Talion (Stargate SG-1)
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| “Talion” | |
|---|---|
| Stargate SG-1 episode | |
 |
|
| Episode no. | Season 10 Episode 17 |
| Guest stars | Lexa Doig as Dr. Carolyn Lam Craig Fairbrass as Arkad Tony Amendola as Bra'tac Peter Kent as Bak'al |
| Written by | Damian Kindler |
| Directed by | Andy Mikita |
| Production no. | 1017 |
| Original airdate | February 20, 2007 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Bad Guys" | "Family Ties" |
| Episode chronology | |
"Talion" is an episode from Season 10 of the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1.
[edit] Plot
Representatives of the Jaffa, including Teal'c and Bra'tac, meet in a rare summit on Dar Eshkalon to determine the future of their people in the face of the Ori threat. But their enemies are many, and a terrorist attack on the summit leaves many dead, including women and children.
Bra'tac is seriously injured and taken to Stargate Command, where Dr. Carolyn Lam cares for him. Teal'c ignores his team's entreaties and departs on a one-man quest for revenge, having reason to believe that the man responsible for the cowardly bombing is one of his former foes, a ferocious and extremely capable warrior named Arkad. He is a charismatic leader opposed the summit, and wishes to lead the Jaffa people himself -- and he is a follower of Origin.
Teal'c's search leads him to an alien bar, where the sympathetic owner points him to a customer named Lizan. A human, Lizan's people were once enslaved at the hands of the Jaffa and he doesn't mind seeing them now killing one another. But Teal'c will do whatever it takes to find a lead on Arkad.
But the stakes get even higher: SG-1 learns that Arkad may be stockpiling weapons-grade Naqahdah for an attack on Earth. This is revealed from intelligence gathered from rebel Jaffa on an Ori controlled planet who are aware that Arkad has been stockpiling Naqahdah for his masters claiming that he will control and bring more Jaffa worlds into Ori control.
The enraged Teal'c is taking no prisoners, and his hunt leads him to Ba'Kal, a Jaffa terrorist working for Arkad. Ba'Kal does not fear death, because he believes the Ori will ascend him. But Teal'c is not here to argue religion or to watch Ba'Kal endure torture: he wants answers, and he has removed Ba'Kal's symbiote and replaced it with a bomb. Ba'Kal states that he is willing to die as the Ori will ascend him. Teal'c leaves the Jaffa who soon after explodes.
Bra'tac has regained consciousness at this point and speaks to Daniel Jackson about the warrior known as Arkad. He states that he was formerly one of Bra'tac's pupils and even then he felt that there was 'something wrong' with him. The two would next meet in battle as Arkad became First Prime to another Goa'uld, whose name is not specified. Bra'tac states that Teal'c and Arkad met many times in battle with Arkad always being beaten yet always managing to escape. Bra'tac explains that Arkad is like a serpent and is always lying and is dishonorable. He also explains to Daniel that this battle between Teal'c and Arkad is also a personal one as many years ago Teal'c's mother was found dead, after Teal'c has become First Prime to Apophis which was to be a momentous occasion. Teal'c has suspected it was Arkad's doing but was unable to do anything about the matter.
Arkad dials into the SGC, claiming that he can help prevent an attack on Earth. He stated that he was the leader of the Illac Renin, a cult of Jaffa who follow the teachings of Origin. In a meeting with SG-1 and General Landry, Arkad reveals that he 'has a fleet that is tenfold bigger than any before marshaled by the Goa'uld'. And that he was attempting to stop radical groups of Jaffa from striking Earth, on the condition that the Tau'ri remove themselves from Jaffa politics claiming that he desired the freedom of choice for his people and if they wish to follow the path the Ori show them then so be it. The IOA takes his claims very seriously and task SG-1 with hunting down and stopping Teal'c as the death of Arkad by Teal'c's hands might appear as though the Tau'ri had commissioned the act. General Hank Landry dispatches SG-1 on the Odyssey to Arkads planet.
SG-1 and an additional team are dispatched to the Illac Renin's planet where they place a trap for Teal'c. However, two members of the additional team are defeated before Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell finds them. Teal'c then throws a stun grenade before Lt. Col. Samantha Carter, Vala Mal Doran and Daniel which renders them unconscious before Mitchell finds him. Teal'c manages to disarm Mitchell and the two engage in hand-to-hand combat with Teal'c being the victor.
Teal'c then wages his battle against the Illac Renin and manages to fell many of them before he is taken down. He is brought before Arkad who gives him a fighting staff and the two engage in combat. He reveals some of his history at this point on how he admired Teal'c even when the former First Prime of Apophis had killed his family in order to kill his enemy Ko'rak on Arkad's homeworld. He also states the truth on how he deceived the Tau'ri and has plans on leading an attacking against them. Teal'c, wounded, puts little resistance before Arkad grabs a sword and stabs Teal'c, who was on the floor. At this point in time, Arkad reveals that he killed Teal'c's mother. Angered, Teal'c pushes Arkad back onto an assortment of bladed items and pulls the sword out from his body. He then spears Arkad with the blade which kills him once and for all.
Teal'c is returned to the SGC to its medical facility, where Bra'tac is now recovered, and speaks to Teal'c in a joking manner at how, when he was younger, Teal'c would not be as badly injured. Teal'c remarks that he is alive and Arkad is dead. Bra'tac states that there are many more corrupt Jaffa as he and that they would hunt them down, together. Bra'tac remarks that Teal'c was the son he never had. Teal'c also explains that he had killed the assassin that killed his mother and it was not Arkad as Arkad was too 'cowardly' to do the task himself but still, Arkad had claimed responsibility for the act.
General Landry remarks on the briefing by Colonel Mitchell and states that the death of Arkad will be something 'hard to swallow' by the IOA.
[edit] Notes
- It is mentioned that the Ancient outpost in Antarctica is something the Ori's forces are somewhat reluctant to fight just yet
- This episode continues to explain the state of the Free Jaffa Nation after the loss of their capital of Dakara in Counterstrike
- No mention is made on the fate of the Ori themselves after the events of The Shroud
- The Tau'ri are introduced to the Illac Renin, loosely translated from Ancient as 'The Kingdom of the Path', who are a Jaffa cult that worships the Ori though when or who formed the cult is unknown
- The episode is primarily focused on Teal'c and reveals some more of his history, in particular to his mother and her fate
- The 'father-son' bond between Master Bra'tac and Teal'c is stated in this episode.
- Arkad claims to have at his disposal, a fleet that is tenfold bigger then anything the Goa'uld had ever fielded. Though an impressive feat, it is quite possible that he was lying as Bra'tac had stated that the ways of deception were something that Arkad knew best
- The episode marks the return of Lexa Doig as Dr Lam.
- In the room in the SGC where Bratac is being treated there was what appeared to be a ZPM on the shelf. It is unknown why this was there, but it may have been an easter egg intentionally put there by the directors.
