“You know in some galaxies this is called loitering.”
- Release Date: 2nd October 1998
- Season 2
- Episode 11
- Director: Brad Turner
- Writers: Jonathan Glassner
Carter keeps having visions, with her seeing memories of Jolinar of Malkshur, the Gou’ald rebel that used her as a host then died to save her. Among these memories are coordinates to a planet, and Carter thinks this is where the Tok’ra – the name for these rebel Gou’ald – currently are. She does get an odd feeling that she’s going to miss something important, and calls her father – who has cancer – but he says he’s fine. She heads out with the rest of SG-1.
On the desert planet, they get surrounded by people with staff weapons. Carter recognises someone Jolinar knew, Martouf, and that these people are all Tok’ra. They’re taken to their underground crystal base, where they meet the Tok’ra leader, Garshaw, and Selmak, whose host is dying. They explain that the blending is a two-way thing, with the host still sharing the body while being taken over completely. They can offer a very long life, as well as cure any issues they currently have. They ask SG-1 if they want to be a host, but they’re all appalled – especially Carter.
Back on Earth, Hammond gets a call from Jacob Carter – he’s not doing well. Hammond visits and Jacob explains that the cancer is now in his liver. He asks for the truth about what his daughter is doing, but Hammond says that it’s classified. Jacob has a fit and has to be resuscitated, with the doctors telling Hammond to get his family here as soon as possible.
SG-1 are taken to the Tok’ra high council (although Jack has a little snoop around and spots a Tok’ra with a strange orb) and they ask for what the people of Earth can offer them, if not hosts. They want to discuss amongst themselves, so SG-1 have to wait, although Martouf takes Carter outside for a chat, letting her know that Jolinar was his mate. He also explains that Gou’ald (or Tok’ra) are genderless, but usually chose a preferred gender, which affects what hosts they choose.
They head back and speak to the council. They’re not happy with what Earth can provide, and prefer their methods of stealth and subterfuge over attacks. SG-3 turn up to bring Carter back home, but the Tok’ra make up their mind: they do not want an alliance with Earth. And to make matters worse, everyone has to remain in the Tok’ra base until they decide to move base.
To be continued…
