The Other Side (Stargate SG-1)
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| “The Other Side” | |
|---|---|
| Stargate SG-1 episode | |
 |
|
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 2 |
| Guest stars | Rene Auberjonois as Alar Anne Marie Loder as Farrell Gary Jones as Walter Harriman Dan Shea as Sergeant Siler |
| Written by | Brad Wright |
| Directed by | Peter DeLuise |
| Production no. | 402 |
| Original airdate | July 7, 2000 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Small Victories" | "Upgrades (Part 1)" |
| Episode chronology | |
"The Other Side" is an episode from Season 4 of the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1.
[edit] Plot
There have been at least three collisions with the Iris in the last hour.
For the first time in the history of the SGC, humans from another planet calling themselves the Eurondans "call home"; dialing the Earth's Stargate without first being contacted by the Tau'ri. Asking for help from the SGC, claiming that they are under attack from an unstoppable and unspeakable enemy, SG-1 arrives and initially assists. Using a Eurondan device Jack O'Neill shoots down an unmanned reconnaissance drone. This allows the Eurondans to demonstrate their advanced technology; their aircraft are remotely controlled by a neural interface and their underground base is protected by an energy shield, powered by nuclear fusion reactors. However, the reactors are fuelled by heavy water, of which the Eurondans have no more supplies. As a result, their defences are breaking down. Despite imminent defeat, the Eurondans are unwilling to use the stargate to find a new home because a large majority of their people are trapped in suspended animation.
The SG-1 team is impressed by Eurondan military technology, with Carter commenting to General Hammond that the Eurondans are "at least a hundred years ahead of us, maybe more." SG-1 offers to provide a continuous supply of heavy water, in exchange for all the technology the Eurondans have to offer. For the first time, it appears that the SGC has finally found an advanced culture willing to offer them the means to defeat the Goa'uld. However, Daniel Jackson is skeptical of the Eurondans, concerned that the arrangement has been conducted without any knowledge of the Eurondan's enemy or why the war started. The Eurondans themselves refuse to disclose any information and are apparently disturbed by discussing the enemy and their decadent ways.
Though O'Neill is initially blind to the obvious fact that there is more going on than being said, he is unwilling to jeopardize the beneficial relationship. However, the Eurondan leader, Altar, makes several objections to the presence of Teal'c because he is "not of their kind". O'Neill eventually suspects that this is not because he is a Jaffa, but because he is non-white. He prompts Daniel Jackson to investigate the nature of the war, and of the enemy the Eurondans are fighting. He also discovers that the population preserved in suspended animation comprises identical white Nordic-looking individuals. Jackson learns that the enemies, which are so feared and reviled, are known as Breeders. It is later revealed that the Breeders are called this because they had no respect for "genetic purity", breeding without care or plan.
The Eurondans are all from the same phenotype, populating their race through planned breeding and even through cloning, ensuring the continuance and purity of their people. It was, in fact, they who had originally started the current war, poisoning the atmosphere in an attempt to kill off those who would not submit to their eugenicist beliefs on reproduction. Unwilling to support such blatant attempted genocide, SG-1 commandeers many of the remote fighters used by the Eurondans, escorting Breeder bombers and attacking the shielded bunker which housed the command center and technology of the Eurondans. SG-1 leaves the facility as it begins to fall apart due to the Breeders' heavy bombing.
O'Neill tells Alar not to follow them through the Gate, even though he offers to teach them his science in exchange for life. Though it is never made explicit that he does follow them through, the Iris is shut and registers a very slight impact occurring against it.
[edit] Notes
- Rene Auberjonois (Alar) is known for playing Odo in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, adding to the ranks of Trek actors who have guest-starred on the show.
- This is the only episode of SG-1 that makes even a slight reference to Teal'c being black. He's usually described as a Jaffa, or by his Apophis tattoo, but never by his skin color. Most science fiction shows never make reference to racial traits because of the enlightened nature of future civilizations. SG-1, however, is set in present day, allowing for greater social consciousness in episodes such as this one.
- The Eurondans show obvious resemblances, through their actions and racial ideology, to the Nazis during World War II. Their dependence on heavy water recalls the sabotage of heavy water shipments for the Nazi nuclear programme,[original research?] and the embattled bunker suggests the Fuhrerbunker in 1945.[original research?]
- Dr. Daniel Jackson states that his grandfather is Dutch. His grandfather had previously been seen with a Dutch accent in "Crystal Skull".
[edit] External links
- Official Stargate SG-1 site. MGM. Visited June 8, 2006. Most of site requires Flash.
- Screenplay (PDF). Distributed by MGM. Prepared by Casablanca Continuity. Retrieved on October 15, 2006. Linked to from Official Stargate SG-1 site. Also see Google's cache.
- Summary from GateWorld. Visited May 13, 2006.
- Review from GateWorld. Reviewed by Debra Kraft. Visited May 13, 2006.
