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Shippy Review

 

SEASON Two

EPISODE NUMBER 212

EPISODE TITLE Tok'ra (Part 2)

WRITTEN BY Jonathon Glassner

DIRECTED BY Brad Turner

REVIEWED BY Kelly Siegfried

 

OVERALL OPINION Again, this is an episode with high angst. The tension Martouf creates in Jack when he's around Sam is absolutely delicious. You can almost see the steam coming out of his ears. It also marks the beginning of Jack and Jacob's relationship, setting up for the interplay they have in later episodes like Show And Tell and Seth.

 

NOTABLE SCENES

1) Trapped: Still detained within the Tok'ra tunnels, Sam is distraught that she can't leave to be at her father's death bed. She blows up angrily, after Makepeace tells her the small amount of info he knows about Jacob's condition, and Jack tries his best to comfort her. He makes a promise to her that he's going to get her back, but she doesn't see how. Every one thinks he's a bit deluded for being chipper about having eight people on the team now. Opposed to Jack's thought of muscling his way out of the place, Sam tells him she doesn't want to hurt any of the Tok'ra. Jack's not really keen on the idea either, but he bluntly reminds her that they want to turn her into a host. He corners Sam, confronting her about what she called one of the worst things that ever happened to her; Jolinar's possession. Knowing what she now knows, Sam tells Jack that if she hadn't been fighting against Jolinar, the experience could have been enlightening. Jack doesn't buy one word, simply staring at her mouth agape, trying to think of a counter argument. Sam has a plan and tells the Tok'ra guard that she needs to see Garshaw. Jack silently watches her, perhaps frightened that she's so upset about her father, that she isn't thinking clearly and wants to become a host just so she can go home. Daniel has the same reaction; standing up and quickly crossing over to her, asking why she wants to see Garshaw. Jack's expression instantly changes when Sam wants to know if the Tok'ra symbiot has the ability to cure cancer. He knows where this is going. Frantic, Sam turns to Jack, needing to at least offer it to her father. Jack understands that this is probably the only way Jacob will survive, and instead of arguing with her, he informs Garshaw they may have a host for Selmak. It's a wonderful scene showing how Sam's emotional state really effects Jack; crumbling a little of that tough guy exterior.

2) Debriefing: General Hammond and Jack are treading lightly around Jacob's possibility of becoming a host with Sam, not wanting to upset her further. When Hammond questions the sanity of what she is asking, Sam gets defensive, standing up from her chair to look out the blast window at the Gate. Jack tries his best to plead her case, looking up at Sam as he talks, clearly worried about her. He knows Jacob means a lot to Sam, and having her loose her father is the last thing he'd wish on her. He can't, however, agree with Sam when she tells the General that the Tok'ra were holding SG3 and the rest of SG1 for the Tau'ri's and their own protection. He gives her a small head shrug in condolences and her composure crumbles as if she had put all her hopes in him talking Hammond into it. In a last ditch attempt, Sam does everything but get on her knees to beg Hammond to let her talk to Jacob about it. This scene just goes to show that Jack cares for her, but he can't give up being a soldier so quickly.

3) Dad's Escort: After Sam talks to her father, finally letting him on what she really does for a living, he agrees to go through with what she's asking him to do. Dressed in more appropriate attire than a hospital gown, Jacob is led into the embarkation room by Sam and Jack. Jack's on his left and Sam's on his right, holding him up as he shuffles in. Jacob is stunned when the final chevron is locked and the event horizon comes to life. Jack jokes with him, saying "how 'bout d'em apples?" Matching strides, all three walk up the ramp, Jacob's curiosity stopping them when he asks what it feels like. Sam informs him he's been through worse, and like Jack did to Catherine in Torment of Tantalus, he quipped his usual "piece of cake." Once through the Gate, Jacob is still stunned. He says "beats the hell out of a shuttle on the back of a rocket." Sarcastic as usual, Jack replies "goes a lot further too," eliciting a smile from Sam. Thus begins the start of a beautiful relationship between Jack and "Dad" Carter!

4) The Evacuation: Garshaw informs Martouf that the evacuation is nearly complete and that the healing and departure rooms are the only ones left to be destroyed. She wants every one to follow to the new home world and leave Jacob behind. If Selmak and he both survive, Selmak will know where to go. Sam won't hear any of it, and Jack watches on, offering to transport him to Earth. In a true Catch 22, they can't move him because he will die, and if they don't, he risks possible capture by the Goa'uld. Martouf offers to remain with him, and to avoid capture at all cost. Garshaw doesn't think it's wise and wants to leave Selmak behind, despite Sam's protests. Sam tries to stay herself, but Garshaw is first to point out that she is the most vulnerable because she contains the memories of Jolinar. Jack agrees with Garshaw; they have to leave. Sam respectively declines, telling him she has to remain to take care of her father. Martouf will remain also to assure that they are not taken by the Goa'uld. Looking at the two standing over Jacob, Jack doesn't like the picture, and becomes agitated. He knows Sam feels it's her duty to take care of her father, and he would have instantly granted her wish any other time, but he just doesn't like the look of her and Martouf together. In a bit of a 'screw you' attitude, he tells her "right," rounding up Daniel and Teal'c for the exit. What is he more upset about, Sam possibly getting captured by the Goa'uld or her being alone with Martouf?

5) The Wait: Garshaw, Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c make it through the Gate by the skin of their teeth while under heavy death glider fire. Once on the other side, they wait patiently, or impatiently in Jack's case, for the rest to come through. He fidgets, even more so when Garshaw tells SG1 that Martouf will let the tunnels absorb him and the rest of their people if the Goa'uld get too close. Jack does his usual 'not a happy camper' look; squinting, opening his mouth, frowning. He's worried that Sam isn't going to get out of there in time.

6) Coming Home: Sam, Selmak, and Martouf make it topside and head for the Gate. Sam quickly dials for Earth before the Goa'uld can establish a wormhole. Back at SGC, Jack is still waiting anxiously, but as soon as Sam sommersaults out onto the ramp, he's released the breath he was holding. Jacob tells him the 'weirdness' of the voice, feeling himself talk but not being in control. Jack jokes with him, saying that he doesn't know what it's like but he'll take the General's word for it. Jacob doesn't even think twice about Jack being such a smartass. 

 

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