STARGATE SG-1: Season Three Episode Guide

By: Frank Garcia
Date: Monday, July 10, 2000

'Into the Fire' (#301) - Written by Brad Wright. Directed by Martin Wood

Part 2 of Season 2's 'Out of Mind.' In this exciting season opener, the SG-1 team are being held prisoner by their old Goa'uld foe Hathor (Susanne Braun), who threatens to insert a Goa'uld into one of them, and Jack O'Neill becomes the new host. On Earth, General Hammond has authorized a rescue mission by several other SG teams. Colonel Makepeace (Steve Makaj) manages to rescue Carter and Jackson. Meanwhile, Teal'c is on Chu'lac to recruit helpers to save the SG-1 team and he reunites with his old teacher, Bra'tac (Tony Amendola). With these combined forces an assault on the planet's surface takes place. Highlights in this episode include a Goau'ld flyers attack on the planet surface.

'Seth' (#302) - Written by Jonathan Glassner. Directed by William Corcoran

In an intriguing tale, the SG-1 team, tipped off by the Tok'ra, discover a Goa'uld named Seth (Robert Duncan) has been living on Earth as a 'cult leader' to a group of believers. Going undercover at a rural Washington state complex, the team finds an ATF law enforcement camp observing the cultists. O'Neill, Jackson and Carter attempt to infiltrate the cult and come before Seth hoping they don't fall under his spell or get discovered for their deception. This is a good, standalone adventure of a Goa'uld who has been quietly living among us.

'Fair Game' (#303) - Written by Robert C. Cooper. Directed by Martin Wood

Because of Hathor's death, the System Lords are now concerned about the Earthlings, placing the entire planet in jeopardy. The Asgard Thor kidnaps and briefs Jack. With the Asgard's help, Earth negotiates with the Goa'uld's System Lords Cronous (Ron Halder), Nirrti (Jacqueline Samuda) and Yu (Vince Gretjo) to place their planet under the Protected Planets Treaty. If the treaty is not successful, it could mean total annihilation for Earth. In this episode, Samantha Carter is promoted from Captain to Major. With this episode, the series' 'mythology' episodes takes a bold step forward, bringing Earth into the universe as a player in its own right.

'Legacy' (#304) - Written by Tor Alexander Valenza. Directed by Peter DeLuise

After investigating a planet where the SG team encounters a cache of dead Goa'uld corpses, Daniel slowly goes insane as a result of an anti-Goa'uld weapon and is sent, to the dismay of his teammates, to an asylum where he must solve his problem. Soon Daniel discovers that the weapon they're dealing with was created by the alien scientist Machello (Michael Shanks), whom we previously saw in the second season episode 'Holiday.' This episode is the proverbial 'gone insane' episode for a cast member.


'Learning Curve' (#305) - Written by Heather E. Ash. Directed by Martin Wood

In a delightful and compassionate episode, the SG-1 team visit a planet where all the children are keepers of the civilizations' knowledge. Together, with Major Carter, a child named Merrin (Brittney Irvin) helps them build a reactor. Everyone at Stargate, however, are upset at the idea that as Merrin grows, her knowledge will be transferred to an adult and she'll lose her memories and revert to being an ordinary child. Jack risks his career to teach the girl a lesson in the meaning of 'fun.'

'Point of View' (#306) - Written by Jonathan Glassner, Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper and Tor Alexander Valenza. Directed by Peter DeLuise

In an episode reminiscent of Star Trek's 'Mirror Mirror' universe, an alternate version of Samantha and Major Kawalsky (Jay Acovone) from a parallel dimension visits SG-1 and reveals that the Goa'ulds have taken over their Earth. They're accepted by the SG team and are prepared to stay in this universe. But when the alternate Sam begins to experience 'entropic cascade failure' because she's co-existing with her counterpart, everyone realizes that the alternate Carter and Kawalsky must return to their world. SGC devises a plan to take back Earth from the invading Goa'ulds and are shocked to discover that Apophis (Peter Williams) is still alive in this alternate universe.

'Dead Man Switch' (#307) - Written by Robert C. Cooper. Directed by Martin Wood

The SG-1 team are captured by Arris (Sam J. Jones), an intergalactic bounty hunter who holds them hostage because he wants them to help him capture a Goa'uld for money. Holding Sam as hostage, he orders Jack, Daniel and Teal'c to 'smoke out' the Goa'uld from a nearby cave. But when they get an opportunity to confront what they believe is a Goa'uld, it's really someone who claims he's a Tok'ra who's been working as an undercover agent. Some fans might recognize Jones as Flash Gordon from the 1980 Flash Gordon feature.

'Demons' (#308) - Written by Carl Binder. Directed by Peter DeLuise

In a fascinating allegorical tale, the SG-1 team discovers a medieval-age village on another planet, where they're looked upon as evil demons. But the true enemy is an alien being, an 'Unas' (Richard Morwich) who has been terrorizing the society that believes he's 'the devil.' The team try and convince the town officials that this isn't the devil but, in fact, an alien they can help eliminate. The town's high priest, Canon (Alan C. Peterson), manages to stun them all and place everyone in jail. Teal'c is taken to a nearby lake and, in a ceremony, is 'put to death' by drowning.

'Rules of Engagement' (#309) - Written by Terry Curtis Fox. Directed by William Gereghty

In a tale that reveals Apophis' secret activities, the SG-1 team is shocked to find on another planet what appears to be a SG team military camp, when in fact it's a group of Jaffa-in-training. When the team is captured, Teal'c's presence serves to their advantage. Soon, they discover that this training center was set up by Apophis (Peter Williams) as a device to prepare for a covert military attack against Earth. Their task: disband the camp in a way that doesn't get them killed or place Earth in danger. This interesting story raises the question: What other secret projects has Apophis put into place against Earth?

'Forever in a Day' (#310) - Written by Jonathan Glassner. Directed by Peter DeLuise

In this important 'mythology-based' adventure, during a conflagration where the SG team work to free Abydonians, Teal'c kills Daniel's wife, Sha're (Vaitiare Bandera), to save Daniel's life. In spite of everyone's attempts to dissuade him, Daniel tenders his resignation from SG-1. But when Daniel has recurring visions that Sha're is still alive and talking with him, he begins to realize that reality is not what it seems. With this story, the Daniel and Sha're story is resolved, but other doors are opened.

'Past and Present' (#311) - Written by Tor Alexander Valenza. Directed by William Gereghty

In this well-written episode, the SG-1 team are surprised to discover an entire world stricken by amnesia. Ke'ra (Megan Leitch), a young woman who's trying to help the population reveals all she can to the Stargate team in an effort to find a cure. To find answers, three of the inhabitants, including Ke'ra, travel through the gate back to SG headquarters for medical experiments. But their conclusions brings a shocking revelation. The Stargate team, they realize, was indirectly responsible for the state of the planet's affliction because of their relationship with an old enemy, Linea, from second season's 'Prisoners.' It was Linea who created the biological weapon used on the planet.

'Jolinar's Memories' (#312) - Written by Sonny Wareham and Daniel Stashower. Directed by Peter DeLuise

In this mid-season, two-part epic adventure Martouf (J.R. Bourne) and the Tok'ra visit SG Command. They reveal that Carter's father, Jacob (Carmen Argenziano), has been kidnapped by the Goa'uld Sokar (David Palffy) and taken to a hellish planet where no one except Jolinar has escaped. Mounting a rescue mission, SG-1 takes a Tok'ra-captured spaceship and travel to Naetu. There, they're thrown into a dungeon pit by Binar (William deVry) where they discover Jacob is near death and that they have no means of escape.

'The Devil You Know' (#313) - Written by Robert C. Cooper. Directed by Peter DeLuise

Revealed in the final moments of 'Jolinar's Memories,' SG-1's old Goa'uld foe, Apophis (Peter Williams), is still alive because Sokar has used a Sarcophagus to revive him. He kills Binar (William deVry), the leader of the hellish dungeon, and vows revenge against Sokar (David Palffy), who's on the nearby planet. In an attempt to discover Earth secrets, Apophis tortures each of the SG-1 members. Meanwhile, the Tok'ra has given Teal'c a powerful weapon that will, if fired into the core of the moon, destroy it from within. Teal'c' is now torn. How can he destroy the moon and still save his friends? This surprising adventure resurrects Apophis and reinstates him as SG-1's formidable enemy.

'Foothold' (#314) - Written by Heather E. Ash. Directed by Andy Mikta

When the SG-1 team returns from a planet, a chemical spill alerts the base. In an apparent precaution against infection, Dr. Frasier injects everyone with a sedative. But Teal'c discovers that SGC has actually been taken over by aliens. Teal'c helps Carter escape from the base so she can get reinforcements. When Carter contacts Colonel Maybourne (Tom McBeath), he betrays her trust and talks with 'Hammond,' who sends 'Daniel' and 'O'Neill' to fetch her. But during the plane ride back to SG Command, Carter discovers that 'O'Neill' is an alien and shoots him. When Carter learns how to manipulate the alien devices that changes their appearance, she re-enters SGC and helps O'Neill and Teal'c regain control. A new alien species is introduced in this episodic tale of an aborted alien invasion.

'Pretense' (#315) - Written by Katharyn Powers. Directed by David Warry-Smith

In an important episode, Skaara (Alexis Cruz), the young boy from Abydos, who was befriended by Jack O'Neill and Daniel during their first adventure, crash lands on Tollana (a planet previously visited in 'Enigma') and is temporarily freed of Klorel, the parasitic Goa'uld inhabiting his body. The planet's inhabitants, the Tollans, prepare a civil trial to determine the fate of the parasite once it is removed from Skaara's body. To help in the process, the SG-1 team are summoned from Earth. During the trial's testimony, Teal'c becomes concerned that the defense ion cannons are being tampered with by Goa'uld guards, allowing for Goa'ulds to attack.

'Urgo' (#316) - Written by Tor Alexander Valenza. Directed by Peter DeLuise

In an offbeat, humorous story, the SG-1 team step through the Stargate and return to the control room with no memory of their missing 15 hours, Hammond examines the team carefully. But soon, each member begins to hear voices and see images of an alien named Urgo (Dom DeLuise). They soon discover it's actually coming from a piece of 'software' that's been inserted into their brains. Even when it's believed an electromagnetic pulse has erased Urgo's presence, the software later 'reboots.' To completely eliminate the alien, SG-1 goes back to its planet of origin where they meet Togar (Dom DeLuise) the scientist. This episode features comedian Dom DeLuise being directed by his son, Peter, of SeaQuest fame, who's also directed many other Stargate episodes.

'A Hundred Days' (#317) - Written by V.C. James (Story), Brad Wright (Teleplay). Directed by David Warry-Smith

While visiting a planet named Edora, the SG-1 team soon become aware that the planet's close proximity to an asteroid field just might doom the inhabitants. They try and learn as much as they can about the history behind the 'fire rain' that fell to the earth. Concerned for their safety, SG-1 manages to convince a third of the village to visit Earth until the danger is over, but the 'fire rain' kills many of those who stayed behind and destroys the Stargate itself, now stranding Col. O'Neill on Edora. Carter tells General Hammond the only way to re-establish contact with the planet is to build a particle beam accelerator. Meanwhile, O'Neill falls in love with a native, Laira (Michele Greene). Faithful Star Trek fans will recognize this storyline as being similar to the Classic Trek episode 'The Paradise Syndrome.'

'Shades of Grey' (#318) - Written by Jonathan Glassner. Directed by Martin Wood

In this episode, storylines that began with the second season's 'Touchstone' and 'Pretense' are continued. In the midst of SG-1's diplomatic negotiations with the Tollans to acquire technology, Colonel O'Neill steals a weapons disabling device and, as a result, the negotiations collapse. Hammond offers O'Neill a choice: a court-martial or early retirement for his actions. O'Neill chooses to step aside. Colonel Makepeace (Steve Makaj) is appointed as the new leader of SG-1. Hearing that O'Neill has been cast out, Colonel Maybourne (Tom McBeath) offers O'Neill a deal to join a group who steals alien technology from various alien worlds at a secret off-world SGC base. O'Neill agrees and joins the rebels. But there's more happening under the surface...

'New Ground' (#319) - Written by Heather E. Ash. Directed by Chris McMullan

Making contact with a new planet that's just dug up a Stargate, SG-1 become the pawns in an ideological war between two factions, Medrosia and Optraca. Their Medrosian contact is Nyan (Richard Ian Cox), who meets and greets the team. During an airborne attack, Teal'c manages to escape, but is injured in an attack from a guard. Meanwhile, O'Neill, Carter and Jackson are captured and tortured by Reigar (Daryl Shuttleworth), a Medrosian leader who is firmly convinced that they're not aliens from another planet who've traveled through the 'gateway,' but just Optracans spies sent to subvert their belief system. With Nyan's help, Teal'c recovers from his attack, but is literally blinded. But, in spite of his condition, he's determined to find and rescue his friends.

'Maternal Instinct' (#320) - Written by Robert C. Cooper. Directed by Peter F. Woeste

When the Stargate team's friend Bra'tac (Tony Amendola) arrives at SGC with a wounded Jaffa, they learn that Apophis is now in control of Sokar's fleet and has destroyed Chu'lac. Believing that Apophis is searching for the Harsesis child, Bra'tac and the team deduce the location of Kheb, the planet where the child may have been taken. Traveling to Kheb, the team discover an ancient monastery where Daniel engages in a dialogue with a monk (Terry Chen), with hopes of locating the child. The conversation is cryptic and puzzling. Their mission is considerably complicated when two Goa'uld death gliders arrive while Apophis is on the move with two thousand Jaffa soldiers, running for the monastery.

'Crystal Skull' (#321) - Written by Brad Wright. Story by Michael Greenburg and Jarrad Paul. Directed by Brad Turner

Upon examining a Crystal Skull on a Mayan pyramid during an off-world expedition, Daniel recognizes that the artifact appears identical to one that his father, Nicholas (Jan Rubes), had discovered years before. His father believed that the skull possessed teleportation technology, but the academic community ridiculed him. During the mission, Daniel is washed with radiation, rendering him invisible. To save Daniel, SG-1 locates Nicholas at a psychiatric institute hoping that he'll have the knowledge to restore his son.

'Nemesis' (#322) - Written by Robert C. Cooper. Directed by Martin Wood

When O'Neill is 'beamed up' by the Asgard, he's confronted by hundreds of metallic bugs and is shocked to discover Thor is dying. He learns that the bugs are artificial organisms that've taken control of the ship that's headed for Earth. If the 'replicators' reach Earth, the effect would be devastating. In a holographic message to SGC, O'Neill explains the situation and orders up explosives. The SG-1 team disobeys O'Neill's order and 'beams up' with the explosives. Together, they must prevent the ship from reaching Earth and in the process save themselves as well.