Classics: SG1 2:16 - The Fifth Race

Overall Rating: 9.3

The script alternates between comedy gold and high powered optimism as Stargate takes another giant step forward in establishing its own canon universe. This episode is thoroughly engaging, fascinating, and mentally stimulating television - a can't-miss hour for anyone who believes in the potential of mankind and can linger for hours wondering about the nature of the universe. They know their audience - that much is obvious.

Plot Synopsis:

On P3R-272, a probe sends back images of an alien language SG-1 first encountered on the planet long inhabited by Earnest Littlefield. It belongs to one of the members of a great alien alliance which included the Asgard. Daniel makes a plea to investigate the planet, but when they arrive they find nothing but an empty room with no way in or out. That is until O'Neill steps through a circle on the floor and a device appears. Teal'c looks into it first, but nothing happens. When O'Neill takes a peak, the device grabs him by the head and blinds him with bright lights. Once it finishes, O'Neill passes out and is dragged back to Earth in a catatonic state. He recovers a short time later in the infirmary and seems healthy, but during the post-mission briefing, he begins using alien words in place of common English terms!

SG-1 keeps an eye on Jack for a while, but before long, the language mix-ups escalate and Jack begins doodling bizarre looking math calculations that no one can understand. He then scrambles the computer code on the base mainframe and inputs the coordinates for hundreds of new gate addresses not even on the Abydos cartouche. At first, Hammond is concerned that Jack poses a security risk (who wouldn't be with some of the stuff he was doing), but Daniel is convinced that Jack is speaking the language of an alien race that may have opposed the Goa'uld. With Jack's help, Daniel translates some of the writings on P3R-272 and theorizes that the race that left this knowledge for O'Neill to find were the original gate builders and the teachers of roads (Roman mythological figures who helped that great empire build roads and advance their civilization at an incredible rate scientifically).

Meanwhile, as his language skills deteriorate completely, Jack builds some kind of alien-looking device from random spare parts he finds on the base. Carter can't make heads or tails of it, but they do discover what the math that Jack had written previously may mean. In base-8 math, he seems to have described a revolutionary formula for calculating the position of planetary bodies, which he then used in his machine code. Getting nowhere on the base, Carter and Teal'c head off to another world that has inscriptions in the same language Jack is speaking, but, as it turns out, that planet has long since been abandoned and now it's being overcooked by a pair of suns in the sky. To make matters worse, Carter can't dial out - the DHD is frozen and has locked the gate so manual dialing is impossible. In a few hours, they will all be incinerated.

Eventually, Daniel shows Jack what is happening with the away team and Jack concocts plans to repair the DHD, which he then delivers to SG-1 just in time to save them from boiling alive. Now his mind fixes keenly on finding where he needs to go; on cue, the base computer locks out the command staff and begins dialing an address. O'Neill springs into action, attaching his alien device to the gate's power supply and heading for the embarkation room. Everyone is stunned when the gate dials an eighth chevron and the wormhole appears to connect to a point outside the Milky Way. Reluctantly, they allow Jack to leave, and he winds up at the feet of a gaggle of Asgard in their home galaxy. Speaking the language of the ancients, he begs them for help, and they clear the excess knowledge from his mind. What follows is a fantastically written diplomatic exchange between Jack and the Asgard present at the gate. They inform him that they've been monitoring humans for a long time and think we have great potential but that we have a lot to prove if we want to establish diplomatic ties with Thor's race. Jack warns them that humans aren't going to stop exploring (we are too curious!) and that we might need their help if we're to survive and fulfill our potential.

SABR Matt's Ratings:

Writing: 9.0

The script doesn't quite sparkle like some of the other stories we've featured on this blog, but there are a number of deliciously in character and darned funny moments sprinkled through the story. It was actually a stroke of brilliance to put this great power and knowledge in the head of O'Neill - the most unassuming and technophobic member of SG-1. It provided the writers with a chance to fill the early scenes with O'Neill being O'Neill -- while deriving revolutionary math proofs, finding hundreds of uncharted gates in the network, building alien doohickeys and rewriting computer codes. Most of the hilarity isn't even in the words - it's in the contradiction between the words and the actions. The show really takes off, however, at the very end. Here, the writers display a better understanding of the inquisitive drive of humanity than almost any other writing staff in sci-fi today. One of the things that makes humanity great in spite of our many flaws is our never-ending search for truth and quest to better ourselves, and the scene between Jack and the Asgard masters this perfectly.

Acting: 9.5

This was a great vehicle for RDA. He doesn't get to say much of anything after about the first two acts, but he still manages to convey the message perfectly without chewing scenery or over-reaching. Michael Shanks is also particularly strong in this episode. The interactions between those two form the backbone of this episode as their friendship and mutual respect continue to grow.

Message: 10.0

Almost everyone who watches or reads and enjoys good science fiction should agree on this one. It is a truly universal message of hope and faith delivered at 100 decibels on the loudspeaker of American science fiction. We face many problems today - some of which seem impossible to overcome (we're not ready to face them), but we will never stop fighting for understanding, for a better life for ourselves and our fellow men, and for all of our dreams. We are a curious race - the halls of science are, for the most part, filled with lots of people who revel in the challenge of unraveling a mystery and learning something that no one else alive knows for the sake of the greater good.

There are two responses one can have to the eleven o'clock news. You can either get depressed and start wondering if there's anything any of us can do to end all of this hardship and misery, or you can have faith that we humans will eventually face and conquer all of our problems - that our drive to survive and to grow will lead us in directions we can't even imagine today, and that all of this potential is gifted to us by some unique spark of divinity - whether theological or evolutionary - that the sky is the limit for us. I always respond well to optimistic science fiction, even if it sometimes appears childish (like the original Star Trek). There's a reason Trek and Gate have reached cult status with millions upon millions of avid fans: we all want to have faith and believe in the power of humanity to be a force of good in this world.

Stephanie S.'s Ratings:

Writing: 8.5

I don't believe this script quite approaches feature-worthy status. It is, however, a very solid script - and a deserving fan favorite - for the reasons SABR Matt discusses above. I especially enjoy the classic interactions between Daniel and Jack. There's very little that amuses me more than watching those two bickering like five-year-old boys - and later, the concern that Daniel evinces for Jack's well being - a concern strong enough that Daniel passes up on the mission to the sun-baked planet - is very touching.

Acting: 9.0

Again, I'm not quite as excited by the performances here as is my co-author, but Richard Dean Anderson does in fact do a pretty impressive job conveying his character's bewilderment and vulnerability as the massive stores of alien knowledge gradually take over his mind.

Message: 9.5

I think SABR Matt captures the appeal of this episode - and the show in general - precisely. Indeed, I think SG1 goes one step further than Trek. While the human race is pretty powerful and confident in Trek, on SG1, we are but a baby race bumbling around in the galaxy playing with toys that may be far too mature for us -- and yet we survive on wit. Trek has that sense of wonder in the universe that appeals to geeks like us, but SG1 adds the universal sympathy for the underdog -- particularly when a character like Jack is selected as our representative, as he is here.

Actually, now that I'm ruminating over this episode trying to come up with something to say other than one big fat "DITTO," I'm discovering that I like the choice of Jack as our ambassador more and more. Why? Because it is firmly anti-elitist. There is a strain of thought out there that proposes that we should be led to greatness on the coattails of our talented tenth -- but here, it is an ordinary American - not the physics genius (i.e., Sam) or the brilliant anthropologist and linguist (i.e., Daniel) - who manages to inspire the sympathy of a race that will become a powerful ally. This sends a message that the potential for greatness lies in all of us, not just in our aspiring elite overlords.  

Highlights:

O'NEILL: Walls. That's all I see. (SG-1 glances around at each other for a moment) Well...this was an intergalactic waste of time.
CARTER: Wait a minute, sir. Where is the power for the life support coming from? What's the point of this place?
DANIEL: Hello! Hello! I'm Daniel Jackson. We're peaceful explorers from the planet Earth! (Jack stares at him for a moment) Well it was worth a try.
O'NEILL: Daniel...how long to you figure we should hang out here and scratch our cosmic noggins? (LOL)
DANIEL: Well we can't just give up.
O'NEILL: Why not? (LOL...classic Jack and Daniel)

O'NEILL: Lights. He saw lights. (with an oddly uncaring tone - Hammond looks at him strangely) What, that's what he saw. Are we done here?
HAMMOND: Not exactly. What caused the device to react to you and not to Teal'c?
O'NEILL: I have no idea.
TEAL'C: Perhaps because I am Jaffa.
CARTER: We've seen alien technologies that react to the presence of a Goa'uld before...like uh...Thor's Hammer.
O'NEILL: Teal'c looked, I looked, it grabbed my head, we went back through the gate, we're here, we're home. Can we go? (sounding very annoyed now)
CARTER: Are you alright, sir?
O'NEILL: I'm fine.
HAMMOND: Are you sure you're OK?
O'NEILL: Look, I'm fine, sir! There is absolutely nothing cruvis with me! (all look on in shock) What?
DANIEL: You just said there was nothing cruvis with you.
O'NEILL: No I didn't.
DANIEL: Yes you did, Jack.
O'NEILL: Didn't.
DANIEL: Did.
O'NEILL: Didn't.
DANIEL: Did!
O'NEILL: Cruvis...what is that? (LOL)

TEAl'C: What is the purpose of these padded gloves, O'Neill?
O'NEILL: So we don't hurt each other. Alright, I'll be honest...it's so you don't hurt me.
TEAL'C: If our purpose is to not cause each other harm, why are we doing battle?
O'NEILL: What can I tell you, it's boxing. It's fun, c'mon! (starts to float around from foot to foot...Teal'c doesn't move, looking confused) Teal'c, you gotta move around. You gotta dance a little.
TEAL'C: I do not understand. Are we preparing to dance or to do battle?
O'NEILL: If you don't move around, you're a sittin' duck. You're a target. (He punches Teal'c in the chest) Huh? Like that! (Teal'c doesn't even flinch. He just stares back) Sorry, are you alright?
TEAL'C: I am fine.
O'NEILL: Well that's why you gotta move aro...(Teal'c blasts him in the head with a right cross, O'Neill goes down in a heap - LOL)

O'NEILL: Alright...what the hell is goin' on with me?!
DANIEL: What do you mean?
O'NEILL: Well, apparently, I've lost the falatus to speak properly! (beat) That wasn't a joke. I didn't do that on purpose. (LOL)
(and a bit later)
DANIEL: Jack, are you reading this?
O'NEILL: I don't know! You tell me!
DANIEL: You were looking here. Jack, do you know what this means?
O'NEILL: No! I'm just looking at it and the words pop right into my fron! (beat) Does anybody think this is odd? (LOL)

(O'Neill is frantically typing code into the control room computer system)
HAMMOND: Colonel...what are you doing?
O'NEILL: I don't know, sir. You know me and computers. (LOL! The juxtaposition is hilarious)

DANIEL: The good news is, we seem to have gotten most of the alien inscription translated. Nu ani anquietus - we are the ancients.
CARTER: What does it mean?
DANIEL: Well, I think these people could have been the teachers of roads. See the Romans were the first people to build roads, and they learned to do so from gods called "the ancient ones."
CARTER: Still not following.
DANIEL: Roads. Stargates, Sam. The gate builders. What if these ancients were the alien race who invented the stargate?
CARTER: You're still just speculating, right?
DANIEL: Well, it would certainly explain why Jack has knowledge of stargates the Goa'uld haven't even discovered yet.
CARTE: I don't know, Daniel; why would these aliens design a device that would do this?
DANIEL: The place of our legacy - to pass on their knowledge! Jack may have a repository of ancient knowledge downloaded into his brain.
O'NEILL: Ego indio navo locus.
DANIEL: OK. Ego means 'I'...indio...indio is need...navo is new? Locus...locus...locatia...location? You need a new location? You need a new location.
CARTER: Where do you want to go? (O'NEILL looks on blankly) OK, I have to go try to figure out what you did to the computer. Sir...I really wish you could explain this. (O'Neill points to the bizarre math he wroter earlier...an equation in particular) 10 equals 8. (Carter approaches the board and has an epiphany) 10 equals 8! Of course! Sir, this is base eight math!

DANIEL: Well if Jack isn't going, that I have to stay too.
HAMMOND: And why is that, Doctor?
DANIEL: Sir, if Carter and Teal'c make contact with the ancients, then they can radio back and Jack and I will go too. But until then, translating this alien language may be the most important thing we've done since we opened the stargate. You see, I'm pretty sure the aliens who invented the language Jack is speaking are the original gate builders. At the very least, they're part of the same alliance that build the repository of information found on Earnest Littlefield's planet - the, uh...meaning of life stuff. (I love it when Daniel gets all passionate. heh)

FRAISER: What's he doing?
DANIEL: I don't know.
FRAISER: Do you think it's going to help?
DANIEL: I don't...I don't...know...(Jakc writes something on a piece of paper) Shut up and go away. (LOL...he's still O'Neill)

O'NEILL: Thank you.
ASGARD: You are welcome.
O'NEILL: You understand me?
ASGARD: We speak many languages.
O'NEILL: You're the Asgard - Thor's race - right?
ASGARD: You have heard of us?
O'NEILL: Nothing but good things.
ASGARD: You looked into the database that stores all the ancients' knowledge.
O'NEILL: Apparently.
ASGARD: It was not meant for you.
O'NEILL: What...this was all an accident?
ASGARD: Human physiology has not advanced to the point where your brain could handle that technology.
O'NEILL: Uh...where am I?
ASGARD: This is the Asgard planet Othalla in the galaxy Aido.
O'NEILL: Why did I come here?
ASGARD: The ancients moved on from our region of space long ago, but your subconscious mind used the ancient knowledge to come here, where you could get help. Very impressive!
O'NEILL: It was nothing.
ASGARD: We did not think the human brain had advanced even that far.
O'NEILL: How is it you know so much about our brains? (LOL)
ASGARD: We have studied your race in detail.
O'NEILL: Ah. What did you learn?
ASGARD: That your species has great potential.
O'NEILL: Great potential. That's good.
ASGARD: Understand this. There was once an alliance of four great races. The Asgard, the Nox...
O'NEILL: Met them.
ASGARD: The Furlings...
O'NEILL: Don't know them.
ASGARD: ...and the ancients. The builders of the stargates.
O'NEILL: That's a pretty heady group.
ASGARD: The alliance was built over many millennia. Your race has much to prove before we may interact on that level.
O'NEILL: Look...you all seem to be quite wonderful...people...and I don't want to seem ungrateful, because believe me...I'm glad you got that stuff out of my head. But you folks should understand...we're out there...now! We may not be ready for a lot of this stuff, but we're doing the best we can. We...are a very curious race. (the Asgard reaches out a hand and O'Neill takes it in formal friendship)
ASGARD: You have already taken the first steps toward becoming...the fifth race. (ah, explosively optimistic high concept sci fi! How I love thee!)