Scene opens. Cue SG-1 running from Jaffa, Sam trying to perform CPR on a dying native and getting snaked for her trouble, and the first appearance of the Tok'ra. Only appearance of Jolinar of Malkshur.
"In the Line of Duty" provides examples of the following tropes:
- Agony Beam: The weapon that the ashrak uses on Jolinar/Carter. It seems to be some kind of variant on the traditional hand device, only much more painful.
- Angst Coma: Carter is almost completely unresponsive after Jolinar dies inside her. Only Cassandra is able to snap her out of it.
- Blood from the Mouth: Carter coughs up some blood when Jolinar takes possession of her, due to the symbiote entering through the soft tissue at the back of the throat.
- Bounty Hunter: The ashrak hunting down Jolinar.
- Continuity Nod: Daniel mentions that things didn't go so well the last time a team member was possessed by a Goa'uld.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Jolinar, unlike every Tok'ra afterwards, doesn't object to being called a "Goa'uld".
- Good Is Not Nice: Jolinar might ultimately prove herself to be one of the good guys, but she's still quite an asshole. Most of the Tok'ra seen later, while still at times rather haughty, are at least more diplomatic.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Jolinar ends up giving her life in order to save Carter.
- My Species Doth Protest Too Much: As the first Tok'ra we meet, Jolinar's claims that not all Goa'uld are evil megalomaniacs seems a little far-fetched.
- Not Helping Your Case: Jolinar's attempts to get the SGC to release her were a hard sell to put it lightly, but she doesn't help her case by behaving like any other Goa'uld they've met. It's not until Teal'c drops by for a chat that she decides to be a little more forthcoming.
- Not Herself: Carter is definitely a bit off once Jolinar gets inside her. Not that anybody notices until she starts threatening to shoot up the gate room.
- Oh, Crap!: Frasier gets one when she looks at the blood work for one of the refugees she's been treating, presumably realizing that he's infested with a Goa'uld.
- Poor Communication Kills: Had Jolinar been more diplomatic, rather than behaving like a typical Goa'uld jerk, things might have turned out better for everyone.
- Revealing Hug: Cassandra is able to sense the presence of the symbiote when Carter hugs her and promptly freaks out.
- Sensor Character: Cassandra is shown to be able to sense Jolinar in Carter while they are hugging.
- Shoot the Hostage: A non-lethal variant; Teal'c shoots Daniel with a zat gun in order to incapacitate the ashrak holding him at gunpoint, as the energy will radiate through both of them. He does apologize beforehand.
- Small Role, Big Impact: Jolinar dies in her introductory episode, but her connection with Carter has a much larger impact on the plot due to both the introduction of the Tok'ra and the aftereffects of possession.
- Wham Episode: As Jolinar's former host who died to save her, Captain Carter will retain some semblance of the symbiote's memories as well as the ability to sense other symbiotes which will prove to crucial in future episodes. This episode also introduces the concept of the Tok'Ra who will become an important ally of the SG-1 and the SGC.
- You Called Me "X"; It Must Be Serious: O'Neill repeatedly uses Carter's first name throughout the episode. There's also a moment where Carter seemingly pleads with "Jack" to help her, but it turns out to be a ploy by Jolinar.
