Orpheus

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S7 (Orpheus)

I'd forgotten that Teal'c no longer has a symbiote any more, though I can't recall when he lost it. I think it was 'The Changeling,' the one in which he dreams he's in another life, with Daniel Jackson coming to help him through it, as in reality he's dying by the side of Bra'tac on an alien world. That was probably the best episode of last season, and it's what Teal'c refers to when talking to Daniel. That was one of the first things I thought about this episode as I watched it (along with the thought that Teal'c's collapsing over backwards after being shot in the 'gate room could be construed as humorous if not done right), as once again it's about the big guy in danger of dying. Except in this case it really wasn't about that, but it's good that the connection was made with the earlier episode as both have the same themes of the proud Teal'c having to accept something, whether that's death (either a stray blast in the 'gate room or an execution from the camp commandant), or a lessening of his abilities. You could look at his loss of pride as a comment on growing older, out of the first flush of youth and strength, having to accept that you may not be able to do the things you used to, or at least, as easily as they were done before. What I really like about this episode, though, is that it tackles both Teal'c and Daniel in parallel, addressing both their stories in a beautifully played and subtle drawing together of the two characters.

While Teal'c has lost his pride and belief in himself thanks to the effect tretonin, the replacement drug for symbiotes, has had on him, Daniel struggles with his previous existence in ascended state. Like Teal'c he couldn't do what he wanted to do, which was help his friends, but thanks to his desire to support Teal'c in his time of self-doubt, he stirs flashbacks in his mind to a time when he was with Bra'tac and Rya'c, providing vital information for a rescue mission. Without his mysterious memory resurfacing no one would even have known the pair had been captured and were being forced to work as slave labour on a bleak world (that bears more than a passing resemblance to a quarry - what exactly were the pair of them tasked with, as they seemed to be whacking stones with metal sticks!). For once (see previous episode for contrast), everyone's quick to believe Daniel's visions (probably because they were so atmospherically shot - the series continues to look beautiful and moody on location!), with Hammond stating that after all the things he's heard while sat behind that desk, it wasn't difficult for him to accept. So why did he take so long to come around to the bizarre last episode?!

Regardless of inconsistencies, this episode is a strong one because it deals well with the characters and their motivations, it's not about any old aliens or planets, political problems or threats from the System Lords - and the series always does these large scale rescue or liberation sequences with panache. I suppose they've done it so many times that it comes naturally to all involved. But it's due to the character stakes that this is more than a simple rescue mission, as his son Rya'c means more to Teal'c than anything, even his own pride, and he'd gladly sacrifice himself in Rya'c's place, as he nobly tries to do here. The message gets a little lost in the balance, but Bra'tac's wise advice was for his former apprentice to remember that a warrior's strength comes from the heart and mind, not his muscles (a bit like Morpheus in 'The Matrix'), although it takes Teal'c having the opportunity to take down the commandant in battle for him to regain his composure and self-belief. As usual, the bad guys make the mistake of letting the good guys live long enough to overthrow them - after proving how brutal the overlords are by killing workers that weren't doing a good enough job (despite looking pretty young and healthy), for some reason (i.e: plot), the tortured Teal'c, Rak'nor, and ill Bra'tac are allowed to lie in their tent, attended by Rya'c, rather than being executed. No scouts appear to be sent out to discover if these rebels came alone or not, and overconfidence lets the bad guy side down once again.

I was wondering if the actual execution of the three remaining prisoners (after one tries to run for it), was avoided on screen for style reasons or for sensitivity, and my question was answered later by the fact that we see Teal'c snap the commandant's neck on camera - definitely a style choice, then! I suppose it's moments like that which give this season a 15 rating. Not that I minded, it was just something that made me think. Which is more than can be said for the commandant's minions: what do they do when they see their mothership starting to fall to the ground, but rush towards it. What did they think they were going to achieve? Catch it with their bare hands? I also felt Carter and Daniel were being a little overcautious when stuck aboard the ship - they could easily have mown down the Goa'uld guards standing in the ring room, as they were all bunched up close enough together that spraying the area with bullets from their automatics would have settled the matter before the staff weapons had time to be manoeuvred into position. The Goa'uld are always at a bit of a disadvantage, it seems to me, since they use such clumsy weaponry.

Obi Ndefo was back as Rak'nor again, and it's good that they have a recurring character as a face and voice for the Jaffa liberation movement, as it helps to remind us that this group are real people beyond just Teal'c and Bra'tac. What works best, as ever, is the interaction between the characters, though. Bra'tac holds so much weight, being someone we've known since Season 1, and his mix of mentor and brother to the much younger Teal'c is always a delight to see. Every time he speaks he has so much gravity and strength. It was also important to see Daniel and Teal'c - I don't think we really knew that Jackson never felt like he belonged before, and now he does, seeing that his life was too important to leave behind. It was interesting to hear that he's recovered almost all the memories of his life before ascension, though ascended life remains unclear, leaving the possibility that he could come up with further revelations or motivate the plot again, meaning his time as an ascended being wasn't a waste from the point of view of the series. I hope they play with it more, and I'm sure they will. So with a good opening in which SG-1 warn the SGC of their retreat, a look at the SGC's gym, and a character-driven rescue mission that reiterates where the characters stand, this is the best of the first few episodes. I wasn't sure what the connection with Orpheus was, from the title, but I may just be a bit slow! And Carter's hair still looks like she just got out of the shower…

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