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Why it's so Goa'uld: This is one of the earlier examples of Stargate SG-1 building on its own mythology, not only reintroducing Catherine, who was in the original movie (but is now played by Elizabeth Hoffman), but also making the discovery that there was once a council of four races, who at this stage remain unrevealed. It's also a rather touching tale from the perspective of Ernest and Catherine, who are finally reunited after half a century.
Highlight: The scene where Ernest shows Daniel his discovery is truly magical, with some impressive computer generated effects. It also enables the viewer to feel Daniel's frustration at the end when he is forced to leave the planet, possibly forever, when it becomes unstable.
Why it's so Goa'uld: Parallel universe stories are usually pretty good, if only because they allow the writers to make the characters different for one week, kill some of the regulars, and do things that would mean the end of the normal show. In this case the Goa'uld have invaded and are steadily disintegrating cities, with the Stargate being used to get as many of the 'useful' people off-planet as possible to save the human race from becoming hosts.
Highlights: Watching Richard Dean Anderson clearly loving every minute of his role as General O'Neill, and seeing Hammond a mere footsoldier obeying his every word. There are also a series of fine last stands, and the air of doom is expertly evoked as Daniel realizes that unless he can stop it somehow, his Earth will fall in the same way as this one.
Why it's so Goa'uld: The viewer spends most of this episode totally open-mouthed, not just from the sight of two Goa'uld ships in space and later hovering threateningly over Earth, but also because four members of SG-1 and one traitor guard (another of Teal'c's old friend Bra'tac's regular appearances) doesn't look like a winning combination to beat Apophis and his 'son' Skaara.
Highlights: The final explosion of the Goa'uld ships and the escape of SG-1 in gliders should elicit a cheer from anyone watching, and Tony Amendola's Bra'tac is always a welcome addition, even if he does seem to always mysteriously turn up just as SG-1 really need some inside help. Maybe he's just read the script...
Why it's so Goa'uld: Aside from it being great to see Jay Acovone as Kawalsky again after his brief run at the start of the series, the idea of making someone relive one of the most painful moments from their past over and over again is truly terrifying. Daniel's nightmare is particularly scary, as he must keep watching his parents die in a horrible accident, and whatever he tries to do to help, he is unable to stop it.
Highlights: Fine acting from Michael Shanks as a man put through total hell, and Dwight Schultz as the Gamekeeper himself, trying to do his best for his people, but failing to realize that he is going about his task the wrong way. There's also some lovely footage showing off the truly magnificent flora and fauna on offer on the Gamekeeper's world.
Why it's so Goa'uld: It's interesting to see SG-1 return to planets they've visited before, as we get to watch the consequences of their actions. Although the testing of people in order to gain knowledge is an old idea, it is well done here, and paves the way for future visits from the Asgard, Thor's race of rather sweet gray aliens (well, there's some in every Sci-Fi series eventually nowadays)!
Highlight: It has to be the end sequence, when the massive Asguard ships arrive at Cimmeria and proceed to quite literally remove all traces of the Goa'uld from the surface of the planet. Special effects that wouldn't have looked out of place in the film, and good to see the Goa'uld getting what they deserve.
Why it's so Goa'uld: Keeping one storyline going is a good trick, but to keep three running simultaneously (the third being O'Neill being stalked by a reporter played by Chris 'Spender' Owens) is remarkable. It was way past time the Sha're plotline was continued, and this certainly doesn't disappoint. There are some well thought out shocks and surprises for almost all the main players, with the apparent leak in the SGC still not revealed to date.
Highlight: As the reporter heads off to do his story, O'Neill asks him to make sure he spells his name right: with two L's, because "there's another guy in the service with one L and he's got no sense of humor at all." A dig at O'Neill gaining an L since the original movie and Devlin and Emmerich's feelings about SG-1 perhaps?
Why it's so Goa'uld: Important changes for several people, and ones that will continue to be important as the series continues. The Tok'ra may be a little slow with not quite enough material to be a two-parter, but there's still a fair chunk of action, a clever use of the Goa'uld teleport rings, and it ties together nicely the story from Secrets alongside continuing Carter's discovery of the life of the Goa'uld that temporarily resided within her during In the Line of Duty.
Highlights: There are some great special effects in evidence here, from the Tok'ra tunnels to the attack towards the end which is death glider-tastic. Also, Carmen Argenziano and Amanda Tapping have a touching and realistic onscreen chemistry playing father and daughter.
Why it's so Goa'uld: Following on from The Torment of Tantalus, we discover more about the committee of races who used to meet on the planet Ernest Littlefield was trapped on. The four races are revealed to be the Goa'uld, (I'm putting in Ancients here, but the mag does say Goa'uld.) the Asgard, the Nox, who SG-1 met in season one, and another race. Through O'Neill's actions, Thor explains, humans have taken their first step towards becoming the fifth major race in the universe.
Highlight: Richard Dean Anderson, without a doubt. Brilliantly delivering his lines so that the 'foreign' words make sense in context, but somehow sound right, it is really Anderson's episode, as O'Neill becomes increasingly frustrated by his inability to communicate. Not only that but he has some great lines towards the end of the story when he meets up with Thor once again.
Why it's so Goa'uld: Of all science fiction shows, this is the perfect time travel story, because it makes perfect sense. Rather than falling into the trap of trying to change events, which in turn guarantees a paradox, this episode is just a straight tale of SG-1 trying to get back to their correct time. Naturally, Hammond remembers it happen from when he was younger, thereby giving the team everything they need to get back, but still allowing for a fun and enjoyable surprise along the way.
Highlights: The moment when SG-1 give up on trying to explain things to their hippy friends and convince the pair that they're all really aliens is good fu, as are SG-l's various psychedelic hippy-flavored outfits. Plus, there's the final scene when Hammond asks O'Neill for his money back, after 29 years of interest!
Why it's so Goa'uld: Simply because there's so much going on. Each of the main cast has their part to play in the story, and there are some well-placed surprises to keep things moving along nicely. It really shows the bond between Hammond and the members of the team, as they are all willing to risk their lives and careers to help each other. Plus, of course, Hammond makes one of his very infrequent trips offworld.
Highlights: Pretty much the whole last 10 minutes of the episode, which is just a huge fight between Hathor and her guards and SG-1 and friends. The death glider flying out of the Stargate is a great idea and looks fabulous, especially coupled with Hammond's reactions. Although seen at the end of last season, the newstyle CGI Goa'uld larva is also due some praise for looking particularly creepy.
