The Enemy Within (Stargate SG-1)

"The Enemy Within (Stargate SG-1)"

Summary

In the previous episode, Major Kawalsky was infested by a Goa'uld without anyone noticing. The Goa'uld had remained fairly dormant in him for a while due to its youth, but as it matures it begins to take control of Kawalsky, causing him to experience blackouts, during which the Goa'uld takes over his body. During one blackout he kills a doctor who had discovered the symbiote, and stands before the Stargate without doing anything.

In the meantime, Teal'c, who had recently come to the SGC, is questioned by several members of the Pentagon. He does not know the answers to their questions because the Goa'uld's technology is considered magic. However, he can tell them what he knows of Goa'uld culture. They rule by fear, and kill any who do not serve them. He also says there are a few like Apophis (the System Lords) who rule over many planets, but they would not be interested in peace. Many worlds fend for themselves and when they meet the Goa'uld, they are enslaved. It would take months for the Goa'uld to make ships to attack Earth since its impenetrable iris prevents invasion through the stargate. The Goa'uld are few in number but strong and growing. He knew of a human race where everything started, the Tau'ri, the First Ones. Some became hosts, others became Jaffa and slaves. Yet their world was forgotten for centuries. Colonel O'Neill stated that the Tau'ri are the people of Earth, the ones who sealed the Stargate. Now many worlds out there are seeded with the ancient peoples of Earth. Teal'c felt the Tau'ri are their best hope. The high-ranking officers decide to bring him to Washington.

Once the SGC discovers that Kawalsky has a Goa'uld in him, they call upon the expertise of some medical experts for an attempt to remove the Goa'uld. However, it is wrapped tightly around his spinal cord, and removing it could either kill or paralyze Kawalsky. Teal'c also informs them that the Goa'uld will kill its host if attempts are made to remove it from him. As such, a suitable sedative must be found and applied to the symbiote before operation can begin.

Teal'c reveals that every Goa'uld has the genetic memory of those before it. Kennedy suggested convincing the symbiote to share that knowledge. However, the Goa'uld view them as an inferior race and would not have told them anything.

Teal'c allows medical staff to perform controlled experiments on the larval Goa'uld that acts as his imune system until they find an effective sedative. They then use this and begin work on Major Kawalsky, who makes General Hammond promise that he'll kill him if the Goa'uld wins the battle for his body.

The operation appears to be successful. Afterwards, he requests a few moments with Teal'c alone to thank him for his help, but as soon as they are alone, Kawalsky's eyes glow and he grabs Teal'c by the neck. The Goa'uld, though mostly removed, had already bound itself irreversibly to the host's brain and is in full control - Kawalsky had been dead for hours.

Overpowering Teal'c, the possessed Kawalsky attempts an escape through the Stargate, only to find Teal'c standing on the ramp blocking his path. They fight and struggle while O'Neill and Hammond try to shut down the Stargate. The Goa'uld pushes the struggle right up to the Stargate, and gets partially through it before the device shuts off, slicing off the back of Kawalsky's head, killing the symbiote instantly.

Although tragic, these events also proved Teal'c worth, allegiance and honour to the SGC, and he is thus assigned as the fourth member of SG-1 by O'Neill's recommendation.

Production

• Written by: Brad Wright
• Directed by: Dennis Berry

Guest Stars

• Jay Acovone as Charles Kawalsky
• Kevin McNulty as Doctor Warner
• Gary Jones as Walter Harriman
• Alan Rachins as Colonel Kennedy
• Warren Takeuchi as the Young Doctor

Notes

• At the end of the episode, Carter says, as SG-1 enters the gate, that "the MALP reports conditions on the planet are favourable." This marks the first time the word "MALP" is uttered in the series.
• This is the first episode in which the people of Earth are identified as the Tau'ri.
• Up to the point where Kawalsky is being restrained in the infirmary, the centre part of Teal'c's Apophis symbol on his forehead is upside-down.
• Up until Teal'c Joins there is only 3 members the next time this happens is in 5 years time when Daniel Ascends

Sources

• "Official Stargate SG-1 site". MGM. Retrieved 2006-06-08. Most of site requires Flash.
• "Screenplay" (PDF). Distributed by MGM. Prepared by Casablanca Continuity. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
• "Summary". SciFi. Retrieved 2006-06-05.
• Gateworld