Revanna Archives - Gatecast

Episode 104 Fail Safe

Oct 082011

The Earth is doomed yet again as a rogue asteroid hurtles towards the planet and we have days left to live, not even Bruce could swing this one unless Dean Devlin decided to use this plot for a theatrical remake. The Tokra are in no position to help us having been more or less wiped out last week and surprisingly the Asgard refuse due to the protected planets treaty and no proof this is not a natural disaster. As luck would have it the crashed Teltak on Revanna is flyable with a little work from the tech guys from Area 51 and the SGC and armed with a Naquadah enhanced nuke SG1 make their way back to Earth to destroy the asteroid before it’s too late. Then the fun begins as the ship is crippled leaving SG1 stranded on the asteroid along with the nuke and a 2 hour countdown then the discovery of the composition of the rock proves the Goauld are responsible and the explosion will take out the solar system. They’re doomed:)

Fail Safe is a stand alone episode but ties in at least in terms of consequence from the events in Last Stand as Anubis promised the System Lords he could remove the Earth from the galactic equation. The lack of help also reflects the demise of the Tok’ra as a power and casts a question over the Asgard who are bound by the treaty but again without Thor may not be as enamoured with us.

Things to do today, Die!

Fail Safe comes along with some very tasty CGI and matt/green screen work, yes the scenes with Jack and Teal’c in suits (very good suits) walking in slow mo on the asteroid are difficult to make realistic on a TV budget but the rest looks fantastic. I assume the lack of significant guest stars and no location shooting meant more of the budget could be put towards the CGI work required to make this episode work despite splurging cash on the last episode especially. While it is a standalone episode there are certainly threads worth following in terms of the Asgard, Tok’ra and Anubis which shows the writers are on their game so close to the season finale.

I can see my house.

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Episode 103 Last Stand

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Oct 012011

Trapped in the rubble of the Tokra base the last few survivors flee the invading army intent on denying them access to the chemical/biological weapon which could cause the downfall of the Jaffa armies the System Lords rely on. Meanwhile Daniel continues his undercover role within the System Lord Summit but he’s getting careless and surrounded by enemies one mistake could be his last. Last Stand is the conclusion to the double header which deals with the fate of the Tok’ra or at least the majority of them and there ability to be a significant threat to the Goa’uld who themselves may not realise the mistake they are making be not banding together to resist the return of one their number.

Business first

Daniel is playing a very dangerous game by delaying the release of the poison but he always had a soft spot for women and especially those he had or does care for so can’t really kill Osiris without the option of first releasing Sarah from it’s grasp. It doesn’t help that in Danny mode he talks too much raising the suspicions of another Lo’taur who in a quite independent act goes to Yu can informs him of his concerns. Of course it all falls apart but this is plotonium as it drives Daniel and Jacob towards Revanna in an effort to help SG1 and the Tok’ra. SG1 along with Elliot are escaping the Jaffa and heading towards a communications device and fortunately evade capture and eventually meet up with the returning Daniel and together trapped with no help for escape Elliot offers up a solution.

Might have said the wrong thing!

Last Stand is an excellent episode, Michael Shanks and Anna-Louise Plowman get to show their chemistry together and it’s this story which does kinda dominate the episode although the remaining SG1 with Elliot plays well with some angst and a logical and fitting act by Elliot. Some interesting choices made in what not to show and you can really see where all the money was spent and being Rob C Cooper has it’s uses when pushing through your own vision of a sequence:)

Bandits on your Six

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Episode 102 Summit

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Sep 242011

The Tokra have been busy developing a new weapon and delivery system just in time for a major conference of the remaining System Lords. Using the drug which is derived from the substance the Reol people use to influence the minds of other (Fifth Man) Daniel is volunteered to go undercover as Lord Yu’s personal servant and at the appropriate time use the weapon wipe out the ruling class of the Goauld. Meanwhile the location of the Tokra base on the planet Revanna has been discovered and a huge Jaffa force besieges the base and block the gate forcing SG1 and the last survivors of the Tok’ra to fight for their lives. All that aside both SG1 and Daniel get a few surprises on their respective missions which are left unresolved and leads into the second part of this double header.

Summit is the first part of a two parter, it’s written by Joseph and Paul but the second part of the story was written by Rob indicating that major arc implications are in play and yes the seeds of a new main arc are sown as the Systems Lords and the SGC face some stark realities. The episode is jam packed with good stuff, every cent spent is clearly evident on screen from the top notch CGI to the beautiful sets and costuming it really is a feast for the eyes.

Home from Home

With two significant stories being played out it would be easy for both to suffer but surprisingly they both hold their own although it had to be a two parter as so much happens from both perspectives and then of course the stories do overlap and the implications continue to appear for the rest of the season and the next. It was good to see Elliot so soon even though his character was a last minute substitution for Martouf when JR Bourne was not available but keeping Lantash the Tok’ra was inspired allowing Sam to have some solid screen time and act above the tech nerd or soldier. The loss of the Tok’ra as major players came as a surprise especially with the rise of Anubis but just as we lost Apophis there will be those that come along to fill the gaps.