Vala: What are you doing here?
Having lunch.
Don't you care that there could be priors out there
taking advantage ofpoon innocent people?
Luring them into an oppressive religion,
or worse, killing them for rejecting it?
Are you bored of bothering Jackson?
Hey, you're supposed to be going out on missions through the Stargate.
So let's go.
Let's rid the galaxy of evildoers.
Look, despite what Daniel might think,
I really can help.
I know how things work out there, I'm physically capable.
I'm good with weapons,
not to mention seductively attractive.
(Ch uckles)
I'd make a fine asset to any 56 team.
You left out selfish and untrustworthy.
How about independent and resourceful?
That is a classified file.
Priors have been reported on 43 different planets already.
Yeah, that's what the file says.
Well, it just so happens that I have a very good relationship
with the people on the one you've designated p8x—412.
Define "relationship."
They trust me.
What? Where are you going?
I'm gonna talk to Landry.
Why?
Because anyone who trusts you
is obviously in a great deal of danger.
(People chattering)
Oh, good. No one's here.
I thought these people trusted you.
Why are we sneaking around avoiding everybody?
I already told you.
They won't recognize me dressed like this.
Fortunately, I left a couple of spare outfits behind.
What is with her and her wardrobe?
You know, I think we could probably explain to them exactly...
It will only take a second.
Can a girl have a little privacy? No.
Besides, I think that I've seen
just about everything there is to see.
Right.
Look, there's no other way out of this room.
I'm just going to change.
I'll be right back.
Hey.
These are the weapons of our god, quetesh.
Who are you? Just take it easy.
What are you doing here?
We mean no harm.
(All gasping)
Please forgive us.
It has been so long, we began to fear you would not return.
Then you are foolish.
I would not abandon you.
I am your god.
I have pillaged the galaxy many times over
and made slaves of all the mortals I have encountered.
This world pleases me and I shall take it as my own.
The benevolent god, quetesh, will never allow such treachery.
Not exactly Shakespeare.
Actor: Foolish slave, I am ba'al.
How is it these people don't know the Goa'uld have fallen?
Oh, most of these worlds are pretty isolated
and I would be very surprised
ifanyone here actually knew how to operate the gate.
These humans must be told the truth.
I know.
Oh, merciful, beautiful quetesh,
have mercy on him.
He knows not your power.
What are you doing? It's a play.
Don't worry, I think it will be over soon, then we'll eat.
That's not what I'm talking about.
We want to stop these people from falling victim to the priors.
That's what I'm going to do.
This is not what I had in mind.
What your mind may or may not be able to imagine
is really none of my concern.
Now kindly get out of your god's face.
Actor: You have never met the likes of quetesh.
Actress: No man shall lay claim to my world
and no man shall bring harm to my children.
(Grunting)
Actor: Thanks be to you, quetesh.
All hail and glory be to you.
Hmm.
We had little rehearsal, my lord,
but I trust it pleases you?
Yes.
As always, azdak, you please your god greatly.
Thank you, my lord.
You have been greatly missed.
Now, I would like to hear about the visitor
who arrived through the chappa'ai.
(People murmuring)
It is pointless lying to your god, azdak.
I'm all—knowing as well as all—beautiful.
He said that he was here to save us,
that our true gods await our devotion.
Lies meant to deceive you.
I——I did not believe a word he said, my lord.
I swear it.
Some of you did.
You have been absent for so many seasons.
Some thought maybe you had abandoned us.
They were weak, my lord.
Please forgive them.
Have I not always been merciful
to those who deserve forgiveness?
Now go, while I consider your punishment.
Yes. Of course.
(People whispering)
Well, that was easy.
Shut that thing off.
Hmm.
Why must you continue to deceive these people?
This was one of many planets that quetesh ruled over when I was her host.
As you know a tok'ra eventually removed the symbiote,
but not before her people rebelled and tortured me,
thinking we were one and the same.
And they couldn't tell the difference?
Why am I not surprised?
I had nothing.
I was desolate.
Fortunately, I discovered that news of quetesh's demise
had not reached this little mining outpost.
So you kept them mining naquadah for you?
Just a tiny bit.
The mine was practically barren by the time I got here,
but this planet acted as a safe haven for me
until I got back on my feet.
Look, I never killed anyone,
I never tortured them.
I was a wonderful god. Just askthem.
I think we will.
Why? You don't believe me?
That, and I'm not totally convinced
they're ultimately gonna follow your command,
nor should that be the only reason they don't follow the priors.
I am still supposed to be their god.
I can't exactly go out there and ask them ifthey're going to listen to me.
I wasn't expecting you to.
What makes you think they're gonna tell you the truth?
You're supposed to be my faithful servants.
Then I'll sort of explain to them
we're not as faithful as you might like to believe
and, if necessary, I'll also tell them that we're plotting to kill you.
I have heard better plans.
I kind of like it.
Shut up.
How are the staff evaluations coming?
They're done. They'll be on your desk by tomorrow morning.
That's when they're due, right?
Yes.
Now, I have, uh, lunch with, uh, the heads of my departments
once a month
just to stay in touch, uh, get any housekeeping done.
Helps me get to know them a lot better.
I know in our case...
What?
In our case, what?
Well, it's just that we know each other a little better
than, say, I do colonel Garrett, the munitions supply officer.
Really? I actually doubt that.
Colonel Garrett's been here longer than I have.
Do we have to do this here?
You want to have lunch, fine.
Tomorrow noon, I will be there as ordered.
It's not an order.
Okay.
I have been sick for some time now.
The past few harvests, I've been more of a burden than a help to my family.
I had even lost the ability to stand.
Jackson: You're standing now.
The prior, he cured me.
Said that it was the will of the ori.
Blasphemer!
Just take it easy.
I'm sorry, but I will not have him speak
against quetesh like that in my presence.
Look, we're not out to get anybody here.
We just want to hear what he has to say.
Go ahead.
Thejewel in his staff, it glowed.
He waved it over me, and I felt better than I ever have.
All he asked in return was that I tell others,
that I spread the word of the ori.
Then, upon his return...
When is this prior to return?
Tomorrow.
The prior said that quetesh is a false god.
That if she ever returned, he would expose her weakness.
You're a fool!
Speak no more, or I shall strike you down in the name of our true god.
I said, take it easy.
You should be thankful that quetesh is so forgiving
and pray when she slays the prior for his wicked lies
she won't do the same to you.
Oh, boy.
Glory be to quetesh!
Glory to the one true god...
Okay, you have made your point.
Know when to stop.
I think I need to talk to our one true god.
This is why you wanted to come back to this planet?
All of this is mine.
I earned it.
These people have just been keeping it safe for me.
And as you said, we can't be 100% certain
that they're going to obey me.
So if this planet does fall to the priors...
Hello, you stealing this planet's most valued treasure
is the least of our concerns right now.
I like your attitude.
I was thinking of cutting you boys in at 10%.
And now I'm thinking 20.
Despite your return, many of the villagers
believe the ori to be true gods
and worthy of their loyalty.
All the more reason why we should pack all of this up right now
and get out of here.
Are you gonna pitch in or what?
Others believe you will slay the prior in a show of power
upon his return tomorrow.
Tomorrow? Hmm.
Tomorrow's no good for me.
You need to tell these people the truth.
I have a lot of needs, Daniel,
but I assure you that that is not one of them.
If you do not tell them the truth, we will.
Yes, and who do you think they're actually going to believe?
Look, commanding these people to obey you and not the ori
is not gonna work.
Especially once that prior comes back.
And we do not want to get into a god—off.
Especially since we know you're not even close.
Forget what I said about the 20%.
He's right.
We can't trade one lie for another lie.
All right. What can we fight with, then?
How can we stop this prior from corrupting these people?
Okay, we have a very limited window of opportunity here.
If you expose yourself as a false god,
if you tell these people how you fooled them and why,
we might be able to make them skeptical about the prior.
Or it could push them towards believing
in the ori as true gods even more.
No, the only chance these people have,
the only chance any of us have against the priors
is to show them we will not accept the ori as gods.
No matter what happens we must reject them,
true enlightenment must begin with the truth.
Oh, please. The truth is so overrated.
Look, for once, just do the right thing here, okay?
You're gonna feel so good about it afterwards.
Trust me.
Really, this is—— This is unnecessary.
You will be executed first iig ht tomorrow, impostor.
(Spits)
So, Daniel,
when does that warm and glowy feeling
from doing the right thing kick in?
'Cause, not there yet.
I can't believe you all just stood there and let them imprison me.
What were we supposed to do?
You have guns, don't you?
There was, like, over 100 people there!
And?
Just relax, we're gonna get you out of this.
Oh, you are?
I feel a lot better. I'm sorry, I got—— I got a little nervous
what with the whole execution looming and all!
Just believe me. It is not gonna come to that.
Mitchell and Teal'c are talking to them right now.
Have you forgotten that if I die, you die?
Believe me, it is not gonna come to that.
Trust me.
(Gasps)
This time.
Fine. She made a mistake.
It was a big mistake.
It was a whopper, but you can't just kill her.
Why not?
Little help?
Does she not deserve a trial
to explain the things that she has done?
I think we all have a pretty good idea of what she did and why.
Your people are looking for leadership.
They're looking to you.
So you've gotta decide.
What kind of society you wanna have?
One where people get executed without a chance to explain their actions?
You wanna hold a mal doran?
Isn't that her name?
Quetesh established the process several years ago.
A way to settle disputes between two parties.
Fine. That sounds fitting.
We're gonna hold a mal doran!
(Groaning)
Hey, how'd it go?
Well, you know...
What's the plan?
You gonna blow up this door?
Lay down suppression fire so that we can rush out
through the hidden escape passage?
It's in the room I told you had no other exit.
They're gonna put you on trial tomorrow.
I like my plan better.
It kind of is your plan.
It's named after you. Really?
A mal doran.
They gonna let me bethejudge?
Don't think so.
Then it's not a real mal doran, is it?
Actually, this couldn't have worked out better.
Actually, I think it could have.
No, a trial is public.
We can use the forum to expose what it is
to be a false god and warn
the community about the priors.
Vala: You're right, actually.
We could get them all worked up about false gods
and then they can kill me as an example to the others.
Look, I persuaded them to let you stay here
for the night.
Right, thanks.
Yeah.
Well, I'll see you guys in the morning.
Th—thank you.
I apologize for ever doubting your masterful skills at negotiation.
He's doing the best he can.
That's what terrifies me.
Welcome,
and thank you all for coming.
Unlike in the past,
the final decision of this mal doran
will be yours, my friends.
A general vote.
After both presentations have been made,
we shall all decide what is to be done
to the false god quetesh.
(All chattering)
We're pleading innocent, right?
You already confessed.
A girl can change her mind, can't she?
We shall begin, as always, with the reading of the claims.
The first claim of seven, mass murder.
Wait a second.
The second claim of seven, mass torture.
I——I never killed. I never tortured.
That is quetesh.
The third claim of seven...
Uh, excuse me. Hi, sorry to interrupt.
Um...
The person seated before you didn't do those things.
You will have your chance to make your presentation.
Yes, uh, I'm sure we will.
I just wanted to make something very clear.
As we discussed when she confessed,
vala was a host to a Goa'uld,
a parasite that controlled her actions for many years.
It was that Goa'uld symbiote, named quetesh,
that committed the atrocities you're talking about.
Vala herself can only be held responsible for the actions she did
after that Goa'uld was removed.
When exactly was that?
Four——four years?
Very well.
Assuming your assertion to be true.
We shall begin again.
The first claim of four,
planetary—wide forced labor.
It's gonna be a long day.
Indeed.
I, perhaps more than any of you,
feel great sorrow
at the fact that I devoted my love and faith
so freely to an impostor
who cared only for the naquadah in our mines.
With every breath, she lied.
With every effort, she stole.
At every chance, she betrayed us.
The conditions of poverty that we now suffer
are her fault and her fault alone.
That is what you must consider!
(People murmuring)
He's good.
I'm dead.
Yes, she stole.
She betrayed you.
She used you as slave labor.
All this is true.
Not the opening statement I would have gone for.
Shh.
But the only reason you know about this
is because she told you.
She came forward knowing full well how you would feel
and what the consequences would be.
Ask yourselves, why did she do this?
She did it because there's a greater threat in this galaxy
she thought you deserved to know about.
She told the truth in order to open your eyes.
To show you the dangers of giving away your freedom, your free will,
in the hopes that, given another chance,
you wouldn't make that same mistake twice.
We know a prior of the ori has come here.
He's been sent to this village
to convince you to worship beings
more powerful than all of us.
But you must know that, like vala,
they're not gods.
Prior: You speak well, Daniel Jackson of the planet earth.
What is a god?
What power is great enough
to make you bow down in humble reverence?
(Whispering) That's the one that tried
to burn us to death.Twice.
There's only one measure.
The only question you may ask yourself is,
"why must I believe?"
What is there for any and all to gain
bychooflng the path of origin?
Those seeking eternal salvation
can follow the word of the ori.
Those that do not shall die as mortals.
It is as simple as that.
The day of reckoning approaches.
Your destiny awaits.
He's pretty good, too.
We are so dead.
I have told them of the ori, prior.
Many of us believe.
But not all of us.
You doubt the power of the ori?
No.
But I understand how they got it.
And because I do, I'm not willing to abandon my own free will
and worship them for it.
The ori healed this man, this man that was sick.
This man who could barely walk.
This man was healed through knowledge.
We have medicine.
We have tools that can do much the same thing.
This device
has the power to heal,
if you know how to use it, but not by magical power.
It's called technology.
Technology?
Yes. Knowledge, understanding.
Of the way things work,
of the science of the universe.
Maybe so.
But consider this.
There are two men,
one is starving, and the other has a plentiful crop.
Is it not wrong for the fortunate man to hoard his harvest?
(People whispering)
Should he not share with his hungry brother?
It is the same with knowledge and understanding.
As you have said, the ori have
a greater understanding of the universe,
but most importantly, they are willing to share it with us
out of their love for us, their creation.
Only a fool would turn away.
Just because the ori
know more than we do
doesn't make them gods.
They are beings who were once like you and me,
but they evolved.
They learned of humanity's potential.
Eventually, over time, they used that knowledge
to shed their physical bodies
and live as energy on another, higher plane of existence.
Which side is he on?
You are all children of the ori,
but you have been raised by evil.
The true nature of the universe has been kept from you
by powers that would have you stray from the path of origin.
It is time to open your eyes.
Let origin show you the way.
Jackson: No, you're right.
Maybe hoarding knowledge is wrong.
Or maybe it's not.
Maybe learning something for yourself
is part of the journey to enlightenment.
But killing someone for not worshipping you,
regardless of your power, is wrong.
Very wrong.
Knowledge is power,
but how you use that power
defines whether you are good
or evil.
The choice is yours.
Give us another chance, I beg you.
Please, spare us all.
Believe in the power of the ori
or be laid down in the dust.
Escort the prisoner back to the cell.
Wait. We are done with the mal doran.
We must vote now on her punishment
and discuss other issues we now face.
Jackson: Oh, azdak, I——I know what the ori seem to be offering you
may sound very tempting.
We are poverty—stricken.
As a society, we may not be able to survive much longer.
We thought our god would provide for us.
Why should we reject the knowledge and education to better ourselves?
But you can have all that without giving up
your freedom.
Don't you see how wrong it is to enforce belief
by threatening your people with their very lives?
As the ori said,
would we not be ignorant and deserving of punishment
for failing to see the plain truth before us?
Leave us. We shall deliberate.
Comfortable where you're living?
I kind of like the place I'm renting in cimarron hills.
It's nice. You ought to buy.
Well, I'll just wait and see.
I don't know how long I'm going to be here, so...
How's your mother?
Why don't you call her and find out for yourself?
Why does everything have to be so hostile?
I'm trying.
To tell you the truth, I don't even really know where to start.
Start what?
The long road back to "happily ever after"?
I had a job to do.
As I do.
Now, I thought this was supposed to be
a professional meeting about my staff.
That's why I'm here.
Excuse me.
You need to work on your anti—ori speech.
That prior almost had me believing.
Well, not so much believing as willing to say I believe.
I know.
You are asking people to stand up
and put their lives on the line.
(Sighing) I really believe it's the only way
we're gonna have to defend ourselves against them.
We could try shooting them.
You said the priors are human, right?
A few well—aimed shots might at least get their attention.
Well, you study enough religions,
you find that killing the missionaries
doesn't combat the overall philosophy.
The problem is that what the priors are offering sounds quite good.
Until you get to the whole prostrating
and burning people alive bits.
There's that, and I don't think any of us
have read the real fine print yet.
Meaning?
Well, I personally know without a doubt the priors are bad.
So creepy.
And "believe or die" is an archaic moral standing.
Now, the ori are wrong for doing what they're doing,
but the part I haven't figured out yet,
the part that's really bothering me,
is why they're doing it.
I mean, why do they care if people worship them or not?
(Sighing)
We have decided to spare your life.
Really?
Thank you.
Your punishment will be imprisonment for the rest of your life.
What?
A—azdak, after everything we've been through together.
You made me rub your feet.
Weren't you justly rewarded?
Anyway, the odd massage here and there
hardly warrants life imprisonment.
You lied and abused the people of this planet.
What about the prior?
Wait a minute. We're not done here with me yet.
Yes, we are.
As for the prior, the settlement is divided.
Many believe the ori are worthy of our devotion.
And you?
Man: Vachna has fallen ill.
That's the man the prior healed.
Yes. Please hurry.
We fear he might be close to death.
Jackson: Wait, azdak!
Um...
Maybe we can help.
I do not want you near me.
Take it easy!
It's okay. She's not gonna hurt him.
There. How do you feel now?
What have you done to me?
Hmm.
Making people feel good is a natural talent of mine.
Can you sit up?
I do not understand.
How did you do it?
Well, this is a tool.
Like a hammer or a shovel, just a lot more complicated.
Just because you don't understand something at first
doesn't mean it's the magic of the gods.
Azdak: You think that if we are united
and tell this prior we will not heed his word,
he will merely go away and leave us alone?
Well, I wish I could say for sure what will happen.
All I know is that you have to make a stand.
Whatever happens, we'll be here to back you up.
But ultimately, it's gonna be up to you and your people.
In exchange for saving vachna's life,
I have decided to reopen the issue of your life imprisonment.
Thank you.
I have to admit, it did make me feel rather good.
I'm sure you thought that might be a reward.
That's not why I did it.
Azdak: Speaking of rewards,
the entirety of your property will be kept here as payment for your crimes.
Now, hang on a minute.
You all right?
Yes, I—it's just been a very long day.
Azdak, you must come quickly.
What is it? Many have fallen ill.
Thank you.
You are truly blessed.
Well, I don't know about that.
I'm just doing the best that I can.
How many have fallen ill?
I've lost count, but it's a lot.
Whatever this thing is, it's spreading like wildfire.
Come on, we need you over here.
We'll talk about my treasure later.
We're doing our best to quarantine the sick.
Vala's using the healing device to cure them as they come in,
but they're piling up pretty quick.
Symptoms?
Weakness, high fever.
Chest and stomach pains.
Uh...
They have trouble breathing. Some of the extreme cases
have gone into shock before vala could even get to them.
It doesn't sound like we're dealing
with something transmitted from person to person. Not that fast.
We could be looking at a common source,
possibly water or food.
Oh, I'd—— I'd say we know the source.
Looks like these priors wanna show us they're gonna play hardball.
Well, they're definitely trying to establish some credibility, sir.
How are you and your team, colonel?
Yeah, we're fine,
but I reckon we could use some backup.
On the way, colonel.
Thank you, sir.
You all right?
No.
(Sighs)
You can do this.
I'm not so sure.
I know using that hand device must be taking a lot out of you,
but we really, really need your help right now.
Each one is getting harder.
Each time it takes longer.
And they keep coming. I don't think I can save this whole village, Daniel.
You have to keep trying.
Mitchell on radio: Jackson, we got a problem here.
Give me a minute.
Now, please.
He was just fine.
Well, he's not fine now.
I healed him.
If they can get reinfected, this will never end.
Azdak: We must give in.
(Sobbing) They're too powerful.
No.
It's okay, I'm here.
Carolyn... I'm chiefmedical officer on this base.
It's my call who goes on this mission.
Given my work with the CDC, infectious disease is my specialty.
I am easily the most qualified for this.
I know. I'm your dad.
I just came by to wish you luck,
and be careful.
Thank you.
I will.
Hang in there. Don't give up yet.
Hey, thanks for coming.
This is worse than I thought.
Yeah, they're falling pretty fast.
We're gonna need a place to work.
This way.
(Clears throat)
What?
This is not working anymore.
I'm sorry.
(Sighing) You have to keep trying.
I mean, at least put on a show,
keep their hopes up.
I mean, we know you can do that.
See, this is exactly why I never even think about trying to help people.
I'm terrible at it.
Because of me, these poor souls are either gonna die horribly
or they're gonna give in to the prior
in the hopes that he'll heal them.
It's not because of you.
I cannot make them better.
And if! Hadn't have been so worried about my precious treasure,
I would never have opened my big fat mouth
and we never would've come here.
Then these people would still have to either convert to origin
or face the consequences.
That's a dilemma the rest of our galaxy
is also gonna have to worry about.
May I speak with you?
I've pretty much ruled out bacterial infection at this point.
I'm treating with an antiviral cocktail.
We're just gonna have to wait and see.
Any idea why the hand device seems to have lost its effectiveness?
First, I'd have to understand even remotely how that thing works.
I do know it's not unheard of
for viruses to mutate and become immune
to whatever's trying to attack it.
Obviously, in this case we're dealing
with something more than just a garden—variety super bug.
All right, I don't know if this helps or not.
But we know the ancients were almost wiped out by a similar plague.
I'm just bringing it up in case there's something in the research
that's already been done.
You think the ori gave it to them?
I am aware that sg—I was infected with a virus
and then cured by an ancient found frozen down in Antarctica.
The symptoms and rate of progression here are remarkably similar.
Do you have any hypotheses as to why we have not been affected?
No, we're still looking at your blood work.
Excuse me.
Feel my forehead. Am I hot?
Hotter than usual?
Well, you know what I mean.
I'm sorry.
I'm sure you know how much I wanted to walk in here
and solve this.
Hey, you wanted to be a doctor.
I've seen some bad situations before, but nothing like this.
And based on that comparison,
what's your prognosis?
If we don't make a big breakthrough really soon,
these people are gonna need a miracle.
Woman on radio: Dr. Lam, you're needed immediately.
I have to go. Lam out.
This is bad, right?
The virus is shutting down his internal organs.
He can't process toxins within his own system.
He's essentially being poisoned to death.
Can't give him more medicine?
As it is, this may be the virus bouncing back against treatment.
I hate having to say this,
but there's nothing I can do.
Time ofdeath, 14 hours, 18 minutes
after preliminary symptoms were first noted.
Remove the body and prep for autopsy.
Could I have a minute with him first?
This is the first, not the last.
I've gotta get back to colonel Mitchell.
You did everything you could.
Vachna: He has returned!
The prior of the ori has returned!
You go ahead, Daniel.
Please, you must save us.
Forgive those blinded by ignorance.
People are dying. Our children are dying.
They will believe. They do believe.
Still not all of you.
They are not of us.
They do not speak for us.
Why are you doing this?
From the smallest seed ofdoubt
Springs forth a mighty, poisonous tree of evil.
Yeah, all right, cut the crap.
This is my fault, all right?
I'm the one who told these people
if they didn't bow down to you,
bow down to the ori,
you mightjust give up and go away. Well, I was wrong.
I understand now.
You don't have to kill them to prove a point to me.
Do you truly understand?
I understand this isn't about you and me.
It is about all the children of the ori.
Vala: Enough.
Heal these people now.
Jackson: Vala... no, Daniel, I've had it with the ori.
I think it's time we sent them a message.
Or will you heal them?
Only their faith can heal them now.
Then you are useless to us.
(People screaming)
Stop at once!
Please, do not let their evil deeds doom us.
We all bow to the power of the ori.
Hallowed are the ori.
All: Hallowed are the ori.
Colonel?
(Groaning)
Wow, have you got a couple of aspirin?
Dr. Lam.
How are you feeling?
Tingly.
How about we pretend I didn't say that?
Okay. You hang on, and I'll be right back.
Hey, what did I miss?
Oh, my god.
That's not all. Look.
(People chattering)
Tell others what you have seen today.