Clipshow episode which sums up the first season but nevertheless it's interesting and sets up the first season finale.
Stargate did clipshow episodes, a money-saving measure that was an unfortunate necessity for many American television shows at that time. They are never fun to watch. This franchise did at least try to make the episodes as interesting as it could, though. In fact, the Stargate clipshows could sometimes be some of the more important ones for pushing the overall story forward. 'Politics' definitely falls under that description, making it a necessary watch.
Outside of the clips, the episode is actually fantastic. The introduction of Senator Kinsey gives us a really loathsome villain who is a lot of fun to watch, especially with all the verbal sparring that accompanies him. The SGC become ever more desperate as they attempt to defend the Stargate program to a person who has already made up his mind. It's a one-room episode that works really well, and the introduction of more political elements to the show opens things up for some good future conflicts.
But, I just can't excuse the use of all the clips from previous episodes. They are also taken from a number of the more awkward episodes, making them even less appealing. Well, at least we can be thankful that they didn't use anything from 'Hathor', I guess.
Oh, there is some rich irony in O'Neill correcting the Senator's pronunciation of "Goa'uld" :joy:
However, if I added up the screen time given to clips from previous episodes and compared it to the sum total of new footage, I'm not optimistic that the new scenes would outweigh the old.
Episodes like this were sometimes a budgetary necessity in this era of television—but aside from the fact that other high-production sci-fi of the time (SG-1 was concurrent with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, for example) managed to avoid ever airing a true "clip show" like this, the execution here is extraordinarily poor. The clips are overly long, poorly paced, and pulled from some of the least compelling scenes of the season. This briefing with Senator Kinsey should have been the final scene of the first half of a two-part season finale, not an entire episode of its own.
Political bullshit and rehashing of old scenes. Totally worthless episode!
Two things I hate in TV show, justification for the shows existence and rerunning footage from previous episodes. This episode has both.
I wouldn't make it in SG-1 at all... first couple of minutes of that meeting I would have been like ok cool, do as you like, let me just pack up my shit and go to another world... best of luck to y'all :raised_hand_tone3:♀ Who don't listen must feel :type_4:♀
I hate these recap filler episodes. Totally worth a skip.
This episode is just tons of dialogue, worth skipping honestly.
At least they weren't trying to hide it.
Shout by Caner AydınBlockedParentSpoilers2021-01-12T17:42:21Z
I like this episode
I dont agree with other reviews. It is maybe summary but not a boring summary. It was good to remember again, how teal'c joined them for example. I did not watch all episodes in one day, so maybe that is why it was good to remember again.
And they really fight against political dirt where they are really weak. It was good to see also how they struggle but it was desperate.