TV episodes review
US airdate 4 & 11 June 2010 (SyFy)

The Lucian Alliance has found a way to dial in to the Destiny, forcing Rush (in Telford’s body) to set the plan in motion. But Young has a plan of his own up his sleeve, which results in the dismantling of Telford’s brainwashing – and, though still in Rush’s body, he offers to return and act as a double agent. Under Carter’s command, the Hammond begins an attack on the Alliance base, but it is too late. They begin their incursion onto the Destiny under Commander Kiva; though held in the gate room, they take a number of hostages…

Having started off as a downbeat and darker part of the Stargate franchise that moved the narrative well away from the stock plots and action of the preceding series, it’s a shame the season doesn’t go out with more of an innovative and imaginative climax.

This seems to be taking a step backwards in terms of originality – in fact, there isn’t really very much of that on show here. Both episodes are well filmed and have some keen moments of drama (the very last shot of Part 2 goes a little way towards redressing the balance), but the construction lets it down.

It’s especially galling in Part 2 where key characters wander the corridors lost, running up and down the outside of the ship, and going back and forth with supplies. There are some good intentions; just not enough pay-offs. Still, the cliffhanger’s intense, and the way the characters have been built up over the whole season gives it an emotional edge. Brigid Cherry

VERDICT
Incursion Part 1: 7/10
Incursion Part 2: 6/10

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