Stargate SG1, season 5

FOUR STAR
-Wormhole X-Treme!
This may be a bit of charity, as most of the episode is just high three-star. But the last few minutes, courtesy of actor Michael DeLuise (SEAQUEST), is uproarious delight. Martin (Willie Garson, SEX AND THE CITY) is back, with his memory wiped (again!). With one of his species' ships approaching Earth, SG1 investigates. Lots of cloak and dagger stuff surrounding Martin, who is now a Hollywood producer of an action series based on his unconscious memories of the stargate program. We spend much time on that set, where SG1 lampoons itself (and its leads, and Hollywood in general) very satisfyingly. Director Peter (Michael's brother and Dom's son) plays his "Wormhole" counterpart beautifully.
NOTEWORTHY
-Enemies ***
A worthy conclusion to the season 4 finale. SG1 and their ship have been flung across the galaxy, chased by Apophis, the only other survivor of the supernova. They hide in an asteroid field when a powerful alien attacks Apophis. Replicators find their way onto both ships. Teal'c has been resurrected and brainwashed into thinking he is still Apophis' loyal Prime. The replicators build super speed into the engines, to reach the resources in our corner of the galaxy. Can the ship be sabotaged, yet in such a way that all the stars of the show live? Hmmm...
-Threshold ***
The first all-out back story in SG1 history, and it's a good'n. Bra'tac removes Teal'c's symbiote, believing that a near-death experience is all that can free his protege's brainwashed mind. As his friends pour the truth into his half-conscious mind, Teal'c relives his youthful ascension to First Prime. If you feel the writers have never really tapped into Teal'c's potential, you're right.
-Ascension **
A home-made stargate in the basement is fun, but...this one's a head-scratcher. You'll swear the writer had no previous experience with STARGATE (though you'll be wrong). Saved from one star by the game performance of Sean Patrick Flanery (YOUNG INDIANA JONES), and the SG1 debut of John de Lancie (STAR TREK).
-Beast of Burden ***
An earnest, uncorrupted tale of the enslavement of a population of unases. Their human masters were their former slaves. SG1 tries to rescue the unas Daniel befriended, but things get ugly. Larry Drake (L.A. LAW) deftly plays the town's master. This is as good as SG1 writing gets, but in the middle of it, there's a moment that points up the barrier of excellence the show still can't crack. Anderson and Shanks have a face to face, and for a moment, you can feel the actors almost bursting into a higher, more authentic human reality. Then the moment's gone.
-The Tomb **
SG1 teams with a russian unit to investigate the disappearance of a russian team. They become trapped in a ziggurat with a goa'uld inside the body of a wolverine/octopus-type carnivore. One star lost for cliched treatment of russians, but otherwise very nice (plus a helping of Jen Halley, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA).
-2001 ***
A surprisingly righteous follow-up to "2010". The aschen initiate contact with Earth through an unexpected source, and it's up to the SGC to discover whether they are the same race Jack's bloody note from the future warned of. Whatever you do, actors, don't play a love interest for a character the writers have earmarked for Mr. Dean Anderson. They might as well just hand you that red shirt.
-Proving Ground ***
A quartet of cadets go through SG1 wargames scenarios, overseen by Jack, in the actual SGC. For a while it all feels kind of obvious, but the fake-outs you know are coming are layered and satisfying. Plus a happy helping of Grace Park (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA), with baby fat cheeks.
-48 Hours ***
Unique in the show's history, for juggling three plot lines which all stay airborne. Teal'c gets trapped in the event horizon, requiring Daniel to go get Russia's DHD. Jack runs around with Maybourne, trying to gather ill-gotten NID intelligence. Sam tries to figure out how to get Teal'c back, with the help of Area 51's top stargate expert, the delightfully arrogant Rodney McKay (David Hewlett), who will be spun off into STARGATE: ATLANTIS.
-Summit ***
Feels like what the pitter patter of the first 100 episodes has been building to. Daniel is sent on an undercover mission to a meeting of the seven system lords, with a toxin that will destroy them all. He changes the plan when he learns of the re-emergence of the ancient goa'uld Anubis. Great visuals, and the debut of Cliff Simon as Ba'al. Michael Shanks is now offcially up to the task of carrying a second-rate sci fi episode. That's not as left-handed a compliment as it sounds.
-Fail Safe ***
SG1 does ARMAGEDDON. But once again, they sidestep predictability.
-The Warrior ***
Jaffa leader K'tano (Rick Worthy) has arisen, and gathered an army of freedom. He prepares a bold strike, with suicidal abandon. Teal'c and Bra'tac join him, and SG1 brings arms and supplies...but Jack loses faith. Some plot holes, but a powerhouse performance by Rick, a sci fi stalwart with recurring roles in GALACTICA and ENTERPRISE.
-Menace ***
SG1 discovers an advanced android in the remains of a dead civilization. They bring her to the SGC, and reactivate her. She's childlike and evasive. She makes a replicator for Daniel as a present, and they realize that her abilities killed her people and birthed a galaxy-wide menace. A lovely performance by guest star Danielle Nicolet. Kind of nice to see ol' General Baldy Hammond camo'd up and laying down some whoopass, for a change.
-The Sentinel ***
SG1 tries to repair a planetary defense weapon damaged by the "fake" SG1. The people it protects have regressed technologically, and have no idea how to fix it. Their leader is Mural (Henry Gibson, LAUGH-IN, in a strikingly nuanced, delicate performance).
-Meridian ***
The death/ascension of Daniel Jackson. I am neither thrilled (as i thought i would be based upon his early mediocrity) nor sad, as the attempt to make this an emotional farewell feels forced, by SG1's lack of character depth and the old sci fi "non-death" death. The only thing that moved me was the realization that Teryl Rothery has the sexiest philtrum in the galaxy.