Classics: SG1 4:5 - Divide and Conquer

Overall Rating: 8.4

Three things to really love about this episode. I'll detail all three in the skinny...suffice to say, although this one does come across as a bit purple in a couple of places and the script is a little on the sluggish side, there are enough virtues to the episode to merit a high score.

Plot Synopsis:

A full plot summary may be found here, thanks to the Stargate Wiki.

The Skinny:

Three things to love about this episode:

1. The highly overrated potential match between Martouf and Sam bites the dust HARDCORE. YAY!!!! No more Martouf!!! He was not played by a particularly skilled actor, the romantic angle was forced from minute ONE between he and Carter, and...well...I'm a Carter/O'Neill shipper anyway, so nyeh! Better yet, Martouf's death was an uncharacteristically brave move by the writers - they paid for it dearly...the fans practically RIOTED after this show aired because they felt his death was empty. I, personally, could not give two flying turds about Martouf, but I think a show like Stargate loses all credibility if the people the fans like can't sometimes die...and if those deaths can't sometimes happen suddenly and without heroic significance.
2. Sam and Jack are forced by circumstances to admit their desire to have a more intimate relationship...BUT!...where in most TV shows, this would, by default lead to an immediate hot and heavy coupling, on Stargate, the writers listen to their military advisers and correctly, we find Sam and Jack repressing their feelings to stay in the Stargate program. Fraternization in the military does happen sometimes, but when it is known, it invariably leads to discharges and a lot of trouble (and for good reason). I can continue to root for those two kids to get together, but it has to include the real world consequences. Right now, they both like their jobs too much to quit for their relationships...I love that Stargate did not give in to the temptation to throw their two top-ranking officers (minus Hammond) into an unrealistic tryst.
   
3. The psychological influence that the Goa'uld can wield over their servants (and their prisoners) is not explored enough on this show. There are a few (usually feature-level) episodes that deal with brain-washing and intelligent programming, but this is the element that would have made the Goa'uld a heck of a lot scarier and a lot less two-dimensional and cheesy. Why we didn't encounter more Zatarc threats in later episodes is beyond me.

Those things would have made this a feature if it hadn't been for a script that sort of languished from a lack of creative dialogue. The self-destruct sequences amongst the affected Zatarcs were chillingly written and grabbed my attention nicely though, I'll give this script that much credit.

Writing: 8.0

I love the plot. The plot deserve feature-level grades. The specific execution of the plot through language and setting is a little less impressive. Well..and I really disliked the awkward scene between Jack and Anise (where Anise tries to get giggity)...not sure why they felt a need to do that, but whatever.

Acting: 8.2

I still think Vanessa Angel and J.R. Bourne (Anise and Martouf) are among the show's weaker recurring guest actors...I'm so glad Martouf dies here! Meanwhile, I think RDA and Amanda Tapping (amongst the regulars) do a very good job with what they're given and I'm actually very impressed with Kirsten Robek (Lt. Astor)...her self-destruct sequence was amazingly good considering her lack of name recognition.

Message: 9.0

Bravery is not among the hallmarks of Stargate scripts. Most of their episodes are comfy, fuzzy and safe for all involved. This episode was a brave thing to push forward on many levels. Killing a fan favorite, getting your stars to admit their feelings for each other without a big romantic payoff, and introducing a freaky new weapon for the bad guys? Very nice. The keys here: our real enemies don't discriminate...everyone is at risk and that's how it should be on television too (within reason)...and military romances are fraught with peril and consequences. The writers chose to make it perfectly believable that two officers might be in love with each other but choose not to act on it to keep their jobs secure and their objectivity about them as much as possible in combat and it's appreciated.