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Shippy Review

 

SEASON Two

EPISODE NUMBER 211

EPISODE TITLE Tok'ra (Part 1)

WRITTEN BY Jonathon Glassner

DIRECTED BY Brad Turner

REVIEWED BY Kelly Siegfried

 

OVERALL OPINION The 'Tok'ra' episodes are my favorite to date. Tok'ra I isn't a 'friendly' shippy, but an angsty shippy. Jack doesn't quite know how to handle Sam's sudden closeness to Martouf, and you can see the tension whenever he's in the same room with the Tok'ra. It's nice to know men get as jealous as women sometimes!

 

NOTABLE SCENES

1) Dorothy: SG1 has just gated to the planet Sam gave the coordinates to, and it looks rather deserted. Teal'c makes an observation about the lack of footprints in the sand, indicating that if the Tok'ra were present, they had not traveled to the Gate for many days. Sam looks slightly nervous that her vision was incorrect. Jack adjusts his sunglasses, looking rather annoyed and makes a flippant comment: "Where's that yellow brick road when you need it, eh Dorothy?" Even Teal'c is a little amazed at the Colonel, glancing over at him with an arched eyebrow. Softly Sam replies that there's a set of dunes in the distance and Jack agrees, leading the troops. Jack definitely has a knack for making Sam feel uncomfortable when he wants to.

2) Martouf: After a rather successful and ingenious ambush by staff weapon-wielding Tok'ra, SG1 is surrounded. At a standstill, Sam has a moment to look around. She recognizes on of the guards, calling him by name; Martouf. Jack is as stunned as poor Martouf, turning to look at the two. Insecurity washes over the Tok'ra's face as he studies Sam, something inside of him telling that Sam is speaking the truth. When the guards lower their staffs, the commander states that SG1 will have to turn over their weapons in order to meet with the Tok'ra leaders. This makes Jack extremely uneasy, and cannot be pacified by Sam's assurances. Finally, when out ruled, he gives in. After SG1 has relinquished their weapons, Martouf asks them to step closer. Defensively Jack asks why, but Sam tells him it's okay. Still unsure about the situation, he snaps back with a 'oh, is it?' This isn't a really shippy moment, but it sets up the scene for later Sam/Martouf/Jack tension.

3) Arrival In The Tok'ra Tunnels: Martouf wanders ahead, leading them through the tunnels. Jack stops Sam, and asks her about him. She tells Jack that she recognizes most of the people, but her bond with Martouf is the strongest. Circling back for the stragglers, the Tok'ra asks for SG1 to follow him. Jack's eyes run up and down, sizing up Martouf, finally giving him a half smile. It is almost as if Jack is giving a clear signal that 'Sam is mine, and heaven help you if anything happens to her.' Jack does not trust him as far as he could throw him.

4) When It Really Hits The Fan: Garshaw of Belote, the most hunted Goa'uld, as Teal'c is so quick to point out, questions Sam about the whereabouts of Jolinar of Malksur. Sam recounts the story of how Jolinar invaded her body after the host he (not knowing yet that the symbiot has no gender) was inside died. Martouf, greatly agitated by this, steps forward asking her again about Jolinar's host. Sam tells him again that the host was dead, and promptly apologizes as she watches the pain wash over his face. Still having one option left, he asks her about Jolinar and if she lived on. Sam can only crush his hopes. Garshaw and Cordesh begin to explore the possibility of Sam killing Jolinar, but the look on Martouf's face suggests he doesn't believe it. Sick of the maltreatment, Jack steps up to Sam's defense. Quite bluntly, he thinks she's being 'too kind.'

5) Selmak: When introduced to Selmak, the oldest and wisest of the Tok'ra, Yosuuf, Garshaw's host, extends the invite to SG1 for one of them to become the new host. Jack and Daniel both decline immediately, but Sam looks on, mildly disturbed. She quickly excuses herself, refusing, and Martouf follows. Jack chews on his lip and wanders after Daniel. Sam cools her face with a handful of water from a small pool and Martouf startles her when he touches her shoulder. Jack reiterates the Goa'uldish actions of Jolinar towards Sam, but she tells him she believed the Tok'ra when he said he'd leave her to find another host. Upon further discussion, Yosuuf will try to persuade the Council of Tok'ra to meet with the Tau'ri, and tells SG1 that they have to remain within the tunnels until a threat assessment has been made. Martouf turns to Sam and asks her if she would like to take a walk on the surface. Jack immediately intercedes, wanting to know the Tok'ra's intentions. He simply wishes to hear more about Jolinar and Sam agrees. O'Neill's disturbed by this, wanting to tag along, but Martouf promptly cuts him off, saying he was only inviting Captain Carter, for what they have to discuss is private. Still putting his foot down, Jack postures and only when Sam tells him she feels like she has to go with Martouf, does he back off. Even less thrilled, Jack steps closer, stares down the Tok'ra, and condescendingly tells him fine, but only if he has her back before eleven. This whole exchange is pivotal. Jack sees Martouf as someone creeping in on his territory. In fact, he feels threatened by this 'relationship' Sam and Martouf have together. Is Jack O'Neill susceptible to the green-eyed monster? Oh yeah!

6) Space Monkey Sidebar: Okay, I just gotta add this. It's not really a Sam and Jack moment, but I'll explode if I don't get it out. After a truly beautiful conversation, Sam and Martouf try to express the feelings they share without words. Martouf reaches over and takes Sam's hand, weaving his fingers between hers as he looks into her eyes. It is a rather intimate moment, their thumbs brushing soothingly against each other, eyes absorbing one another's souls. And Daniel, in his typical 'perfect timing,' crests the dune behind them, sliding to a stop on the sand as he witnesses this exchange. Quickly pulling off his sunglasses, he calls Sam's name, worried that Martouf has her under some strange spell. Sam looks up at him, dazed, and quickly regains her composure as her fingers slip from Martouf's. Martouf clearly seems embarrassed, looking at the sand instead of Sam or Daniel, his hand going back to his lap. It takes Daniel a few moments to recover before he remembers his whole purpose in finding her; the Council of Tok'ra have agreed to meet with SG1. Martouf helps Sam to her feet and follows her across the dune and Daniel flashes him a nervous smile. One can only imagine what our favorite anthropologist is thinking at that moment. It's like finding your best friend's girlfriend kissing another guy.

7) Recalling Carter: When SG3 and Colonel Makepeace come through the Gate, they have bad news for Sam. Jacob has taken a turn for the worse. Mouth agape, Jack looks at Sam, watching as the terror about her father's apparent demise crosses her face. Without hesitation, he turns back to Garshaw and demands that Sam be sent back through the Gate. But because of the security risk, they cannot return home, especially Sam because she holds the memories of Jolinar. In defeat, Sam leans against the table, bowing her head. Condemned to remain in the tunnels, Jack looks back at Sam, upset and not sure what he can do for her. He wants to help, but his hands have been tied. 

 

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