“Telepathy is the perfect form of mind control for the one with the strongest will.”
- Release Date: 10th February 2003
- Season 1
- Episode 20
- Director: Will Meugniot
- Writers: Katherine Lawrence
The team arrive in a futuristic city. Bonner explains that Dr Mason (a scientist we saw in the first episode, who was there when Draga hatched) will be at a science symposium here. Some giant robots come and try to apprehend them, saying that they will be quarantined until the authorities know their intentions.
With this planet being, according to Bonner, very civilised, there seems to be nothing wrong with this (they complied in The Key), as all they want to do is talk to another human, which seems simple enough. However, they decide to flee, which causes the robots to chase them. They all head in separate directions, but Stacey falls off her quad bike.
We cut to the symposium, where Dr Mason is introducing three esteemed scientists: Dr. X-Ru (an ape-like creature), Dr. Bward (a squid) and Dr. Phyloji (some kind of plant) alongside the main guest: Dr. Bre-Sal. Dr. Bre-Sal has a brand new technology which he says will bring peace in the galaxy: a device which allows minds to be linked telepathically. The other scientists are unsure, as it allows for full access. Dr. Bre-Sal is appalled that people are against his idea.
The team (minus Stacey) manage to get into the building where the symposium is, sneaking into the basement. Bonner manages to get to Dr Mason with nobody else seeing and brings her to everyone. He explains (with flashbacks) how he was framed, and that a shapeshifter was responsible. She inquires about the ancient and is introduced to Draga. She has lots of questions, but Draga doesn’t know the answer.
Stacey notices Tlak’kahn arrive through the stargate, with Dr. Bre-Sal greeting them. She sneaks aboard their ship, which heads to the symposium. She overhears that he plans on getting the Tlak’kahn to force everyone to try his device if they vote against it, although when he heads off, they announce that they have their own plans. She finds the rest of the group and tells them, but Dr Mason can’t believe it. Bonner convinces her to let him snoop around, out of sight, in case something does happen.
The vote passes (so the Tlak’kahn were never needed) and the three other scientists reluctantly put the devices on. Da’kyll then storms in, putting one on himself. He gets attacked, but easily deflects it as he can read his mind. He then tells them to read his mind and see what will happen if they defy him. He proclaims that will can overpower intelligence, and with this technology he will gather an army and dominate the galaxy.
The team burst in to attack, with the scientists being ordered to fight and doing so reluctantly. Dr. Bre-Sal calls his robots to chase away the other Tlak’kahn, but Da’kyll is still in charge. Dr Mason manages to get the device off him, losing his grip on the others (although as it wasn’t direct mind control and they were afraid of what he would do, I’m not sure how) and he flees. Dr. Bre-Sal apologises.
At the stargate, Dr Mason agrees to speak on their behalf and will come back in an hour if the general agrees (instead of just going back with her, which was their plan in the previous episode). She doesn’t come back, so they decide to head off.
