Overall Rating: 8.5
After ripping into Seth, it's nice to see Stargate much closer to its best. The writers continue to slowly expand our universe and in this episode, they actually make a couple of rather strong points on the message front that leave me quite satisfied with the third offering of the third season.
Plot Synopsis:
While preparing to give a speech honoring Sam Carter's promotion to the rank of Major, Jack is beamed out of the SGC and onto Thor's Asgard ship Beliscnor (name revealed in the final episode of the third season). Thor announces that the Goa'uld System Lords are fed up with us killing snake-heads and have decided to launch an all out assault on Earth. To head off this pending disaster, Thor is championing a summit to be held on Earth where the Asgard will attempt to bargain to get Earth included on the list of protected planets (along with Cymmeria and a few dozen others). Not only have the Asgard made all of these arrangements - they've decided that Jack O'Neill is to be their human representative. A very reluctant Jack vouches for the planned summit and Hammond and the President agree to allow three unarmed System Lords - Yu, Nirti, and Cronus - to enter the SGC and hear the Asgard proposal.
Before the Goa'uld arrive, Teal'c is very obviously edgy and prone to anger at the sight of Cronus on the guest list. Later, he reveals to Daniel that Cronus ordered his father into an unwinnable battle and subsequently executed him when he returned in failure. Daniel elects to keep this information in confidence, but will soon come to regret this decision. The Goa'uld representatives arrive and the negotiations get off to a rocky start when Jack speaks out of turn and the snakes walk out in protest. Interestingly, they spend most of their time on the base fighting amongst themselves anyway, so progress is destined to be quite slow. After Daniel drafts an apology letter, the Asgard present their terms. In exchange for including Earth as a protected planet, they offer a new trade route. The Goa;uld are prepared to accept this deal with one important addendum. They demand that Earth forfeit both of its stargates!
Unsure of whether Earth should accept that "offer," Jack heads back to Thor's ship and digs for more information about the politics of this galaxy. As it turns out, Thor admits, the protected planets treaty is a giant bluff. The Asgard are occupied fighting a losing battle against an enemy far worse than the Goa'uld and can't spare any ships to fight a war with the Goa'uld. Fortunately, the System Lords spend all their time fighting over territories and haven't noticed that the Asgard can't maintain the presence they once did in the Milky Way. This makes any decision to relinquish the gates all the more painful, though; if the Goa'uld call Thor's bluff and attack Earth at some later date, we'll have no way of defending ourselves or escaping. Thor expresses confidence in O'Neill's ability to decide wisely, however, and sends him back to Earth.
However, just as we're about to present our formal acceptance of the terms of this treaty, security is called to Cronus's quarters, where they find him beaten half to death and Teal'c unconscious at his side. Teal'c's injuries are relatively minor, and he eventually regain's consciousness, but Cronus will not survive without Goa'uld healing technology. The security footage shows Teal'c storming into Cronus's room angrily moments before the attack, making him a prime suspect. When informed of the attack, Nirti and Yu are indignant and threaten to bring the wrath of the System Lords down on Earth for this atrocity. Nirti is given a healing device and asked to treat Cronus, but she claims his injuries are too severe and he requires a Sarcophagus to survive.
Despite Thor's advice to let the Goa'uld leave with Cronus, Jack decides to hold them for questioning (at gunpoint!) - and while trying to find a way to prove Teal'c's innocence, Sam decides to try healing Cronus herself, since she's demonstrated that the Naquada in her blood allows her to operate Goa'uld technology. When she succeeds (with very little effort!) in reviving Cronus, Jack bluffs Nirti into admitting that she has trans-phase technology and can become invisible - thus corroborating Teal'c's claims that he and Cronus were attacked by an unseen force. With her deception revealed, Nirti is dragged home in deep doodoo and Cronus and Yu agree to the Asgard proposal WITHOUT any requirement that we give up the gate.
Writing: 8.5
I actually think the Goa'uld system lords introduced in (or expanded upon) this episode were pretty well crafted characters. A major criticism of the writing on Stargate raised by some in fandom has been that the Goa'ulds were all cookie-cutter melodramatic bad guys - that we didn't have any reason to care much who the villain was. This gets even worse once the replicators get intorduced and are literally FACELESS enemies. But I think some of the commentary on the Goa'uld writing is overstated. In this episode, at least, there are three unique personalities presented here, and the infighting between them is interesting to watch. Also well done in this script is the personal motivations given to Teal'c that set the stage for his involvement in Nirti's frame job. And perhaps most importantly in all of this...this script highlights just how brilliant and capable our everyman Jack O'Neill really is. He plays the "ignorant" straight man so well, but it's stories like this one that let us all know...he's no G.I. Joe...he's the real face of the U.S. military...physical prowess AND street smarts in a heroic package.
Acting: 8.0
RDA does some of his usual awesome work in this episode. The moment he shares with Amanda Tapping in Carter's promotion scene is pure gold, and his abillity to react off of a rather unimpressive animatronic puppet (Thor) with the same skill that he demonstrates in a back and forth with a pro like Michael Shanks or Chris Judge is amazing. On that puppet...it's not really an acting comment, but the first few appearances of Thor leave a lot to be desired. When he speaks, you can barely see his mouth move, and his facial expression never changes at all. Score one for later episodes in which a combination of better animatronics and CGI permits a much more expressive and personable Asgard presence on the show...for now...it's a rather large hole in the presentation. For their parts, I was rather unimpressed with the acting of Jacqueline Samuda (Nirti), but thoght Ron Halder (Cronus) acted very well with Chris Judge and added a lot to the episode. It's a shame he gets killed off in less than a year. :)
Message 9.0
A) Who doesn't enjoy a good "underdog wins by outsmarting the powerful adversary" fable? :) It's not so much a moral message...but it IS fun.
B) Along those lines, Stargate impresses me with its ability to avoid falling into a liberal Hollywood trap of placing the good ideas and the clever tactics only in the minds of the literati or the annointed elite. It would have been easy, for example, to write this story with DANIEL as the negotiator. His formal training in linguistics and history, his diplomatic skill...Jack even makes this argument in the episode itself...but the story is much better when the Asgard look at the candidates and choose "everyman" to represent...every man. It makes a very positive statement about what the writers think of your average American soldier when they put the whole world in his hands DIPLOMATICALLY...and then STRATEGICALLY...and he delivers on those grounds.
C) A minor side note, as well...I like that Stargate also repeatedly takes the stance that - while compromise is often necessary to safeguard lives and keep the peace if a war is unwinnable...there are some compromises that can never be made, no matter the cost, and making concessions to an enemy intent on domination is not a good long term strategy. In this episode, we immediately staked out the position that if the Goa'uld asked for human hosts, that would be completely unacceptible. When they asked, instead, for our Stargate technology, we did not simply hand it over without taking the time to very seriously consider our options. And as soon as we got any leverage at all in these negotiations, we exploited that leverage to our own benefit. This plot serves as the perfect example of how to deal with the devil over the negotiation table.
Highlights:
SIMMS: Since the reinception of this program, I have eagerly awaited every word of every mission report stemming from this base like a wide-eyed child waiting for his next bedtime story. Not actually being here, or seeing your faces, or this Stargate here behind me, it is sometimes easy to forget that it's all really happening. The President regrets not being able to be here, but I'm glad because it gives me the opportunity to congratulate you on your recent effort in defeating a formidable enemy and rescuing SG-1 captured in the line of duty. You risk your lives every day in a way more dangerous and fantastic than any of us could have ever dreamed. Understand that I represent every person of this great nation when I salute your ongoing heroic spirit. You should be proud. (I always love a good, romantic sci-fi-concept-praising speech. :) )
HAMMOND: Before we finish today, I have one other small bit of business. Please come to attention. From the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. In recognition of Captain Samantha Carter's outstanding work, I hereby authorise her immediate promotion to the rank of Major. Captain, step forward. (Carter looks cutely stunned and steps forward) The United States Air Force has recognised that you have fulfilled tasks and duties well beyond the responsibility of Captain. It is with great pleasure that I bestow upon you the responsibilities, the respect and the rank of Major.
CARTER: Thank you, sir.
O'NEILL: Well done...Major. (the look they share is adorable. :) )
THOR: We received word of what transpired with your people and the Goa'uld named Hathor.
O'NEILL: She had it coming.
THOR: As a result, the Goa'uld System Lords have turned their attention towards you.
O'NEILL: What, for killing Hathor? They should be thanking us. She was planning to overthrow them you know.
THOR: Her intentions are irrelevant. Earth has once again proven it can be a formidable threat to the Goa'uld.
O'NEILL: Oh, now we're a threat to them?
THOR: They have decided it is a concern to be dealt with. The System Lords are capable of launching an assault one hundred times more powerful than that which you previously withstood at the hands of Apophis.
O'NEILL: kay, that could be a problem.
THOR: The Asgard agree. I have come to offer our assistance.
O'NEILL: Now see, that would be appreciated. I've seen your work. (give's the A.O.K. sing) It's great! (LOL!!)
THOR: The vast majority of the Asgard fleet is currently unavailable.
O'NEILL: Oh. So what do you have in mind?
THOR:With your permission, the Asgard will attempt to negotiate with the Goa'uld System Lords to include Earth in the Protected Planets Treaty.
O'NEILL: That's a good thing, right?
THOR: It would prevent this attack.
O'NEILL: Good. Um, to be honest with you, I'd rather have a fleet of your ships here. A few of these babies and we could just...(He stops as Thor gives him a scolding look.) We could try the negotiating thing. (LOL!)
THOR: It is customary for such negotiations to take place on the planet in question. Three representatives from the System Lords will arrive by Stargate. You must be prepared to speak on behalf of all the inhabitants of Earth.
O'NEILL: Uh, well maybe not me personally…
THOR: We have chosen you, O'Neill, to represent your planet at the proceedings.
O'NEILL: All right, now see, that could be a mistake. You see, Doctor Jackson here is an extremely educated and articulated man, very well versed in all the languages…
THOR: You have led your people into the galaxy through the Stargate. You are our choice, O'Neill. Further instructions to aid you in preparation will follow. (YAY for Jack being forced into an unfamiliar role in this manner!)
DANIEL: Uh, the second Goa'uld representative we're expecting is Yu.
O'NEILL: Me?
DANIEL: Yu is the name of the Goa'uld.
O'NEILL: Sorry. (are yu guys ready for about a hundred Yu jokes like this one? Yu guessed it! This is the first of MANY...LOL!)
HAMMOND: Teal'c, I would like you to act as liaison to the Goa'uld. Doctor Jackson…
TEAL'C: General Hammond!
HAMMOND: Is there a problem?
TEAL'C: I mean no disrespect. But I have given my allegiance to you, to the SGC and to the people of this world, freely. I will, however, not see to the petty needs of these Goa'ulds.
DANIEL: I'll…see to the petty needs of the Goa'uld, sir. (ooh...feeeeel the tension...)
HAMMOND: Teal'c, Sergeant, what's the problem?
SERGEANT: He won't relinquish his weapon, sir.
O'NEILL: Teal'c?
TEAL'C: Like you, I do not believe we should remove all weapons from this base.
HAMMOND: The Asgard were explicit. If they detect weapons, there will be no summit.
O'NEILL: No summit, no treaty.
TEAL'C: The Goa'uld that you are allowing through your Stargate are among the most deceptive and treacherous that I have ever known.
HAMMOND: Thor's assured us the Goa'ulds are also forbidden from bringing weapons.
O'NEILL: If this treaty doesn't happen, they're going to send a hundred of those motherships here. You know as well as I do what that means.
HAMMOND: Teal'c, I'm ordering you to turn your weapon over. (Teal'c only very slowly relinquishes his staff weapon to the sergeant. The tension mounts...)
TEAL'C: As First Prime of Apophis I often did battle with the Jaffa of Cronus.
DANIEL: Well, you must have battled lots of rival Goa'ulds. I'm sorry Teal'c, that looked a little more personal to me.
TEAL'C: My father was once First Prime of Cronus. When I was but a child, Cronus commanded my father to attack a Goa'uld who was more powerful at the time. It was an impossible battle to win. When all was inevitably lost, Cronus killed my father as punishment and exiled my mother and I. We fled to Chulak. I vowed I would become the strongest Jaffa I could, so one day I could be named First Prime of Apophis, sworn enemy of Cronus. (theeeere's that other shoe...)
YU: According to Treaty Law Section 326, no human planet will be allowed to advance technologically to a point where they may become a threat to the Goa'uld.
THOR: You are correct.
NIRRTI: Definition of such threat shall rest solely in the hands of the Goa'uld System Lords.
O'NEILL: What?! (realizing he's spoken out of turn again) Sorry. (To Thor) May I ask a question?
THOR: The human representative is recognised.
O'NEILL: Thank you. (To the System Lords) Are you saying you're limiting our development?
CRONUS: The treaty recognises that the human species exists for the purpose of serving the Goa'uld as hosts and slaves.
O'NEILL: (laughing in disbelief) Excuse me? (indeed, Jack...indeed!)
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