Deadman Switch

Stargate SG-1 Season 3 Episode 7 - Plot: SG-1 are taken captive by a Bounty Hunter. They are offered their freedom in exchange for their assistance in capturing a Goa'uld.

Aris Boch

The Bounty Hunter is a man named Aris Boch (Sam J. Jones). He claims he is from a race that was immune to being taken as a host by the Goa'uld. Sam is excited by the possibilities of such an immunity, but Aris tells them that the Goa'uld simply wiped out his race instead. We find out later that the Goa'uld enslaved Aris' people by lacing their water supply with an addictive substance.

A Goa'uld?

While Aris keeps Sam hostage, Jack, Teal'c and Daniel go to attempt to capture the Goa'uld. Problem is, he turns out to be a Tok'ra, that has recently gone on the run having been found as a spy by Sokar. The Tok'ra is Korra and he, along with SG-1 are unwilling to let him fall in to the hands of a System Lord, who may compel him to reveal sensitive information. Aris cannot return to Sokar empty-handed, so Teal'c offers to take Korra's place.

A Change of Heart

As Aris takes Teal'c away, he asks more questions about the Tok'ra and Earth's fight against the System Lord. He has a change of heart and makes his ship self destruct as he and Teal'c escape away in escape pods. Clearly, news of the Tok'ra and their fight with StarGate Command against the System Lords has given him hope of a future without them.

SG-1's Value

During their capture, Aris explains SG-1's value to a System Lord. Teal'c is obviously the most value, as they'd like to make an example of him to other would-be traitors. Sam is next as she contains the memories of Jolinar. After that is Jack for being a pain in the 'nikta' (which doesn't stand for neck). Finally, Aris says that Daniel is probably worth about a day's rations. Daniel is understandably perturbed by this.

However, Aris later reveals that Daniel is actually worth a lot more because he's the one that figured out how to use the StarGate in the first place. That news doesn't make him feel much better.

The Review

Well this was very enjoyable. Sam J. Jones was excellent as Aris, a funny, larger than life character. Probably the best thing is that he is, of course, Flash Gordon from the 1980 film. It took me ages to place him, he's certainly pretty well built now. They could've cast him as Marv in Sin City, they probably wouldn't have needed all the make-up they needed for Mickey Rourke to fulfill the role!

I thought the episode was being set up for a two-parter, with Aris taking Teal'c away to Sokar at the end of this episode, SG-1 would find a way to free him in the next. Still, it was quite a satisfying end, thanks mostly to a really classy shot where we see Aris ship flying off in to the distance behind Sam and Jack (see above). It then explodes and we see the two escape pods flying back down to the ground. Great effect and well produced.

So yeah, good fun!

8 out of 10