The Tok'ra

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S2 (The Tok'ra)

Mostly an expository episode, this brings some important developments to the series, and is the first two-part episode, barring the season-ender and starter. I have a soft spot for it because it was one of the first episodes, if not the first, that I ever saw. Presumably the groundwork will lead to an exciting second part, although I remembered well the fate of Jacob Carter, and it's easy to put two and two together through what is left unsaid, to see how he could become the linchpin to Earth's alliance with the Tok'ra. It was fun to realise that Tok'ra actually meant 'against Ra', which I hadn't realised.

The faction is a paranoid group, but that's to be expected seeing as they are the greatest and most personal enemy of the Goa'uld. The crystal-forming technology was clever, recalling 'Cold Lazarus' - I wonder if there's any connection? Since this is an episode doing the telling, rather than showing, it becomes a bit too much talking heads, although there are plenty of revelations that would shake up the series and certainly the introduction of the Tok'ra this season has added a new layer of detail and possibility.

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