“I think the Goa’uld made our case quite clear.”
- Release Date: 19th January 2000
- Season 3
- Episode 15
- Director: David Warry-Smith
- Writers: Katharyn Powers
The episode opens with two Gou’ald Ha’tak motherships being destroyed above a planet. A death glider escapes and crashes to the surface – it’s Skaara, and he asks for help. Back at Stargate Command, there’s an incoming wormhole and something starts to come through the Iris – a cat! Specifically, Schrodinger, who Carter gifted to Narim of the Tollan back in season 1. He follows through shortly, requesting SG-1.
In a briefing, he explains that his group, with help from the Nox, managed to find their new homeworld and also built a new Stargate. They’ve come to ask SG-1 to come to their planet to take part in a Triad – essentially a Trial – and to be representatives of Skaara, with more details to be told when they get there. The Tollan stargate looks quite different, being much thinner. Although it also seems to lack symbols or a way to dial manually – the Tollans are so sure of themselves that they don’t think of any backups. There isn’t even any security, it’s just out in the open.
SG-1’s guns go get disabled, though, and it turns out a Gou’ald, Zipacna, is there as well. The trial is between Klorel and Skaara, who both want full ownership of Skaara’s body. The Tollan have created a device that not only gives the host as much control as the Gou’ald, but has a handy light to show who is talking so there can be no trickery. Jack and Daniel will represent Skaara, Zipacna will represent Klorel while Lya of the Nox will be a third, independent, party. Jack asks Carter and Teal’c to keep an eye on the Gou’ald’s people.
The triad goes on with some interesting arguments from both parties. The starting point is obvious in that it was Skaara’s body first, and the Gou’ald stole it. Zipacna rebukes by asking Daniel about the treatment of animals and says that this is the same thing as to how the Gou’ald treat humans, as they are superior lifeforms with more advanced knowledge and technology. It’s never brought up that the Tollen are human, and are more advanced then the Gou’ald, though. He also claims that nothing of the host survives, with Daniel and Jack pointing out that he’s speaking right now.
As Carter and Teal’c spy on the Jaffa, they notice that they seem to be interested in the Ion Cannons. They report this to the Tollans, who accuse SG-1 of trying to influence the triad. Teal’c wants to carry on investigating, but Jack says no – if the Tollans want to destroy themselves, so be it. Teal’c disobeys orders and talks to Lya, explaining the situation and asking for her help.
Back at the Triad, Zipacna makes a new argument. If Klorel is removed, he will die or need a new host, so keeping him in the body will allow both to survive – he concedes the argument that nothing of the host survives. Daniel gets Skarra to describe some of the horrors he has to experience as a host. Before the trial ends, a Gou’ald ship arrives. Zipacna claims that its to take Klorel when he wins the case. The votes are vast, with Lya siding with Skaara.
Suddenly, the planet comes under attack, and all the Ion Cannons are taken out. They meet up with Teal’c, who apologises to Jack for disobeying orders. Lya teleports them to a forest and reveals a hidden Ion Cannon, which Lya hid at Teal’c request. It shoots down the incoming gliders and the mothership in orbit, saving the Tollans. The Tok’ra turn up to remove Klorel from Skaara and drop him off at a Gou’ald planet (never to be seen again). Skaraa finally gets to go home.
