Stargate SG-1

The Torment of Tantalus

Season 1, Episode 11, Aired 10/3/97

Episode Summary

Daniel discovers that there was a previous Stargate explorer - Dr. Ernest Littlefield, who went through the Gate in 1945. But he never returned, so SG-1 sets out to recover him.

9.1

EPISODE RATING: Superb

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Dean Anderson

Colonel/Brigadier General Jonathan J. "Jack" O'Neill (Seasons 1-8)
Christopher Judge

Teal'c
Don S. Davis

Major General George S. Hammond (Seasons 1-7)

Fan Episode Reviews (19)

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Reveiw.

10

"Perfect"

By CTUBauer24, Aug 19, 2011 Report Abuse

This episode and story of this Stargate SG-1 episode is the best one out of the first season is a great one as Daniel finds that their was a man who went throw the gate in 1945 and never came home and SG-1 goes and tries to find him The effects in the episode looks great as always the offworld set looks amazing as always again the best and funniest part of the episode is when Littlefield is not excited to see Catharine and he goes hum and walks off then she talks to her self about what was she thinking was priceless the endmoreless

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5 0
SG-1 learns the truth about the Stargate, when they investigate an experiment conducted in 1945 in which the Gate was opened.

9.2

"Superb"

By MurrayTheJaffa, Aug 19, 2011 Report Abuse

Daniel stumbles across footage of the Gate being opened in 1945, and SG-1 sets off on a mission to rescue Dr. Ernest Littlefield the man who went through. We also learn that the Goa'uld did not in fact build the gates. Remarkably Ernest is still alive on this planet after more than 50 years(we'll let that one slide ;)), and he show Daniel something incredible. The true universal language with I thought was a really unique concept. I loved how they set up the four members of the "alien United Nations" the Furlings, Nox, Asgard, and the Ancients, in this episode. However, the best part of the whole episode was Ernest's compassionate argument against Daniel's wish to stay behind with the device. "No prize is worth achieving if you cannot share it." Great line and very true.moreless

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4 0
MEANING OF LIFE STUFF!

5.0

"Mediocre"

By THEICEFIRE, Aug 19, 2011 Report Abuse

Let's be honest not much happened in this episode and that meaning of life stuff has little meaning to the overall Stargate SG-1 story arc through the first season and beyond. I would easily say this is the worst episode of the first season of SG-1. The special effects are okay but I somewhat suspect this episode was made to save some production money. There are several flashback scenes that have none of the main cast members because the scenes themselves take place in the 1940's. The Torment of Tantalus' torment is watching it and I Tracey K. Nameth call it "cavity filler!"moreless

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1 10
The team finds out that the Stargate had been made to work before ... in 1945!

8.0

"Great"

By zampognaro, Feb 23, 2009 Report Abuse

I liked this episode because we find out about the "coalition" of the 4 intelligent races in the galaxy ... and from what we can understand, they were all good (well, it's an assumption if you haven't seen the rest of the series). Unfortunately, the coalition doesn't exist anymore, as the place looked like it'd been left in ruins for a very long time.
The storyline about Dr Littlefield was quite interesting, but could have been done in a better way ... or maybe it was the actors that didn't really inspire me. Anyway, I felt like something was missing from that part of the story, this is why I'm giving this episode a lower score than usual.
Again, we see the character and personality of the SG-1 members revealed. Daniel's undying curiosity; Sam' brilliance; Jack's military mind and Teal'c's coolness under pressure.
A very well done episode, which contributes to the story line and the personalities of the characters, even though it was effectively a filler episode.moreless

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Daniel finds out that the Stargate was activated in 1945, and a man, Dr. Ernest Littlefield went through it. But he never returned, so SG-1 sets out to recover him.

7.2

"Good"

By SGC_Marine, Mar 01, 2008 Report Abuse

Hate to say it but this one was not a great episode. My first problem was the naive thought that Dr. Ernest Littlefield was still alive, and ofcourse he was. I mean the logic of it is flawed in many areas. That aside it was important in that we find out there was something of an alliance between four powerful races and that there were keys to solving the universes greatest mysteries in a device shown to SG-1 by Ernest Littlefield. However, when returning home becomes a problem a conflict arises between Daniel and O'neill, which is the first time we see how determined Daniel is to find out information that would not llikely benefit the defence of Earth but rather just for the wonder of exploration, which almost kills him as SG-1 get escapes the crumbling cave,thanks to Carter, just in the knick of time. My problem here was mainly with this Dr. Ernest Littlefield being alive(I mean think about it guys) and Daniel's annoying habit of being so unbelievably naive(I'm going to give him the nickname, "the naive one").
It was ok to watch but really not a great episode. Below average.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Trivia: Heliopolis was designated P3X-972 by Stargate Command. Edit
- During the mission to rescue Ernest, Catherine wears the standard green jacket used on the show, but she also wears a SG-1 mission patch. She is not a member of SG-1 or even part of the SGC. Her jacket should be devoid of all such markings. Edit
- The flashback has the scientists decades earlier calling the stargate the "Door to Heaven", a reference to what the stargate was incorrectly translated as before Jackson fixed it. But in the movie it was Richard Kind's character who says he performed the inaccurate translation. Edit
Notes
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- The role of Catherine Langford played by Viveca Lindfors in the movie is now being played by Elizabeth Hoffman. Edit
- Paul McGillion (Young Ernest Littlefield) would later play Dr. Carson Beckett in Stargate Atlantis. Edit
- This is episode 10 in the DVD chronological order of release. Edit
Quotes
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- Catherine: You speak? Teal'c: When it is appropriate. Edit
- Jack: It's a piece of cake. Ready? (all go through the Stargate) Daniel: Are you okay? Catherine: Huh, that was some piece of cake. Edit
- Jack: All right, basic survival training. We know what we have, what do we need? Teal'c: We have the Stargate. We need the dial-home device. Jack: Thank you, Teal'c. Edit
Allusions
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- Title: In Greek mythology, Tantalus was a king who was punished for all eternity by having cool, clear water just below his chin and ripe, delicious fruit hanging just beyond his reach. His crime was generally said to have been dismembering his son Pelops (who, by the way, was mentioned as a Goa'uld in Brief Candle) and serving him to the gods for dinner. His name is the basis of the word "tantalize". Edit