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Season 10: episode ratings & reviews
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29 Jul 06
10.03 The Pegasus Project review by Aurora Novarum
Aurora Novarum episode rating: excellent
.
One reviewer's thoughts on 10.03 "The Pegasus Project".

This episode is far and away the best one of Season Ten, and it's difficult to think of a Season Nine one to top it. The much anticipated "crossover" episode was a great integration of many of the casts of both shows, with good character moments by all. Several laugh-out-loud moments peppered the first half of the show, and second half, through, music, pacing, dialogue, direction, and of course the always excellent performances by the cast, all gelled to create suspense, drama, and danger for both plotlines of the episode.

By the way, I'm starting a petition to rename this episode "Daniel's Disneyland." This episode delivered in Dr. Jackson's long time quest to search for Atlantis. The first few scenes were a great tribute were wonderful character moments, for all the main cast, while including the somewhat clunky but necessary exposition of why they were in this crossover episode.

Daniel's wonder at finally seeing the city he'd been aching to visit for so long was wonderfully played by Shanks, as was his despair and loneliness at the end. His methodical search of the database was very in character, as was his increasing frustration and suspicion of the Others and their motives. Daniel's been bitten more than once by the Ancients, so he was very right to be overly skeptical. Weir's interaction as the Atlantis culture expert, expedition leader, and previous acquaintance with Daniel made her presence seem natural and not a forced crossover.

Vala was a bit of a distraction in some of her lines. But then again, Vala is still feeling her way into being a part of things at the SGC, and trying to tone down her exuberance, so perhaps this awkwardness is a conscious decision for her overall character arc of trying to integrate herself with the team she's adopted.

Her alienness was well played with no concept of Christmastime (oh, when she only finds out), or the honestly unintentional size reference to McKay's dog analogy (with Daniel, Mitchell, and Weir neatly side-stepping the issue). Her concern for Daniel was genuine at the end, as was her cutting to the chase, in both the interrogation and confrontation with Morgan Le Fay. It was a bit surprising she didn't ask about Adria, but in this context, learning more about Daniel and the ascendeds was the better focus, and much more interesting.

As a fan long interested in Daniel's ascended character arc, I found this episode satisfying and extremely enjoyable, with several mysteries still untapped.

The Odyssey storyline was well played out as well. Colonel Emerson is quickly becoming one of my favorite new recurring characters with his acerbic wit. Carter and McKay are always well played together, and Mitchell overall made a nice counterpoint to their oneupsmanship. Loved the nod to "Grace Under Pressure". The more annoying character traits seemed to come out the most in McKay this episode; he appeared more like the "48 Hours" McKay than Atlantis regular, but perhaps this the fact he wasn't in his comfort zone. This crew is less tolerant of his foibles (Zelenka may be the same way, but only the Czech fans would know that for certain), and McKay always tries to overimpress his rival and crush, Carter.

Carter was fantastic, in her interactions with Daniel, Cam, and Vala. Her grimacing at the reveal she needed McKay's help, and disgust at being a part of McKay's fantasies were well played. Tapping and Hewlitt spark a wonderful chemistry when onscreen together. As the respective technobabblers of their shows, it's a great battle of wits to see them out-geek each other with coming up with the impossible.

Mitchell was unusually impatient with McKay, but that's easily attributable to solidarity with his teammate, Sam. Mitchell's lemon threatening (which he got from Sheppard, at least), was a bit over the top, but his looming over McKay to interrupt the requisite "sexy" comment was quite the southern gentleman.

Poor Teal'c didn't get to come and play with the others, but his dialogue in his appearance kept his character present in a real, (though slower voiced) sense. Besides, he was the only first hand witness to the first real smackdown of the Ori since...well, since their introduction.

On a completely shallow note (unusual for me, no really), the Black BDUs are the most complementary outfit for SG-1, they always look more serious, ready for action, and of course very cool, when wearing this particular version of the uniform rotation.

Yes, great effects, excellent plot, sharp dialogue, interweaving of character development and plot, a balance of the humor and the drama, a natural integration of two very strong shows and casts, and fantastic performances all made this a thoroughly enjoyable hour of television.

Six out of five stars...oh, I can't do that? Okay, five out of five.
  © Aurora Novarum, 2006.  All rights reserved.
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