“Wormhole is just an expression. It has nothing to do with worms.”
- Release Date: 25th February 2000
- Season 3
- Episode 20
- Director: Peter Woeste
- Writers: Robert C. Cooper
Carter is testing out a new program she made for the Stargate dialing program – one which periodically dials known addresses that have failed previously. We cut to the planet and a couple of archaeologists are finishing off digging the Stargate on their planet. They jump out of the way just in time for the kawoosh. A MALP is sent though and Daniel speaks to them, letting them know that they’re from a different planet. The archeologists, Nyan and Mallin, discuss how this might be the gateway from the legends of the Optricans. After SG-1 decides to go and close the wormhole while they get geared up, Mallin runs off to alert the authorities.
With SG-1 heading to the planet, they take a naquadah reactor with them. This is the first instance of them doing so, with Carter creating one previously but using the last of their naquadah – so they likely made a deal with the planet from One Hundred Days. They’re doing so as there is no sign of the DHD on the other side. Once they get there, they discover from Nyan that this planet has two continents with different beliefs. Bedrosians believe that life was created on this planet by the god Nefertum (Teal’c and Daniel) realise this is a Gou’ald), while the Optricans believe that they were brought here by aliens through a gateway. SG-1 are proof that the Optricans are right – but they’re in Bedrosian territory.
It doesn’t take long for the Bedrosian military to arrive, and it seems their ships can generate forcefields. As Teal’c was out scouting in the woods, he avoids capture straight away although gets hit by a stun weapon (although he turns around and shoots his attacker at the same time). SG-1 get thrown into cages, with all their equipment removed. The leader, Rigar, is 100% certain that this is a very impressive trick from their Optricans. His second in command seems open to the idea that their religion is wrong, but does not want to go against her boss. They don’t acknowledge that there’s a fourth member of their team, even after a body of a soldier is found.
Nyan manages to find Teal’c and Teal’c discovers that he has been blinded by the weapon. Nyan helps Teal’c into a cave to be safe and heads off to get supplies. When he returns, he realises that Teal’c is an alien – someone that will be a very important discovery for their planet. Nyan says that discovering that everything he thought was wrong is just as exciting as finding out his theories are true, and is willing to accept the new way of thinking – but he knows the military isn’t. Teal’c wants to leave straight away to help his friends, but Nyan proves that it is a futile effort by easily disarming Teal’c. He convinces Teal’c to let him use a healing device on his eyes.
A DHD is found and Daniel is asked about what it is, but as Rigar doesn’t like the answer, he puts Daniel back in a cage – SG-1 has even offered to take him through with them as proof, but he is devout. The Stargate activates and Hammond tries to communicate, but is met with threats from Rigar, with concerned looks from his second in command, who clearly believes SG-1 but does not want to go against her boss. He says he’ll execute SG-1 if a rescue mission is attempted.
With Teal’c gaining slight vision, a rescue plan is developed. Nyan uses a zat gun and, with Teal’c distracting some guards from a nearby shuttle, stuns them. Teal’c grabs their weapons (which I think were later reused as Wraith weapons) as his Staff Weapon doesn’t have a stun – with Nyan saying to stun, not kill. They take the shuttle and crash it near the compound at the stargate, Nyan running out and talking about the attack. That’s when Teal’c starts shooting. With this distraction, Nyan shoots soldiers from behind (and double taps some of them, which is a really strange thing to have him do, as it means he’s killing them on purpose) and frees the rest of SG-1. They all manage to grab weapons and cover Daniel while he dials home and all get through, taking Nyan with them. As Teal’c and Nyan (whom Teal’c is very fond of), Daniel lets Nyan know that he has been granted asylum on earth and can be his research assistant, which means you never see him again.
It’s a great episode, as it deals with warring factions over religious regions, but one of them is actually right. Rigar is also portrayed as somewhat sympathetic rather than straight up evil – he can’t fathom the idea that this war was all over false beliefs that he’s had his entire life.
