Overall Rating: 7.3
Solid action episode with a few personal frills that caught this reviewer's eye.
Plot Synopsis:
The Stargate Wiki has the complete story.
The Skinny:
They needed a way to launch us into the sixth season now that we've dispensed (temporarily) with Michael Shanks. They needed to put the new bad guy on the map. They did that...they finally got him some screen time (and revealed that he's not your typical Goa'uld) and made him a legitimate rival even to the Asgard...all of which are good things. Though I do question the need to make the next bad guy BETTER than the Asgard. I think it would have been more interesting if the next bad guy were simply willing to break tradition with the System Lords and call the Asgard bluff (remember: the Asgard don't have much committed to defended the protected planets due to their war with the Replicators and, as we find out here, their genetic degradation). Perhaps if Anubis had simply sent three Hataks to some planet, had his run in with Thor's one ship on patrol and achieved an ugly stalemate that resulted in Thor's capture, thus proving to the rest of the Goa'uld that the treaty is meaningless, I would have been more impressed (it would show that Anubis wasn't just powerful...he had chutzpah). Making your evil bad guy too powerful for the playing field reduces my interest.
That said, what I thik saves this episode from a very mediocre score is the necessary transition from Daniel's death to SG-1's grudging acceptance of it. I think the fans needed to see SG-1 placed in a difficult situation while having to deal with their grief. That much they achieved...especially in re: Carter's discussion with Teal'c in the cargo ship en route to Thor's distress call. I wish there'd be a little more time to explore the characters' individual reactions to Daniel's ascension...but they had two goals that somewhat conflicted to get into the last episode of the season and whet the fans' appetite for a new season with a new cast member and a new primary bad guy. I can understand the need for both plots, so I'll overlook my initial gut reaction to the limited focus on the personal angle.
Writing: 7.0
Serviceable plot with entertaining action and some very nice exchanges between SG-1 members regarding Daniel.
Acting: 9.0
Amanda Tapping really shines here, and we're starting to see some of the untapped potential of Chris Judge as well.
Message: 6.0
I'd give this episode a bit of credit for its' handling of the need for a little faith when dealing with loss except the cutesy finale with the puff of magical music-carrying wind representing Daniel's continued presence kind of kills it for me.
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