Categories: Episodes

Episode of the Week: ‘Sabotage’

SABOTAGE

SGU: Season One
First Aired: May 7, 2010

When problems with the F.T.L. drive threaten to leave Destiny stranded, the crew calls upon an expert from Earth to help — a quadriplegic woman who temporarily takes over Wray’s body.

“Sabotage” Facts:

This episode introduced actress Kathleen Munroe as Dr. Amanda Perry, an old acquaintance of Nicholas Rush. The actress has continued to act in the sci-fi genre, with recurring roles on Syfy’s Haven and Alphas, and currently on ABC’s Resurrection.
The writers were forced to scrap a bit of planned backstory for Lt. Vanessa James (Julia Benson): she had a younger brother who was paralyzed, which contributed to her freak-out in trading bodies with Dr. Perry on Earth.
Perry’s first name was originally scripted as “Eleanor.” It’s not uncommon for character names to change during the production process when they fail to “clear” — i.e. when a real person with the same name and similar-enough circumstances is found, who might bring a legal claim that a TV character is based on them without compensation.
More infamously, this episode brought Stargate some unwanted publicity in the form of criticisms over the portrayal of a person with a disability, and the idea of a character being intimate with someone currently occupying a body not their own. Criticisms were based primarily on casting documents released before the episode filmed (Rush and Perry ended up not consummating their relationship in the episode), prompting the show’s producers to release an official statement.
Read more on the “Sabotage” controversy here. We’ve also published an editorial on the subject, which includes extensive discussion on the issues from other fans.

“Sabotage” on GateWorld:

Download “Sabotage” now from Amazon or iTunes!

Rewatch “Sabotage” this week! Then post your comments below, or head over to the “Sabotage” 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!

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View Comments

bluewater1 says:

December 3, 2014 at 9:25 pm

Good episode. I didn't know about the controversy which apparently ensued, but I view it as a positive. Regardless of the viewer's take on the subject, making people's mental wheels spin, even a little, reflects on some writing outside the box.
eMitchell says:

December 6, 2014 at 1:02 pm

Yeah I like this one. Watching it right now. I like the contrast between the two romances. So many obstacles to overcome. Like everything else the crew faces.
Dawesstategate says:

December 8, 2014 at 10:28 pm

this is the sad one!
Steve B says:

January 29, 2015 at 1:47 am

I was really into SGU when it first came on but now I almost cringe when an episode comes up for re-watch. This episode was nice. I really wished we could've seen more about the chair. I felt so bad for Rush's doctor girlfriend. She seemed so nice but got dealt one of the worst hands in life.