Overall Rating: 8.0
A generally light episode with some moments of great humor and a bit of intriguing political banter, though this is hardly the stuff of long-term reverence.
Plot Synopsis:
A complete summary of events may be found here, courtesy of the Stargate Wiki.
The Skinny:
This episode has things going strongly for it. One, the whole "alter SG-1 somehow, but keep them in character" bit, they've got down to a science. In this case, although they were all acting like they were high (LOL), they were still in character. Carter was giddy over writing a thousand page book on wormhole physics, Daniel was geekily impressed with his ability to "read really fast!" and beat up bar room bullies who used to pick on him, and Jack wanted to go out and kick some Goa'uld butt (and enjoying flattening Teal'c for a change while sparring). That's good clean character-driven fun...and that's what SG-1's better light episodes do oh so well (at least when they're not making fun of themselves and giving shout outs to their geeky audience).
As well, they did a nice job continuing the running story of the mounting tension between the secretive (and somewhat stand-offish) Tok'ra and the un-trusting (and somewhat greedy) humans. Here, the Tok'ra tried to manipulate us into doing their dirty work and Hammond told them where they could stick their plans (and I personally found that very enjoyable). The Tok'ra have, in general, treated humanity like an adorable lab monkey...useful in experiments, but certainly not an equal partner in the alliance. I enjoy the fact that the writers basically forced the Tok'ra, through the years, to recognize that although they were technologically more advanced, we were just as important as them in the fight against the Goa'uld (and I like even more that, in later seasons, the pressure building between us actually destroys the alliance entirely and, for all intents and purposes, that bond is never restored, but that's saved for another day).
Overall, a nice, quickly-moving plot with some enjoyable humor and a bit of intrigue to keep us interested. Plus a cool looking explosion...always a good thing. It lacks a bit on the message front and I am not impressed with Vanessa Angel's Anise/Freya (she struck me as very flat...it kind of killed the potential impact of the more politicized moments). But it's still a good episode.
Writing: 9.0
Nice, crisp, fast-mover with amusing dialogue and some really nice visual effects and cinematography eye candy to boot. Tack on a bit of arc-heavy political tension and a shout-out to geeky fans who'd love to beat the crap out of some bar-crawling loser who calls us geeks and you've got a winner.
Acting: 7.5
The regular cast does its' usual solid job, but the guest star (Vanessa Angel) didn't contribute much.
Message: 7.5
Don't screw with us...we're smarter than we may at times appear...and we plucky Americans (yes, I said Americans...I do think "Earth" in Stargate is intended to represent America in the real world) know when we're being manipulated - especially in the military, where common sense still rules the day.
Highlights:
JACK: Did they say who was coming?
HAMMOND: No, they only advised us to except their representative shortly.
JACK: Did they say why?
HAMMOND: No.
JACK: Now, you see, that's rude! In fact...these Tok'ra are starting to get on my nerves in general...General.
DANIEL: Jack...
JACK: Now don't get me wrong, I know Jacob's a good guy...love him like my own brother. But it just seems like every time they come here, it's nothing but trouble. (Niese walks through the gate with her aid and a large box)
DANIEL: Oh yeah...that looks like trouble alright. (oh but it is. :) )
JACK: Unnatural speed and strength?
ANISE: In fact, our research suggests that the devices will enhance all of your natural abilities.
JACK: That's...kind of cool.
ANISE: In the interests of the Tok'ra/Human alliance, I expected you would cooperate.
HAMMOND: Shouldn't we take the time to learn more about these devices before we try them on our people? Perhaps you and Dr. Carter could...
ANISE: (curtly) I had hoped to begin human trials immediately.
JACK: What's the rush?
HAMMOND: I won't authorize this until we know more about these devices.
ANISE: If you are unwilling to cooperate with the experiment I will find human subjects on another world.
JACK: (annoyed) Fine.
FREYA: (sensing her manipulation isn't going to work on us, she switches to human host) Please forgive the scientist in Niese...(riiiiight)
HAMMOND: How's Teal'c?
TEAL'C: I will be fine, General Hammond.
JACK: I'm really sorry (referring to the boxing match KO).
TEAL'C: You are not.
JACK: (thinks about it) He's right about that. (LOL)
ANISE: Squeeze this.
JACK: (takes the ball from Niese) What is it?
ANISE: It will measure your strength. (Jack squeezes the ball into a tiny little pill sized blob) Your strength is five times that of a normal human.
JACK: So...no change then. (BWAHAHAHAAAA!!!!)
FRAISER: They are all exhibiting the classic signs of a viral infection, sir.
ANISE: You are correct. I believe the arm bands released a virus into their system.
FRAISER: That doesn't concern you?
ANISE: I believe it must be how the technology accesses human physiology. They all took different amounts of time to adapt to the armbands due to their unique biological response to the virus.
FRAISER: That's all speculation. You have no idea whether the changes are permanent or damaging.
ANISE: I object to this interference with my experiment!
FRAISER: And I object to being kept in the dark about the condition of people who's health I am responsible for. Sir, Major Carter's blood work shows dangerous levels of adrenaline in her system.
HAMMOND: Doctor, we're seeing some interesting results - are you saying we should stop the experiment?
FRAISER: Until we know more about how the devices work, yes. I'd like to remove the arm bands and monitor their condition.
ANISE: General...
HAMMOND: No, I'm sorry. If I've learned anything in my time at this command, it's that there's nothing wrong with a little prudence when dealing with alien technology. (they enter the med lab) Based on Dr. Fraiser's recommendation I'm ordering you to stop the experiment temporarily until its' effects can be better understood.
CARTER: What? Why?
JACK: (irritated) I'd rather not do that, sir...
FRAISER: Wearing the arm bands may be having a narcotic like effect on them, sir. Just one of the many things I need to study before I can approve using them.
HAMMOND: I'm ordering you to remove the arm bands.
CARTER: But sir...
HAMMOND: Are you refusing to comply with a direct order? (they look distressed, but then they all try to remove the arm bands and realize they are welded on tight)
JACK: Uh...little problem here...
HAMMOND: What's going on?
JACK: Having a little trouble complying, sir. (I like the political intrigue that unfolds here...especially when the bomb drops later involving the all important mission Anise has in mind for SG1)
JACK: Aw, c'mon General, why'd we put these things on in the first place!
HAMMOND: Colonel, we don't know the full effects of these devices yet, and until we do, I can't risk sending you out there.
JACK: We shouldn't be wasting this stuff! We should be out kickin' some Goa'uld butt! I mean look at this! (he kicks a big hole in Hammond's office wall) Sorry about that, sir.
HAMMOND: I'm concerned that you may not be in full control of these new abilities.
JACK: Well, you may be right about that, but it's just so damned exciting! And even if we're not, shouldn't we be out there doin' the damage instead of...in your office?
HAMMOND: I'm concerned for your well being, Colonel.
JACK: I know, and we all appreciate that. And you're the boss. Whatever you say goes. But I just want you to know that we're all here for you. Just say the word, and we'll be ready to go out there and kick tail!
HAMMOND: Thank you, Colonel.
JACK: Seriously, just say that word...just say it!
HAMMOND: Dismissed.
JACK: We can be ready in three seconds.
HAMMOND: Jack...
JACK: Two seconds...c'mon!
HAMMOND: Colonel! Just...get the hell out of my office!
JACK: Yes, sir. (Jack walks outside looking like he just drank ten gallons of coffee and encounters Cyler) Hey Cyler! (he taps him on the shoulder and Cyler goes flying over the railing...LOL)
CARTER: I don't know about you guys, but I am having some serious protein cravings.
JACK: Steak.
DANIEL: I could go for that.
JACK: Big red juicy meat...(LOL)
CARTER: O'Malley's in town!
DANIEL: Let's go.
(and later)
WAITRESS: What'll you have?
JACK: Three of the biggest steaks you've got, rare. Baked potato.
WAITRESS: You got it! (thinking that was the whole table)
JACK: Excuse me...that was for me.
DANIEL: I'm gonna have three, too. And make mine medium.
JACK: Four?
DANIEL: Four, yeah. House salad.
CARTER: And I'll have three also...but fries with mine. (the waitress looks deeply confused...LOL) Thanks. (she leaves) So has it occurred to anyone that we're defying a direct order?
DANIEL: (after a pause) Not like we haven't defied orders before.
CARTER: Yeah, but that was to save Earth.
JACK: Saving Earth...steaks....there's a difference? (LOL)
DANIEL: We'll be back before anyone knows we're gone.
(cut to Sam shooting trick shot pool and collecting a sucker bet)
BAR MORON: How the hell did you do that?
CARTER: Want to go double or nothing?
BAR MORON: No, I think I'll cut my losses.
DANIEL: Smart move.
BAR MORON: Hey, what're you laughing at, ya geek?!
JACK: Geek?
DANIEL: Excuse me?
JACK: Let it go...
DANIEL: No. Not this time. (and all the geeks watching this show giggle with glee)
BAR MORON #2: And what're you gonna do about it? (eight burly guys surround the trio)
JACK: Well this is a cliche. (LOL) OK! (and they all get their butts handed to them...ha!)
ANISE: General Hammond, I've just received a communication from the Tok'ra High Council.
HAMMOND: What?
ANISE: I've made a full report on the progress of my experiment and the Council made a suggestion.
HAMMOND: What are they suggesting?
ANISE: They would like to put forth a proposal to put SG-1's new skills to practical use.
JACK: YES!!...sir...(LOL!!)
HAMMOND: What did they have in mind?
ANISE: The Council just received word of a new advanced battleship nearing completion by the System Lord Apophis.
HAMMOND: Just received word (obviously not buying it).
ANISE: Our internal attempts at sabotage have already failed. However, we believe that SG-1 could...
HAMMOND: You've known all along.
ANISE: Excuse me?
HAMMOND: Anise, I've been at this a long time and I know when I'm being manipulated. (YEAH!)
FREYA: (notice, she only uses the human voice when she senses we're all pissed off at the Tok'ra...LOL) General, I know this looks bad, but in the interest of the Tok'ra/Human alliance...
HAMMOND: Don't give me that load of bunk. Right now I don't believe the Tok'ra have my people's best interests at heart. (You tell 'em, boss!)
FREYA: If you believe anything, General, believe that if Apophis is allowed to complete this new battleship, it will assure his dominance over the System Lords, Earth and this entire galaxy!
JACK: General, if I may...
HAMMOND: No you may not. (sternly) Corporal, escort SG-1 back to lock-up. For what it's worth, I'm ordering you to cooperate. As for you, you can tell the Council we're through with this little experiment.
ANISE: The Council will be very disappointed. I have uploaded all of the intelligence we were able to gather about the new ship design into your base computers. I hope you will examine the data and reconsider. (riiiight)
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