Season Three Episode Reviews

3X1    Into the Fire (part 2 of 2) 
Plot: Hammond, Teal'c, rebel Jaffa, and all SG teams must rescue O'Neill, Carter, and Daniel from Hathor.

This was an incredibly good action-packed season premiere!  Between seeing massive armies of SG teams and Hathor's forces fighting, Teal'c and Hammond piloting an old Death Glider through a Stargate to shoot at four massive guntowers, it's all amazingly cool.  It's also great to see Teal'c and Bre'tac try to convince their fellow free Jaffa to help them.  The only real weak link here is the use of Hathor; all her threats are totally negated.  She gives O'Neill a Gou'ald larvae, but the Tok'ra spy quickly cures him.  During this entire epic battle, Hathor plays no part in it.  And finally, O'Neill tosses Hathor in a cryo lake.  What an anticlimactic death!

3X2    Seth 
Plot: SG1 and Jacob Carter go after Seth, a Gou'ald hiding on Earth who has created a brain-washed cult.

An interesting episode, but Seth isn't a very intimidating villain and the cult stuff is pretty weak, as par for scifi shows.  It's nice to see Jacob Carter working alongside SG1 of course, these teamup episodes add a nice texture to the episode.  Sending the team undercover made for some good suspense, but the coolest bit was Carter donning a ribbon device and out-shooting Seth, crushing him to death.  However this opens a huge can of worms, that to my limited knowledge is never brought up again; why doesn't Carter wear the ribbon on EVERY mission hereafter?  Isn't it worthwhile to have a non-leathal weapon when fighting aliens who could later be your allies?  I like the idea of the Tok'ra doing a Gou'ald census so to speak, and the idea of an annoyed Selmak making Jacob reconcile with his estranged son.  Unfortunately the father-son thing got a bit too blatant sometimes, namely with the cult kid's father (who is hinted strongly to be suspicious, but nothing ever comes of it!).  In fact, I was positive his son would miraculously (and stupidly) show up in the cult, but thankfully that did not happen.  And for one of the strangest scenes ever, Teal'c proceeds to tell an unintelligable Jaffa Joke, which he cracks up at while the rest are mystified.  Hilarious!  I also like SG1 being under suspicion by the ATF, then O'Neill gets the President to order him in charge of the operation- cool.

3X3    Fair Trade 
Plot: The Asgard assist Earth in negotiating a peace treaty with the Gou'ald, but all is not what it seems.

A damn spectacular episode, dealing with extremely weighty issues and making some important progress.  It's great to see how friendly the Asgard are to Earth, O'Neill in particular (an interesting mystery), though unfortunately they're off fighting a more important war (another hint to major future devealopments).  Something like this is the kind f inevitable thing that should happen but doesn't in most shows; the bad guys actually set out to attack our heroes.  This episode is wonderful at constructing a sense of ever-increasing dread.  Though we don't see any ships or fighting, Earth really feels to be in danger.  The many plot twists are also great, and the final solution is quite ingenious.  Great to see several Gou'ald and their rivalries with each other, particularly Cronos the most powerful one.  In addition to these worldly concerns, all four of the characters get a great deal to do.  We learn a big backstory to Teal'c; his father was First Prime to Cronos then betrayed and killed, exiling Teal'c to Chulak, and he has a personal vendetta out for him now.  Carter gets promoted (great scene!) and deals with Jolinar's murder, Cronos.  Daniel gets to play nursemaid for the Gou'ald.  And O'Neill of course gets to reluctantly handle negotiations, which makes for some great comedic scenes.  Tons of great continuity mentions, from the Reetou to the devices used to catch them, to Cassanda, to Jolinar... you get the idea.  Interaction of Earth and its alien allies (and the Gou'ald) is the series' strongest point, and this episode is a great show of it.  Oh, and Thor's Bridge set was one of the most realistic looking spaceship bridges I've ever seen, and the teleport FX were spectacular, in addition to the great animatronics on the Thor puppet.

3X4    Legacy 
Plot: After coming into contact with an ancient Gou'ald killing weapon, Daniel goes insane.

A pretty good paranoia episode, unfortunately the ending lacks any real steam, it's basically Carter screwing around with medical equipment for five minutes.  Nice to hear from Ma'chello again, and these Gou'ald killing worms are a very effective weapon (something we should hear more about!).  Daniel's insanity was done excellently, and there were some great spooky scenes as well.  The image of those worms crawling in and out of the characters is a great image (particularly when it drips out their ear!), but that ending sequence wasn't very interesting.

3X5    Learning Curve 
Plot: SGC works with an alien people whose children are used to gain knowledge then become assimilated into the group.

It's slow paced and has no action, but it's an interesting moral dilemma and alien concept.  I think that Earth has no right to force their morals on another culture, especially one that is advancing so quickly and could become powerful allies, and O'Neill just seems totally off his nut here (though it's somewhat understandable given his history).  Carter learning how to make a Naquaada reactor is vaguely interesting.  And thankfully, these children were as little annoying as they possibly could have been, with the glaring exception of when O'Neill takes the girl to school.  There's also a subplot about Daniel discovering the secret origin of these peoples that abruptly disappears halfway through the episode.  Given all that, the ending was decent, with the entire people learning about how Earth takes care of their children (though if you think about it O'Neill just fundamentally altered an entire alien race!).

3X6    Point of View 
Plot: SG1 helps an alternate reality Earth defend a Gou'ald invasion.

An excellent alternate reality episode with some great action at the end and some very moving stuff between Alt-Carter and O'Neill.  She looses her husband and then immediately meets another version of him, very sad.  The two Carters interacting was very cool, as was seeing Kawalsky again.  It's also an interesting moral dilemma, whether or not they should help another reality.  The final sequence of sneaking around the Apophis-controlled SGC to contact the Asgard was a very cool action sequence, and it's neat to see 'evil' Teal'c as well as how readily the Alt-Asgard were willing to help Alt-Earth (this suggests the Asgard of this reality don't have the Replicators to deal with).

3X7    Deadman Switch 
Plot: SG1 is captured by an expert bounty hunter working for Sokar on the trail of a Tok'ra fugitive.

This was an excellent standalone, full of neat action and interesting characters.  Aris Boch was a very cool Boba Fett type bounty hunter, he had a very endearing personality, demonstrated intelligence, and made a defection without appearing too unrealistic.  Also very cool to get a little plot line between Sokar and the Tok'ra.  It was also interesting to learn that there was a species immune to Gou'ald blending.

3X8    Demons 
Plot: SG1 finds a Dark Age Christian people terrorized by a Unas of Sokar.

A decent stand-alone with some good ideas, though it's a real shame that more wasn't done with the Unas and Sokar... I spent the whole episode waiting for a big SG1 vs. Unas fight that never came.  It's interesting to see a Dark Ages Christian society used by the Gou'ald, and very cool to see Sokar used again.  Teal'c's 'death' was pretty shocking, and it's neat that he can breathe water briefly.  The ending was pretty interesting, though it's pretty ridiculous that SG1 never told Simon to aim at the Unas' head when he fired!

3X9    Rules of Engagement 
Plot: SG1 encounters a lost army of Apophis training for infiltrating Earth.

A middling episode with some nice bits, particularly the idea that Apophis was training a human army to infiltrate Earth.  This is a very intelligent strategy, hopefully one that we'll see later.  There lots of good military action here, and I particularly love the Intar stun guns.  Perhaps fighting the brainwashing of the troops got a little annoying, but I did like the finale where SG1 dons face paint to infiltrate the base, fight off the troops while they set up the hologram.  Hopefully we'll see these Intar guns again, they make a much better weapon than guns.

3X10    Forever in a Day 
Plot:  Sha're is killed in battle, but Daniel continues to have strange visions of her bearing a message.

Though a bit too slow and a bit too sad and depressing, this is a great episode.  Daniel's grieving for Sha're, while necessary, really slow to the plot down to a snail's pace.  Things like Daniel quitting SG1 and being so pissed at Teal'c just seem totally unrealistic, and O'Neill is very bland.  However I did like the compassion that Carter was showing Daniel (some very touching scenes between them).  The vision of Sha're were very well done; this is the first time I've seen Sha're on the show and she makes a very good impression.  I find it particularly touching that after years of being a prisoner in her own body, she can still be so sweet and innocent (even while she attempts to gain revenge on them by leading Daniel to the Harseisis child).  The Harseisis child is certainly an interesting concept, though hopefully the kid isn't going to miraculously mature into teen hood with months or something.  The ending was also great.  The opening battle scene was absolutely amazing, totally involving FX and fighting.  It's a real shame we didn't get more lead-in to this fight and less time of Daniel doing nothing.  It's interesting that in the end this whole episode took place in Daniel's head... which is a shame because it means all that stuff with Carter for instance didn't really happen, and you're left wondering a) if what we told about the kid is true and b) what actually happened to Sha're's body.  Though I don't know anything about this story line, I will say this is an extremely anticlimactic way to end it, she would make for a cool villain.  In fact, between this and "Rules of Engagement" (and later "Pretense") it seems as if they're quietly getting rid of the entire Season One Apophis story line!  On later viewings, this episode really shines, and the tragedy is very well done.  I've also realized how symbolic the episode was; Teal'c represented Daniel's logic, Carter his emotion, O'Neill is inner self or self-image, and Rothmann his pre-SG self-image.  Great stuff!

3X11    Past and Present  
Plot: SG1 discovers a society stricken with amnesia connected to Linea Destroyer of Worlds.

Very interesting return for Linea, good moral dilemma makes up for the lack of action.  The initial mystery of an amnesiac society was very interesting and I really liked the 19th century look of the world.  Daniel and Kera had a very believable romance and it was an incredibly creepy plot twist to make her Linea!  Very cool.  I also like how it dealt with redemption through mind wipes and that she wanted to kill herself.

3X12    Jolinar's Memories (part 1 of 2) 
Plot: Jacob Carter is captured by Sokar and taken to Netu the hell planet; SG1 and the Tok'ra go in to rescue him.

This was a great and epic episode, and Sokar continues to be built up as a major new villain.  It's also great to see Carter dealing with Jolinar's memories and interacting with Martouf, though perhaps we spent too much time with this before arriving at Netu.  Netu is a very impressive collection of FX and sets, it's all quite convincing.  Every moment is edge of the seat, especially with the final revelation of Apothis alive and well, holding the team captive just when they are about to escape.  Quite a twist!

3X13    The Devil You Know (part 2 of 2) 
Plot:  Apophis plots against Sokar; SG1 and the Tok'ra must escape Netu.

Even better than part one, this is a major turning point in the series.  Apothis plotting his rise to power and defeat of Sokar is extremely cool; his plight is almost sympathetic.  Sokar on the other hand is given a great buildup as he plans his final strike against the other System Lords.  And of course the team trapped on Netu manage to come up with an extremely clever escape, with some aid from the Tok'ra.  It's also great to finally see the Tok'ra do something substantial, namely destroying Netu and Sokar.  I was a bit disappointed to see that by episode's end Apothis had replaced Sokar though, especially after all the buildup for Sokar.  I dearly hope that Sokar somehow miraculously survived to retake what is his from Apothis, then again it's great to see Apothis in charge of such a massive enemy; the series' major villain has returned to grace.

3X14    Foothold 
Plot: SG1 returns to find SGC taken over by aliens.

A great action packed suspense episode, a well done alien takeover plot.  It was neat (and rare) to see Cater and Teal'c working alone when they escape SGC (these two aren't paired together enough, especially with them both being the regulars touched by the Gou'ald).  Carter's paranoia is played beautifully, and its neat working with Maybourne.  The shoot-out on the airplane in particular is great, as is the use of the aliens' impersonation fields.  I also appreciate Maybourne calling in lots of troops rather than leaving the fight just up to SG1, and the aliens made for very cool if undeveloped villains, with great makeup.  And the ending leaves the possibility for a return appearance!

3X15    Pretense 
Plot: The Tollen capture Skaara/Klorel and put him on trial, involving SG1, the Gou'ald, and the Nox.

Sure it's just a courtroom drama, but I love this episode!  This episode is the perfect example of my favorite aspect of the series, Earth's interactions with its alien allies.  I love the working together of Earth, the Tollen, and the Nox.  I also love the Gou'ald plotting to destroy the Tollen homeworld, and the subsequent FX battle when they do so, then SG1 with the aid of the Nox take out the Gou'ald ship.  Extremely cool!  The opening FX shot of the Gou'ald battle was also very impressive.  And in addition to these great battles, the courtroom drama is extremely involving.  The question of importance between Host and Gou'ald is a very complicated and interesting one.

3X16    Urgo 
Plot: SG1 is infested with an annoying alien observer only they can see.

An slow-paced uninteresting episode that is more annoying than cute.  While the stunt casting of Dom DeLuise is impressive he ends up extremely annoying and not entertaining at all.  While most SG1 episodes are fast-paced and full of events, this one goes nowhere with its premise.  It's basically 40 minutes of Urgo annoying them.  No thanks!  Even the ending is uninteresting, it turns out the person responisble is just a reclusive inventor- and it's DeLuise again!

3X17    A Hundred Days 
Plot: O'Neill is trapped on a planet with a simple people due to a meteor shower which buries the Stargate.

Mostly a slow and uninteresting episode.  O'Neill going native doesn't make for entertainment, and I didn't really buy his romance either.  Another slow-paced episode, though the SGC's efforts to contact O'Neill were interesting.  I particularly like Teal'c's rescue effort, scaling up a hole in the rock from the horizontal Stargate then digging his way up.  I find it pretty conveinent that it would take so long for the Tollen to reach Edora though, considering how powerful they're supposed to be.  What about the Asgard, who can fly though GALAXIES?! The FX of the meteor showers were very impressive, and the naquadah reference is appreciated.

3X18    Shades of Grey 
Plot:  O'Neill goes renegade, steals Tollen technology, and joins a renegade Earth Stargate force.

A very interesting with some great moral questions.  Though I immeadiately figured out that O'Neill was working undercover, it's still interesting to see him go renegade and join up.  Frankly, this group makes a lot of sense to me, and it's great that they raise these questions.  If the Tollen just handed over ONE of their ion cannons then Earth would be safe from the Gou'ald.  When your life is at stake, are morals that important?  I'm a bit surprized to see O'Neill so much against this, considering he's earlier protested for this kind of thing.  It's also very neat to see the Asgard surprize attack on the renegade base, and the subsequent revelation that the Asgard and Tollen secretly contacted Hammond and O'Neill for the sting operation.  It's great to see this bond of trust between them despite adverse conditions.  And I look forward to the future appearance of this renegade group, which is hinted to go very high up the chain of command...

3X19    New Ground 
Plot: SG1 is captured by an alien military zealously protecting their false ideology; a blind Teal'c must rely on an alien scientist.

A good stand-alone with some good ideas and a nice shoot-out at the end, but something is missing.  After all the establishment of the false Bedrosian ideology, I fully expected the military to realize the truth at episode's end, but unfortunatly they just became mindless bad guys for the closing shootout.  Hopefully we'll return to this planet later for the ideological upheaval, which seems likely since Nyan is now Daniel's research assistant (this should be an interesting combo).  The interrogation of O'Neill, Carter, and Daniel is very funny and shot interestingly.  It's interesting to see Teal'c deal with being blind, and Nyan helping him out.  And the FX of the Bedrosian ships flying and crashing are quite good, as is the image of a Stargate buried in a mountain.

3X20    Maternal Instinct 
Plot: SG1 and Bre'tac seek the Harseis child and encounter a strange monk while Apophis' forces hunt them.

A slow-paced and boring episode that is improved by a neat ending.  Daniel finding his inner self was a bit lame for me, and I found the whole monk mysticism thing annoying (as did O'Neill and Bre'tac!).  It's great to see Bre'tac helping out the team again.  The ending battle with Apophis' troops was very cool, even with the godly intervention.  While as a newbie I don't understand a thing about this Harseis child thing, I do wonder if we'll ever hear from it again now that this energy creature has taken it to sanctuary.  Well on seeing it later, the spirituality bits with Daniel were still a bit lame, but it was very cool seeing SGC's reaction to learning Apophis alive, plus he destroyed Chulak!

3X21    Crystal Skull 
Plot:  Daniel is made intangible by a mysterious crystal skull to all but his grandfather, who encountered the skull before.

What initially sounds like a lame episode actually turns out pretty well.  The 'Daniel the ghost' bit got a tad annoying at times but it was vaguely interesting (though I gotta wonder if he can walk through walls why isn't he falling through the floor!).  I liked Daniel's kooky Grandfather, and I especially liked that in the end he went off with Quetzalcoatl.  I really liked this Quetzalcoatl alien (very impressive FX!) and look forward to him as a future ally; after all his pyramid was very revolutionary in technology!  The pyramid's initial exploration was very well done as well.

3X22    Nemesis (part 1 of 2) 
Plot:  SG1 is trapped aboard Thor's ship with Thor dying and the ship infested by Replicators, the enemy of the Asgard.

After all the hype I had heard for this episode, I was disappointed but it's still damn good, and the continuation promises to be even better.  SG1 being trapped on Thor's ship fighting off the Replicators made for a very cool tense action-packed episode, particularly towards the end.  Once again, the sets are beautiful and the Asgard computer FX are also great.  It's very interesting to explore the ship and learn how it works like this.  Teal'c being trapped in space without air also made for a very tense sequence.  Thor's quiet dedication and admiration of O'Neill is once again wonderful.  The cliffhanger is damn cool- I was pretty shocked to see the Stargate teleported up and consequently destroyed!  The final shoot-off with Replicators by the thousands was very impressive, as was the FX of the ship crashing.  And plus, it seems the Russians have finally caught wind of all the alien goings-on!  And some or all Replicators survive the crash!  Great lead-in for part two.  It also seems that whereever SG1 and Thor gated to, they had some Replicators along with them.  Daniel being written out was through extenuating circumstances, but I think it made the group dynamic on the ship much tighter.  I even like the brief character interlude at the top, where it's suggested that O'Neill maybe taking an interest in Carter.