This is not one of the most memorable episodes in SG-1, but it has very few flaws and brings a lot to the new season.
Once again, one of my favourite elements is Vala's complex character. While she never acts selflessly (she partly brings SG-1 to the mining colony because she wants to get her treasure back), she doesn't need that much incentive to make the right choice, and her tough facade has tons of cracks in it. It is clear that the scriptwriters have plans for her, so I am looking forward to watching her evolve (although I am a bit concerned that she is still only a Special Guest Star).
But even as Vala honestly starts to care about the people she spent years duping and exploiting (no matter how benevolently), her efforts seem doomed in front of the Ori's godlike power. Now the tone becomes much darker, even more hopeless than during the Anubis arc. What makes the Ori so terrifying is not their unearthly powers; the most compelling thing about them is how very easy, how very seductive their way is -especially when compared to the Goa'uld's despotic rule. As a result, despite all of Daniel's rightful arguments, the miners' conversion is a foregone conclusion. It is rather disheartening to watch those people, whom we got attached to rather quickly, willingly make the wrong choice --but then again, when faced with such options, who would not?
So now the fight has really taken hold in our galaxy --and the first battle is already lost. It is difficult to imagine how the humans are going to fight back, unless Daniel's question turns out to be really significant: Why are the Ori so keen on being adored?
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