Sci-Fi Showdown - January 27

Welcome to Week 4 of Khyron's Sci-Fi Showdown. Far from the blow-out of last season, Stargate Sg-1 has managed to hold its own thus far. But Showdown favorite Battlestar Galactica is staying strong and getting better. And what of Stargate Atlantis? Can it overcome adversity and make a name for itself in the hallows of science fiction television history?

Lets find out.

Stargate Sg-1 - Ep. Stronghold

With a big win under its belt from last week, Stargate Sg-1 continues from the high-point of a very funny and enjoyable episode...by turning things down a notch.

In episode 9.14, Stronghold, Teal'c (Christopher Judge) discovers that many on the newly formed Jaffa High Council have begun to act strangely. His investigation brings him face to face with a disturbing truth and an old enemy. Meanwhile, Mitchell (Ben Browder) visits a former war buddy, who is suffering from an aneurysm.

Last week's episode was so fun and so light hearted that it really stood out from these later season's mediocrity. Therefore, I was a bit disappointed with Stronghold's more somber, serious tone. That's not to say that it wasn't a good episode, just not as memorable.

A big part of the episode was yet more Ben Browder backstory. We're sure getting to know a lot more about Cameron Mitchell, as basically every episode this season has dealt with his past in some way. Its good to get some characterization for Sg-1's new leading man, but just like the tone of this episode, its kind of a downer. Perhaps even more so than O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), Mitchell has had a pretty tragic past. Its good though, as this personal side ultimately makes him a better character.

The high point of the episode was in the last 10 or so minutes. It's not common that we get to see a full-on, balls to the walls military firefight in Sg-1, so it was good to see some action in Stronghold. This particular firefight was pretty intense, featuring Sg-1 with backup storming a Goa'uld stronghold (hence the title, I suppose). It was filmed well enough, and I'm pretty sure Mitchell was using some kind of drum-fed auto-shotgun, so I was sufficiently pleased.

Stargate Atlantis - Ep. Grace Under Pressure

Atlantis has been sort of hit and miss so far. The episodes have been good, just not outstanding enough to be recognized as the best of the best. This one came pretty dang close, though.

In episode 2.14, Grace Under Pressure, Rodney (David Hewlett) finds himself trapped in a damaged Jumper, sinking rapidly into the ocean. It's a race against the clock as the Atlantis team struggles to devise a rescue plan before Rodney sinks too deep, and is destroyed by the crushing pressures of the sea. But Rodney finds help in the most unlikely of sources: a hallucination of none other than Sg-1's Sam Carter.

This episode has been discussed for a while now, ever since the Amanda Tapping crossover aspect was revealed in TV guide. I will admit that I was looking forward to it--as Tapping and Hewlett's interactions on Sg-1 were pretty good--and thankfully it managed to live up to my expectations.

It was an interesting development to see Tapping on Atlantis (even though she was a hallucination), but her performance was far from the Sam Carter we've grown to know--Carter by look only, as it were. I'm not sure if this was by design, but she just didn't seem like herself. Oh well, though. It worked as is, and made for one of the better Atlantis episodes to date.

Battlestar Galactica - Ep. Black Market

You can probably tell by now who the winner was this week. Battlestar Galactica is a fine show, and its episodes like this one that proves it.

In episode 2.14, Black Market, Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber) investigates the brutal killing of the Pegasus' new commander, Frisk. What he finds is a black market operating in the shadow of the Galactica. He also continues to battle his inner-daemons, being plagued by memories of lost love and suicide. Meanwhile, Gaius Baltar (James Callis) refuses President Roslin's request to step down from the office of vice president.

My first thought of this episode was, "Frisk! NOOOO!" A mere two weeks after proclaiming that Frisk (played by Graham Beckel) is an outstanding supporting character, they go and kill him off. I would have liked to have seen him in a few more episodes, but that's life and the fleet must move on.

It's hard to pin down exactly what was so great about Black Market, but Jamie Bamber definitely had something to do with it. I voted him the best actor in a leading role last season, and I stand by that. We're really starting to get into Lee's head, and I'm not sure we're going to like what we find. Really all characters on BSG are flawed or troubled in some way (part of BSG's success) but I never thought the moody son of Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) would be one of the more disturbed.

Also, I must give props to Bill Duke (of "Gonna have me some fun" Predator fame) for his unexpected (but expertly performed) guest appearance.

Winner: Battlestar Galactica (Black Market)

Battlestar Galactica is the best show on television. 'Nuff said.

Memorable Scene: Lee Adama finds himself pointing a gun at a gangster low-life. Does he pull the trigger and give in to temptation, or is he better than that? Lets just say Bill Duke wont be coming back for another episode.

Standings:

Stargate SG-1: 2
Stargate Atlantis: 0
Battlestar Galactica: 2

Stay tuned for next week's Showdown.

~Khyron, 2006