Sci-Fi Showdown - Week 8
Sci-Fi Showdown - Week 8
Game over, man. Game over.
I try to keep an open mind here in the Sci-Fi Showdown. With the concepts behind Battlestar Galactica and the Stargates being so different, it's important to rate not which episode was the most dramatic or comical, but rather if it succeeded in accomplishing its set goal. For the Stargates, that goal is usually to present an interesting story in a fun, adventurous way. For Battlestar, its goal is usually to break free from genre clichés and give us a character drama that draws inspiration from current events.
This week, Battlestar Galactica was not only successful in its attempt, but has once again reclaimed the 'bigger than television' feel prevalent in the first season.
Was it really that good? And how do the Stargates stack up? Let's find out...
Stargate Sg-1 - Ep. Arthur's Mantle
With nearly 9 full seasons under its belt, Stargate Sg-1's greatest obstacle to success is a lack of originality. I was worried about this particular episode because, after seeing its promo, I couldn't help but think, Haven't we seen this before?
In episode 9.18, Arthur's Mantle, Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) and Cameron Mitchell (Ben Browder) find themselves 'phased' into another dimension after Carter activates a mysterious artifact. They can still see their original dimension, but cannot interact. As Daniel (Michael Shanks) tries to investigate what happened to them, Teal'c (Christopher Judge) ventures off-world to investigate a distress call from a band of allied Jaffa. There he finds an Ori-enhanced (if not terrible rabid) warrior that has slaughtered his entire village. Will Teal'c be able to stop this merciless beast? And how will Carter and Mitchell make it back to their own dimension?
This whole interdimensional travel thing is nothing new to the Sg-1 team. Or the sci-fi genre, for that matter. Star Trek has tackled the subject more than a few times, and the writers even took in upon themselves to poke fun at the episode's un-originality by referencing past episodes. But it's one thing to poke fun, and another to take the concept and bring something new to the table.
I wasn't very impressed from the get-go, but surprisingly, this episode got better.
I'd say the success of this episode comes from the family atmosphere between the Sg-1 cast. Shanks and Tapping have known each other for sometime now, and their familiarity with each other translates very naturally on the screen. The jokes the cast plays off each other, which would most certainly fail in any other show out there, just seem to work. The sense of camaraderie is--some could say--touching.
But I think what also helped redeem this episode was the secondary plot line, and how it was tied in at the end. The interdimensional thing wasn't nearly enough for a full episode, so at least they were able to space it out with a one-on-one Teal'c battle. We get to see Judge wield dual submachine guns again, which is always impressive to the point of comical. He makes those guns look like pistols. Bravo to his massive arms.
All in all, Arthur's Mantle was a slow, un-original start redeemed by the cast's interplay and the secondary plot line.
Stargate Atlantis - Ep. Michael
Victory is now officially impossible for Stargate Atlantis in the Winter Season Showdown. Moreover, there is a real possibility that this Sg-1 spin-off will be completely shut out this season. But does this mean that it's not an entertaining show? No way.
In episode 2.18, Michael, Lt. Kenmore (Connor Trinneer) awakens in the Atlantis infirmary. He doesn't remember who he is or where he came from, but is told by the Atlantis staff that he was captured by the Wraith in a valiant last-stand. But soon he realizes something isn't right. After noticing how everyone treats him strangely, he begins an investigation into where he came from. The secrets he finds reveal the monster that lives inside him.
Despite a pretty huge (yet forgivable) plot hole about being able to speak English, Michael is probably my favorite Atlantis episode of the Winter season. It was one of the first Atlantis ep.'s that felt like a stand-alone entity, independent from Sg-1 inspiration. Had it not been for Battlestar Galactica (more on that later), this episode would have been well deserving of a Showdown point.
I really liked Connor Trinneer for the guest star as Michael. Known mostly for his role on Star Trek's 'Enterprise,' I felt that he fit in well on Atlantis. A fine actor he was, too. His performance really helped ground the plot on an emotional level. He's just a likeable guy, which makes his hidden secret that much more difficult.
If this level of quality is a sign of what to expect from the Atlantis finale and 3rd season, than I think Sg-1's little sibling will do just fine.
Battlestar Galactica - Ep. Downloaded
In its first season, Battlestar Galactica left such a lasting impression that, despite having only a handful of episodes, became what I consider the best show on television and arguably my favorite show of all time. That's a pretty high standard set by a debut season. Although season 2 has been ridiculously entertaining, it has yet to truly match the movie-like feel of the first. Well, that is until now.
In episode 2.8, Downloaded, Cylons Six (Tricia Helfer) and Sharon (Grace Park) have their consciousnesses resurrected on Cylon occupied Caprica. Having lived amongst the humans as sleeper agents for many years, the two find it difficult to adapt to their new life away from their human loved ones. With one of the D'Anna Cylon models (Lucy Lawless) threatening to 'box' their consciousnesses, the disenfranchised duo make a pact to enlighten their brethren to the true word of God. Meanwhile, the Galactica's Sharon model gives birth to the first Cylon/Human hybrid. But with the threat this child poses, President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) devises a plan to keep the child's existence a secret.
As I said above, game over. Stargate Sg-1 was able to keep pace this season (more so than last season), but if Battlestar is to be known for something, let it be the show's explosive finales. With 2 more episodes left in the season, Battlestar is really starting to pick up the pace...in a big way. Unless Sg-1 can really come up with something so original that it blows my socks off, then I can definitely see another season win for BSG.
Downloaded did what Galactica does best. Unlike this week's Stargate, in which I pretty much knew the outcome from the get-go, I had no idea where Galactica's writers would take me. Around every turn there was something new and unexpected. Just when I think I've got this show figured out, they go a pull something so unique that it has me thinking for days afterwards.
A Cylon perspective episode, Downloaded relied heavily on its leading duo of the undeniably attractive Helfer and Park. Both performed their roles excellently, despite a bit of over-acting by Park. Her emotional breakdown about being a "Fraking Cylon!" was a bit cringe-inducing after having listened to it countless times in the episode's promo.
But I tell you, when Six was resurrected and they panned up to reveal Gaius Baltar (James Callis), I thought I was just going to drop over dead. I had considered many possibilities about how Baltar could find his way joining the Cylons, but never did I think Caprica Six would get a 'Baltar in the head.' Mr. Moore, take a bow, good-sir. You've managed to take my favorite aspect of the show, the interactions between Helfer and Callis, and turn the tables on the duo's relationship. I'm just excited thinking about all of the possibilities that have been added to the show.
I can write on for a while about this fine episode, so I will close with just one last point. I was concerned about the abortion aspect of last week's episode. Mr. Moore, forgive me for ever doubting you. In fine form, they used the abortion story to springboard into a new plotline that I wouldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams. Touché, bravo, and kudos. Best show on television, indeed.
Winner: Battlestar Galactica (Downloaded)
I can feel the tension starting to build. I think we may have a finale that could top the shock value of season one's.
Memorable Scene: Any and all of the interactions between the Six Cylon and the Baltar in her head. Pure television gold.
Standings:
Stargate Sg-1: 3
Stargate Atlantis: 0
Battlestar Galactica: 5
