Stargate SG-1: Enemy Mine

“You are a pain in the ass. But well worth it.”

• Release Date: 25th July 2003
• Season 7
• Episode 7
• Director: Peter DeLuise
• Writers: Peter DeLuise

On a base on a planet, we start with Major Lorne and his commanding officer Colonel Edwards talking about naquadah deposits and how they need to find enough to manufacture X-303s. These are two interesting faces – I know Major Lorne is a recurring character in Atlantis, and Edwards is played by the wonderful Michael Rooker (before even Slither). Another soldier comes up with new news – the latest data shows a concentration fifty times higher than anything before – this is what they have been looking for. We cut to a view of something watching another soldier and attacking them.

We cut forward to Jack, Teal’c and Daniel arriving, they’re here to help with locating the missing soldier. Lorne asks Jack to follow him to the last known location when Daniel sports some rudimentary farming equipment and asks to know why he wasn’t informed about artifacts being discovered. Jack lets Daniel stay to study while he and Teal’c head off with Lorne. 

Teal’c mentions the ground is firm, so there’s no footprints, while there is evidence that the bushes have been disturbed. Daniel radios with one of the “you have to see this” messages. He’s taken a look at the artefacts and determined that they’re yokes for pulling things along, and appear to have been built for Unas. He suggests delaying the mining operation, which Edwards doesn’t take kindly to. Jack does seem to think Daniel’s theory is very valid. We cut to Teal’c and Lorne, with them discovering some warnings from the Unas, with Lorne finding the missing soldier strung up.

Edwards and his men come over to remove the body, and Edwards wants to launch an assault on the Unas. Daniel is extremely against this, saying that this is probably their territory. Jack backs him up, but it’s no use – Edwards is dead set, and it’s his command. The fight breaks out and it’s a mess. Jack manages to defend an injured soldier, but gets hit by an Unas who seems to be the leader. Daniel yells out “No” in the unas language and he pauses – Jack even doesn’t shoot to let him decide what to do. The unas yells out and they retreat. Edwards wants to press on, but Jack says no – and when Edwards doesn’t back off, Jack says his standing orders are revoked and to discuss it back at Stargate Command.

In the infirmary, Jack is being tended to. He’s fine, but he can’t return to the planet, which is bad for Daniel as he wants Jack to take over the mission. Carter pops in for one scene as she’s busy working on the gate diagnostic system – this is very much a Daniel episode. We see Hammond, Edwards and General Vidrine from the Pentagon are discussing how to progress, with Edwards wanting a full out assault on the unas. Daniel wants to negotiate, and suggests getting Chaka to help – the unas that captured him only to befriend him. Hammond points out to Vidrine that it will take time to complete surveys, so there would be no harm in letting him try. Vidrine allows this, but also gives Edwards permission to take them out if it comes down to it.

Daniel brings Chaka to Stargate Command, which I think displays how much Hammond trusts Daniel as he could have just gone straight to the mining planet, and explains how the people that enslaved the unas now work with them peacefully (albeit still uneasy). Chaka is eager to see unas of other worlds and to help them. They head to the planet and the camp has been torched, and Edwards starts preparing his men for battle.  

They reach the clearing where they found the warnings and Chaka asks Daniel to go with him, unarmed. Teal’c thinks this is unwise, but allows him to do so. Chaka leaves him to an altar made out of Jaffa armour, weapons and remains, lights a fire (with help from Daniel) and chants. The leader we saw before approaches at night and tests them but, after talking with Chakka, they exchange trinkets and are ready to talk.

The leader is called Iron Shirt, and, trying to use the unas language, says they know they brought death, but want to be friends. Iron Shirt sits down and they start talking. In the morning, Daniel returns to the camp, letting them know the mine is sacred to them as the Gou’ald worked their ancestors to death in them. Lorne points out that the deposit is massive – the pentagon won’t give this up. Speaking to Hammond, Daniel gets given 24 hours to come to an agreement or the unas will be forcibly removed.

Daniel returns to Iron Shirt and tries to explain that they can provide food for the rocks in the mine, in order to wage war with the Gou’ald. Iron Shirt is interested in this, but asks why they would do it, so Daniel mentions the relocation plan. Iron Shirt doesn’t take kindly to this, and when Daniel says he can’t win, Iron Shirt reveals that all the tribes will fight – there’s a lot more unas here than expected. Daniel rushes off.

As Daniel is trying to contact someone, we see an unas approaching a soldier, with the soldier killing it. Daniel gets there and realises the unas was just trying to recover his necklace. Horns blow and Edwards is eager to fight, but Daniel says they’re definitely not ready. They return to the camp and Edwards can’t believe that there are so many unas. Teal’c encourages him to return to the SGC. 

They spot Iron Shirt on a ridge near the camp, and a large force of unas join him – fighting would mean they all die. Iron Shirt walks forward and Daniel realises he wants to give them another chance, telling Edwards to not shoot. Daniel pleads to Iron Shirt and he makes his demands, which Daniel translates as they need to show they mean it by kneeling to the unas. Edwards is extremely reluctant but ends up doing so. Iron Shirt sits next to Daniel and Daniel shows off his lighter and offers it as a trade ,and Iron Shirt passes Daniel his bone necklace. Now they can negotiate, but everyone has to remain kneeling.

The negotiations go well and Daniel explains that the humans will not touch the mine – however, the unas will mine it and give us the naquadah to use to wage war against the Gou’ald. A brilliant outcome for the humans. Edward is also pleased with this, and jokes about them using a jackhammer, but Daniel says the unas are capable of learning. Daniel thanks Chaka for his help as the episode ends.

This is the end of the Chaka trilogy, which is a shame as I would have loved to see the peace he made on the planet that enslaved the unas. This shows that the unas can be great allies and can learn to live alongside humans – but they never make an appearance after this. This episode also means that Earth now has the resources for more ships.