This is a very original episode. It begins in the middle of a very confusing scene deep below a mine (great haunting musical theme, by the way) where SG1 seem to fit right in... except they don't remember being SG1 and even have new names. Because they don't remember, most of the episode is spent, not getting out of there, but trying to understand how they got here in the first place. I think that's a refreshing starting point for a story, and the plot uses very few flashbacks, so our only clues are the character's vague memories and Hammond's inconclusive investigation.
The whole plot seems solid and well-built. The idea of a small minority literally enslaving the rest of the population through a well-engineered lie is both brilliant and chilling. Also, SG1 are usually outsiders when they discover a new planet; but since they now believe they belong here, we get a very different insight into the worker's plight. Finally, it is interesting to see how, without any knowledge of who they are, they prove to be true to themselves. The only sad point here is that we see very little of Teal'c.
I only have two regrets: one, that we learn the truth much too early during Teal'c's initial outburst. They should have let us wonder what was going on. Second, after a long, enigmatic intro, the plot is too easily solved. Maybe this story wasn't worth a two-parter, but after Jack, Sam and Daniel first start talking together, it's only a matter of minutes before everything is happily settled! Still, on the whole, a very intriguing and therefore, good episode -at least on first viewing.
The whole plot seems solid and well-built. The idea of a small minority literally enslaving the rest of the population through a well-engineered lie is both brilliant and chilling. Also, SG1 are usually outsiders when they discover a new planet; but since they now believe they belong here, we get a very different insight into the worker's plight. Finally, it is interesting to see how, without any knowledge of who they are, they prove to be true to themselves. The only sad point here is that we see very little of Teal'c.
I only have two regrets: one, that we learn the truth much too early during Teal'c's initial outburst. They should have let us wonder what was going on. Second, after a long, enigmatic intro, the plot is too easily solved. Maybe this story wasn't worth a two-parter, but after Jack, Sam and Daniel first start talking together, it's only a matter of minutes before everything is happily settled! Still, on the whole, a very intriguing and therefore, good episode -at least on first viewing.