Stargate SG-1: Fire and Water Rewatch

October 16, 2024 12:22 PM - Season 1, Episode 12

The SG-1 team returns from its mission on the planet Oannes without Daniel Jackson, who was killed in a volcanic eruption. However, it turns out Daniel is not dead at all, but is held captive by the amphibious alien Nem.

SG-1 returns to Earth, convinced that Dr. Daniel Jackson is dead. While they mourn their loss, they begin to have the feeling that their memories are faked to make it look like he died, and that he is still alive. Their theories turn out to be correct, when Jackson is actually imprisoned by an Ohne named Nem to extract information regarding the whereabouts of his mate, Omoroca.

posted by Carillon (8 comments total)

I don't hate this, but it is a weird episode. It's another in the line of something weird happens to one team member which this season really relies on. It's also weird in that there were Ohnes living on earth enough that they could start a rebellion, but then we never hear about them or from them again. Is he the last of his kind? How many were on earth? It's fine, but just an odd bunch of knowledge to drop and then leave. Finding their footing on the show I guess!

Also what a pull by Daniel Jackson to get Omoroca. I know it's a show, but I always love watching Michael Shanks do his thing with Daniel where he's remembering super esoteric material.
posted by Carillon at 12:27 PM on October 16 [1 favorite]

This is one of those episodes that works a lot better when it's several seasons in, when it's conceivable that a cast member may want to leave after putting in their time. [looks in Johnas]. As such, in the first season, it just didn't feel likely at all, so even before the "reveal" that Daniel was alive, it felt all weirdly forced. SGC also apparently likes to have a super fast turn around on memorial services. In the wreath laying scene, it made me think to the future where someone breaks down how much it costs to dial the gate and thought, "Well someone won't be happy about that."

I think this definitely could have been a better episode, in part by removing the death fake out. Save that for a season finale, goodness gracious.

It was my impression that Omoroca was kind of just a one woman (?) army stirring up rebellion against the Goa'uld. It was kind of a misinterpretation to claim that her work in Babylon was somehow connected to the overthrow in Egypt that happened many years later.

Geez, now I'm kind of irritated. I really like elements of this from the Daniel and Nem side, but it just doesn't work overall.

Was this the first episode with Teal'c being seen outside of SGC?
posted by Atreides at 12:56 PM on October 16 [1 favorite]

I forget,.does he go out in Cold Lazarus?
posted by Carillon at 9:58 PM on October 16

Maaaaybe? it depends if he went with Daniel and Sam to the hospital or not. I can't remember. Hrm. I do recall a conversation (I think?) where Teal'c asks about going out to Crystal Jack, and Crystal Jack kind of blows him off or something?
posted by Atreides at 7:54 AM on October 17

Yeah, this early on, this felt over-acted, probably because it was over-written ("they must be in SHOCK!"). To be fair, they are referring to PTSD before it became a recognized thing? (ie., "Shellshocked")

When I think 'shock" I'm thinking hemorrhagic (loss of blood) shock.

Strange that a civilian gets a full military burial ceremony?

I'm surprised/ not-surprised that Sam's dress uniform included pantyhose (or the like).

Michael Shanks is soo much more conventionally visually attractive than James Spader of the movie Daniel. Glasses or no glasses.

The going through Daniel's stuff scene is touching and well done.
posted by porpoise at 9:31 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]

In the 90s, I don't think it wasn't too uncommon for someone to be "in shock" in movies and tv. I assume you're right in that it was derived from someone being shellshocked.
posted by Atreides at 7:06 AM on October 18

ok goofy retro vfx storytime. For the big walking across the sand shots in this episode they did this elaborate setup where there were 2 stationary cameras filming at the same time, with their field of view overlapping a bit - then the actors walked through the scene, appearing first in the footage from one camera, then the next. So I had both images side-by-side, stitched them together into one very wide frame and then did a digital camera move to follow the actors to the beach. The funny part of it was that there was also a bunch of guys carrying a bluescreen behind them as they walked, trying their best to stay behind the actors so we could key them out and replace with the funky sky painting you see in the show. The shots turned out kind of pretty but what was filmed looked ridiculous!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:52 AM on October 29 [4 favorites]

Well now I have to go back and rewatch the rewatch. It's this type of magic that brings the show alive.
posted by Atreides at 7:03 AM on October 29 [1 favorite]