Category: SG-1

10.03 THE PEGASUS PROJECT

Summary

An Ascended Ancient breaks her vow of non-interference to give Daniel vital information that could make the difference in the fight against the Ori.

Details

Morgan LeFey of Arthurian legend is an Ascended Ancient. While Daniel, Vala, and Dr. Weir (in Atlantis) search for information about Merlin’s weapon which allegedly can destroy an Ascended Being, LeFey decides to break the rules and interfere with the lower planes of existence because she knows of the dire threat the Ori pose.

At first, she disguises herself as part of a holographic computer interface which Daniel and Vala are using to find the location of Merlin’s weapon. LeFey then shows her true self, an Ascended from the Lantian race.

From the days of old, LeFey was thought to be Merlin’s rival and Daniel questions her motives. She reveals that Merlin was Moros (his Lantian name) and Myrddin both and that for some time they had been rivals, but after many thousands of years, things changed.

LeFey tells of the Lantians’ inability to live among the primitive societies that Earth offered when they left Atlantis 10,000 years ago. Some of them chose to join the societies, thus spreading their genetic make-up into the populace, while others lived in seclusion and meditation.

Eventually Merlin and LeFey ascended. After a few thousand years, Merlin decided to retake human form in order to create the weapon. He attempted to hide his work through the use of the Interdimensional Device, but he was discovered. LeFey was the one sent to watch him.

Merlin kept his ascended knowledge and powers of the advanced humans. He was one of the most powerful beings on the planet at the time. He helped Arthur and built Camelot.

As LeFey tells her story, Daniel grows suspicious of her motives.

In the meantime, Mitchell, Carter, and Teal’c are working with the crew of the Odyssey to undertake a daring plan to cloak the Ori’s Stargate.

Guest Characters

Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Morgan LeFey, Odyssey Crew

Production

Written by Brad Wright
Directed by Will Waring
Filming March 10-20

Spoilers are subject to change while the episode is still in production.

Black is Back
TV Guide Features Vala’s Return in “Crusade”
Ileane Rudolf interviews Claudia Black

When script coordinator Alex Levine let it slip in his SciFi.com blog that Claudia Black was expecting a child, all kinds of talk started to buzz about how this would impact Vala’s story arc upon her return to Stargate SG-1 as Vala Mal Doran, Daniel Jackson’s personal pain in the mikta. Executive Producer Robert C. Cooper explained in a TV Zone interview, “It’s not like we could hide it, but thought it was an interesting opportunity.” Cooper used Black’s pregnancy as an opportunity to introduce a new villain to the Stargate saga.

Cooper explained in Rudolf’s TV Guide interview that Vala adds a new dynamic to the show. “As an alien outsider, she creates a different chemistry among the team.” Rudolf says that this chemistry is very apparent in the Tracy-Hepburn-like relationship Vala shares with Daniel Jackson. To this, Black adds, “I don’t think the teasing will ever stop. He’s such an easy target.”

According to Black, Vala does something bad in order to survive in the Ori’s home galaxy, but says that Vala “never manipulates unless she has to.” She tricks local man Tomin (Tim Guinee) into marrying her, claiming that the child is his. But, the circumstances behind Vala’s mysterious pregnancy won’t be revealed until Season Ten (beware of spoilers)!

In real life, Black delivered a son in December!

On the same page in the 27 February – 5 March issue of TV Guide, Ben Browder answers a few Q&A questions concerning his role as Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell and the return of his former Farscape castmate Claudia Black to Stargate SG-1. Browders says, “I’m just happy to have her around. She’s a fantastic actress and a good friend.”

Pick up your copy of TV Guide on newsstands now.

[Thanks to sueb45 for the tip and to sunddundee for the image — DeeKayP]

A Lesson in Trouble Times Three in “Arthur’s Mantle”

The Ancients had a knack for making some pretty sophisticated technology and then just leaving it behind for anyone to find. Most of the time, the use of this technology, such as the Stargate itself, can be exciting, but more often than not, the results of such use can be unpredictable and sometimes quite harmful.

Such is the case when the SGC brings back more Ancient technology discovered in the caverns of Avalon found under the Glastonbury Tor in England (in “Avalon Part 1”). Carter and Dr. Lee have found a device that has them baffled, so they decide to send it to Area 51 for further study. Carter inadvertantly triggers it, sending not only herself, but an unsuspecting Mitchell as well, into another dimension. Daniel and Dr. Lee conduct an investigation to find out what happened to half of SG-1. Daniel determines that his teammates have been sent into another dimension similar to his experience with the Crystal Skull about six years ago.

In the meantime, the Sodan Jaffa have sent a distress call to the SGC. Teal’c goes to the planet with SG-9 to assist them. Mitchell, feeling that he’s invincible as an invisible man, tags along with Teal’c and nobody else is aware that he’s made this rather rash decision. Thus: Trouble Example #1.

Once on the planet, Teal’c starts his investigation. He decides to use the Eye of the Gods transporter housed in a stone obelisk. This is the device which shocked Dr. Lee when he tried to override its security codes when the SGC was searching for a captured Mitchell from SG-1’s first mission to the planet (“Babylon”). Daniel translated the words written in Ancient carved on the face of the device as simply, “gateway to enlightment.”

So, Teal’c and his team use the device to get to the Sodan’s village, which is several months’ journey on foot to the mountains of Dor’ta’nak. And according to Jolan, Mitchell’s Sodan friend, “No one who’s attempted the journey has ever survived.” Unfortunately, Teal’c discovers that the Eye of the Gods device near the village has been destroyed and he and his men are stranded! Thus: Trouble Example #2.

The Eye of the Gods wasn’t the only technology left behind by the Ancients on the Sodan homeworld; they also left behind personal cloaks. These cloaks are worn on the Sodan Jaffa’s arm, similar to the way the control to the ring transporter is worn by Jaffa in service to the Goa’uld. (The ring transporter, by the way, is also Ancient technology.) After examining the bodies of those killed in the massacre and interviewing Sodan leader Lord Haikon, Teal’c determines that the assassin is one of the Sodan’s own — Volnek! Why would a Sodan Jaffa kill his brethren? How did Volnek accomplish his horrendous mission? He used the Sodan’s own technology against them by wearing one of these cloaking devices. Thus, Trouble Example #3.

Each instance of Trouble eventually leads to the resolution to the misuse of Ancient technology as only SG-1 can do it — with some humor, some jeopardy, some smarts, and a whole lot of luck. Tune in to the SciFi Channel on Friday, February 24, at 8pm Eastern to find how it all works out and how the events of this episode lead into the final two episodes of Season Nine!

• Overview of Ancient Technology

[Mythology Note: According to Arthurian legends, Arthur’s mantle, or cloak, gave the wearer invisibility while he could see everyone around him. Arthur’s mantle is one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain which “reveal a preoccupation with worthiness of the person finding or using them: they will not work for the unworthy. This is a clear indication of their function in the king’s relationship with Sovereignty: they cannot be found or wielded by any save the rightful king or champion of the king. Merlin was supposed to have procured these from their owners and taken them to his abode of glass on Bardsey Island.” — Encyclopedia of the Celts (see also: Mystical WWW).]

The Scifi World Interviews John Noble, Meurik in the Season Nine finale “Camelot”

Stargate SG-1 guest actor John Noble talked with Gilles Nuytens about his time on the set of “Camelot”, this season’s cliffhanger finale in which SG-1 searches the library left behind by Merlin. Noble describes his character, Meurik, as “a terrific character” who “wants desperately to protect his people.”

“Camelot” is due to air March 10 at 8pm Eastern on the SciFi Channel.

• Full Interview at The Scifi World (mild spoilers)
• “Camelot” Episode Guide (spoilers)

[Thanks to SandraG for the tip — DeeKayP]

More than just a bug problem…

This week’s episode of Stargate SG-1 steps into a popular sci-fi story — bugs gone bad. But, there’s more to the story behind the bugs than just their attempt to make a meal of SG-1! In Earth’s desperate attempt to find some way to overcome their enemies, both Ori and Lucian Alliance alike, they find themselves with an even more urgent and immediate threat — basically, they become their own worse enemy. The Gamma Site becomes a miniature of the universe, a microcosm of the intergalactic wars and Earth’s struggle for survival against an enemy of their own making, born of humanity’s need to explore and understand both himself and his place in the universe.

For those who enjoy parallels in storytelling, “The Scourge” offers plenty within its subtext. The bugs are after SG-1 and members of the International Oversight Advisory (I.O.A.). Richard Woolsey is the liaison for the Oversight Committee and he has brought three representatives with him for a tour of the Gamma Site, a scientific research facility located off-world. The SGC still has its presence in the form of F-302s and a secured Stargate. One of the high-priority projects of the scientists of the Gamma Site are burrowing bugs which were sent by the Ori to planets where the Lucian Alliance grows the highly addictive kassa corn which was introduced in the previous episode, “Off the Grid”. Unintentionally, through scientific curiosity, as well as overconfidence after overcoming the Prior Plague, the bugs become carnivorous and extremely deadly.

  

The representatives are new to ‘gate travel, but bravely walk through the Stargate to see what the scientists are doing at the Gamma Site. Among the members are representatives of France, Britain, and China. These countries were present when the Stargate Program was disclosed by Gen. George Hammond and Major Paul Davis three years ago. Two years before this disclosure, the Russians had been included in the Stargate Program because of their recovery of one of Earth’s Stargates at the bottom of the ocean.

As was presented in Season Seven’s “Lost City”, Dr. Elizabeth Weir was brought into the Program because President Hayes strongly believed that the Program wasn’t going to be kept a secret for much longer and that having a civilian in charge of the Program would make it more easily accepted among the international community. With Anubis’s attack in Antarctica and the subsequent discovery of Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy, it became clear that more nations of the world had to be told about the Stargate and about both the rewards and set-backs of intergalactic space travel which the Stargate offered.

“The Scourge” also delves into “what if” territory. What if it had been a different country’s military which had control over the Stargate all of these years? What if all countries of the world had the same level of technology as the United States has been privileged to have because of the Stargate Program? Can political differences be set aside in the fight to keep the world, galaxy, and universe safe? These questions might go deeper than the burrows of the bugs, but the answers may determine how successful Earth becomes in the fight against the Ori, the Lucian Alliance, and any other enemy which traveling through the Stargate has revealed.

• Stargate Wiki article on the Stargate Program Disclosure

…in with the new…

Fans of things new and shiny will be given an extra treat in Stargate SG-1‘s upcoming episode, “Off the Grid”!

First, SG-1 is donning the SGC’s newest uniform to hit the rotation: Undercover Rawhides! Mitchell and Teal’c appeared to be comfortable with the new uniforms earlier this season after Vala dressed them for their crazy adventures in her world of thieves and smugglers in “The Ties That Bind”. Daniel, however, squirmed quite a bit in his, so we’ll have to see if he likes his newer Rawhides better. Carter will don the new uniform for the first time, but they are probably very similar to the leathers she’s worn when riding her motorcycle, so most likely, she’s all set to play her undercover role. The Lucian Alliance and their drug dealers won’t know what hit them! Or, will they?

Second, SG-1 gets to play with the new carbines (a short-barreled lightweight rifle) and PDW’s (Personal Defense Weapons)! Keep an eye out for Mitchell’s Hekler & Koch G36K, a light-weight (6.62 lb.) mid-size carbine which is said to rarely jam — something that Mitchell is sure to appreciate as SG-1 boards Ba’al’s heavily-guarded ha’tak. The G36K has a capacity for 10, 30, or 100 rounds.

Daniel, Carter, and Teal’c carry Hekler & Koch MP7A1’s, replacements for their usual FN P-90’s, which were the first weapons in the PDW category. These new PDW’s are lighter, however, weighing in less than four pounds fully loaded as compared to the nearly seven pounds of a fully loaded P-90. Their clips can hold 20 or 40 rounds. Carter and Daniel use both hands to steady their weapons, taking advantage of the MP7A1’s retractable foregrip, but Teal’c uses his strength and extends both his arms with a weapon in each hand. The MP7A1’s also have a partly ambidextrous design, are easily stripped and cleaned, and are simple to use.

The new weapons come with all types of interesting accessories, such as scopes and red dot sights.

Finally, you might be wondering how it is that SG-1 goes from undercover on a planet which has no Stargate (after it was stolen!) to being aboard Ba’al’s ha’tak. They use the third new and shiny, of course — a brand-spanking new Daedalus-class spaceship named Odyssey! Even though we might still be grieving over the destruction of Col. Pendergast and his Prometheus in the previous episode, we are reassured that Earth’s six is being covered by the not-quite-complete Odyssey, under the command of Col. Emerson, a man who is very proud of his ship and crew. His ship hasn’t been tested, though, so he’s concerned when he is called to rescue SG-1 from the clutches of the Lucian Alliance using the Asgard beaming technology.

SG-1’s mission onboard Ba’al’s ha’tak is facilitated by the use of the Odyssey as well. Unfortunately, the Lucian Alliance tracks down the new ship and Ba’al’s ha’tak and starts a battle. Will the Odyssey’s untested shields hold up under the strain? Tune in to the SciFi Channel on Friday, February 10, at 8pm Eastern to find out!

Prometheus plays Titanic

In TV Zone #67, episode writer Damien Kindler said, “Ethon is a sequel of sorts to Icon. Icon is a script that I’m very proud of. It was a bit of a dark, kind of apocalyptic tale, but Rob Cooper had a great appreciation for the story and that planet, so I pitched an idea about returning to that world with the Prometheus and reuniting Daniel and Jared Kane. As I developed the story further we actually play a bit of the Titanic with the Prometheus because it comes up against a weapon that is far more powerful than it’s crew realises.”

This weapon is being built by the Ori in their effort to gain control of the billions of human lives in the Milky Way — their effort to gain enough power to destroy the Ascended Ancients, or Alterans, who had dared to keep humanity’s existence in this galaxy a secret from them. The war between the Alterans and the Ori started millions of years ago in a far galaxy, and now, it has been refueled in the corporeal plane as humanity in several galaxies attempt to survive the incredible powers of the ascended. If the war escalates into the ascended planes, it could be very bad for everyone in every plane of existence.

This new weapon is in orbit near Jared Kane’s planet and he’s called on the SGC to help stop the Ori. Daniel’s presence on the planet may do more harm than good, since it appears that the Ori also have plans to turn him against his teammates (according to TV Guide: “Following their failure to subdue Earth with a plague, the Ori come up with a fiendish new plan to destroy Stargate SG-1, one that involves turning Daniel against Teal’c, Cameron and Sam.”).

The title “Ethon” is taken from Greek mythology, just as the name “Prometheus”. When Prometheus gave man fire from the gods, he was punished by being chained to Mount Caucasus and a large bird gnawed on his liver. His liver regrew and the bird gnawed on it again. This punishment continued until Prometheus was rescued. The name of the bird? Ethon.

Hints about the probable demise of the Prometheus started in TV Zone #67. According to Joseph Mallozzi, writer of “Ripple Effect”, “There are so many scenes that were shot but didn’t make it into the final cut. There’s a walk and talk aboard the Prometheus with Daniel and the alternate Teal’c, who remarks how weird it feels to be on the Prometheus because in his reality it was destroyed. Remember that as the season continues.”

Mallozzi also reminds us to remember the destruction of the Prometheus in that alternate reality and warns us it might happen in ours in his “In the Making” series for the episode “Ripple Effect”. In this article he stated, “Hated to lose these scenes as they contained a bit of foreshadowing re: a later Season Nine episode.” A portion of this scene included this:

INT. CORRIDOR – PROMETHEUS

Green Daniel and Black Teal’c head down the corridor.

BLACK TEAL’C: In truth, the familiar aspects of this world have proven more disquieting than comforting. This ship in particular.

GREEN #DANIEL: How’s that?

BLACK TEAL’C: In our reality, the Prometheus was recently lost in battle.

And, if all of these hints as to the end of the Prometheus don’t send the message, then SciFi Channel’s preview for the episode certainly does. Opening the teaser are scenes where Earth’s first intergalactic spaceship appears to go out with a big bang.

    

Tune in Friday, February 3, at 8pm Eastern, to find out if the Prometheus truly does get destroyed and what becomes of her crew.

[Thanks to SueSV, Sandra, and luvtwtid for interview and magazine quotes. — DeeKayP]