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

Thor's Chariot

Plot: SG-1 return to Cimmeria to help the people defend a Goa'uld invasion. While Jack and Teal'c are engaged in protecting the Cimmerians, Jack and Sam journey to Thor's Hall, where they hope the Asgard have left means for the Cimmerians to defend themselves.


We'll start with a great Teal'c quote:

DANIEL - Well I guess we’ll just have to hold up in here a while until things calm down.
TEAL’C - Things will not calm down, Daniel Jackson. They will, in fact, calm up.
O’NEILL - He means things will escalate, of course.

This episode's importance lies in the fact that it is the first appearance of an Asgard in their true form. We're introduced to Thor properly for the first time and will come to know him quite well through the next 8 and a 3/4 seasons. Thor only revealed himself after Daniel and Sam proved their worthiness. In truth, this was a method for allowing the Asgard to ensure that the Cimmerian's had reached a high enough level of sophistication for the Asgard to reveal their true selves to them. The process involved two trials, in which their bravery, selflessness and wisdom were tested. It was a fun watch and it won't be the last time that SG-1 have to go through similar trials to prove their worth to older civilisations.

Thor's Chariot is something of a sequel to Thor's Hammer and we see the consequences of the actions that were taken in that episode of season one. Specifically, the destruction of Thor's Hammer to free Teal'c from the labyrinth. Understandably, Thor is a little unhappy that the Cimmerians were put in danger in this way. Still, he rides in at the last moment in a spectacular ship to save the day from the invading Goa'uld.

That Goa'uld is Heru'ur, who has the rather dubious honour of being the son of both Ra and Hathor. Interestingly, SG-1 first suspected that the invading Goa'uld was Apophis. As I recall though, they should have been under the assumption that Apophis had been killed after they repelled the invasion of Earth at the beginning of the season. No matter though, as the audience at least knew that he'd escaped. I'm interested to see how that plays out when Apophis next returns in the show.

We also find out in this episode a little more about the after effects of Sam's blending with the Tok'ra Jolinar. It turns out that she can control Goa'uld technology, such as a hand device. It's interesting to see this develop as if it's a super power, though I think the writers lose interest with the idea after a while, because I don't remember it playing much of a part in the later seasons. It's akin to the ancient gene that is such a big part of Stargate Atlantis.

This doesn't quite reach the heights of Thor's Hammer, but it's fun and exciting and a fine conclusion to the plot that was started in season 1. SG-1 have now made a powerful ally in the Asgard, even if they still consider the Tau'ri a little too young to be allowed the keys to kingdom just yet.

8 out of 10