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What could have been a powerful, enjoyable story is sullied by ignoring past events and offering skewed and off-key reactions from the characters.
Final conclusion? We have a dramatic ending that already ended off-screen in S8, and a deconstruction of everything that went on with the Jaffa in S9. Not quite sure how this is progress. At least the Adria necklace thing might come in handy in the future.
I specifically remember the end of Threads, right before Daniel comes out of Jack's office in a flag (okay... who doesn't?), when Teal'c and Bra'tac tell the SGC that the Jaffa have agreed that the weapon used to wipe out the Replicators would be destroyed and replaced with some fitting monument to the victory. I also specifically remember, if less emphatically (well... Daniel was fully clothed at the time), that last season's Stronghold featured the Jaffa finally moving towards democracy.
Neither of these very important events are mentioned in this episode, nor do they seem to have happened. There are, apparently, only a dozen or so Jaffa milling around Dakara; Bra'tac and Teal'c have lost nearly all the respect they rightfully deserve from their fellow Jaffa; and the Jaffa leaders have adopted the shameful policy of, "Allies? What have you done for us lately? Saving us repeatedly any time before the last six months obviously doesn't count."
I fail to comprehend why any of this was necessary to make this story happen. Even a throwaway sentence that the Jaffa had tried to destory the weapon, but failed (maybe it can't be blown up by non Ancient/Ori weaponry?), and that a rogue element had taken over rather than the Jaffa Council et al, would have given us the same story without souring, and diminishing, the role Teal'c and Bra'tac play among their fellow Jaffa. I was so pleased when Bra'tac showed up in the ep, and that pleasure was largely ruined by the end of the story.
Even more frustrating, TPTB have forgotten a rather important detail that was established only five episodes ago - to wit, Vala is not a member of SG-1. What was the purpose of Landry denying Vala an official place on SG-1 if she's going along on every single mission? This especially frustrated me because Vala was useful - and necessary - on this trip, but her antics in the last two episodes rendered this a convenient plot device, rather than a deliberate decision to bring her along because of Adria's presence.
There were, to be sure, lots of things I really enjoyed in this episode. Adria is delightfully creepy, especially her eyes - so much more intense in that pretty face than in the Priors', although I kept thinking of those odd pupils in terms of red-eye that needed to be fixed. :) I really, really like the idea that the Ori are targeting Daniel personally - it gets my hopes up that the theory shared by so many fans, that Daniel didn't really lose his memories when he ascended the second time, is actually true. He is, in an odd way, the human representative of the Ancients - more so than Adria as Orici, since he has free will that quite possibly doesn't possess. It was good to see each member of the team contributing, and a particular relief to see that the Jaffa on board, at the very least, couldn't quite bring themselves to accuse Teal'c of lying. At least something of the appreciation for Teal'c's heroism apparently still exists, even if, for some bizarre reason, it is no longer extended to Bra'tac, the master who helped shape Teal'c in the first place. I cheered the resurgence of C4 (Plan B always equals C4!) and was really, really relieved that Mitchell didn't quote Jack's "nothing comes to mind" when he was trying to think of some special last-minute thing to say. Good Teal'c/Mitchell bonding all round, really, and some nice Vala/Daniel teamwork for a change. Not quite sure why Sam is the one who gets to go off alone while the others pair up... is this a suggestion that the others unconsciously think of her as the leader of SG-1, and the one to be trusted with extra risks?
Was quite pleased at the natural flow of Daniel and Vala's discussion of Sha're; it came across as honest conversation to me, rather than forced sharing. Others probably disagree, of course. :) But it's long after time for Vala to recognize, and appreciate, the complexities of the past of others. Now I'm just waiting for her to discover Sam's possession of Jolinar, and Teal'c's brainwashing of Apophis... (...and how the Jacksons died, and for her to offer an apology for the incredibly poor taste in Avalon, part 2, when she brightly suggested that Teal'c and Mitchell must be okay because they hadn't heard any screaming or squishing sounds). While the loss of a well-beloved wife and the loss of a child that, while Vala did deliver into the world, she never really knew or cared about, is not really all that similar, I do appreciate Daniel's parallel of someone being forced against their will and the relief of knowing that person is at peace. Which leads, of course, to what I observed in the previous paragraph - that Adria seems to be not so much brainwashed as much as mouthpiece. Does the girl have choices here? Future episodes will show us, I suppose, and any aspect that makes watchers intrigued has got to be good. :) And the necklace thingy... Hm. Another cheat, importing a bit of the Ori galaxy into ours? Is Adria still susceptible to Merlin's weapon? Again, stirring interest, which can only improve things.
It was delightful to enjoy the nostalgic experience of crunch crunch crunch while SG-1 ducked out of the way of oncoming Jaffa. (Fanfic readers might enjoy this little tidbit from Thel, who has Teal'c mention, in passing, exactly what causes that sound.) Unfortunately, this was soured by the unrealistic resurgence of all-Jaffa-are-eeevil-except-Teal'c-and-Bra'tac theme. Once again, stupidity gets in the way of what could have been a solid victory. With the Supergate cut off (and how interesting that Adria doesn't know that!) and the four Ori ships reduced to three, gaining possession of the ship - or even blowing it up - would have been an unbelievable triumph. I suppose two victories in a row would go against something written in TPTB's contracts? By the end of the story, it's clear that unless Mitchell had detonated the C4 immediately, there probably wasn't anything they could have done, Jaffa cooperation or no... so why not have that cooperation? As far as I'm concerned, the SGC enjoying loyal, helpful allies is every so much more interesting than this tiresome business of always ending up with the short end of the stick and having to do everything alone.
The transporter, unfortunately, seems to be rapidly heading the way of Star Trek plot devices. "Beam us up!" "We can't, something's blocking the signal!" And Landry going off alone is just... stupid. Walter made a lot more sense than Landry's airy dismissal that "we can't insult our allies." It was bad enough when the Tok'ra kept jerking the SGC's chain; the Jaffa aren't anywhere near the Tok'ra's league in terms of what the SGC owes them or needs to do. I will concede that I liked his in-your-face dealings with the head Jaffa guy, especially his pointed observation that the Jaffa, for all their lofty talk of sacrifices, chose a human world for their test run. And I must state, again, that it was infuriating to see Bra'tac taken seriously only by humans, and not by his fellow Jaffa. If Teal'c is legendary, then Bra'tac is the legend behind his legend. Where's the respect this 140-year-old Jaffa truly deserves? (And while we're at it, where's Kal'el, and any other women who used to be part of the Council? Talk about regression, here...) And the Jaffa seemed to have forgotten that the weapon was originally designed to work round the planet, not to go through the Stargate system; that was a modification, a la Baal, that Sam and Jacob added to fight the Replicators.
Bra'tac offered platitudes by Vala? Bra'tac reacting to Vala as if impressed? This from the guy who took one look at SG-1, way back in Bloodlines, and dismissed them as useless? Why has Vala earned any respect from Bra'tac whatsoever? And while I adored Daniel's answer - out of context - within the frame of the story, it made no sense. I can easily see that quote in a sig - hey, I could easily add it to my list of sigs, along with any other mother out there. :) But within the framework of the story? It just made me groan and roll my eyes, even as I laughed in appreciation at the pithy observation.
It bothers me, because that single comment of Bra'tac offered me an insight into Vala that I've never really had before, and that I would love to see explored on the show - that, to date, Vala is only the second survivor of true Goa'uld possession that we've known that actually went on with life afterwards. And unlike Skaara, who had the support network of SG-1 and Abydos, she had to do it alone - and still did it. Scarred, yes; personality warped by years as a host, quite possibly. I don't suggest this as an excuse for Vala's appalling behavior in S8/9; her "tragic past" isn't any more tragic than Teal'c's, or Daniel's, and they didn't use their experiences to justify immoral actions. But Vala is, in every sense of the word, a seasoned and experienced warrior. I want to see Sam and Vala reacting to their shared experiences as unwilling hosts; Daniel's sharing of his history of Sha're is a step in that direction, but only a small one. I want more backstory on Qetesh than knowing she and Baal once had some kind of thing. That is so much more interesting than pliable helpful Vala doing her best to be a "part of something," to quote last week's Oz parody.
I wish they'd go back to writing the wonderful Bra'tac who admired Hammond of Texas, lowered his staff weapon on Kheb before SG-1 did, and came through for the Tau'ri when we needed him instead of running to the SGC when he needs us. I still love the old guy, I really do, but he hasn't been himself this season at all. :(
Neither of these very important events are mentioned in this episode, nor do they seem to have happened. There are, apparently, only a dozen or so Jaffa milling around Dakara; Bra'tac and Teal'c have lost nearly all the respect they rightfully deserve from their fellow Jaffa; and the Jaffa leaders have adopted the shameful policy of, "Allies? What have you done for us lately? Saving us repeatedly any time before the last six months obviously doesn't count."
I fail to comprehend why any of this was necessary to make this story happen. Even a throwaway sentence that the Jaffa had tried to destory the weapon, but failed (maybe it can't be blown up by non Ancient/Ori weaponry?), and that a rogue element had taken over rather than the Jaffa Council et al, would have given us the same story without souring, and diminishing, the role Teal'c and Bra'tac play among their fellow Jaffa. I was so pleased when Bra'tac showed up in the ep, and that pleasure was largely ruined by the end of the story.
Even more frustrating, TPTB have forgotten a rather important detail that was established only five episodes ago - to wit, Vala is not a member of SG-1. What was the purpose of Landry denying Vala an official place on SG-1 if she's going along on every single mission? This especially frustrated me because Vala was useful - and necessary - on this trip, but her antics in the last two episodes rendered this a convenient plot device, rather than a deliberate decision to bring her along because of Adria's presence.
There were, to be sure, lots of things I really enjoyed in this episode. Adria is delightfully creepy, especially her eyes - so much more intense in that pretty face than in the Priors', although I kept thinking of those odd pupils in terms of red-eye that needed to be fixed. :) I really, really like the idea that the Ori are targeting Daniel personally - it gets my hopes up that the theory shared by so many fans, that Daniel didn't really lose his memories when he ascended the second time, is actually true. He is, in an odd way, the human representative of the Ancients - more so than Adria as Orici, since he has free will that quite possibly doesn't possess. It was good to see each member of the team contributing, and a particular relief to see that the Jaffa on board, at the very least, couldn't quite bring themselves to accuse Teal'c of lying. At least something of the appreciation for Teal'c's heroism apparently still exists, even if, for some bizarre reason, it is no longer extended to Bra'tac, the master who helped shape Teal'c in the first place. I cheered the resurgence of C4 (Plan B always equals C4!) and was really, really relieved that Mitchell didn't quote Jack's "nothing comes to mind" when he was trying to think of some special last-minute thing to say. Good Teal'c/Mitchell bonding all round, really, and some nice Vala/Daniel teamwork for a change. Not quite sure why Sam is the one who gets to go off alone while the others pair up... is this a suggestion that the others unconsciously think of her as the leader of SG-1, and the one to be trusted with extra risks?
Was quite pleased at the natural flow of Daniel and Vala's discussion of Sha're; it came across as honest conversation to me, rather than forced sharing. Others probably disagree, of course. :) But it's long after time for Vala to recognize, and appreciate, the complexities of the past of others. Now I'm just waiting for her to discover Sam's possession of Jolinar, and Teal'c's brainwashing of Apophis... (...and how the Jacksons died, and for her to offer an apology for the incredibly poor taste in Avalon, part 2, when she brightly suggested that Teal'c and Mitchell must be okay because they hadn't heard any screaming or squishing sounds). While the loss of a well-beloved wife and the loss of a child that, while Vala did deliver into the world, she never really knew or cared about, is not really all that similar, I do appreciate Daniel's parallel of someone being forced against their will and the relief of knowing that person is at peace. Which leads, of course, to what I observed in the previous paragraph - that Adria seems to be not so much brainwashed as much as mouthpiece. Does the girl have choices here? Future episodes will show us, I suppose, and any aspect that makes watchers intrigued has got to be good. :) And the necklace thingy... Hm. Another cheat, importing a bit of the Ori galaxy into ours? Is Adria still susceptible to Merlin's weapon? Again, stirring interest, which can only improve things.
It was delightful to enjoy the nostalgic experience of crunch crunch crunch while SG-1 ducked out of the way of oncoming Jaffa. (Fanfic readers might enjoy this little tidbit from Thel, who has Teal'c mention, in passing, exactly what causes that sound.) Unfortunately, this was soured by the unrealistic resurgence of all-Jaffa-are-eeevil-except-Teal'c-and-Bra'tac theme. Once again, stupidity gets in the way of what could have been a solid victory. With the Supergate cut off (and how interesting that Adria doesn't know that!) and the four Ori ships reduced to three, gaining possession of the ship - or even blowing it up - would have been an unbelievable triumph. I suppose two victories in a row would go against something written in TPTB's contracts? By the end of the story, it's clear that unless Mitchell had detonated the C4 immediately, there probably wasn't anything they could have done, Jaffa cooperation or no... so why not have that cooperation? As far as I'm concerned, the SGC enjoying loyal, helpful allies is every so much more interesting than this tiresome business of always ending up with the short end of the stick and having to do everything alone.
The transporter, unfortunately, seems to be rapidly heading the way of Star Trek plot devices. "Beam us up!" "We can't, something's blocking the signal!" And Landry going off alone is just... stupid. Walter made a lot more sense than Landry's airy dismissal that "we can't insult our allies." It was bad enough when the Tok'ra kept jerking the SGC's chain; the Jaffa aren't anywhere near the Tok'ra's league in terms of what the SGC owes them or needs to do. I will concede that I liked his in-your-face dealings with the head Jaffa guy, especially his pointed observation that the Jaffa, for all their lofty talk of sacrifices, chose a human world for their test run. And I must state, again, that it was infuriating to see Bra'tac taken seriously only by humans, and not by his fellow Jaffa. If Teal'c is legendary, then Bra'tac is the legend behind his legend. Where's the respect this 140-year-old Jaffa truly deserves? (And while we're at it, where's Kal'el, and any other women who used to be part of the Council? Talk about regression, here...) And the Jaffa seemed to have forgotten that the weapon was originally designed to work round the planet, not to go through the Stargate system; that was a modification, a la Baal, that Sam and Jacob added to fight the Replicators.
Bra'tac offered platitudes by Vala? Bra'tac reacting to Vala as if impressed? This from the guy who took one look at SG-1, way back in Bloodlines, and dismissed them as useless? Why has Vala earned any respect from Bra'tac whatsoever? And while I adored Daniel's answer - out of context - within the frame of the story, it made no sense. I can easily see that quote in a sig - hey, I could easily add it to my list of sigs, along with any other mother out there. :) But within the framework of the story? It just made me groan and roll my eyes, even as I laughed in appreciation at the pithy observation.
It bothers me, because that single comment of Bra'tac offered me an insight into Vala that I've never really had before, and that I would love to see explored on the show - that, to date, Vala is only the second survivor of true Goa'uld possession that we've known that actually went on with life afterwards. And unlike Skaara, who had the support network of SG-1 and Abydos, she had to do it alone - and still did it. Scarred, yes; personality warped by years as a host, quite possibly. I don't suggest this as an excuse for Vala's appalling behavior in S8/9; her "tragic past" isn't any more tragic than Teal'c's, or Daniel's, and they didn't use their experiences to justify immoral actions. But Vala is, in every sense of the word, a seasoned and experienced warrior. I want to see Sam and Vala reacting to their shared experiences as unwilling hosts; Daniel's sharing of his history of Sha're is a step in that direction, but only a small one. I want more backstory on Qetesh than knowing she and Baal once had some kind of thing. That is so much more interesting than pliable helpful Vala doing her best to be a "part of something," to quote last week's Oz parody.
I wish they'd go back to writing the wonderful Bra'tac who admired Hammond of Texas, lowered his staff weapon on Kheb before SG-1 did, and came through for the Tau'ri when we needed him instead of running to the SGC when he needs us. I still love the old guy, I really do, but he hasn't been himself this season at all. :(
Final conclusion? We have a dramatic ending that already ended off-screen in S8, and a deconstruction of everything that went on with the Jaffa in S9. Not quite sure how this is progress. At least the Adria necklace thing might come in handy in the future.
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