The leader should realistically be military; I can't see the SGC picking Daniel or Teal'c. If Carter didn't want to do it, then they should've promoted whoever was running SG-2.
The Stargate Franchise - A First Timer's Watchthrough
- Thread starter tomalak301
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Technically, he wanted to join SG-1. He got command by virtue of the team having been disbanded and the designation being up-for-grabs; after the others joined back up, while Carter has the same rank, Mitchell has seniority (he was already a Lt. Colonel in "Lost City," Carter didn't get promoted until the end of "New Order"), though he will mention to Landry fairly soon, if he hasn't already, that with Carter having operational experience and being the same rank, and Teal'c and Daniel being civilians, SG-1 has a much more flat team structure (to coin a phrase) than he's used to.
Yes, I guess a lot of these complaints came from people being unhappy that Carter did not get the job - while she already kinda had it in season 7/8. I also remember complaints about Sam being wallpapered with all the focus on Vala who was so much more fun to write.
But as you say, anyone from any of the other SG teams would have done. If it needed to be Ben Browder the main role, why not say he is from one of the other teams, we just haven't seen him before. We don't know all of them. Would have just been nice if the character was a bit more seasoned.
Since we're talking about Carter - I grew up in East Germany. Back then it was totally normal that women were working full time, and that women were doing men work as well. And earning the same amount of money as them. Some of the discussions we have nowadays puzzle me for that reasons as it feels we're going backwards.
So because of my upbringing for a long time I could not really understand why everyone was praising Carter so much, for being a woman and a scientist and a soldier and being great at her job. Of course she wouldn't have been chosen if she wasn't great. It didn't strike me as anything special. One needs to understand the culture and the context, to understand why she was such a role model for young girls at the time.
Giving her her own team would have made an even further point in that direction. Maybe the time wasn't right yet for that.
Yeah, I get it. I think it is mainly due to so many of them being in Vancouver, and they seem to like to bring in prominent actors from other shows as a way to appeal to that shows fans.
Babylon (SG-1)
This one was just ok. It was kind of a cross between Voyager's Tsunkatze and The Powers That Be. It's Tsunkatze in that Mitchell is trained by the guy who he ends up having to face in the "battle to the death" and it's The Powers That Be in that the Prior is there and Mitchell and Teal'c are trying to convince these Jaffa (The Sodan) that they are not to be trusted. Heck, we even got a Star Trek Amok Time reference in this one, which was pretty obvious. At least it gave Mitchell more to do and they might be setting up for these Sodan Jaffa to come back later on. I also missed Carter, who was not in this episode very much. I mean we lost her for 5 episodes and it does feel like her biggest episode so far this season was episode 7.
This one was just ok. It was kind of a cross between Voyager's Tsunkatze and The Powers That Be. It's Tsunkatze in that Mitchell is trained by the guy who he ends up having to face in the "battle to the death" and it's The Powers That Be in that the Prior is there and Mitchell and Teal'c are trying to convince these Jaffa (The Sodan) that they are not to be trusted. Heck, we even got a Star Trek Amok Time reference in this one, which was pretty obvious. At least it gave Mitchell more to do and they might be setting up for these Sodan Jaffa to come back later on. I also missed Carter, who was not in this episode very much. I mean we lost her for 5 episodes and it does feel like her biggest episode so far this season was episode 7.
Oh, don't worry. There's an upcoming episode where they will overkill the Ba'al puns.
Carter already was in charge of SG-1 in season 8 and was gradually becoming the show's lead starting with season 6 and RDA's reduced role. I'll echo the above sentiments that I didn't mind Mitchell getting command of SG-1 despite never serving on an SG team, but I did have an issue with him essentially usurping Carter from her rightful position. I know they had to work around Amanda Tapping's pregnancy, and Ben Browder wasn't the kind of actor that would join a show as second banana at that point in his career, but I still think the matter was handled rather sloppily.
Which is why I consider the show a spinoff and Sam shouldn't have ever been there. His job was to bring the quality of SG-1 back. I would have been fine with Sam and Teal'c in recurring roles and Mitchell, Vala, Daniel with a new person making up SG-1. But it's not a spinoff, so they kind of half and halfed it.
Prototype
After two subpar episodes in a row, SG-1 came back on track with this one. The team fines a Goa'uld/Human hybrid that was created using Anubis's DNA. When the guy was was revealed I thought it was Alan Tryduk (Wash) but it wasn't. Still, he gave a really great performance and played this evil untouchable god-like figure really well. It was also great to see Woolsey back, even though for as much as he is wrong, he still acts like a dick.
I know I said I would probably break up these episodes in 3s, but the next SG-1 episode is a two parter and it's the midseason finale/premiere. I might see that next and then do a 5 episode binge on Atlantis to catch up.
After two subpar episodes in a row, SG-1 came back on track with this one. The team fines a Goa'uld/Human hybrid that was created using Anubis's DNA. When the guy was was revealed I thought it was Alan Tryduk (Wash) but it wasn't. Still, he gave a really great performance and played this evil untouchable god-like figure really well. It was also great to see Woolsey back, even though for as much as he is wrong, he still acts like a dick.
I know I said I would probably break up these episodes in 3s, but the next SG-1 episode is a two parter and it's the midseason finale/premiere. I might see that next and then do a 5 episode binge on Atlantis to catch up.
Next episode is a big two parter.
I just edited my post to say I'm probably going to see that two parter tonight and then do a 5 episode binge on Atlantis to catch up.
The Forth Horseman I (SG-1)
I figured I should comment on this episode before I see part 2 because there was a lot here and I didn't want to get muddled with the next part. All that conversation we were having a few days ago about religion and the Ori and true gods, I wonder if we throw that out the window now. The Ori isn't a religion. It's a cult. The Ori are powerful because they intimidate those who would rather choose to be free, and then gain that power by force of submission.
This was a great start to the two parter. I was surprised to see Orlin again, though this time in child form. I really liked his scenes with Sam, and in fact, I really liked Sam in this episode. The main gist of the episode now is the plauge that is sweeping the country (You know, I wonder if Stargate was the first to know about the Novel Coronavirus becuase I've seen a few episodes in the last week that carry this theme, and when they're trying to pin point where Fischer has been and then it gets out to Denver, Chicago and New York, I think Contact tracing, quarentine, and basically what is happening in this country today. I know it's purely coincidental, given this show aired 15 years ago, but with this one and a recent Atlantis episode I saw, you can't get away from the Pandemic theme.
The Gerak angle to this episode is interesting. He's been made prior. The Ori basically saw the Jaffa as victims and used the most gullible leader to gain a foothold. Everything Teal'c and Bra'tac has worked for will now probably be in vain. I hope this prototype weapon works against the priors because the show is leading us to the direction of you get rid of the priors, you get rid of the Ori. They just need to find a weakness and you can only sacrifice so many Goa'uld cargo ships.
Still, I wanted to comment on this episode mainly on the religion angle. I think I like the direction the show is going in, but I also feel there was a wasted opportunity here based on the interesting things about enlightenment and desperation that was discussed in the first few episodes of the season.
I figured I should comment on this episode before I see part 2 because there was a lot here and I didn't want to get muddled with the next part. All that conversation we were having a few days ago about religion and the Ori and true gods, I wonder if we throw that out the window now. The Ori isn't a religion. It's a cult. The Ori are powerful because they intimidate those who would rather choose to be free, and then gain that power by force of submission.
This was a great start to the two parter. I was surprised to see Orlin again, though this time in child form. I really liked his scenes with Sam, and in fact, I really liked Sam in this episode. The main gist of the episode now is the plauge that is sweeping the country (You know, I wonder if Stargate was the first to know about the Novel Coronavirus becuase I've seen a few episodes in the last week that carry this theme, and when they're trying to pin point where Fischer has been and then it gets out to Denver, Chicago and New York, I think Contact tracing, quarentine, and basically what is happening in this country today. I know it's purely coincidental, given this show aired 15 years ago, but with this one and a recent Atlantis episode I saw, you can't get away from the Pandemic theme.
The Gerak angle to this episode is interesting. He's been made prior. The Ori basically saw the Jaffa as victims and used the most gullible leader to gain a foothold. Everything Teal'c and Bra'tac has worked for will now probably be in vain. I hope this prototype weapon works against the priors because the show is leading us to the direction of you get rid of the priors, you get rid of the Ori. They just need to find a weakness and you can only sacrifice so many Goa'uld cargo ships.
Still, I wanted to comment on this episode mainly on the religion angle. I think I like the direction the show is going in, but I also feel there was a wasted opportunity here based on the interesting things about enlightenment and desperation that was discussed in the first few episodes of the season.
The Forth Horseman II (SG-1)
My comparison of the Ancients/Ori to the Prophets/Pah-Wraiths is even more apt now than it was before. The Ori want to incure into the Milky Way Galaxy and take out the Ancients, converting anyone they can to gain in power. The Pah-Wraiths wanted to return to the celestrial temple after being cast out by the Prophets. It feels similar anyway. That feels so different from how this season started but now we have motivation and 9 episodes left in the season.
Overall, I liked this two parter. It was big, there were many revelations, and I really liked Mitchell and Daniel against Demaris. By the way, I didn't notice this watching Babylon, but we had Special Assistant Skinner join the Stargate franchise, and now we have the Cigarette Smoking Man join the franchise. He was kind of creepy as a prior. I kind of wish they had him smoking a cigarette or something but it's best not to cross the streams.
Anyway, I'm glad they redeemed Gerak in the end and my (Somewhat) prediction of Bra'tac leading the Jaffa might actually come to fruition. I also feel bad for Orlin. So is he just a normal kid now, able to form new memories or does he have short term memory loss for the rest of his life?
Good episode. Now I get to go back to Atlantis before I forget everything about that storyline.
My comparison of the Ancients/Ori to the Prophets/Pah-Wraiths is even more apt now than it was before. The Ori want to incure into the Milky Way Galaxy and take out the Ancients, converting anyone they can to gain in power. The Pah-Wraiths wanted to return to the celestrial temple after being cast out by the Prophets. It feels similar anyway. That feels so different from how this season started but now we have motivation and 9 episodes left in the season.
Overall, I liked this two parter. It was big, there were many revelations, and I really liked Mitchell and Daniel against Demaris. By the way, I didn't notice this watching Babylon, but we had Special Assistant Skinner join the Stargate franchise, and now we have the Cigarette Smoking Man join the franchise. He was kind of creepy as a prior. I kind of wish they had him smoking a cigarette or something but it's best not to cross the streams.
Anyway, I'm glad they redeemed Gerak in the end and my (Somewhat) prediction of Bra'tac leading the Jaffa might actually come to fruition. I also feel bad for Orlin. So is he just a normal kid now, able to form new memories or does he have short term memory loss for the rest of his life?
Good episode. Now I get to go back to Atlantis before I forget everything about that storyline.
I really wish they could have gotten the actor who played the adult Orlin back.
Otherwise I'm not sure I got really invested in the whole plague storyline...I think we would have needed to see more of the outside world for it to be more effective (think Part 1 of "The Stand")...but I did like the confrontation with Demaris, and it was great seeing Gerak redeem himself during this story.
Otherwise I'm not sure I got really invested in the whole plague storyline...I think we would have needed to see more of the outside world for it to be more effective (think Part 1 of "The Stand")...but I did like the confrontation with Demaris, and it was great seeing Gerak redeem himself during this story.
Instinct/Conversion (SG: A)
It might have been a little much but I'm glad I stayed up to see some Atlantis tonight. I'm not sure if this was officially a two part episode but it basically was. The first part was decent, if a little predictable. It was nice to see Jewel Strait on Atlantis though, and I loved the question of can a Wraith be cured or tamed. The answer to the tamed question I would say is a resounding no. They are like vampires, they keep on coming. It was sad that we got to spend time with this Ellia character and they had to kill her off because her Wraith physiology was starting to take over.
I do question Beckett leaving the retrovirus out though. He and Zaddick were talking about it loud and clear I'm surprised they wouldn't think that Ellia was snooping around.
The second episode was basically fallout from the first, where John was bitten by Ellia and is now infected by the retrovirus. Flanigan did a great job with the change and the make up was pretty good. Of course you see these kind of transformation episodes a lot, namely in TNG's Genesis, but for the most part it worked here. I loved the Caldwell/Weir interactions, but man I wish Weir had more to do.
It was also nice that they kept McKay speaking kind of less than normal. It wasn't like the previous episode where he was going a mile a minute and destroyed 5/6th of the solar system. When he's subdued, he's tolerable, and maybe even funny.
It might have been a little much but I'm glad I stayed up to see some Atlantis tonight. I'm not sure if this was officially a two part episode but it basically was. The first part was decent, if a little predictable. It was nice to see Jewel Strait on Atlantis though, and I loved the question of can a Wraith be cured or tamed. The answer to the tamed question I would say is a resounding no. They are like vampires, they keep on coming. It was sad that we got to spend time with this Ellia character and they had to kill her off because her Wraith physiology was starting to take over.
I do question Beckett leaving the retrovirus out though. He and Zaddick were talking about it loud and clear I'm surprised they wouldn't think that Ellia was snooping around.
The second episode was basically fallout from the first, where John was bitten by Ellia and is now infected by the retrovirus. Flanigan did a great job with the change and the make up was pretty good. Of course you see these kind of transformation episodes a lot, namely in TNG's Genesis, but for the most part it worked here. I loved the Caldwell/Weir interactions, but man I wish Weir had more to do.
It was also nice that they kept McKay speaking kind of less than normal. It wasn't like the previous episode where he was going a mile a minute and destroyed 5/6th of the solar system. When he's subdued, he's tolerable, and maybe even funny.
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You know I think they played fast and loose as to who was in command. I was even confused as if he was indeed in command when watching the show. It never felt like he had the same level of authority O'Neil did. It was more like he and Carter were co-leaders.
Jason
That's basically how it was settled, though with scientific stuff he always let Carter run things.
I think if the episode had aired today, we would have seen much more impact on the plague, maybe even have it be a little more graphic. Thinking about it after I saw the episode, I think they rushed the plague storyline a little, and I think it had to do with the fact that there was so much going on in both these episodes. The Plague almost became an afterthought, unfortunately.
The big difference being that the Ori are the ones who got to keep the house. The Ancients fled, and were perfectly willing to let the Ori keep doing their thing in their home galaxy, but the Ori want to hunt them to the ends of creation.
Ok, I'll grant you that, but the theme of god-like supremacy and the cult religion wanting all the power is still the key point of both stories. I really do hope we see the two fight it out, but considering who is involved I'm expecting a Deus Ex Machina ending.
I don't. I think the episode was made the way it was not on a plot point for the story, but to save money. The only thing cheaper than an Earth based story is a a base based story.
I forgot all about the plague storyline though.
I was thinking that the season 9 mid season storyline had....
The D&D thing going on. When does the stupid ass dragon show up? Is that season 10?
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