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"Unending"

"Unending" is the twentieth episode of season ten of the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1, as well as the series finale. The episode attracted approximately 2.2 million viewers on its American broadcast, a ratings success for the Sci Fi Channel.

Plot

SG-1 and General Landry are travelling on the USS Odyssey to the Asgard home world, Orilla, when Thor beams aboard and reveals that after millennia of genetic manipulation, the Asgard are very close to extinction. Thor offers the Asgard knowledge to be uploaded into the Odyssey, and the SG-1 accepts. However, the Odyssey is soon attacked by Ori warships. As the Ori fire a final energy beam upon the Odyssey, Col. Carter activates a localized time dilation field that should give them time to find a solution. Since this proves unsuccessful, a ZPM and the Asgard power core power the time dilation field and the new Asgard technology synthesizing food, supplies and oxygen.

During their initial months on board, Vala repeatedly tries to seduce Daniel. After three months, Daniel angrily confronts Vala for what he believes to be her insincerity, teasing, and mocking of him. Vala is greatly upset by his words, making him realize that she really does care for him and was sincere. They share a passionate embrace. Years pass, as each member of the team attempts to deal with their isolation. General Landry develops a gardening hobby; Carter learns how to play the cello; Daniel continues to work on translating information in the database; Mitchell and Teal'c trains; and Daniel and Vala develop their relationship. Mitchell spends much time jogging through the ship, growing more frustrated and angry. After many years, General Landry succumbs to old age and dies.

After fifty years, with everybody besides Teal'c (a Jaffa has a much longer lifespan than the other members of the team) aging greatly, Sam finally figures out how to reverse time within a localized field, which requires the power of the Ori energy beam. However, this will mean the loss of any memories of the last fifty years. Teal'c volunteers to remain behind and perform the rescue, protected within a separate field. As the group prepares their plan, Vala and Daniel exchange a last embrace, assuring each other of their love. When everything is in place, they deactivate the time dilation field and Teal'c prevents Colonel Carter from activating the time dilation field. They leave before they are destroyed, saving themselves and the Asgard's legacy.

Back at the SGC, Teal'c refuses to reveal any of the events on the ship to the others, much to Vala's disappointment. However, Daniel jokes that Teal'c revealed to him several bits of good advice that Daniel read in the Asgard database in the alternate timeline (they're really just common aphorisms). SG-1 contemplates these words of wisdom—among them "good things come to those who wait"—as they prepare for another mission. As the episode—and the series—comes to a close, the team says "indeed" all at once, General Landry wishes the team God-speed, and SG-1 steps through the gate on their next mission.

Production

"Unending" is the series' fifth season finale that the show's writers thought may end up serving as Stargate SG-1's last episode. The writers originally planned to end with a cliffhanger finale as they anticipated another renewal. The Sci-Fi Channel however had announced the series' cancellation in August 2006, aproximately one months before "Unending" was written. The network did not want a cliffhanger. The episode's name was chosen to give "a sense of ending without it being an ending." "To blow up the S.G.C. and kill everyone" was never intended. The buildup of the Ori arc in Seasons 9 and 10 will get a pay-off in Stargate: The Ark of Truth. According to Robert C. Cooper, "Unending" was intended as "an emotional tribute to the ten seasons that have come before" and "the last chapter in the book -- but not necessarily in the series of books. It was a chance to show, using science fiction, to show people one version of what the future might be like for these characters that they've spent so much time with and loved so much." The reference to the events of "The Fifth Race" was intended. Because fans being vocal of team episodes, Cooper decided to put the characters for several decades. and see the relationshop develop and evolve. The writers originally intended for the crew to be stuck on the ship for far less than fifty years, but when they saw the actors in their oldest makeup ready to film their scenes, the makeup made them look too old. As it was too late to redo the makeup, the number of years on the ship was increased in the script.

  • Unending Production. gateworld.net
  • See also Vala Mal Doran#Season 10 for the development between Vala and Daniel from the actor's perspective.
  • Robert C. Cooper envisioned that in his mind, the scene of Daniel holding a crying Vala was caused by Vala having gotten pregnant and losing the baby.
  • Amanda Tapping envisioned Teal'c and Sam forming a romantic relationship, and she and Chris Judge subtly played their scenes that way.
  • During a montage sequence, the song "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival is heard.
  • When Vala asks how the Asgard such as Thor can be distinguished, Daniel replies that "It's the voice". Thor is voiced by Michael Shanks (Daniel).

Reception

References

  1. ^ "STARGATE SG-1'S SERIES FINALE TRIUMPHS". The Futon Critic.
  2. Final Stargate SG-1 episode titles revealed. gateworld.net
  3. ^ Producers discuss SG-1 series finale. gateworld.net
  4. New Directions - Interview with Robert C. Cooper. gateworld.net
  5. making-of feature on the DVD
  6. ^ Audio commentary of "Unending"

External links

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