| Synopsis | Review | Quotes |
First Aired On: January 23, 1998
Written By: Tom J. Astle
Directed By: Mario Azzopardi
Guest Stars: David McNally (Hanno), Peter Williams (Apophis)
Synopsis (by "Sea Witch"): SG-1 step through the Stargate onto a world Teal’c recognizes as Cartego, home of the Bursa. He informs his companions that Cartego is a favorite hunting ground for Goa’uld seeking new hosts. Teal’c describes this exploitation as “harvesting”, a term Daniel finds repugnant.
The Cartego Stargate is the focal point of a functioning village which is mysteriously devoid of inhabitants. A small, open-air market consisting of stalls, including one with food left cooking on an open range, is deserted. Puzzled by this bizarre scene, Jack O’Neill and his team reconnoitre the village hoping to find its inhabitants. They enter an imposing building, obviously a place for holding meetings. Inside the building a handful of young men, armed with odd-looking crossbows, leap out of hiding. SG-1 react instantly by raising their own weapons and for a few very tense moments there is an uneasy stand off. The leader of the young men, whom we later discover is named Hanno, accuses SG-1 of being Goa’uld. Jack declares SG-1 to be human and friendly. To prove his point he lowers his weapon and orders Daniel Jackson, Sam Carter and Teal’c to do the same. The Bursa likewise relax.
Hanno looks closely at the strangers and recognizes Teal’c as the Jaffa who killed his father. Teal’c finds himself surrounded by angry Bursa: all training their weapons solely on him; all poised to pull their triggers. Cut to credits.
Teal’c says he does not recognize Hanno. The outraged Hanno wants to cut down Teal’c where he stands but his comrades fear he will break Bursa law by doing so. Hanno is persuaded that Teal’c should be subjected to Cor-ai and the issue decided according to Bursa mandate. Reluctantly, Hanno agrees. Jack protests his friend’s innocence but Hanno, a witness to his own father’s murder, is convinced Teal’c is guilty. Teal’c is led into the street and the remainder of SG-1, no longer of acute importance, are left to follow.
Daniel is surprised to see a crowd of people in the street and wonders where they came from. He surmises they have just concluded some sort of religious meeting. This is not the case. Hanno explains that whenever the circ-cacona is activated the villagers try to evade capture by running away and hiding themselves. He mentions that the next Goa’uld harvest is imminent. Daniel discerns that the name the Bursa give to their Stargate has a peculiar dual linguistic origin in both Latin and Greek. The term translates as “circle of woes”.
SG-1 meet the village elder, an austere looking woman who announces the team is free to leave -- with the exception of Teal’c. Hanno’s accusation demands the Jaffa be subjected to the Cor-ai, a type of trial. Hanno again confronts Teal’c, who still has no recollection of the young Bursa. Hanno shows him an old, broken crutch; Teal’c stares at the artifact. We see a flashback portraying Teal’c killing a crippled (one-legged) man on Apophis’ order. A child is heard crying--the young Hanno. We cut back to the present.
Seeing the guilty recognition in Teal’c’s eyes, Hanno insists that Teal’c acknowledges his crime. Jack orders Teal’c not to say anything and, raising his gun, he prepares to extricate Teal’c from his captors by threatening to open fire. Deeply concerned for both his friends and the Bursa, Daniel steps in and persuades Jack to lower his weapon by saying, “it’s not the way to handle this.” Teal’c is stripped of his jacket and staff weapon. With hands firmly tied behind his back, he is taken to an underground room and locked inside a large metal cage. Before rejoining his fellow villagers, Hanno gives permission for Teal’c to be untied and tells Jack, Daniel, and Sam they are welcome to stay if they wish.
Jack is in a foul mood and suggests breaking Teal’c out by force. Daniel, however, doesn’t think this is a good idea. Surprisingly, Teal’c refuses Jack’s offer to spring him from jail. His reason -- running away would be disrespectful of the wishes of the Bursa. Jack tells Teal’c exactly what he thinks about such a crazy idea.
Later three Bursa women visit Teal’c and kneel respectfully before his cage. Jack asks them what they are doing. One of them claims to be Teal’c’s “voice for the Cor-ai” and announces she is here to witness his pecavay, his confession. Disgusted by the woman’s insinuation of Teal’c’s guilt Jack decides that if anyone is to speak for Teal’c it should be him, the Jaffa’s commanding officer. Because of Jack’s antagonism toward the Bursa, Sam and Daniel offer to become co-counsels. Jack agrees. He voices his deep concern that the Bursa consider suspects to be guilty until proven innocent. Daniel advises Jack this is a common system of justice, the opposite being quite rare.
The Cor-ai begins. Hanno apologizes to Teal’c for his own initial, dishonorable conduct and begs the Jaffa’s forgiveness. Teal’c forgives Hanno and the Bursa onlookers mutter amongst themselves as if surprised by the unexpected largesse. Hanno addresses everyone in the room and declares Teal’c to be the Jaffa who murdered his father. He demands the harshest punishment, the sentence of death.
Jack objects to the grossly unfair practice of Hanno judging the proceedings and appeals to the village elder for an independent judge. His plea is turned down. Hanno, as the injured party, is considered the best judge of Teal’c’s guilt. Hanno asks Teal’c if he was the one responsible for the murder. Teal’c ignores Jack’s order not to say anything and admits he was the Jaffa who killed Hanno’s father. It looks like Teal’c has sealed his own fate.
During a recess, Jack speaks privately with Teal’c. He is horrified to learn that Teal’c is more than willing to atone for all the atrocities he committed as First Prime of Apophis. Jack tells Teal’c that, no matter how terrible his deeds, it is the person giving the orders--Apophis--who is truly responsible. Teal’c doesn’t see it that way. He feels both guilty and appalled by what he has done to so many people and the misery he has caused by personally selecting hosts for the Goa’uld. He feels he must pay for what he has done. Exasperated, Jack refuses to accept Teal’c’s fatalism.
With Teal’c’s defense effectively dead in the water Jack, Daniel and Sam decided to demonstrate to the Bursa how Teal’c is now a good guy, deserving of clemency despite his past wrongdoing. Daniel gives witness to Teal’c’s responsibility for Sha’re being taken as a Goa’uld host; how at first he hated the Jaffa; how he became Teal’c’s friend. Daniel states that Teal’c would willingly die to help save Sha’re from her fate. Teal’c recounts the day he saved Jack, Daniel and Sam plus fifty other captives from death by turning on his fellow serpent guards. ("Children of the Gods") He admits that, because of his betrayal, he is unlikely to see his family again.
During a later recess Daniel walks around the village and meets the woman who would have been Teal’c’s “voice”. From her he discovers that, although the Bursa live in the village, they sleep in “the hiding”, a series of tunnels and caves hidden from the Goa’uld. She explains that the Bursa leave no one behind, even if their flight is impeded by an injured or crippled individual. Either all run and hide or none do. This piece of information makes Daniel’s intuition go crazy. He returns to Teal’c and asks him why he chose Hanno’s father to be the victim.
In another flashback we learn that Apophis ordered the death of one villager in order to frighten the rest into obedience. A group of Bursa are surrounded by armed serpent guards. Apophis orders Teal’c to kill one of the Bursa. Teal’c hesitates and Apophis threatens to kill them all unless Teal’c obeys him. Hanno’s father, a one-legged cripple, seems to silently implore that Teal’c choose him. Teal’c makes his decision and Hanno’s father dies by Teal’c’s hand.
Aware that Teal’c had made the only choice he could, Sam and Daniel believe they have a significant edge against the harsh sentence. Jack disagrees and describes the Cor-ai as a kangaroo court. He orders Sam to return with him to Earth to help organize reinforcements. His plan is to scare the Bursa into releasing Teal’c. Daniel is far from happy about this turn of events. Teal’c reiterates that he will not run from the consequences of his past. Jack loses his temper and informs the Jaffa that he will return home even if Jack has to knock him out to achieve it. Jack and Sam leave through the Stargate.
The Cor-ai is reconvened and Daniel continues to speak for Teal’c. He reveals that Teal’c’s choice of victim probably saved Bursa lives, but Hanno will have none of it. He describes Teal’c’s choice as cowardly and evil. However, he does admit to the fact that when the Stargate is activated the Bursa must flee very quickly with Bursa scattering in every direction in order to reach safety. No one is left behind. Daniel points out that this is hard to do if there are individuals who cannot run quickly enough.
Teal’c then explains that his choice of victim was designed to give the Bursa a greater chance to escape next time the Goa’uld visited. Without the burden of a cripple the Bursa would reach the safety of the hiding more quickly and evade capture. Daniel reinforces Teal’c’s testimony by telling the Bursa his Jaffa friend is a good guy who is opposed to the Goa’uld. He points out that Teal’c’s death would be a terrible waste. If he is dead he cannot fight the Goa’uld.
Hanno remains unswayed by Daniel’s argument and asks one final question, “Can all the good that Teal’c has done bring back my father?” The answer is no. Hanno sums up his own argument with, “No amount of good in the present can erase the guilt of the past.” Hanno passes sentence. Teal’c is to be executed at midday, killed by a blast from his own staff weapon.
Back at the SGC, General Hammond is sympathetic to Teal’c’s plight but feels he cannot intervene. Teal’c, he points out, has committed war atrocities and the Bursa have every right to put him on trial for the murder of one of their own. Jack angrily demands that the President should be consulted. He states that Teal’c has helped Earth and saved the lives of his human comrades. He deserves better than to be abandoned to his fate.
Cut to Teal’c, naked from the waist up and with his pouch bandaged shut. Some Bursa women are painting a design on his chest and face in preparation for his death. Teal’c sits there, quiescent, allowing them to do so without interruption. He informs Daniel that he would like his body and that of his symbiote to be given to Earth scientists for study. Reluctantly, Daniel admits that he believes Jack’s course of action may be the right one after all. He doesn’t want Teal’c to die.
Hammond delivers a devastating blow to Jack and Sam. The president has refused to sanction any action against the Bursa. Feeling that the US government has betrayed their friend, Jack and Sam return to Cartego. As they step through the Stargate it is evident something is terribly wrong. The village is again deserted but this time smoke is rising from charred wood and masonry. Both race to where Teal’c was held prisoner and find the cage empty.
On returning to the street they hear the frightened babble of villagers and an all too familiar tramp of armor-clad feet. Jack and Sam dive for cover behind a pair of stone pillars. A group of captured villagers stumble into view, herded by three serpent guards. Sam accidentally makes a noise, alerting a serpent guard to her presence. The Jaffa notices Sam’s shadow cast on a wall and fires at her hiding place before going to investigate. Jack ambushes the Jaffa, kills him with a single knife thrust and takes his staff weapon.
Hanno is hiding in another building. With him are Daniel and many Bursa, mostly women and children. Teal’c is kneeling, hands bound tightly behind his back. Daniel asks that Teal’c be freed to help save Bursa lives. Hanno refuses, accusing Jack of betraying the Bursa. How else could the serpent guards know how to prevent the Bursa from reaching their hiding places? Daniel protests but Hanno remains unconvinced. Before Hanno and a few other Bursa men leave to try and fight the serpent guards, Hanno instructs a young boy to ensure that Teal’c’s sentence be carried out even if Hanno himself is killed. The boy agrees. Hanno orders them to hide as best they can.
As Hanno and his friends emerge onto the street they immediately run foul of the two remaining serpent guards. The captives flee as the guards open fire on Hanno’s men. Jack kills both serpent guards with the staff weapon saving Hanno’s life in the process.
Three other serpent guards have discovered the inadequate hiding place of Daniel and the Bursa. Daniel is dismayed to recognize Shak’l ("The Nox") and tries to hide Teal’c, to no avail. Daniel and the Bursa are forced to move, leaving Teal’c and Shak’l alone - but not before someone places a knife in Teal’c’s bound hands. Shak’l gloatingly tells Teal’c that the renegade Jaffa’s death will ensure his own appointment as First Prime to Apophis. Teal’c, having cut through his bonds, fatally stabs Shak’l. The last thing Shak’l hears is Teal’c’s apology for killing him. Teal’c grabs Shak’l’s staff weapon.
As Daniel urges the Bursa to flee from danger, each of the two remaining serpent guards snatches up a child to use as a shield. Teal’c is forced to make another harrowing decision – which child to save first. As he dives at the nearest Jaffa, the other one opens fire, wounding Teal’c in the leg. Teal’c crashes to the ground, knocking his opponent unconscious and freeing the child. The other Jaffa moves in for the kill. Injured and sprawled on the floor helplessly, there is no way Teal’c can react quickly enough to save himself. Before the Jaffa can fire, however, Jack arrives in the nick of time and kills him with a staff weapon blast.
Hanno is relieved to find the children and other captives safe from harm thanks to Daniel’s quick thinking and the bravery of Teal’c. Daniel inspects Teal’c’s wound and announces the Jaffa needs to return home immediately. Teal’c refuses to leave. He still owes a debt to Hanno and the other Bursa. Jack, Sam, and Daniel help their Jaffa friend to his feet.
Teal’c hobbles painfully over to an amazed Hanno and stands before him. He calmly informs the young Bursa that it is midday and he is prepared to accept his punishment. He hands Hanno the staff weapon and stands back, bravely awaiting the execution of his sentence with an air of calm dignity. Hanno asks, “You would save those who wish to kill you?” Teal’c replies, “I would save those who deserve to live.” Hanno smiles and pronounces his own memory to be faulty. Teal’c disagrees, reiterating that he was the one who killed Hanno’s father. Jack, Daniel, and Sam are visibly perturbed by Teal’c’s suicidal persistence. Hanno proclaims, “No, that Jaffa is dead. You killed him.” With these words Teal’c becomes a free man.
SG-1 return home after promising to help the Bursa fight the Goa’uld. Closing credits.
Review: 8/10
Plot: Not that thrilling. This isn't really a plot-driven episode but rather an examination of Teal'c's character and his past...and how SG-1 thinks about him in the present.Realism: It's very realistic to think that Teal'c's past actions would cause this kind of crisis on SG-1's missions. It's also realistic to think that Hanno would still hate Teal'c after all this time. People rarely forgive and forget events like this overnight. The writers even did a decent job with the ending. Yes, Teal'c saving the natives' live and still being willing to sacrifice his own might finally convince Hanno that Teal'c didn't deserve to die. Realism factor is pretty high.
Action: There's an action scene at the end where the Goa'uld are attacking Cartego, but most of the episode is a lot of talk.
Angst Level: A lot of angst for Teal'c over his past actions. Christopher Judge does an excellent job of making Teal'c's facial expressions reflect the torment he feels within his soul.
Special Effects: Special effects? What special effects? Just some laser blasts toward the end.
Set and Costumes: Neither the set nor the costumes really stand out. The Cartegans are a simple, peasant-like people whose clothing and buildings reflect that simplicity. Although I wouldn't mind having one of those spear things the woman in charge of the proceedings carried around. It's also nice to see the snake helmets/uniforms again.
O'Neill factor: We get a little bit of a look into his character, but nothing new. He prefers force over diplomacy. He is willing to use Earth's military to free Teal'c after it becomes obvious Hanno will not change his mind about Teal'c's death. We also get a long, extremely interesting speech by him about how "distasteful" being a soldier can often be. Makes you wonder what he's done in his past only because he was ordered to do it--and what he finds distasteful. Of course, we get a lot of typical sarcasm from him as well, such as the "swap meet" line and the "near as I can figure" line. Daniel also gets to attack O'Neill's impulsive desire to defend Teal'c without really knowing what he's doing--"It's just that I've never actually heard you referred to as a diplomat. I think the word 'antagonist' was the word used." Yup, that's a pretty accurate description of O'Neill and his response to situations. It's also interesting how he goes against Teal'c's wishes to face the punishment for his previous actions. He and Daniel represent the opposite approaches to defending Teal'c--force versus diplomacy. Unfortunately, neither work.
Daniel factor: Daniel proves his intelligence and ability to play defense lawyer. He comes up with a very persuasive argument about how Teal'c has changed, and is convincing when he's questioned by O'Neill about how his feelings about Teal'c changed during the weeks after Sha're was taken. He and O'Neill represent the opposite approaches to defending Teal'c--force versus diplomacy. Interesting how when diplomacy fails, he's willing to give in to the force that O'Neill wants--he doesn't believe Teal'c should die and therefore agrees that O'Neill should force Teal'c free.
Carter factor: Carter doesn't really do much here. Few lines, few actions. She either agrees with Daniel or she agrees with O'Neill. Oh, and she does defend Teal'c in a scene, but other than that, she's just there.
Teal'c factor: Wow, this is a Teal'c episode. A deep look into his character. You can tell, during the 15 to 20-year-old flashback, that even then he didn't want to kill people. Amazing how a guy this opposed to meaningless killing made it up in the ranks to be Apophis's First Prime. Anyway, it's admirable how he isn't afraid to take responsibility for his actions and face the consequences. In his mind, this one incident represents the hundreds of similar incidents that occurred in the past. Even when he has the chance to flee at the end he wants to make things right with Hanno and hands him the staff weapon. It's nice to hear how important he is to SG-1.
Overall Team factor: Pretty good. It shows how SG-1 will stick together through everything. They will not abandon Teal'c to his fate. All of the other members actively defend Teal'c in the "Cor-ai," acting as co-consuls. It's a nice team episode, even if the main focus is on Teal'c.
My Thoughts: In my opinion, this episode, along with "Enigma," are the two most underrated first season episodes. Everybody seems to forget they happened. While it doesn't have half the excitement of episodes like "There But For the Grace of God" or "Within the Serpent's Grasp," it's still an excellent character analysis, not just into Teal'c's character. We get an interesting look into O'Neill's mind and Daniel's mind as well--the whole force versus diplomacy thing. The episode deals with some deep subjects, such as the various ways of handling guilt and responsibility, the whole concept of "chain of command" and being given "distasteful" orders during military service, retribution for being the victim of a crime, and forgiveness. The episode gains points with me just for tackling these subjects in a mature manner. There's some great lines in this episode, along with one of my all-time favorites--"Anyone who has a mind has an opinion." How true! This is one of those episodes that doesn't quite fit into my top ten list since nothing really spectacular happens, but it is way up there among my favorites.
Related Episodes: Daniel describes Sha're's possession by a Goa'uld during "Children of the Gods." Sha'kel was last seen in "The Nox" as the Jaffa who'd been trained by Teal'c and now wants him dead to gain points with Apophis.
Daniel Jackson's History/Linguistic/Mythology Lesson: "Circe" is a Latin derivative for circle. "Circona" or "Cacona" is Greek for woes. "Pecavey" is similar to a Latin word meaning "I have sinned," a confession. The legal systems for many ancient cultures believed "guilty until proven innocent," not the American "innocent until proven guilty." Daniel describes it as being similar to the Talmud, the Jewish book of oral law.
Sam Carter's Physics Lesson: Nope.
Important Stargate Information: Nope.
Alien Species/Background: The Cartegans live in a village by day, but sleep in the "Hiding" at night. When the Goa'uld attack, they retreat to the Hiding. They will never leave one of their people behind to face the Goa'uld--either they all make it to the hiding or none of them do. "Cor-ai" is their term for a modern trial...sort of.
Important everyday life stuff we learn from Stargate: Humans aren't brussels sprouts (duh!). It's better to face up to your responsibilities than to run from them. It is possible for a person to have a complete change of character.
Quotes:
Teal'c: "O'Neill. I have been here before."
Daniel: "What? You have?"
Teal'c: "Yes. The world is called Cartego."
Daniel: "What can you tell us about it?"
Teal'c: "The Goa'uld visit here regularly. It is one of their favorite places to harvest hosts for Goa'uld absorption."
Daniel: "You know, I wish you wouldn't say 'harvest.' We're talking about human beings not...brussels sprouts."
Teal'c: "That is how the Goa'uld perceive it."O'Neill: "Hold your fire."
Daniel: "They probably think we're Goa'uld."
O'Neill: "Daniel, think you could find a language that would communicate to these people that we're human, like they are? And that we're friendly?"
Hanno: "Why should I believe you? That is a weapon."
O'Neill: "So's that."Hanno: "Jaffa!"
O'Neill: "Jaffa, yes. But he's a good guy!"
Carter: "You don't know him. He's peaceful. Tell him you're peaceful, Teal'c."
Teal'c: "It is true."O'Neill: "Always wanted to meet the elders."
Daniel: "That's interesting. I wonder if everyone's coming from some religious event."
O'Neill: "Why does it always have to be a religious thing with you? Maybe they're coming from a swap meet."Daniel: "Circ...that's a Latin derivation. Circova, cacona, that's Greek. That's weird. Two root languages in one culture."
Carter: "What does it mean?"
Daniel: "Circecona...Circle of Woes. Their name for the Stargate."Elder: "You may go now." Daniel looks ready to protest.
O'Neill: "Daniel, it's important to respect our elders. Teal'c, dial it up."
Elder: "Not him."
O'Neill: "Excuse me?"
Hanno: "For him there will be Cor-ai."
O'Neill: "Ok, let me bottom line it for you. You can't have that man!"Hanno: "Tomorrow we will have Cor-ai. You are welcome to stay."
O'Neill, as Hanno walks away: "Gee, thanks. Alright, when they come back, Daniel you draw them in. Carter and I'll take right and left flanks."
Daniel: "Uh...wait a minute. Are you talking about break out?"
O'Neill: "Uh, yeah. We're going to grab Teal'c and head straight for the Stargate. It would be nice if we could do it without bloodshed."
Teal'c: "No."
O'Neill: "Excuse me?"
Teal'c: "Do not attempt your plan. I will not go."
O'Neill: "You know, that's a really odd sound. I thought you just said you wouldn't go?"
Teal'c: "That is correct."
O'Neill: "Why?"
Teal'c: "Because to go would be to disrespect the Byrsa."
O'Neill: "Disrespect?"
Daniel: "Teal'c's right, we should show some respect."
O'Neill: "Did anyone else hear that kid say that Teal'c was guilty already? For all we know they want to kill him!"
Daniel: "Wait, wait. Who said anything about killing? I mean, all they said was that they want to put him through Cor-ai. Now near as I can figure, that is like a simple trial."
O'Neill: "See, it's that 'near as I can figure' that's got me a little..." he makes some really cute hand gestures "...worried. What if they're idea of a simple trial is a simple beheading?"
Teal'c: "I will not run."O'Neill: "Excuse me, what are you doing?"
Woman: "I am the Jaffa's voice for the Cor-ai."
O'Neill: "Well, I think his voice is just fine."O'Neill: "Innocent until proven guilty. Heard of it?"
Daniel: "Actually, throughout history the idea is pretty rare. Most cultures usually assumed things the other way around." Jack shoots him one of his looks. "I'm just...saying..."Woman: "I must get the Jaffa's pecavey."
O'Neill: "Well, you're out of luck 'cause you're not going to get him to peca-anything."
Woman: "Then, who will be his voice?"
O'Neill: "That would be me."
Carter: "Uh, you?"Daniel: "Are you sure you're up to this?"
O'Neill: "Why? You don't think I am?"
Daniel: "Well, it's just that I've never actually heard you referred to as a diplomat. I think, um, antagonist was the word used."
O'Neill: "But I'm his commanding officer. It comes with the territory."
Carter: "Wouldn't Daniel be better at it? I mean, being a linguist and a cultural expert...sir?"
O'Neill: "Alright, we'll all do it. How's that?"
Daniel: "That's fine."
Carter: "Co...Co-consuls. Works for me."O'Neill: "Objection!...That's something we say in Earth when...never mind."
Hanno: "Anyone who has a mind has an opinion."
Elder: "Only the person who has suffered understands the pain which has been inflicted. Who else can fairly say what the punishment must be?"
O'Neill: "Unbelievable."
Daniel: "It's actually rather Talmudic. Only he who was wrong can forgive."
O'Neill: "Will you can it?"O'Neill: "Teal'c, there are a lot of things we do that we wish we could change and we sure as hell can't forget, but the whole concept of chain of command undermines the idea of free will. So as soldiers, we have to do some pretty awful stuff. But we're following orders like we were trained to. It doesn't make it easier, it certainly doesn't make it right. But it does put some of the responsibility on the guy giving those orders!"
Teal'c: "I will not run."
O'Neill: "Tell us what happened to your wife."
Daniel: "Her name is Sha're. She was captured by Apophis' serpent guards and...changed."
O'Neill: "She's now a Goa'uld?"
Daniel: "Inhabited by one, yes."
O'Neill: "How did she get to be one of the victims?"
Daniel: "The leader of the serpent guards picked her out of a crowd of women at random and..."
O'Neill: "Who was the leader of the serpent guards?"
Daniel: "Teal'c." A murmur spreads throughout the room, and Daniel raises his voice. "The old Teal'c. At that time he hadn't joined us yet. He didn't know me or that Sha're was my wife."
O'Neill: "But the fact is you now work side by side with the man responsible for your wife's fate."
Daniel: "Yes. It was difficult for me at first, I wanted to hate him. But now I know it was a different Teal'c that chose Sha're and I now that if there were any way for him to help me get my wife back he would do it gladly. Even if it meant giving up his own life. This Teal'c is my friend."Daniel: "You have a very lovely existence."
Woman: "We would never leave anyone behind. We all go or none of us do."
Daniel: "Teal'c, tell us exactly what happened that day."
Teal'c: "Apophis ordered me to kill one of the villagers so the rest would obey."
Daniel: "Ok, I think we've all heard the Reader's Digest version of the story. But there's more to it, isn't there?"Daniel: "The truth is our defense."
O'Neill: "Teal'c, you're going back with us if I have to knock you out and carry you myself. Got it?"
Daniel: "So, although you were faced with a terrible decision, you chose the lesser of two evils."
Hanno: "He chose to kill a crippled man. A man least able to run away, the most helpless of us all. His choice was not moral, it was cowardly and evil."Daniel: "Teal'c's death cannot change the past but his life will help all our futures! Can you really justify killing him now?"
Hanno: "Your argument is wise and moving. I commend you."
Daniel: "Thank you."
Hanno: "You have made a compelling argument that this Jaffa's more recent and continuing good should somehow negate his past evil. I have but one final question. Can his recent actions or any future actions return my father from the dead?"
Daniel: "No. No, of course not."
Hanno: "Then clearly no amount of good in the present can erase what he has done in the past."O'Neill: "I'm hoping once they see our superior numbers and fire power they'll release him without incident."
Hammond: "Colonel, the United States is not in the business of interfering in other people's affairs." O'Neill: "Since when, Sir?"
Hammond: "Since this administration was elected."
O'Neill: "Well, I don't think the President would have a problem with us going in and trying to rescue one of our own."
Hammond: "Teal'c is not one of our own."
Carter: "He's not?"
Hammond: "I mean, in the eyes of the government. He's not an American citizen. Hell, he's not even an Earth citizen."
O'Neill: "I don't believe I'm hearing this from you, Sir."O'Neill: "General Hammond. I have spent a lot of years in the service of my country. And I have been ordered to do some damn distasteful things. I will not allow them to execute my friend."
Carter: "Sir, Teal'c has proven his loyalty to us countless times. Don't you think we should do the same?"
Hammond: "My own personal opinion says 'yes.' But the government policies under which I must weigh my opinion say no."Daniel: "What are they doing?"
Teal'c: "Preparing me for my death."
Daniel: "Oh."Daniel: "No, I have to admit, Teal'c, for once I have to agree with Jack. I respect your wishes but I do not believe you deserve to die."
Hammond: "You have the right to disagree, Colonel, but you do not have the right to take actions against orders. Is that understood?"
Carter: "Maybe Daniel broke him out."
O'Neill: "Keep those positive thoughts coming, Captain."Hanno: "You would save those who wish to kill you?"
Teal'c: "I would save those who deserve to live."
Hanno: "I made a mistake. My memory was faulty. You are not the same man as he who murdered my father."
Teal'c: "I am the one."
Hanno: "No. That Jaffa is dead. You have killed him."
Singularity Enigma
