Episode of the Week: ‘2001’

SG-1 encounters a potential new, technologically advanced ally in the war against the Goa’uld — though they do not know the Aschen’s secret agenda to conquer the planet Earth.

A sequel to Season Four’s “2010” (with episode titles playing off the work of Arthur C. Clarke), this episode put the viewer in the unusual position of knowing much more than the team knows. The whole plotline in fact revolves around SG-1 figuring out what the audience already knows.

“2001” Facts:

• The team shares a list of really terrible Stargate addresses with the Aschen, including P3W-451 — the world spiraling a black hole (“A Matter of Time”). It’s mentioned, but not identified, as the episode’s end.
• Senator Kinsey makes such a strong play for relations with the Aschen in this episode because he thinks it’s the sort of major development that could get him elected President of the United States. He’s right, of course: in the alternate timeline of “2010” we learn that’s just what happened. (In our timeline, not only did Kinsey never become President, but he was forced to resign from office and eventually became host to a Goa’uld.)
• The loss of Ambassador Joe Faxon to the Aschen remains one of SG-1‘s unanswered questions. He was never rescued, and (to our knowledge) Earth never had subsequent contact with the Aschen. Was Faxon imprisoned? Tortured? Executed? The Aschen don’t exactly seem to be the murderous type, so it’s possible that our man is still alive somewhere.
• For years writer Brad Wright toyed with the idea of a third Aschen episode, though the right story never came together. The basic idea was to have the Aschen launch an all-out attack on Earth (by ship) to exact revenge for what happened to their race when they dialed up the black hole address we gave them. (After Earth began developing a fleet of ships in Season Six, and discovered the Ancient weapon in Antarctica in Season Seven, such an attack wasn’t quite as viable a possibility.)

“2001” on GateWorld:

• Episode Guide
• Episode Review
• Photo Gallery
• Screencap Gallery
• Discussion Thread
• Season Five Podcast

Download “2001” now from Amazon or iTunes!

Rewatch “2001” this week! Then post your comments below, or head over to the “2001” discussion thread and see what people were saying back in the day. What are your favorite moments?

Each week we’re highlighting a favorite episode from Stargate’s 17 seasons. Watch the episode with us this week and join in the fun!