Uh. Wow. I certainly didn't see that one coming.
Season 6 has not been my favorite by far, and I was a bit worried about a one-episode finale, since buildup is essential to good drama. Actually, Full Circle really constitutes a landmark episode for many plot lines, both those it definitely ties up and those it sets up: Abydos. Anubis and the Ancients. The Lost City. Daniel's Ascension. The intro is a bit over-dramatic but so nostalgic that I don't really mind. I also loved the scenes at SGC, both the O'Neill / Daniel reunion (they make such great foils for each other!) and everybody's matter-of-fact attitude about it.
So they return to Abydos (hence the ep's title). Most of what follows is a bit unequal as half the team goes on a slow but meaningful treasure-hunt, while the rest faces an action-packed but rather useless fight. By the time everybody is reunited (and cornered) Daniel has made a few major discoveries about himself, the Ancients and, most importantly, Anubis himself. Indeed, despite his not belonging to SG-1 anymore, the whole episode revolves around Daniel and his growing frustration at not being able to help. First of all, this means that once again several characters barely have anything to do in the episode (if Jonas wasn't in the opening credits, you'd think HE was the guest). This also means that we spend most of the episode waiting for Daniel to finally DO something, assuming that it will trigger the usual last-minute twist that will solve everything and let Anubis join Apophis in Goa'uld hell.
Sorry, pals. Not gonna happen. I must say the series really took a bold step in not going where we expected and having SG-1, and Daniel above all, completely FAIL. They went to Abydos on Daniel's advice in order to salvage the Eye of Ra, save the world and deal Anubis a harsh blow. They barely make it out, sans Eye nor Daniel, while Anubis purely *destroys* Abydos, a world they fought so hard to save. (I know, the ending scene is supposed to make us feel better about it, but somehow it doesn't quite succeed.) Some finale. Some Full Circle.
So what this finale really does is not so much conclude an arc, as begin a new one on a really dire note. The only positive element in there (if you can call it so) is that Daniel also completes his own circle and will soon be back where he began.
And just to lighten the mood: who didn't snicker at Anubis declaring "So be it" in that sinister tone? I do hope the scriptwriters did it on purpose, after realising that having a hooded villain sit on a throne-like chair in a spaceship and start blasting worlds while a slightly mystical man in desert robes attempts to stop him, MIGHT just ring a bell or two.
Season 6 has not been my favorite by far, and I was a bit worried about a one-episode finale, since buildup is essential to good drama. Actually, Full Circle really constitutes a landmark episode for many plot lines, both those it definitely ties up and those it sets up: Abydos. Anubis and the Ancients. The Lost City. Daniel's Ascension. The intro is a bit over-dramatic but so nostalgic that I don't really mind. I also loved the scenes at SGC, both the O'Neill / Daniel reunion (they make such great foils for each other!) and everybody's matter-of-fact attitude about it.
So they return to Abydos (hence the ep's title). Most of what follows is a bit unequal as half the team goes on a slow but meaningful treasure-hunt, while the rest faces an action-packed but rather useless fight. By the time everybody is reunited (and cornered) Daniel has made a few major discoveries about himself, the Ancients and, most importantly, Anubis himself. Indeed, despite his not belonging to SG-1 anymore, the whole episode revolves around Daniel and his growing frustration at not being able to help. First of all, this means that once again several characters barely have anything to do in the episode (if Jonas wasn't in the opening credits, you'd think HE was the guest). This also means that we spend most of the episode waiting for Daniel to finally DO something, assuming that it will trigger the usual last-minute twist that will solve everything and let Anubis join Apophis in Goa'uld hell.
Sorry, pals. Not gonna happen. I must say the series really took a bold step in not going where we expected and having SG-1, and Daniel above all, completely FAIL. They went to Abydos on Daniel's advice in order to salvage the Eye of Ra, save the world and deal Anubis a harsh blow. They barely make it out, sans Eye nor Daniel, while Anubis purely *destroys* Abydos, a world they fought so hard to save. (I know, the ending scene is supposed to make us feel better about it, but somehow it doesn't quite succeed.) Some finale. Some Full Circle.
So what this finale really does is not so much conclude an arc, as begin a new one on a really dire note. The only positive element in there (if you can call it so) is that Daniel also completes his own circle and will soon be back where he began.
And just to lighten the mood: who didn't snicker at Anubis declaring "So be it" in that sinister tone? I do hope the scriptwriters did it on purpose, after realising that having a hooded villain sit on a throne-like chair in a spaceship and start blasting worlds while a slightly mystical man in desert robes attempts to stop him, MIGHT just ring a bell or two.
