Review
“Rite of Passage” is, at first glance, a story about Janet’s adopted daughter, Cassandra, and the repercussions of what Nirrti did to her world way back in season 1. However, the episode’s focus later shows the persona of ‘Janet’ that exists behind the normal façade of ‘Doctor Fraiser.’
The episode starts off with Sam and Janet at the latter’s home, celebrating Cassandra’s birthday. Cassandra, who is now a rebellious teen, is no match for her mother, and even Sam learns pretty quickly to just stay quiet! But the light-hearted fun at home doesn’t last for long when Cassie collapses on the front porch and is taken to the SGC.
From there on, things just get worse and worse for poor Janet. She is faced with the fact that she is unable to do anything as a doctor, or as a mother for a daughter who is rejecting her. With conventional medicine not working, and with Cassie not even wanting to fight the illness, we watch a Janet struggling to cope with it all.
“Rite of Passage” is yet another example of what Teryl Rothery can do when she’s given something to work with. Janet’s struggle is heartbreaking to watch, and you keep wanted one of the other characters to just hug her!
So, when Daniel stops her in the hallway, it might not have been a hug, but it was a fantastic scene between the two characters. The underlying intimacy between the two, and the extra beats that were held worked in just showing how vulnerable Janet was becoming, and Daniel being there for her was nice to see.
Of course, it all comes to the eventual climax, where Janet shows just how far she would go to save her daughter’s life. She refuses to back down even when ordered, showing just how desperate she is. She won’t let Nirrti back down, forcing her to try again, which, ultimately saves Cassie’s life.
This is one of the many episodes that had fans wondering just why Teryl Rothery isn’t in the opening credits. She goes from a joking friend, to a strict mother and then to a desperate woman, trying to save the life of her child by any means necessary. A fantastic episode;
Contributed by Vicki
