Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie pen Ripple Effect from a story they created alongside Brad Wright. It first aired on 20 January, 2006. It was directed by Peter DeLuise, who makes sure he gets himself a cameo.

We’re seeing, well, a ripple effect from the creation of the black hole they created to try and stem the Ori Beachhead. Stargate Command is slowly inundated with more and more SG-1 units, they are coming from parallel universes.

As additional teams, and variations of them, arrive, Carter (Amanda Tapping) finds herself working with multiple versions of herself as well as another version of Martouf (JR Bourne) to try and figure out how to return the teams to their own universes. Not to mention stop it from happening again. Dr. Lee (Bill Dow) shows up to help as well, and it ends up being an entertaining episode.

We get delightful variations on the SG-1 team, including a return of Dr. Fraiser (Teryl Rothery).

There also fun little character reveals of what happened to the characters in other timelines. And will all the SG-1s be on board with the plan? Or will they be intent on getting home no matter what the cost?

There’s a couple of twists and reveals and the truth comes out. And it ties itself in nicely with the Wraith storyline from Atlantis, and there’s some cool stuff and character bits throughout.

I like multi-verse things, especially when they are done right, and this one, I feel works really well, and plays nicely against the whole Stargate backdrop.

Nine seasons in, the series is still telling fun stories and enjoying itself.

Stronghold continues the narrative arc of the Jaffa High Council and the issues that face it, from democratic rule, and equality for all Jaffa. Bra’tac (Tony Amendola) seems to be slowly settling into his leadership role (something that was hinted at in the previous episode), but things are going to get complicated.

Written by Alan McCullough with excerpt written by Brad Wright, Martin Gero, and Robert C. Cooper this episode was first broadcast on 27 January, 2006. It was also directed by DeLuise.

Bra’tac seeks help from the SGC when Teal’c (Christopher Judge) goes missing when investigating a fellow Jaffa council member. There is political intrigue aplenty as members are switching votes, and all seem to be doing the wishes of Ka’lel (Simone Bailly). What else is going on here? Who’s really intent on disrupting the possibility of a democratic and free Jaffa nation?

It’s all a ploy by Ba’al (Cliff Simon) to control and unify the Jaffa for his own purpose, crafting an army for a battle against the Ori. A good idea, but at the expense of the freedom of countless others.

But he’s doing it through torture and brainwashing, and he’s working Teal’c right now.

Mitchell (Ben Browder), meanwhile, is checking on a friend who is in hospital. Major Bryce Ferguson (Reed Diamond) is ailing, and despite the care he is receiving, it won’t be enough. Mitchell works on pulling strings to use some alien tech. So that he can see the truth of what Mitchell has been doing.

Bryce is dying, and Mitchell has a bit of survivor’s guilt. But he’s still intent on doing right by his friend. It’s cool to see Ferguson struggling with guilt and trying to be a good friend. Not only to Ferguson but also to Teal’c.

It’s a solid episode, a little quiet, but still well done.