The Plot

SG-1 comes back without Daniel whom they say has died during their previous mission. They have no major medical problems. There is a hearing to find out what happen to Dr. Jackson. When General Hammond offer to send another team through to get Daniel's body. Jack quickly says no, that it is to hot. They hold a funeral for Daniel at the base commending Daniel's spirit to the universe he opened up. It is now that we find out that Daniel is not dead. A wake is held at Jack's place, while Daniel is trying to figure out what is happening and what his kidnapper wants of him. While packing up Daniel's apartment Jack, Sam and Teal'c come to the realisation that something is terrible wrong with themselves and their views of Daniel's death. While the rest of SG-1 is getting to the root of their problem, Daniel is just learning the extent of the trouble he is in. SG-1 finally learns that their team mate and friend is not dead. Daniel decided to go through a similar procedure his friends went through so they would think he is dead and finds out that the aliens mate is dead, killed by a Goa'uld god Belios. Nem the alien leaves, he finds Daniel's friends on the beach. Daniel escapes to save not only Nem but also his friends. They explain to Nem they had come in peace and wanted to be his friends, but hurt at the loss of his mate to their race he says that he can't at that moment, but wishes Daniel all the best for he search for his mate, Sha'uri.

How could you gripe about such a great episode? Okay...

2) They never fully explained if he was the only alien of his kind left and why was Ammoroka helping earth, to the point that she was killed? But as a Fanfic writer these questions make for interesting possibilities for a story. And now another ancient culture to look into, and see how much fact they used on the show.

3) This is between a gripe and a nice touch, the way at the funeral they make it sound like the Stargate revolved around Daniel. Nice to say he opened that universe, but to pledge to continue in his memory was a touch too much.

The whole episode, but if I was forced by pain of death to choose a scene, I would say Daniel's funeral and or the ending.

I thought it was a nice touch the way the reef for Daniel leads to us seeing him in his watery prison, for the first time. And the fact you get the feeling that Babylonian history didn't excite Daniel. Personally I would have to agree with him on that idea.

To do justice to everyone I would have to go into such detail. Who do I start with? Teryl Rothery finally gets a chance to shine with her character's sympathy and concern for the surviving members, while she herself is forced not to grieve. I like the way she stands up to the General; the chemistry between her and Don S. Davis is very strong. Don S. Davis gives just enough grief at the fate that has fallen SG-1, yet still had the General's military mind still showing. I especially like when his character is trying to help O'Neill deal with the grief over the loss of his teammate and friend. Richard Dean Anderson portrayal of Colonel Jack O'Neill to perfection with him privately upset and stoic at Daniel's Funeral. I like the way he opened up to the General. I especially like his peach at the funeral where Anderson gets to show openly how much Daniel meant to Jack. Amanda Tapping gives one of her best performances to date. The way she played a shocked Sam at first then the revelation Daniel her friend is dead is heart wrenching. In a later her curiosity getting the better of her was great. I especially like her scene during the hypnosis, "My God, Colonel, we left him behind." Even Christopher Judge is allowed to expand on his usually very little emotions, when upset by Daniel's death he won't allow a medic to do a routine test on him. Later at Daniel's apartment solemnly refers to a time he and Daniel played as ancient Egyptian game. I like when he is haunted by the music seeing Daniel's death he becomes enraged. Michael Shanks for somebody who's done comparatively less acting that the other key actors (I could be wrong), just keeps getting better and better, and the further away Dr. Daniel Jackson becomes from being James Spader's character to his own. The others emotions are developed during the episode. However Shank's, as Daniel has to show multiple emotions at one time and is able to do so convincingly. He is able to portray emotions from fear, rage, frustration, empathy, courage and eventually joy at being reunited with his friends. I loved when frustrated and angry and afraid he won't see his friends and wife again he yells at Nem. The person who played Nem also deserves a clap, he plays the solemn character so well, you believe him in his frustration with the lack of help from Daniel, who surely knows more than what he is saying. I would have to say all this great acting it is easy to suspend your disbelief (and for-knowledge for other spoiler fans). You can feel the grief and the frustration of all the characters.

Oh this was such a wonderfully written story by Brad Wright and Katharyn Powers (who also did the teleplay). There was not one scene that I felt wasn't needed or was weak in its point to the plot. The script is just as strong as the acting. It gave the actors a chance to show their talents. Back to story, it allowed for the sadness over the loss of Daniel yet doesn't alter the reactions you would expect from the characters, at the loss of a teammate and friend. Not only dose it shows how much Daniel means to the others, but also how much they mean to him.

"National security aside, you (SG-1) were probably the closest thing he had to a family." Hammond to Jack