Template:ATL-1 "Poisoning the Well" is the seventh episodes of the first season of Stargate Atlantis.
Plot
The Atlantis team discover the Hoffans, a race of humans that have advanced to a technological level similar to that of Earth during the 1st World War. Their knowledge is stored in several hidden libraries to prevent total destruction with each Wraith culling. They have been working on an inoculation which will prevent the Wraith from feeding on them. Major John Sheppard volunteers Dr. Carson Beckett's help, and Beckett helps a Hoffan scientist, Perna, to complete the drug ahead of schedule. To the reluctance of Dr. Elizabeth Weir, they are eager to test the drug, using a terminally ill Hoffan volunteer as a human trial. They inoculated him with the drug and test him against Steve, the Wraith Sheppard captured two episodes before. The drug works better than they thought: Steve was killed by it.
Beckett wants to run more tests but the Hoffans start mass-production and mass-inoculation immediately. It's then discovered that the drug has a severe side effect: a 50% mortality rate. After a planet-wide vote proves that a 96% of Hoffans are willing to risk it so the Wraith can't feed from them, the Hoffan leader asks for the Atlantis team help distribute the medication to other worlds. The team, appalled by the society's ruthlessness, refuses to cooperate and leaves.
References
Atlantis brig; Hoff; Chancellor; Druhin; Geo-thermo energy; Hoffan drug; Doctor McCoy; biochemistry; physiology; molecular biology; Perna; Ferrel Mylan; protein; Wraith fleet; Hoffans; Athos; Scotland; Geneva Convention; Jumper Two; Merell; Hoffan Council; Winston Churchill
Notes
- Dr. Carson Beckett is compared to Star Trek's Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy for his fear of traveling through the Stargate (Much like McCoy hated travelling by transporter).
- The Hoffan drug introduced here plays a prominent role in later seasons, when the Wraith/human 'hybrid' Michael Kenmore forces a clone of Doctor Beckett to produce it on a large scale as part of his campaign against the Wraith, although Beckett is able to reduce the fatality rate to only 30% rather than the 50% presented here.
- The episode and the disease have many similarities with anthrax. The father of the serum, Farrol Mylan, became very respected as did Robert Koch, who identified anthrax first and got Nobel Prize in 1905. Time period is roughly the same in both cases. Those who became ill because of the serum, suffered same kind of symptons as victims of pulmonary anthrax. As treated both have about 50% mortality rate. Also, the name of female doctor Perna links these two as "Anthrax" is "Pernarutto" in finnish (literally Anthraxplague).
- Goof: Wraith Steve can be seen swallowing when lying dead on a table when Beckett and Sheppard discuss the poisoning effects of the hoffan drug on wraith.
- Allison Hossack also played a character in an SG-1 episode that focused on biochemistry. She played Zenna Valk in the episode "Cure " which introduced the drug Tretonin.
Notable Quotes
(Inside the Hoffan secret laboratory)
McKay: Reminds you of Area 51, doesn't it?
Sheppard: Circa 1918.
Ford: I don't think Area 51 was around 1918 sir.
Sheppard: Well the Area was.
McKay: True.
(After opening the holding cell)
Sheppard Hi Steve.
Ford Bye Steve.
(Ford knocks the Wraith unconscious)
("Steve" the Wraith is on the jumper on his way to Hoff. He is smiling.)
Lt. Ford: (to Steve) Hey man, this isn't supposed to be fun.
Beckett: Converting the human body into energy and sending it millions of lightyears through a wormhole. Bloody insanity!
McKay: C'mon, how often do you get to travel to an alien planet?
Beckett: I was already on an alien planet!
Beckett: It's not that I mind lending people a hand...
Sheppard: No, of course not.
McKay: You're a generous man, Carson.
Beckett: But it's the principle of the thing, isn't it? You can't go volunteering someone for something without consulting them first. That's not even volunteering, is it? It's being pressed into service. Not to mention the fact I'm not...
Sheppard: ...military and I can't give you orders. I know.
McKay: No, no, no, no, he just doesn't like going through the Stargate.
Sheppard: He's worse than Dr. McCoy.
Teyla: Who?
Sheppard: The TV character that Dr. Beckett plays in real life.
Sheppard: Wonder what hurts more, the gunshot wound or the hunger? I'd love to help out but, how'd McKay put it?
(pause)
Sheppard: We can't meet your dietary requirements.
"Steve" the Wraith: When I'm free, you'll be the first that i feed upon.
Sheppard: Okey dokey. I'm gonna go make myself a sandwich.
Sheppard: Sorry if I woke you. Just came by to see if there's anything you needed. Magazine, fresh towels.
"Steve" the Wraith: You hide your fear poorly, major.
Sheppard: You know, we've been having these conversations for a couple of weeks now, and I don't even know your name. You guys do have names right? Let me guess... Steve?
"Steve" the Wraith: I am your death. That is all you need to know.
Sheppard: I prefer Steve.
"Steve" the Wraith: What do you hope to gain from this?
Sheppard: Just trying to bridge the gap between our two cultures, get to know you better. That and try to figure out how to keep your kind from sucking the life out of millions of innocent people!
Dr.Weir: Major, have you made any progress with your prisoner?
Sheppard: Not yet, but he just blinked.
McKay: He blinked? What does that mean?
Sheppard: It means he's still holding on, but he's indicated to me that he may break soon.
McKay: And he indicated this to you by blinking?
Sheppard: Yes.
Dr. Beckett: "Victory at all costs." That sound familiar, Major?
Maj. Sheppard: Churchill.
Dr. Beckett: Aye. Never thought I'd disagree.
(Talking about testing the drug on Steve)
Wier: You do understand the Geneva Convention prohibits using prisoners for scientific experements.
Sheppard: No offense, doc, but had the Wraith attended the Geneva Convention, they would have tried to feed on everyone there.
External links
- Template:SciFi
- Official Stargate Atlantis site. MGM. Visited June 8, 2006.
- Transcript from GateWorld. Transcribed by Callie Sullivan. Additions by Calico. Visited May 14, 2006.
- Review from GateWorld. Reviewed by Taylor Brown. Visited May 14, 2006.
- Production from GateWorld. Visited May 14, 2006.
- Gatenoise from Moon-catchin'. Visited June 23, 2006.