SG-1 rewatch -7x07
Moar plotbunnies again *sigh*
I really like 7x07 - I love the introduction of Lorne (he manages to piss off Daniel *and* almost throw up on Teal'c hahaha) and the re-introduction of the Unas. But one thing bothers me.
At the end, the Unas agree to do the hard work of mining the naquadah themselves, so that the humans won't trespass on their territory/sacred ground, and to hand it over so the humans can make a fleet of BC-303s (Daedalus-class ships). But what do the Unas get out of the agreement? Are they first on the list, after Earth itself, to be protected by said ships? Because really, they damn well should be. If the Goa'uld or the Ori come after the Unas home planet (and this is where the plotbunny comes in) Earth should be bound to help them, to the utmost of their ability, by the trade alliance.
But even then, the Unas handing over their material wealth to "the good guys" is pretty damn problematic unless they're getting something concrete out of the trade relationship. Realistically it should be more than vague promises of "we'll use it to do good" and "we'll protect you if, at some unspecified point, you happen to need it *handwave*". (Same goes for the Salish, with their supply of trinium.) What gives Earth the right to any of the materials they want, unless they're offering something in return?
Daniel also promises food in exchange for the naquadah. But why would the Unas need it? They seem to have been surviving on their own just fine without human interference. I'm not sure what exactly would be an equitable offer.
Short version: Stargate's colonialist behavior is pretty well-observed in fandom. But how do we fix it?
One small moment that I'm wildly in love with, though:
Right at the end, Daniel explains to Colonel Edwards that they have to kneel to show they respect the Unas. The Colonel balks, so Daniel ignores him and prepares to go ahead anyway. But first he turns to Teal'c for support and waits for him to nod - of course Teal'c is going to listen to him because they are Team - and they complete the submitting gesture in tandem.
Lorne, on the other hand, doesn't move a muscle until he gets the go-ahead from his commanding officer because he is a good little soldier :D
I love all this unspoken communication, and the nods to characterization/their different histories and positions of authority. I even came to like Edwards by the end, miracle of miracles.
Crossposted from http://ariadne83.dreamwidth.org/70180.html, where it has
comments
I really like 7x07 - I love the introduction of Lorne (he manages to piss off Daniel *and* almost throw up on Teal'c hahaha) and the re-introduction of the Unas. But one thing bothers me.
At the end, the Unas agree to do the hard work of mining the naquadah themselves, so that the humans won't trespass on their territory/sacred ground, and to hand it over so the humans can make a fleet of BC-303s (Daedalus-class ships). But what do the Unas get out of the agreement? Are they first on the list, after Earth itself, to be protected by said ships? Because really, they damn well should be. If the Goa'uld or the Ori come after the Unas home planet (and this is where the plotbunny comes in) Earth should be bound to help them, to the utmost of their ability, by the trade alliance.
But even then, the Unas handing over their material wealth to "the good guys" is pretty damn problematic unless they're getting something concrete out of the trade relationship. Realistically it should be more than vague promises of "we'll use it to do good" and "we'll protect you if, at some unspecified point, you happen to need it *handwave*". (Same goes for the Salish, with their supply of trinium.) What gives Earth the right to any of the materials they want, unless they're offering something in return?
Daniel also promises food in exchange for the naquadah. But why would the Unas need it? They seem to have been surviving on their own just fine without human interference. I'm not sure what exactly would be an equitable offer.
Short version: Stargate's colonialist behavior is pretty well-observed in fandom. But how do we fix it?
One small moment that I'm wildly in love with, though:
Right at the end, Daniel explains to Colonel Edwards that they have to kneel to show they respect the Unas. The Colonel balks, so Daniel ignores him and prepares to go ahead anyway. But first he turns to Teal'c for support and waits for him to nod - of course Teal'c is going to listen to him because they are Team - and they complete the submitting gesture in tandem.
Lorne, on the other hand, doesn't move a muscle until he gets the go-ahead from his commanding officer because he is a good little soldier :D
I love all this unspoken communication, and the nods to characterization/their different histories and positions of authority. I even came to like Edwards by the end, miracle of miracles.
Crossposted from http://ariadne83.dreamwidth.org/70180.html, where it has
comments