#Brigit o stargate

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Staragte SG-1

Demons > S3.8

First, "The demon comes!" ~Peter DeLuise I really like that they chose to continue the Unas thread instead of letting it die with Thor's Hammer.

Second, The moment when Teal'c is about to be executed for being an evil being has the most in character responses from all of SG-1.

Daniel: We'll go back where we came from! Sam: He's innocent! Jack: You sons of bitches!

Third, I can't find a GIF of it so sorry, but O'Neill chomping on a piece of straw in a prison cell.

Fourth, Jack calls the Unas “Eunice,” because of course he does.

Fifth, The conclusion of this episode drives me nuts from a tactical perspective... Really implausible. Like that chain is just dragging behind them for no good reason except that the story needs it to be a vulnerability.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1 Spirits > S2.13

First of all, in case you're keeping track, this is the last time we hear "Sam" from the Colonel for quite a while... maybe ever? Don't ask how or why I know these things. Just go read my pinned fanfic if you're really into this sort of obsessive Sam/Jack (SamJack, Car'Neill, O'Carter, JamSack, SpaceJam, etc.) observation.

Second, this is probably one of my least favorite episodes. I've read that this script was actually re-worked due to RDA filming availability conflict so it comes across weird with having Amanda delivering lines that were written for him, but that's not why I dislike it. Minor rant incoming. I fully agree with the message of this episode, however, the delivery is so very, very, very ON. THE. NOSE. I really enjoy subtlety when I'm being preached to. A GOOD example of this sort of thing is "The Other Side" and the If you could kill baby Hitler, would you do it? dilemma.

Third, vagina faced aliens in quicksilver robes.

Fourth, Jack & Daniel being Jack & Daniel. Jack to Daniel with finger on the trigger: "How do I know you're really you?" Daniel: "Because..." Jack: "Yeah, okay."

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

Into The Fire S3.1

First of all, I want Bra'tac to be immortal.

Second, my USAF husband loves it when Makepeace runs through the control room yelling "Make a hole." He proudly tells me, "That's an Air Force thing." I don't have the heart to tell him that Makepeace is a Marine. Third, General Hammond…

Fourth, this suit… what is this and why do I simultaneously love and hate it?

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

Frozen > S6.4

First of all, this episode is all set-up in terms of set-up/payoff. While that’s perfectly fine, it leaves you knowing you don’t have the rest of the story. There’s a lot going on here and it along with the companion Abyss are probably in my top twenty.

Second, hey! It’s an Ancient! Bitchin’. I’m not as intrigued by the Ancients as Daniel and everyone who loves Atlantis seems to be, but I do think it’s interesting that they all have their own set of unique traits. It’s not a one size fits all super hero situation.

Third, buy The North Face and you too could be a member of SG-1.

Fourth, Jonas Quinn. Just Jonas Quinn now and forever. I’m about to say it. I like him better than Daniel. Daniel is so much more meaningful to the franchise, but to me (though I know I’m a rarity) Jonas is just more likable overall. His flaws are being naive and overly enthusiastic. How can you not like that? It stands to reason that if we had more time with him, his deeper character flaws would have been revealed, and I may change my opinion. I also think it's important to point out that we don't have to choose one or the other. We should have had both of them.

Fifth, Janet Fraiser. Even when her patients are the ones that get on her last nerve, her commitment is 100% every single time.

Sixth, O’Neill’s core values (a few of them, at least) are individualism (to include bodily autonomy), protection of the innocent, duty to the cause, self-sacrifice (arguably, in the unhealthy form of self-recrimination/self-hatred). His commitment to individualism is only overridden by Carter’s appeal to his other core values. She gives him the justification to live by telling him that the OTHER things he believes in are also on the line. And listen… everybody’s playing their song. It’s not the first time he’s done something he didn’t want to do because she said “please.”

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

The Fifth Race > S2.15

First of all, Jack loves getting his head sucked by the "Ancient Head Sucker Thing." He pretends it's an inconvenience, but really, he enjoys it. The team assumes that nothing happened when Teal'c looked into it because he's a Jaffa, but what if it's something different?

(SPOILER FOR SEASON 7)

What if it only activates for those with the Ancient gene? I know we don't know about that yet, but it makes sense to me. If that's true, it really decreases the significance of the rest of the team making the offer in The Lost City.

Second, Daniel is the only one who refuses to leave Jack. Good job, Daniel. To be fair, it makes sense for him to stay given the circumstances.

Third, Carter's epic sunburn. I feel you, girl.

Fourth, Do we think that knowledge of the Ancients would have a different impact on a human without a Military Engineering degree? Like... does it interact with the "host" of the knowledge at all? Just a thought.

Fifth, Teal'c: "I will accompany you, O'Neill." 😭😭 Their bromance is next level. Like... sure, Daniel is going to stay with him, but Teal'c... Teal'c is going to go with him. To the unknown. To a likely death. True love.

Sixth, Makeup did a really good job on RDA's face. He looks like he's recovering from a week long flu when he pops up off the floor in front of Thor.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

The First Commandment > S1.5

First of all, there isn’t a lot of great GIFing opportunity in this episode, so please enjoy this photo I took of a rock that reminded me of the ridiculous masks they wear in the opening.

Second, This feels like the first time Teal'c ever experienced a compliment. He looks really stunned, but he does know the appropriate response.

Dude to Teal'c: "Good drawing." Teal'c: "Thank you."

Third, Sam and Daniel talking about her ex with Jack bringing up the rear is such a good use of the visual media to add subtext to a conversation, and anyone who says they weren't trying to set up Sam/Jack until late season 2 or 3 is a damn liar.

Daniel: "Well, what did you see in him?" Sam: "I don't know, I guess I've always had a soft spot for the lunatic fringe." Camera: Looks dead on at Jack. Sam: "He was... he was charming." Daniel: "Well, that's good. Charming is good." Sam: "I don't know. I should be more surprised by this than I am, but I'm not. He had this in him, Daniel. Too many years of black ops." Daniel: "Well, that's typical of our government's evaluation of soldiers. The crazier they are, the more extreme the situation they seem to be put into." Daniel: Looks back at Jack who is studiously attempting to not look like he's listening.

Fourth, Sam is the "healer of the emotionally wounded," and Jonas Hanson was her one failure. Who were her prior successes???

Fifth, this is character development episode for Sam. And while I think it’s interesting to see the kind of person she’s attracted to, I think it’s more interesting to see that she feels pressured to be LIKE the kind of person she’s attracted to. The closing scene when O’Neill (who has been designated as one of the lunatic fringe by Daniel’s askance glance) tells her that she doesn’t need to be like the crazy dudes is a solidification of her right to be smart, nerdy Sam. He gives her permission to lean in to who she is, and ignore the self-imposed pressure to be something she isn’t.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

Holiday > S2.17

First of all, Michael Shanks and Chris Judge own this episode, and it's not even close.

Second, this whole episode is unrealistic, and it's not because of the body swapping. O'Neill would never be able to Kel'no'reem.

Third, General Hammond's menacing growl: "I don't know about the customs on your planet, but here on Earth, the value of a human life is priceless."

SPOILERS for season 3

Fourth, Daniel's sole drive for survival is to find Sha're. Sometimes I forget how singularly focused he was in early seasons, and while it's terrible that he lost her, I think it definitely opened up his character to more depth.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

Abyss > S6.6

First of all, I’m going to start by drawing a perhaps uncommon connection. I wouldn’t be the first to make the observations about O’Neill’s commitment to a short-haired blonde, and while that’s definitely a part of this storyline, I think it misses the bigger picture. That being, the resolution to 6 years of head-butting between Jack and Daniel. Abyss, while the short-term conclusion to Frozen is a long-term bookend to Meridian.

These two characters are constantly at odds, both wanting the same end result but having very different ways of achieving those results. In Meridian we see Jack make the unlikely decision to honor Daniel’s wishes and let him go. He lets Daniel choose his own path. In Abyss, we see Daniel go through the same struggle. He tries to convince Jack to do things the Ascension way, but in the end, Daniel realizes he has to let Jack be Jack. Just like Jack did for him in Meridian.

On the surface it's just choosing two different paths. Just a very little below the surface it's two people allowing and accepting that they will never change each other, and understanding that it's okay.

Second, Jack: “Though a candle burns in my house, there’s nobody home.”

Third, Artistically, this is a really high end episode. The palette, composition, set design, lighting... just everything is so good. Not to mention that I cannot think of a better performance from RDA & Shanks as a duo. If you think of one, let me know.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

1969 > S2.21

First of all, I may get some heat for this one, given that this is a really popular episode, but I gotta say, not my favorite. It's good, but it's not one I watch on repeat.

Second, Jack: "Elegant in its simplicity, don't ya think?" Show me an idiot who talks this way. I'll wait.

Third, the way all the guys hide in the ditch while they try to use Carter's feminine wiles to hitch a ride. Poor girl never stood a chance in those BDUs.

Fourth, I am in no way qualified to comment on Daniel's German accent, but I do have feelings about it. It appears to be a mix of German and French from time to time. If anyone IS qualified, I would love your comments.

SPOILERS for Season 4

Fifth, if adult Cassandra is in what appears to be an abandoned Gate Room, we can assume that the Stargate program is no longer operational. The only thing that will save us all from this as a reality is that the episode "2010" and consequently "2001" occur after this. Meaning that the entire timeline could have changed and the program is still running. However, in that timeline, I'm pretty sure the gate is in DC. Am I remembering that incorrectly? Awful things happen to wizards who meddle with time. Seems like there might be some inconsistencies here. In general this is why I'm not big on time travel plotlines.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

Touchstone > S2.14

First of all, this is one is near the top of my "yeah, it was pretty good" (i.e., the middle) list of earlier season episodes. Actual weather manipulation done by the US Military aside, it's just fascinating to me to see the impact that something we so take for granted has on a society.

Second, Major Reynolds!!! One of, if not my favorite minor characters. He changes a lot over the course of the series, and I really can't imagine the S5 Reynolds saying "meaning of life stuff." Also... isn't SG-3 a Marine unit? But he appears to be in USAF duds in Season 2. That's pretty weird. Anybody know? Did SG-3 cease to be a Marine unit after Makepeace was dethroned?

Third, Teal'c to Maybourne: "In my culture, I would be well within my rights to dismember you."

Fourth, Jack's hair can't decide what color it wants to be. All of the colors is apparently the correct answer. Could also just wear a backwards cap with the bill flipped up to avoid questions about the hair color.

Fifth, I love you Daniel, my sweet boy, but why are you here exactly?

SIxth, is this the last time we see the Antarctic DHD used? Also, why wasn't it immediately brought to the SGC when it was recovered from Antarctica? Probably more efficient and accurate than 4 supercomputers that were MacGyver'd to work. No offense, Carter. I love you with all my heart. PSA: Tagging all of my... what do you call this? Live blogging? idk, when I summarize my thoughts about a Stargate episode, I'll tag it: #Brigit O Stargate. Just in case you wanna follow this, but not all my SamJack shippy madness.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

Show And Tell > S2.20

First of all, the first time I watched this episode I thought that it was awkward, uncomfortable, and unnecessarily cruel. I still kind of do. "Can I be called Charlie?" Rip my heart out, please.

Second, it’s funny to me that everyone just assumes Carter is going to talk to the kid and the kid says, “excuse me lady, I want the angry looking man in the corner.”

Third, every time I start to think Jack is being an ass to Daniel, I remember that Mr. “I speak 23 languages” can’t be bothered to learn basic hand signals. When I remember this, I realize that Jack is still being an ass, but Daniel returns the favor in his own quiet way.

Fourth, I know a lot of fans are upset that the Reetou weren’t properly revisited, but… I don’t really like them. I’m not sad about it.

Fifth, the question we’re all asking though, what happened to “Charlie”???

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

Serpent's Song > S2.18

First of all, where the heck is Jack’s hat? Weird to see him in proper uniform.

Second, I was wrong. We do get a “Sam” from Jack during this episode which would make it the latest occurrence in SG-1. Thanks to a previous comment that pointed this out for me.

Third, Daniel giving last rites to the host of Apophis who destroyed his life is heart-wrenching, but his willingness to do it has to be there to justify him holding out hope for Sha’re.

Fourth, Time for a difficult discussion. The demonization of our enemies--the dehumanizing of our enemies--does not make them demons. It does not make them less human. The host of Apophis is a pitiful victim, just as Sha're is. Collateral damage occurs every time a Goa'uld is killed. Out of context of Stargate, dehumanization of those we oppose is never the answer. Demonization of another human being who holds a different opinion is never the answer. But of course, you can feel free to disagree with me.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

2010 > S4.16

First of all, contrary to my prior claims that I don’t like the timey wimey episodes, I enjoy the Aschen/Ashen plot line.

Second, the one where Walter gets a name.

Third, having heard Amanda Tapping talk about in a panel how she had struggled a bit with infertility, I watched this episode and my heart broke. How hard would that be to put on screen what was so deeply personal and real? 💔

SPOILERS for Season 8

Fourth, this is the episode when I decided (during my first watch) that the writers were shifting the ship for these two in a more tragic direction. I said, “oh, he’s Snape.” Imagine my surprise when that episode comes up and he says that one word. I already checked so you don’t have to. Jack said it before Snape.

This also seems like a good time to address my “I’ve seen this episode of…” propensity. There is nothing new under the sun. Just the same personalities and archetypes we’ve been writing for centuries. If something seems familiar, just know that’s because it was modeled after a human. It doesn’t have to diminish the beauty of the creation.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

The Light > S4.18

First of all, Have we talked about the fact that despite prior refusals and resistance, O’Neill bet against Daniel that Carter would in fact take time off? He never stopped believing in her potential to chill the heck out, but it makes her angry rant on the beach a little more hurtful. Seriously, this is an honest question. I’m new. Have we talked about this already?

Second, For nine seasons we were robbed of a dinner party at Daniel’s apartment during which he played piano in his living room for his friends.

Third, The most unrealistic thing about Stargate SG-1 is the total lack of inappropriate cursing on a military base. Everything else, completely probable.

Jack to Fraiser: “what kind of a dumbass question is that?”

Fourth, Jack trying to talk to people when Daniel is out of commission is something else to see. Even with a kid he’s awkward.

Fifth, Jack out of context speaking for men whose women like it in the dark, or more succinctly put, “that’s what HE said.”

“Well, it’s sure not as much fun to look at with the light off.”

Sixth, I always wondered what happened to Loran after he came back to Earth. Did he like the ice cream? Did he get brain freeze? Enquiring minds want to know.

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

A Matter of Time > S2.16

First of all, I can't think of another time when we see O'Neill express such disappointment in Carter. Rightly, so, but also, I see her point. It's quite a role reversal for them too. She is usually the more empathetic character, but of course, Henry Boyd is a friend for whom O'Neill feels responsible, so he feels it more acutely.

Second, Lieutenant Graham. That silly fella who has a crush on Carter. She's real good at telling him what to do.

Third, I love these episodes where we get visitors from O'Neill's past. It's such a great device to reveal little bits of his history without making him a "women writing men" character who talks about his feelings all the time. I know we usually talk about "men writing women," but I think it applies both directions. In this one, particularly, we get a reveal of his past/character for the audience, but NOT to his team. We now know pieces of him that no one else does. Just as a treat.

Fourth, Those glass shattering effects are a little rough. They don't quite hold up, but the camera work while they're trying not to get sucked in makes up for it.

Fifth, Teal'c! Where we would SG-1 be without your over-developed muscles?? Expired. That's where.

Sixth, What do you think? Anything you disagree with? Did I miss something important?

[brigitoshaughnessy]

Stargate SG-1

One False Step > S2.19

First of all, this is going to be one where I have way too many thoughts. Suffice it to say that most issues are complex. It's easy to think that you (the individual or as a representative of a collective group) have or are the solution to the problem. But until you fully understand that problem and all of its nuance, you can't possibly know that to be true. You cannot predict the ripple effect that your actions will have on an alien aka foreign (Earthly or otherwise) society. Not to get political at all. This is really more of an anthropological issue. One of my most memorable reads while I was in undergrad was a book called "When Helping Hurts." It delves into the unforeseen anecdotal consequences of "helping" various so-called underprivileged groups all over the world. The conclusion of this read was, don't solve problems for others. Enable them to solve their own problems. While this episode specifically targets foreign cultures, I think this is also applicable domestically (see previous post regarding macro/micro cultures).

Second, I actually really don't like this episode. I don't think it's anyone's favorite, but I do believe in the message of it.

Third, Jack and Daniel are just so... Jack and Daniel. They really are perfectly paired characters for endless tension. Superbly done by the creators.

Fourth, Sam “I talk to my plants” Carter. Has anything ever defined a character’s personal life more? Oh, honey.