SG-1 is called to Abydos by Kasuf (Erik Aviari). There they witness the returns of the harcesis, known a young boy calling himself Shifu (Lane Gates).

Absolute Power was written by Robert C. Cooper and first debuted on 19 January, 2001.

Unfortunately, something begins to happen to Daniel (Michael Shanks), caused by some effect of the boy. There’s a shift in personality and he begins to become power-hungry. He begins snapping orders, is plagued by visions, and seems to have more knowledge than he should.

Can O’Neill (Ruchard Dean Anderson), Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Teal’c (Christopher Judge) find a way to save their friend, or will they have to find a different solution?

As things escalate, it’s clear that there are a lot of problems with the knowledge Daniel has been given. The old adage absolute power corrupts absolutely is at the front of the viewer’s mind. But we’ve also seen this kind of thing before… is it a vision? Much like the one Daniel had when Teal’c killed his wife? Showing him what could happen if he was given too much.

And because we’ve seen this kind of story before we know it’s all just a vision, a possibility it doesn’t have as much emotional impact as it should. But it’s pretty entertaining, none the less.

The episode also realizes this and because of that shifts to actual SG-1 reality for the climax of the episode, as the SGC, with some help of the Tok’ra learn what the harcesis was attempting to teach Daniel, who is fine by story’s end. The pair harcesis and Daniel, find their paths, and continue their journeys, separately.

The Light was written by James Phillips and first aired on 26 January, 2001.

It’s not the strongest episode of the season. It’s not horrible, and I like the banter between O’Neill and Carter.

When a member of SG-5 takes their own life by leaping into an activating wormhole SG-1 tries to figure out if it has something to do with the planet they visited. Daniel is already there, hard at work exploring a two-hundred-year-old palace abandoned by the Goa’uld. He’s found a strange light.

And when he returns to Earth, Daniel also shows some issues. Issues that escalate quickly to a suicide attempt, and Hammond (Don S. Davis) sees him committed to a mental facility.

O’Neill and the rest investigate the planet, and the light, encountering a strange young boy, Loran (Kristian Ayre)who claims to have been left there.

Soon, other members of the team begin to show strange symptoms as well. Have they somehow become addicted to the light?

As they begin to figure out what is going on, they realize the key is somewhere in the light room, and if they don’t solve it, they may be stuck there. And what does it have to do with Loran?

This one just feels a little to run-of-the-mill and not as engaging as previous adventures. Still considering the track record of this season, I’m okay with the minor misstep, which to be clear isn’t even that bad, but when compared to the rest of the season, or series, it’s not the strongest entry.