The Teams Comes Together (Enemy Within Meta)
Sorry this is late. It's also not as indepth as I would have liked, but someone seems to have stolen my ability to articulate myself. Warning: there are mentions of future episodes. If you haven't viewed the entire series and are a spoilerphobe, you might want pass on this.
Enemy Within serves as the series first episode. It has the job of cleaning up open thread from the pilot while also forming the basis for the rest of the season and the series. For these purposes, this is a character driven episode.
While overall a good episode, Enemy Within does have some clunky parts. I'm not here to discuss the plot. What shines in this episode is the characterization and character development.
But most importantly, this episode serves as the foundation of the team.
While I am a big fan of the Jack and Daniel friendship and the Sam and Daniel friendship (and just about every other friendship), I really felt the characters to shine in this episode were Jack, Teal'c, and Hammond.
First of all, the Jack and Hammond scenes were fantastic for me. Here we have the foundation for these two characters. They start off a little rocky at first but I find there is mutual respect between them. Jack is testing his limits. He's testing Hammond. He's trying to feel out if Hammond is someone he can trust. Yet, at the same time, I feel like Jack already has a good feeling about Hammond. Throughout the show, Jack is an excellent judge of character. He just needs Hammond to show him what he already feels is true through action and words.
In turn, I also feel that Hammond knows Jack. Hammond is stern, but understanding. He's earned his place as general and even though he thought the SGC would be an easy assignment before he retires, he takes his position very very seriously. That doesn't mean that Hammond can't be smug, sarcastic, or stick it to someone (Kennedy) when it comes down to what is right. In this sense, Hammond is very much like Jack. They both have similar views on honor and valor. For me, Hammond sees himself in Jack and feels Jack has the potential to grow. Season 8's Zero Hour demonstrates just how far they've come in a very poignant way. It's their professional but warm relationship throughout the series that gives the military aspect of this show its heart and soul.
Sam and Daniel don't have much to do in this episode, but we can see their friendship continues to grow. Sam is supportive; Daniel is holding on. Yet they both are there to stand up for Teal'c, despite his past deeds. What I enjoy about this episode is that they back it a point to show that while Sam and Daniel are supportive of Teal'c, they aren't overly close to him either, especially Daniel. This allows for a nice gradual progression as the season continues.
Last but not least, there is Teal'c. I saved him for the last character discussion because I find this episode to be wonderful insight into Teal'c and I feel he deserves the spotlight.
Teal'c is a fish out of water. He's in a strange culture. He's left his position of power, of status, and his family behind. He's a traitor and he betrayed his god. He gave up everything for the chance of freedom for himself and for all of his people. Yet, he understands that he is basically a prisoner at this point, his deeds unable to outweigh who he is. His main ally is Jack and in Jack he has found respect and hope.
Teal'c knows that in order to find acceptance with his new allies he has to be careful. He keeps quiet. He watches, listens, and learns. He keeps secrets. This wall he has around himself will eventually chip away and expose the layers of humor, friendship, love, and hurt that he keeps buried inside. But for now, he keeps his emotions as level as he can.
However, what fascinates me most about Teal'c and this episode is the scene when he's being interviewed. Even though Teal'c gave up everything he knew for the possibility of freedom, he didn't know that Earth was the home of the Tau'ri. The expression on his face when he learns that he has finally met people of legend, of his origins, is just so deep and sincere that it gets me every shot. This is a Teal'c who feels he has finally found the key to his people's salvation. His people have finally found their roots. Sadly, the dream of freedom for the Jaffa and the status of the Tau'ri is not something he'll easily reconcile in the future.
One of the best moments of the episode comes when Teal'c stands before the Stargate and once again denounces the Goa'uld. He proves that he will stand for the defense of Earth. His actions, thought predictable, are necessary for the team to gel as one.
Enemy Within is an episode that establishes Teal'c as part of the team. That final scene encapsulates the spirit of the show so beautifully: the four of them so new and different and strange to each other, together as one unit, ready to explore and defend the honor and livelihood of their peoples. SG-1 is the sum of its parts. SG-1 isn't just about heroes or battles or strange new worlds. SG-1 is hope.
Enemy Within serves as the series first episode. It has the job of cleaning up open thread from the pilot while also forming the basis for the rest of the season and the series. For these purposes, this is a character driven episode.
While overall a good episode, Enemy Within does have some clunky parts. I'm not here to discuss the plot. What shines in this episode is the characterization and character development.
But most importantly, this episode serves as the foundation of the team.
While I am a big fan of the Jack and Daniel friendship and the Sam and Daniel friendship (and just about every other friendship), I really felt the characters to shine in this episode were Jack, Teal'c, and Hammond.
First of all, the Jack and Hammond scenes were fantastic for me. Here we have the foundation for these two characters. They start off a little rocky at first but I find there is mutual respect between them. Jack is testing his limits. He's testing Hammond. He's trying to feel out if Hammond is someone he can trust. Yet, at the same time, I feel like Jack already has a good feeling about Hammond. Throughout the show, Jack is an excellent judge of character. He just needs Hammond to show him what he already feels is true through action and words.
In turn, I also feel that Hammond knows Jack. Hammond is stern, but understanding. He's earned his place as general and even though he thought the SGC would be an easy assignment before he retires, he takes his position very very seriously. That doesn't mean that Hammond can't be smug, sarcastic, or stick it to someone (Kennedy) when it comes down to what is right. In this sense, Hammond is very much like Jack. They both have similar views on honor and valor. For me, Hammond sees himself in Jack and feels Jack has the potential to grow. Season 8's Zero Hour demonstrates just how far they've come in a very poignant way. It's their professional but warm relationship throughout the series that gives the military aspect of this show its heart and soul.
Sam and Daniel don't have much to do in this episode, but we can see their friendship continues to grow. Sam is supportive; Daniel is holding on. Yet they both are there to stand up for Teal'c, despite his past deeds. What I enjoy about this episode is that they back it a point to show that while Sam and Daniel are supportive of Teal'c, they aren't overly close to him either, especially Daniel. This allows for a nice gradual progression as the season continues.
Last but not least, there is Teal'c. I saved him for the last character discussion because I find this episode to be wonderful insight into Teal'c and I feel he deserves the spotlight.
Teal'c is a fish out of water. He's in a strange culture. He's left his position of power, of status, and his family behind. He's a traitor and he betrayed his god. He gave up everything for the chance of freedom for himself and for all of his people. Yet, he understands that he is basically a prisoner at this point, his deeds unable to outweigh who he is. His main ally is Jack and in Jack he has found respect and hope.
Teal'c knows that in order to find acceptance with his new allies he has to be careful. He keeps quiet. He watches, listens, and learns. He keeps secrets. This wall he has around himself will eventually chip away and expose the layers of humor, friendship, love, and hurt that he keeps buried inside. But for now, he keeps his emotions as level as he can.
However, what fascinates me most about Teal'c and this episode is the scene when he's being interviewed. Even though Teal'c gave up everything he knew for the possibility of freedom, he didn't know that Earth was the home of the Tau'ri. The expression on his face when he learns that he has finally met people of legend, of his origins, is just so deep and sincere that it gets me every shot. This is a Teal'c who feels he has finally found the key to his people's salvation. His people have finally found their roots. Sadly, the dream of freedom for the Jaffa and the status of the Tau'ri is not something he'll easily reconcile in the future.
One of the best moments of the episode comes when Teal'c stands before the Stargate and once again denounces the Goa'uld. He proves that he will stand for the defense of Earth. His actions, thought predictable, are necessary for the team to gel as one.
Enemy Within is an episode that establishes Teal'c as part of the team. That final scene encapsulates the spirit of the show so beautifully: the four of them so new and different and strange to each other, together as one unit, ready to explore and defend the honor and livelihood of their peoples. SG-1 is the sum of its parts. SG-1 isn't just about heroes or battles or strange new worlds. SG-1 is hope.