On a mission of exploration to a devastated planet, SG-1 discovers a large, building-sized device that appears to be far more advanced than the rest of the ruins. Sam is inside, busy examining the device, which has been permanently shut down when it’s power source was removed. In addition to the device being out of place with the level of technology surrounding it, there’s also the puzzle of why the Goa’uld--who are the prime suspects in having destroyed this civilization--didn’t steal the device for themselves. Meanwhile, Daniel is busy trying to decipher some of the writing when he calls Sam, asking if she’s done with the camera. After not getting any response, Daniel goes inside the device and finds Sam, lying unconscious on the floor.

Back at the SGC, Sam is checked out by Dr. Fraiser, who finds nothing wrong with her--but is still concerned that Sam may be suffering from fatigue. In fact everybody at the base, including O’Neill and General Hammond, are all concerned about Sam overworking herself so much that she’s ordered to take it easy and rest. Yet Sam, a workaholic who loves her job, starts going nuts with nothing to do (and she gets really peeved whenever somebody tells her to take it easy). But she truly begins to worry about her sanity when a strange man appears to her inside her house. His name is Orlin, and he’s an alien who followed Sam back through the stargate because…he fell in love with her.

Written by Robert C. Cooper, and directed by Martin Wood, Ascension is a marvelous story that works on so many levels. On the surface, it’s a welcome change of pace from the epic, ‘save-the-universe’ stories that SG-1 does so well. Yet the episode is also special because it offers a deeper look--as well as a great deal of insight--into the character of Sam Carter by revealing her private life, away from the SGC. Thus Ascension is a great showcase for Amanda Tapping, and she’s simply terrific here. Sean Patrick Flanery is perfectly cast as Orlin, Sam’s alien suitor; he projects the proper balance of outer-worldliness without being too off the wall. In fact, his performance is so sympathetic that I found myself rooting for the unlikely relationship that forms between Orlin and Sam to succeed.

John de Lancie, better known to SF fans as ’Q’ from Star Trek: The Next Generation, makes his first appearence as Simmons, an uptight, bureaucratic Colonel. Essentially, he’s the villain of the piece--but de Lancie, always a superb actor, still manages to imbue life into what could have been a one-dimensional role. But the main reason Ascension works so well overall is the great script--which is also filled with some genuinely funny lines and moments--as well as Martin Wood’s confident hand as a director, and the fine perfomances from Tapping and Flanery. It all builds to a final shot that is both downright touching and haunting in its poignancy.