SGA 5.18 "Identity" Episode Guide

Précis

An Ancient device on another planet causes Dr. Keller to swap bodies with a woman named Neeva, who hides her true identity from the Atlantis expedition. Once they realize what has happened, Sheppard’s team, with Dr. Carson Beckett along, must find and deactivate the device that caused the body swap. They must rescue Keller from people who believe she is Neeva, and who have troubles of their own.

Guide | Transcript

MGM/SciFi.com Official Summary

The official summary is not available as this episode has not yet aired in the United States.

Spoiler Summary

Dr. Keller is in the infirmary, being treated by Dr. Beckett as McKay looks on with concern. What the men don’t know is that a woman from another planet, Neeva, has someone switched bodies with Keller. In Keller’s body, Neeva leaves the infirmary with the intent to get away on a Puddle Jumper. McKay finds her there, and she tries to seduce him into flying her to the mainland so they can make love. He is convinced she is ill and not acting herself, and they don’t take that flight.

Eventually the team realizes that a body swap has occurred, perhaps via the same long-range Ancient technology that allowed Daniel and Vala to swap bodies with people in the Ori galaxy. Sheppard and his team bring Neeva to a planet to search for the device and turn it off, but Neeva is not keen on the idea and does not intend to stay with the team.

Meanwhile Keller, in Neeva’s body, is on the verge of being executed by a local village, presumably for crimes Neeva committed. But she’s rescued from death by men she doesn’t know, Bordal and Jannik, who take her to their cave. There she must keep up the ruse that she is Neeva so they’ll continue to protect her, but pretending to be a cunning fugitive is not one of Keller’s strong suits…

Cast

• Joe Flanigan as Lt. Col. John Sheppard
• Rachel Luttrell as Teyla Emmagan
• Jason Momoa as Ronon Dex
• Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller
• Robert Picardo as Richard Woolsey
• and David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay

Guest Stars

• Paul McGillion as Dr. Carson Beckett
• Neeva
• Technician
• Jannik
• Bordal
• Attendant #1
• Second In Command
• Stage Manager

Production

• Written by Carl Binder
• Directed by

Production Gallery

The following are links to images concerning the production of this episode and were published by Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog:

• Concept Art: The headman's axe (July 21, 2008)
• Candid: Production Designer James Robbins with an axe (July 21, 2008)
• Candid: Production Designer James Robbins prepares to wield an axe (July 21, 2008)
• Candid: Production Designer James Robbins pretends to shave with an axe (July 21, 2008)

Related Articles

Other

• Season Five Episode Guides
• Episode Guides
• Season Five Transcripts
• Transcripts
• Previous: SGA 5.17 "Infection" Episode Guide
• Next: SGA 5.19 "Vegas" Episode Guide

Production Notes

• Paloosa writes: “Also, I was wondering if the storylines have been decided for the last few episodes? And are you, cast and crew itching to take off for hiatus?” Answer: "Nope. There are two slots still open. They’ll go to Carl and Alan. We have two weeks to spin these stories. That way, everyone will have something to work on during a hiatus we are all very much looking forward to." — Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog, May 31, 2008.
• PG15 writes: “Do you guys know, generally, what you want to put in those 2 empty spots at the end of the season, or is it completely blank? Are there “notions” for those spots?” Answer: "No notions, but there are a couple of loose ends that could use tying up." — Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog, June 1, 2008.
• "Help spin Carl’s story for episode 17 (or maybe 18?). A nice callback to some SG-1 tech, the return of that guest star will have the boards abuzz, and Carl searches for an appropriately grisly punishment." — Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog, June 4, 2008.
• "And, speaking of casting, we’re looking into ... this potential Stargate newbie for Carl’s eppy (which has taken a very dark turn). She’s super!" — Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog, June 5, 2008.
• "Carl put out a beat sheet for his episode and, after some discussion, finalized the beats - and a title: Identity." — Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog, June 12, 2008.
• "Alan finished his rewrite of Infection, Martin is prepping Brain Storm, Carl is poised to prep Identity, and Paul has broken ground on #20. With less than two months to go, it looks like it’s going to be a mad dash to the finish line." — Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog, July 23, 2008.
• "Well, it’s a race to the finish line as ... Carl (Identity) and Rob (Vegas) field questions about their respective episodes..." — Joseph Mallozzi in his personal blog, July 31, 2008.

Further Reading

• Joseph Mallozzi's Blog

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--DeeKayP 18:54, 21 July 2008 (PDT)