Stargate: SG-1
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Summary by Cyber Predator

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SG-1 learn the true nature of the Goa'uld sarcophagus

SG-1 observe a group of Goa'uld priests and Jaffa guards exporting a shipment of naquida through the Stargate. When one of the group, Shyla, the native princess, leaves the area and goes into the forest Jackson follows her, reluctantly accompanied by the rest of SG-1. When Shyla comes to a cliff she attempts to commit suicide but Jackson prevents her. Jaffa hear Shyla screaming and arrest SG-1, who are brought before Shyla's father Pyrus, called the God-Slayer.

Jackson insists the group are only peaceful explorers, but Pyrus does not believe their story. He sentances SG-1 to work in the naquida mines for the alleged attack. Carter insists neither Pyrus nor any of the 'Jaffa' are Goa'uld hosts; since becoming host to Jolinar (In the Line of Duty), Carter has been able to detect the presence of Goa'uld. When SG-1 attempt to escape from the mines that night, it fails and Jackson is caught in a rockwall collapse.

Shyla uses a Goa'uld sarcophagus to heal Jackson, much to her father's disapproval as the naquida mine is nearly empty. Taking Jackson for a walk around the planet, Shyla explains that her now-deceased mother promised that a man would come from beyond the sun to be her lover, and she believes Jackson is this man. Shyla attempted to take her own life as she believed Jackson would never come, and did not tell her father of the true events when SG-1 were captured as he would not understand. Jackson goes to the naquida mine, informing SG-1 he is safe and that he will attempt to free his comerades diplomatically at dinner that night. "You get dinner?" Carter asks dreamily.

Pyrus explains that 700 years ago he killed the Goa'uld who ruled over his planet, his life sustained by the Goa'uld sarcophagus. People must work in the mines and export the naquida, Shyla explains, "so the other evil gods won't come". Jackson realises that since defeating the ruling Goa'uld, Pyrus ran a masquerade; humans posed as Jaffa and Goa'uld priests and continued to export the naquida so the Goa'uld would not know of the overthrow. Pyrus and the others are hostile towards outsiders as they fear being discovered, the punishment for their deception almost certainly being death. Jackson is unable to convince the disagreeable Pyrus to free the remainder of SG-1.

Shyla is deliberately hindering Jackson's progress, he realises, so that the two can have more time together. When Jackson continues not to return Shyla's affection, she suspects he has not fully recovered from the rockwall collapse and insists he spend some more time in the sarcophagus; "You will feel better than you have ever felt!", she says. Later, when Jackson goes to see the rest of SG-1 again, he is obviously not the same; Daniel is obsessed with the effects of the sarcophagus if used when one is already healthy, spending minimal time on other topics. Jackson comments he fells like he can do anything, but O'Neil warns he only has to free the group from the mine so they can return to Earth. Jackson reacts almost violently to O'Neil's warning, insisting O'Neil never respects him and that he can handle the situation.

As she sleeps, Carter receives visions of Jolinar, who warns the Tok'Re do not use the Goa'uld sarcophagus as it takes away one's soul. When O'Neil, obviously in bad physical condition, sees Jackson the addled Egyptologist explains the group will be able to leave the next day as he agreed to marry Shyla. Just before the group depart, a frail Pyrus enters the Goa'uld sarcophagus even though recently it has not been healing him. As SG-1 return to SGC, Jackson gives Shyla a long farewell kiss.

Though Jackson insists he feels fine, Dr Frasier finds gross abnormalities in Daniel's system. Carter likens the sarcophagus's effects to a narcotic; useful if in small enough doses but dangerous if used excessively. Jackson does indeed look like he is in need of a 'hit' from the sarcophagus, as he is very impatient to return to Shyla and is becoming very irritable. Eventually, Jackson's condition worsens and he passes out. Frasier finds that Daniel's cellular functions have simply shut down, and both Jackson and Teal'c insist the sarcophagus is the only way to keep him alive. Carter strongly disagrees, suggesting they wait for Jackson's condition to improve.

Jackson's condition soon improves, but his need for the sarcophagus soon forces him to escape his confinement cell. O'Neil, however, manages to negotiate with a crazed Jackson into giving up and waiting for the effects of the sarcophagus to wear off. When Jackson recovers, he suggests returning to Shyla's homeworld. Since the naquida mine was already low, it is unlikely the Goa'uld will notice if the shipments stop.

Jackson returns to Shyla, finding Pyrus dead in the sarcophagus. Shyla has also come to terms with the fact Jackson does not love her, but Daniel says she can still rule without turning into the tyrant Pyrus became; they must destroy the Goa'uld sarcophagus. A reluctant Shyla uses a Goa'uld staff to destroy the sarcophagus.

Commentary by Cyber Predator
We've always known about the Goa'uld's sarcophagus, which is such an effective healing machine that it can ressurect some patients. It has often been used by SG-1, often when there's no other way to save the team member, which is almost always Daniel Jackson. And in this episode, Jackson is healed by the sarcophagus yet again.

But in this episode, we're given a double-edged sword view of the sarcophagus; while it does heal extremely effectively, it can make people addicted to its effects, and it the sarcophagus is used too often it becomes useless. Captain Carter's theory that the effects of the sarcophagus could be the cause of the Goa'uld being as bad as they are also leaves a lasting effect on your mind.

This episode also has the most references to In the Line of Duty (sigh) thus far; the last reference being in The Gamekeeper where we learn that Jolinar's presence has left at least some effect on Carter. Here, we learn that Carter can experience flashbacks involving Jolinar's memories, and can detect the presence of Goa'uld. The only major effect this fact will have on an episode won't be until The Tok'Re saga.

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