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Stargate SG-1 Season 3 Episode 7

Deadman Switch

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8.6

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 8/6/99

The team are captured by a bounty hunter who plans to use them to capture a Goa'uld, but all is not as it seems.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

GO Flash GO

8.0

By SFBarbear, Nov 26, 2012

Sam J. Jones, (Flash Gordon) stars as a galactic bounty hunter that works for the Goa'uld. He Captures the SG-1 team and after some pretty funny interactions and clever writing we get down to the m,eat of the episode. The team has to keep Aris Boch from turning over a key spy of the Tok'ra to Sokar. After more funny banter and silliness the team is able to get Aris Boch to fool Sokar and his fleet and everyone escapes with smiles on their faces.moreless
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Very funny episode...

9.3

By MurrayTheJaffa, Sep 16, 2008

This episode is just loaded with humor, and the plot's fairly good too. Aris Boch is a unique character among guest stars of SG-1. Neither he nor his people are ever mentioned again, which is somewhat rare on this show. In some ways it is sad that we do not see him again, but on the other hand it makes him and this episode a classic that is never repeated. It was interesting to see a person/alien who was neither in direct service to the Goa'uld or directly opposing them and still survive. Kind of a one-off episode that truly fits the bill of a classic in my opinion.moreless
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That kind of great interlude...

8.2

By Parricida, Feb 15, 2008

It was one of those episodes that had no connection with nothing all and somehow had not much point but still, it was great to watch.

The storyline was somehow.. all the things you thought first was then turned upside down and they had some really big troubles to overrun that bountyhunter. And Teal'c and his "last" act was so noble and really brave one. Maybe one of the best moments of this episode when Teal'c said he will do that to protect To'kra.

And their little try to escape.. being worried that they will blow up soon and then that bounty hunter came back and explained it all. For moment, it looked so badmoreless
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A very funny episode.

8.9

By lowriderz95s10, May 06, 2007

This is such a great episode mostly because of the performance of Sam Jones best known for his role as Flash Gordon. He was sarcastic and had this great chemistry with the team especially with Jack. His species was interesting since they could not become hosts. This was also one of the funniest episodes of the season with the Tac's and the back and forth of Jack and Aris. I like how Teal'c volunteered to go in place of the Tok'ra and Aris did the right thing in the end. Overall this is one of my favorites of season 3.moreless
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Some wonderful gags and Aris Boch, a great character never to be seen again.

8.5

By The_Womp, Jan 04, 2007

I'm very surprised that this episode has a relatively low score. I consider this to be one of the better episodes of season 3, and I think it deserves at least a 9 (which is weird, I know, as I'm giving it an 8.5). This episode does have its flaws, but they're few in comparison to its positive aspects.

First, there's plenty of humour throughout this episode. There are classic gags such as Daniel's worth to the System Lords, Daniel and Jack trying to remember the password, and of course "Pain in the mikta". Jack and Aris just seem to have great chemistry, and every scene they share together is a joy to watch. You have to give a lot of credit to Robert C. Cooper (and whoever else on the writing staff helped out, as they do on all the scripts) for making Aris Boch an understandable, complex, sympathetic and lovable character. Also, Sam J. Jones give a great, fun performance as Aris Boch, making him that much more believable, lovable and memorable.

The story is okay, not great but not poor either. I can't really say how I first reacted to it when I first watched it, but there are some aspects that I could see as being predictable. Also, the ending might be considered a bit sentimental, but I still love Aris Boch's final line and like to quote along with it whenever I watch this episode.

This is another one of those episodes where it had an interesting concept that was never expanded on or seen ever again (as was Aris Boch). Arguably this is for the best, but I'm sure I'm not alone in my curiosity (and I guess concern, in a way) about the fate or Aris Boch and what remains of his people.

I also have to say that the visual effects, as little as they were on the show, were amongst the most realistic I've ever seen on the series. I know visual effects don't make an episode, but it's just a little icing on the cake, and what a sweet cake this was.

All in all, a fine little episode that's a joy to watch again and again. I just wish we got to see Aris Boch again.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Richard Dean Anderson	Colonel/Brigadier General Jonathan J. "Jack" O'Neill (Seasons 1-8)
Christopher Judge	Teal'c
Amanda Tapping	Captain/Major/ Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter
Don S. Davis	Major General George S. Hammond (Seasons 1-7)
Michael Shanks	Dr. Daniel Jackson (Seasons 1-5, 7+)

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Mark Holden	Korra	Guest Star
Sam J. Jones	Aris Boch	Guest Star

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (3)
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- Aris Boch claims he disabled the DHD to prevent the escape of SG-1. However, we have seen SG-1 escape from planets with damaged, destroyed or missing DHDs by manually dialing the gate. Thus, disabling the DHD wouldn't seen to be a very effective method of preventing their escape.
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- When entering Aris' ship for the first time, Daniel (or rather Micheal Shanks who wasn't watching where he was going) trips over the pile of equipment discarded by SG-1.
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- Mark Holden has trouble pronouncing "Goa'uld" - he says it like "gouh'ld" (short o, short u) and omits the long "u" sound.
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QUOTES (21)
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- Aris: I don't have to tie you to a tree or anything unpleasant like that, do I?
  Sam: No.
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- Aris: Do you want to know how I became the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy?
  Jack: More than life itself.
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- Aris: Captain, you must have some medical training?
  Sam: Actually I'm a Major now.
  Aris: Ohh, well how very important. I'll inform the galaxy.
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- Sam: Sir, [Aris] isn't Goa'uld.
  Jack: And? But? So? Therefore?
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- Jack: Daniel. Would you come here a moment? What do you think this is?
  Daniel: Looks like a countdown.
  Jack: Of course it is. Oh, Teal'c? Would these ships have any kind of self-destruct mechanism?
  Teal'c: It is possible.
  Daniel: We just lost a digit.
  Jack: Of course we did.
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- Jack: Who are you?
  Aris: Aris Boch. Perhaps you've heard of me?
  Jack: Ah, not I. Teal'c?
  Teal'c: I have not.
  Aris: Well, that's disappointing. I'm one of the galaxy's greatest hunters.
  Jack: Not ringin' a bell, sorry.
  Aris: Well, I know you. Captain Samantha Carter. Dr. Daniel Jackson. The Jaffa traitor Teal'c, and Colonel Jack O'Neill.
  Jack: Well, fancy that. We're famous.
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- Aris: Dr. Jackson, if you don't mind, treating my wound.
  Daniel: I'm an archaeologist.
  Aris: I know, but you're also a doctor.
  Daniel: Of archeology.
  Aris: Never mind. Captain! You must have some medical training.
  Sam: Actually, I'm a Major now.
  Aris: Oh, well, how important. I'll inform the galaxy. Can you get over here now and help me, Major?
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- Daniel: So, ah, what do you expect to get for us?
  Jack: Daniel....
  Daniel: Just...curious.
  Aris: Well, ah, Teal'c is worth the most. The System Lords would love to make a good example of him. And Carter here, well, she has the memories of the Tok'ra Jolinar. And you, O'Neill, you're considered, well, you're a pain in the mikta.
  Jack: Neck?
  Teal'c: No.
  Daniel: What about...what about me?
  Aris: You? Probably happy to get a day's rations for you.
  Daniel: Oh. A day's rations.
  Jack: Trade you.
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- Daniel: And how do we know we can trust you?
  Aris: My word is good on over 2,000 planets.
  Jack: There are billions.
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- Jack: You won't blow up your ship.
  Aris: Maybe I will.
  Jack: While you're in it?!?
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- Daniel: It opened when he said that word. Bark something.
  Jack: Okay. Almond Bark. Barcalounger. Beetlejuice!
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- Jack: So we'll fly it to a closer planet with a stargate.
  Daniel: Good thinking.
  Jack: It happens.
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- Jack: How does one Goa'uld fire weapons from different directions?
  Teal'c: Tacs.
  Jack: Tac'nik'tels?
  Teal'c: Tacluchnatagamuntorons - tacs.
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- Jack: Well, we're exactly one zat gun short of actually having a zat gun.
  Aris: A 'zat gun'?
  Jack: Drop the 'nik'atel.
  Aris: (shrugs) Hmmm... I guess it does save a bit of effort.
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- Jack: Teal'c, how fast will this unit fly?
  Teal'c: I believe it is capable of traveling twice the speed of light.
  Jack: Nice, home for dinner!
  Sam: Sir, if you're thinking of trying to steal the ship and fly it back to earth, even at 372000 miles per second it would still take us 10 years to fly that far.
  Jack: (to himself) Should've let the dog out.
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- Jack: What's his name again? Kevlar?
  Aris: Keltar.
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- Jack: You know, if you really were the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy, you'd grab that Goa'uld yourself and turn us all in.
  Aris: What, and miss the chance of watching the great Jack O'Neill in action?
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- Aris: Oh, ah, Dr. Jackson, I was lying to you before. The price on your head is much more than a day's ration. Actually, the Goa'uld want to see you dead as much as anyone for figuring out the Stargate.
  Daniel: Thank you. That...doesn't make me feel any better.
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- Korra: Somehow I must find a way to pay tribute to what you have done for me and the Tok'ra.
  Teal'c: There is no need.
  Aris: Hey, guys, what about me? Don't I get a thank you?
  Sam: For doing the right thing for a change?
  Aris: Well, it's kind of a backhanded show of appreciation... but I'll take it.
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- Aris: Oh, this is so beautiful, Really, I mean I'm starting to tear up here. But we got to go. Now!
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- Daniel: You don't seem to have much of a problem trading human lives like commodities.
  Aris: Oh, you earthlings and your morality. Has it ever occurred to you that someone outside your solar system might not see things the way you do?
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NOTES (7)
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- The DVD menu title and the DVD cover both incorrectly label this episode as "Deadman's Switch".
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- This is the first and only episode in which the cast and guest stars are the only ones to appear. No extras were used.
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- This episode and "Last Stand" are the only episode of the series directed by Martin Wood in which he does not have a cameo.
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- This is the first episode of the series not to feature a Stargate.
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- Don S. Davis does not appear in this episode.
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- Syndication airdate: November 13, 2000.
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- This is the ninth episode to feature the Tok'ra.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Episode title: Dead Man's Switch
  A dead man's switch is a fail-safe mechanism which will shut off a machine or vehicle if the operator were to die or become incapacitated and therefore release the switch, pressure plate, lever, etc. The original use of such a mechanism was on trains.
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