Fair Game

Stargate SG-1 Season 3 Episode 3 - Plot: The Asgard warn of a major System Lord threat in the wake of Sg-1's defeat of Hathor. He helps to set up a peace summit with three of the System Lords to guarantee Earth's protection.

SGC negotiates peace treaty with Goa'uld

Having been warned by Thor of a threat posed to Earth, the SGC successfully managed to negotiate a treaty to place Earth under the Protected Planets Treaty. Negotiations had hit the rocks after it appeared that SG-1 team member, Teal'c, had attacked one of the congregation, Cronus. Sg-1 eventually uncovered a plot hatched by a 2nd member, Nirti, to sabotage the negotiations by making it appear as if Teal'c had attacked Cronus. She had utilised a technology designed to fight the Re'tu, an alien race that appears invisible to human eyes.

Having learned of Nirti's treachery, Cronus and Yu agreed to allow Earth entry in to the Protected Planets Treaty.

Protected Planets Treaty

The Protected Planets Treaty is held amongst the Goa'uld System Lords in conjunction with the Asgard to ensure that a member planet cannot be attacked by any of the System Lords. Those that break the treaty face the wrath of the Asgard. The treaty ensures that no member planet can advance beyond a technological point where they would become a threat to the Goa'uld.


An Asgard bluff

The Asgard, Thor, revealed that the treaty was in fact a bluff on the part of the Asgard. Thor claimed that their forces are stretched perilously then by an ongoing battle in their own galaxy with a force much worse than the Goa'uld.

Thor claimed that if the Goa'uld called the bluff then there is little that they could do to actually defend any of the treaty's member planets. The ruse is upheld by the Goa'uld's belief that the Asgard pose a threat far beyond their technological capability.

Teal'c reveals reason for becoming First Prime of Apophis

In a conversation with Daniel Jackson, Teal'c revealed his history with the System Lord Cronus and how that resulted in him becoming Apophis' First Prime. His father was First Prime of Cronus and was eventually killed after failing to complete a mission that Teal'c described as impossible. Following this, Teal'c and his Mother fled to Chulak where he vowed to become First Prime of Cronus' most hated enemy, Apophis.


Samantha Carter promoted

A delighted Major General George Hammond rewarded Samantha Carter with a promotion for her enacting duties far beyond her remit as Captain. For her part in defending Earth and defeating two System Lords, she was promoted to Major.

The review

I think it's fair to say that this episode's importance and notability probably outweighs it's quality. A lot happens. From Sam getting her promotion, to Teal'c telling of a fatherless childhood and, of course, the summit.

Nirti, Yu and Cronus are a pretty frightening trio. All three seem to have a formidable Earth based past, spread across the Greek, Hindu and Chinese cultures. Yu is most receptive to Earth entering the treaty. apparently he conducts most of his business away from this area of space anyway. Cronus appears to be a big mean bear, and we've already heard of Nirti's evil side, having destroyed Cassandra's planet in season one.

All of this makes for quite a charged episode and it seems at one point that Earth might have to give up the StarGates to secure their safety. Fortunately, Nirti's treachery puts paid to that.

On top of that, Thor speaks of a threat more potent that the Goa'uld. Perhaps we might meet them at some point this season. ;)

7 out of 10