Week 10 - September 16
Winner: Stargate Sg-1 ("Fourth Horseman pt. 1")

What a nice problem to have.

Of all the tough calls this season, this was by far the toughest. Sg-1 came out with not one, but two episodes this week (one of them being the season finale). And they were probably the best of season 9, to boot. However, Battlestar Galactica also had a great episode--again, probably one of the best of its season. I contemplated this predicament at great lengths, finally choosing quantity the victor.

Had this been any other week, Battlestar would have been the clear winner. However, I felt two full hours of quality Sg-1 deserved the Showdown point.

In episode 9.9 (Fourth Horseman pt. 1), a returning Sg-Team falls victim to the mysterious Ori virus introduced in a past show. Despite the efforts of Gen. Landry (Beau Bridges) and Lt. Col. Mitchell (Ben Browder), this pathogen begins spreading throughout the US. Meanwhile, the Ancient named Orlin returns to help Carter (Amanda Tapping) synthesize a cure. This jampacked episode then expands to detail the growing unrest in the new Jaffa government. With Priors in contact with the Jaffa council and the US under quarantine, can Earth continue to resist the power of the Ori?

As I mentioned above, the season 9 finale was packed so full of plot lines that it seemed seemed like two episodes, itself. What was good about them, too, is that they took the risks one would expect in a finale. Much of the action in Sg-1 takes place off-world, leaving Earth relatively protected, but now the Priors (the big enemy this season) are doing their thing in our backyard. This was kind of a reality Sg-1, showing as closely as possible what would happen if alien missionaries attacked us a powerful virus. Outlandish to the extreme, yet undeniably entertaining.

As far as cliff-hangers go, "Fourth Horseman pt. 1" was pretty shocking. Nothing like Battlestar's season 1 finale, but I am thoroughly eager for the February premier.

Memorable Scene:

Although there weren't any memorable Browder one-liners, the highlight scene was probably the surprise at the end. When Gerak (Louis Gossett Jr.) stepped out with a Prior staff, I could be quoted as shouting, "Yeah Riiight!"

Next Week:

Sg-1 is out, now it's Atlantis turn for the two hour time-slot. As with Sg-1, we get a normal episode and the series finale. The teaser trailer doesn't give much away, but it looks like we may see the conclusion (or continuation) of the 'Ford's half Wraith' story arch. But what really has my attention is the season 2 finale for Battlestar Galactica. Although it will again be going against two episodes, if this finale is anything like season one's, Battlestar counts as three or four episodes of any other Sci-Fi show. I cannot wait.

Standings:

Stargate Sg-1: 2
Stargate Atlantis: 2
Battlestar Galactica: 5

~Mike