“Well they have no problem with dying. I have a problem with that.”
- Release Date: 16th January 2002
- Season 5
- Episode 18
- Director: Peter DeLuise
- Writers: Christopher Judge & Peter DeLuise
We start with K’tano, a Jaffa warrior, giving a speech. He says he was once first prime of Imhotep, until he slayed his false god. He has gathered free Jaffa here from all over the galaxy to form a single army to start overthrowing the Gou’ald. We cut to Teal’c and Bra’tac, the latter is already very smitten with K’tano, telling Teal’c that this warrior is the means to their salvation.
In the STG briefing room, Bra’tac and Teal’c speak to Hammond and the rest of Bra’tac and Teal’c about forming an alliance. Jack and Carter are a bit skeptical, but Teal’c points out that both the Tollan and Tok’ra have fallen and Earth no longer have many allies in the galaxy. The Jaffa army may be lacking supplies, but they’re growing. Daniel does point out that Imhotep pretty much held zero power and was rather unremarkable, which is why nobody cared about this rebellion. Still, it could encourage other Jaffa to reject their gods. Hammond agrees to a small amount of supplies as a good will gesture to start negotiations. Bra’tac also mentions that Jack may have met some of these Jaffa in battle, but that doesn’t amount to anything at all.
In the army camp, Bra’tac introduces the warriors from Earth. They’re approached by Rak’nor, who helped Teal’c escape from Heru’ur in The Serpent’s Venom. He’s very glad to see Teal’c here, but is also disappointed that Earth weapons have been brought instead of staff weapons and zats – which he calls “true weapons”. He gives them a tour of the training ground and Jack brings up the possibility of spies, which is dismissed by Bra’tac as warriors can read the souls of another (really, Bra’tac?).
They reach a combat ring where two Jaffa are going at it. Bra’tac says that they are overcommitting, but this very aggressive form of combat is supposedly favoured by K’tano and that they must be willing to die to become free. Jack thinks this is all dumb and that the Jaffa are a bit too eager to throw their lives away. K’tano returns for a mission, where three soldiers die for one measly case of Zats – and everyone is cheering. Jack is not happy about it at all.
Bra’tac introduces K’tano to SG-1, he’s heard how much of a pain Jack has been to the Gou’ald. He thanks Jack (and Earth) for killing so many System Lords and letting him grow his army from those ranks of fallen Gou’ald. Jack mentions the supplies he’s brought. K’tano is happy for the food and water, but is not impressed by Earth’s primitive weapons. Jack thinks a demonstration is in order.
Jack gets Rak’nor to use his staff weapon on a target in the distance, held up on a rope. He hits it a couple of times, but also misses. Then he asks Carter (with K’tano being surprised that ‘the female’ will be demonstrating) to do the same with a P-90, but not before asking someone to make the target swings. On rapid fire, she completely destroys the log. Then does a single shot demonstration and takes out the rope. Very impressive results. Jack points out that the staff weapon is made to scare people, the P-90 is made to kill people. K’tano is very happy to accept the weapons now.
They have a discussion and K’tano is concerned that Earth may withhold ammo if they don’t do what Earth wants. Jack is concerned about how Teal’c is talking as though he’s already one of K’tano’s men, as well as K’tano referring to his army as “my people”. He does mention that anyone can challenge him for leadership with a fight to the death. K’tano asks SG-1 to join him on a mission the next day to raid a shipment for Nirrti, with a share of the spoils in it for them. As SG-1 rest, Teal’c speaks to Rak’nor about joining, and Teal’c says he thinks that Free Jaffa is further away than K’tano seems to respect, and that Jack doubts their ways very much. In the tent, Jack speaks to Daniel and Sam about being concerned about how these Jaffa don’t seem bothered about dying.
On the mission, they find the convoy of Jaffa. A firefight ensues and K’tano just walks right up to the enemy and asks them to stand down, that he is a free Jaffa and the rest are welcome to join him. If not, they can shoot him. They all lay down their weapons. Everyone cheers, and Teal’c asks Jack if he believes K’tanto now – although he clearly didn’t. Jack thinks his tactics put everyone at risk and that he just got lucky.
K’tano lets SG-1 have some weapons grade naquadah but keeps the zats for the army. He mentions a ha’tak mothership will soon arrive as he knows a mutiny is being planned. Jack again thinks that the risk is crazy as if they fail, they could be led right here. K’tano says they will win because their cause is just. He also sends a soldier on a mission to cover their tracks – by strapping a Jaffa with a naquadah enhanced bomb to blow themselves up with. Jack is really not happy at all, accusing K’tano of abusing his position of power.
Later, they’re discussing a new mission. Lord Yu is weakened and K’tano wants Teal’c to infiltrate, kill Yu and bring his Jaffa to the cause. Jack thinks the mission is suicide and says SG-1 won’t be taking part, and is disturbed that Teal’c is. Jack fines K’tano and questions sending Teal’c, suggesting that Teal’c would be a very viable alternative leader, so getting rid of him would be advantageous. Teal’c ends up going on the mission, despite Jack not wanting him to.
We cut to Teal’c being captured by Lord Yu. He implies that his weakness has been a deception, and that he knows K’tano has sent him. However, he decides to let Teal’c go (he doesn’t have a great care about Teal’c or Earth so far, it’s not clear if he knows Daniel nearly got him killed). He has information to give Teal’c in order to return to the army.
Bra’tac is trying to get Jack to stay and keep the alliance, but he orders Carter to take them home. As she dials, there’s an incoming wormhole. Teal’c runs out and… straight past them all. He finds K’tano and calls him a deceiver. Lord Yu knows where this army is, the mutiny on the ha’tak had failed and nothing but doom awaits them if they stay. K’tano turns away to dismiss Teal’c when talk challenges him to leadership, with a fight to the death.
The fight doesn’t go well for Teal’c, who gets knocked down a few times (he was already beat up from his mission). K’tano manages to pin Teal’c down but can’t help but boast – in a Gou’ald voice he reveals that he is Imhotep. Teal’c, with renewed anger, manages to deflect the attack and stab Imhotep, with his eyes glowing as he dies. When Rak’nor and Bra’tac check the body, they realise there’s no pouch in his chest – he’s not Jaffa. Teal’c explains that he was Imhotep, and Daniel realises that pretending to be Jaffa was his only way to gain any real power.
Teal’c tells the others that while K’tano was a lie, his cause is not – freedom is possible. As the ship arrives and starts firing, Jack tells everyone to join him and they’ll find a new base for them. They all evacuate through the stargate.
This is a really neat idea for an episode – dealing with a minor Gou’ald who, in trying to gain power, accidentally makes the free Jaffa more powerful. It’s just a shame that they had to make Bra’tac and Teal’c so gullible and dumb for it to work.
