Fragile Balance (703)

[GateWorld]

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<FONT SIZE=4 COLOR="#0066BF"><B>FRAGILE BALANCE</B></FONT>
<FONT SIZE=1>EPISODE NUMBER - 703</FONT>
<IMG SRC="/images/clear.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=10 ALT="">
A teenage boy shows up at the S.G.C. claiming to be Jack O'Neill, sending the team on a mission to uncover his true identity.

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[Gaterelle]

Excellent episode and I wish we could see more of Michael Welch. He did an outstanding job as portraying Jack and I was amazed by it. :)))

[DanielFan]

When I first watched it, I was in stitches with Mini-Jack. Michael welch did an excellent job in getting me to think that it was a shrunken Jack!

[Roatbaum]

This one was so funny, what a kid. What a nightmare to be Jack O'Neill and be 16. He wanted some beer, and he was double tuff wasn't he.I really didn't like it the first time I saw it, but the second time was better,so I went for the third time, and I loved it. :D :cool:

[Dramaqueen]

I do like this episode now, but I had to watch it more than once, too. I agree that Michael Welch did a great job in portraying Jack.
I think it was interesting to see that at the end that even though the mimi-Jack was a clone he was slightly different from the real Jack when he made the decision to go back to highschool while the real Jack didn't like the idea at all.
But it's gotta be really weird to have the memory of a lifes experiences and be stuck in a 15 or 16 year old body and live another life.

[bcmilco]

Michael Welch did an amazing job being Jack. The first time I watched the episode I didn't even realize RDA wasn't in the episode because 'Jack' was right there. :p

[Elwe Singollo]

Hehe, i almost didn't know that the mini-jack plays in Joan of Arcadia. Didn't exactly love the episode, but i did enjoy Thor walking around, i think... haha..

[Selmak]

We get to see another Asgard... Loki.

[Selmak]

The kid that plays little Jack did a good job emulating him.

[marcus]

I'm usually the first to critisize actors but Michael Welch did a good job.

I loved the scene at the end where Jack says goodbye to his younger self. The music in the background was really refreshing and it gave the scene a different feel.

If anyone was wondering the song is "Who am I" by Lily Frost.

Its a pretty cool concept. Imagine having a younger version of yourself with the same memories living live again. It would be even weirder for the clone.

One of my favourite eps.

[Selmak]

I hope we see him again before SG-1 is over.

[Replicarter]

http://www.alphawebspace.com/~karl/GWPT.gif

I think little jacks skills at being good at O’Neill are over rated, I didn’t think they suited the role and were perfect, i know you carnt get it perfect-perfect but still. Though I think that, Spoilers





The episode were little jack and Mayborn meet up will be good and I am looking forward to seeing it.

http://www.alphawebspace.com/~karl/GWPB.gif

[Liv]

Watched this episode for the umpfteenth time and I can not get over how good Michael Welsh is. His voice inflection, his body movements - he just completely captured O´Neill.

Lots of humour in this episode, which you can probably never get too much of.

"O-kay... Wrong console."

Daniel: "There´s no easy way to tell you this, so... Sam´s just gonna come right out and say it."

Oh, and Thor. You can never get too much of Thor either.

But then, I like to pretend that the episode ends up in that ship, just after Thor says he will do what he can so CloneJack can live. The high-school bit did not work for me.

[SeaBee]

Another ok ep, for me. Some good acting, and a good story.

The only problem I had was the pilots briefing scene. If they wern't prepared to listen to SC, then why would they listen to a kid? The American forces are better trained than that. I don't believethe pilots would have been so disrespectful to SC. She is, after all, a superior officer.

[Sicarius]

If anyone was wondering the song is "Who am I" by Lily Frost.

If anyone was wondering iTunes doesn't have it. :(


I don't believethe pilots would have been so disrespectful to SC. She is, after all, a superior officer.

Was she? I thought she addressed one of the guys as Major.

[THE BIG UNIT]

I also had a bit of a problem with the Pilots scene.

Its possible that there were more people in the room who were a Major but one of them was a Captain. i doubt there would have been anyone in the room who was higher. But even if some were Major, she has had far more experience than most currently alive at the SGC. She was more than likely the senior officer in the room. When the Pilots found out the Kid was really Jack they all sat up straight and looked ready to listen, they really should have been like that in the first place.

Since they obviously know who Sam is it's hard to believe that they would behave like that to a person who has saved the world so many times (and consequently them).

I think all this scene was supposed to show is Jack's command presence. Im glad they showed him the respect he deserved but i feel it was at sam's expense. They obviously respect jack alot, if they respect him that much to listen to him even if he was 15, they would probably respect sam alot aswell.

That was the only part i didn't like in the episode. As a whole, i thought it was great.

[moonfly]

I agree about the pilots. Seemed disrespectful of them, and does anyone do anything about it? But they will be more respectful to a teenager? I would have been really annoyed. Anyway, apart from that, I thought it was a really funny episode, and the ending was very nicely done, IMO.

[luusyphre]

So I just finished watching this episode and I agree that the kid did a fantastic job as Jack and that it was nice and entertaining and all, but what’s with the going back to high school bit. I understand that one would want to go back and learn the things one didn’t learn, but when little Jack was leaving the truck, he glanced over at the girls and I couldn’t help but think “you freking pedophile!” Jack’s supposed to be old, like 50, but he’s looking at those high school girls like they were produce. Just because he was in the body of a kid doesn’t justify him trolling for some young, high school action. I mean, what kind of message does that ending send to viewers? I think the writers and directors were trying to say that it would be great to go back and do things all over again, but what I got was, it’d be great to go back so we could prey on fresh young girls again. But then again, I can’t blame the writers for thinking that; I imagine that many of those who are of Jack’s age and those, including myself, who will eventually become Jack’s age, will have the same ideas pass through their minds at one time or another. But that’s not the point; the point is that the producers blatantly allowed such magnificently foul ideas seep onto the TV screen. It was kind of funny, but it was a little disturbing. I can’t help but to think that this episode gave viewers a little peek into the darker, nastier side of the minds of the writers. Albeit, very subtly.

[Madeleine]

I see your point. I think it's one of those times that you just have to disenegage your brain for a few moments if you're to enjoy the show. Jack's ogling schoolgirls? Sam's injured on the floor and the guys have their hands in their pockets? Jack's snogged Sam and she doesn't know it and he's looking smug about it?

I just think there are times when the writers, directors and so forth are so fixed on getting scene 12 right or getting the lighting just how they want it and a thousand other things that they don't have time to fully think through the implications of certain things. I reckon the fact that the actor was fifteen distracted them from the obvious truth that a 56-year-old oughtn't to be eying up fifteen year olds.

Since stuff like that is pretty rare it's easy for me to just file it under Silly Mistake and move on :).

[LMichelle]

But don't we all have something in our life we'd love to go back and redo?

Young Jack wanted go back to high school and re live his adolescent years. Jack was able to save him from death. Hmmm . . . high school or death? Let me think.

Young Jack said the air force "set him up." Does that mean he's living with a foster family? Living off the base? Won't he have to change his name? I'm sure there are a few Jack O'Neill's running around the USA, but really. Talk about your identity theft. Perhaps he'll go by John or Johnathan.

Just a few things to ponder. I like to nit pick. :p

Lisa Michelle

[Erik Pasternak]

You forgot to mention a new social security number.

[greytop]

But don't we all have something in our life we'd love to go back and redo?

Young Jack wanted go back to high school and re live his adolescent years. Jack was able to save him from death. Hmmm . . . high school or death? Let me think.

Young Jack said the air force "set him up." Does that mean he's living with a foster family? Living off the base? Won't he have to change his name? I'm sure there are a few Jack O'Neill's running around the USA, but really. Talk about your identity theft. Perhaps he'll go by John or Johnathan.
Right now I don't have anything I want to go back and redo.

Get back on subject. I like what young Jack said about school. He knew they were similiar but the difference was that he wants to go back and redo high school.

[Cpn. Chris(tine) Bowman]

So I just finished watching this episode and I agree that the kid did a fantastic job as Jack and that it was nice and entertaining and all, but what’s with the going back to high school bit. I understand that one would want to go back and learn the things one didn’t learn, but when little Jack was leaving the truck, he glanced over at the girls and I couldn’t help but think “you freking pedophile!” Jack’s supposed to be old, like 50, but he’s looking at those high school girls like they were produce. Just because he was in the body of a kid doesn’t justify him trolling for some young, high school action. I mean, what kind of message does that ending send to viewers? I think the writers and directors were trying to say that it would be great to go back and do things all over again, but what I got was, it’d be great to go back so we could prey on fresh young girls again. But then again, I can’t blame the writers for thinking that; I imagine that many of those who are of Jack’s age and those, including myself, who will eventually become Jack’s age, will have the same ideas pass through their minds at one time or another. But that’s not the point; the point is that the producers blatantly allowed such magnificently foul ideas seep onto theTV screen. It was kind of funny, but it was a little disturbing. I can’t help but to think that this episode gave viewers a little peek into the darker, nastier side of the minds of the writers. Albeit, very subtly.

You are SO overeacting! Come on! Does Jack really seem the type to go fooling around with a bunch of teenagers? Most probably he's gonna pick one and make her damn happy!
Come on! The guy is devoted! Most probably he's gonna crush for the teacher. Besides, he's a teenager now, so he has the memories of a 50 year old, Jack was always a bit childish (in a good way) and I know teenagers way more mature than him so, it's not really a question of mental age.

[Daniel's_twin]

This is their second best episode from this season. My family loves watching "mini me" trying to convince everyone that he is in fact Jack. Favorite line is probably

Jack: Daniel, tell them who I am.

Daniel: Ok. Love to. Who are you?

Lol! Pure gold! :cool:

[XToDaZ]

First of, great acting by Michael. It's hard to act in a credible way, but to clone RDA's style of acting here is another thing.

One thing I would do different as mini-Jack there. I'd get the USAF to move me to another country, like Belgium where I live, where 16 is a legal age to drink beer ... I also want an occasional beer, that's why I ain't moving to the US 'til I'm at least 21. ;)
Ok, different language, but Jack without beer for 5 more years, that's a suicide waiting to happen.

[imskysmom]

So I just finished watching this episode and I agree that the kid did a fantastic job as Jack and that it was nice and entertaining and all, but what’s with the going back to high school bit. I understand that one would want to go back and learn the things one didn’t learn, but when little Jack was leaving the truck, he glanced over at the girls and I couldn’t help but think “you freking pedophile!” Jack’s supposed to be old, like 50, but he’s looking at those high school girls like they were produce. Just because he was in the body of a kid doesn’t justify him trolling for some young, high school action. I

So I guess my take on this was, yeah, it's Jack and yeah, he has all of Jack's experience, but he's still in a teenage body. Hello, hormones anyone? No matter how old he feels inside, he's still going to be treated like a fifteen year old. So what's he supposed to do, date middle-aged women? Just MHO...

[Major Tyler]

Here's how I would have ended "Fragile Balance."

Alternate Ending

"Fragile Balance" occurs just as it does until we reach the scene where Thor states that he is not sure he can cure Young Jack. Here is where the fic diverges from canon...Instead of being able to cure Young Jack directly, Thor needs to create another clone to monitor it's growth so he can determine exactly what he need to do to cure Young Jack.

Thor: In order to stablize the adolescent O'Neill's genetic structure, I will need to use Loki's equipment to create another clone so that I can monitor it's development and isolate what gene sequences need to be repaired, and how to repair them.

O'Neill: Whoa! Hold on! You mean there's going to be two little me's running around!

Thor: If the procedure is successful, then yes, both of your clones will survive and live the average human life-span.

O'Neill: C'mon Thor, isn't there something else you could do, anything else...magnets?

Thor: Without a frame of reference it would be statistically impossible for me to know how to repair the flaw.

Young Jack: We're talking about my life here...

Sam: Thor, does the clone have to be of Colonel O'Neill?

Thor: What are you suggesting?

Sam: Clone me.

[i]Both Jacks look up in surprise.

Sam: If you implant me with the same safeguard that you placed in Colonel O'Neill's genetic structure, and then cloned me, you should be able to use that information to save Colonel O'Neill's clone.

Thor: It is possible, though the individual is different, human genetic structure similar enough on a basic level that I should be able derive the necessary information from your clone, Major Carter.

Carter looks up at Jack with a soft, knowing smile, waiting for him to respond. Jack suppresses a similar but almost envious look on his face. Young Jack make little effort to hide the fact that he is pleased. Jack nods in approval.

Sam: Okay, let's get started.
________________________

Cut to van scene outside of the high school...this takes place much as it does in canon, but with Jack and Sam in the front seat, and Young Jack and Young Sam in the back.

Use your imagination for the farewell dialogue. :)

As Sam and Jack drive away, Young Sam and Young Jack look at each other and smile. To the same soft fade-out music they played at the end of "Lost City," we see Young Jack and Sam walk away.

Jack's hand slowly moves toward Sam's. Their fingertips find each other and then we fade to the credits.

Awwww...:D

[Daniel's_twin]

Here's how I would have ended "Fragile Balance."

Alternate Ending

"Fragile Balance" occurs just as it does until we reach the scene where Thor states that he is not sure he can cure Young Jack. Here is where the fic diverges from canon...Instead of being able to cure Young Jack directly, Thor needs to create another clone to monitor it's growth so he can determine exactly what he need to do to cure Young Jack.

Thor: In order to stablize the adolescent O'Neill's genetic structure, I will need to use Loki's equipment to create another clone so that I can monitor it's development and isolate what gene sequences need to be repaired, and how to repair them.

O'Neill: Whoa! Hold on! You mean there's going to be two little me's running around!

Thor: If the procedure is successful, then yes, both of your clones will survive and live the average human life-span.

O'Neill: C'mon Thor, isn't there something else you could do, anything else...magnets?

Thor: Without a frame of reference it would be statistically impossible for me to know how to repair the flaw.

Young Jack: We're talking about my life here...

Sam: Thor, does the clone have to be of Colonel O'Neill?

Thor: What are you suggesting?

Sam: Clone me.

[i]Both Jacks look up in surprise.

Sam: If you implant me with the same safeguard that you placed in Colonel O'Neill's genetic structure, and then cloned me, you should be able to use that information to save Colonel O'Neill's clone.

Thor: It is possible, though the individual is different, human genetic structure similar enough on a basic level that I should be able derive the necessary information from your clone, Major Carter.

Carter looks up at Jack with a soft, knowing smile, waiting for him to respond. Jack suppresses a similar but almost envious look on his face. Young Jack make little effort to hide the fact that he is pleased. Jack nods in approval.

Sam: Okay, let's get started.
________________________

Cut to van scene outside of the high school...this takes place much as it does in canon, but with Jack and Sam in the front seat, and Young Jack and Young Sam in the back.

Use your imagination for the farewell dialogue. :)

As Sam and Jack drive away, Young Sam and Young Jack look at each other and smile. To the same soft fade-out music they played at the end of "Lost City," we see Young Jack and Sam walk away.

Jack's hand slowly moves toward Sam's. Their fingertips find each other and then we fade to the credits.

Awwww...:D


Master Power shall hate it, however, I LOVE it! But young Jack and Sam would still go through torture. They're not of legal age to marry! They shouldn't even be dating, there's only a week or two old! :D :cool:

[Cpn. Chris(tine) Bowman]

Cut to van scene outside of the high school...this takes place much as it does in canon, but with Jack and Sam in the front seat, and Young Jack and Young Sam in the back.

O'Neill: You sure you want to do this? I mean...High School?

MiniJack: Yeah. From now on, you and me...we're two completely different people.

*Looks at MiniSam and smiles, he seems to hesitate to take her hand and decides not to. Yet*

MiniSam: And don't worry, I was an A student from the day I set foot in kindergarden.

O'Neill: You know what? I don't doubt it.

*Carter looks back at her clone and grins. You see in their eyes a kind of understanding.*

Carter: Take care of Johnny, don't let him get in trouble. *winks at MiniJack who's pensively staring at MiniSam. Jack looks in the rear view mirror and looks a bit jealous.*

MiniJack: Did you forget who gives the orders, Carter? I might not be a Colonel anymore, but I'm still the Alpha male.

Both Sams: Oh please! *roll eyes*

*Both clones get off*



As Sam and Jack drive away, Young Sam and Young Jack look at each other and smile. To the same soft fade-out music they played at the end of "Lost City," we see Young Jack and Sam walk away.

*Sam and Jack look at each other, grinning as MiniJack puts his arm around MiniSam's shoulder. Then their looks turn melancholy as they think that there is only one Jack and Sam couple in this reality with a sure chance.*


Jack's hand slowly moves toward Sam's. Their fingertips find each other and then we fade to the credits.

Awwww...:D

[MajorSam]

HAHAHA, AWWWW, i Love BOTH versions! I've read fics involving a MiniSam who gets with MiniJack before. there's this one that was actually quite brilliant, and involved real Sam and Jack being matchmade by them... and Cassie...

Then there's the MILLIONS of mini Sg-1 fics from before FB. Aaaah, they should just make a bunch of little ones to run around! Try combining Sam and Jack's DNA to make the "advanced human" thing that Jack supossedly is. After all, each generation after him can only get better and better rite? ;)

[greytop]

Me, too.

[Beatrice Otter]

http://www.alphawebspace.com/~karl/GWPT.gif

I think little jacks skills at being good at O’Neill are over rated, I didn’t think they suited the role and were perfect, i know you carnt get it perfect-perfect but still. Though I think that, Spoilers





The episode were little jack and Mayborn meet up will be good and I am looking forward to seeing it.

http://www.alphawebspace.com/~karl/GWPB.gif
That's not going to happen, at least not this season. They wanted to, but they couldn't get the shooting schedules to work out right with Michael Welch's availability.

[Cpn. Chris(tine) Bowman]

Try combining Sam and Jack's DNA to make the "advanced human" thing that Jack supossedly is. After all, each generation after him can only get better and better rite? ;)

Wouldn't surprise me if they found out Sam also has the gene and was never really in a position to show it Like in It's Good to be King, she never sat on the pilot chair and tried to fly the thing. Maybe she has the gene?
And in any case her superior intellect would make the experiment worth it. The Shippers get the shipBaby they want, Sam gets the family she wants and humankind is a little higher up the evolution ladder than having only Jack's DNA involved in the process *shudders at the tought of Jack being the next step*

[gatewatcher]

Here's how I would have ended "Fragile Balance."

Alternate Ending

"Fragile Balance" occurs just as it does until we reach the scene where Thor states that he is not sure he can cure Young Jack. Here is where the fic diverges from canon...Instead of being able to cure Young Jack directly, Thor needs to create another clone to monitor it's growth so he can determine exactly what he need to do to cure Young Jack.

Thor: In order to stablize the adolescent O'Neill's genetic structure, I will need to use Loki's equipment to create another clone so that I can monitor it's development and isolate what gene sequences need to be repaired, and how to repair them.

O'Neill: Whoa! Hold on! You mean there's going to be two little me's running around!

Thor: If the procedure is successful, then yes, both of your clones will survive and live the average human life-span.

O'Neill: C'mon Thor, isn't there something else you could do, anything else...magnets?

Thor: Without a frame of reference it would be statistically impossible for me to know how to repair the flaw.

Young Jack: We're talking about my life here...

Sam: Thor, does the clone have to be of Colonel O'Neill?

Thor: What are you suggesting?

Sam: Clone me.

[i]Both Jacks look up in surprise.

Sam: If you implant me with the same safeguard that you placed in Colonel O'Neill's genetic structure, and then cloned me, you should be able to use that information to save Colonel O'Neill's clone.

Thor: It is possible, though the individual is different, human genetic structure similar enough on a basic level that I should be able derive the necessary information from your clone, Major Carter.

Carter looks up at Jack with a soft, knowing smile, waiting for him to respond. Jack suppresses a similar but almost envious look on his face. Young Jack make little effort to hide the fact that he is pleased. Jack nods in approval.

Sam: Okay, let's get started.
________________________

Cut to van scene outside of the high school...this takes place much as it does in canon, but with Jack and Sam in the front seat, and Young Jack and Young Sam in the back.

Use your imagination for the farewell dialogue. :)

As Sam and Jack drive away, Young Sam and Young Jack look at each other and smile. To the same soft fade-out music they played at the end of "Lost City," we see Young Jack and Sam walk away.

Jack's hand slowly moves toward Sam's. Their fingertips find each other and then we fade to the credits.


Awwww...:D
I like i t!! :)

[Kelso]

Yup, great ep. Welch was fab... no complaints here.

I hopethey bring Loki back for a later episode, it would be interesting to see if he and Heimdall (sp) could team up and make some progress with that frozen Asgard that was discovered. Perhaps by slicing in human DNA?

Anyways, I also loved that this ep. laid the groundwork for the F-302 squadron from "Lost City"... and the discovery of the ancient gene.

[Jeril]

Here's how I would have ended "Fragile Balance."

Alternate Ending...
Oh my god. My head is now being filled with possibilities. Damn you! It's hard enough to keep up with the fanfiction I'm writing without getting new ideas and itchy fingers to write them up!! :S *dies*

Anyway, about the actual episode now...
Major Tyler's ending would've be much better. The one they had was okay, but I kinda don't see why Jack would want to redo high school. I'm there right now and my gods! :eek: I would -never- want to do this over! Even if someone paid me to. So much stupid teenage drama and all the homework and unsympathetic teachers and jeeze. :S It's just not fun.
I loved how Michael Welch played Jack. It was so funny and cute! Especially when he had to hold up his pants 'cause they kept falling down, lol, and when he tried to drink the beer but someone (Sam? Daniel?) took it away from him. The pimply stuff on his face was kinda gross though. :S Bad acne like that is ucky...
And it was spiffy that they brought in Loki. :D I read mythology when I was younger and Loki was my favorite out of all the Norse gods. I hope TPTB include him in a future episode.


I understand that one would want to go back and learn the things one didn’t learn, but when little Jack was leaving the truck, he glanced over at the girls and I couldn’t help but think “you freking pedophile!” Jack’s supposed to be old, like 50, but he’s looking at those high school girls like they were produce. Just because he was in the body of a kid doesn’t justify him trolling for some young, high school action.
Errr....
Well, considering that he was now those girls' age... there wasn't anything wrong with him checking them out, really. It's not like he could go out and ask a 30-something year old woman on a date. That would land her in jail and him in a shrink's chair. And how would that sound? "Yeah, I'm an Air Force colonel who got cloned and now I'm stuck in this teenage body so it's really no big deal that I was dating a woman who is physically twenty years older than me."
A person's mental age/maturity has nothing to do with how you should date people. If it did, I know high school juniors and seniors who should be dating 6th grade girls.

[Willow]

Errr....
Well, considering that he was now those girls' age... there wasn't anything wrong with him checking them out, really.
************

Exactly.

[zats]

I adored this episode. My fundamental problem with "Brief Candle" (S1) was that in my opinion, they went the wrong way--don't age him, you numbskulls! Quick, reverse it! Bring zats (almost) eternal happiness! And in this ep, my (almost) greatest wish was fulfilled...and there was much rejoicing... :rolleyes:

*Ahem* Anyway...good ep. Welch is an excellent actor, both in this ep and on 'Joan of Arcadia', and he played young Jack ( :D ) quite well. ;)

And while I'm thinking about it...I really don't see what all the fuss was about with the Duplicate checking out the girls at the Hi!Skool. He may be an awful lot like Jack O'Neill...but he's not Jack. I prefer to think of him as boy who's just mature for his age. My point being that he's...what, fifteen? Sixteen? He's not Colonel O'Neill.

[walter_MacChevron]

I just read on this site that they were planning on bringing Mini-Jack back if there was another season.........i hate how TPTB make promises just to get another season and not fufill them!!!

[Madeleine]

It's not just about TPTB though. They can plan it all they want, and they probably have; but it goes without saying that the plans depend on Michael Welch being available and amenable. I believe he's a regular in a show that's filmed at the same time of year as Stargate is.

[Stricken]

to quote O'Neill (Again)

"Nice"

[Beatrice Otter]

Wouldn't surprise me if they found out Sam also has the gene and was never really in a position to show it Like in It's Good to be King, she never sat on the pilot chair and tried to fly the thing. Maybe she has the gene?
And in any case her superior intellect would make the experiment worth it. The Shippers get the shipBaby they want, Sam gets the family she wants and humankind is a little higher up the evolution ladder than having only Jack's DNA involved in the process *shudders at the tought of Jack being the next step*
Um, by this point they've gotta have a test for it. Betcha it's expensive and time consuming (most stuff involving DNA is), so they wouldn't be testing people in job lots, but people connected to the SGC would be among the first to be tested. So they wouldn't have known in S7 whether or not she had the gene (iirc they didn't know about the gene until the first ep of Atlantis), but I betcha by this point they know.

Also, I don't think that the gene is what makes Jack 'advanced.' The Asgard didn't run tests on him and go "wow, this human's advanced." They saw how he was able to handle the Ancient download the first time and went "wow, this human's advanced." Besides, they were best pals with the Ancients way back when. If it were just a matter of Ancient DNA, they'd probably have another source of it, y'know? And if the Ancient Gene has been a part of the human genome for the past few thousand years, you can't call it "advanced" any more; it's just a part of the genome, now.

[QuiGonJohn]

Fun episode. Almost wish it had been Jack and not a clone, so he'd have had the opposite of Brief Candle.

[briguy213]

I like this nice twist from the normal eps.

[Lida]

I like this nice twist from the normal eps.

Profound observation, care to expound further?

[briguy213]

It wasnt just off world fighting and what not.

[Lida]

It wasnt just off world fighting and what not.



Fragile Balance was shot, according to tptb, as a "fun" show. Everyone involved thought it was was "a lot of fun to work with a kid who was trying to get all the O'Neill-isms we all know and love so well." (MS)

It was originally proposed as a way to shoot an RDA episode without RDA not being available for much of the "shoot" time. All in all, it turned out very well, not in small part due to the very gifted young actor chosen to play young Jack, Michael Welch. His rhythm and timing were dead on.

IMHO, it was a great epi, and a welcome break from the "usual". :)

(I also loved Jack's line...."A mini-me"?) :D

[divcon]

I watched this episode again this morning and I love it. Michael nailed the Jack mannerisms. I wonder if he was a fan of the show before appearing on it? It cetainly looked as if the rest of the cast,especially Amanda, had a great time making this ep. :D :D

[Iris]

ahh I saw the summary of this episode and was itching to watch it :P
Sometimes I prefer the non-off-world episodes a bit more, where interesting things happen that doesn't involve fighting, like the TPTB said, it was "fun" =D
Liked the actor on JoA (currently), very good at "Jack". I'm probabaly gonna file away the high school bit as a silly mistake...since the implications of Jack ogling at high school girls is disturbing O.o

[divcon]

ahh I saw the summary of this episode and was itching to watch it :P
Sometimes I prefer the non-off-world episodes a bit more, where interesting things happen that doesn't involve fighting, like the TPTB said, it was "fun" =D
Liked the actor on JoA (currently), very good at "Jack". I'm probabaly gonna file away the high school bit as a silly mistake...since the implications of Jack ogling at high school girls is disturbing O.o

I never thought of it that way but now that you mention it, Jack ogling young girls is not right but his new teenage hormones were running rampant so I can forgive him and as he said in the car that this was where they took different paths so you know that 'duplicate O'Neill' and the real O'Neill were completely different people from that moment on.

[pogiangel]

The asgard are in this episode ... therefore it rocks.

They have made no further reference to the asgard Loki since this episode?

(Correct me if I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong, coz I ended up feeling real sorry for him).

Cheers, Jerome

(Yeah! 2 Posts!)

[Lida]

I watched this episode again this morning and I love it. Michael nailed the Jack mannerisms. I wonder if he was a fan of the show before appearing on it? It cetainly looked as if the rest of the cast,especially Amanda, had a great time making this ep. :D :D

The actor who portrayed the "mini-me" Jack, Michael Welch, viewed many hours of Stargate before he undertook the role, so as to get all of RDA's "Jack" mannerisms perfect. I think he did! :)

[divcon]

The asgard are in this episode ... therefore it rocks.

They have made no further reference to the asgard Loki since this episode?

(Correct me if I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong, coz I ended up feeling real sorry for him).

Cheers, Jerome

(Yeah! 2 Posts!)

You are right, Loki hasn't been heard of since but then again contact with the Asgard has been sketchy at best since this ep so who nows what they've done with him. I too felt a little bit sorry for Loki as well, after all he was only trying to save his race from extinction. Who knows, maybe one day he would have found 'the one' to save the Asgard.

[Daniel's_twin]

You are right, Loki hasn't been heard of since but then again contact with the Asgard has been sketchy at best since this ep so who nows what they've done with him. I too felt a little bit sorry for Loki as well, after all he was only trying to save his race from extinction. Who knows, maybe one day he would have found 'the one' to save the Asgard.

Maybe so, but the end does not justify the means. :cool:

[sg-1fanintn]

The actor who portrayed the "mini-me" Jack, Michael Walsh, viewed many hours of Stargate before he undertook the role, so as to get all of RDA's "Jack" mannerisms perfect. I think he did! :)

It was a little uncomfortable to see Jack (but not Jack), but Walsh did a great job! The first time I saw the ep, I was really blown away by how on-target his portrayal of O'Neill was. I really like this ep!

[Lida]

It was a little uncomfortable to see Jack (but not Jack), but Walsh did a great job! The first time I saw the ep, I was really blown away by how on-target his portrayal of O'Neill was. I really like this ep!

Sorry sg-1fanintn, I misspelled the actor's name. It's Michael Welch, not Walsh. :(

Mea culpa.....

[mightydefiant]

Anyone realise this: mini-Jack Michael Welch mom in Joan is Mary Steenburgen?

[divcon]

Anyone realise this: mini-Jack Michael Welch mom in Joan is Mary Steenburgen?

Hello, how much of a coincidence is that. Or is it?

[divcon]

Sorry sg-1fanintn, I misspelled the actor's name. It's Michael Welch, not Walsh. :(

Mea culpa.....

I'm Divcon's eldest daughter and I Love Your Sig. :)

I'm Divcon's youngest daughter and my name is Megan.Your sig is funny. :D

[GoldenSG-1]

i would love it for the writers to make a follow up to Fragile Balance.

Duplicate Oneill or DON as i like to call him is a rebel and a prankster in highschool.

Cmon, you just know that the original Jack made a few visits to the principals office when he was young LOL so why wouldn't his clone be the same?

Obiviously its too soon to get RDA back but i think its time Michael Welch came back for an ep. Theres so many more oneillisms to poke fun at!

[Lida]

i would love it for the writers to make a follow up to Fragile Balance.

Duplicate Oneill or DON as i like to call him is a rebel and a prankster in highschool.

Cmon, you just know that the original Jack made a few visits to the principals office when he was young LOL so why wouldn't his clone be the same?

Obiviously its too soon to get RDA back but i think its time Michael Welch came back for an ep. Theres so many more oneillisms to poke fun at!

Sometimes, it's best to let "sleeping dogs lie", as I believe the episode in question, Fragile Balance, is a great example. It was a funny, even poignant episode, one that showcased the talent of a very young and gifted actor, Michael Welch. However, I don't think it would work a second time.

So, I'd prefer my memories of it and of course, my DVD's. :D

(As for Jack's clone being the "same".....once he became self aware, he was NO longer Jack. He had his own personality and therefore, would not necessarily repeat any of Jack's actions.)

[jckfan55]

Anyone realise this: mini-Jack Michael Welch mom in Joan is Mary Steenburgen?
In real life or just on "Joan of Arcadia?"

[mightydefiant]

In real life or just on "Joan of Arcadia?"
In Joan.
Mary Steenburgen...Helen Girardi
Michael Welch...Luke Girardi
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367345/

[QuiGonJohn]

Didn't realize Michael Welch was the main kid in ST:Insurrection.

[mightydefiant]

Didn't realize Michael Welch was the main kid in ST:Insurrection.
I did not know that!! Adds to Stargate-Star Trek links.

[Daniel's_twin]

Didn't realize Michael Welch was the main kid in ST:Insurrection.

He was? I've gotta re-watch that one. It's been so long! :cool:

[L-JADE]

It was a little uncomfortable to see Jack (but not Jack), but Walsh did a great job! The first time I saw the ep, I was really blown away by how on-target his portrayal of O'Neill was. I really like this ep!

Michael Welch really did a good job on this. I watch it the 3rd time and notice that he's able to sort-of hide his thumbs most of the time (because he has a very different thumbs than RDA). Watch the first conference room meeting, he's fiddling his fingers like Jack would do, but he hides the thumbs.

And IMHO Mini-Jack didn't ogling the teenage high-school girls, he's just nodding his head toward them to give Jack a fact that life in high-school does not involve all studying, there's also (for example) gossiping teenage girls which he would consider as funny. I think the girls which in fact leering at Mini Jack.

[DragonGate]

Welch did a terrific job of playing O'Neill, IMO. The beginning scene where Jack was trying to convince them who he was is hilarious. "Sounds like him. At least the loud, grating part." During the investigation at Jack's house, the "science experiment" comment and Sam taking the beer were so funny. Possible spoiler for Avalon part 1: What if Mitchell had been in that briefing? Imagine the conversation in S9 if he asked Daniel what had been going on that day.

[Daniel's_twin]

Yeah, I was thinking that when Hammond mentioned the briefing. LOL!:cool:

[skritsys]

I thought the Austin Powers reference was kind of funny...."mini-me"

[AGateFan]

Great ep. Only thing I didnt like was the breifing but I guess they are saying that is how female officers are really treated in the USAF. That is sad if true. As an unlisted person in the USAF I never witnessed such but bad behavior but I guess it fit the plot of the ep, so whatever it takes, I guess.

The rest of the ep was great. Daniel specifically shined.
The "Sounds like him. At least the loud, grating part."
The naming of examples when Teal'c asked for one.
The "Sam has something to tell you" line.
Seems like there were a couple others to.

The kid played Jack perfectly. Hammond, Fraiser and Jacob were all good as always. Everyone cares about everyone else and you can tell. Maybe not be the greatest ep ever but it was a great ep.

[skritsys]

For me the most memorable scene in this ep was when young Jack addresses a whole room full of pilots and they honestly thought it was some kind of joke. And then the line that made them shape up was "It may not say Colonel on my uniform, but it should."
What kid actor would not love to talk down to a bunch of AF pilots? That was a classic moment in my book.

[jckfan55]

Great ep. Only thing I didnt like was the breifing but I guess they are saying that is how female officers are really treated in the USAF. That is sad if true. As an unlisted person in the USAF I never witnessed such but bad behavior but I guess it fit the plot of the ep, so whatever it takes, I guess.

The rest of the ep was great. Daniel specifically shined.
The "Sounds like him. At least the loud, grating part."
The naming of examples when Teal'c asked for one.
The "Sam has something to tell you" line.
Seems like there were a couple others to.

The kid played Jack perfectly. Hammond, Fraiser and Jacob were all good as always. Everyone cares about everyone else and you can tell. Maybe not be the greatest ep ever but it was a great ep.
I liked the "Sam's going to tell you" line too & Sam's look was great.

[Apocalypse018]

i wanna kno the name of the song at the end of this episode as young Jack is dropped off at his new school. i searched using google but havent found anything. if anyone kno please post thanx!

[AGateFan]

Watched it again. Still a good ep, still only one part I didnt like but the rest was cool. Wonder if Thor was "impressed" that O'Neill wanted the clone to survive, thinking more of him because of it? Or if he was just "suprised" O'Neill wanted the clone to survive, thinking it was a silly sentimental human thing? There was definitly a reaction... i just dont know what to make of it.

Loki is often overlooked when we talk about asgards with personalities. He was the first one who was more "human" then the ones before him. I like how he said he was the only one with the courage to do what had to be done.... kinda sounds like Mckay or something.

[timdalton007]

Nice episode! The ending was a little predictable but besides that a good episode! FOr those of yu season 9 haters who say that an episode can't work without a RDA watch this episode! He doesn't even appear in the episode until the end of Act Four and he really doesn't add alot to the episode.

Michael Welch did very, very well as the young O'Neill and had the character down perfectly! It's a shame we haven't seen much of him. The whole cast did very well in this episode and the lack of RDA didn't hurt one bit. The storyline was original and finally tackeled the idea that alien abductions , in the SG-1 universe at least, aren't entirly fiction.

And to whoever it was you asked what the song was at the end of the episode it's a song called "Who am I?" by Lily Frost.

timdalton007

[scjon]

Nice episode! The ending was a little predictable but besides that a good episode! FOr those of yu season 9 haters who say that an episode can't work without a RDA watch this episode! He doesn't even appear in the episode until the end of Act Four and he really doesn't add alot to the episode.

Michael Welch did very, very well as the young O'Neill and had the character down perfectly! It's a shame we haven't seen much of him. The whole cast did very well in this episode and the lack of RDA didn't hurt one bit. The storyline was original and finally tackeled the idea that alien abductions , in the SG-1 universe at least, aren't entirly fiction.

And to whoever it was you asked what the song was at the end of the episode it's a song called "Who am I?" by Lily Frost.

timdalton007
I agree with you regarding Michael Welch. He was fantastic. This is one of the few episodes, which RDA was barely in, when I didn't miss him so much. It wasn't until I saw RDA on screen towards the end that I remembered that he hadn't actually been in the episode at all until that point!

[Maybourne]

can someone please tell me what the name of the song at the end of this episode is called. i think ot is a really cool song. thanks

[bunnicula2001]

can someone please tell me what the name of the song at the end of this episode is called. i think ot is a really cool song. thanks

I believe it is called "Who Am I?" by Lilly Frost. :)

[Pharaoh Atem]

lol jack has a mini me cool this was a good espiode the actor that played little jack did a good job

[Major Tyler]

Here's how I would have ended "Fragile Balance."

Alternate Ending

"Fragile Balance" occurs just as it does until we reach the scene where Thor states that he is not sure he can cure Young Jack. Here is where the fic diverges from canon...Instead of being able to cure Young Jack directly, Thor needs to create another clone to monitor it's growth so he can determine exactly what he need to do to cure Young Jack.

Thor: In order to stablize the adolescent O'Neill's genetic structure, I will need to use Loki's equipment to create another clone so that I can monitor it's development and isolate what gene sequences need to be repaired, and how to repair them.

O'Neill: Whoa! Hold on! You mean there's going to be two little me's running around!

Thor: If the procedure is successful, then yes, both of your clones will survive and live the average human life-span.

O'Neill: C'mon Thor, isn't there something else you could do, anything else...magnets?

Thor: Without a frame of reference it would be statistically impossible for me to know how to repair the flaw.

Young Jack: We're talking about my life here...

Sam: Thor, does the clone have to be of Colonel O'Neill?

Thor: What are you suggesting?

Sam: Clone me.

[i]Both Jacks look up in surprise.

Sam: If you implant me with the same safeguard that you placed in Colonel O'Neill's genetic structure, and then cloned me, you should be able to use that information to save Colonel O'Neill's clone.

Thor: It is possible, though the individual is different, human genetic structure similar enough on a basic level that I should be able derive the necessary information from your clone, Major Carter.

Carter looks up at Jack with a soft, knowing smile, waiting for him to respond. Jack suppresses a similar but almost envious look on his face. Young Jack make little effort to hide the fact that he is pleased. Jack nods in approval.

Sam: Okay, let's get started.
________________________

Cut to van scene outside of the high school...this takes place much as it does in canon, but with Jack and Sam in the front seat, and Young Jack and Young Sam in the back.

Use your imagination for the farewell dialogue. :)

As Sam and Jack drive away, Young Sam and Young Jack look at each other and smile. To the same soft fade-out music they played at the end of "Lost City," we see Young Jack and Sam walk away.

Jack's hand slowly moves toward Sam's. Their fingertips find each other and then we fade to the credits.

Awwww...:DLOL, I remember when I wrote this little ending! :P I was such a softie. ;)

[captain jake]

I liked the idea of the episode but could they have found a more annoying kid?And that last scene was awful, the glasses!!! holy crap that was annoying.
http://www.stargatefan.com/episodes7/0703/images/436.jpg

[Commander Jumper]

ok something about how this episode ended has been sitting in my head for quite some time. We all know that Little Jacks see's Jack and thinks of himself. But What does Jack see when he see's the boy who is around the same age his son would've been at the time. Jack seemed uneasy like a father would about sending little Jack off to highschool. It seemed to me mini jack gave Jack something Jack had always wanted, at chance at that rite of passage. Did anyone else see it that way or am I alone here??? or am I a crazy loon???

[scifi_girl]

does anyone else wonder what happened to mini jack?

[OrangeShipper]

I still can't decide wether I liked this.. I just watched it a second time, and thought it was much better that I previously thought - especially Michael Welch's portrayal of Jack, it just struck me as much better this time (I couldn't really see it before, not sure why). It does have some classic funny moments as well.

There's just a couple of points though that really put me off... For instance, mini-Jacks reaction to certain things, just didn't fit right with the character to me - it was like not only was someone else playing him, but someone else was writing him too (which obviously isn't the case - but I actually had to keep reminding myself of that). Like, throughout the whole episode, mini-Jack seems very snappy, especially to Sam. Like when she teased him, and he snapped "that's SIR to you", I just couldn't see Jack doing that. And he didn't really seem to care that they were all trying to help him. And that he would try and run away from it, and that the first thing he does is to be desparate to get a beer. That... just doesn't sit right to me. Also, the fact that he didn't seem to be at all supportive of Carter for the F-302 briefing - when he was trying to persuade Hammond to let him take it still, it just struck me alsmost as if he was putting Carter down by not being confident in her. I just couldn't see him doing that.

I know some people have said that he's just a clone so he's slightly different, but to me he shouldn't be. He shouldn't have ANY "teenage" ideas. In his head, to him, he was Jack O'Neill, a 50 yr old man. That should still have been the case even after he realised he was a clone. His mind was the same as Jacks before, why shouldn't it still be after, just because he knows he's a clone? That knowledge shouldn't change anything. Like, just because he's in a 15 yr olds body, that doesn't mean that he should like going back to High school ANY more than Jack, who clearly thinks it's a bad idea - shouldn't he too?

Anyway, sorry to be so pokey, that was just how I took those parts. When I thought about it a little more, I guess I could see Jack saying some of those things (in some scenes he's VERY snappy), because of course he'd be incredibly "irked" - but maybe RDA wouldn't say it in quite as harsh a tone. I don't know. That's just how I took it...

[Triskele925]

does anyone else wonder what happened to mini jack?

I definitely do, all the time! I wish they'd bring him back for an episode. I know originally they couldn't, because Michael Welch was busy filming Joan of Arcadia, but Joan's been cancelled (sadly) for a while now...


Anyway, sorry to be so pokey, that was just how I took those parts. When I thought about it a little more, I guess I could see Jack saying some of those things (in some scenes he's VERY snappy), because of course he'd be incredibly "irked" - but maybe RDA wouldn't say it in quite as harsh a tone. I don't know. That's just how I took it...

I noticed his snappy-ness as well. I think a lot of it might have come from the fact that Jack was embarrased, and everyone on the base was taking every opportunity to poke fun at him, and that's how he reacted. He also might have been sick of trying to 'prove' himself - even though in his head he's still regular old Jack O'Neill, everyone is treating him differently, and I can see how that might grate on one's nerves after a while. Anyways, I would think it's just a reaction to him being pretty humiliated - *especially* in front of Carter, if you know what I mean. :P
Anyways that's just my thought! You bring up a valid point, though.

[Ilana]

Yes, I too, having just watched this ep for the second time, wonder what has happened to mini-Jack. It's just one of those loose ends, isn't it?

[camulus13]

If anyone was wondering iTunes doesn't have it. :(



Was she? I thought she addressed one of the guys as Major.
wal mart music downloads has it if anyones curious

[Two_L's]

Here's how I would have ended "Fragile Balance."

Alternate Ending

"Fragile Balance" occurs just as it does until we reach the scene where Thor states that he is not sure he can cure Young Jack. Here is where the fic diverges from canon...Instead of being able to cure Young Jack directly, Thor needs to create another clone to monitor it's growth so he can determine exactly what he need to do to cure Young Jack.

Thor: In order to stablize the adolescent O'Neill's genetic structure, I will need to use Loki's equipment to create another clone so that I can monitor it's development and isolate what gene sequences need to be repaired, and how to repair them.

O'Neill: Whoa! Hold on! You mean there's going to be two little me's running around!

Thor: If the procedure is successful, then yes, both of your clones will survive and live the average human life-span.

O'Neill: C'mon Thor, isn't there something else you could do, anything else...magnets?

Thor: Without a frame of reference it would be statistically impossible for me to know how to repair the flaw.

Young Jack: We're talking about my life here...

Sam: Thor, does the clone have to be of Colonel O'Neill?

Thor: What are you suggesting?

Sam: Clone me.

[i]Both Jacks look up in surprise.

Sam: If you implant me with the same safeguard that you placed in Colonel O'Neill's genetic structure, and then cloned me, you should be able to use that information to save Colonel O'Neill's clone.

Thor: It is possible, though the individual is different, human genetic structure similar enough on a basic level that I should be able derive the necessary information from your clone, Major Carter.

Carter looks up at Jack with a soft, knowing smile, waiting for him to respond. Jack suppresses a similar but almost envious look on his face. Young Jack make little effort to hide the fact that he is pleased. Jack nods in approval.

Sam: Okay, let's get started.
________________________

Cut to van scene outside of the high school...this takes place much as it does in canon, but with Jack and Sam in the front seat, and Young Jack and Young Sam in the back.

Use your imagination for the farewell dialogue. :)

As Sam and Jack drive away, Young Sam and Young Jack look at each other and smile. To the same soft fade-out music they played at the end of "Lost City," we see Young Jack and Sam walk away.

Jack's hand slowly moves toward Sam's. Their fingertips find each other and then we fade to the credits.

Awwww...:D

:lol: That's awesome!


I noticed his snappy-ness as well. I think a lot of it might have come from the fact that Jack was embarrased, and everyone on the base was taking every opportunity to poke fun at him, and that's how he reacted. He also might have been sick of trying to 'prove' himself - even though in his head he's still regular old Jack O'Neill, everyone is treating him differently, and I can see how that might grate on one's nerves after a while. Anyways, I would think it's just a reaction to him being pretty humiliated - *especially* in front of Carter, if you know what I mean. :P
Anyways that's just my thought! You bring up a valid point, though.

Yeh, mini-jack seemed kinda cranky at times, but as normal Jack said, he should be "irked", right? I mean, no-one believed it was him, and when they did, he got teased. Carter, Teal'c and Daniel wouldn't normally be brave enough to make fun of him had he been his regular self. ;)

I really enjoyed this episode, it was really funny and Michael Welch did a fantastic job at acting out all the O'Neillism. I felt a bit sorry for Sam when the pilots were rudely interrupting her, but then they listened to mini-jack. Although I thought that maybe they just wanted to remind us that Jack is actually pretty smart, hence why we saw him explaining things to the pilots. Loki was pretty cool, and its a shame if we don't see him again. :(

I quite liked the ending and I didn't think it was that strange that the younger Jack would be looking at the high school girls. He might have the mannerisms and memories of normal Jack, but he has the body of a teenager and as we saw at the end, he was already starting to change and make himself a new identity and path in life. So I just saw it as a young boy, who had Jack's mind kinda 'downloaded' into his (like in Fifth Race), and was now starting afresh. :)

Oh, and I liked the song at the end! I don't recall a time when we've heard a normal, everyday song playing in Stargate. It was different, but good. :)

[Major Tyler]

:lol: That's awesome!Haha, I'm glad you like it! That was ages ago. :P

[garhkal]

Interesting Fan fic...

[Two_L's]

Haha, I'm glad you like it! That was ages ago. :P

Hehehe, yep! I'm only, what, two years behind in replying? :P

[cavalierlwt]

Seriously great episode. It would have been a great idea to have a mini-Jack episode near the end of the series. The actor who played him is 20 now according to IMDB, so 2006 he would be the right age to play young Jack doing exactly what you'd expect him to do: entering the military with plans to get into the Stargate program. Imagine him in the Stargate cadet program!

[garhkal]

That is true.. I would actually like to see him port over to SGU.. OR possibly even SGA>

[Asgard_Thor]

does anyone know what kind of shades (young o'neill) puts on at the end of the episode?

[Lt.Colonel John Sheppard]

its funny cause Young Jack and Cassandra Fraiser are close to the same age in 2008. except cassie's older cause she was born in 1985 and Jack was "born" in 1987 which mearns depending when the episode actually was aired (not in our time but in stargate canon) that would make young jack o'neill either turning 16 pretty soon.

[hedwig]

This episode is on SciFi this evening, and I am once again reminded how annoyed I am with it. I did like the episode. However, it seems to me that everyone accepted just waaay too easily that mini-Jack was indeed Jack O'Neill. Even the pilots in the training session - just because mini-Jack more or less snarled at them, they sat up and all but saluted him. I'm just surprised at how easily everyone accepted that this kid was for real (even though he turned out to be a clone). After all, in previous episodes when weird things happened, instead of believing them (for example, Daniel in "Legacy" and Sam in "Ascension"), they either sent them off to a mental institution or to a psych evaluation and just plain didn't believe them. I seriously doubt that because of those episodes, people just started believing the strange happenings around the SGC without some kind of serious proof being presented.

[Teslan]

In the two cases you mention, the characters looked the same but acted weird. In this case, Jack looked different but acted the same. The check-up they gave him said he was the same except for a seemingly insignificant blip, if I remember correctly. The team accepting him, isn't that big a leap. After all, stranger things have happened.

But I'll grant you that if the pilots weren't willing to give Sam the proper respect, it is unlikely they would have given it to some grouchy little kid, even if he did claim to be a colonel.

[j7n]

Here's how I would have ended "Fragile Balance."
[..]
Jack's hand slowly moves toward Sam's. Their fingertips find each other and then we fade to the credits.
This whole ending is much better, thank you. :) It would be the only Jack-Sam relationship I don't object.

Although I must admit that I didn't see a reason why Sam would want to go to highschool either. Cadet Hailey would have wanted an A in every test just to prove that she's the best, but not Maj.?*Carter. Also Sam is probably not an expert in all disciplines taught at school (such as literature) and could even prove some of them wrong (history). Without that school scene this film would have been much better.

Wouldn't it be great if people could stop aging and choose to live on with the outer looks of their choice? I'd rather see the situation where Thor fails to "repair" the two clones and they don't age at all! And no d@*n school. They continue to live on base like Teal'c.

When I first watched this film, it came to me that Jack has become a security risk now. He knows everything about the stargate and is released in this highly hostile environment, a place where he'll easily get into conflicts sooner or later. At school nobody will back off receiving an answer: "That would be classified." They will beat his face to get the needed information.

About that hot chocolate... Are people in America not supposed to drink coffee until certain (quite high) age? I didn't see any hints that General Hammond had explicitly ordered to bring the fake coffee. So this must be the airman's initiative. Everybody knows about alcohol, but is it coffee too in America?

And how come everybody started to treat Jack so disrespectfully throughout the story, even after they had been convinced about his identity? It's hard to imagine that you could normally approach a superior officer and yank a bottle out of his hand. Previously none of the main heroes had shown a negative attitude towards consumption of alcohol. Even Teal'c drank some sort of moonshine once.


(between pedophilia and acceptable)
I've seen much more pedophilia in Brief Candle. Seriously I had to press 'pause' and get some air during that ep. P needs a new definition.

[L E E]

really enjoyed this ep. the kid was great at playing jack. wonderful acting there. nice to see another asgard. and thor of course. always nice to see thor. lots of quotable lines as mentioned by other posters here.

i felt bad for sam during the pilot scene. it's a good scene for mini-jack but bad for sam.

personally, a follow up ep with be nice. i wonder if mini-jack will join the military as well. considering what he knows, i think he would.

so jack's an advanced form of human? could this be why he such great instincts? amazing how he can sense when soemthing is not right.

[huntress]

I just saw the episode for the first time actually. I read fanfics that referred to that episode but I had never seen the episode myself (I actually read a great fanfic in which Loki also cloned Daniel and both clones have memory problems because their minds regress rapidly backwards....too bad we never got an episode like that) Kudos to Michael Welsh. He did a great job in his portrayal of Jack. What I didn't like about the episode was actually the fact that the real Jack didn't care at all for his Mini-Me. He seemed to be rather glad when the boy was gone. Also the whole drooling over girls bothered me too. Still a very entertaining episode.

[ArnO]

I liked this episode. Loki is a funny way to include ufo's in stargate mythology

[theheartsofatlantis]

I just watched the episode on surfthechannel.com. Very cool episode.

Did Thor and the other Asgards suspect Loki was up to no good? or know that Loki was prone to getting himself into trouble, cause when he came abourd he asked Loki what he had done, it made me think he had his suspision that Loki was up to something.

I also think Loki took advantage of the current situation to start his experiments, he must of figured since Thor and the other Asgard and SG1 were so busy with the Replicators that nobody would notice.

[gater101]

I just watched the episode on surfthechannel.com. Very cool episode.

Did Thor and the other Asgards suspect Loki was up to no good? or know that Loki was prone to getting himself into trouble, cause when he came abourd he asked Loki what he had done, it made me think he had his suspision that Loki was up to something.

I also think Loki took advantage of the current situation to start his experiments, he must of figured since Thor and the other Asgard and SG1 were so busy with the Replicators that nobody would notice.

It's funny, cause i just rewatched this ep on Sky2, lol.

As for Loki and the others... Well, the Asgard are the 'Gods' of the Norse folk and the 'myths' about the God's stem from the actual Asgard stories so I would assume that the Asgard knew that Loki was up to no good, and that's why he's known as the Norse God of mischief.

[Hong3103]

It's ironic that what Loki was doing probably could've saved the Asgard.

[Muh_tuttles]

yes it is rather ironic. Do you think that the ends would have justified the means though?

[Jack_Bauer]

yes it is rather ironic. Do you think that the ends would have justified the means though?

Well at the end of the day - yes. If Loki had permission from the SGC no clones of the test subjects would have been killed.

[PMN1]

The asgard are in this episode ... therefore it rocks.

They have made no further reference to the asgard Loki since this episode?

(Correct me if I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong, coz I ended up feeling real sorry for him).

Cheers, Jerome

(Yeah! 2 Posts!)

He does pop up in the book Roswell, SG-1 (once they have been gathered from time by General O'Neil in the time jumping Puddle Jumper working on information from General Carter) rescue him......not that he is very grateful for it.

[Iawen]

I really love this episode. Michael Welch did a great job as O'Neill!! The scenes he was in were hilarious and really well done.

[L E E]

I watched the episode again. This time with Peter's commentaries!

During the last scene where Jack was dropping off mini-Jack at the high school, the other commentator mentioned that there were some negative reactions to mini-Jack, who is a just a mini version of a 50 year old man, being let loose among high school girls.

I thought that Peter's reaction and comment on this matter is funny. It was something like "how deep in the gutter is your mind to even think of that". I thought this reaction to be funny because it's similar to mine when I first read about some people not being comfortable with mini-Jack back in high school. Honestly, the thought never entered my mind that mini-Jack would be a pervert.

[Hong3103]

^Same here... I looked at it as an opportunity for Jack to make up for anything he regretted doing or not doing.

[Iawen]

^Same here... I looked at it as an opportunity for Jack to make up for anything he regretted doing or not doing.

That's how I saw it, too! People are silly.

[L E E]

That's how I saw it, too! People are silly.


:indeed:

[gateship15]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Major Tyler View Post
Here's how I would have ended "Fragile Balance."

Alternate Ending

"Fragile Balance" occurs just as it does until we reach the scene where Thor states that he is not sure he can cure Young Jack. Here is where the fic diverges from canon...Instead of being able to cure Young Jack directly, Thor needs to create another clone to monitor it's growth so he can determine exactly what he need to do to cure Young Jack.

Thor: In order to stablize the adolescent O'Neill's genetic structure, I will need to use Loki's equipment to create another clone so that I can monitor it's development and isolate what gene sequences need to be repaired, and how to repair them.

O'Neill: Whoa! Hold on! You mean there's going to be two little me's running around!

Thor: If the procedure is successful, then yes, both of your clones will survive and live the average human life-span.

O'Neill: C'mon Thor, isn't there something else you could do, anything else...magnets?

Thor: Without a frame of reference it would be statistically impossible for me to know how to repair the flaw.

Young Jack: We're talking about my life here...

Sam: [interrupting] Thor, does the clone have to be of Colonel O'Neill?

Thor: What are you suggesting?

Sam: Clone me.

Both Jacks look up in surprise.

Sam: If you implant me with the same safeguard that you placed in Colonel O'Neill's genetic structure, and then cloned me, you should be able to use that information to save Colonel O'Neill's clone.

Thor: It is possible, though the individual is different, human genetic structure similar enough on a basic level that I should be able derive the necessary information from your clone, Major Carter.

Carter looks up at Jack with a soft, knowing smile, waiting for him to respond. Jack suppresses a similar but almost envious look on his face. Young Jack make little effort to hide the fact that he is pleased. Jack nods in approval.

Sam: Okay, let's get started.
________________________

Cut to van scene outside of the high school...this takes place much as it does in canon, but with Jack and Sam in the front seat, and Young Jack and Young Sam in the back.

Use your imagination for the farewell dialogue.

As Sam and Jack drive away, Young Sam and Young Jack look at each other and smile. To the same soft fade-out music they played at the end of "Lost City," we see Young Jack and Sam walk away.

Jack's hand slowly moves toward Sam's. Their fingertips find each other and then we fade to the credits.


i love that ending to bad it isn't the ending it is so sweet. but this was a fantastic episode anyway it really made me laugh

[balo]

OK cool episode, so Jack has a 'mini me' walking around

:jack_new_anime04:

I think Michael Welsh was perfect in the role as Jack.

As always any episode with the Asgards is a good one!

Rating: 7 / 10

[vzzzzzbx]

This was a good episode. The kid certainly did a good job portraying a young O'Neill - kind of a shame there was never a follow up episode. One other thing.. Daniel's memory seemed to be back in order in only the 3rd episode of the seasom with him being able to remember things like Loki being the Norse god of mischief...

[GATEGOD]

Why does this only have a 2 and a half star rating on the Gateworld site, this was one of my favorite episodes of the season.

I wish we could've touched back on mini jack. He was played by a great actor. Could come into play in future series? Why not! It is Jack Oneill for all intensive purposes, now in a younger more agile body. I say that would be awesome.

[Lt.Colonel John Sheppard]

i think i like this episode was because i was turning 14 years old (Bday is October 7th, 1989) when it aired in 2003 so i guess seeing a younger version of Jack O'Neill kinda hit home to me. it was very good episode. and Michael Welch did a very good job at Portraying Jack O'Neill. He had most (if not all of Richard Mannerisms that Rick Does to play O'Neill.) So yeah all together this episode gets a 5/5 from me.

[suse]

:) This is a cool ep. Michael Welch did an incredible job.

[Hummel]

I think it's an awsome episode!

Love that but had to watch it two times to come to that conclusion.:jack:

[Mrs. Daniel Jackson]

This episode is so funny! :)
Michael Welch does an amazing job as Jack!:jack:
I wish we had gotten to see him again befor the series ended :(

-kat

[Tachyon]

The boy who played young O'Neill was absolutely brilliant! This episode has many funny moments just because of him. :)

However, letting this clone live on as a teenager boy Earth kind of creeps me out. :S

[gateship15]

i LOVE this episode. the actor of younger jack was fantastic. it was well played and well done

[Cold Fuzz]

Easily one of my favorite SG-1 episodes. Michael Welch captured RDA's sarcasm and mannerisms very closely. That and there is a striking resemblance in the their appearance.

[gateship15]

i agree. by the way he looked and acted he easily pulled off being jack when he was younger

[Ilana]

I am terribly sorry if this has been asked, or covered...since I don't want to go back and read seven pages of the thread. I just watched this again last night, and I think it's a great episode. I was just wondering if anyone felt weird just leaving duplicate Jack at High School and going on our merry way was even responsible? I'm assuming that because he's an adult inside, he's likely to be able to take care of himself, but how lonely to just be left in that way with no relatives, friends, etc. Was the Air Force going to let this, to all appearances 15 year old boy live on his own, deal with bills, landlords, school, etc. I could go on and on... I think this was a very strange thread to let loose...

[Medicman]

I think the Air Force was taking care of all his bills and such. I also found it odd that they just left him alone. If I was the "real" Jack I think I would have liked to get to know me better. I think it would be a very interesting experiance to say the least.

[Matt G]

Parents evenings must also have been interesting.

[Samantha.Majka]

I saw this episode yesterday and I have to say : I love it. And It was really good idea of episode.

It is a pity, that SG - 1 didn´t care about young Jack more .. for example in the futute.

[mrscopterdoc]

This is one of my favorite episodes ever! :D

[nx01a]

Parents evenings must also have been interesting.A nice episode with Jack and Sam having to act as his parents for a PTA meeting. :D

[Cold Fuzz]

A nice episode with Jack and Sam having to act as his parents for a PTA meeting. :D

That would be total and complete awkwardness for Jack, Sam, and mini-Jack. :lol:

[suse]

That is would.

The kid did an amazing job with the Jack mannerisms.

There were a few kinks in the ep, but overall I quite enjoyed it.

[Dark Ghost]

Great episode loved it. wish that we saw clone jack later on and see how he is doing.

[Meshakhad]

What I want to know is this: did Jack Jr. decide to retrace his career path? Perhaps he could even assume command of SG-1 once he gets out of the Air Force Academy.

That would be interesting to see in a novel.

[Lt.Colonel John Sheppard]

What about Mitchell? Isn't he the current leader of sg-1

[Fan-e-Gate]

Parents evenings must also have been interesting.


A nice episode with Jack and Sam having to act as his parents for a PTA meeting. :D


That would be total and complete awkwardness for Jack, Sam, and mini-Jack. :lol:
I would've loved to have seen that.

What I want to know is this: did Jack Jr. decide to retrace his career path? Perhaps he could even assume command of SG-1 once he gets out of the Air Force Academy.

That would be interesting to see in a novel.
Well right out of the Academy he wouldn't have the rank. Besides, I think that maybe he went with a different career. Going back to the Air Force would've been a "been there, done that" kind of thing.

[Cheyenne Grace]

Okay, I loved the episode, right from the get-go.

Yeah, he's perhaps a bit snarkier and harsh than usual... but don't forget, in addition to being stuck in a 'scrawny little body', he had to deal with the requisite hormones that go with being a fifteen-year-old boy.... and I'm not just referring to the 'libidinous' ones. There's a reason teenagers tend to be moody and sullen...

According to the novel 'Roswell', young Jonathan O'Neill was preparing to enter university - this was at the beginning of Season 10. I'd love to know what he chose to study... Physics, maybe? Just to have one up on his 'other' self?

Michael Welch did a wonderful job - I was kinda smitten, so I kept an eye out for him. I spotted him in NCIS and Cold Case.... but the biggest thing was seeing him in Twilight!

Sitting there in the cinema with my friend... the volleyball bounces off the back of this guy's head... he turns around.... I was literally bouncing in my seat going "Holy ****, it's Michael Welch!" My friend turns to me and goes.... "Who?"

[maneth]

Michael Welch did a great job as the young O'Neill. He had the mannerisms down pat, and there's a definite similarity in their looks as well, particularly in the eyes and nose.

[Pond Hopper]

I would've loved to have seen that.

Well right out of the Academy he wouldn't have the rank. Besides, I think that maybe he went with a different career. Going back to the Air Force would've been a "been there, done that" kind of thing.

I'm sure that the people running the SGC and Homeworld Command would be able to rustle up a rank with some fake papers or something, perhaps after a small "refresher" course that is.
I don't think MiniJack would say no to the SGC given the opportunity, I mean how can you say no to that? After all he's done to save the world. Though he might not go back to leading teams through the gate, perhaps something in a quieter position.

As for the last scene with him ogling the highschool girls, it was either that or he could get someone his "own" (read: mental age) age into trouble by getting into a relationship with them. It is a bit weird either way though.

[Dave2]

The kid did an outstanding job of mimicking O'Neill.........
Now did he mean to say at tahe end that the Air Force arranged for him to live with some family or something like Cassandra?
But HOW was he allowed to go "free" carrying all the knowledge he had of the secret Stargate and SG1 program? He'd be a walking "timebomb" to leak or reveal even slight amounts of knowledge and potentially imperil the Stargate program.........

[jelgate]

The same way every other person who knows about the Stargate program. They hold to the law of nondisclosure agreements. Further more Jack regardless of the age is not going to disclose the Stargate program. They may look differerent physically but he has the same mentality and (lack of) maturity as the real Jack

[LeftHandedGuitarist]

Oh my God, I'd completely forgotten this episode existed! The kid imitates Richard Dean Anderson so well, this is an absolute delight of an episode. The ending kind of bums me out a bit, though; the thought of repeating school makes me break out in a cold sweat.

Given that Daniel has just rejoined the team and his memory had to be regained, it was a slightly poor choice to have him reel off a bunch of past mission experiences at the start of the show. Like I said in 'Homecoming', I think his reintegration should have been spread out through the first third/half of the season.

Best line: "There's no easy way to tell you this, so ... Sam's just gonna come right out and say it."
:)

RATING: 9 out of 10

[kmac45]

Why didn't the Asgard test Jonas Quinn for their cloning problems since he was more advanced on the evolutionary scale?

[Matt G]

And the SG1 marathon concluded...

1. Looking back, this was the first Jack-light ep of the season...but it worked...cos Michael Welch was on the money from the word go.

2. Those guys buying Jack junior as Jack...hmmm...not sure...he carried it off with enough bravado though.

3. Unlucky about not being about to booze...

4. Loki, the first Norse god I ever heard of...finally shows up in SG1.

Solid and fun ep.

[NowIWillDestroyAbydos]

I thought it was an average episode.

Good to see Thor back.

We also have some Stargate history, licensed music. Something that would only be done 2 more times before SGU (see what I did there)

Monday, a Goa'uld death camp (yeah).

[mathpiglet]

Why didn't the Asgard test Jonas Quinn for their cloning problems since he was more advanced on the evolutionary scale?

Possibly because Jonas was no longer on earth.

I loved this episode. I did find the ending kind of odd, with many of the same reservations as already posted on the last few pages. Listening to the commentary did little to answer the questions.

However, it would have been nice to see Young Jack again.

[Lt.Colonel John Sheppard]

i just finished watching this episode and it made me think back to when this episode aired that june, i just finished eighth grade and was going to enter high school that august. boy did this episode bring back memories. Michael Welch really does a very good job at portraying a young jack o'neill.

[Krisz]

When I first saw this I really amused by how well the young actor imitated O'Neill.

I did wonder why O'Neill didn't recognise his younger self. Maybe because he 'didn't embrace high school' as he said, he just forgot about that part of his life and had no photos or real memories of what he looked like at the age of 15!

I found it interesting to see how O'Neill was already behaving differently as a result of being in a different situation when he discovered he was a clone, and that as a 'child' he could never go back to the way things were. There is always a element of fear and sadness in that thought and is covered up by the 'O'Neill bravado' displayed wonderfully by the 'young' O'Neill.

I loved the way the phenomenon of 'alien abductions' was used in this episode. Daniel and Teal'c (an alien, lol) going out to interview 'abductees' with a view to getting more information about the nature of young O'Neill's experience and try to learn more about who was responsible.

[the fifth man]

This was a very enjoyable episode. I wish we knew what had become of the young clone of Jack.

[jelgate]

The first episode of many to cover up the disappearence of RDA. No one has more vocal about disagreeing of making episodes to work around his reduced time. The quality declined because of his lack of presence. Despite this the episode in question is not too bad because the actor in question does such a good job at mimicing and copying Jack. The one fault is that the whole connecting Loki to the young Jack is a little drawn out and could have been told in half the amount of time. I kind of wish we saw more of Loki as being an "evil" Asgard could be an interesting story to tell and placy good foil to SG1 instead of being a one time enemy.

[Matt G]

When I first saw this I really amused by how well the young actor imitated O'Neill.

I did wonder why O'Neill didn't recognise his younger self. Maybe because he 'didn't embrace high school' as he said, he just forgot about that part of his life and had no photos or real memories of what he looked like at the age of 15!

I found it interesting to see how O'Neill was already behaving differently as a result of being in a different situation when he discovered he was a clone, and that as a 'child' he could never go back to the way things were. There is always a element of fear and sadness in that thought and is covered up by the 'O'Neill bravado' displayed wonderfully by the 'young' O'Neill.

I loved the way the phenomenon of 'alien abductions' was used in this episode. Daniel and Teal'c (an alien, lol) going out to interview 'abductees' with a view to getting more information about the nature of young O'Neill's experience and try to learn more about who was responsible.

Hey, if my 15 year old self said "hi" to me on the street I'd want to be 100% sure he was who he looked like.

[Jae'a]

My LiveJournal post (http://jo-r-lee.livejournal.com/36244.html)
Love this ep, so funny :P
But can the world really handle two Jack O'Neills? :eek: :lol:

[Fio]

Just randomly decided to re-watch this episode today, and gotta say the kid portraying mini-Jack did an excellent job mimicking all those quirky little moves and faces that RDA does.

Overall, the episode was fun and enjoyable, but not so well-developed on emotional level. Sure, mini-Jack is cute and funny, but somehow you didn't really get a chance to get attached to him: events happened all too fast, and there wasn't nearly enough team interaction where you could see that infamous SG-1 bond. But yeah, nice episode.

[Gate_Builder]

The kid did an outstanding job of mimicking O'Neill.........
Now did he mean to say at tahe end that the Air Force arranged for him to live with some family or something like Cassandra?
But HOW was he allowed to go "free" carrying all the knowledge he had of the secret Stargate and SG1 program? He'd be a walking "timebomb" to leak or reveal even slight amounts of knowledge and potentially imperil the Stargate program.........

Good point. Find him and kill him! Or.. not. Like someone else pointed out, it's still Jack, and Jack isn't going to leak any info about the SGC. However, since it IS Jack... it's kind of weird seeing him intermingle with teenagers. Will he date? Is it ok for him to do that? He did try very hard to get alcohol knowing he was under age. I didn't like the ending of this episode because it leaves these and many more unanswered questions.
Overall a good episode, good acting, but a bit lacking in closure. C+

[Lieutenant Sparrow]

I have to agree that the kid did such a good job mimicking Jack.

Was good to see Thor. Loki lives up to his mischievous name sake. Didn't like the Asgard science vessel in this ep. Looked very toy like. Although I do like the design of the ship. Very Star Trekish.

Was a touching end to the ep. Seeing the two Jacks part ways. Pity we don't see the young Jack again.

[Starry Starry Night]

This was a good episode, for an ep that didn't have RDA in it for the most part... The kid did such a good job, there wasn't too much reason to miss the original Jack.. The part with the pilotes and how they treated Sam did bother me though.. Remember her reaction in Children of the Gods when Jack was questioning her becoming a part of his team... She didn't just take it, she spoke her mind even though he was a ranking officer. But she just gives up on these guys? I get it that te scene was done for Jack, but I wih it could have done differently..

About te ending.. Even though Jack didn't like school the first time around... I kind of think the clone saw the possibility to understand the likes of Sam and Daniel in the future. And why didn't original Jack see it that way? He has that door closed to him, so it's not something he would think about, te way mini-me Jack is forced to.. We don't know how much time has passed between them learning about the cloning and the scene where he actually goes to school. The clone has to have thought things through from a very different and ew point of view.

[RamonaThePest]

Please help answer a question: Dan Shea's daughter Joey Shea is listed on IMDB as having appeared in Fragile Balance on her IMDB page as "Young Pamela Ambrose". She is not, however, listed on the IMDB page of the actual episode though. That's okay, maybe her role was cut in editing.

But for the cast of characters and actresses on the episode page, there is a character "Pamela Ambrose" played by Poppi Reiner. My questions are:

Who was Pamela Ambrose as I don't recall an extra female character in the episode ((i.e. other than main cast members) and the Asian daughter of the other abductee.

The uncredited credit for Joey Shea says "Young Pamela Ambrose". I remember the elderly Asian gentleman having a lashback to his younger self - was this Pamela Ambrose another abductee but her flashback using Joey Shea was cut?

[Girlbot]

I don't know, but could she be the teenage girl that young Jack saw when O Neill left him at the High school?

[RamonaThePest]

I thought about that, but no name was given so that girl would just be listed as "schoolyard girl" or something. Plus, why would they preface Joey Shea's role as "Young Pamela Ambrose" unless there was also an "older" version?

[fems]

Pamela (http://www.rdanderson.com/stargate/entries/pamela.htm) was an abductee, so I imagine a young actress played her when she relayed her experience from the past...

[RamonaThePest]

Thanks, fems. I'm going to wait to rewatch that episode along with the Shippers in the S/J Discussion thread.

[Cluas]

This was a good episode, even compared to S6.
I was wondering when Loki, AKA the "bad" Asgard would show up. :thor:

[Swn Gwyrdd]

I rewatched this episode earlier today. It's definitely one of the most fun episodes of season 7. About 16 minutes into the episode, when Mini-Jack is playing Gran Turismo 3 he's listening to some heavy metal before Sam comes in and turns it off. Does anyone know what song it was he was listening to? It's really bugging me that I can't find out what it was.

[Cluas]

I rewatched this episode earlier today. It's definitely one of the most fun episodes of season 7. About 16 minutes into the episode, when Mini-Jack is playing Gran Turismo 3 he's listening to some heavy metal before Sam comes in and turns it off. Does anyone know what song it was he was listening to? It's really bugging me that I can't find out what it was.

It's hard to tell, it only last about 2 seconds, sorry i can't say, but it sounded like some "old school" stuff :D