The cast of STARGATE SG-1.
© Sci-Fi.com

Mania Grade: A-
Reviewed Format: TV Show
Network: Sci-Fi Channel
Original Airdate: 15 July 2005
Cast:: Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Michael Shanks, Ben Browder, Beau Bridges
Developer: Jonathan Glassner & Brad Wright
Writers: Robert C. Cooper
Director: Andy Mikita

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STARGATE SG-1: Avalon Part One

Could it be that one series has actually learned from the mistakes of another? On April 15, 2001, THE X-FILES aired an episode called "Empedocles" that seemed set to create a new mythology for the Doggett-Reyes era of the series. Abandoning the alien trappings of previous seasons, the story concerned the disappearance of Doggett's son and Reyes's expertise in demonology and the occult. The two notions combined to form a perfect engine that would have easily drive the show in new directions for a number of years to come. Sadly, Chris Carter and company seemed to consider "Empedocles" merely a monster of the week story and Doggett and Reyes were forced to trudge along in Mulder and Scully's footsteps to the detriment of the franchise. Now, STARGATE SG-1 seems poised to explore another mythology in the wake of Anubis's fall.

"Avalon" may merely be a side trip into the realm of British/Celtic mythology, but the possibilities if affords a series that has always enjoyed exploring ancient legends in a science fiction venue are without bounds. With a fresh meat in the cast, this is the perfect opportunity to take the show in new directions. Wisely, Richard Dean Anderson's guest appearance as Jack O'Neill was a subdued visit to the periphery of the story that didn't step on the primary narrative, but clearly was appropriate for the episode. This sidesteps the Mulder syndrome whereby the long absent cast member draws all attention from the current regulars whenever he appears, a tedious bane that plagued the penultimate season of THE X-FILES. Sensible heads will keep Jack involved without upstaging those who have succeeded him.

Speaking of Lt. Col. Mitchell and Maj. Gen. Landry, could the series ask for better relief actors to arrive so late in the day? Ben Browder, though still exuding a bit of Uncharted Territories wormhole wrangler, is immediately agreeable as Mitchell and his disappointment at finding his new assignment bereft of personnel is at once disheartening and amusing. Bridges, as the no-nonsense Landry, follows in a long line of career TV military men who'd rather not know from alien menaces, but quickly have to face the extraordinary nature of their new duties. Both men are in fine form throughout the hour and bode well for the continuation of the series. Similarly memorable is Claudia Black's guest appearance as Vala. Quite a distance from FARSCAPE's Aeryn Sun, Vala truly shows off the actor's range and wisely arrays her considerable talents against those of Michael Shanks, who endures them much as Sun used to suffer Crichton. Her exclamation of "Let's make babies!," her disappointment in Jackson's sexual prowess, and the hilarious stab at Browder and Shank's physical resemblance are comedic high points that will be hard to top. Along the same postmodern lines, Mitchell's throwaway line about Jackson discovering a key piece of information that sets the team off on a new adventure illustrates the show's comfort with its format and ability to take the piss out of its own tropes. With a little, luck, part two will keep up the good work and STARGATE SG-1 will boldly set a new record for American SF TV longevity...