1x04 - The Broca Divide
Janet: Most female low-level primates tend to choose their sexual partners according to who would give them the strongest offspring. The leaders of the pack, or a tribe, were usally the prime choice. You should be flattered.
Jack: Oh, yeah. I'm honoured.
General Thoughts on the Episode
Like pretty much every S/J shipper out there, I'm rather fond of this episode. Not because it's the best storyline, or because it's that intellectually stimulating. No, no. It's all down to a scene less than a minute long, involving our beloved Captain and Colonel, getting it on in the SGC locker room ;) But more on that later...
Notable things in this episode include the introduction of SG-3 - an all-Marine team. This is therefore the first time we are introduced to Colonel Makepeace, a character that I still am unsure of my feelings towards after all these years lol - do I like him? Don't I? I dunno. It is Makepeace that first refers to Jack as "Flyboy" here, so I guess we've at least got him to thank for that ;)
This is also the episode in which the SGC becomes more than just a military command for protecting Earth from the Goa'uld - they are given their secondary agenda to evaluate the cultural and scientific benefits of the worlds that they visit (exciting stuff for Carter and Danny-boy!)
In this episode we see the first of many 'epidemics' that the teams bring back through the 'Gate with them. The issue with Kawalsky being taken over by a symbiote was one thing, but now the SGC are learning just what other dangers may be lurking throughout the galaxy, just waiting to hitch a ride back to Earth for new victims.
Character Development
Janet: The first peron I just have to mention here is Janet. She is introduced in this episode as the SGC's new Chief Medical Officer, and quickly becomes a recurring character that many fans have come to love over the years. She really is amazing (and oh, so pretty). Plus, she gets extra points for calling our favourite Jaffa "Mr. Teal'c", haha!
Jack/Janet: I find it quite interesting that in this episode there seems to be the feeling that these two may already know each other on some level (I know some people get a 'past relationship' vibe from them, but I honestly can't believe that with how long Jack was married, and the fact he is still getting over the break-up of that marriage). This is most telling when Jack tells Janet to 'use' him - in his actions (holding her face), but also more so in her reaction to this - the tender way she wraps her fingers around his, and the gentle look on her face. The writers definitely seem to be hinting at some sort of connection, despite the fact she has just joined the SGC; it's a shame this is never addressed further, as it certainly peaked my curiosity.
Daniel: Well, his knack for finding a chick on every planet is certainly starting to show here... ;)
Teal'c: Another rather funny bit of dialogue between Teal'c and Jack continues to show how adorably oblivious he is to Earth's popular culture:
Jack: Lucy! I'm home!
Teal'c: I am not Lucy.
(...)
Teal'c: I cannot be certain that you are back to being yourself. You referred to me as 'Lucy.'
As I said in my previous review, I do so enjoy these Teal'c moments :)
Sam and Jack Goodness
Well, we've gone from hardly anything in the first few episodes to this tasty treat! Aside from the obvious scene in this ep, there are some other nice little moments all lending themselves to the shippy goodness.
One little moment I did pick up on at the start was the amused looks that are shared between Sam and Jack at the briefing - Jack clearly attempts to 'entertain' Sam with his humour, and is rewarded with that smile of hers - behaviour we see from the two of them time and again as the series progresses.
But, enough about that. I know what you're all waiting for. The infamous, the notorious, the scorching hot....
LOCKER ROOM SCENE!!! ♥
Just in case anyone needs a reminder ;) here it is:
Click to viewSo, other than that being AWESOME, what can we say about this little scene?
Obviously, the Touched virus has hit Carter by this point and this explains her behaviour here. But, the important thing to remember is - she chose Jack. She sees him as strong, her alpha male; as Janet says, the once most likely to give her strong offspring. So, not the huge warrior Teal'c, whom also fits this bill. No; JACK. Something else in her subconscious swaying her to choose him, maybe?
On the other hand, there are a few telling moments in this scene that give away that Jack more than likely has an attraction to his 2IC, if only on a physical level at this point. He may be her CO, but he's not blind after all ;) And who wouldn't be a little flustered getting jumped suddenly by someone as appealing-to-the-eye as Carter? ;)
One of these moments is right at the start, as Sam grabs and kisses Jack - he goes to hold the back of her head and kiss her back, then realises what he is doing and panics slightly, pulling away from her (though for someone special ops trained, he sure doesn't seem to be putting up a big fight...) :
He also verbalises something interesting here. When Sam asks him, "You want me?" he does not simply deny her, but stumbles over his words, saying: "No, no - not like this! Not like--" Hmm. So, yes he does want her but not when she's just jumping him due to an alien virus? I see ;)
Just as an added shipper rambling, if we needed any proof that these two look good together, this scene certainly provides that. Individually, Rick and Amanda are two very attractive people - throw them together and BAM! Instant sexiness. Seriously though, one thing these two have always been good at is communicating with their eyes, something we see for years to come, but that possibly begins here (albeit, on a more primal level for Carter in this scene):
Such amazing chemistry ♥
Of course, there is also the constant debate about a 'blink-and-you'll-miss-it' moment at the end of this scene - does Jack or does he not give Sam's neck a sneaky little kiss here before hauling her off to the infirmary? I'm gonna go with yes. I mean, come on - the man has shown enough restraint by this point, hasn't he? ;)
*_* Wow. *ahem* Where was I?
Another great little scene that lends itself to the shippy-inclined is the moment Jack and Daniel are discussing Sam in the control room. You can see the moment Jack flips as the virus fully hits him, even though it is subtle at first, as he asks Daniel, "Why?" - just a slight change of the tone of his voice, a slight edginess before his words and actions finally give him away moments later:
Jack: She, uh, tried to seduce me.
Daniel: Oh, you...poor man.
Jack: No, it wasn't like that. She was like a wild animal. She was nuts.
Daniel: Well, is she alright? I should go see her.
Jack: Why?
Daniel: What do you mean, 'why'? Because I care about her.
Jack: You care about her? What's that mean?
Daniel: It means I care about her, she's my friend. Now let - go!
Jack: She's not yours to care about.
Daniel: What the hell are you talking about?
Jack: I'm talking about Samantha. You just stay away from her, okay?
This is the second time in as many episodes that we get to hear Jack call Carter 'Samantha' - each time this use of her name is connected to her being seen by Jack as the woman she is, rather than the soldier. (Interestingly enough, he calls her this again in S7's 'Grace' in Sam's hallucination, as they talk about their relationship. But that is for another day, waaaaay off into the future...). I just love the way he says her name here, though. The way he talks about Sam in general in this scene is just so possessive, his virus-induced jealousy bursting through in a dangerous fit of rage as he attacks Daniel.
The final scene of the episode is much more light-hearted, as Sam and Jack are back to their usual selves. It's great to see Sam's happiness at Jack's apparent concern for her stab wound, followed by her quick realisation and embarrassment that he remembers everything she did in the locker room, then shrugging this off with a thoughtful smile at his teasing :)
Sam: About my earlier behaviour... I wasn't myself, and--
Jack: Oh, Carter, I don't even remember your earlier behaviour.
Sam: You don't?
Jack: No, I was infected too, remember?
Sam: Right! Good, I'm - I'm glad.
Jack: By the way, how's the wound?
Sam: Wound?
Jack: I understand you got stabbed in the stomach?
Sam: Oh, yeah, that - that was nothing. With any luck, there won't even be a scar.
Jack: Well, good. I was concerned.
Sam: You were?
Jack: Sure. If it doesn't heal properly, you'll never wear that sweet little tank top number again...
These two are still so comfortable and uncomplicated in their flirting at this stage, even after what could have been a very awkward situation for CO and 2IC to be in, and it's refreshing to see (when watching in hindsight and knowing just how angsty things will become).
Fic Recs
Torn by polrobin (Campfire Stories, Season 1, Ch 4) - Sam and Jack deal with Sam's healing stab wound while on a mission.
Fallout by Rachel500 (Aftershocks I, Ch 4) - The SGC's rumour mill is running wild after the events the virus brought on...
One Touch is Enough by fems - What if the effects of the virus had hit Jack just a little earlier? Covers what may have happened between the locker room scene and Jack making it to the infirmary with Sam. Warning: NC-17!
Thank you to Ikorni for the banner, Nolamom for the gif, and Gateworld for the screencaps :)