Mania Grade: B+

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Info:

• Reviewed Format: TV Show
• Network: Sci-Fi Channel
• Original Airdate: 12 August 2005
• Cast: Ben Browder, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge with Beau Bridges and Michael Shan
• Developer: Jonathan Glassner & Brad Wright
• Writers: Martin Gero
• Director: William Warring

STARGATE SG-1 - The Powers That Be

Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson in STARGATE SG-1 - The Powers That Be
© Sci-Fi Channel

"The Powers That Be" is probably the best episode of the all-new, all-different STARGATE SG-1 to air thus far. It captures the humorous tone of the earlier installments with Vala riffing well against the rest of the cast, but gradually evolves into something far more ominous as the story progresses. For the first time, the Priors and the Ori seem to really be a worthy adversary for the regular cast and the machinery for an interesting season seems to be locking quietly into place.

Vala as a god is a wonderful hook upon which to hang a story and the con artistry that's kept her in power adds some nice depth to Claudia Black's portrayal. The reveal is well staged with Daniel Jackson momentarily seeming to be the salvation of the team only to be upstaged by Vala, kited out for a spot of worship from her semi-loyal subjects. Mention of the Prior's visit quickly ties the episode back to the ongoing storyline for the season and opens up an interesting little debate on theology in the STARGATE universe. Clearly, the Ori are taking advantage of the vacuum left by the Goa'uld, but for what purpose do they require worship? Perhaps their existence in that state requires the concentrated mental energy of lesser beings to maintain their transcendent form. This would provide a fine rational for their worship or die methods. Speculation aside, the episode follows a nice narrative trajectory from Vala's attempts to join SG-1 through to the fall of her people to the Ori's religion.

The ruminations on science versus sorcery and the duty of advanced races to share their knowledge with lesser civilizations is a worthy dialogue that lends some philosophical weight to the endeavor. Daniel Jackson's assertion that sometimes discovering things for one's self is more beneficial than having those things given freely certainly pays tribute to the Puritan work ethic while offering a glimpse into his values. Vala gets some good development as well when her motives for continuing the benevolent oppression begun by Katesh are questioned during her trial and by the members of SG-1. Black commands every scene she's in with eyes that convey volumes and her chemistry with the rest of the ensemble continues to be top notch. Her contortions in trying to squeeze through the bars of her cell are either inspired writing, directing, or acting--whatever the case, they add visual interest to an otherwise expository scene while remaining completely germane to the action at hand.

The B-plot of General Landry's relationship with Dr. Lam seems off topic until the Doctor hits the Stargate to combat the plague and the two tales quickly dovetail as Lam realizes the scope of what she's up against. The final moments of the episodes, with the healed population bowing before the Prior with sinister music filling the soundscape is an ominous portent of things to come and a fine finale to an excellent episode.