The Fifth Man

"The Fifth Man" is the fourth episode of the fifth season of Stargate SG-1.

Synopsis
SG-1 is forced to abandon Colonel Jack O'Neill and the team's fifth member, Lt. Tyler. However, before they can reinforce themselves, they are stopped and pulled off duty, since Stargate Command has no recollection of Tyler. Meanwhile, O'Neill and "Tyler" hide from Jaffa patrols.

Plot
Under attack from Jaffa on P7S-441, SG-1 attempts to escape through the Stargate. However, Lt. Tyler, who is with them, is injured and Colonel Jack O'Neill stays behind to help him while Major Samantha Carter, Dr. Daniel Jackson and Teal'c go for reinforcements. Upon arriving at Stargate Command, the three learn that there is no Lt. Tyler. As the members of SG-1 seem to have false memories, they are not allowed to go back through and are sent to the infirmary. After the evaluation Carter hacks into the base computer system and to their surprise finds out, that there really never was a Lt. Tyler. However they find out that a mysterious 'User 4574' has been looking through the SGC files for their past missions.

Back at the planet O'Neill and Tyler hide in the ruins of an old stone structure. Soon a Death Glider finds them, and although O'Neill is able to bring it down with a grenade launcher, their position is already compromised, and he begins setting up defenses as Tyler is still incapacitated.

Later Colonel Frank Simmons from The Pentagon arrives to question the members of SG-1 and Major General George S. Hammond begins to suspect that he might be involved with the NID. During the inquiry Simmons reveals that he isn't fond of SG-1 at all, accusing Daniel of sympathizing with the ones that have been taken as hosts by the Goa'uld and questioning Sam's judgment due to her romantic encounter with Orlin. He also suggests that Teal'c is still loyal to his old masters but Teal'c counters this by pointing out that he would have killed Simmons where he sat if such was the case. Carter in turn confronts him about User 4574, who Simmons apparently is. In the meantime Dr. Janet Fraiser examines the clothing SG-1 wore on the mission and she comes in contact with an alien powder, giving her a brief memory of seeing Lt. Tyler. The powder is similar to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (although the chemical structure shown on her computer does not actually look like it) and she concludes that this is what caused SG-1's false memories of Tyler.

On the planet, Tyler confesses to O'Neill that he is in fact a Reol named Kaiael and what he has done to them. He also shows him his real form and tells him that his species uses their abilities to survive. When the Goa'uld found out about their abilities they started to hunt the Reol hoping to use their memory-altering abilities for themselves. Nevertheless O'Neill is determined to save both of them.

After Dr. Fraiser determines the effects of the powder, SG-1 gets permission to go rescue O'Neill, despite the objections from Simmons. Carter, Jackson, and Teal'c manage to arrive just in time to help O'Neill finish off the Jaffa, who attacked their position and nearly overwhelmed them. As a large amount of Jaffa are now guarding the Stargate, Daniel stays with Tyler while the others plan to retrieve a Staff cannon from the Death Glider which O'Neill shot down earlier for additional firepower. Feeling responsible for SG-1's trouble, Tyler stuns Daniel with a Zat'nik'tel and flees into the woods to lead the Jaffa away from the gate but is quickly captured. Having succeeded in their plan, SG-1 ambushes the group of Jaffa who are taking Tyler back and kill the remaining Jaffa at the gate.

In the end Kaiael thanks them for their help and tells them that his people will likely bury their Stargate. Back in the SGC, Simmons plans on reporting serious problems within SGC, with which he hopes to bring down Hammond.

Notable Quotes
Hammond: Report, Major.

Carter: We were attacked by several Jaffa. Lieutenant Tyler went down covering our six and Colonel O'Neill went back for him.

Teal'c: We must assemble a rescue team and return to the planet immediately, General Hammond.

Hammond: Hold on. Who's Lieutenant Tyler?

Jackson: What do you mean, "Who's Lieutenant Tyler?" He's a member of SG-1.

Hammond: What?

Jackson: You assigned him yourself last month, sir.

Carter: Tyler, sir. We've been training him for weeks. This was his third mission.

Hammond: Major I have no idea what you're talking about.

Tyler: Colonel. You could have made it to the Gate. You came back for me.

O'Neill: What's your point?

Tyler: I guess I'm grateful.

O'Neill: Well I wasn't going to let you die, Lieutenant. It's like... a ton of paperwork.

Tyler: Paperwork?

O'Neill: It's a joke. My way of deflecting attention from my own obvious heroism. You'll get used to it.

Simmons: I'd like you to explain your relationship with Dr. Sarah Gardner.

Jackson: What does that have to do with this?

Simmons: Dr. Jackson, I am here to investigate potential alien influences over Stargate Command. The fact that a Goa'uld has taken your ex-girlfriend as a host has everything to do with this.

Jackson: What?

Simmons: You were very close at one time.

Jackson: That's none of your business.

Simmons: Your entire life is our business.

Jackson: Do I need to call an attorney here?

Simmons: Serious questions have been raised concerning your viability with this command. I am giving you an opportunity to respond.

Jackson: Okay, respond. Fine. I lost someone I care about. And not for the first time I might add.

O'Neill: Do you know what the Goa'uld really want from us? Minnesota, that's what. For the fishing, mostly. I'll take you some time.

Tyler: Fishing?

O'Neill: Oh, yeah. Ask Teal'c. He can't get enough.

Tyler: They'll never stop hunting us.

O'Neill: What makes you say that?

Tyler: Isn't... that the way they are?

O'Neill: That may be the way they are, but we're the way... we are, so... there ya are.

O'Neill: Daniel, stay with... what is your name, anyway? Tyler: Kyayayeyi. O'Neill: OK, Daniel, you stay with... Tyler.

O'Neill: You're lucky you're not really a lieutenant under my command, I'd have your ass for this.

Tyler: You could have escaped.

O'Neill: We don't leave our people behind.

Tyler: But... I am not one of your people.

O'Neill: You could have fooled me. Actually you did fool me.

Goofs

 * Dr. Janet Fraiser states that the team's MRI scans were normal because the Reol chemical dissipated quickly. However, a standard MRI would not revel a chemical abnormality in the brain, only structural abnormalities, although it is possible the SGC uses some type of advanced MRI spectroscopy (which may or may not exist in the real world). The darkened area on Fraiser's scan also seems unlikely as it would indicate massive structural damage which would be evident in her behavior. Even in a PET scan, which shows blood flow rather than tissue structure, would be indicative of massive brain injury.injury.
 * CMSgt. Walter Harriman's nametag still reads "Norman Davis," even after his first name was established as being Walter by Colonel Jack O'Neill in the 4th season episode, "2010."
 * the grenade launcher O'Neill uses to shot down a Death Glider with is a M203 grenade lancher, a Anti Personal Weapon , unable to damage heavly armoured vehicle

In other languages

 * French: Le Cinquième Homme (The Fifth Man)
 * Italian: Il Quinto Uomo (The Fifth Man)
 * Spanish: El Quinto Hombre (The Fifth Man)
 * Czech: Pátý člen (The Fifth Member)