“He talked about fabric, briefly.”
- Release Date: 6th July 2001
- Season 5
- Episode 2
- Director: Peter DeLuise
- Writers: Brad Wright
Definitely not to be confused with the Star Trek Voyager episode. This follows on from the season opener, with Teal’c still suffering the effects of Apophis’ brainwashing. Teal’c claims to be better, cleared by the psychiatrist McKenzie. Still, they ask Bra’tac to come to help in any way he can, and he instantly knows that Teal’c is deceiving them. Teal’c tries to flee, but gets stunned by a zat. Bra’tac removes the symbiote from Teal’c’s pouch, saying that there’s only one way to bring Teal’c’s mind back.
Teal’c is taken to the infirmary where Bra’tak explains that the only way Teal’c can recover is to bring him to the brink of death so that he can relive his real memories – his life flashing before his eyes. Dr Fraiser is horrified by this and wants to get Hammond to stop it, but Bra’tec convinces her to stay to save his life when he needs it. He says that talking to him will help. Jack starts by trying to point out the logical flaw of how much he’s helped Earth, and Bra’tak asks him to remember how they trained together.
We cut to a flashback, Teal’c’s first meeting with Apophis. Bra’tak is introducing him as potentially taking over him as First Prime. He asks about Teal’c’s father and he mentioned he was Ro’Nak, First Prime of Kronos and was killed due to failing to win an unwinnable battle. Apophis doesn’t like his town – his father should have died trying – and punishes Teal’c. Bra’tak says that this is the first death of many. He goes to rest (telling Fraiser to not use painkillers) and the others take turns speaking to Teal’c.
The next flashback is Teal’c telling his friend, Va’lar, about meeting Apophis. He talks about how he struck down many of his enemies but was still punished, and questions why a god would punish someone for loving them. Va’lar shuts him up instantly, such talk should not be heard. He wakes up and tries to pretend he’s finished and is better now, but Jack and Daniel ask him more questions, causing Teal’c to get angry. He passes out and Janet is again unhappy with not being allowed to help him.
We cut to Bra’tak training Teal’c, trying to get him to use his other senses, like hearing, to improve his fighting. Teal’c is having none of it, saying he’s stronger, but Bra’tak takes him down easily. He asks Teal’c if he’s wasting his time and if he should kill him now, mocking Teal’c when he suggests Apophis could save him. He tells Teal’c to rely on his own wits. In the infirmary, Daniel talks about Teal’c questioning his faith in a dead false god. He yells “Do not test my temper, woman!” and sinks off into his next memory.
He’s speaking to his wife, Drey’auc, who says he needs to report Bra’tak to Apophis, but Bra’tek is still his mentor, so he needs to honour Bra’tek in order to honour Apophis. Carter returns to take over from Daniel, and Janet says that the Gou’ald is fine and that if Teal’c does die from this, she will resign. Carter returns and suggests taking shifts so they’re all there for the final part. He suggests her belief in a god is the same as his, but she points out that he believes in freedom.
In the next flashback, Va’lar is panicked and speaks to Teal’c. He was in a battle against the forces of Ra and his troops were massively overwhelmed, to the point of retreating. Va’lar begs for a second chance of going back with more forces and no point in wasting the forces of Apophis. Teal’c relates this to Apophis but says he would have died for him if he were in that situation. Apophis orders Teal’c to execute him, for the same crime his father was murdered for.
Teal’c takes Va’lar to the battlefield and Va’lar accepts his punishment but Teal’c tells him of a nearby village. He initially refuses to go to protect Teal’c, but Teal’c does not think Apophis will know what has been done. Va’lar flees and Teal’c takes a symbiote from a fallen Jaffa. He returns to Apophis and shows him, who believes he fulfilled his task. Teal’c now knows the truth – he just successfully lied to his god.
Back at Stargate Command, Jack speaks to Hammond, who is concerned about the outcome. He has a great moment of showing his care for those that serve under him – he tells Jack that if this doesn’t work and Teal’c surfaces as well, he’ll be placed in solitary confinement until his symbiote matures. He very emotionally says that he can’t do that to Teal’c. Jack assures them that they can’t.
We cut back to a flashback of Teal’c telling his wife of something horrific he had to do – wipe out a village, including the women and the children. It was the one where Va’lar fled to, so he had to kill him as well. Drey’auc comforts him and says it’s all to protect their future son, but Teal’c is so absolutely ashamed. How can he go on serving Apophis now he realises how evil he is?
We move forward to Teal’c seeing Bra’tak for training after being made First Prime of Apophis, but he is not happy. Bra’tak explains that if they just stop serving Apophis, they’ll just be killed and nothing good will come of it. However, by being by Apophis’ side, they can calm him down and make him do less damage – sometimes. They must to horrible things so they can save more people.
We cut back to during the pilot episode, Children of the Gods. Teal’c is discussing the new people – SG-1 with Bra’tak. Teal’c’s ambitions have gone above Bra’tek and he wishes to free all Jaffa. Teal’c things these new humans – who have their own advanced weapons – may be the key.
Teal’c wakes up slightly but his heart also stops. Bra’tak returns and stops Fraiser from putting the symbiote back and asks Teal’c to choose. We see the final part of the flashbacks – his betrayal of Apophis when he saved SG-1 and shot at his fellow Jaffa. Bra’tak, knowing it’s now or never, lets the symbiote go back in. Dr Fraiser tries to restore his heart, but it seems to not work, until Teal’c wakes up blurring “I choose freedom”. He’s back to himself, and everyone else believes it. He pledges his allegiance to Hammond and Earth and requests to rejoin SG-1, which Hammond approves.
It’s wonderful to finally see how Teal’c became first prime and his reasons for doing what he did under Apophis. It brings a lot of light into how he always wanted to be a good person and that, due to the circumstances the Gou’ald created, doing so means having to do some terrible things. Also, lots of great acting form Christopher Plummer.
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