the place that was a reminder of great emotional trauma. I really wish she could have appeared again.
- Daniel and Sam throw some intense Mulder and Scully vibes while they're following Kendra. Sam starts questioning if Kendra's subconscious is preventing her from facing her trauma and Daniel provides logical explanations for her meandering path. What 90s show am I watching?
Quote of the Week:
- Teal'c: Are you considering the same tactic as I?
Jack: Teal'c, the cliché is "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" And the answer's yes.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.11 The Torment of Tantalus
As usual for season one, this is another installment of SG-1 Makes Stupid Decisions and Another Regulation Is Written Into SGC Training Manuals. In this episode, their stupid decisions begin with Jack eating the Argosian marriage cake and no one saying anything when he's dragged off by Kynthia. Ah, "Brief Candle," the Ultimate May-December Romance.
Thankfully their decision making skills step up by the end of the episode with Jack refusing to take another disease through the gate, Hammond destroying the blood samples once it was clear the nanites could adapt and spread, and then Jack's whole discovery that the statue was a transmitter for the nanites. (Actually, Jack's deductions are A+ and a real come back after eating the cake, which was just… uuuugh.)
While Jack's skepticism is on the fritz in this episode, his emotional intelligence is off the scale. Jack's anger is always directed at Pelops, not Kynthia. He almost immediately understands that it's not her fault he contracted the nanite virus and identifies that she's as much a victim as he is. He educates her and the others on their situation and fans their sense of curiosity only after they express it. For being the first one to usually shout "they're not gods," Jack is Daniel-levels of sensitive in this episode, even identifying when he might have told the Argosians too much. As uncomfortable as this episode is, Jack's processing and reflection is what makes this episode worth watching.
And that's all I'm saying about the intense dub con of this episode. (I have to save my energy for "Hathor.")
A few last notes of significance:
- This episode marks the first appearance of Goa'uld tablets and page readers. I love these little devices, but have always wondered about their UI design. Is there a way to get to a main menu?
- This is also the first appearance of nanites. They're technically called "nanocytes" here, but I've called them nanites for consistency with later seasons.
- Daniel Jackson, midwife. Where are the fics about this, please?
- Janet has loaded hi-res video of the nanites on to a 3.5 inch disc. This is hilarious.
- Daniel yells at Hammond, but Hammond responds to him calmly but firmly. Someone's become a favorite, eh?
Quote of the Week:
- Jack: Yeah, sure, have an apple. What could happen?
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.10 Thor's Hammer
Finally, the Goa'uld have returned! They've provided an undercurrent of tension for the last four episodes, present in the technology and people they stranded, but this is the first face-to-face encounter since they kidnapped Sha're and Skaara and essentially murdered Major Kawalsky. And, as a result, this is the episode when SG-1 truly becomes SG-1.
Teal'c's motivation and arc are finally defined when he firmly states that the Goa'uld are not gods and declares his desire to free the Jaffa. He stands before Apophis and boldly says, "Dal shakka mel. I die free," a line which actually gave me goosebumps on this viewing. Teal'c's personal history also gets some development, identifying Shak'l as a Jaffa Teal'c trained and illustrating the long journey Teal'c will face while trying to convince other Jaffa that the Goa'uld are not gods.
Jack and Daniel's interaction is also much more familiar with them pairing off, finishing each other's sentences, and being on the same page while reading different books. One scene intercuts Daniel's conversation with Opher and Jack's conversation with Anteaus and the conversations couldn't be more different, even though both are successfully gaining intelligence about the Nox. Daniel approaches Opher on Opher's terms, answering questions to facilitate communication and being open to receiving what Opher says. Jack, on the other hand, yells, agitates Anteaus, and tells Anteaus what will happen. Totally different approaches, but when Jack and Daniel reunite, they pool resources and are once again on the same page. (Oh, my heart aches with the knowledge that Jack will one day rudely tell Daniel to shut up.)
Sam also feels more balanced in this episode. Her dialogue is a little less golly-gee-whiz and Amanda Tapping's performance feels more relaxed. She had Sam's energy and control over technobabble from day one, but struggled through some of the quieter moments, like when telling Jack last episode that she was an auntie. All of the characters feel much more connected here, and it goes a long way to making each individual stronger.
A few last notes of significance:
- I literally forgot about the opening scene of this episode with the Secretary. If you don't remember something happened in canon, does it exist?
- Considering all "magic" is considered "science" in Stargate, the Nox must be evolved in the same way as the Ancients. (Which is pretty much magic, writers, okay?)
- Many of us cite a line from "Bloodlines" to "Prototype," but Daniel stone cold says "And we can't kill [Shak'l] either," and then covers saying he was just stating a fact. Really, Daniel?
- The Nox are the first advanced race the SGC come into contact with and give them a hard lesson delivered softly. That lesson is mostly about making assumptions and being asses.
- Basically the Nox city is their version of Atlantis, right? Visually it's fairly similar, just with Nox aesthetics. Also it flies.
Quote of the Week:
- Jack: "The very young do not always do as they're told." Just a little something the Nox told me one time. Something worth taking home.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.09 Brief Candle
I love the character exploration that can be done when characters are faced with doubles of themselves, and even though this is only the first instance of this trope in SG-1, this episode knocks it out of the park.
One thing that strikes me is that the Crystal Unity mimics Jack physically and picks up some surface thoughts, but is otherwise on his own trying to figure out Jack's pain. He is experiencing a truly alien environment, working though complicated issues like human death and grief, and trying to figure out how to be Jack. (That little bit where he practices saying hello to Sara is my favorite example of that.) With his vulnerability and honesty, he is actually able to bridge the gap between Jack and Sara, and offers an unfiltered version of a conversation they should have had long ago. It's not an easy conversation, and it's a shame Jack doesn't get to have it, but Sara certainly comes away with a deeper understanding of what happened, and maybe some closure. Maybe Jack gets some too after listening to his double psychoanalyze him in front of his team and then turn into his dead son. …Or maybe Jack has gained several more years to that therapy he really should be getting. Who knows?
The doubles from here on out tend to be mostly alternate versions of characters or literal duplicates. The premise of an imposter gating home doesn't work as well in later seasons because they know each other too well. Their unfamiliarity is a plot point here, with Sam not knowing anything about Charlie and Sara. In a couple years this premise isn't believable because of their closeness and because the SGC is ready to toss anyone acting weird in an iso-room. (As they should.)
This episode is in my top ten, maybe even top five, for season one. Aside from a few continuity gaffs, it is emotionally resonant and a great stepping stone for transitioning from Kurt Russell's "O'Neil" to RDA's Jack.
A few last notes of significance:
- The music in the first season sets the tone for the whole series, but the music especially in "Cold Lazarus" is just so perfect. The musical play between happy memories and deep sorrow is often the exact shift needed to help the viewer follow the quiet emotional beats of the complex scenes with Jack and Sara.
- I love Sam and Daniel working together to analyze the crystals—their science backgrounds are very different, but they understand that information from either side can mix to answer their questions.
- Sam and Daniel seem to have selective amnesia in this episode, forgetting that Teal'c was with Apophis when they came to Earth in "Children of the Gods." Daniel says that Teal'c's weapon is "the same as the ones Apophis used." Yeah, Daniel, there's a reason for that.
- This is pretty much the first and last time that Jack trusts his alien double. Considering that the double cuts into and reveals his deepest emotional wounds, I get it.
- I assume that for several missions after this, every time someone uses the bathroom off-world they have to pass an "is it really you?" test.
Quote of the Week:
- Teal'c: Your world is a strange place.
Daniel: So's yours.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.08 The Nox
First, I have to get this out of the way: in an open flame like that, the fire would not have gotten hot enough to turn Frakes to bone and ash. There should still be a charred body. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
I walked away from this episode thinking a lot about the Goa'uld propaganda machine. Early in the episode Teal'c states that the Goa'uld terraformed many of the stargate worlds centuries ago. We know that's false since (1) the Ancients created the 'gate network and (2) the Goa'uld are much more likely to move a stargate to a new planet than bother with time- and resource-consuming terraforming. I mean, honestly, if the planet were hostile but had a bunch of naquadah, they'd enslave a bunch of Unas and drop 'em on the planet to work until they died. (That's right, Goa'uld, I know your tricks.) That means that this rumor that the Goa'uld terraformed the planets is all part of the Goa'uld lies to bolster their claims at godhood.
What the Goa'uld accomplished on a large scale is exactly what Captain Hanson accomplishes on a small scale. He steals technology (first Earth technology and then the shield technology) and calls it magic, placing himself in a position of power over the natives. Whether or not he goes a little insane after two days in the sun, he follows the Goa'uld playbook, using his newfound power to enslave the locals and build a temple. They never compare him to the Goa'uld in the episode, but the analogy is clear (especially in hindsight) and it's a reminder to the SG teams not to let their advanced technology go to their heads. (Which also makes me wonder if the SG psych evals got an update after this incident. Sam did say she knew he had this in him.)
A few last notes of significance:
- This is the first episode in which Daniel wears a bandana and I love whomever made this costuming decision.
- Based on Sam's analysis of the shield device (it follows the same basic circuitry patterns as the Gate technology), either the Ancients built it or the Goa'uld adapted other Ancient tech to create the UV shield.
- This episode foreshadows the fact that the Goa'uld mine planets for naquadah and then leave once the resources are depleted.
- It still bothers me that in this episode Sam immediately notes the absence of birdsong, but in "Spirits," Teal'c has to point it out to her.
Quote of the Week:
- Jack: Does it say "colonel" anywhere on my uniform?
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.07 Cold Lazarus
The Touched virus is the first, but not last, alien virus that rips through the SGC. This episode establishes a fantastic Stargate trope in which the parasitic aliens our heroes have to fight are much smaller, and sometimes more deadly, than the goa'uld. But probably the most wonderful thing about "The Broca Divide" is that it introduces us to our chief medical officer, the no-bullshit queen, the absolute Stargate legend, Dr. Janet Fraiser.
Janet is a powerhouse in her first appearance, steamrolling into the Stargate franchise like she's been there since day one and we just weren't paying attention. Teryl Rothery immediately blends in with the main cast, the obvious missing piece for any base episode. "The Broca Divide" clearly does not have the same gravitas as "The Enemy Within," but Teryl's performance kicks it up a step and makes a hokey virus turning homo sapiens into Neanderthals seem like a credible and serious threat to neutralize.
Janet carries a lot of the weight of the episode, considering that four-fifths of the main cast get taken out by the virus. By the thirty-minute mark, the episode is relying on taciturn Teal'c and newcomer Janet to save the day. (And they do, and it's glorious.)
There's much about "The Broca Divide" that is forgettable (or should be forgotten, such as Daniel's casual decision to not intervene during an attempted rape), but if nothing else, it should remind you to take your allergy medication.
A few last notes of significance:
- The variety of cultures, sets, and matte paintings in the first few seasons Are. So. Good.
- When they discover P3X-797 is very dark, Daniel says, "This is crazy. We don't know what could be there waiting for us when we come through." And, based on all the crazy shit they walk into for the next ten years, that line is unintentionally hilarious.
- For those into hurt/comfort or whumping, Daniel spends most of this episode getting beaten up.
Quote of the Week:
- Daniel: Uh, maybe I have a natural immunity.
Teal'c: Perhaps you will develop symptoms later.
Daniel: Thank you for the moral support.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.06 The First Commandment
Hey, let's talk gender politics.
Sam's portrayal in this episode is 100% a product of the Strong Female Character™, by which I mean she's a woman doing "man stuff." This is a pretty common trend in 90s feminism, characterizing women as being "as good as" men and male coding themselves rather than including their gender as part of their greatness. Even Sam is buying into this lightweight feminism, telling Turghan, "I am a warrior and a scholar. I do the work of men." This is a repeat of her standing up to the boys during her introduction, shooting off to Kawalsky, "I played with dolls when I was a kid," and of course the infamous "reproductive organs on the inside" line. All of this combines to create a character who seems to reject her gender, possibly because for her whole life she's been told that who she is as it relates to her gender is "wrong." (No, I'm not overly identifying, what?)
This episode might be the first step in her discovering that "women's work" is not lesser work, that learning how to cook, weave, and dye isn't inferior to doing the work of a warrior or a scholar. Turghan tells her, "The spirits have brought you here to teach you how to be a woman," and while he said that as an utter asshole, I think this episode is the first in Sam's character growth of embracing her gender. (The next major moment that challenges her preconceptions comes after blending with Jolinar and incorporating Jolinar's experiences of being gender fluid, thus expanding Sam's mind about gender presentation and what that means.)
While the sexism in SG-1 is sometimes frustrating, Sam's journey is actually more progressive than I've ever given it credit for being.
A few last notes of significance:
- This is Daniel's first "incredible opportunity to study an ancient culture up close." Daniel, I love you, you nerd.
- I love that everyone fully backs Daniel's bluff that Sam is their chieftain. No one even bats an eyelash.
- It's very clear that SOP for SG teams is based on the repeated gaffs and near catastrophic events caused by SG-1 in their first year of operation—in this episode: kidnapping mostly as a result of not using the buddy system.
Quote of the Week:
- Teal'c: What is an Oprah?
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.05 The Broca Divide
I tend to rush past "The Enemy Within" during rewatches. It's a base episode, there's still a lot of universe set up, and, quite honestly, Daniel doesn't have much screen time. But this rewatch is about me really stopping and watching SG-1 again like it's the first time, and I have to say I'm glad I stopped to take it in.
Jay Acovone's performance is amazing, especially considering he has to give much of it while strapped to a (ridiculous) bed. Kawalsky is barely in SG-1 and yet it's this performance that cements him in the hearts of fans and why he shows up again seven years later. The episode is almost entirely about Kawalsky and Jack, establishing the depth of their friendship and setting Jack up for the moment when he has to let Kawalsky go.
Because this episode centers around Kawalsky slowly losing his body to the Goa'uld symbiote, we also learn a lot about how the Goa'uld work, specifically that something of the host must survive. It's a moment that turns the climax of the episode from bittersweet to oh-shit, because—despite Jack's proclamation that "my friend died on the table"—Kawalsky was still in there, even if he wasn't in control. This complicates every Goa'uld encounter in that every Goa'uld villain is also potentially a victim. It's easy to forget that SG-1 is, over and over, a story about victims reclaiming agency and being released from their pain.
A few last notes of significance:
- Teal'c's interrogation by Kennedy sets up the conflict at the end of the season, with Teal'c explaining how Goa'uld invasions work, and Jack piping in that they're "not that much of a nuisance just yet."
- This is one of the few episodes in which the "gate room" is actually called the "embarkation room," thus setting up that joke for "2010."
- The rotating bed they strap Kawalsky to is ridiculous and could have ruined these highly emotional scenes of Kawalsky receiving his death sentence, but seriously, these actors are such professionals knocking the emotional gravitas out of the park.
- The writers don't have Teal'c's voice down yet and there's a few clunkers in there like Teal'c saying "O'Neill" instead of "you."
- Jack touches basically everyone in this episode except for Daniel. What the hell.
Quote of the Week:
- Jack: Permission to barge in, sir?
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.04 Emancipation
Ah, pilot episodes. A good pilot has to lay a lot of groundwork to establish the canon that will later be ignored to varying degrees (like the fact that Kawalsky didn't know Jack had a son, okay Brad). "Children of the Gods" has a lot of weight to carry, needing to first catch up anyone who missed the movie, and then establish the larger world that the series is jumping into. There are two key scenes that take care of this: the initial briefing with Hammond when Jack lies his ass off and the cartouche room with three-fourths of SG-1. Both of these scenes do an excellent job of grounding huge info dumps in character moments—that's essentially why these scenes work.
The briefing sets Hammond as the viewer surrogate, letting Jack explain to him what he missed. By itself that could be pretty dull, but the whole conversation is sparking with tension because Jack is lying (and everyone knows it). Anyone watching Richard Dean Anderson's performance, or the way Jack keeps cutting glances to his nervously shifting teammates, is going to pick up on Jack's lies pretty quickly. So the scene is constructed around the truth, Jack's lies, and the moment when Jack's lies are going to come out, which keeps the viewer interested while still swallowing this enormous info dump. All the interest is rooted in character.
The cartouche room is similar in structure—in this case Daniel has the info that he's explaining to Jack and Sam. What works in this scene (aside from the fact that Daniel Jackson is the perfect human) is that Sam picks up on his enthusiasm and the two of them start bouncing off each other in utter glee. Their excitement supports the entire scene and it's not just a wall of Star Chart Doppler's Shift Computer Programs, but is their genuine excitement for the hook underpinning the whole damn show. And if you got lost in all the techno babble, Jack sums up: "So, the Stargate can go other places?"
There's a LOT of set-up to get through in a pilot, and I think "Children of the Gods" handles it rather expertly.
A few last notes of significance:
- In the opening sequence, the first person to approach the active Stargate is the unnamed female officer who was initially wary of the mysterious device. When the first image of a series is a woman being braver than the men, certain expectations must be met.
- If you too are a crazy person who keeps obsessing over Daniel's time on Abydos, he states in this episode that he found the cartouche room after a month. (Excuse me, I need to go change the timeline on a fic I wrote in 2006.)
Quote of the Week:
- Samuels: What if the aliens get it?
Jack: Well they could be blowing their noses right now.
( Episode Stats )
Next up: 1.03 The Enemy Within
...
NOPE.
Everything I used to hate about this episode I still hate. It's basically the writers giving the finger to all the fans while also introducing one of The Dumbest Ideas that changes the make up of the last six and a half years of the show. I'm pretty chill about ret-cons that add something to the mythology or characterization, but this conflicts with Jack's characterization and I just do not buy that Jack "There's Nothing Cruvus With Me" O'Neill was totally sanguine when he started getting flashes of the life of an Indiana barber. Especially not Season-2-era O'Neill who fucking flipped out every time an alien shoved something weird in his head. No. No no no no no.
And Charlene, Joe's wife? OH. MY. GOD. I had forgotten she was the Female Fan Surrogate and uttered the line, "It's just that personally I like stories that are more about inter-personal relations and a little less to do with things blowing up." It's such a passive-aggressive, childish swipe at the female fanbase of SG-1. There's one thing about poking fun at yourself and another thing about not only poking fun at your fanbase, but taking their legitimate commentary and turning it into a dismissible joke. I mean, it's not like SG-1 doesn't have episodes about inter-personal relations, what else would you call an episode like "Abyss"? Or "The Gamekeeper"? How about "Grace"? Or what about "Meridian"? (Also, please note that by the time we're seeing season 3 recaps—season 3—Joe is all romanticizing Jack's relationship with Laira, which is to say THEIR MALE FAN SURROGATE WANTS INTER-PERSONAL STORIES TOO.)
*DEEEEEEEP BREATH*
I really hate this episode.
I forgive Sci-Fi for cancelling SG-1.
It's true. Because if they hadn't have cancelled SG-1, the writers and crew would not have had the time and focus to actually write and film a story this good. HOLY CRAP. 90% of this movie is about the characters and not things exploding. It is everything I love about SG-1 and pretty much nothing I have ever hated about it.
I . . . I cannot express how very, very happy I am with this film.
Dude. I liked Serenity, but this is what Serenity should have been.
Now please excuse me while I go watch the movie again.
( Minor Spoiler & Daniel Flailing )
ETA If you didn't like Continuum, I'm very sorry for you. I can probably come up with actual critiques later, but right now I'm basking. And flailing. And trying not to squeal too much.
"Fallout"—New Dialogue!
As I was watching "Fallout" last night I turned up the volume and heard this dialogue I’ve never heard before!!
( To Protect The Innocent From Spoilers )
Of course this is exactly what I love about SG-1. They leave all this room for fanfics to fill in and get to the meat of relationships, problems between characters, and emotional resolutions. Seriously, this fandom is a writer’s playground.
"Grace"—All About The Characters
Last night I also watched “Grace,” ( This Became Much Longer Than I Intended )
- Mood:
pensive
