Samantha Carter must access her memories of Jolinar of Malkshur, the symbiotic alien she once carried, in order to save her father.
(originally aired October 22, 1999)
What Happened
In another typical day at Stargate Command's Cheyenne Mountain headquarters, the Stargate activates without warning. An officer informs O'Neill that the "Tok'ra," a faction of the race of parasitic aliens known as the Goa'uld, have requested passage through the portal. Unlike most Goa'uld, who are cruel conquerors, the Tok'ra seek to peacefully coexist with other species.
O'Neill, sarcastic as always, gives the order to open the Stargate's protective iris with the cryptic quip, "maybe it's dad."
When the portal opens, three people in white loose-fitting garb walk through. Carter greets their leader, a man he recognizes as Martouf, a Tok'ra who had once associated with Jolinar of Malkshur. Jolinar, in turn, had once briefly possessed Captain Carter of the SG-1.
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Analysis
This episode expands on the "big picture" of the Stargate universe.
As such, "Jolinar's Memories" is the kind of episode that is great if you have been following the series, but will leave you with a headache if you haven't. By referring back to a wide sampling of previous episodes, revisiting old enemies and friends like Martouf, Jolinar and others, these continuity-heavy installments provide every story with additional weight and meaning.
This ability to reference older material is one of episodic television's great strengths, one that film finds it difficult to share. It's one of the high points of Stargate: SG-1 as well, when it works.
Meanwhile, even if you haven't been watching the show for the last three seasons, the dialogue is still good enough to outweigh the confusion. In particular, Jack's constant stream of commentary is as funny as ever -- it's one of the best sources of low-key sarcastic comedy on television today.
Quotable Moments
Daniel: No one bothered to ask her how she escaped from an inescapable prison
Teal'c: The chaotic and feudal disorganization of the system lords fragmented rule is a far more vulnerable target then that of one powerful Goa’uld
O'Neill: By all means. To hell with us!
O'Neill: My lungs are burning.... [later] At least it's a dry heat.
Tune in Next Week
In the second installment of this two-part episode, "The Devil You Know," the SG-1 team must escape from a prison built to simulate the fires of Hell.
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