Affinity

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S8 (Affinity)

I don't usually enjoy the 'Earth-based lives' episodes because they don't go anywhere or mean much, beyond the obvious nice character moments and the chance to see the domestic side of the SG-1 team's existence. But this time there was something more to it, it covered several themes and, alongside the obligatory nice character moments, there were truly beautiful character moments. It's all about Teal'c's right to live a free-roaming life on Earth outside of the SGC and his duties there - he's come a long way since the days when he had but little understanding of the ways of humankind and kept himself hidden, not really permitted to speak lest he say something that would blow his cover or raise suspicions about him. All that's well past now, however, represented by the fact he goes about without his beanie most of the time, proudly displaying his forehead 'tattoo' and no longer hiding behind the false name of Murray, but being Teal'c (even if he claims to be from Mozambique). And he certainly does 'be' Teal'c in his daily life, so much so that he should probably start wearing a diamond-shaped logo with a 'T' in the centre of his chest, because he couldn't be more like a superhero unless he started flying! It's a glorious opening (if odd, as you don't see where the episode's going to go from there), where the Jaffa native intervenes to prevent a bully and his burly mates from taking out his stress on a concerned citizen, KO-ing all three with little apparent effort. It's so pleasing to see Teal'c get to show his superior abilities to thugs, especially dressed in an embarrassing seventies suit that somehow makes their disgrace even more degrading!

Unfortunately for Teal'c, attention is the last thing he needs, and he's failed to keep out of other people's business (as Daniel delicately puts it), just that little too much for the authorities' comfort, which is really where much of the story lies. Or at least it might have done, but it becomes seasoned with a little soap sub-story about Pete asking Sam to marry him (another reference to the SG team's legendary qualities as Pete still finds it hard to fathom that his girlfriend is an intergalactic superhero), and her needing time to think about it, goes a bit 'Karate Kid' for a beat or two (Teal'c teaches a girl martial arts), then steps way off the expected route by heading into kidnapping by ex-NID, desperate for Daniel to translate some Goa'uld dialect for their own nefarious purposes. That's where the episode lost itself a little because in the need for intrigue it loses sight of the question of freedom and alien rights (both in the 'Stargate' universe and in the real world of different cultures), something that could have really done with exploration instead of falling back on tried and tested warehouses, Zat guns and heavily armed police forces (except for Sam and Pete because they're the hero characters and must have their faces clearly shown!). Not to say the ex-NID side had no interest, it does, and it's good to be reminded that there are factions out there on planet Earth going about their business without a by your leave from the SGC (or any other authority), a thread to be picked up at any time.

I just felt it was a shame when the writing was so good, and the subtext and subtlety was on such strong form, as well as the delight and the comedy, that they felt the need to stray out of simply seeing how the characters live, in particular how well Teal'c has learned to conduct himself around humans. It helps that Erica Durance is his costar for much of his storyline, although I didn't realise I'd ever seen her in anything before 'Smallville,' which was making me wonder if this was an episode I'd never watched before - until Teal'c reluctantly gets involved once again, throwing a pomegranate or some other piece of fruit, a good hundred metres or more to take down a rapidly retreating bag-snatcher! Again, it's like he's some kind of comic book superhero, but unlike the many bloated hero films we have to endure these days, characters like Teal'c (or many of the Trek characters with special abilities), are far better defined and rounded beings, and much more interesting to watch because of that. His wish to help people at any opportunity is an inspiration (and reminded me of Benton Frazer from 'Due South'), even if he's puzzled by Daniel's advice to keep out of other people's business (yet there are exceptions, the Doctor says pointedly as he leaves Teal'c and Durance's Christa - why are young female neighbours always called that? - alone after she's visited him to ask for help with the plumbing).

The interaction between the friendships is lovely to see, and rarely does it get this good. Not just Daniel's kindly visit to straighten out Teal'c's unbridled exhibitionism, or the scene where Daniel explains the differences between men and women's experiences (with Sam suddenly chipping in with her own issues about society making you feel abnormal for being alone or making you expect some kind of romantic ideal, reacting to Pete's proposal, without Teal'c and Daniel understanding!), but crowning the lot is O'Neill coming down from 'on high,' the big office, to see her, having noticed she's not behaving normally, jokes about her getting her report to him as quickly as possible, then self-sacrificially puts in a good word for Pete when Sam's not sure if it's the right course to follow. The conversation they have about whether a member of the SGC can have a family, or specifically whether 'they' should, leads to a reminder of Jack's own tragedy - without ever even mentioning it they cover that ground touchingly, ending with the positive view that he wouldn't have been there if it hadn't happened. If you didn't know the characters or their backstories you could watch it and enjoy it as a deep conversation between two old friends, but if you know what it's about it's quite moving. It's as close as I can remember the team's obvious familial ties together coming through, in the same way as Kirk, Spock and Bones call out their own friendship as the bond of family in 'Star Trek V.'

Like I said, I could have done with much more examination and threat to Teal'c's liberty on planet Earth, in spite of saving it several times, and a whole episode just about his fish out of water antics, or missing certain key points of understanding could have made for an even more satisfying episode. But I can't fault it for putting out an enjoyable, heartfelt runaround that knocks on the door of a few deeper ideas and reminds us why we care about the series in the first place: not for aliens and special effects, clever sci-fi ideas or an intricate, detail-heavy mythology, but for the simple fact that it's a pleasure to be with these people. Even after eight seasons, and considering O'Neill's reduction in participation in this and subsequent seasons it's a real joy to see him a good part of it, too. It even ends as I'd hoped, with a final scene between Teal'c and his new friends as he leaves: poetic and pleasant. It struck me during the opening credits, and I'm surprised I never thought of it before: is David DeLuise (Pete), Peter DeLuise's brother, because there's a definite family resemblance to the Supervising Producer, who also wrote and directed this episode!

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