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.