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Dr. Carson Beckett is a fictional character on the TV series Stargate Atlantis played by Paul McGillion. He is originally from Scotland and is the chief medical doctor on the Atlantis expedition. Prior to joining the expedition, Beckett worked with Dr. Elizabeth Weir at the Atlantus Outpost in Antarctica, studying Ancient technology.
Beckett possesses the rare ATA gene that allows him to operate Ancient technology. Beckett discovered the ATA gene and found a way to give the gene to others through gene therapy using a mouse retrovirus. Past mistakes, and a certain amount of fear and discomfort with technology, make him nervous when operating Ancient technology. In addition to his superior medical skills, his naturally occurring ATA gene contributed to Weir's choosing him for the expedition team.
History
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Beckett's first appearance was in the Stargate Atlantis pilot episode "Rising, Part 1." Dr. Rodney McKay insisted on having his cooperation while he tried to learn more about the Atlantis Outpost's control chair. When Beckett sat in the chair, he accidentally activated one of the drones, and the weapon targeted Major John Sheppard's helicopter en route to the outpost. With some concentration, Beckett was able to disable the drone before Sheppard and his passenger General Jack O'Neill were injured, but his confidence in his ability to operate the technology was diminished.
Once in Atlantis, it became clear the expedition team was facing an overwhelming threat from a dangerous new enemy, the Wraith. Beckett dissected a Wraith hand and determined that the Wraith, from his observations, would likely not die of natural aging and would prove difficult to kill. Beckett had another chance to learn more about Wraith biology in the episode “Poisoning the Well."
In his first offworld visit since arriving in Atlantis, Beckett was volunteered by Sheppard to visit the planet Hoff, where the inhabitants were developing a vaccine that would make them immune to Wraith feedings. Beckett aided Hoffan scientist Perna and was able to make quick progress in making the drug viable. They quickly moved on, despite his objections, to human trials.
The drug was tested on a terminally ill Hoffan man who was given to Atlantis's Wraith prisoner to feed on. The drug worked but the Wraith, nicknamed Steve, died as a result. The Hoffans were pleased with the outcome but Beckett wanted to do more tests. The Hoffans did not want to wait, however, and started mass production and inoculations. It was soon discovered that the drug had a 50% mortality rate, and Perna, who had taken the drug, died. Unwilling to work with the Hoffans, the team left, certain of the remaining Hoffans' inevitable destruction by the Wraith.
Despite his dislike for going offworld through the Stargate, Beckett's confidence continues to grow. In the Season 2 episode "Runner," he traveled offworld to help a Runner, Ronon Dex. Beckett successfully removed a Wraith tracking device from Ronon's back, freeing him from a life of being hunted by the Wraith.
When Sheppard was attacked by an Iratus bug during a mission, Beckett, communicating by radio, tried to solve the problem. The team had to resort to extreme measures—killing Sheppard and then reviving him — to remove the bug. Sheppard's experience led Beckett to research the creature. Beckett hypothesized that the Wraith evolved from Iratus bugs that incorporated human DNA into their own DNA during their evolution, ultimately taking on a humanoid appearance. Based on this theory, Beckett began to work on a retrovirus to strip the Iratus DNA from the Wraith.
Season 2
In the episode "Instinct," Sheppard's team came across a young female Wraith, Ellia, living with a human man Zaddik, who claimed he'd created a serum that provided her with what she needed so she didn't have to feed on humans. Beckett was called to investigate his findings, which proved faulty. Ellia's self-loathing led her to inject herself with Beckett's incomplete retrovirus in hope of becoming human.
The retrovirus transformed Ellia into a terrifying creature with increasingly prominent Iratus features. Ellia was killed, but not before infecting Sheppard with the virus. The virus began to transform him into an Iratus. In order to cure him, Beckett determined he needed stem cells from an Iratus egg to carry human DNA to Sheppard's cells. Major Evan Lorne was sent on a mission to retrieve them, but failed. Sheppard managed to retrieve the eggs himself and the therapy was successful.
Beckett eventually perfected the retrovirus and in the episode "Michael," it was used against a captured Wraith. The Wraith, whom they named "Michael," was transformed, in a painful process, into a human. He lost all his memories, and the team tried to convince him he was one of their own. Michael grew suspicious, however, and discovered what they had done to him. He was appalled at their decision and he managed to escape. Without the necessary treatments, Michael reverted to Wraith form.
Beckett's creation of, and the team's use of the retrovirus, proved dangerous for Atlantis. In "Allies," the Wraith, using information gained from Michael, arrived at Atlantis and blackmailed the team into giving them the retrovirus to use against other Wraith. The Wraith double-crossed the Atlantis team and set a course for Earth, using information they got from Atlantis to enhance their engines. They were stopped from getting to the Milky Way only by a desperate decision that cost them the Orion.
Season 3
Beckett learned how to fly a Puddle Jumper and has slowly grown more confident in his abilities. Though he argued with Dr. McKay over which one of them is the better pilot, they both acknowledge they are terrible at it. Necessity overcomes nerves in desperate situations, and in the episode "Sateda," Beckett not only flew a puddle jumper but fired its weapons, killing a Wraith and saving Ronon's life.
In the episode "Sunday", Beckett proved his mettle as a hero by risking his life to operate on a fellow scientist and remove an explosive tumor. His work saved the scientist's life but moments after handing over the explosive material to a soldier who would take it out of harms way, the tumor exploded killing him instantly.
Character
Carson Beckett is a rare individual, in possession of genius, charm, and an overabundance of compassion. After having to deal with the Wraith personally in the episode "Misbegotten," Beckett admitted his compassion for the Wraith may be dwindling. His decision to take up arms to defend his friends is evidence of a strengthening of his resolve to protect human life and a weakening of his belief that all living things deserve compassion.
Beckett's charm has made him the target of Lt. Laura Cadman's affection. In the Season 2 episode "Duet," Cadman became trapped inside McKay's body. Facing the prospect of death, she grabbed Beckett and kissed him soundly. It is without question that Beckett would have been far more appreciative had she not been in McKay's body at the time.
Beckett has a tendency to chatter when he's nervous, prompting Aiden Ford to tell him to shut up several times in "The Eye." While he appears nervous and uncomfortable in unfamiliar situations, when he is in his element, he is incredibly calm and proficient. He has an excellent bedside manner and genuinely cares and worries for all his patients.
Memorable Quotes
Beckett: We believe ATA or Ancient Technology Activation is caused by a single gene that's always on. Instructing various cells in the body to produce a series of proteins and enzymes that interact with the skin, the nervous system, and the brain. In this case, we're using a mouse retrovirus to deliver the missing gene to your cells.
McKay: A mouse retrovirus?
Beckett: It's been deactivated.
McKay: Well, are there any side effects?
Beckett: Dry mouth, headache, the irresistible urge to run in a small wheel . . .
Beckett: Converting a human body into energy and sending it millions of light years through a wormhole . . . bloody insanity.
McKay: C'mon, how often do you get to travel to an alien planet?
Beckett: I was already on an alien planet!
Beckett: How come I never make friends like that?
McKay: You need to get out more.
Beckett: We're in another galaxy. How much more out can you get?
Beckett: Are you telling me to shut up again?
Ford: Again.
Beckett prepares to send a video message home in "Letters from Pegasus":
Beckett: . . . well, if I've learned one thing, Mum, it's that we Earthlings are very . . .
Ford: Doc! You can't say that!
Beckett: What?
Ford: Earthlings. It's compromising security!
Beckett: She knows I'm from Earth, son! It's not a bloody secret!
Key Episodes
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