To all intents and purposes, the 8th season really ended with Threads, so this two-parter really works as a separate arc (almost), a sort of "what if...?" fantasy with no real consequences but lots of good moments.
It all starts with an expedition to retrieve a ZPM (you know, those things that power up the Ancients' weapon). The thing is supposed to have been in Gizeh in Ra's era. Now, despite all the artifacts that were supposed to have been found there, I had sort of given up on ever seeing Gizeh on Stargate. I stand corrected: SG1 soon get reacquainted with the little inconveniences of time-travel when they find themselves stranded in 3000 B.C. Gizeh and accidentally alter their timeline. So... what if there had been no Stargate? How would SG1 have fared without their grand purpose?
This only works because it's been eight years, of course. It is both quite pathetic and quite entertaining to watch Daniel and Carter stumble through what should be their "real" lives. (Congratulations to Amanda Tapping for a deliciously bumbling Carter!) They are great together, and rather touching when they realise that they could be so much more. This also gives the show an opportunity to resurrect some familiar characters from previous seasons for a last reunion (back to Ra!) This of course means a lot of in-jokes and self-references, which won't bother the newcomer but will delight old-time fans.
To sum up, this episode is not significant in terms of long-term development, but it is very good, even nostalgic in some ways. And the convoluted plot is mind-boggling enough to keep you waiting for more.
It all starts with an expedition to retrieve a ZPM (you know, those things that power up the Ancients' weapon). The thing is supposed to have been in Gizeh in Ra's era. Now, despite all the artifacts that were supposed to have been found there, I had sort of given up on ever seeing Gizeh on Stargate. I stand corrected: SG1 soon get reacquainted with the little inconveniences of time-travel when they find themselves stranded in 3000 B.C. Gizeh and accidentally alter their timeline. So... what if there had been no Stargate? How would SG1 have fared without their grand purpose?
This only works because it's been eight years, of course. It is both quite pathetic and quite entertaining to watch Daniel and Carter stumble through what should be their "real" lives. (Congratulations to Amanda Tapping for a deliciously bumbling Carter!) They are great together, and rather touching when they realise that they could be so much more. This also gives the show an opportunity to resurrect some familiar characters from previous seasons for a last reunion (back to Ra!) This of course means a lot of in-jokes and self-references, which won't bother the newcomer but will delight old-time fans.
To sum up, this episode is not significant in terms of long-term development, but it is very good, even nostalgic in some ways. And the convoluted plot is mind-boggling enough to keep you waiting for more.
