S9 Spoilers: Camelot

SG-1 Members Focus on Individual Strengths

For nearly a decade, the members of SG-1 have saved the world several times through the use of their unique talents. The newest version of the team is no different — each will be called upon to give his or her best in the fight against the Ori.

Last week’s episode, “Crusade”, left Earth’s allies, the Asgard, Tokra, and Free Jaffa, searching for the operational Supergate put in place by the Ori. All over the galaxy, worlds visited by the Priors have reported that the “Day of Reckoning” is at hand.

While the search takes place, SG-1 approaches the problem from a different direction, hoping to find the weapon built by Merlin which supposedly can destroy an ascended being. Merlin left the Stargate address of where he built the weapon on his Interdimensional Device found in Avalon (“Arthur’s Mantle”), so the team decides to travel there and find the weapon.

Daniel Jackson and Meurik, Governor of CamelotDANIEL JACKSON uses his linguistic skills and his knowledge of history to solve a puzzle: where is Merlin’s Anti-Ascended Weapon and how can it be used? He follows the clues left by Merlin himself to discover Merlin’s library on a planet with a village called Camelot. Governor Meurik (John Noble) is not certain he can trust these outsiders because his priority is the safety of his people.

Camelot is another example of living history that Daniel delighted in studying from the beginning in his travels through the Stargate. Over the years, he has lost some of that enthusiasm because of the profound experiences he has had to endure, including his time as an Ascended Being. Daniel has discovered that he shares something with Merlin — Merlin, too, had been ascended at one time, but chose to retake human form in order to help humanity any way he could. In Merlin’s case, it was to build a weapon which could be used against the Ori. He had to do his research in secret because his activities most likely were not approved by The Others. Breaking the rules of The Others was another thing both men had in common and now their paths have converged in Camelot.

Cameron Mitchell must face the Black KnightCAMERON MITCHELL has no fear. He has been tested in the past with his near-fatal crash in Antarctica, and he’s come through with an enthusiasm for traveling through the ‘gate which the veteran members of SG-1 have left behind. His strengths include determination and tenacity. These will be put to the test when he faces Merlin’s security system — a holographic Black Knight similar to the one he fought and vanquished in the dark caverns of Avalon. If he can defeat the knight, he will not only get Daniel access to Merlin’s library, but also gain the respect of Meurik’s people.

Samantha Carter must se her technological knowledge to fight the OriSAMANTHA CARTER is a technological genius. She can quickly grasp the engineering behind advanced alien technology. Her scientific knowledge has saved the team and Earth in the past on several occasions. Carter is the world’s leading expert on the science of the Stargate and her expertise will be called into the forefront against the Ori’s Ancient-based technology — including the technology of the Ori’s Supergate.

Teal'c must gain Netan's allegianceTEAL’C is a warrior and skilled negotiator. His time with SG-1 has helped him grow as a leader and still maintain his warrior ways. With the Tau’ri’s help, his people gained their freedom from the Goa’uld, and Teal’c strongly believes that his place remains with the Tau’ri as long as the Ori threat exists. If there are others who would stand in his way, such as those of the Lucian Alliance led by Netan (Eric Steinbereg), Teal’c will do whatever it takes to pursuade them that they must join in the fight. Their resulting alliance is a tenuous one, but could make the difference between galactic destruction and a fighting chance.

The team starts together on the way to Camelot, but they are spread in different directions as the time of the Ori’s invasion draws near. Again, they play to their strengths in this separation, but at the close of the episode, it is not certain which of them survives and which has come to the end of the journey.

Executive producer and episode writer Joseph Mallozzi summarizes “Camelot” in this way: “Lots to look forward to: holograms and horses, a gathering of allies, hope and despair, death and destruction, and an uncertain future.” True to the Stargate SG-1 tradition, “Camelot” is a cliffhanger, with the resolution of the story yet to be told.

Tune in to the SciFi Channel this Friday, March 10, at 8pm Eastern for the final episode of Season Nine. (It should be noted that if you wish to watch the second run of the program which is normally broadcast at 11pm, that this week it will be 11:30pm because Battlestar Galactica is having a special 90-minute season finale.)

Remember, spoilers are subject to change in the final cut.