Review by Nathan P. Butler
It's an ending that makes the entire mini-series, minus its flaws, seem like one episode of the Stargate SG-1 television series. In that, it's a good thing. On the other hand, it has the same clichés that the series often fell back on over its early years. (Kinsey or someone else getting in the way? Pull the "President Outranks You" card. Need to show Skaara's connection to O'Neill? Bust out that old lighter. Someone's trapped? Make damn sure that the way in is apparently easily penetrable by any remaining members of SG-1 not already trapped.) In that sense, it's unimaginative.Again, I wonder just how the timeline is working with Kinsey and Samuels, but it's such a minor point that it doesn't matter too much. Maybe Samuels was still at the mountain working for Kinsey and hadn't been promoted yet. Maybe Samuels left, started working with Kinsey, then came back, but still wasn't promoted yet. Who really cares? It's Samuels, and he's the patsy for Kinsey or whomever else is pulling his chain this week. It was at least nice to see him "in action," being the "little combat patsy" rather than his previous "little pencil-pushing patsy" mode.
Overall, I'm left with the feeling that the mini-series was rushed. Too many elements were simply done with too quickly or seemed to be given pat endings. The device that could blow up the Stargate, Samuels' orders from Kinsey, Samuels joining the mission, the interaction between Jack and Klorel, and even the rescue itself (inside the pyramid, that is), all seem rushed. Even the final segment feels rushed, with not even a simple shot of the SG teams returning to Earth, simply them retreating through the gate as the "Apophis bomb" fires.
All-in-all, enjoyable, but not nearly worth the $10.50 total price tag for all three issues (or $13.49 with the convention special), and certainly not a tale worthy of the insane number of incentive and alternate covers this title was given.
We're awaiting your next outing, Avatar. Here's hoping that it corrects the flaws from P.O.W. and gives us something that truly makes us say, if you'll pardon the obvious play on words, "W.O.W."
Rating: * *
