The Torment of Tantalus

Plot: Daniel discovers that a group of scientists managed to activate the gate in 1945. One of the scientists (Ernest Littlefield, Catherine Langford's fiancee) went through the Stargate but never returned, leading to the programme being disbanded. Daniel enlists the help of Catherine and SG-1 to travel to the address in the hope of finding Ernest.


There's end of the world weather kicking off in the skies of West Yorkshire this evening, heavy rain, thunder and lightning has made quite a spectacle. How apt that this should be the next episode to watch. Regular fans will know it for the fact that it features prominently in the SG-1 title sequence, as well as in many trailers and montages following it. It, famously, features a lightning storm that allows SG-1 to power the gate and return home, Back to the Future style.

The Torment of Tantalus builds beautifully on the plot lines drawn in Thor's Hammer. The team discover a room within the castle holding the gate. It appears to be a meeting place for four alien races, each denoted by different forms of scripture on the wall. One of those forms is set to become quite familiar to Stargate fans, it's Ancient, a language that leads to the understanding of a wealth of knowledge about the universe. But not yet. Daniel becomes obsessed with information held in the room, but must give it up to escape the castle, which is falling apart around him.

Epic intrigue that works so well when watched in sequence. I've seen and loved this episode before, but it's so much better in context.

What more? Paul McGillion is in it! He plays the young Ernest Littlefield, Catherine's fiancee who was lost in 1945. Indeed, that 1945 sequence is extremely interesting on its own. Exploring the history of mankind's dealings with the gate and the shocking consequences that came about because of it.

Early in the episode, Daniel speculates upon the fact that the address to the planet does not feature in the Abydos database. This could mean that the Goa'uld do not know if it, have never been there and that they probably weren't responsible for building them. We all know who did, but it's so exciting to see all these tiny bits of plot fall in to place so beautifully.

This is a great piece of television and one of SG-1's finest moments. Bravo.

9 out of 10