The Stargate Franchise - A First Timer's Watchthrough

[The Wormhole]

Beneath the Surface first aired in 2000. Workforce p1 first aired in 2001. So maybe the other way around?

The two episodes aired too closely to each other to influence each other, Beneath the Surface in September 2000, Workforce in February 2001. IIRC, the DVD commentary on Beneath the Surface says it was basically their take on Metropolis, maybe Workforce was similarly inspired?

Beneath the Surface, like much of season 4 really was very meh. But I did like O'Neill half remembering his old life. "I keep seeing a bald man in a white short-sleeve shirt who I get the impression is meant to be important. I think his name is Homer."

And I forget. Is it this episode or another Unas episode that explains the origin of the Goauld? Because I did think the connection between the Goauld and the Unas was an interesting one.

I think it was, yeah.

 

[tomalak301]

Beneath the Surface first aired in 2000. Workforce p1 first aired in 2001. So maybe the other way around?

I only go by what I know and considering I had seen Workforce a few weeks ago and saw BTS the first time last night, that's where my mind went. I also read there were comparisons between BTS and The Chute. I'm not really sure about about one since the Chute was about a prison, but I guess the point I was making was BTS felt like something I had seen many many times before. I have been feeling that for a few episodes in Season 4 lately, which is why the season at the halfway point has felt a little off from Season 2 or 3 so far. I'm hoping the back half improves somewhat.

@Romulan_spy

I think you are thinking about this episode, but there has been a few (specifically Thor's Hammer) that has revealed the Unas being the first inhabitants of the Goa'uld.

 

[BK613]

The two episodes aired too closely to each other to influence each other, Beneath the Surface in September 2000, Workforce in February 2001. IIRC, the DVD commentary on Beneath the Surface says it was basically their take on Metropolis, maybe Workforce was similarly inspired?.

According to archived (archive.org) production info presented by startrek.com, filming on Workforce p1 began on November 29, 2000:

“Workforce, Part I,” production number 262, is a February sweeps episode and begins shooting today, Wednesday, November 29, on Stages 16 and 9, using sets from Astrometrics, the Delta Flyer and various ship interiors.
Source.​

And in a Q/A with Brian Fuller dated Nov 27:

Q: Can you tell us anything about the episodes you are currently working on?
Mervix
BF: Ken Biller and I just wrote the story for our February two-parter called "Workforce" and we're currently co-writing the teleplay for the first part. Ken and Mike Taylor will write Part Two. The episode's very much an ensemble show that will have the crew exploring new lives as laborers on an alien world. I can't say much more about the plot than that, but I will tell you this, as with every good science-fiction thriller, there's much more going on than meets the eye.
Source.​

So while there is no proof, there was an opportunity.

I only go by what I know and considering I had seen Workforce a few weeks ago and saw BTS the first time last night, that's where my mind went. I also read there were comparisons between BTS and The Chute. I'm not really sure about about one since the Chute was about a prison, but I guess the point I was making was BTS felt like something I had seen many many times before. I have been feeling that for a few episodes in Season 4 lately, which is why the season on a half has felt a little off from Season 2 or 3 so far. I'm hoping the back half improves somewhat.

I had the opposite reaction regarding BTS/Workforce back in 2001, especially coming right after The Void (which certainly seems inspired by TAS's The Time Trap.) I do agree that season 4 is some what flat at times.

 

[tomalak301]

I had the opposite reaction regarding BTS/Workforce back in 2001, especially coming right after The Void (which certainly seems inspired by TAS's The Time Trap.) I do agree that season 4 is some what flat at times.

Understandable, and it's all a matter of perspective.

 

[Silvercrest]

Beneath the Surface, like much of season 4 really was very meh. But I did like O'Neill half remembering his old life. "I keep seeing a bald man in a white short-sleeve shirt who I get the impression is meant to be important. I think his name is Homer."

But it isn't until "Citizen Joe" that we find out how important "Homer" really is.

 

[BK613]

Understandable, and it's all a matter of perspective.

No doubt. I will say that i have enjoyed reading your reviews of the episodes. Always interested in other people's takes on any old favorite of mine like Stargate.

 

[tomalak301]

Tangent

Finally, after a stretch of 4 episodes I can say an episode of Stargate Season 4 is damn good. I really liked this one, from the Apollo 13 theme of Teal'c/Jack and everyone back on earth trying to find a way to bring the Glider home, to involving the Tok'ra and having that first shade of Jacob being frustrated that his secret mission was interrupted because humanity had Goa'uld technology they didn't know how to use. If the past episodes felt like shows from other sci fi series, this one felt like an episode of Stargate, taking troupes from something like Apollo 13 and making it feel like Stargate SG-1. It was an episode that kept my interest the entire way through and that's been hard to say in the last day or so.

 

[Stegoman]

You know its funny I use to think my favorite season was 4 but now looking back at it, it did have some duds. The season really had some of my favorite episodes though so probably why I thought it was the best overall.

 

[tomalak301]

The Curse

Well, Season 4 is out of it's lull, because this was another excellent episode. We got archaeological history, more Daniel Jackson development, and the rebirth of Osiris. Also, I just love the humor of Jack and Teal'c lately. Jack finally got to go on his fishing trip and Teal'c just doesn't want to be there. They really do make a good pair. One thing I also like this season is the SG-1 crew might have to come around to telling people about what they actually do. We've seen a few episodes this season where it's hard to reveal the Stargate program because it's classified, yet people outside Cheyanne Base are asking questions. I'm not sure how much of a big deal that is, but if it brings about conflict of the crew from their Stargate Life and their other world life, that could provide some good drama. I've been wanting more of a peak inside these characters' lives and it looks like that actually might happen. I still would like to see more done with Hammond. 4 Seasons in and I'm still not entirely sure why he's a popular character.

 

[Romulan_spy]

I still would like to see more done with Hammond. 4 Seasons in and I'm still not entirely sure why he's a popular character.

There is a S4 episode "Chain Reaction" that is focused on Hammond. But for me, Hammond was popular because he was the wise but caring leader who was loyal was to the people under him. We see that in the S3 opener, "Into the Fire" where he goes off world to rescue SG1 when he can't get permission to send more SG teams. But I think you'll see Hammond's positive leadership throughout the series.

 

[tomalak301]

The Serpent's Venom

So many "Serpent" episodes and they are all great. I'm thinking that's the theme for Apophis's entire arc. He's worse than a snake, and the way his arc is developing is making him one hell of a villian. This season needed a big "Goa'uld" politics episode. It was meandering a lot but we finally got some really good stuff, and now Apophis has a fleet of ships that can cloak, and Hur'arur is dead. That just makes Apophis even more scary. I also really liked the Teal'c story here. He has betrayed his "gods" and he is sticking to that belief. To endure that much torture for what he believes him makes me respect the hell out of him even more. Also, this is another episode where Jack, Sam, and Daniel are helping Jacob with a mission, so there better be some good stuff later in the season to make the Tok'ra still not trust them. Granted, I agree with the whole humanity is young argument, but again, it seems like SG-1 has done more good than not and if it weren't for them, Selmak would have been dead.

That's three excellent episodes in a row. This season is having a great turnaround.

Chain Reaction

There's the General Hammond I was looking for even though it didn't really feature General Hammond. I think I understand why Hammond is so well liked after this specific episode. He really does have the respect of the people below him, and as we saw at the end, he would do anything for them, no questions asked. I also liked seeing Kinsy back and the political blackmail that was happening, especially bringing Maybourne back into the fold. There are so many storylines this series has gone at the moment I can't help but think they really know how to use the 22 episode order well. I like Variety, and on this series one week it's dealing with Apophis, the next week it's a General Hammond story taking into account that actions of consequences and we see what happened from the Russian episode to now (The Russians didn't have the gate very long).

 

[tomalak301]

2010

SG-1 does Voyager's Timeless? This was a great alternate reality episode. They make contact with a highly advanced civilization and the war with the Goa'uld is over, but Sam finds out that the birthrate has dropped 91%. What good is winning a war against one alien race when the one you thought was friendly is also taking over your planet, albeit a lot slower. I didn't expect a sequel to 1969, but I'm sure glad I got one.

 

[Jayson1]

2010

SG-1 does Voyager's Timeless? This was a great alternate reality episode. They make contact with a highly advanced civilization and the war with the Goa'uld is over, but Sam finds out that the birthrate has dropped 91%. What good is winning a war against one alien race when the one you thought was friendly is also taking over your planet, albeit a lot slower. I didn't expect a sequel to 1969, but I'm sure glad I got one.

You will actually get a pretty good sequel to this one I believe next season as well. Maybe in two seasons. I forget when.

Jason

 

[Romulan_spy]

You will actually get a pretty good sequel to this one I believe next season as well. Maybe in two seasons. I forget when.

Jason

It's next season (season 5). But I won't say which episode because it could spoil the plot twist.

 

[fireproof78]

Wasn't there an agreement at the end of the Tok'ra two parter that the Tok'ra could take humans who were near death to use as hosts? I mean I'm reading what you guys are saying and I'll probably get caught up by Sunday night in terms of more of this story but up to episode 6 of Season 4, SG-1 hasn't really done anything to disrupt the balance of power yet, other than maybe destroy Apophis's ship, which the Tok'ra asked them to do. It just feels like to me this "alliance" so far is pretty one sided.

The main disruption of power was the death of Ra in the film. As the Tok'Ra explicate that was the foundation of their order-they are "Against Ra"=Tok'Ra.

The balance of power pretty much unleashed Apophis across the galaxy, with the Asgard unable to help as much as they want.

There's more to it but yeah, the balance of power was disrupted before the series started. That's what the Tok'Ra are on about.

 

[tomalak301]

The main disruption of power was the death of Ra in the film. As the Tok'Ra explicate that was the foundation of their order-they are "Against Ra"=Tok'Ra.

The balance of power pretty much unleashed Apophis across the galaxy, with the Asgard unable to help as much as they want.

There's more to it but yeah, the balance of power was disrupted before the series started. That's what the Tok'Ra are on about.

Maybe when I'm done with the series I will need to see the film again. I remember a good portion of it, but I can look at it in a new light knowing what happens in the series.

 

[Romulan_spy]

Maybe when I'm done with the series I will need to see the film again. I remember a good portion of it, but I can look at it in a new light knowing what happens in the series.

It's definitely interesting to compare the movie with the series. There are definitely a lot of interesting continuity changes.

 

[The Wormhole]

It's next season (season 5). But I won't say which episode because it could spoil the plot twist.

Although a quick look over the episode titles should make it easy to figure out which one we're talking about.

 

[Romulan_spy]

Although a quick look over the episode titles should make it easy to figure out which one we're talking about.

True. But I am trying not to make it obvious.

 

[Silvercrest]

It's definitely interesting to compare the movie with the series. There are definitely a lot of interesting continuity changes.

Yeah ... the first one being, "What language is everybody speaking?" In the movie, none of the Abydonians speak English. As of the beginning of the series, they apparently do. Well, that's easy enough to explain — during Daniel's exile there, he taught them. But that leads straight into the age-old question, "So why does everyone else in the galaxy now speak English too?"

We can envision that the language of the Goa'uld (and the Jaffa, and the Abydonians) is some sort of galactic trade language that everyone speaks. If the Goa'uld distributed it centuries ago when their power was greater, then you'd find it now even on worlds that they no longer rule.

At the beginning of the series, two members of SG-1 already spoke it, Daniel and Teal'c. Immediately after "Children of the Gods" it's not hard to envision the two of them drilling O'Neill and Carter in that language and getting them reasonably fluent. So for every offworld encounter after that, we just assume there's an implicit translation not shown onscreen. Except when on Earth (or talking amongst themselves), they're not talking English, they're speaking in the Goa'uld Trade Language.

That covers about 90% of the language problem for the first half of the show, though there are still some exceptions; e.g. "how would O'Neill and Teal'c understand each other when they first met in CotG?" or "what language does Bra'tac use when he talks directly to 'Hammond of Texas'?" And in later seasons I believe it's a lot less plausible. Still, the handwave is there if anyone likes it.

Or, translator microbes inserted by the Stargate. Whatever floats your boat.