Episode #1--Fallen: Daniel comes back! (Because being human is so much more interesting than being ascended, as Cordelia from Angel could attest.) This episode definitely assumes background information on the part of the viewer, a trend that began in Season 5.
This episode and "Homecoming" form a pretty good military two-parter:
Episode #2--Homecoming: The relationship between Yu and his second-in-command has substance. In fact, Yu is one of the most interesting Goa'uld.
Jonas is conveniently, and intelligently, moved on.
Episode #3--Fragile Balance: Michael Welch shows up as a teen Jack O'Neill. He is almost pitch perfect (though a little off in intonation--Jack is more wry exasperation than angry irritation). The episode makes lots of self-references. When Daniel remarks that "stranger things have happened," he backs up his statement with examples from previous seasons ("the time we became cavemen . . .").
Episode #4--Orpheus: This episode addresses Teal'c's adjustment to not being a superman anymore. There are nice growth moments for Daniel and Teal'c. And it's always nice to see an episode where SG-1 doesn't take out 2 million Jaffa all by itself but actually has to plan.
Episode #5--Revisions: An old-fashioned visit-a-planet-have-an-adventure episode! Christopher Heyerdahl shows up; he's a great sci-fi actor with a creepy, intense aura--and he's so tall! (He also plays a Wraith on SG: Atlantis.)
Episode #6--Life Boat: Michael Shanks gets to play multiple personalities. This is an interesting story using the stored consciousness motif, a motif I usually consider rather pointless. But it creates an interesting narrative here.
Episode #7--Enemy Mine: A battle over mineral rights, this episode includes very clear insights on why the European colonials stuck out life in the Americas despite being so non-politically correctness (from the point of view of future generations).
Episode #8--Space Race: This is a fun "must win the race" episode, complete with sportscasters! Naturally, there is a sweet, sportsmanlike hero racer versus dastardly, conspiring antagonists.
Episode #9--Avenger 2.0: Jay Felger (Patrick McKenna) shows up again for a virus story. It isn't as funny as "The Other Guys" (Season 6), but Patrick McKenna is always delightful.
Episode #10--Birthright: 20th century guys (and Carter) meet Amazons. The episode presents the interesting problem of culture being challenged by advances--should the ladies give up their symbiotes (slavery) in favor of tretonin? Slavery, when embedded within a culture, can be surprisingly difficult to sacrifice, especially when the ramifications of the sacrifice will hurt people in the short-run. There is also a neat subplot regarding Teal'c's pride, his reluctance to admit he is ashamed of not having a symbiote.
Episodes #11 & #12--Evolution: And Apophis has new scary warriors!
Apophis is a surprising weakness of this season. It's the problem of the BIG BAD being SOOO big and bad, the viewer stops caring.
Episode #13--Grace: This is a neat dream/ghost episode where characters represent parts of a person's psyche. Star Trek: TNG did many of these episodes. I always enjoy them.
Episode #14--Fallout: This is not a bad drilling-to-the-center-of-the-world episode. Unfortunately, Quinn's crush on a Goa'uld, the most interesting part of the episode, is brushed over.
Episode #15--Chimera: I like David DeLuise, but I confess I find him and Major Carter an odd pairing. He seems like such a goofy guy, and she is so not goofy. On the other hand, Carter may be trying the "not date my usual guy" technique, which isn't a bad idea.
The story line of Daniel and Sarah is very clever.
Episode #16--Death Knell: Fairly good episode that does a typically excellent job exploring the political quagmires that exist among allies.
Episodes #17 & #18--Heroes 1 & 2: Just when I start to think Stargate has used up all its stories . . . This is a really good two-parter, partly because it is such a thoughtful discussion of truth, the necessary use of free press in a democratic society, and the use of film (or documentation) as history (like the child who doesn't really remember her 1st birthday but has seen it so often on videotape, it has become a "real" memory).
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| Beloved Sci-Fi Star: Robert Picardo |
I was truly surprised by the heroic cost at the end.
Episode #19--Resurrection: An X-Filey type episode.
Episode #20--Inauguration: A recap episode.
We finally get to meet the "president"! Of course, he's a new president with Senator Kinsey as his VP. Picardo as Woolsey does a great job as the tough, objective observer who makes good points (yeah, Stargate Command has a tendency to be invaded by alien entities) and is ultimately an honorable man.
Episodes #21 & #22--Lost City: A completely different Dr. Weir!
This is a nice intro to Stargate Atlantis.
On to Season 8: I will now be entering completely new territory, episodes I've never seen before!
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