Heroes (Stargate SG-1)

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“Heroes (Parts 1 & 2)”
Stargate SG-1 episode
Episode no. Season 7
Episode 17 & 18
Written by Robert C. Cooper
Directed by Andy Mikita
Guest stars Saul Rubinek as Emmett Bregman
Adam Baldwin as Colonel Dave Dixon
Ronny Cox as Senator Kinsey
Dan Shea as Sergeant Siler
Robert Picardo as Agent Woolsey
Production no. 717 & 718
Original airdate February 13, 2004 & February 20, 2004
Episode chronology
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"Death Knell" "Resurrection"
Episode chronology

"Heroes" (Parts 1 and 2) are episodes from Season 7 of the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1. This two-parter was nominated for a Hugo Award in the category Best Dramatic Presentation - Short Form. For Part 2, which aired as the 150th episode of the series, Andy Mikita was nominated for a Leo Award in the category "Dramatic Series: Best Direction", and Don S. Davis was nominated for a Leo Award in the category "Dramatic Series: Best Supporting Performance - Male" for this episode.[1]

Contents

[edit] Plot

[edit] Part 1

It is revealed to the viewer that the President of the United States, nearing the end of his time in office, has grown concerned over how the public will react if the Stargate program becomes public knowledge after he leaves office. Hoping that he will be able to put a positive spin on his association with the program, he has commissioned a reporter to create a documentary on the people within the SGC and their activities. However, few key SGC members demonstrate willingness to participate in the documentary and the reporter seems to irritate the members of SG-1, and occasionally rant about censorship. (While he has been given complete access to all past mission reports, current activities of the SGC are off-limits since the Pentagon has yet to review and certify them safe for public viewing.) While Sam Carter and Daniel Jackson do participate in the interviews (unlike Teal'c, who simply stares silently at the camera, and Jack O'Neill, who goes to great pains to avoid the reporter completely), it is only Janet Fraiser who seems willing to tolerate the reporter's presence (including his rather clumsy attempts to make a pass at her).

Meanwhile, SG-13 is exploring the planet P3X-666 and a Goa'uld probe (possibly inspired by the MALP) stumbles across the exploration team and, after a brief firefight, is successfully disabled. Deeming the world to be safe, at least for the immediate future, the SGC allows SG-13 to continue to study the ruins they had found. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to the SGC, the probe had dispatched a sub-space signal before it was destroyed, and a Goa'uld strike force appears soon afterwards to engage the explorers. With one team member wounded by a Jaffa staff blast and unable to move, the SGC is forced to send several SG teams as reinforcement to hold off the Jaffa until Dr. Fraiser can stabilise the wounded airman.

[edit] Part 2

“ Janet Fraiser was an extraordinary person. She was kind and funny and talented. Above all, she was courageous. Try as I might, I could not find the words to honour her, to do justice to her life. Thankfully, I got some help. While words alone may not be enough, there are some names that might do. We often talk about those that give their lives in the service of their country, and while Janet Fraiser did just that, that's not what her life was about. The following are the names of the men and women who did not die in service, but who are in fact alive today, because of Janet. Major Samantha Carter. Doctor Daniel Jackson. Colonel Jack O'Neill. Teal'c. Sergeant Connie Smith. Major Ian Hules. Senior Airman Simon Well... (fades) ”

—Samantha Carter, speaking at Janet Fraiser's memorial, held inside the Embarkation Room at Stargate Command

Continuing where Part 1 left off, SG-1 and other teams enter the combat and provide cover for Dr. Fraiser and the wounded airman. Shockingly, while providing cover for the wounded soldier, Colonel O'Neill takes a Jaffa staff blast to the torso and falls to the ground amid continued violence. The embattled SG teams return to Earth and, while the camera crews are forced out of the Gateroom due to the 'No current activity' prohibition, an unidentified individual stretched lifeless on a gurney is visible to concern the viewer and the reporter. Soon afterwards, the reports that there was a KIA during the mission begins to filter through the SGC and piques the interest of the reporter. In addition, Agent Woolsey conducts an investigation into the SGC, with many of General Hammond's, Dr. Jackson's, and Major Carter's operational decisions questioned. During this, the reporter continues to try to determine exactly what happened, who was on that stretcher, and whether rumors of Colonel O'Neill's death are accurate.

After continued pressure, Dr. Jackson allows the reporter to view the tape that he had made of the mission. Viewing the tape, we see Dr. Fraiser tending to the wounded soldier and, almost immediately after stabilising him for travel, taking a staff blast to the torso, fatally wounding her. Jack survived his own impact, and the wounded soldier was saved due to Janet's actions.

Towards the end of the episode a memorial service for Janet is held, with Sam reading the names of those who, instead of having given their lives for their country, were still alive and serving due to Janet's excellent care. The first name on the list is Sam's own, followed by Daniel, Teal'c, and Jack. A touching moment, it illustrates just how large an impact Dr. Fraiser had on the SGC and how gravely her absence from it will be felt.

It is revealed that the wounded airman, who was saved by Janet, had a newly born baby daughter. She was named after Janet.

The show ends with Jack finally succumbing to an interview.

[edit] Production

Part 2 of the episode was the 150th episode of Stargate SG-1 to be aired.

Adam Baldwin, who plays Colonel Dave Dixon, commander of SG-13, in this episode, is well-known among sci-fi fans for playing Jayne Cobb in the cult hit Firefly and its big-screen adaptation Serenity and also Marcus Hamilton in Angel. Mitchell Kosterman previously played a different character, Special Agent James Hamner, in "Seth". "Heroes" also marks the first appearance of Agent Richard Woolsey (Robert Picardo) on the series. Picardo is most well-known for playing the holographic Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager.

[edit] Reception

This two-parter was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form in 2005. For Part 2, Andy Mikita was nominated for a Leo Award in the category "Dramatic Series: Best Direction", and Don S. Davis was nominated for a Leo Award in the category "Dramatic Series: Best Supporting Performance - Male" for this episode.[1]

[edit] Notes

  • Dr. Fraiser mentions that Jack has had three knee surgeries. Richard Dean Anderson has in fact had three knee surgeries, the last one after tearing his knee when he tripped while carrying his daughter shortly before the shooting of season 6 began.

[edit] External links

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