Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1

Episode 6: Cold Lazarus

By: Carlos Uribe

Stargate SG-1 is a series about a two-way gate that can send you to different planets and the dangers of the gate. This series follows the adventures of a group of individuals as they explore the galaxy using the Stargate. The series lasted from 1997 until 2010. It began on Showtime before transferring to what is now known as the Syfy channel. It is the second longest North American science fiction series. It's the sequel to the movie “Stargate” released in 1994.

Spoilers Ahoy!

This an episode that's premise is about a living crystal made up of energy that can mimic human appearances. This is the first actual alien creature that is featured on the show and it's a bit silly. The idea of living energy isn't new to Stargate SG-1. It's actually rather common among science fiction, but it's an idea that never made much sense to begin with. The question always becomes on how these creatures evolved or were created and how they manage to survive. It doesn't make much sense for energy or crystals to be alive, especially on a planet where the only other thing seems to be sand. The idea for the aliens might stretch credibility, but Stargate SG-1 manages to use these aliens to have one of it's best and most emotional episodes of the series. While the episode managed to expand on Jack's past and develop his character, it still had it's flaws beyond just having a crystal-like alien. The primary flaw being that it felt the need to add radiation to the climax in an attempt to build some tension. It simply felt like the series was trying to add another layer to the story and it didn't really succeed because it didn't need it. The series was having an emotional climax and that's all that it really needed to work.

The rest of the episode is pretty good. It begins with the SG-1 team exploring a new planet. They discover the crystals and Jack is accidentally knocked down unconscious while he's separated from the team. This allows a crystal to take the appearance of Jack and to go with SG-1 back on Earth. It's at this point that the team starts to learn more about the crystals. The crystals are not only alive, but most of them had been wiped out by the Goa'uld after they accidentally killed one. They are afraid that these new humans, who look like the Goa'uld, are going to finish the job. This helps to make the purpose of the crystal pretending to be Jack more clear. He's not pretending to be Jack for nefarious reasons but to try and help Jack. That's because these crystals can read minds. The crystal had realized that Jack was going to be fine from his physical attack, but that there was an emotional pain from Jack's past. The crystal was hoping to heal that loss.

The loss being that Jack's son had died before the series even began. That piece of background info doesn't really come up in most episodes, but it is key in this episode. Since this loss primarily occurred in the Stargate movie, the series fills in new viewers on what happened. Charlie was playing with Jack's personal gun when he accidentally shot himself. Jack felt guilty and this led to him leaving his wife. The crystal being doesn't understand death as it means to us humans. This is where the show gets a bit murky. On the one hand, the crystal-race has been largely wiped out by the Goa'uld and yet it's hinted that death isn't so final for these energy beings. What then is the big worry if they get wiped out? It would have been better if the series was better able to explain what death means for these energy beings. Once the crystal pretending to be Jack realizes what Charlie's death actually means, it comes to the understanding that it can't help Jack see Charlie.

That's when the emotional climax comes into play. The real Jack finds the crystal pretending to be him and the two have a talk. A talk where the crystal version of Jack is not only able to give Jack some sense of peace about Charlie, but he's also able to let Jack see his son in the flesh. That's because the crystal starts to mimic Charlie. It's a way for Jack to be able to put his past behind him while at the same time not forgetting it. Jack is given some emotional closure and this will allow him to develop. The crystal also opens up an opportunity for Jack and Sara to be able to emotionally connect. This is the only time in the series that she actually appears in (flashbacks/photos don't count) and it's one where Jack is able to truly bring closure to their relationship.

This was an episode about closure for Jack. This will allow Jack to move forward and to be better able to fit in the future storylines, without the burden of his past. It was an effective episode and it's one of the best ones this show has had because it concentrates on character rather than on the plot. The idea for the aliens might have been silly, but the episode was able to take this silly idea and run with it.