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Each year the planet Adora is witness to a spectacular display
of meteor showers, only the displays have become increasingly
spectacular. An analysis by Daniel shows that every one hundred
and fifty years the meteors hit the ground with devastating
results. Yep, you've guessed, it's one hundred and fifty years
since the last bombardment. SG-1 instigates an evacuation
of the local population, but meteors begin to hit the ground
around the Stargate. Carter and Teal'c escape but O'Neill
becomes stranded when the Stargate suffers a direct hit.
As
A Hundred Days focuses mainly on the plight of O'Neill,
it falls to Richard Dean Anderson to carry the episode, which
fortunately he achieves with aplomb. The episode is an excellent
mix of drama and romance, with our heroes first battling to
survive the meteor bombardment, before O'Neill is left to
start a new life with the survivors and cope with a new love
in his life. The meteor shower is impressively realised, with
massive explosions in the far distance as the meteors whistle
overhead. Thanks to a sensitive script, the love story cannot
be faulted and there are a number of genuinely moving moments
that add new depth to O'Neill. All in all, this is a very
enjoyable episode and a departure from the norm.
O'Neill
and team return to Tollan in an attempt to obtain advanced
technology from the planet's people. Shockingly, O'Neill actually
steals some Tollan technology and as a result is forced to
leave the SGC. However, after he leaves, O'Neill is approached
by Maybourne with an interesting offer. Maybourne needs a
leader for a group he has established that will collect technology
for Earth, whether the owners agree or not.
Shades
of Grey is well paced and makes a strong effort to portray
O'Neill's betrayal as credible to the character, but ultimately
his behaviour simply isn't believable. Additionally, the story
is too predictable and the ending is no surprise. However,
of particular note is how the series' continuity is handled,
with plot references explained to the casual viewer in a way
that won't antagonise the regular fans. The best scene is
when Hammond reprimands O'Neill about what has happened. The
dialogue is excellent and the confrontation between the two
characters is impressively dramatic.
The
planet P2X416 is divided into two distinct cultures: The Bedrosians
and the Optricians. The Bedrosians believe that their people
were created on the planet, but the Optricians believe aliens
introduced the populace to the world. The arrival of SG-1
through the newly unearthed Stargate is confirmation that
the Optricians are right. Unfortunately, the Stargate is on
Bedrosian soil and the presence of SG-1 is seen as an Optrician
trick designed to undermine the Bedrosian faith. All but Teal'c
are captured, but during his escape an energy weapon that
leaves him blind and incapable of rescuing his comrades hits
Teal'c. The remainder of SG-1 are interrogated and tortured
at some length.
The
special effects for New Ground are certainly one of
the highlights of the episode, with a shuttle crash and a
battle between SG-1 and the natives being of particular note.
Also commendable is the performance by Christopher Judge as
a wounded Teal'c. The unwavering faith and violent hostility
of the commanding officer of the Bedrosian unit is very effective,
making the scenes where SG-1 are questioned and tortured horribly
nerve-jangling. The story doesn't resolve the war, leaving
that issue open and so one wonders if there will be a return
to this planet in the future. All in all, this is an extremely
tense and dramatic episode that will have you on the edge
of your seat.
Bra'tac,
Teal'c's mentor, arrives on Earth with grave news. Apophis
is now in control of the army originally commanded by Sokar
and is on the offensive. He has invaded the planet of Chulak,
but attacked on foot, clearly searching for something. Daniel
deduces that Apophis is after the mystical child referred
to as Harsesis. With Bratac's help, Daniel learns that the
child is on the planet Kem, a world feared by the Goa'uld.
SG-1 travels to Kem to find the child before Apophis, but
his Jaffa are already present. Not only that, but the planet
harbours a mystery that only Daniel seems able to penetrate.
Maternal
Instinct is a highly enjoyable episode, and also notable
for a return to the religious and cultural concepts that at
one time were more prevalent in the series. It is also good
to see the Harsesis arc being progressed. The pacing of the
episode is slow and thoughtful, but by no means dull. However,
it's a shame that Apophis doesn't make an appearance, being
only referred to by name.
Jeff Watson
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