User Reviews

See what I meant about Inauguration being significant? This episode picks up where Inauguration left, with Hayes (and Kinsey, each with his own agenda) making drastic changes in the SGC organisation. Meanwhile, SG1 is busy messing with alien technology --AGAIN. It was probably very daring to rely so much on an episode that dates back to season 1 (The Fifth Race), but it works very well, and has the additional advantage of sparing us long explanations and developments. And not needing any explanation about what is happening -or going to happen- makes the viewer feel part of the "in" crowd. Nice.

There is a very touching scene when everybody holds a little meeting at Jack's while trying not to dwell on his imminent (and very literal) alienation, even though Hammond's little bombshell soon ruins the mood. I am a bit surprised that nobody reacts more strongly, even though Hammond's replacement is well-chosen, and Hammond himself will not just leave the stage. I mean, last time Hammond retired, O'Neill immediately assumed the worst and held Kinsey at gunpoint!!

So even though this is only a first part and therefore stops right in the middle of things, it does a very good job. First, may I mention that the SFX are really good. Then it's nice to have lots of familiar faces -along with interesting new ones- gather in preparation for the long-awaited confrontation. You really get the feeling that this is not your common Stargate adventure. So: high stakes, a mysterious city, alien technology, some really funny lines, and several good scenes with the whole SG1 team: what's to ask?

In this episode Senator/Vice President Kinsey has succeeded, on paper at least, to mothball Stargate Command.

To quote him from this episode, his "Timing is Impeccable"- As Anubis is determined to attack the Earth - With Days to Spare. And Jack, well, the only way to save the Ancient's Repository of Knowledge and keep it out of Anubis Greasy "Fingers" was for him to look into it - Again. And then, of course, to blow it to smithereens. The last time, only the intervention of The Asgard saved his somewhat skinny Arse (Even though The Asgard's butts, if they have any, are even skinnier).

Season 7 was the search for the "Lost City" and the eventual lead-in to Stargate: Atlantis... As well as the development of NaQuadRia tech and a few of Jonas Quinns Lose Ends. Enter Dr Elizabeth Weir, this time played by Jessica Steen, another actress from the Outer Limits stable of Actors which the producers of SG-1 used to fill the ranks of needed Jaffa and Tok'Ra. I like this Weir more than the one played by Tori Higginson, even though I like that actress, mostly from when she was "Beth Kittridge" in the Short lived Tek War series. Steen is no-nonsense, and proves from the start that her Weir will make up her own mind, she realizes in short order that Veep Kinsey has an agenda that conflicts with the safety of Earth. She also shows a Spark of O'Neill- type humor when she asks the departing SG-1 if there were any Kitchen Sinks left on the base.

We also finally see "The President" of the US, we had known an election was coming up, these episodes actually coincided with the 2004 elections. If only in real life had we a President who was as smart as President Hayes, played by the great character actor William Devane, whose talents usually lie in generating bad guys - Starting from his double agent "Janeway" from "Marathon Man". When we first saw him in the preceding episode, we were not sure which way he would turn, and in fact seems to have tilted in Kinsey's direction.

As with most Stargate SG-1 cliffhangers and season enders, what we have here is a Race, to see if SG-1 will obtain what they need before Anubis or (Insert Evil Goa'Uld of your choice) can get it and abuse it, with consequences for Earth. Of course we know that SG-1 will beat Anubis, it's just how they do it that is always the entertaining thing. Which in this case has Jack speaking Gibberish again and making Widgets without knowing what he is doing. His Crossword Puzzle answers in Ancient provide the needed clue this time, but can Jack do what he needs to do before the Information in his brain kills him? Ironically, Air Force Chief of Staff General John P Jumper appeared as himself in "part II" of this episode (I have only ever seen it as a double episode, except for when it was first-run). His predecessor Michael E. Ryan was in the Episode "Prodigy".

The search for the Lost City continues as political changes affect SGC.

Dr. Weir, while at first a schmuck with her "we can't extend manifest destiny to the galaxy", turns out to be OK. In fact, she seems to start understanding that extending manifest destiny is the goal: extending freedom to those oppressed by the Goa'uld helps the U.S., Earth and others.

The President, who at first seemed to be on board with Kinsey, is doing his best to keep SGC going despite political pressures. If only in 2015 we had a President half as smart as this guy, and who loves America half as much. In 2015 reality we'd likely get a deal handing the planet over to the Goa'uld, and then the President would get a Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating our enslavement.

This episode is what Stargate is all about.

Probably Stargate's finest hour. Great plot, great special effects and some great comedy moments (Uma Thurman, YES!) Would have done well as a stand alone movie.

The scene at Jack's house was just great. But why did they always dress Amanda Tapping as if she was 60? She looked terrible.

There's also a problem in that in Season 9 when Ben Browder takes over we see a shot of Sam on board the Scout ship pointing out that they are about to be attached.

This could never have happened as in The Lost City they do down to the surface almost as soon as Promethus arrives.

Shame it went downhill after the end of Season 7.