Interesting episode, finally introducing us to the Tok'ra properly - and also making them seem quite unlikable from the start, outside of Martouf. Sarah Douglas was wonderful here, I really wish they had brought her character back but we'll never see her again (despite her being the most hunted Goa'uld of all time according to Teal'c).
Jack is really antagonistic throughout, and for once it feels perfectly justified. Something about the Tok'ra just doesn't sit right. Much more enjoyable are the scenes with General Hammond and Jacob, despite their sad tone. Don S. Davis plays Hammond with the much more caring side we get a glimpse of from time to time and he was a joy to watch. It becomes glaringly obvious that the solution to everyone's problem is for Jacob to take the dying Tok'ra symbiote as a host, and in that respect it is a bit too convenient (but none of that happens in this episode, so we'll leave it for now).
The other highlight of the episode is the outside conversation between Sam and Martouf, even if old Marty does edge a little bit towards creepy at a few moments. For the most part though, this is a slow trudge of an episode which is all set up for what will happen in part 2. There are a LOT of scenes of discussion in this episode which ultimately don't lead anywhere, and just serve to fill us in on a few things. Fortunately, it's full of new characters, new environments and gives us a lot of new information to mull over.
- For some reason my DVDs have the episode order different to what is listed here, and have placed 'Spirits' before this one. I'm going with the order listed here, though.
- First appearance of Martouf! He was great, really stood out as being of a very different personality from the rest of the Tok'ra.
- The opening of the episode doesn't include a "previously on Stargate SG-1..." voice over, and for a few moments I thought I was watching the wrong episode, as it was the opening sequence from 'In the Line of Duty'.
- Daniel mentions his bad experience with the sarcophagus. It's little things like that which callback to previous episodes that I love about Stargate. They don't just have an adventure and then forget about it and move on to the next one... most of the time.
- As I mentioned above, I loved Sarah Douglas in this. I think of all the Tok'ra actors, she portrayed the personality switch from symbiote to host the best. While she appears arrogant and prickly as the Tok'ra, as soon as she switches to her host she becomes sweet, friendly and likable and it's very impressive. She even seems younger when playing the host personality. They really should have gotten her back. Too expensive, maybe? Or just no appropriate storylines for her?
- The crystal-carved Tok'ra caves look wonderful, and the sets looked pretty big at times. Impressive.
- SG-3 make their first appearance since way back in season 1's 'First Commandment'. I like that we see they are still around doing their thing.
RATING: 6.5 out of 10
Jack is really antagonistic throughout, and for once it feels perfectly justified. Something about the Tok'ra just doesn't sit right. Much more enjoyable are the scenes with General Hammond and Jacob, despite their sad tone. Don S. Davis plays Hammond with the much more caring side we get a glimpse of from time to time and he was a joy to watch. It becomes glaringly obvious that the solution to everyone's problem is for Jacob to take the dying Tok'ra symbiote as a host, and in that respect it is a bit too convenient (but none of that happens in this episode, so we'll leave it for now).
The other highlight of the episode is the outside conversation between Sam and Martouf, even if old Marty does edge a little bit towards creepy at a few moments. For the most part though, this is a slow trudge of an episode which is all set up for what will happen in part 2. There are a LOT of scenes of discussion in this episode which ultimately don't lead anywhere, and just serve to fill us in on a few things. Fortunately, it's full of new characters, new environments and gives us a lot of new information to mull over.
- For some reason my DVDs have the episode order different to what is listed here, and have placed 'Spirits' before this one. I'm going with the order listed here, though.
- First appearance of Martouf! He was great, really stood out as being of a very different personality from the rest of the Tok'ra.
- The opening of the episode doesn't include a "previously on Stargate SG-1..." voice over, and for a few moments I thought I was watching the wrong episode, as it was the opening sequence from 'In the Line of Duty'.
- Daniel mentions his bad experience with the sarcophagus. It's little things like that which callback to previous episodes that I love about Stargate. They don't just have an adventure and then forget about it and move on to the next one... most of the time.
- As I mentioned above, I loved Sarah Douglas in this. I think of all the Tok'ra actors, she portrayed the personality switch from symbiote to host the best. While she appears arrogant and prickly as the Tok'ra, as soon as she switches to her host she becomes sweet, friendly and likable and it's very impressive. She even seems younger when playing the host personality. They really should have gotten her back. Too expensive, maybe? Or just no appropriate storylines for her?
- The crystal-carved Tok'ra caves look wonderful, and the sets looked pretty big at times. Impressive.
- SG-3 make their first appearance since way back in season 1's 'First Commandment'. I like that we see they are still around doing their thing.
RATING: 6.5 out of 10
I'm going to pass on that.
Yes, although it does s…sound very fascinating, I think it's a little too long term for me.
I'm sorry, I've already been through that.
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