“Cold Lazarus” is a compelling, often very emotionally moving exploration of Jack’s past. Impressively, the story works well with what is usually a predictable and tired science fiction concept--that of a doppelganger of a main character. But ‘Cold Lazarus” handles the concept in a unique manner. It is quite good, aside from what can only be intentionally humorous visual innuendo that does not quite fit the mood of the story. The SG-1 team visit’s a desert planet littered blue shattered blue crystals scattered about. Jack, moving off alone, becomes intrigued by a crystal that knocks him out with an energy blot. The bolt seems to take a special interest in jack as it becomes a replica of him. Meanwhile, the rest of the team finds an intact crystal and decides to take it back to earth for study. They leave the planet, unknowingly taking Crystal Jack with them.
On Earth, Crystal Jack goes through jack’s photographs of his wife Sara, and son, Charlie, from a cigar box in his locker. Crystal Jack uses the photos to find his old house for some purpose. Simultaneously, we learn from eavesdropping on a conversation between Daniel and Sam that Charlie accidentally killed himself playing with jack’s gun years ago. Jack blamed himself, and he and sara split up soon after. He has never forgiven himself.
Crystal Jack returns to the old O’Neill home to awkwardly “see’ Charlie. Sara and her father are both distraught over his visit. Crystal Jack does not understand what he is doing wrong, but as he empathically reads the love that used to permeate the family home and the sadness that resides there now, he begins to understand the foreign to him concept of permanent death. He and sara go to a park to talk more. Crystal Jack begins suffering attacks of some sort, so she takes him to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the real jack returns from the planet. It takes a while to convince SG-1 he is the real deal, but in the process they also learn the crystals are living, intelligent beings who will die if not returned up. By die, I mean explode and spread deadly radiation. They figure out Crystal Jack went to see Sara and learn she is now at the hospital with him.
The real Jack encounters the dying Crystal Jack at the hospital. Crystal Jack explains everything. Years ago, the crystals accidentally killed a Jaffa. In revenge, the Goa’uld gathered them all together and shattered them to pieces. This one attacked Jack believing him to be a Jaffa, but once he realized his mistake, wanted to make it up to him by alleviating Jack’s pain. Realizing the loss of his son hurt more than anything, Crystal Jack wanted to bring the two closer. He was not aware that death to humans is a permanent loss, but assures Jack he carries his son with him forever in his memories. Crystal jack shifts to look like Charlie and the two walk off hand in hand to return to the planet.
Let us get this out of the way:
The crystals are blatant phallic symbols. I would like to think the resemblance is unintentional, but the two photos I have posted above occur before any of the Jack and Charlie moments so as not to break the hold on the viewer’s emotion, so I think the images are meant to be comic relief. It is fine, I suppose, but there are scenes of Teal’c learning about the outside world by watching television which are far more amusing without the addition of juvenile jokes about phallus. Just my $ .02 worth. Otherwise, I really like “Cold Lazarus.” The powers that be mange to create a compelling episode without using an over the top villain while still demonstrating the cruelty of the Goa’uld. We are given a lot of insight into jack, including some hint that Sara still loves him even though she blames him for Charlie’s death and would like to reconcile. It is Jack who seems unable to resume his life with her. Fans care far more for a Jack/Sam hook up, so this idea must go by the wayside eventually. I hope it does so well rather than is unceremoniously dropped. One is left to wonder why Sg-1 considers the second Jack a fraud without rounding up the first one, too, just in case, but that is the only big flaw I can find with “Cold Lazarus.” It is one of the best episode since the pilot.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
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