“Why, because we have penises?”
- Release Date: 15th August 2003
- Season 7
- Episode 10
- Director:
- Peter F. Woeste
- Writers: Christopher Judge
SG-1 are meeting a rebel Jaffa under the command of the Gou’ald Moloc, but end up getting ambushed. During the fight, more staff blasts come out of the forest and take out the ambushers. They’re revealed to be female Jaffa, with Mala introducing herself and saying they have no quarrel with them and request for them to follow them back. Another Jaffa, Neith, protests but, as Death Gliders are approaching, they decide to go, although one of the female Jaffa takes a symbiont from a dying Jaffa
On the new planet, SG-1 let Stargate Command know where they are while Neith argues with Mala about why she was not informed about their true mission, with Mala explaining that she would disagree. As they head off, Teal’c explains that, while he knows of no Gou’ald who uses female Jaffa as warriors, however they’re still trained to defend their homes
They reach the camp and everyone stares at them – the younger ones have never seen a man before. They’re introduced to their leader, Ishta (T’Pol!) who greets Teal’c as a legend, although he is humble about it. She says she wants an alliance and Jack is eager, but Teal’c protests, saying they would not align themselves with those to steal symbionts and leave them there Jaffa to die. Ishta brings up a young teenager, saying she has reached puberty, and that she would be dead now without the symbiont. She then points out the sister of Neith, who will need one in the next few days. There are more children that need one.
Carter is invited into Ishta’s tent to discuss in more detail. 30 years ago, Moloc demanded that all female Jaffa would be killed upon birth, as he didn’t want to waste resources on them. Ishta is a high priestess and is in charge of the ceremony of burning the female children, so has been sneaking them away without anyone knowing – not even the parents. Carter thinks she wants them to take out Moloc, but she says they’re after weapons and supplies. Carter says there is an alternative solution.
Carter informs the others about suggesting Tetornin, with Daniel pointing out that they only have two test subjects. On top of that. The Jaffa believe that they will be weaker, and that they’re fine with their current methods. Teal’c is eager to convince her otherwise.
He finds a training area when Ishta sneaks up on him, which impresses him. He says he has faith in the drug as it will end their dependance on the Gou’ald, and that it is wrong to kill for symbionts. When she says it’s all about protecting children, he angers her by suggesting they’ll meet a foe they can’t defeat. They have a fight and Teal’c tries to hold back but has to put his full force. He just about wins, and Ishta realises he has no symbiont, and points out that him hiding being on the drug doesn’t really show his confidence in it
Despite this, Ishta talks to her people about how Tetronin can help them be free, and asks for volunteers. She says she will take it herself, but Mala says she’s allowed to take her place to protect her. Three more volunteers step forward. Ishta suggests Nesa, Neith’s sister, but she speaks on her behalf and refuses. Jack and Carter take them to Stargate Command while Teal’c and Daniel stay behind.
Ishta and Teal’c have a walk and a chat, with Ishta asking Teal’c if he left anyone behind when he betrayed Apophis. He mentions he was reunited with his son and that his wife has died. He talks nicely about her (even though he forgot about her at one point) and he makes the point that she died because she refused to let another Jaffa die so she could have a symbiont. She mentions that she was initially forced to have many partners until she became the wife of a high ranking Jaffa, although he died in battle. Essentially, they’re both single.
At Stargate Command, Carter and Mala discuss special relationships, as well as how she fell in love with a guard only to have him and their daughter killed for their forbidden love. She had a deep hatred for Moloc and the Gou’ald, which is why she is so eager to find something to free them.
In the village, Daniel speaks to Nesa, pretending that he’s talking out loud to nobody (as she was told to not speak to the outsiders). They bond white quickly, with Nesa curious about his glasses. Daniel talks about alternatives to symbionts and Nesa sadly says that she will need one soon to be a great warrior like her sister. Daniel says she can do that without a symbiont. In Ishta’s tent, she makes a move on Teal’c, saying it’s time to move on from his wife (unaware that he did that long before she died) and they kiss.
Fraiser speaks to Carter. Three of the Jaffa are responding well, but Mala’s body does not seem to be accepting it. They need this to work, although Fraiser mentions that an 80% success rate is impressive, and they may be able to figure out what is happening with Mala. In Daniel’s tent, Neith confronts him, telling him to leave her sister alone. She lost two more sisters to Moloc then had to kill her father to rescue Nesa. She refuses to use Earth’s way.
In the isolation room, Mala is not doing well but is pleased the others are doing well. She convulses and Fraiser starts to get the symbiont ready when Mala begs her not to – having it back would be as good as death. Back on the planet, Neirh is rallying people to help her overthrow Ishta, but many want to give Earth a chance first. Neith says they need to dominate the Gou’ald when she’s informed that Nesa is in trouble.
Dr Fraiser attempts to put the symbiont back in, but it doesn’t work. She informs Daniel and Teal’c of her death as Neith challenges Ishta for leadership. We cut to after the fight, with Teal’c asking Ishta to grant mercy instead of ending Neith. Daniel butts in and tells them of Mala’s death. She says Nesa will have a symbiont, and demands the other Jaffa to be returned or they’ll execute him and Teal c.
Daniel tells Teal’c that, even if they escape the tent, they don’t know where anyone went. Another Jaffa enters and leads Daniel to Nesa, who says that Neith left without letting her speak. He explains that Mala’s complications was a result of her symbiont, and that one that was never implanted should be safe. She says she wants Tetronin. He asks if she knows where they want, and the Jaffa they brought him there knows.
The battle is over, and it seems multiple female Jaffa have died. Neith is fine as Nesa will survive. Ishta goes to take the symbiont from an injured Jaffa when he asks for freedom – she realises that many they have killed could have been potential allies. Neith decides to do it herself when another Jaffa shoots her in the back. Teal’c zats him before he can shoot again.
Neith is severely wounded and her symbiont is injured. Ishta picks up the dagger to get the symbiont, but Teal’c stops her, saying she has a choice. She drops the dagger and hugs Teal’c. We cut to the infirmary, Dr Fraiser wants to administer the Tetronin so Ishta speaks to her. Neith demands a symbiote but Ishta says that those days are over. Neith refuses
Daniel heads in with Nesa. Neith accused Nesa of betraying her, but Nesa says it’s the other way round: Neith promised to make her a great warrior and she needs to take the Tetornin to carry on teaching her. She agrees to the Tetornin and they thank Earth for the medicine and supplies. They’re about to leave when Teal’c and Ishta kiss, shocking everyone. Ishta heads off,
It’s a good episode to show that a drug existing isn’t instant success, although odd that we don’t get a reason for Mala’s death and Ishta changes her mind quite a lot.
