OVERALL OPINION Quite obviously there are several scenes where Sam and Jack are 'together' in this episode yet it doesn't rate as high as you may think. The main shippy scenes are really only when Sam and Jack are walking through Washington, arriving at the 'party' and when Jack is meeting Jacob--all the rest are simply projecting-fodder. :) Nevertheless, an interesting episode that gets points for trying.

1) Briefing: The episode starts with a very relaxed SG1 and General Hammond discussing their respective plans of action. Daniel and Teal'c wish to travel to Abydos to see Sha're's father and Jack and Sam are due in Washington for a medal ceremony. There are smiles all-round and a couple of compliments (unfortunately, none between Sam and Jack!). At one point, Jack, when discussing Abydos with Teal'c, comments: "They're great people, are you kidding?" he then chews his lip and looks at Sam: "In fact, whaddya you say you and I blow off this medal ceremony thing and go with the boys?" Sam's response is a bright grin, just for him. :)

2) Farewell: As Sam and Jack send Daniel and Teal'c off, Daniel and Jack joke around slightly, causing Sam to repeatedly grin at Jack. As the two Abydos-bound men depart, Sam and Jack stand side-by-side, very close together. :)

3) Washington DC: As Sam and Jack are walking through Washington, both in full dress uniform, they casually talk:

Jack: You know, I can navigate my way across a galaxy... but I get lost everytime I come to Washington.
Sam: Don't worry Sir, these are my old stomping grounds.
Jack: Sorry to hear that.
Sam: Two years at the Pentagon trying to make the Stargate program a reality... I'd say it's time well spent, considering.
Jack: You think?

Both are all-smiles, chuckling softly to each other, and quite comfortable in a one-on-one 'casual' setting.

4) Party 101: Sam and Jack are making their way downstairs towards the 'party', still talking/chuckling/smiling. Sam notices General Hammond talking to someone in the back and comments on it.

Sam: I see General Hammond's already doing the rounds.
Jack: (Nodding and clicking his fingers several times.) Oh yeah, he's a player--he knows how to work a room.
(Sam grins broadly causing Jack to briefly glance away before turning back to her with a smile.)
Jack: Punch?
Sam: (Nodding and smiling.) Yes Sir, thanks.

Jack moves away from her and Sam catches General Hammond's eye, who quickly waves her over. As she starts to walk over, the man with General Hammond turns around and Sam stops, whispering: "Dad?".

5) Sam's Dad: General Hammond explains that he invited Sam's father, General Jacob Carter, himself. The three chat briefly about Sam's work, Jacob clearly *not* buying the cover story that Sam (and Jack) are receiving the Air Medal for "analysis of deep-space radar telemetry" and we notice a small amount of tension between Sam and her father (this is later reinforced in the episode but eventually resolved in the future episode Tok'ra). Jack appears from behind them, handing Sam her punch.

Jack: Sam?
Sam: Thank you Sir.
Hammond: Colonel Jack O'Neill, Jacob Carter.
Jack: Carter? As in...
Sam: As in my father Sir. Yes.
Jack: Get out of town, Sam's Dad? I've heard nothing about you Sir.
Jacob: What's there to say about an old General waiting to retire?
Sam: Dad--I talk about you all the time!
Jack: I retired myself one time... couldn't stay away.
Jacob: From your analysis of deep-space radar telemetry?
Jack: Well it's just so damn fascinating.
Jacob: Well I'm sure it is... otherwise you wouldn't be receiving the Air Medal.
Jack: We have our moments. Um, will you excuse me? We just don't get out of Cheyenne Mountain enough. I'm going to grab some air... outside. General, Captain, General... Waiter.

Jacob's deliberate comments about their line of work make Sam uncomfortable at points during the conversation but Jack is all grins as he banters with Jacob, sipping his punch. Several times, Sam and Jack deliberately catch each other's eyes, grinning to each other as Jack talks with Jacob. It's an interesting first meeting between Jack and Jacob that lays the initial groundwork for the relationship that does eventually grow between the two men in later episodes (namely Tok'ra and Seth). Jack then leaves, as does General Hammond, leaving Sam and her father to talk. At this point, Jacob tells Sam that he can get her her dream... into NASA. :)

6) The Tape: When Jack is accosted by the reporter, and the tape plays Sam and Jack's earlier conversation regarding Washington, it is interesting to note that the taped conversation is different from the actual conversation. It's minimal, the only difference being Jack's comment after Sam's remark that Washington is her 'old stomping grounds'. Instead of saying: "Sorry to hear that.", the tape has Jack saying: "My condolences." This isn't an SJ moment, granted, but something that's always bugged me! :)

7) The Problem: Sam, Jack and General Hammond have commandeered a spare room and are discussing the 'reporter' problem and the 'leak'. Nothing shippy--they're all a bit too annoyed right now--but some conversation none-the-less. Jack's mainly sarcastic throughout this scene and disagrees with Sam at one point. General Hammond backs Sam up, however, agreeing with her.

8) The Ceremony: Their presidential ceremony cancelled, Sam and Jack receive their medals from General Hammond back on Base instead. Jack refuses to smile throughout, obviously thinking about Armin, the reporter, who had died back in Washington. Sam, though no doubt thinking of her father's news of cancer, still manages to smile somewhat at General Hammond as he awards them. The 'ceremony' finishes, with Sam promising Jack that she'll only need ten minutes to get geared up and ready for their trip to Abydos.

9) The Battle: As Sam and Jack exit the Stargate on Abydos they find themselves confronted with Goa'uld's, a kneeling Daniel and a missing Teal'c (he's actually still in Horus guard uniform oft to one side). Without waiting, Jack quickly gestures Sam to the side, both of them taking relative shelter. Jack, sitting behind Sam, places his hand on her shoulder, whispering "cover me", as he goes into offensive-mode. Doing exactly that, Sam disposes of two Horus guards whilst Jack attempts to shoot Her'ur. The bullets fail to pierce his shield, causing Jack to withdrawn his knife and pierce the raised hand (the knife does pass through).

10) After The Battle: As Sam helps Teal'c up, and Jack goes to check on Daniel, Sam can't resist commenting (with many, many words) on Jack's use of the knife against Her'ur: "It's a good thing you remembered the shield's deflection capability's directly proportional to the amount of kinetic energy directed at it." Jack just stares at her for a long moment, no doubt thinking: how can she say all that in one breath without passing out and... what the hell did she just say? Before plainly stating: "Right."

11) Apophis: As Apophis arrives for his queen, Daniel and Teal'c duck behind one pillar, Sam behind another. Jack continues to stand there for another moment, staring at the activating Stargate, before glancing at the pillars and quickly moving to the one where Sam is. :) Huddled behind the pillar (nice and cozy :), they watch as Apophis greets his wife.

12) Dialing Home: After Apophis has left with Sha're/Ammounet, SG1 emerge from the pillars, Sam commenting that there's still a Goa'uld ship (Her'ur's) above them. Jack agrees, ordering her: "Dial us home Captain," and then, almost as an after-thought, adds: "Please." Not much, but still quite sweet. :)

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