Into The Fire

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S3 (Into The Fire)

So far I think it's fair to say the general rule is that if Hathor's in it it's going to be a poor episode. The other rule is that if Bretak is in it it's going to be a good episode. But what happens when they're both in it? Answer: you get the muddled runaround that begins Season Three. It's not really fair on old Bretak, Hathor had two episodes in succession so maybe that can be blamed for the rather mediocre result of this one.

To begin with, the recap of the previous episode doesn't inspire and gives the impression of a continuity-heavy dull-fest, with multiple slow plots waiting to be tied up. Instead of concentrating too hard on the story they instead decide to liven it up, so it becomes a shoot-em-up full of dumb soldiers shouting, diving and standing still in corridors while their enemies also stand there shooting back, and I never enjoyed the dumb soldier stuff before, so a whole episode of it isn't good. Fine for pre-teens, but Stargate can be much more than that.

The characters aren't used particularly well - Hathor, as usual, is the stereotypical villainess and it was a great relief she was chucked in the cryogenic pool, I just hope she's never coming back. Hammond apparently defies the president to come and assist SG-1 so I'll wait to see if there are repercussions from that. Judging from Teal'c's quick reunification with his teammates at the end, I think there won't be. Teal'c's resigning from the SGC was the big 'shock' for the end of Season Two, and it may continue to be part of the story, but the way they were all going off together in the equivalent of a happy ending into the sunset, everything appeared to be back to normal. I could be pre-judging that the ramifications of the previous episode aren't followed up, but this one was more about being captured, running away and being captured again than any strong plotting.

Teal'c gets to make a grand speech, but he isn't as powerful when shouting as he is when proudly being a man of few words, but his love for his people and their freedom must inspire him. Daniel is very muted this episode and no one comes up smelling of roses, but I suppose there was an element of being written into a corner which had to be resolved over considerations of being a cohesive story.

There were many inconsistencies, but I will say this: the money was definitely thrown at this one and the effects were quite good. CGI was done well whether it was the snake-like symbiont twisting and writhing before its intended victim, or full on set extension with the power source behind the false Stargate. The explosions were vivid and the huge gun towers were impressive, and clearly there were more than the usual number of extras to add scale to the action. I'd like to say this episode was a good start, but I can't. At my most generous all I can say is that it was something to build on.

**