The First Commandment

Plot: A member of SG-9 goes rogue, posing as a God for a primitive people. He works them towards death under the planet's dangerously high levels of UV radiation in order to develop a new society in his own image. It's up to SG-1 to stop him, with the aid of a member of SG-9 and a native of the planet.


Firstly, I'll mention a couple of cool guest stars in this episode. Roger Cross, who we all know and love as 24's very own Curtis, as well as William Russ, who I always remember as the Dad from Boy Meets World.

This is quite an interesting episode, as it begins to explore the idea of godhood in a bit more detail. We've already seen a running theme of native populations believing the users of the Stargate to be Gods. This episode takes that a little further to show how that belief can be exploited for personal gain.

I felt that the episode drew some parallels between Jonas Hansen, posing as a God, and Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, assuming power through insanity.

The episode is notable for developing part of Sam's back-story, specifically that she was once engaged to Hansen, but broke it off. We see her trouble with men developed further in later series.

While this wasn't a particularly stunning episode, it did have intrigue and interest enough. It is the first episode written by Robert C. Cooper, who went on to become an executive producer for the show, as well as helping to create Stargate Atlantis. I think it's clear to see from this episode alonge how his influence on the show has permeated through the following two hundred-odd episodes, especially those related to ideas of godhood.

6 out of 10