- This episode is part 1 of 3; it is followed by "Within the Serpent's Grasp" and "The Serpent's Lair".
- This episode is a clip show: it is largely composed of clips of previous episodes.
"Politics" is the twenty-first episode of the first season of Stargate SG-1.
Synopsis[]
After experiencing a Goa'uld invasion in an alternate reality, Dr. Daniel Jackson attempts to warn Stargate Command of the possibility of it happening in this reality. The government, however, has other plans as Senator Robert Kinsey evaluates the dangers of the Stargate Program.
Plot[]
Daniel Jackson attempts to convince SG-1.
SG-1 returns to Earth after a mission to P3R-233 and Dr. Daniel Jackson's shoulder is being bandaged in the infirmary as he tells the rest of the team about what he experienced in an alternate reality.
The rest of the team is skeptical of his claims as Major General George S. Hammond arrives along with Lt. Colonel Bert Samuels and reveals that Senator Robert Kinsey, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing to decide the fate of the Stargate Command. Kinsey plans to shut the Stargate Program down as he believes it represents a 'colossal waste of money'.
Kinsey arrives and listens to the testimony of SG-1 and Hammond, including reviewing several mission reports. He is upset that, despite the cost and danger to the planet the program causes, the SGC has yet to bring back any useful technology. The Senator orders that the program be terminated immediately.
Even Jackson's assertion that the Goa'uld are about to attack Earth has no effect on Kinsey, who insists that God will protect the United States of America and the Goa'uld will be no match for the US military.
After Senator Kinsey and his staff leave, Samuels apologizes but Hammond orders him to leave.
Teal'c requests to return to Chulak to continue the fight against the Goa'uld, and O'Neill wishes to join him, but Hammond sadly says that since Kinsey stayed with his decision to shut down the program, the SGC will now cease operation immediately by order of the President of the United States.
SG-1 in the Briefing Room, looking out at the Stargate
As this happens, SG-1 then stand side by side in the Briefing Room, glancing out at the Stargate, all four members lost in thought.
Appearances[]
Notable quotes[]
Jackson: (at the fourth wall) Now I know this is hard for you guys to believe, but I swear to you, the entire time you thought I had disappeared on P3R-233, I was experiencing an alternate reality.
O'Neill: And you were there, and you were there, and there's no place like home.
Jackson: As a matter of fact, you were there!
Carter: Daniel, it's not that we don't believe you.
Jackson: So you do?
O'Neill: No it's just that... we don't believe you.
O'Neill:(at the fourth wall) Alright, wait a minute, let me... let me get something straight here... engaged!? (waves hands between him and Sam)
Carter: It is theoretically possible.
O'Neill: It's against regulations.
Carter: I'm talking physics, sir.
Carter: Major Samuels.
Samuels: That's Lieutenant Colonel Samuels now, Captain.
Carter: I beg your pardon, sir. Congratulations.
O'Neill: You'll always be "Sparky" to me.
Hammond: (at the fourth wall) It costs nearly a billion dollars just to turn the lights on around here.
O'Neill: How about a bake sale? Yard sale? Garage?
Hammond: This is what I look like when I'm not laughing, Colonel.
O'Neill: Car wash?
Kinsey: I believe that that which grows in the dark but withers in the light does not belong on the vine.
O'Neill: (at the fourth wall) Well, as long as you have an open mind.
O'Neill: With all due respect, Senator, the accounting department is up on level three, I believe, but if you want to talk about maintaining the first line of defense against what I believe is the greatest danger humanity has ever faced...
Kinsey: Hyperbole.
O'Neill: See for yourself! General, I suggest we dial up old P4A-771, I think it was, see how long the good Senator lasts in that world!
Kinsey: I have spent a career listening to doomsayers in uniform. "Let us build our billion-dollar machine, and we will save America from the barbarians at the gate." Let me remind you the Cold War is over.
O'Neill: And let me tell you something! This time there really are barbarians; they're called Goa'ulds! And they really are at the gate! That one!
Kinsey: Then I suggest we close it.
Jackson: Senator, we have reason to believe that the Goa'uld are about to launch an attack, in force, in ships.
Kinsey: Then I think they'll regret taking on the United States military.
O'Neill: Oh, for God's sake.
Jackson: Oh, you're right, we'll just... upload a computer virus into the mothership.
Carter: If they come in ships, Senator, we'll be no match for them. At their level of technology, they can wipe us out from orbit.
Kinsey: I'm not convinced of that.
Teal'c: They speak the truth.
Kinsey: I'm not entirely convinced of that, either.
Teal'c: General Hammond, I would like to request permission to return through the Stargate before it is permanently sealed. If this world does not intend to continue its struggle against the Goa'uld, then here I do not belong.
O'Neill: I think I'm going with him.
Hammond: I can't allow that, Colonel. I'm sorry, but you know that. The President has made it perfectly clear if we were unable to convince the Senator we would cease operations effective immediately.
Carter: Sir, there are still two SG teams offworld.
Hammond: We'll keep the light on until they return, but that's all I'm authorized to do.
O'Neill: So…what? That's it?
Hammond: That's it, Colonel.
Carter: It can't be.
O'Neill: With all due respect, sir...
Jackson: Sir, with all due respect, the good senator is an ass!
Hammond: He is an elected official of the government we are sworn to serve. Whether we agree or disagree, he's made his decision. Our commander-in-chief has given us our orders accordingly. I expect you all to carry them out. Dismissed.
Cast[]
Main Characters
- Richard Dean Anderson as Colonel Jack O'Neill
- Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson
- Amanda Tapping as Captain Samantha Carter
- Christopher Judge as Teal'c
- Don S. Davis as Major General George S. Hammond
Guest Stars
- Ronny Cox as Senator Robert Kinsey
- Robert Wisden as Lt. Colonel Bert Samuels
- Peter Williams as Apophis (Archive footage)
- Vaitiare Bandera as Sha're/Amaunet (Archive footage)
- John Bear Curtis as Primitive (Archive footage)
- Colin Lawrence as Major Carl Warren (Archive footage)
- Michasa Armstrong as Shak'l (Archive footage)
- Zoran Vukelic as Jaffa (Archive footage)
- Scott Nicholson as Jaffa (Archive footage)
- Jay Acovone as Major Charles Kawalsky/Charles Kawalsky's Goa'uld (Archive footage)
- Gary Jones as MSgt. Walter Harriman (Archive footage)
- Teryl Rothery as Dr. Janet Fraiser (Archive footage)
Notes[]
- The episode is largely a clip show containing scenes from previous episodes as a way to save money for the upcoming finale "Within the Serpent's Grasp". Clips from the following episodes were included:
- Stargate
- "Children of the Gods" (excerpts written by Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright)
- "The Enemy Within" (excerpts written by Brad Wright)
- "The Broca Divide" (excerpts written by Jonathan Glassner)
- "Cold Lazarus" (excerpts written by Jeffrey F. King)
- "The Nox" (excerpts written by Hart Hanson)
- "Brief Candle" (excerpts written by Steven Barnes & Katharyn Powers)
- "Singularity" (excerpts written by Robert C. Cooper)
- "Politics" is not very well regarded among fans. Possibly because it is a clip show, it is widely regarded as one of Stargate SG-1's weakest episodes.
- When Senator Robert Kinsey says the Goa'uld will "regret taking on the United States military," Dr. Daniel Jackson replies by sarcastically suggesting that they could thwart the invasion by uploading a computer virus into Apophis' mothership. This is likely a reference to Independence Day, which was directed by Roland Emmerich, and written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin, the same team behind the Stargate film.
- This is the first SG-1 episode to feature a scene taken from the original movie. Later shots of Heru'ur's ship landing on the Temple of Ra in the episode "Secrets" were also lifted from the film.
- The beginning of this episode contains a reference to The Wizard of Oz when Colonel Jack O'Neill comically remarks, "And you were there, and you were there, and there's no place like home..."
- Kinsey claims that O'Neill and Major Charles Kawalsky were sent to Chulak on "the tenth of February of this year," while the events of "The Broca Divide" took place in March.
- SG-2 had returned to Argos and found that the people of Argos are living free of the nanites and leading long, healthy and productive lives.
- Stargate Command costs $7.4 billion per year to operate.
- This episode takes place one day after the events of "There But for the Grace of God".
- This is the first episode of the series to refer to the fact that Sha're and Skaara are siblings, as was established in the Stargate film.
- This episode features the first appearance of Ronny Cox as Senator Robert Kinsey.
Other languages[]
- French: Décision Politique (Political Decision)
- German: Die Invasion, Teil 2 (Invasion, Part 2)
- Italian: Pericolo d'Attacco (Danger of Attack)
- Spanish: Políticas (Politics)
- Czech: Politika (Politics)
- Hungarian: Politika (Politics)
- Polish: Polityka (Politics)
- Japanese: 閉鎖命令 Heisa Meirei (Shutdown Orders)
[]
- Politics at the Internet Movie Database
- Politics on GateWorld. (backup link)
- Politics article on Stargate SG-1 Solutions' The StargateWiki
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