This is a very important episode in the series' early development. Not only did it establish the existence of the Asgard prior to their debut in Season Two but it also proved conclusively that the host's personality survives (which was only hinted at in "The Enemy Within"), features the first reference to the System Lords and is the first episode to suggest that the Goa'uld did not create the Stargates.
Aside from its importance, it's also a wonderful episode in terms of quality. The two story lines complement each other well and Kendra is a very engaging character, probably one of the most important one-off characters in the series' history as the ramifications of learning that something of the host survives would resonate throughout the rest of the series. It's a shame that she did not return in "Thor's Chariot". I also really liked the scenes in the labyrinth in which Jack and Teal'c confront Unas as, aside from being well written and acted, they provide more insight into Goa'uld history with the revelation that they once took hosts which were far more formidable than humans.
The scene in which Daniel has to decide to destroy the Hammer is probably my favourite of the episode as you can tell how torn he is between potentially being able to save Sha're and Skaara and saving Teal'c then and there. It's a nice early example of how much the team already meant to each other, best exemplified by Jack's statement that Teal'c is "part of this family now."
Aside from its importance, it's also a wonderful episode in terms of quality. The two story lines complement each other well and Kendra is a very engaging character, probably one of the most important one-off characters in the series' history as the ramifications of learning that something of the host survives would resonate throughout the rest of the series. It's a shame that she did not return in "Thor's Chariot". I also really liked the scenes in the labyrinth in which Jack and Teal'c confront Unas as, aside from being well written and acted, they provide more insight into Goa'uld history with the revelation that they once took hosts which were far more formidable than humans.
The scene in which Daniel has to decide to destroy the Hammer is probably my favourite of the episode as you can tell how torn he is between potentially being able to save Sha're and Skaara and saving Teal'c then and there. It's a nice early example of how much the team already meant to each other, best exemplified by Jack's statement that Teal'c is "part of this family now."