The last episode left us with one dead crewmember and an alien who was rather warmly accepted by his peers, as well as a frustrated, ethically divided military. But this is the first true mission away from "home", as it were. So let's see where the writers of SG-1 take us this episode.
The SG-1 team enters into a forested, Earth-like planet, where they encounter what look like rabid German Shepherd dogs chasing a boy. They scare off the dogs and meet the boy... who speaks perfect English. Colloquialisms, too. And he's perfectly human.
Is it just me, or do most of these aliens seem to know English pretty well? Like, unusually well? Even Kirk had to use a Universal Translator whenever he wanted to chat with any non-Federation folks. Besides, even Jackson observes that these people are likely descendants of the Mongols. Wouldn't they speak, I don't know, Mongolian? We'll see.
More natives approach (oh, so they do have their own language) and they all apparently have issues with the fact that Carter's a woman. They see these strangers as a threat, so O'Neill shoots off his gun in a very "I'm the superior technology enlightened person here" way and they meet the boy, Abu's, father. He invites them into his village. Abu's father, Chieftain Moughal, begins speaking of a revolution of sorts; that the "old ways" would no longer serve them; that "trade will replace war" and so on.
I find this interesting. He's a warrior, true to the Mongol history, but he's enlightened? Very Buddha-ish to me. And he's a capitalist? Well, he did spare Carter. Let's see where this leads.
Carter is told to change her clothes prior to heading out. Painfully feminist as always, she balks even in the face of new custom and culture. She complies, but I'll be watching her... The men also balk at her dress, though perhaps in admiration more than anything.
While the men are out, someone sneaks up on Carter, puts a knife to her throat, and kidnaps her. It turns out to be Abu (you see what I mean about female hostages!?) and will trade her. She insists she's not property, but obviously that's not the idea here.
The writers seem to somewhat contradict themselves. They present Carter as a very strong, brilliant woman, but they have a habit of always having a woman as the "victim of the week", as it were. So are they making a statement about female power or just wanted her in a sexy dress? Ever since the pilot first started, it's always the girl. Here's hoping they get more creative... not that I'm worried about Carter. She'll get herself out of this mess.
Back in the village, Jackson thinks this is all a misunderstanding, but O'Neill wants to raise hell for getting one of his crew taken. Abu's father, being so liberal, agrees to help them find her.
Abu and Carter ride to a neighboring village. It turns out this is the place of Abu's people's (the Shavadai) enemy (the Toughai). She tries to be difficult, but that's easier said than done when you have a knife to your throat. Abu wants to trade Carter for the daughter (Nya) of this enemy chief (Turghan). (So many names!!) The chief offers gold instead, saying that his daughter's marriage is already predetermined, and the deal is done. Carter is his.
Back to the crew, we learn that the "demons" (likely the Goa'uld) who brought the Mongols to this world made the laws against women. But Moughal actuallyloved his wife, and thus why he wants to change the ways.
At the enemy camp, Abu plans to escape with the chief's daughter. For someone who sold Carter - a human herself, of course - off in a snap, he sure was in love with this girl.
Turghan talks to Carter, and is surprised that she does no woman's work. He threatens to kill her for speaking out against him, and she starts to look nervous.
Later, as she begrudgingly works, she sees Nya run off with some other women, so she escapes into the forest on horseback, only to be recaptured.
The daughter tries to justify her father's actions, but Carter encourages her to deviate and marry who she pleases. This is noble, yes, but rather stupid. For such a smart lady, Carter clearly didn't pay attention in history class. I've a bad feeling about this.
The crew finally enters Turghan's camp and plan to get Carter out. The men go to trade for her, but Turghan just scoffs and tells them to get out. However, O'Neill pulls out his gun and it's a trade. This new technology was enough for the war-obsessed Toughai. They get Carter back safe and sound and go to sleep... only to be awaken when Abu comes to them begging to help Nya, who will be stoned for running off with him that night.
More ethics debate!
Carter insists that they must go save the girl. Jackson disagrees and muses that they perhaps do not have the right to interfere with this other culture.
(Prime Directive! Prime Directive! Prime Directive!)
I always loved this. The debate between what is morally and socially right, and the differences of morals themselves. Jackson lived with another race for at least a few years and married one of them. Carter is still fresh in the field. It only makes sense that she wouldn't be as culturally sensitive.
Abu's father insists that his son must either choose his people or his girl. After a bit of brainstorming, though, they realize this isn't the case. Since they do not wish for war, they will evoke an old law, which states that a Chieftain can challenge another Chieftain's decision, and the winner in a fight-to-the-death prevails.
Of course, though, Moughal is an old, ailing man, who cannot possibly win in a fight against Turghan.
So Carter steps up as the "Chieftain" of SG-1. (Well, she is "captain"!)
A huge fight vaguely reminiscent of a Klingon bat'leth duel ensues, and Carter gets her knife to his throat, not only freeing Nya but also proving her worth - despite her sex/gender - to the very sexist chief. He at last is forced to admit they are both free.
They leave the happy, enlightened village, and all the women have now removed their face coverings. The crew heads back to the Stargate, and we get this funny piece as they talk of a new anesthetic they found:
Jackson: We can never say where it came from.
O'Neill: Damn. Guess I'm going to have to cancel that Oprah interview.
Teal'c: What is an Oprah?
Oh, Teal'c. I love you.
Final thoughts... I liked this episode. Sure, Carter still annoys me, and I would've loved to have seen more of Teal'c, but there's more episodes for him. I thought the whole feminist/anti-sexism message was a little too "in-your-face" and I would've liked to have seen more deviation from the rest of the planet's inhabitants. Still, it was a good message and really good in establishing Carter's overall character. The Mongol twist was interesting and pretty unique. And they actually stayed on the planet instead of running back to base. Yay!
PREDICTION FOR NEXT EPISODE
The crew muses over their mission back at the base.
Carter: Did you guys see me kick butt out there? Huh? Did ya? Did ya? I was like, 'Pow!' and Turghan was like, 'Ow!' and then I LAUGHED in his face!
Jackson: That wasn't very respectful of their culture, humiliating the Chieftain like tha--
Carter: Shut up, Jackson.
O'Neill: I thought you were awesome out there.
Carter: Thank you, Colonel. And I thought you were supposed to be the smart one, Jackson.
Teal'c: Would someone tell me what an 'Oprah' is, already?! I looked on your Earth internet and all I saw was a crazy woman screaming about new cars!
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