Season Three

Episode Number: 49

Episode Title: Learning Curve

Air Date: 07-23-99

Syndication Air Date: 10-30-00

First Sci-Fi Syndication Air Date: 12-23-02

Chad's Summary: SG-1 gate to the planet Orban to search for evidence of the Goa'uld. The team is welcomed warmly by the Orbanians, and they begin a cultural and technological exchange. During the exchange, SG-1 discover a closely guarded secret which threatens to unravel the Orban society. An Orban girl named Merrin (Brittney Irvin) is brought to Earth to teach Carter how to use a Naquadah reactor. During an examination, Dr. Fraiser finds that Merrin has nanites in her body. Meanwhile, Teal'c tells Tomin (Lachlan Murdoch) about the Goa'uld. Dr. Jackson believes that the Orban population are descendant from the Aztec Indians. Merrin and Tomin are Ouroon children who educate the Orban people by giving up the nanites in their bodies. After the children give up the nanites, the rest of the Orban people do not re-educate the Ouroon children. The children are just left alone in a room with no mental or physical stimulation. SG-1 discover the secret, of the Orban, and react in a protective manner toward the children. Because of his son's premature death, O'Neill reacts with disgust. Dr. Jackson and Teal'c try to convince Kalan (Andrew Airlie) to stop treating the Ouroon children as a fast and easy way to educate the Orban people and then discard the children. Kalan tries to convince Dr. Jackson how important the Ouroon children are to the Orban society. Meanwhile, Carter tries to convince Merrin that Earth's method of education is better. O'Neill takes Merrin on a trip to Cassandra's former elementary school. She learns how human children play. Merrin also joins an art class and paints a flower. Over O'Neill's objections, Merrin returns to Orban. General Hammond does not recommend a court-martial for O'Neill's actions. SG-1 is called back to Orban to witness a change in the Ouroon children. Merrin's time with SG-1 helped her people realize the importance of old fashioned education. O'Neill and Merrin draw a picture together.

Guest Cast:

Teryl Rothery as Dr. Janet Fraiser

Laara Sadiq as Technician Davis

Andrew Airlie as Kalan

Brittney Irvin as Merrin

Lachlan Murdoch as Tomin

Stephanie Shea as Solen

Diane Stapley as Mrs. Struble

Sarah Goodwill as Student

Rob Farrell as SF Guard

Production Credits:

Developed for Television: Brad Wright & Jonathan Glassner

Producers: Robert C. Cooper & N. John Smith

Writer: Heather E. Ash

Director: Martin Wood

Executive Producers: Michael Greenburg Richard Dean Anderson 

Executive Producers: Jonathan Glassner & Brad Wright

Senior Story Editor: Tor Alexander Valenza

Story Editor: Heather E. Ash 

Production Manager: Andy Mikita

First Assistant Director: Matthew J. Blecha

Second Assistant Director: Michele E. Dutka  

Music: Joel Goldsmith, David Arnold, & Richard Band

Original Stargate Themes: David Arnold

Director of Photography: Jim Menard 

Production Designer: Richard Hudolin

Editor: Rick Martin

Art Director: Bridget McGuire

Costume Designer: Christina McQuarrie

Make-Up Artist: Jan Newman

Unit Manager: John G. Lenic

Recurring Characters:

* This is Teryl Rothery's (Janet Fraiser) 24th Episode.

* This is Laara Sadiq's (Davis) 13th Episode.

The Name Game:

* This episode of Stargate SG-1, "Learning Curve," shares its' title with a first season episode of the spin-off series  Star Trek: Voyager (1995 to 2001). The Star Trek: Voyager episode was originally broadcast on May 22, 1995.

* This episode of Stargate SG-1, "Learning Curve," also shares its' title with a fifth season episode of Babylon 5 which was originally broadcast on February 18, 1998.

Destination:

* Orban has modern-day pre-Aztec cities. The planet is home to a people called the Orbanians who practice an Aztec type culture. 

Chad's Summary is copyright 2003 by Sci-Fi Corner.

Stargate SG--1 is copyright 2005 by MGM Corporation.