Overall Rating: 6.7
This is technically a two-part episode, but thematically, it's two one-part episodes linked by a last-second twist. I believe both parts must be rated separately. The first part suffers from the problem of being a bit stagnant despite the continuous jeopardy. The second part feels like a much bigger, more interesting story thanks to two separate battles taking place simultaneously at opposite ends of the universe.
Plot Synopsis:
A full summary can be found at the Stargate Wiki.
The Skinny:
I do not share the same loathing that some people feel for a faceless enemy that lacks human characteristics with which we can either relate (frighteningly) or direct our disgust. I think the replicators were actually a pretty nifty idea for an alien bad guy in Stargate's case because their other bad guys are melodramatic mustache-twirling one-dimensional wind-bags. The replicators make a nice contrast (rather like the Borg to the Cardassians and Romulans). I think the problem with this episode lies not with the monster, but with the lifeless dialogue. I hate to say it, but the replicators, using no words at all, are way more interesting than the regular cast, and definitely way more interesting than Thor.
Actually, the Asgard bore the crap out of me. They could have been written SO MUCH better than they were. The idea that their genetic code is falling apart from excessive cloning, that they're losing a lopsided war against a bunch of spider toys and holding together a badly conceived bluff against the Goa'uld to protect Earth is all potentially interesting, but their execution...SUCKS. The Asgard have no personality at all...with the exception of Loqui (Norse God of mischief and comical mad scientist) who shamefully appeared in just the one episode.
Because we don't give a crap about Thor's condition or the loss of his ship (or the sad struggles of his people against their impending doom), and really...all we care about is that Earth doesn't get swarmed by replicators, the show is nothing more than a standard action hour with mediocre dialogue and no real message. That's not to say that the action isn't entertaining - there are spots where it is - but we're not dealing with something I am likely to get excited about watching again.
Fighting the problem of a boring alien super-race, a faceless enemy, and "show-in-a-bottle" stagnation, the writers had to come up with a number of ways to increase the jeopardy at various points in the plot. Teal'c getting replicator spit on his air tank before the EVA and then the replicator miraculously knowing to sabotage the cargo bay door, for example, seems a bit convenient to ramp up the drama. Thor's poor health also seems strange and is never explained. And then you've got the "gate escape" (it occurs to me...why didn't O'Neill think of that a long time before they actually tried it?)...they kind of slapped this one together on the story board I think.
Writing: 6.0
The plot sometimes feels a bit forced (they need to keep inventing reasons why the battle should feel tense...and many excuses for why plans won't work feel contrived) and the dialogue lacks intensity. Basically...too much exposition...show, don't tell, guys. Otherwise, it's a serviceable script.
Acting: 8.0
The regulars do their usual solid job...Thor's voice actor does the best he can to give his animatronic puppet some feeling...but there's nothing to really get overly excited about. It's just a solid ensemble showing.
Message: 6.0
Umm...replicators pretty much suck? Your guess is as good as mine.
Highlights:
JACK: Doc says you're gonna be in here for about another week.
DANIEL: You know it's funny...after everything we've been through over the last few years, it's my appendix that lays me up. But I'm not gonna be here another week...I feel practically fine now.
JACK: You wanna go fishing?
DANIEL: You know...I wouldn't actually...(looks for a way to be diplomatic)...maybe I will stay here for another two or three...three days...(LOL!)
JACK: CARTER!
SAM: Sorry, sir. How's Daniel?
JACK: Ah, he's gonna be fine. What are you doing?
SAM: I'm about to run a detailed experiment on the decay rate of Naquadah within the reactor. It's really quite fascinating...you see unlike Plutonium, which has the same half-life under most real-world conditions...
JACK: Ah ah!! I'm on vacation. And so are you.
SAM: Yes, sir. I'm not saying I'm happy that Daniel's in excruciating pain or anything, but I've been waiting for a chance to actually do this work.
JACK: I thought when someone had leave, they customarily...left. (LOL)
DAVIS: Still no communication from SG1?
HAMMOND: No, Major.
DANIEL: We have to give them time, sir.
HAMMOND: Are you alright, Dr. Jackson?
DANIEL: I'll be fine, sir.
HAMMOND: Why don't you go back up to the infirmary and if anything changes, you'll be the first to know.
DANIEL: Sir, I know there's no reason I should be here, but I just feel like...I should be here. Actually, that's not entirely true...I feel like I should be up there with them.
HAMMOND: Now you know how I feel most of the time. (awww...Hammond = teddy bear of wub)
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