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stargatefan.com : episodes > season 2 > next episode : to'kra part 2

Images from prior episodes play out in rapid succession: Carter on the planet Nasya, when she unwillingly became host to Jolinar in the heat of battle; a discussion of who Jolinar was - a member of the Tok'ra resistance who oppose the System Lords; Jolinar's attack by the Ashrak, Goa'uld assassin; how Jolinar gave its life to save Sam; finally to when Sam's father, Jake Carter, revealed that he had cancer.

Now, a foggy image reveals a battle taking place within surreal, sparkling tunnels. The combatants appear to be Jaffa and a strange, unknown people - men and women in various forms of dress. Some are defending themselves with staff weapons. There is much confusion and screaming. A man approaches imploring, "We have to activate the Chiaapa-ai, quickly Jolinar!" The view continues from Jolinar's perspective, as a DHD is approached and the symbols punched in. The Gate is activated. The people flee from the intense fighting. Jolinar steps in front of a mirror, and its reflection reveals Carter in a flowing pink dress! Next, Sam Carter sits up abruptly, gasping to General Hammond, "I think I might have found something!" She is in a laboratory with brain wave electrodes taped to her forehead.

In the briefing room, SG-1 and General Hammond discuss what Carter has experienced. Jack wonders if it was just a dream. Sam is certain it is real, but she is unable to explain how or why. Teal'c adds that portions of Jolinar of Malkshur may remain in Carter's mind, from when they were joined as one. Sam is insistent that the Tok'ra in her vision were on the run and might need help. She feels SG-1 should go find them, now. Daniel questions her further, "Now, you said their eyes glowed. Are you really sure these Tok'ra are what Jolinar said they were? Good guys, for lack of a better word?" "Yes!" Sam replies without hesitation. Jack needs more elaboration, but Sam can only tell him that she is absolutely sure the Tok'ra are good. Teal'c tries to help Jack understand, "According to Jaffa legend, the Tok'ra are the Goa'uld resistance. Their stated goal is the destruction of the System Lords, and a change in the ways of the empire. They are hunted as spies by the Goa'uld." Jack responds, "Yes! My kind of guys!" Gen. Hammond will send SG-1 to the coordinates Sam saw in her vision, if O'Neill agrees. Sam again states her confidence that she is correct. Jack decides to check it out.

Sam takes time to phone her Dad in the hospital, to let him know she'll be on an assignment for awhile. She is worried about his condition. He tells her he's fine, but she doesn't buy it. Sam confides to Gen. Hammond that this is the first time she's left on a mission feeling she might miss something important while gone. Hammond offers to replace her. She reminds him that on this one, she's not replaceable. Holding back tears, Sam lets Hammond know that her Dad is always concerned with being the strong soldier. He wouldn't want her to see him losing a battle. General Hammond tells her she's more like her father than she'd be willing to admit.

The team exits the Stargate to a desert-like landscape. Teal'c can see no evidence of the Tok'ra, in fact it seems as if no one has been near the Gate in some time. O'Neill responds, "Where's that yellow brick road when you need it, eh Dorothy?" Teal'c appears confused, but doesn't bother to ask. As they explore, the team is sure no one has been by there in awhile. Teal'c tells them the Tok'ra are known for their ability to mask their trails. Suddenly, many hooded warriors jump out of hiding in the dunes. They literally seem to appear out of thin air! They surround SG-1, staff weapons leveled and armed. O'Neill asks his team, "Good guys or bad guys?" A leader of the attacking group approaches O'Neill and states "We mean you no harm, but I warn you, if you make any aggressive moves, we will fire upon you!" "Same here!" Jack answers. The leader calmly responds "Then we will have the advantage, there are more of us!" Another of the strangers approach Teal'c, anger and hatred apparent in his voice, "This one is a Jaffa! Apophis sect!" Teal'c tells him he no longer serves Apophis, that he is allied with the Tau'Ri, in battle against Apophis. Jackson adds, "And all other Goa'uld." Sam warns him, "Careful Daniel, they ARE Goa'uld!" The leader becomes agitated at this, "Do NOT call us that!" His eyes glow and his voice resonates. "We are not Goa'uld!" Jack hesitates, his fingers twitching nervously on the trigger of his gun.

General Hammond receives word from Jacob Carter and goes to join him. Apparently bad news.

The standoff in the desert world continues. "You know, in some galaxies this is called loitering. How long can we keep it up?" Jack asks to break the tension. Sam recognizes the man who spoke to Teal'c, "Martouf!" He does not know her. Sam tells him she knew someone who knew him, and his name was Jolinar of Malkshur. Sam goes on to tell them that Jolinar died saving her life. Daniel adds, "That's why we are here, to seek the Tok'ra." The people are not willing to say who they are, but ask what if they were the Tok'ra? SG-1 tells them they wish to form an alliance, to become friends. Sam reveals that she is already certain they are the Tok'ra. Martouf is willing to listen to them. The leader signals for the warriors to put down their weapons. Jack is cautiously encouraged, and asks, "Take me to your leader!" When asked to surrender his weapons, Jack is unwilling to do so. The rest of SG-1 is willing to take the chance and believe Sam's certain knowledge that they will not be harmed by the Tok'ra. Jack unwillingly agrees. His remaining doubts show clearly on his face, as he shakes his head and hands over his weapons. Martouf asks them to come closer together, and as they form a small circle, transport rings come up from the sand and bring them deep underground. They materialize inside of a shiny, silver tunnel, much like those in Sam's vision. Teal'c had heard of the Tok'ra's ability to grow tunnels. Jack asks Sam what she knows of Martouf. She is only able to verbalize some kind of strong bond.

At the U.S.A.F. Academy Hospital, Gen. Hammond visits Jacob Carter. The cancer has progressed to his liver. He doesn't have much more time. Jacob doesn't want George to recall his daughter from her mission, as he senses it is very important. He does ask one final favor though; he wants to know what Sam is doing. Hammond responds, "You know it's classified!" "They're telling me I don't have much time left. Who am I gonna tell? God?" Jake Carter weakly asks. Hammond clearly wants to tell his friend, but can only shake his head and tell him he's sorry.

SG-1 is led into a large, crystal-lined room. "People of the Tau'Ri! Let me introduce Grand Counsel Garshaw of Belote" the leader announces. Teal'c recognizes her as the most hunted Goa'uld of all time! She indicates that she does not want to be referred to as Goa'uld. Jack wants to know what they should call her, and she ignores his question. "I assume you are from the first world, the Tau'Ri?" Garshaw asks. "Yup!" Jack responds. She goes on to ask Jack if they are among those who rid the galaxy of the Supreme System Lord, Ra? Jack again admits, "Yes, that's us!" She tells them that in a sense they are Tok'ra! Daniel finally makes the connection, "Of course! Tok'ra - against Ra!" At last Garshaw admits, "We too are Tok'ra!" "Finally!" Jack exclaims. Sam begins to tell them how Jolinar took her as a host during battle. Martouf is upset to learn that Jolinar's host had been killed.

Jacob Carter is receiving cardiac shock. The doctor tells Hammond he could have 5 days or 5 minutes left, and strongly suggests contacting family members.

"If you are not a voluntary host, how do we know you did not kill Jolinar yourself?" interrogates the Tok'ra leader. Sam responds, "I didn't! You're going to have to trust us on that!" "And why should we trust you?" the leader continues. This confrontational remark sets off O'Neill as he shouts; "I've been asking myself the same damn question! You are, after all, Goa'ulds!" Daniel motions to Jack to stop talking, but he waves him off. "Now, are we prisoners and are you Goa'ulds?" Jack demands. Garshaw responds angrily, "You are not! And we are not Goa'ulds!" Jack really needs some answers and continues "Then why do you talk like that? Might it have something to do with a little reptilian activity in your heads?" "We have symbiotic creatures within us - yes!" Garshaw counters. "Well, then!" Jack retorts. Daniel jumps in to calm things down, "Well, then you can see how we might think you are a danger to humans. You take humans as hosts!" Garshaw explains that Tok'ra do not take hosts. Theirs wish to be so. It is truly symbiotic. Daniel wants to know why a person would want to volunteer to be a host for a Goa'uld. Yosef, Garshaw's host, comes forward to speak. Her demeanor is friendlier, more soft-spoken, "All of us who serve as hosts volunteer to do so freely. With the blending I gain all of Garshaw's knowledge, wisdom, and my life span is twice what it would be without the blending - all I have to do is share my physical body!" This symbiotic relationship is what makes Tok'ra different from Goa'uld.

They are invited to travel to another chamber, still accompanied by guards, where an aged woman lies on a bed, being tended to by others. Yosef announces "Allow me to introduce Selmak." "Her host's name is Sarouche. She is one of the oldest and wisest among us" Martouf lovingly explains. She is 203 years old and is very ill. The Tok'ra don't live as long as Goa'uld, because they don't use the sarcophagus. Martouf explains, "We believe to do so would drain the good from our hearts." "I can vouch for that!" Daniel comments. The numbers of Tok'ra don't increase because they don't take new hosts by force. "Zero or negative population growth" Sam notes. Yosef tells them Selmak will die, unless one of them wishes to volunteer to serve as a host! There is a moment of stunned silence, then Jack responds, "I'm gonna pass on that!" Daniel offers, "It sounds fascinating, but it's a little too long term for me." Sam appears very uncomfortable and says "I'm sorry, I've already been through that!" Yosef says they didn't mean to upset them by suggesting they become hosts. Jack is OK with it, as long as they take no for an answer. Daniel seems very subdued, arms folded across his chest almost as if he's cold, closed off, confrontational yet withdrawn. Yosef is now very confused. She can not understand why they have sought out the Tok'ra and yet are disgusted at the thought of becoming hosts. Daniel reminds her that they want to form an alliance. She haughtily responds "What sort of an alliance can a non-blended human and the Tok'ra want to have?" The rest of SG-1 offer their ideas ranging from: friendship to sharing information to engaging in battle side-by-side. Yosef transforms in Garshaw "I don't believe you can be of any service to us! You are neither strong enough, nor advanced enough!" Teal'c tells her she is incorrect! They had destroyed 2 Goa'uld mother ships! Garshaw is beside herself "That was you! We had operatives that died aboard those vessels!" Yosef is quick to return. She claims she will try to convince the Council of Tok'ra to meet with them. As Yosef leaves, guards block SG-1's path. Jack again asks if they are prisoners. Yosef happily responds that they haven't yet decided what level of information to entrust to them, so they are not free to roam the facility freely.

Martouf invites Sam for a walk on the surface. Over Jack's reluctance, Sam insists she needs to go with him. "OK son! But I want you to have her back by eleven o'clock - you understand?" Jack quips. Martouf corrects Sam as they walk and discuss Jolinar, "He was a she! Actually, the symbiote does not have a gender, but Jolinar has always been in female hosts!" As they explore more of whom and what Jolinar was, Martouf's symbiote, Lantash, reveals himself. Lantash tells Sam that Jolinar was his mate for nearly 100 years! Sam wonders if she was Martouf's mate or Lantash's mate. He simply states "Both!" Martouf then appears to explain "Ours is a truly symbiotic relationship, what one feels the other feels as well. We love as one, and we mourn as one." Sam is curious about Jolinar's host. Martouf smiles, "Jolinar's host, Roshan, was very beautiful - very much like you, Captain Carter! You'd make a lovely new host for Selmak." Sam turns away. It's been hard enough on her, she wants nothing to do with another symbiote! Confusing Sam even more are the deep feelings she has for Martouf. It's as if she has had a deep relationship with him for 100 years! It is much more real, more deeply felt, than a simple memory of someone else's experiences. Martouf takes Sam's hand, and asks her to communicate her feelings in another way, without words. As their hands caress each other, Daniel and a number of Tok'ra guards appear. "Sam!" Daniel blurts out. His expression is surprised, worried and almost repulsed at seeing Martouf and Sam. "Learning a lot about Jolinar?" "Yeah! You'd be surprised how much!" Sam answers. Daniel tells her that the Tok'ra Council has agreed to meet with them.

Back in the tunnels, Garshaw/Yosef explains how the Tok'ra use crystals to grow the tunnels. Jack sees the Tok'ra leader who first met them on the surface, leave the group. Out of curiosity, Jack follows him. He removes a golden, metallic orb from inside an ornate golden box. He reacts to Jack's approach, and puts it away. He tells Jack this is not the way to the Council chambers, they are his private quarters. "Not very private!" Jack comments. "The Tok'ra hold no secrets from each other. There is no need for doors or partitions" the leader explains.

Jack rejoins the group as they observe an area of newly growing crystal caverns. The walls shimmer, crack and groan softly as the opening grows before them. They are transfixed. Garshaw brings them into the Council chamber "People of the Tau'Ri, allow me to introduce the Grand Council of the Tok'ra!" The Council proceeds to tell SG-1 news they don't want to hear. "We have reviewed your proposal for an alliance between our peoples. We would like you to understand our situation. We are an illegal resistance group within the Goa'uld. We are the most hated enemies of the System Lords!" Teal'c tells them the secrets of the Tok'ra would never be revealed. The Council members continue "Not intentionally! You might be followed... tortured... spies might be introduced into your midst. Tell us what you have to offer us that is of sufficient value to justify our exposure!" The discussion is interrupted as Martouf whispers something to Garshaw, and she reacts strongly to SG-1 "Bring them in!" Her eyes glow intensely, "What are you people planning?" Jack is baffled, "Beg your pardon?" Garshaw continues "The Chiaapa-ai just activated and brought forth these!" SG-3 enters! Jack approaches Col. Makepeace "What are you doing here?" Makepeace responds "We were sent to extract Captain Carter. It's your father, Captain, he is in serious condition." Jack turns to face the Council, "You have to let her go home!" Garshaw tells him she is sorry, but she can not do that. "We have made our decision. We cannot accept your request for an alliance!" SG-1 is told they must remain with the Tok'ra until they decide to move to another planet. They have become a security risk. Sam is viewed as the highest risk of all, because she has the memories of Jolinar. Teal'c confronts Garshaw "Those behind on the Tau'Ri also know of this planet!" The Council feels that their lack of return will convince the Tau'Ri that they are in fact Goa'uld and not the Tok'ra. Daniel states the obvious "You want them to think we're dead!" Jack adds "Well, that kinda sucks!" Garshaw calmly responds to their protests "We will try to make you as comfortable as possible." The Council members exit as the guards step forward. SG-1 and SG-3 are left with nothing to say.

To Be Continued. . .

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