Overall Rating: 9.4
A nice mix of some genuinely suspenseful action and a psychological drama that surpasses anything we've seen thus far for Teal'c character development, this is one of the finest stories around dealing with true heroism and bravery.
Plot Synopsis:
Teal'c Lives Free: When Teal'c goes to Chulak to pitch his idea to some trusted old friends from his days as Apophis' first prime, he is unexpectedly betrayed. His friend Rak'nor turns him over to a minor Goa'uld in the service of Heru'ur. Under the tender ministries of Terok, Teal'c is brutally tortured with a pain stick, a hanging, and the ribbon device while the entire proceeding is filmed to show to the Jaffa nation. Terok assumes Teal'c will eventually beg for forgiveness and pledge his loyalty to the Goa'uld to spare his suffering, at which point he'll be killed. Teal'c has a lesson for Terok, and for the Judas of his ilk, Rak'nor. He steadfastly refuses to bow to Terok, Heru'ur or anyone else. His mantra, "I die free," is mocked (he won't be allowed to die for his cause...that's the easy way out!), and his old friend begs him to reconsider since he can't stand to see Teal'c suffer for a cause he considers futile.
When all is said and done, Terok is furious - he knows he has to hand Teal'c over to Heru'ur soon and he decides to kill him first to get some small satisfaction for his efforts (after breaking his own recording device in a fit of rage), but Rak'nor is so deeply impressed with Teal'c conviction that he becomes the first convert to the rebel Jaffa cause (other than Teal'c, Ryak, and Bra'tac (and a few of his mates) of course). He turns Terok's own pain stick against him and liberates Teal'c in a stolen death glider and they meet up with SG-1 aboard Selmak's cargo ship. With this incredible act of bravery and self-sacrifice, the true Jaffa resistance is born.
The Failed Alliance: Meanwhile, SG-1 gets word on Earth that Heru'ur and Apophis are set to meet to discuss what the Tok'ra believe will be a new alliance against the System Lords. This would be very bad for Earth and all humans around the galaxy. If Apophis is able to buy Heru'ur's support, he will most likely launch an all out attack on the System Lords and wipe them out one by one, at which point, he'll turn on the lesser armies of Heru'ur and become a single dominant Goa'uld power in the galaxy. At which point, it is doubtful he would honor treaties like the Protected Planets Treaty with the Asgard that currently (tenuously) protects Earth from annihilation. SG-1 and Jacob Carter are dispatched to an alien minefield where the meeting is to take place. Their mission: reprogram a mine to attack Apophis' ship and make it look like an attack from Heru'ur. The Tok'ra believe Apophis will withdraw if attacked and then attack Heru'ur's home world.
After some very scary moments involving the mine aboard their cargo ship, SG-1 is able to reprogram it to do their bidding. Everyone plays a pivotal roll here. Jack manages to fly the ship perfectly to keep the mine from touching any surface and thus, from detonating, Sam figures out the mathematical code the aliens used to set their password protection system, Daniel translates the text to begin with, and Selmak/Jacob keeps the mission flowing according to plan and arranges for his operative aboard Apophis' mothership to trigger the detonation on cue. Unfortunately, although Apophis does indeed believe Heru'ir is the attacker, he has an ace up his sleeve. A dozen or so of his Hatak vessels decloak in the minefield and blow Heru'ur's mothership to high hell. Of course, the weapons fire draws the attention of the mines and many of Apophis' ships are lost in the ensuing boomfest, but Apophis' mothership withdraws and safely exits the battlefield. SG-1 picks up Teal'c in a death glider and escapes, but their mission has failed. They sabotaged the alliance but handed Apophis victory without his having to expend resources to conquer Heru'ur. He now stands alone with the combined forces of his defeated adversary in a position very much capable of annihilating the System Lords. Bummer.
The Skinny:
SABR Matt - A few quick words about the action plot. Normally, I treat action plots as entertaining and necessary plot movers that engage me on a simpler level but do not leave a lasting impact on me that would propel an episode to feature status. Hey...I love "Die Hard" and James Bond, but I recognize the limitations of that stuff. This action plot, however, would, by itself be a crisp 8+ in the ratings here simply because the dialog is nice and snappy, the plot is genuinely exciting, and the stakes are high enough that you remain invested in all of the events. It is also written well enough to keep you guessing about the outcome (the trap Apophis lays for Heru'ur was a nice twist, and the failed attempt to rescue Teal'c (who was not in the beam anyway...but we don't know that at the time) is one of those "aahhh...damnit!" moments I love. Basically...what I want out of an action plot is for it to keep me guessing and show real creativity on the part of the writers. This one does that very well and the science is even basically sound (!)...which is something you don't generally find in even the best Star Trek action episodes. :)
Now...for the good stuff. Teal'c emotional battle with Terok is the stuff of superhero genre combined with the greatest tales of heroism from the real world (it even feels vaguely biblical when Teal'c is hung from that pipe and tempted by his enemies and begged by his friends to repent). I was never all that moved with Teal'c's "I die free" slogan. Shell kek nemron has a nice ring to it, but it takes a lot less fortitude and courage to die for a cause than it does to SUFFER for one. Here, denied the path of free death, Teal'c still bests Terok, simply by refusing to bend from the position of moral superiority. The Goa'uld are false gods and no one can do anything to Teal'c to change his mind. This is what real bravery is made of. This is how you change minds and influence enemies to become friends. We'll see Rak'nor many more times as the series progresses - he becomes a powerful ally in the rebel Jaffa movement and it all begins with Teal'c standing on principle no matter how Terok tried to take away his dignity and cloud his mind.
And it's not like Terok was limiting himself to physical torture. No, he tries to rationally convince Teal'c to repent, he tries bribery, he tries torture, he tries humiliation (which of course would only work if Teal'c caved), and he even tries enlisting the aid of one of Teal'c best friends. None of it works. This again is the writers showing some moxie (you have to admit, this story is a good bit more bold than the usual Stargate fare), creativity and a real appreciation for what makes a hero. Oh...and Chris Judge, Paul Koslo (Terok) and Obi Ndefo (Rak'nor) are outstanding in their performances - a necessity if this kind of high drama is going to work properly.
Stephanie S. - Teal'c's plot definitely has Christian undertones. What I found particularly compelling was the conversation between Teal'c and Rak'nor in which Rak'nor cites the evidence for Apophis' god-like power. There, Rak'nor makes an age-old mistake: he equates godliness with power and might, as did all those who demanded Christ prove his divinity by coming down off the cross. The implied counter-argument is, of course, this: No true god should ever need to use torture and oppression to demonstrate that he is divine. The true God demonstrates His divinity through sacrifice and humility; the true God needs no followers to celebrate Him. The Goa'uld's exercise of brutal strength is a sign of insecurity; they know they have falsely claimed the mantle of heaven. Christ's willingness to suffer and die is a sign of perfect confidence.
The characterization of Teal'c here is ripped right from the pages of traditional Christian martyrologies; there's no question about that. I also believe that Rak'nor is a figure you can find in any era of the Church's history. How many people, do you suppose, converted to Christianity once they saw someone hold on to their faith in Christ to the point of death?
Writing: 9.5 / 9.5
Dialogue that really makes you think - and a real literary flare ot the use of language this week, combined with a well conceived and basically flawless plot concept and excellent characterization for Teal'c and Rak'nor leave me highly pleased.
Acting: 9.5 / 9.5
Heru'ur always annoyed me...he's among the stiffest of the Goa'uld (played by Douglas Arthurs...thank goodness he dies here)...and I still don't much like Peter Williams' Apophis...but the rest of the cast is at peak performance.
Message: 9.0 / 9.5
Bravery and devotion are not best expressed by making the ultimate sacrifice (death)...they are in fact best expressed by doing the even more difficult and living for your cause (and suffering horribly for it, if need be). Bravo, Mr. DeLouise! I always thought you were more of a comedian, but you showed here you've got some mad skillz!
Stephanie S. Chimes In: I'm just a bit more excited about the message of this episode because, as I write above, its exploration of how one defines divinity is extremely Christian in character.
Highlights:
TEAL'C: It is time for Jaffa to stop whispering about freedom, and begin to show our true power.
MA'KAR: A power we can only hope is greater than that of the Gods.
TEAL'C: False gods.
MA'KAR: Their power is real, and stronger than ever. Even Heru'ur, and the other System Lords fear Apophis. He commands the vast army of Sokar.
TEAL'C: An army of Jaffa.
MA'KAR: You know of what happened here on Chulak at the hands of Apophis.
TEAL'C: Yes, I know how many were slaughtered. But I also know that those left alive are ready to rise against him. The Jaffa are the foundation upon which the false Gods have built their empires. We can tear them down.
RAK'NOR: To do so, we will have to fight our own kind.
TEAL'C: As the Goa'uld have forced us to do in their names for countless generations. Only now, we will fight for the freedom of all Jaffa.
MA'KAR: Rak'nor has the loyalty of a great many here on Chulak.
TEAL'C: So Bra'tac has heard from you and I from him. It is the word of our friend Ma'kar that has brought me here this night. In their hearts many Jaffa believe as we do. Those with the strength and the courage must speak out. We must fear the Goa'uld no longer. Those who wish to join our cause must be united. Kol'na of the High Cliffs and Hak'nor of the Cordai Plains have already agreed to meet at the Chapa Groves tomorrow.
RAK'NOR: Then I will…meet with them as well. And this…blasphemous rebellion will finally be crushed. Ha'shak Kree! [Teal'c stands. Another Jaffa appears in the entrance of the tent. The Jaffa shoots Teal'c with a zat. Teal'c falls.]
MA'KAR: Shol'va! (I love how Teal'c stays "on message" here...repeating over and over that the power the Goa'uld possess is Jaffa-created...and the sudden "you're screwed" moment is very effective)
TEROK: From this moment on, every tear you shed will be recorded… [Terok activates a recording device]...so that all Jaffa alive, now and forever more, will see how weak and powerless the great and powerful Teal'c really was before he died. They'll see how he came to understand how wrong he was about the Goa'uld. They will see you pray to the Gods for forgiveness and beg to be granted an honourable death. (yu know your enemy SO well...LOL)
DANIEL: I could use a hand here. [O'Neill picks up one of the bags.]
O'NEILL: Sure you got everything?
DANIEL: Wanna try to reprogram that mine without the proper translation?
O'NEILL: Thought of a laptop?
DANIEL: Well, I had one, I just couldn't get Beck's Ancient Phoenician Symbology on CD at archaeology.com, so… [Quite deliberately, O'Neill pushes Daniel's glasses back up his nose with two fingers. LOL!]
TEAL'C: What is the name of your father?
RAK'NOR: Swearing on his name means nothing if you do not know who he was. My father was called Delnor. [Rak'nor throws the cup to one side.]
TEAL'C: I know that name.
RAK'NOR: Yes, when you were first prime, you spared his life after Apophis ordered him killed.
TEAL'C: I remember.
RAK'NOR: When you turned against Apophis, my father believed it was a sign. He spoke out against the Gods, and supported you. He seared the mark of the serpent from my forehead. He…he said I was free!
TEAL'C: You are.
RAK'NOR: Other Jaffa worriers also began to believe. Like my father, they followed Bra'tac, who said what you had done would begin a Jaffa rebellion. He said that one day, all Jaffa would be free from enslavement at the hands of the Goa'uld.
TEAL'C: He spoke of the truth.
RAK'NOR: No! It was blasphemy! The Goa'uld are Gods! Look at yourself now! Why will you not admit it?
TEAL'C: Why do you not believe as your father believes?
RAK'NOR: My father believes nothing anymore! He is dead! My father was a stupid fool, and Apophis killed my whole family because of it. He who died himself, and was reborn, returning to slay Sokar…He with the power to slaughter millions in a instant. He commands the greatest army the Goa'uld have ever known, how could he be anything but a God? I was fortunate enough to realize that in time to save myself. [Terok enters]
TEROK: Listen to Rak'nor, Teal'c! No one can save you but yourself! Not even Bra'tac lasted this long. With pitiful tears streaming down his face he admitted we were all powerful Gods!
TEAL'C: He would die first!
TEROK: He did die, Teal'c. But not first. First he prayed to me…prayed to the Goa'uld for forgiveness. As you will! [Terok motions for Rak'nor to remove Teal'c's t-shirt. We see burn marks all over Teal'c's body. Terok again stabs the pain stick into Teal'c'S pouch. Teal'c screams before passing out.]
TOR'AK: Save yourself, Teal'c! It is not too late. [Tor'ak starts to torture Teal'c with a Goa'uld ribbon device.] One second longer and you would be dead! Why admit the Goa'ulds are Gods? Why do I waste my time? Because it is the truth! I do this for one reason. Not to break you! Not to torture you! I do this to save you. Maybe you do not fear me, or even death itself, but you should fear what waist beyond if you die this way. Sha'mel kallah! Say what needs to be said to deliver your soul and the souls of all those that have embraced your sin.
TEAL'C: Kree shak shel nok! (translation: f*** you!)
CARTER: It looks like a circle with a cross on it.
DANIEL: That could be it.
CARTERL: Okay, what do I do?
JACOB: I'm pretty sure you touch it.
O'NEILL: Pretty sure?
JACOB: The last time a Tok'ra was sent to attempt this, they were never heard from again.
O'NEILL: Well that's news!
DANIEL: No, I think that's it.
CARTER: You think?
DANIEL: Okay, I…I'm sure that's it. [Carter almost touches the panel.]
DANIEL: Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait, wait!
O'NEILL: Hey! (ROTFL!)
DANIEL: No, no! Sorry! That's it, I'm sure.
RAK'NOR: Terok grows frustrated by you.
TEAL'C: He thought he was recording my humiliation. Instead he was only recording his own.
RAK'NOR: Do you not believe that your soul will be forever punished?
TEAL'C: The Goa'uld are parasites. They use Jaffa as incubators until they are ready to take human hosts. I have seen the world from which they originated. I have stood beside the swamps from which they first rose. They are merely flesh and blood just like you or I!
RAK'NOR; Lies!
TEAL'C: Why would I lie? If there was a chance that they were Gods, if I thought that my soul would be forever punished, why would I lie? They have manipulated our bodies. So, too are they manipulating our minds with false beliefs!
RAK'NOR: You believe this so strongly that you risk dying in sin?
TEAL'C: I believe it so strongly that I fight to live with every last bit of strength that I have, so that one day enough Jaffa will believe as I do…enough to end the Goa'uld and free us all forever! (deeply awesome)
JACOB: Apophis is already here. If we release the mine now, and it explodes, the mission will be ruined.
DANIEL: And if we don't release the mine now, we'll be ruined.
JACOB: Then, enter the right combination!
CARTER: We tried. What does Selmac say?
JACOB: Try again.
DANIEL: Very helpful. (heh!)
RAK'NOR: I've never seen anyone endure such torture! Yet, none of it comes close to what Apophis will do to you. He will kill you a thousand times!
TEAL'C: Of that I am certain.
RAK'NOR: And you will never admit that he's a god?
TEAL'C: Never! (very nice)
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