Episode of the Week: Meet the Rogue N.I.D. in ‘Touchstone’

FEBRUARY IS N.I.D. MONTH!

SG-1 is accused of stealing an important weather-controlling device, sending a primitive planet into chaos. The team discovers that Earth’s second Stargate is being misused.

Our ongoing rewatch of favorite moments in Stargate history continues with a new plan for 2016: Each month we’ll pick a theme, and feature a key episode every week. Join us by watching the episode during the week, and heading over to GateWorld Forum (or posting below) to talk about it!

Meet the N.I.D.:

• The Founder: Colonel Harry Maybourne
• The Successor: Frank Simmons
• Hello … Neumann.
• Trying to Go Legit: Malcolm Barrett
• Evolved Into: The Trust

“Touchstone” Facts:

• This is writer Sam Egan‘s only episode penned for the Stargate franchise. His long list of genre credits includes The Incredible Hulk, The Outer Limits, Sanctuary, V, and Continuum.
• Erik Breker‘s recurring character of Major Reynolds is introduced in this episode, though he wouldn’t be back until Season Five (sometime after his promotion to Colonel and transfer from Area 51 to Stargate Command). Reynolds would appear in 16 episodes, plus The Ark of Truth.
• Actor Matthew Walker plays the ailing Medronan leader, Roham. He’d be back — more than once — after producers recast him first as Atlantis‘s Moros and then as SG-1‘s Merlin … who turned out to be the same person.
• Colonel Maybourne had been an antagonist inside the U.S. military since he tried to take custody of the Tollans back in Season One’s “Enigma.” But it’s only in “Touchstone” — the very final scene — where viewers got the distinct impression that he was actually involved in orchestrating criminal activities through a rogue arm of his organization.
• What does “N.I.D.” stand for, exactly? The writers never actually defined it. Fans have a few ideas, usually something close to “National Intelligence Directorate.” The group worked with Area 51 researchers and had military connections.
• When SG-1 visits the Area 51 facility they learn that scientists are studying the death gliders they took from Apophis (“The Serpent’s Lair”), hoping to reverse-engineer the alien tech. It would eventually pay off: the X-301 Interceptor — forerunner of the much more useful F-302 — was introduced in Season Four’s “Tangent.”

“Touchstone” on GateWorld:

• Episode Guide
• Photo Gallery
• Screencap Gallery
• Discussion Forum
• Stargate SG-1 Season Two Podcast
• Interview with Tom McBeath (2004)

Download “Touchstone” now from Amazon or iTunes!

Rewatch “Touchstone” this week! Then post your comments below, or head over to the “Touchstone” discussion thread and see what people were saying back in the day. What are your favorite moments?

Every month we’re featuring a new theme from Stargate’s 17 seasons. Watch the weekly episode with us join in the fun!