Greetings, intrepid sci-fi lovers!

I know it has been some time since I posted an article. My apologies. But, I’m back now and I’m ready to talk about one of my favorite sci-fi shows again: Stargate SG-1!

This time I will share my thoughts on the show’s fourth season. Let’s dive in, shall we?

The season opens with following up on the end of season three. In the episode “Small Victories” the seemingly-endless replicator horde has been destroyed, all but one. The final bug makes it onto a submarine, which it promptly begins to consume and use to replicate. Our heroes divide into two teams with O’Neill and Teal’c boarding the vessel and Major Carter assisting the Asgardians in destroying the remaining infected ships. With a lot of gunplay and strategizing our heroes save the day.

Episode rating: 3.9

The SG-1 team travel to an earth-like world with a subterranean society fighting off hostile neighbors through use of drone technology. However, the seemingly peaceful people of Euronda wish to barter with Earth only if they are traded in heavy water. Dr. Jackson, morally disgusted by them argues that his SG-1 crewmates do not agree to their terms. Sadly, he is soundly shut down until the natives admit they are the aggressors and they wish to commit genocide on the “Breeders.” The inter-team drama makes this short story worth the watch.

Episode rating: 4.2

The SG-1 team is desperate to have an advantage over Apophis, so they use a new armband that grants them each superpowers. Comedic mayhem and serious butt-kicking follows. What the Tok’ra Anise fails to prevent is the eventual power drain that results in SG-1 being rendered unconscious and weak. The superpowered team’s escapades are highly memorable. “Upgrades” is worth a good re-watch.

Episode rating: 4.5

In the following episode “Crossroads” our heroes are visited by another ally, a Jaffa priestess, called Shan’auc. Shan’auc’s relays the message that the Jaffa are able to commune with and learn from their symbiote. The priestess has a deep romantic bond with Teal’c, and with her visit our favorite Jaffa finds himself raptured by passion and hope. What follows is a dramatic tale of love and vengeance, in which we see more and more of Teal’c’s personal ambitions.

Episode rating: 4.4

The Goa’uld prove themselves to be insidious and depraved opponents by showcase their latest weapon against Stargate SG-1: Za’tarcs. Za’tarcs and mind-controlled moles who are set loose with a subconscious mission programmed within themselves to kill enemies of the Goa’uld and then themselves. Sadly, our team isn’t able to prevent the mass murder until it is too late. The Tok’ra provide them with a lie-detector machine that examines brainwave patterns and weed out the spy. Due to the team being unconscious in Goa’uld territory two episodes ago in “Upgrades” Colonel O’Neill and Major Carter are prime suspects. However, this machine forces the two to be truthful about everything, even their own feelings for each other. The high stakes and the continuation of the romance plot make “Divide and Conquer” a highly ratable episode.

Episode Rating: 4.6

What follows is my all-time favorite SG-1 episode. In “Window of Opportunity” Teal’c and Colonel O’Neill are stuck in a time loop where they are forced to relive the last ten hours over and over. The comedic duo master Latin, pull pranks on base staff and even quit their jobs! This endless loop of comedy and strategizing really made me connect with the characters of Colonel O’Neill and Teal’c. It showed me how they solved problems but also their creative imaginations. Besides the character development the episode really takes it to the next level by its villain. Here we are presented with a sympathetic anti-villain. We are treated by Richard Dean Anderson delivering a phenomenal performance here.

Episode rating: 5

In the episode “Watergate” our heroes discover that the Russian government has their own Stargate! But, before Colonel O’Neill and the gang can shut down this illegal project SG-1 must save the Russian scientists from an alien incursion. This time a watery entity threatens humanity itself. The spy intrigue, the claustrophobic horror elements and the aquatic environment make “Watergate” a standout episode.

Episode rating: 4.5

What I love about this show is its ability to tell a captivating story through various means: “The First Ones” tells a gripping story with very little dialogue. In this story Daniel Jackson is stranded on an earth-like planet dependent on a large anthropomorphic reptilian creature. Chaka, as he is called, is forced to trust Dr Jackson and viele verse. Through this short misadventure Daniel Jackson learns that there are more allies than just the Tok’ra scattered throughout the universe.

Episode rating: 4.7

In “Scorched Earth” the SG-1 team attempt to help find a planet for a displaced humanoid race called the Enkarans. However, this peaceful plan is halted when a large seemingly-indestructible ship appears in the sky and begins to terraform the planet. Daniel Jackson and Colonel O’Neill again find themselves at odds. The one devises a destructive solution and the other continues searching for a peaceful one. I really enjoyed this episode for its sense of adventure and inter-team drama.

Episode rating: 4.7

When our heroes are put to work in an underground mine in “Beneath the Surface” what follows is a heartfelt tale of friendship, idealism and accepting one’s identity apart from societal class. While this is not a must-watch episode due to the amnesia-trope I do think it tells an important story of the innate nature of destiny.

Episode rating: 4.4

“Point of No Return” does the opposite of the previous episode by putting our heroes in a small-scope wacky adventure where the main plot doesn’t even revolve around them! The SG-1 team discover they have an acute stalker in the form of the annoying-yet-harmless Martin Lloyd. Lloyd insists that he knows there is a Stargate on earth and threatens to publicize his knowledge. His over-the-top antics and public medication dependence, however, frustrate his credibility. Nonetheless, our team discovers that Lloyd has very real enemies who are intent on remaining a conspiracy. I had a lot of fun with this episode. The intriguing plot, unintentionally funny scenes and incredible performance by Willie Garson had me hooked!

Episode rating: 4.8

Episode Twelve: “Tangent” is another rescue-centric episode. While this is not my favorite kind of episode it does, however, manage to further the main plot. It does this while advancing several subplots. The Air Force, now possessing Goa’uld technology, manage to re-purpose a glider and add Earth technology to the craft. The X-301 manages to outperform anything available on Earth during test flight. But when it breaches atmosphere it cannot overcome its programming by Apophis, which, strands Teal’c and O’Neill in outer space. The two are helpless and can only patiently await rescue by the Tok’ra.

Episode rating: 4.4

“The Curse” takes us back to Daniel Jackson and his professional circles. When a famed professor mysteriously dies Dr Jackson investigates. He discovers that a Goa’uld System Lord is possibly running loose on Earth. It’s too bad that Daniel Jackson’s friends are alienated from him for his “going off the grid” to join SG-1.

Episode rating: 4.5

In “The Serpent’s Venom” we are taken back to the main plot of defeating the Goa’uld System Lords. Within this episode we see SG-1 and the Tok’ra working together once again. This time they are attempting to sabotage all alliance between Heru’ur and Apophis. Can they, through subterfuge, thwart this deadly union all the while saving one of their captured members? Or, have they bitten off more they can chew like the X-301 fiasco?

Episode rating: 4.4

One thing I love about this show is its use of interpersonal drama. When used correctly it can feel just as impactful (sometimes much more so) than any alien spaceship. “Chain Reaction” tells the story of General Hammond retiring from active duty. Our team feels devastated, and O’Neill in particular races to reinstate their beloved colleague. O’Neill is forced to ask the question: ‘how far will he go for a friend?’ While O’Neill is pushed to question and break several of his moral codes the SG-1 team finds itself using the most frightening weapon ever created by human hands. The behemoth sizes bomb is detonated by the unstable General Bauer. For its interpersonal drama and the moral dilemmas this episode tackles it earns a must-watch from me.

Episode rating: 4.8

“2010” is another memorable episode that proves effective storytelling is more dependent on well-earned character depth not gunfights and explosions. Stargate SG-1’s sixteenth episode tells the story of an idyllic Earth in 2010 with no war, disease and even less death! Aging is staved off by life-extending drugs. Our team is living happily on a prosperous Earth minus O’Neill. The reason for this long-lasting peace is the arrival of a technologically advanced humanoid race called the Aschen. The Aschen brought their technological advances to Earth, which helped them utterly defeat the Goa’uld and solve their own global problems. This peace however, caused a suspicious and disenchanted Colonel O’Neill to retire to a boring life of solitude. Our familiar heroes are all happy and content with their status in life until Major Carter discovers humanity has inherited more than just long-life and technology from the Aschen. The writing and acting in this episode left me impressed and wanting more!

Episode rating: 4.9

In “Absolute Power” we get another character-driven episode with the Harcesis visiting Earth and wowing everyone with his incomprehensible wisdom and intellect. Dr Jackson asks him for all the knowledge he possesses in order to permanently defeat the Goa’uld threat. The wise wunderkind gives him a taste of this knowledge and allows to see how Dr Jackson would truly use this immense power. What follows is clever story writing and a phenomenal performance by actor Michael Shanks.

Episode rating: 4.7

The SG-1 team continue to search for weapons and technology to help them defeat the Goa’uld. On a lone mysterious planet they encounter an ethereal hypnotizing light that will provide more than just momentary amusement. “The Light” explores the topics of addiction and how technology can have unforeseen effects on humanity despite our best efforts.

Episode rating: 4.6

The episode “the Prodigy” focuses on the future generation of Stargate SG-1. Major Carter takes a brilliant but obnoxiously arrogant student under her wing. Through this episode we get to see what the SG-1 team does through the eyes of an outsider as well as plant the seeds for the next generation of Stargate SG teams. While this kind of episode is not my favorite it is still important to the series as a whole.

Episode rating: 4.3

“Entity” is another episode that follows Major Carter. This time an unwitting AI takes over the major’s body in a fiery accident. O’Neill, being the warrior, proposes they kill the AI and save their comrade. However, the team, in Star Trek fashion, attempts to save both the lives of Major Carter and the AI. We get another problem that forces us as the audience to pick a side: ‘save one life or value all life no matter how strange?’

Episode rating: 4.3

What we need is to mix things up! The show’s writers treat us to an action-packed episode in “Double Jeopardy” with gun battles and a unique revenge plot. When the SG-1 team arrive unannounced and in unusual garb the Cheyenne base is surprised to see their Sg-1 team is still on Earth! Our heroes rush to the aid of their AI counterparts from season one*! What the AI duplicates want is to destroy the Goa’uld and use their durable bodies to survive the onslaught! While this story is so action-packed we barely pause we do still get poignant moments that hit us right in the feels. The great use of continuity also impressed me.

Episode rating: 4.7

In “Exodus” the SG-1 team and the Tok’ra team up to defeat Apophis. In one of the most bizarre leaps of logic to me: they decide to launch a supernova at the mad tyrant’s fleet. While I applaud their bravery and ingenuity I couldn’t help but think they were causing an astronomical level of destruction to the galaxy that could even distantly affect earth. While I do think their plan is extreme I do admire the tone and pacing of this episode. The sense of urgency is beyond palpable.

Episode rating: 4.5

Thus far, Season Four is the best season yet! I have enjoyed some real bangers in the past three seasons but no season has yet to hold a candle to season four. I think that the higher amount of stellar episodes and memorable performances coupled with consistently good writing exceed anything seen in the previous seasons.

Can season five measure up? Stay tuned!

How about you? What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment and follow my page for some more sci-fi content!

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!