Emmett Bregman is a reporter with one of the most enviable assignments in the world. He’s been asked by the outgoing President of the United States to film a documentary about Stargate Command. There are no present plans to reveal the existence of the super-secret unit to the world, but the feeling is that eventually, the people of earth will either find out, or will be told of the existence of the stargate, and when that day finally comes, Bregman’s film will serve as a chronicle of the day to day events of the men and women who risk their lives off-world on a daily basis. General Hammond isn’t happy about having a film crew running around his base, but there’s not much he can do but cooperate, since his orders come directly from the President himself.

The official reason for the documentary is the commemoration of the 1000th trip through the gate. Although Bregman and his crew are given tours of the gate room, along with the stargate itself, they are restricted from actually filming any official activity in the gate room. Bregman, who has visions of making a grand chronicle that’s in the same league as the combat correspondents who covered the Vietnam War, as well as the Invasion Of Normandy during the Second World War, chomps at the bit whenever and however he can, making life miserable for all around him. However, Bregman’s initial flighty hopes for glory are soon grounded when his cameras catch the SGC dealing with an off-world crisis, as well as a loss of one of their own.

Heroes Part 1&2 is outstanding. The result of its startling storyline--which killed off Janet Fraiser, a beloved character in SG-1’s extended family, sent a much-needed shock wave through the Stargate: SG-1 universe. Robert C. Cooper’s unflinching script provided a far more gritty look at the risks that everyone at the SGC takes, and the sacrifices that are often made in the effort to preserve freedom, as well as to observe the SGC motto that no one gets left behind. The regular cast certainly rose to the challenge, with Amanda Tapping and Michael Shanks both turning in great, heart-felt performances. But it’s Don Davis, as General Hammond, who really shines in these two episodes. His scenes where he verbally wrestles with Bregman are very riveting and fun to watch.

And speaking of great acting, actor Saul Rubinek is superb as Bregman. His carefully nuanced performance doesn’t make Bregman completely unsympathetic--in fact, he’s never really presented as being a bad guy at all--and with the bulk of these two episodes told largely from the point of view of his character, Rubinek, who’s always a solid actor, was a great choice for the part. The one misstep Heroes takes is the introduction of Robert Picardo in the second half as yet another bureaucratic weasel out to "get" the SGC with an investigation regarding what happened off-world. Yet this doesn’t completely mar a pair of episodes that are gripping in their intensity and ultimately moving in their depiction of the sacrifices made by those who serve on the front lines--all front lines. Rest in peace, Janet. And kudos to actress Teryl Rothery, for doing an outstanding job over seven seasons at bringing her to life.