What's ur least fav ep & why?

[webmouse]

Stepping out into the gray realm of possible heresy, but always looking for stimulating (not flaming) discussion, I ask --

What SG1 episodes do you like the least and why?

Every TV series is bound to produce a few corkers, but we all have different tastes and standards -- that's why the 'why' is important.

To me, it isn't enough to love an ep just because of a kiss (yeah, but was the story any good up to and beyond that point), and it isn't enough to hate an ep just because one character garnered too much screen time (ie, those who don't like an ep because of JQ).

Just like it may be hard to narrow down to one favorite ep, you can select more than one that didn't do it for you or you can pick one per season or even an entire season (some folks have a thing about S5).

So, for starters:

Bane -- As a general rule I find the premise of having one's entire DNA re-written, then turned back to normal by the ending credits to be implausible. Then there is the "gross-out" factor -- this one slipped into the streams of yucky. I did like the interactions between Teal'c and the little girl, but there wasn't much else here for me.

Politics -- All the action was garnered from clips of previous eps. This was a talk-heavy story meant to serve only as a season retrospective that is set-up for the finale. Of course, Kinsey is made so incredibly awful that we wonder who elected him (oh, wait a minute, no we don't :evil Although I understand this ep's purpose, I keep thinking there must have been another way to put the SGC program in jeopardy from Kinsey. Anyway, this one looks like they were trying to save money by reusing footage.

I can think of a few more that didn't reach SG1's usual story quality for me, but I'll wait to see if those are mentioned by others.

webmouse :wave:

 

[timdgreat]

sorry to do this to u mouse, but my least favorite is politics and wormhole extreme.
i hate wormhole extreme because mostly its just so stupid, and Martin is annoying as hell.
politics is just arg..... well u understand i hope
Sorry if u guys disagree
:rolly2:

 

[webmouse]

No need to apologize. Just as we should all respect why someone favors a story, we should also respect why someone finds another story lacking -- to be kind.

In fact, I agree that Marty is annoying as hell. He's awful. I didn't like him the first time he showed up either. My acceptance of Wormhole X-treme is based mostly on the self-parody, with Peter DeLuise cast as a director of a show very like the one he actually directs. I think its great that the show doesn't take itself so seriously that it can't laugh once in awhile -- outside of Jack's smartass remarks.

I don't favor turning SG1 into a sit-com, but the occasional funny ep is okay. No one could stand doing a job that was all tension and danger with every mission. The team would burn out. With the stress of our own lives, we might not accept a show that was nothing but stress for the characters.

So, a little humor is good and for that I'll tolerate Marty. (Hell, I have to tolerate Kinsey, Samuels, MacKay, Maybourne, Makepeace, and all those cliched, villainous System Lords and their vile minions.)

Similarly, The Other Guys is a very funny homage to Star Trek. It has a gapping plothole that is hard to account for as written (I'll say no more so I don't have to put in spoiler code ).
That doesn't mean I won't watch it again. It doesn't fall into my "least fav" category, but because of the plothole I can't say that it was a shining example of what the show's writers are capable.

 

[skoon]

what's wrong with our

Maybourne?

Generally I don't like the ones dealing with Teal'c's kid (sorry can't spell Riaks name). I dunno, Chulack bores me, especially 'Family'. I also hate Bane, that yucky factor & as webmouse said the whole unbelievability

 

[webmouse]

Maybourne starts out as an officious jerk, but once he's on the run from the law he's a much more likeable character.

The Chulak eps are not high on my list either, although as constructed there's nothing terribly wrong with them. It may be that stories involving long-term, sentimental relationships are not as satisfying. This means that marriages and dependent children are a drag on the plot.

Shippers aside, most of us are not comfortable with the leading characters have steady intimate involvements. It divides the character's loyalties in ways that are not beneficial to the team and it hampers the writers' ability to introduce romance with guest actors for single stories.

Notice that Jack is divorced (as is Janet), Daniel and Teal'c are first separated from and then lose their wives, and Sam is wedded to her career.

Jack can have flings in Brief Candle and in 100 Days. Teal'c can get into his "Jaffa revenge" thing over the death of Shau'nac. Daniel can get the hots for Hathor and for Kera (Past and Present). Sam has ambiguous flirtations with Jack, Orlin, and even MacKay. Her marriage in 2010 is quickly ended when the future is changed.

The suggestion of sexual tension between Jack and Sam is part of the show's subtext, but military regulations require that it remain unrequited. In the end it is better for the show that the main characters are free to fit whatever brief romantic entanglements the writers create.

As for dependent children -- Ry'ac is much more tolerable as a teen in S6 than he was as a little boy in Family. Cassie, for all that she clung to Sam, was adopted by Janet, someone who rarely has off-base assignments. And Shifu -- with Oma for a step-mother he is in no way dependent on any SG member.

:wave:

 

[skoon]

don't forget Sam was engaged to Jonas is S1 (they really like that name doen't they , they keep reusing it, Jonas (ex-feance) Jona (Jack is S4 Beneath the Sueface) & now Jonas Quinn...) ya Ry'ac is more tolerable in S6. But I still didn't really like that ep with all the Jaffa & To'kra togeher S6 or even the Warrier in...S5? & I don't like how they make Teal'c look all loyal cause he's not perfect. At some point he did commit adultery at the temple with Shau'nac & all his divided loyalties & Jaffa Revenge is starting to unnerve me I guess...why would he have abandoned everything in one go to go with SG-1. Couldn't he have helped them but secretly still surved Apophis...what's Bra'tac been doing before Teal'c ever started to fallow his ways? Shouldn't he have got Teal'c defying Apophis long ago? I guess we wouldn't have a show or at least him as a team member...

 

[webmouse]

Originally posted by skoon
I don't like how they make Teal'c look all loyal cause he's not perfect. ...why would he have abandoned everything in one go to go with SG-1. ...what's Bra'tac been doing before Teal'c ever started to fallow his ways? Shouldn't he have got Teal'c defying Apophis long ago? I guess we wouldn't have a show or at least him as a team member...

You've hit on one of the two team inclusions that doesn't stand up well to critical analysis. The other, of course, is JQ. Both suffer from the stark reality that the writers need first Teal'c and later JQ to be on SG1 by the end of the episode -- COTG in Teal'c's case and Redemption, pt 2 for JQ. You can practically set your watch by Jack's announcement of adding them to the team --- 3, 2, 1 and he's on the team, roll credits. There's not a lot of tension or uncertainty about what's going to happen to the aliens.

"The willing suspension of disbelief" is critical for audience acceptance of the plot, but I suspect most of us just ignor some inconsistencies in order to get on with the show.

I always used to wonder where the bathrooms were on the Enterprise and why Captain Kirk never needed one. On SG1, whenever the team is confined to a single cell (Upgrades, Fifth Man), I have the stray thought: So what's Sam supposed to do? Just drop her drawers in front of the guys? Yeah, I know the team needs to be together so they can figure out what to do next, and I just assume that this communal cell in the SGC must have a private toilet although that would not be the case in most prisons.

That's not exactly a plothole -- more of an oversight or something that we're just not supposed to think about in our total absorption into the unfolding story. Pity then, that commercial breaks allow us moments to reflect.

 

[skoon]

I like how they did ask where the toilet is in...what ep was that now, where the scientist come to fix Selmac's crashed ship...oh the Astaroid one. At least they admit there are washroom facilities...I guess we don't want to know the prison one, they designate a corner & when Sam needs to go, everyone looks the other way?

 

[webmouse]

Unlike '50's TV, at least many shows now acknowledge that people use bathrooms, but obviously the writers don't want to spend any time on trivia that doesn't drive the plot forward or develop the characters. So we learn to accept (that is to suspend our disbelief) that everyone finds a pot to pee in when needed. No more need be said.

As for Teal'c and JQ's timely inclusion on the team, again we accept it because we realize that those characters are intended to be part of the show. If the writers were to drag it out along realistic military security guidelines, we'd be watching a soap opera and not science fiction.

The question then is how much fiction are we prepared to accept -- that is to suspend our disbelief for the sake of the story?

Obviously, Bane asked too much of me. I just couldn't accept re-writting DNA and the yucky factor turned me off, making me less accepting of the slippery science presented.

Politics started as a good ep, but as soon as it became dependent on clips it reminded me of an STNG season finale Shades of Gray (same title as an SG1 ep), another season retrospective based on flashbacks and memories. Extensive use of clips makes me think that either they are short on story or short on money and are using footage as filler.

 

[PTeppic]

I've never been comfortable with "Emancipation" - very early in the canon, and a little too heavy on the moral message, which later seems to have been avoided.

I can see why (for at least two reasons) they did Politics, but the financial reason is just toooo obvious...

I also have a generic displeasure with some of the late S5 episodes; things just seem to get too easy for SG-1.

 

[skoon]

Originally posted by PTeppic
I've never been comfortable with "Emancipation" - very early in the canon, and a little too heavy on the moral message, which later seems to have been avoided.

There was a moral message in Emancipation? I guess I missed it...or are we talking about sexism? I guess it was a little early in the season but I liked how the guys acted differently around Sam & saw her in a different light when she was...'Samantha', woman in dress as apposed to Sam in fatigues backing up their buts in battle...

 

[webmouse]

I guess Emancipation must not be amongst my favorites either considering that I only watched it when it first aired years ago. I have the S1 DVD boxed set and I've never watched that ep.

I suppose now that you've mentioned it I'll feel compelled to review it enough to articulate why I don't like it, but at the moment I don't even remember the plot except that it has to do with Sam setting a sexist society straight.

 

[Texane]

ANY epy with

John Delancie in it. I hate that guy's character (you know the one; he only plays one). :dead:

 

[Jobeth]

My least favorites:

S1 - Emancipation -

Spoiler

A whole society changes it's most cherished, long-standing traditions simply because of four visitors who only stayed a couple of days? Not very likely, IMHO. Also, I still think Turghan threw that fight.

Politics - clip show.

S2 - Bane - trite plot, unbelievably quick resolution and EW! factor.

One False Step - aka 'Planet of the Mimes'. Good idea, poor execution.

Spoiler

The 'aliens' were so obviously extras in bodypaint, and as they didn't speak or otherwise show any sign of personality, I didn't give a rat's butt if they got killed off. Good Jack/Daniel argument scene though.

S3 - I liked most of them. I'd have to say POV was my least favorite, with AU Sam clinging to a very uncomfortable Jack like a leach.

S4 - D&C - I never saw any 'romance' until the anvil dropped on my head.

Prodigy - Honestly, did Sam really need a 'mini-me'?

Point of No Return - If Marty is what TPTB think Sci-fi fans are like, I'm really insulted.

S5 - Fail Safe - Gee, do you think TPTB saw 'Armageddon'?

Summit/Last Stand -

Spoiler

Goa'uld's looking like cartoon characters, Daniel acting like a dithering idiot and Sam hauling Elliott around like Wesley in 'The Princess Bride'. (Would it really have killed Jack or Teal'c to give her a hand?)

Wormhole Extreme - The DeLuise brothers amused me the first time I watched it, but on second viewing the mean-spirited digs at the actors

Spoiler

Changing the MS stand-in's billing from 2nd to last, poking fun at CJ never getting any lines, the parody of Daniel's 'Tin Men' speech about having rights, too, etc.)

ruined it for me. Also, see above comment about Marty.

 

[webmouse]

I haven't seen some of the S5 eps Jobeth mentioned, but on the others I agree completely and for many of the same reasons.

While I enjoyed Wormhole X-treme, I can't stand Marty. And I glad she pointed the digs at the actors. I hadn't really focused on that, but I see her point. Mostly I just like the ending piece with the "actors" talking about their roles and being confused by the plot within a plot device.

Not being a shipper, I too have missed most of the "romance" aspect between J & S -- and would gladly return to my state of ignorance. Within-team romance has no place here if the show is to maintain any semblance of credibility.

Least fav for me in S6 as shown so far (up to Prometheus) is Shadow Play.

Spoiler

Hopelessly inept rip-off of the film Beautiful Mind that missed every opportunity to show us some solid background on JQ. What a waste

Not terribly fond of Prodigy either. I realize that they wanted to introduce the Haley character before her shining moment in S5 Proving Ground, but the idea that Sam would invite a troubled (even if brilliant) cadet to share in the U.S. military's greatest secret program was laughable. There were other ways to create and include Haley without this silly story.

As for De Lancie, well he excells in playing the same despicable character, so whenever anyone needs that character they cast him. Of course, it takes all the fun out of figuring out who the bad guy will be -- rather like casting Christopher Lee. No mystery there.

 

[Jobeth]

Let's just say that after watching 'Wormhole Extreme' I could see why MS wanted out. I can only imagine how he and CJ felt, but I doubt they were very amused. The only redeeming feature of that ep was the Brothers DeLuise.

Webmouse is right about "Prodigy". I find it hard to believe that the same General Hammond who went ballistic when Daniel told Catherine about the revived stargate program (and she used to head the project(!)) would allow any cadet, let alone one who was about to be kicked out of the AF Academy, to know about the US Government's most top secret program. They should have made her a junior officer already involved with the project, IMHO.

I forgot S1's 'Solitudes'

Spoiler

All through that ep, I kept wanting to shout "Try a different gate address, brainiac" at Sam. Also, I do not and never will understand how an episode which starts with Jack telling Sam how his great love for Sara motivated him to survive in Iraq and ends with him calling for Sara when he thought he was dying, could possibly be considered evidence of Sam/Jack ship.

 

[webmouse]

I had forgotten about Solitudes as well.

Hmmmm -- must say something about the ep.

 

[skoon]

...don't kill me...I loved that ep. I think it's my most watched one... anyoo, I absolutey loved the new expression 'Planet of the Mimes'!!! & yes, I didn't like that ep much either though I can stand it better than both eps with Marty!

 

[webmouse]

I never said I didn't like Solitudes, but the fact that I can barely remember it means it wasn't outstanding for me -- good or bad. No one should feel that they have to justify why they like or dislike a particular ep, so if that's your fav, Skoon, it must reach you on a level that it didn't reach me.

Actually, I'm impressed on this thread by the continuity overall of the answers. No one likes Marty (big surprise ). No one has jumped to defend Bane beyond liking the interaction between Teal'c and the little girl. Politics and 'the Planet of the Mimes' have neither one garnered a fan club.

Whether or not you like an ep depends on how much disbelief you are willing to suspend (to turn the theatre chestnut inside out ). Prodigy seems to have asked too much of an intelligent audience, since it demands that we chuck everything we know about military security and standard clearance procedures for top secret facilities. I can accept any alternate universe story before I can accept a direct contradiction of what I know to be true in this universe.

There are some eps that I like for just one or two magic moments, something that I found immensely meaningful or satisfying. That doesn't make it a good story -- it just means that I don't want the hour of my life back for having watched it. There are other eps that are so wonderfully crafted that I watch them again and again, enjoying every moment. And there are eps that I have no desire to see again, mercifully few in SG1.

So, for me Nightwalkers is in the first category -- worth it for a couple of moments

Spoiler

Sam slapping JQ and later justifying it in the SGC conference room

Between Two Fires is in the second category -- a well crafted story that is satisfying on multiple levels.

Spoiler

I do not weep for the loss of the Tollan and enjoyed the way J & T engineered Nareem's ability to counter the Goa'uld plan

In that last category goes Emancipation -- I can't even persuade myself to watch it on DVD. Maybe after a few drinks or other appropriate medication :evil:
Both of the Marty eps are painful, but at least with Wormhole X-treme there is the fun of watching the brothers DeLuise. Too bad it is at the expense of the actors -- now that this has been pointed out I don't know if I'll be so keen to watch it again.

Most of my "least fav" eps are merely weak stories, not up to the quality I expect from SG1.

 

[skoon]

personally I'd watch the first Marty over Worm Whole X-Treme anyday. I hope I never see the second again... Out of the "New" S2 DVD box set (I've watched S1 set over & over & over, except for Bloodlines, Corai & Tin Man) I have yet to take an interest in watching Game Keeper, Family, Secrets, Spirits, Touchstone, Serpent's song, & one false step...perhaps it's cause I've watched then over & over on tapes (taped from the TV) cause it took them soooooo long to reliese it on DVD for us...