SG-1 returns to Ethon, last seen in the episode Icon after Jared Kane (Matthew Bennett) comes to Stargate Command to see Daniel (Michael Shanks). It seems the Ori have arrived there and given his people a superweapon to use against their enemies in return for conversion to Origin.

Written by Damian Kindler from a story by Kindler and Robert C. Cooper, this episode debuted on 3 February, 2006.

Jared is hoping from help to stop his people from making a horrible mistake. So Mitchell (Ben Browder), Daniel, Carter (Amanda Tapping) and Teal’c (Christopher Judge) have to come up with a plan to free Ethon, and perhaps stop a devastating war, and free the people from the Ori whose influence seems to be spreading across the galaxy.

But as we know, things aren’t going to go super easy for the team.

While Daniel and Jared return to Ethon, and are promptly arrested, the rest of SG-1 travel on the Prometheus in the hopes of stopping everything before it goes to far. But Ethon doesn’t want them there, and things look like they are going to escalate, horribly.

The Prometheus finds themselves engaged with Ethon weaponry, which has been augmented by the Ori. And what should have been a peaceful mission descends into destruction and the possibility for all-out war.

Is there a way out? Can the superweapon be destroyed? Can the Ori spread on Ethon be stopped? Can peace be achieved?

And hey look! Ernie Hudson shows up! Damn if I don’t love when he shows up anywhere! And I bet he plays an important part before the end of the story! But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a happy ending.

Solid episode, wrapped in continuity, and moving the narrative arc forward!

Off the Grid is about addictive space-corn?

Written by Alan McCullough, this episode debuted on 19 February, 2006.

SG-1 goes to a planet to investigate a highly addictive corn-like item known as casa. Mitchell insists on being called Shaft when they pose as bounty hunters, representing a coalition of planets. The SGC suspects that the corn may have been augmented by the Ori as part of a bigger plan.

Things go wrong, but their escape is hindered by the beaming away of the gate and DHD.

What’s going on?

Landry (Beau Bridges) checks on Neru (Maury Chaykin), still being held at Area 51, to learn that Ba’al (Cliff Simon) is behind it. It seems the Goa’uld is eager to get out there and set up a new empire. And he’s stealing gates wherever he can grab them from.

The new Odyssey is launched to rescue SG-1 and perhaps Landry has found a way to stop Ba’al (again); track Neru back to Ba’al and steal the gates back…

It’s an odd episode. There’s a lot of silliness going on, but it’s still fairly entertaining. This one feels like a bit of a lark. And perhaps that’s intentional as we begin our race towards the end of the season.