Review:
This is the second instalment of SG-1’s 10th and
final year, featuring the second set of four episodes, which includes the
show’s 200th episode.
10.5 - Uninvited
The episode begins around a proposed team break at O’Neil’s
secluded cabin, so that they can all get along better and be more comfortable
with each other. Landry and Mitchell are the first to arrive, and end up going
through most of it on their own as a series of hold-ups prevent the rest of the
team arriving, developing into the main storyline for this episode.
After observing a few planets, there are a series of vicious
attacks on the locals by some strange beast that nobody has ever seen before.
Carter and the team back at base work to find out who or what is the cause and
discover it is due to an alteration they made to their Sodan cloaking devices,
which prompts them to recall all of them and they typically discover that one
is missing. Shortly afterwards there are a series of attacks in the woods near
the cabin where Landry and Mitchell are staying, which prompts a big hunt and
investigation, as they try to find and kill the beast responsible.
This episode, does show some nice experimentation for SG-1,
delving a little into horror territory with the mutated monsters picking off
the locals, including the first proper reveal of
the beast on Earth as it snatches the sheriff. There are a few nice
character moments, even if it is a bit heavy on the briefing updates.
10.6 – 200
This is the titular 200th episode, which follows
on from the shows 100th episode Wormhole X-treme. The episode brings
back the alien Martin Lloyd, who is working on creating a movie version of his
failed television show, in a subtle nod to Firefly/Serenity. The majority of
this episode revolves around the crew coming up with various ideas for the
movie, each getting its own vignette.
Being in a similar style to the 100th will mean
that once again it’ll be another like it or hate it episode, as a lot of it is
spoofing of various other sci-fi shows as well as some jabs at the fans, so will
only really be appreciated by people who are able of getting all the
references, while others may find it a bit lacking in depth.
Overall it is a fairly good episode due to the shows they
spoofed and how, but it was limited by the fact they tried the same thing as
with the 100th, which is to try and ground it in a realistic
setting. So instead of either a top notch regular episode or a jokey one you
end up with something in-between.
10.7 - Counterstrike
Whilst undercover on an alien planet converting to Origin
the team are quickly beamed away when a powerful wave of radiation is detected
near the gate. When they return, they discover that everyone has been
vaporized, leaving behind a ghost town filled with scattered piles of clothing.
They learn that in an attempt to defeat the Ori the Jaffa council has begun
using the Ancient weapon at Dakara to wipe out any world that turns to Origin.
The situation begins to deteriorate over the moral use of the weapon, which
strains relations between Earth and the Jaffa nation.
This episode is a pretty good example of what SG-1 is
capable of, with a proper mix of action, and character moments. There is a nice
interplay between Daniel and Vala in this episode as Vala confides in how she
really feels about her daughter Adria, the leader of the Ori army. The
backstory between Landry and the Jaffa leader Se’tak is also handled pretty
well as the situation slowly escalates, while the team are trying to recover an
Ori ship and confront Adria.
10.8 – Memento Mori
After Vala is kidnapped while having dinner with Daniel, she
wakes up later strapped down in a warehouse tied up to a memory reading
machine. However during a botched rescue attempt she has her memory wiped and
flees with no idea who she is or what is going on. She manages to find work in
a diner but begins to realise things aren’t quite as they seem when she
displays skills beyond the norm. Meanwhile the Trust and SG-1 are racing to
track her down.
This episode is also another mixed bag, alternating between
some great moments and then some rather uninspired ones. It has some good
actions sequences, minding the almost copying of A History of Violence in the
diner. There is also the main focus of the episode, which is Vala, and the
episode gives her some room to develop as a character and her relationship with
Daniel. However this was let down by a somewhat lacklustre plot and sequencing.
Extras:
Audio Commentaries
As with every Stargate DVD, each episode has it’s own
commentary track. These go into various details for each episode as different
people host them associated with each episode. Normally delving into how scenes
were filmed and occasionally getting sidetracked on somewhat related stories.
Photo Gallery
This is your bog standard collection of snapshots from
episodes and production photos.
SG-1 Director’s Series ‘Memento Mori’
For the more discerning fan you have the relatively common
Director’s Series episodes, which focus on the making of the episode from the
director’s perspective and this one is no exception going into details on how
scenes were set up and put together.
Stargate SG1: Behind the 200th
This featurette goes into the creation and ideas behind the
200th episode with some bits of information and humorous moments.
Overall:
This pack brings with it another handful of solid SG-1 episodes, even though some people may be a bit disappointed with 200 or Memento Mori, they are still decent and entertaining. As well you also have the usual decision involved with these individual releases and that is whether to get each one or hold out for the box set.