 
GW: Because that's one of the bigger conundrums, you know. We're in this constant struggle against the Replicators, just trying to get rid of them, but we never really stop to think about "Are we terminating a society here?"
MM: Yeah! And if you think about it, they are complex. They're self-aware! They're trying to ascend. They are a race! So, to wipe them out ... there's definitely ethical questions there.
But at the same time they are an enemy and they are a threat, so you have to look out for your own, as well. Which is actually what this episode ["Ghost In the Machine"] is about because I'm Elizabeth Weir, but I am also a Replicator. I am a Replicator now and that is what Weir is dealing with in this episode.
She thinks in her head, "I'm just Elizabeth Weir. I'm not a threat to these people." But she turns out being a threat to them because she is a Replicator and she has to realize that. "Now I'm a Replicator and I have to think of myself as a Replicator."
Morgan returns in Season Five to play Dr. Elizabeth Weir in a new body. | |
GW: "If I really love my people what should I do?"
MM: Yeah, "How can I protect them?" And Carl said something interesting to me -- the writer -- he said that's part of changing, not realizing you've changed. Do you know what I mean? There's a scene where Sheppard says to her, "You think you're Elizabeth Weir, but you're not." And then it really hits her. "Maybe I'm not really Elizabeth Weir anymore, maybe I have changed."
Is she a human or is she a Replicator? She's both, and that's what's interesting about this episode.
GW: How did you prepare yourself to play sort of half of a character, at least, that is someone who's very established in the Stargate universe?
MM: Well, you know I definitely went back and watched Weir. I watched episodes with her and sort of studied the way that she was and the way that she spoke. But mostly I really focused on the way that she thought, and the way that she approaches situations -- because she's all about diplomacy. She's very intelligent. She's not a wimp in any way.
So I really tried to have a grasp of the way that she approached situations and the way that she would talk to people in these high-stake situations.
GW: Did you end up with a favorite Weir episode out of that experience?
MM: There were a few favorite scenes for sure. I was really struck by a scene between Weir and Teyla, and I can't tell you the name of the episode, where Weir is complaining that she's not being treated equally as a woman. You know what I mean? She did have the vulnerable side of her.
She was kind of always being forced to second guess herself because of all of these men around her, pushing her around. So I thought that was interesting. I thought she was a tough character.
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" Sci-fi is really fun for actors -- almost like doing Shakespeare, Morgan says."
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GW: There was a great scene in an episode "Suspicion" where Teyla approaches Weir and she asks her, "Do you ever have doubts?" And Weir says, "I can't afford to have them." You know, as a leader, I think that was very poignant. It's cool that you are embodying that. And a challenge!
MM: Can you imagine having that kind of responsibility? I look at world leaders and it's unfathomable the amount of power that one person can have and the decisions that they make. And it takes a really strong character to be able to be in those kind of positions. I don't know if I could do it.
GW: "Ghost In the Machine" is largely about resolving this character thread with Elizabeth Weir, and there's some political issues going on with Torri [Higginson] not reprising the role. Do you find it a particular challenge to step in to the middle of this situation and play your character to the best of your ability?
MM: No, because I'm not really involved in that situation. I'm actually quite removed from that situation. I come in and I do my part. So I'm just really approaching it with ... I just want to make the character interesting and make this a great episode. And that's all I'm going worry about.
GW: Well, it's a testament to your work, you know -- this character who has been around for five years, [and] this young woman who came in for this little scene last year just blew us all away. Let's give her this mantle.
MM: Aww. Thank you.
GW: Let's see what she can do with it.
MM: Thank you very much! Yeah, I'm definitely honored to be back. I think this is a really, really cool show and I've been lucky enough to get involved with it.
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