There have been four separate attempts to get fan feedback on what Stargate viewers think is the greatest episode of all time. The most recent of which was a Stargate Marathon where the viewers could get online and vote for the twenty episodes that they most wanted to see aired and the top 20 vote-getters were shown in order of popularity. Now I've made fun of Stargate fan voters on a few occasions for apparent lack of taste (e.g. not thinking much of The Torment of Tantalus), but one thing they all seem to agree on...these writers are at their best when poking fun of themselves and their genre and doing comedic stories. Window of Opportunity is, by far, the funniest script they ever wrote...and they wrote a lot of funny scripts. There's a reason that in all four fan-polls I've seen, Window of Opportunity ranks #1. Although I personally prefer the seventh season two-hour drama "Heroes."
Plot Synopsis:
SG1 arrives at P4X-639 to study how a coronal mass ejection from the planet's sun impacts the planet's geomagnetic field. They have spoken on several previous visits to a man who calls himself an archeologist (Daniel thinks he's awesome, of course) and Dr. Jackson and this guy are once again talking about what they believe to be an ancient artifact - a stone pedestal with symbol-covered slabs that can be moved up or down by the user, for what purpose, Daniel does not know. The man, who goes by the name Malakai, seems oddly in a hurry as he begins playing with the device. Before Daniel realizes what he's doing, Malakai knocks him out and fires up the pedestal. It shoots a beam of energy at the gate and the wormhole opens. Jack tries to stop him, but Malakai assures them they're too late. Back on Earth, meanwhile, Hammond is called to the control room because their stargate has suddenly activated as well. A series of electrical sparks arc around the ring and Hammond wonders what the hell he's seeing. In the blink of an eye, Jack finds himself in the mess hall at Stargate Command eating a very familiar bowl of cereal.
After the shock of suddenly returning to the SGC wears off, Jack assumes everything is cool and heads to a briefing. There's just one problem. He remembers the briefing. He remembers the arrival of SG-12 that occurs during the briefing, and he is becoming convinced that he's already lived this day. Of course, no one believes him even though Teal'c reveals that he, too, is experiencing this day a second time. Dr. Fraiser examines them and finds them both in perfect health, and SG1 decides that, perhaps, something weird is going on. General Hammond decides that, just to be safe, SG1 will not go to the planet to study the CME. Daniel begins to study the ancient pedestal from his photo archive but quickly realizes that the writing on the slabs is the equivalent of 400 pages of alien text. Before they can get any further understanding the situation, the gate activates and the same sparks fly. In a flash, they're right back at the breakfast table and O'Neill knows this is a very bad sign.
On the second rerun, O'Neill convinces Hammond to let the team return to P4X-639 where they again encounter Malakai. At first, he feigns ignorance, but when O'Neill finds a picture of his wife in his bag and Malakai subsequently slips and says Carter's name before they've told him what it is, SG-1 realizes he's responsible. Unfortunately, at the same time, the machine is firing up on its' own and Malakai refuses to turn it off. In the ensuing fight, the flash happens again and they're right back where they started. This time, Jack and Teal'c insist that Daniel translate the tablets on the Ancient pedestal, but he doesn't think it's possible - there's just not enough time. Meanwhile, Carter gets the brilliant idea that they should simply dial out before the Ancient device dials in. Unfortunately, they realize they can no longer dial out and the loop begins again.
Now becoming annoyed with the time loop, Jack focuses all his attention on getting Daniel to translate the Ancient text. Daniel insists that the only way that's going to happen is if Jack and Teal'c learn Latin with him and remember with each loop - their brains are the only recording devices that survive the loop, unlike the tape recorder that Jack tried to use (LOL). We see a montage of loops in which Jack and Teal'c slowly learn the language while amusing themselves with a new hobby - juggling. At one point, Daniel points out that they could do whatever they wanted with no consequences because when the loop restarts, nothing they did will matter. From this point on, we see Jack and Teal'c indulging their evil impulses - everything from golf through the Stargate to riding a bike through the base in PJs to kissing certain subordinate officers (heh) to a little physical revenge for Teal'c. All this fun despite the fact that Jack insists during a "loop off" that if they don't get out of this soon, he's going to go crazy (or...WHAACKO!!).
Finally, they finish the translation and Daniel reports that the device was indeed of Ancient origin and was constructed to help them go back in time and avoid a horrible plague that wiped out their population. Sadly, they didn't get it to work properly and it just created infinite time loops so they shut it down and let the end come. When they return to the planet to shut it down, Malakai is ready for them, however, and he's got it barricaded with a Goa'uld force shield.
Here, the story takes a very poignant twist. As it turns out, he's trying to go back in time to revisit his dead wife . Daniel and Jack both know a little something about painful deaths in their past and they both get to relay the message that even if they could go back, they wouldn't...because they know that they'd be faced with the same horrible pain again. The bottom line is...the ones we lose live on in our memories and there's no time machine that can cure the pain of loss that is a part of life. Malakai, heart broken by this realization, turns off the device and the time loop ends just barely before the machine fires at the gate. The next morning, Jack sits down and RELISHES a bowl of mediocre oatmeal, simply because it is NOT Fruit Loops (I wonder if the writers chose Fruit Loops for the time looping episode including many fruity moments intentionally...LOL). Daniel wonders whether Jack did anything crazy while there were no consequences and Jack doesn't answer, choosing only to give Carter an evil smirk.
The Skinny:
SABR Matt: There's absolutely no question that this episode is filler...it's even relatively low budget...the only special effect needed is the electrical discharge of the Ancient Pedestal. But it is filler done oh so right. It's brilliantly written, hilarious, totally in character for all involved, filled with pathos, and oh yes...it even has a touching conclusion that should mean something to everyone watching who might have experienced a loss in their lives. Big...BIG kudos to Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie for this one...it's practically perfect in every way. It is hard to do it justice in text highlights...many of the funniest moments are during montages where no words are spoken...but believe me...it is a SCREAM!
I would be remiss, however, if I gave the writers all the credit here. Part of the reason this show works so well is the brilliant acting of RDA and Chris Judge. Oh, the rest of the cast (including Robin Mossley, who gave Malakai a very warm and understandable edge that allows us to feel for him by the end despite the trouble he's caused our heroes) never misses a beat, but the two stars of this one are our intrepid loopers. Jack is a comic acting GENIUS apparently...his timing is impeccable! And Chris Judge is the PERFECT straight man for such a zany plot. This is the complete package...you won't find better acting anywhere in this series (though you'll find a lot of nearly-equal moments).
Stephanie S: TNG used the time-loop concept as an excuse to blow up the Enterprise several times. Here, on the other hand, SG1 decides to exploit the trope's comic potential -- and the cast and crew succeed beautifully. Jack's frustration with the repetitive loop is funny enough, but the true stroke of brilliance occurs the moment the looping characters realize they can do anything - and I mean anything - without suffering the consequences. What follows then is one of the most hysterical montages in the entire series. (The golfing is of course hilarious, but I especially love it when Teal'c slams the door in that airman's face. LOL!) As SABR Matt states in his opening comments, the writers of SG1 definitely generate most of their best material when they decide to throw gravitas to the wind and just have FUN.
Writing: 10.0 / 10.0
Great filler plot, very sweet finale, and absolutely perfect characterization, comedy and flow. What's not to like?
Acting: 10.0 / 10.0
Seriously...some of RDA's over-the-top comedic gold could sell at Fort Knox and Chris Judge has about a DOZEN incredibly hilarious reaction takes...so understated and yet so perfect!
Message: 9.5 / 9.5
A lot of Stargate's lighter episodes suffer from a bit too much fluff to carry a big message...not that that's a bad thing, per say, but it does keep their overall rating down here. This one, however, carries a thunderous and very valuable lesson attached. If you live in the past, you'll never move forward and you'll never recover from setbacks. Loss is a part of life, and the only way to get past it...is to move on. Otherwise, you really WILL go whacko.
Highlights:
JACK: Weren't we just somewhere else?
DANIEL: Where?
JACK: Some planet...
DANIEL: No?
JACK: You sure?
SAM: Sir, we've been sitting in the commissary for the last half hour - though I can see how you'd get those two places confused. (heh)
DANIEL: Jack, are you OK, or are you just trying to avoid answering my question?
JACK: I'm fine...(looks unconvinced and dazed)...what question? (LOL)
JACK: I distinctly remember Carter prattling on about solar activity and a corona...something...
SAM: Coronal mass emissions, yes...I was just about to bring that up.
JACK: There you go...how did I know that?
SAM: Maybe you read my report.
DANIEL: Maybe he read your report? (makes a face as if to say, "I think not" - LOL!!!)
JACK: We've done this!
DANIEL: We do this every day.
JACK: I'm not talking about briefings in general, Daniel, I'm talking about this briefing - I'm talking about this day! (they all exchange quizzical looks)
TEAL'C: Colonel O'Neill is correct. Events do appear to be repeating themselves.
SAM: Since when?
JACK: Since we went to P4X-639.
SAM: We haven't been to P4X-639.
JACK: Yes we have. No we haven't - that's what you were about to say.
DANIEL: Or course that's what I was about to say.
JACK: OK...bad example. (LOL)
JACK: The point is - we're stuck in some sort of time loop deal and you're all gonna believe me when SG-12 comes through that gate in 4...3...2...1...(nothing happens - they all look at Jack like he has six heads)
HAMMOND: SG-12 isn't due back for three days.
TECHNICIAN: Unscheduled offworld activation! (the alarms blare)
JACK: Oooh...so close. (LOL!)
HAMMOND: You realize that this is a little difficult for me to accept.
JACK: Hey if it were just me, I'd be right with ya...but c'mon General! What about Teal'c? I mean is this the face of a crazy man? (a long shot of Teal'c with his ridiculous beard stripe thingy and gold emblem) Bad example. (ROTFL!!)
JACK: What kind of archaeologist carries a weapon?
DANIEL: Uhhh...I do.
JACK: Bad example. (LOL!)
JACK: Alright, here's the deal! We're all stuck in some sort of time loop. However, Teal'c and I seem to be the only ones who realize this. Why? I couldn't say. Now there's this device on P4X-639. It shoots a beam at the gate...and...subspace...something...
TEAL'C: It accesses the subspace field the Stargate is capable of generating.
JACK: Right...and it's powered by ionization in the atmosphere which is caused by...ah ah! I know this one. (long pause while he struggles) Magnets! (heh)
TEAL'C: The geomagnetic storm.
JACK: Exactly. Now I don't know why Teal'c and I seem to be the only ones who remember any of this or how we're going to stop this from happening again, but I do know that there's no point in having ole Doc Fraiser examine us.
(next scene...Fraiser is once again pointing her pen light at Jack's eye)
JACK: I ask you...please!...what are you going to find in my EYE that can explain this? (BHHHAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!)
DANIEL: Well if we've had this conversation before, then I probably told you that there's no way I can translate this entire text in less than a day.
JACK: Oh I'm way ahead of you. I put the whole thing on tape the last time. (turns his tape recorder on and, of course, nothing plays back...he slams it against the table and still nothing)
DANIEL: Uh...if what you say is true then when the loop started again your recording wouldn't have happened...yet...
TEAL'C: Did I not say your plan would be unsuccessful, O'Neill...
JACK: Careful!! (ROTFLOL!!) What about notes...indelible ink? (Daneil gives him a look that says "are you kidding me?")
DANIEL: Look, if what you say is true, then you guys are going to have to help me by listening and remembering.
JACK: Fine. How hard can it be? (he picks up an image of the tablets and stares thoughtfully at it...Daniel realizes he's holding it upside down and flips it over) Yeah...(ROTFL!)
And now for some visual highlights of hilarity!
JACK: The people who built this thing are the same people who built the stargates and they couldn't get the damned thing to work! And even if you could...for argument's sake...you can't save her.
MALAKAI: But I can be with her again...touch her face...see her smile.
JACK: Just like you remember.
MALAKAI: Yes.
JACK: And then what?
MALAKAI: She'll die.
JACK: And then what? You start over again? (the device begins to swing into action again) Listen to me Malakai! I know what it's like...
MALAKAI: You can't!
JACK: I LOST MY SON!! I know! (his whole team looks away...saddened by the sudden outburst of emotion) And as much as I wish...I could never live that over again. Could you?
MALAKAI: (looking totally heartbroken as he allows himself to mourn for the first time) No.
JACK: Let her go. (he shuts down the device and his force shield - they walk to him and Jack hands him the photo of his wife...he seems to understand...it's very sweetly portrayed)
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