Origin

DVD, Stargate SG-1 S9 (Origin)

The series had to take a dip at some point and this is where it's not quite as strong as the opening two-parter. Part two left you wanting to know what was going to happen, where would this pale Palpatine figure lead Daniel and Vala, what was going to happen with Gerak and the new leadership of the Jaffa, would Carter be in an episode properly? This part is heavy with analogy, the theme clearly set as a mirror of our world's current state as encountering religious terrorism and it's not hard to see the solid parallels between the Ori and certain Earth factions right now, but also heavy-handed in its explanation. It's a bit of a wearing episode as so much is told to us, no doubt essential scene-setting, but at times it did feel like homework, keeping track of developments and the realisation of the Ori's purpose and intent. I was also dismayed by the lack of concern for the people Daniel and Vala inhabited, as if their escape from fiery execution was enough of a relief that the episode could bow out satisfied and content that the important characters are back where they should be. Salad and Harris, or whatever their names were, are left to burn, and although their friend, who was also murdered for his heretic status, assured Daniel he and the others were willing to die for their cause, and we see the pair looking peaceful as their doom overtakes, the lack of empathy, of any scene where Daniel, at least, showed some remorse or sadness that his freedom and life was purchased through the deaths of others, left the episode seeming callous and unfeeling.

It's 'unimportant character syndrome' of most TV shows, but on the other hand I'm not sure how else their story could have ended because Daniel and Vala had made the mistake of going to that place, and sometimes just the act of opening the box is all it takes to spread death and chaos on innocents through lack of knowledge and good intentions. It reinforces the harsh religion of the Ori, that of convert or die, so it was effective, but the episode just needed a tiny scene to reflect on charging into places without foreknowledge. Not that they could have done anything, their very presence in that galaxy is what makes our galaxy known to the Ori and a target for their harsh doctrine. There is a kernel of promise and interest from the idea that the power vacuum left by the defeated Goa'uld has meant opportunists setting themselves up in place, and promises myriad enemies to deal with, and the Ori's approach of at first sending these ghastly priors via Stargate to convert the weakened and surviving peoples in their post-Goa'uld existence, while also allowing the usual build up to something like a grand scale invasion. The Crusades are mentioned, and it could be in reverse.

The story was a little untidy in terms of its clear message about the Ori, and humans and Jaffa, the differences in belief and faith, and faiths, and it's always a tricky topic to try and cover in sci-fi when real religion and personal beliefs are attempted to be shoehorned into the backdrop, yet America is still largely a Christian country, so they do try not to alienate the viewers by suggesting that despite all this that has happened, the Ancients and the Ori could still be superceded by a higher power. But the tone of it is difficult to ascertain, I wasn't sure if Mitchell was proud of his Grandma's faith or sceptical of it, a burden upon his young self or a security, though General Landry seems more positive in that direction. Whatever the case I can see the writers trying to walk a fine line so as not to offend believing viewers, while also not being afraid to pursue the idea of a system that has ditched its (false) gods, as in the Jaffa. So at a time when the Goa'uld have been swept away and uncertainty reigns, even in the relative peace, power struggles have already led to Gerak becoming leader through political manoeuvring. We get to meet the guy here, and he is as uncompromising and difficult to read as Teal'c used to be, so not a man to be trifled with and perhaps more likely to become a problem than a reliable ally.

While the major powers try to come to some sort of understanding and work out what's to be done in the new regime, perhaps the common threat of the Ori will become a new banner to march beneath and help to bind alliance stronger? Or not. It struck me that the Ori were very much in the mould of the Pah-Wraiths of 'DS9,' the powerful opposing force cut from the same cloth as the Prophets, one set on goodness, the other on destruction (complete with fiery red eyes when taking a humanoid host). The questions of intervention by the Ancients and why/why not they would or wouldn't deal with the Ori are nimbly but shortly dealt with, basically saying the Ancients won't get involved, neither will the Ori directly, though they'll send their priors to convert and the human populations will become the threat. It's the fear of the enemy within, who is the enemy and what do they look like, how will we know they are the enemy until they strike? So some unnerving stuff and a bit heavy compared to the old fun-loving planetary adventures O'Neill used to preside over. A small taste of that warm comfort is remembered through his cameo at the end where he visits Daniel and goes flying with Mitchell. I didn't get what he'd come to tell him, but I guess it was something along the lines of they were going to make sure SG-1 didn't disband after all now that the Ori have proven a new danger. It was so nice to have him, but it makes you long for him and Carter, Daniel and Teal'c to get back together and do what they always did, even though I know that's not what will happen. It's just good enough to have the series continue, however that may be. But come on Carter, where are you?

**