Written by Heather E. Ash
Directed by Chris McMullin
GUEST STARS
Richard Ian Cox - Nyan
Daryl Shuttleworth - Rygar
Desiree Zuroski - Parey
Jennifer Copping - Mallin
Bill Nikolai - Technician
Finn Michael - Soldier
WHAT HAPPENED
Two archeologists brush rock and dirt away from a stargate embedded in a cliff. When all the rock is removed, the symbols start lighting up.
Back at Stargate Command, Carter watches the gate open. She tells Hammond that she has gotten her first hit from the "cold address program," a new innovation in stargate exploitation technology that allows SGC to periodically redial all stargate addresses that didn't connect earlier.
Unaware of this, the archaeologists step back, frightened, when the gate opens and Carter sends a MALP drone through.
Daniel greets the hapless locals via the drone but the female archaeologist, Mallin, tells her partner, Nyan, that the gateway should be only an Optrican legend. She runs away. (more
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ANALYSIS
One of my favorite things about the Stargate storyline is the contact with offworld human cultures.
First, I think it is easier -- and a touch more realistic -- to postulate what would happen if we were dealing with extraterrestrial humans instead of green bug-eyed space folk.
Beyond that, I enjoy seeing how the Goa'uld have deformed these various human cultures on Earth as well as on alien worlds. It adds an extra "historical" perspective to our own belief systems, and that's often exciting.
This episode brings this cultural point home by demonstrating how readily people will do almost anything to affirm their belief systems.
So not only do we get the expected level of science fiction action and fun banter -- the hallmarks of the series -- but some nice cultural perspective.
As an aside, I also like the cold dial program. Imagine a BBS dialer from Wargames hooked up to a stargate. Great stuff!
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
What happened to the naquaada reactor and the other SG-1 equipment? Will Rygar ever figure out how it works, or blow himself up trying?
Will Nyan actually become a recurring character?
Is Teal'c's symbiote all right?
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK
Series archenemy Apophis returns to reclaim his son, a baby with powers far beyond those of even the Goa'uld. Can the SG-1 team stop him? Find out, in "Maternal Instinct".
What do you think? Send your comments to the
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