Anakin follows Asajj Ventress to Yavin 4, where he is quickly joined by a number of clone troopers sent by Obi-Wan – whom Asajj is nearly as quick in eliminatng.
story by Bryan Andrew, Darrick Bachman, Paul Rudish and Genndy Tartakovsky
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul Dinletir
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
Anakin and Asajj duel in the jungles of Yavin 4.
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul Dinletir
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
From the jungles to the top of a Massassi temple, an ever-more-aggressive Anakin takes the fight to Asajj Ventress.
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul Dinletir
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
Anakin returns to Muunilinst, where Obi-Wan is overseeing mop-up operations. Kenobi receives a distress call from a number of Jedi on the planet Hypori, who are under siege from a ferocious new droid general.
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul DinletirNotes: This chapter was slightly longer than Volume 1’s typical three-minute episodes, and featured the first look at the character of General Grievous.
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
Scorpius, now in command of a Peacekeeper fleet, launches an unauthorized surprise attack against a Scarran dreadnaught that is quickly met with an official declaration of war – a war the Peacekeepers’ high commander does not believe they can win. Scorpius, with assistance from Sikozu, has developed new tactics that might give the Peacekeepers a chance, but he is soon distracted by another possibility. After two months of searching, Rygel has managed to collect every last piece of the crystallized Crichton and Aeryn. Chiana and Stark bring Grunchlik and a Diagnosan to the water planet. The Diagnosan has already given Chiana new eyes, and soon he is able to restore Crichton and Aeryn to health as well – a fact which Harvey immediately reports to Scorpius. He immediately pulls his carrier out of the battle and heads to the water planet; his arrival interrupts Crichton and Aeryn’s wedding as the planet’s inhabitants, who jealously guard their privacy, retreat into shelters inside their hidden city. The disruption has one positive effect: Noranti recognizes a symbol in one of the shelters and realizes that the water planet’s inhabitants are descended from the Eidolons, the ancient race of mediators that Moya’s crew brought out of stasis on Arnessk months before. With the galaxy descending into war – and all sides still after Crichton’s wormhole expertise – the crew decides on a desperate gambit: they will bring one of the descendants to Arnessk and ask the Eidolons to train him and his people in their ways of conciliation, in hopes that they will then be able to initiate a settlement.
Before they can proceed, there is one small complication: a medical check reveals that Aeryn is no longer pregnant. When Rygel was bringing the pieces up from the ocean floor in his stomachs, the fetus decided to stick around. The Diagnosan says they’ll have to wait a while to transfer the fetus back to Aeryn – but not too long, since the child is growing at an accelerated rate. The Diagnosan gives them the equipment to make the transfer, and they’re on their way – with Scorpius and Sikozu in tow at D’Argo’s behest, in order to help Moya get past Peacekeeper patrols. Unfortunately, Scorpius’s desertion renders that advantage null, leading to a firefight aboard the Leviathan. On Arnessk, Crichton gets an enthusiastic greeting from Jool, and after some discussion one of the Eidolon elders agrees to allow the descendant to begin his training while he returns to the water planet to teach the others. The elder’s departure from the planet is fortuitous, since a spy has relayed Moya’s location to the Scarrans, who destroy the temple and its inhabitants before they demand the crew surrender. D’Argo and Chiana leave Moya aboard a cloaked Lolan to wait for the opportunity to rescue the others, who find themselves to be less than comfortable guests of Staleek and Ahkna. The Eidolon is not yet ready to mediate; he must first study and understand the Scarrans. In order to buy time and ensure Rygel’s safety, Crichton takes Staleek in his module to the point where the Ancients explained the nature of wormholes. Einstein is not happy that Crichton has revealed his existence to Staleek, but Crichton doesn’t particularly care. He just wants Einstein to reaffirm that he doesn’t have the ability to create wormhole weapons. Einstein confirms this, and demonstrates the Ancients’ power over time as well.
Staleek’s departure gives Ahkna an opportunity to advance her position. She tries to ensure that Rygel dies in an “accident” before the emperor returns, and demonstrates to Aeryn and the others that Lolan’s cloaking technology is too primitive to fool the Scarrans by blowing up the vessel. Staleek’s return saves Rygel, but Chiana and D’Argo seem doomed as they float in space. A moment of hope emerges as the Eidolon makes a successful appeal to Staleek to negotiate, and an accord seems within reach. Ahkna remains out of the Eidolon’s influence, however, and breaks up the negotiations with a blast to the elder’s face. Stark absorbs the elder’s knowledge as he passes, but Staleek is not inclined to give him the chance to pass it on; the emperor seals the prisoners’ room and begins to fill it with an incapacitating gas.
written by David Kemper and Rockne S. O’Bannon
directed by Brian Henson
music by Guy GrossCast: Ben Browder (Commander John Crichton), Claudia Black (Officer Aeryn Sun), Anthony Simco (Ka D’Argo), Gigi Edgley (Chiana), Wayne Pygram (Scorpius), Lani Tupu (voice of Pilot), Paul Goddard (Stark), David Franklin (Captain Braca), Tammy McIntosh (Jool), Raelee Hill (Sikozu), Melissa Jaffer (Noranti), Rebecca Riggs (Commandant Grayza), Francesca Buller (Ahkna), Matt Newton (Jothee), Duncan Young (Staleek), John Bach (Einstein)
Notes: Crichton and Aeryn were crystallized in the series finale Bad Timing. The Eidolon temple was rescued in the season 4 two-parter What Was Lost. Crichton met the Ancient he dubbed Einstein in the season 4 episode Unrealized Reality.
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
Sikozu ignites the gas to begin the group’s escape, while a group of Luxan commandos led by Jothee – and with the advantage of modern stealth technology – picks up D’Argo and Chiana and launches an attack on the Scarran ship. During the escape, Crichton manages to transfer the fetus, successfully making Aeryn pregnant for the second time with the same child. On their way back to the water planet, Crichton concludes he’s out of options and takes the module to meet Einstein once more. This time, he wants all the restraints removed . . . now, he wants to know the secrets of wormhole weapons. Einstein agrees that it is time, even as he reminds Crichton that eventually, time ends.
On the water planet, Braca’s troops have tried to defend against Charrid attackers, but many of the Eidolon descendants have been killed. A small number remain, however, maybe even enough to do some good – if they can survive long enough. Stark transfers the ancient Eidolon’s knowledge to the leader of the surviving group. The Luxans and Moya’s crew prepare to join in the defense, and in the middle of the battle, Crichton and Aeryn’s child reveals he’s inherited his parents’ sense of timing. Mother and father finally say “I do” moments before baby makes three. The retreat from the water planet is not a bloodless one, as Scorpius discovers the identity of the Scarran spy and another of Moya’s crew perishes to ensure the others’ escape. Back on Moya, caught between the Scarrans and a Peacekeeper fleet led by Grayza, Crichton realizes the moment of truth has come: it is time to risk everything for one last opportunity for peace.
directed by Brian Henson
music by Guy GrossCast: Ben Browder (Commander John Crichton), Claudia Black (Officer Aeryn Sun), Anthony Simco (Ka D’Argo), Gigi Edgley (Chiana), Wayne Pygram (Scorpius), Lani Tupu (voice of Pilot), Paul Goddard (Stark), David Franklin (Captain Braca), Tammy McIntosh (Jool), Raelee Hill (Sikozu), Melissa Jaffer (Noranti), Rebecca Riggs (Commandant Grayza), Francesca Buller (Ahkna), Matt Newton (Jothee), Duncan Young (Staleek), John Bach (Einstein)
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
Clone troopers lead a rescue mission to Hypori, where only Ki-Adi-Mundi still stands against General Grievous. The reinforcements’ heavy firepower turns the tide of the battle, but despite Ki’s urgings, they are unable to pursue Grievous – the wounded need medical care too badly. Yoda has a vision of Qui-Gon Jinn and a boy Anakin preparing to face a psychological trial. Anakin and Padme continue to hide their marriage, much to Anakin’s frustration. Months later, the war continues, and the Council faces a shortage of Knights to lead the battles. Obi-Wan suggests that Anakin be knighted despite not having faced the formal Jedi trials, arguing that the events of the war have tested him enough. Mace Windu has reservations, but eventually Obi-Wan’s suggestion is accepted. Anakin Skywalker becomes a Jedi Knight.
Volume 2 Cast: Mat Lucas (Anakin Skywalker), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi/Agen Kolar/Turnstile Computer/Techno Union Scientist #2/Mutated Warrior #1), Tom Kane (Yoda), Grey DeLisle (Padme Amidala/Shaak Ti/Stass Allie/Nevanian Boy/Nelvaanian Woman/ Nelvaanian Child), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), T. C. Carson (Mace Windu/Saesee Tinn/Alien General), Andre Sogliuzzo (ARC Trooper/ARC Captain/Battle Droid/Clone Commander Cody/Clone Trooper/Captain Typho/Clone Pilot/Captain Fordo), Daran Norris (Ki-Adi-Mundi/Even Piell), Richard McGonagle (General Grievous/Kit Fisto/Nelvaanian Shaman/Nelvaanian Warrior), Frankie Ryan Manriquez (Young Anakin Skywalker), Fred Tatasciore (Qui-Gon Jinn/Oppo Rancisis), Corey Burton (Count Dooku), Nick Jameson (Supreme Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious/Main Techno Union Scientist)
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul DinletirNote: The episodes in Volume 2 of Clone Wars were roughly 12 minutes in length.
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
The newly-knighted Anakin and Obi-Wan lead the Republic to several victories, but the Clone Wars are still locked in stalemate. Mace and Palpatine send the pair to Nelvaan, a world that may hide Grievous’s base. Once they arrive at the frozen world, their efforts to track Grievous lead them into the path of a stampeding creature. Anakin defeats the creature, but that may not make the planet’s natives happy.
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul Dinletir
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
Having stretched out the Republic’s forces along the Outer Rim, Grievous launces a direct assault against Coruscant that includes a space and ground attack. Saesee Tiin takes charge of the Republic fleet while Mace and Yoda assist the troopers planetside. On Nelvaan, Obi-wan learns that most of the tribe’s male warriors have disappeared. The beast that Anakin killed was the quarry in a rite of passage for the tribe’s new would-be champion. When Obi-Wan realizes that their prophecies refer to a “ghost hand,” he suggests that Anakin attempt to find those responsible for the disappearance – a ritual that may also serve as the very last of Anakin’s Jedi trials, the test of his own psyche.
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul Dinletir
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
On Coruscant, the battle rages as the Jedi urge Chancellor Palpatine to retreat to his bunker. The Chancellor seems unconcerned – until General Grievous breaks into his office. On Nelvaan, Anakin finds a series of cave paintings that recount the legend of the “ghost hand” – a warrior who, in the fight against a dark power, was eventually consumed by that power. The paintings inspire a vision that suggests Anakin’s own future. Unnerved, the young Jedi continues his search – and finds members of the Techno-Guild conducting experiments to mutate and mechanize the Nelvaanian warriors.
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul Dinletir
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
The Jedi fight an all out battle to protect Palpatine – but Grievous and his droid bodyguards are too powerful and too numerous. Anakin frees the captured Nelvaanian warriors and exacts vengeance against the Techno-Guild scientists. After their mission is completed, Mace summons them back to Coruscant, as the battle continues . . .
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul DinletirNotes: The events of Clone Wars: Volume II are meant to lead directly into Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Anakin’s knighting, the beginning of the Battle of Coruscant and Palpatine’s kidnapping are also recounted in the prose novel “Labyrinth Of Evil.” Those attempting to reconcile these two accounts are advised to stock up on the headache medication of their choice.
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
The Clone Wars have come to the heart of the Republic. The Separatists, led by Count Dooku and the part-organic, part-droid General Grievous, have attacked the capital planet and kidnapped Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Obi-Wan Kenobi, now a Jedi Master, and his former apprentice Anakin Skywalker launch a rescue mission, flying their starfighters into the landing bay of Grievous’s command ship. With the help of Anakin’s resourceful astromech droid R2-D2, the two Jedi find the Chancellor, but before they can escape they are confronted by Dooku – also known as the Sith Lord Darth Tyranus. Dooku manages to knock Obi-Wan unconscious before the younger, more powerful Knight disarms him. Palpatine urges Anakin to kill Dooku, to the Sith Lord’s apparent surprise. He hesitates for a moment, torn between Dooku’s apparent defenselessness and his own desire to make Dooku pay for his actions in starting the war. In the end, vengeance wins, and Dooku dies.
The rescuers’ efforts to leave the ship are temporarily frustrated by Grievous’s troops, and in the ensuing fight the general escapes even as his command ship falls apart under a heavy barrage of Republic fire. After a crash landing, Obi-Wan leaves to report to the Jedi Council while Anakin receives a hero’s welcome from senators including Alderaan’s Bail Organa. He receives another kind of welcome altogether from his secret wife, Senator Padme Amidala. She is pregnant, a pregnancy she has been hiding since Anakin left for the sieges on the Outer Rim months ago. The shocked Anakin declares this the happiest moment of his life, although he soon has reason to reconsider. In his dreams, Padme dies in childbirth. A shaken Anakin asks Yoda for counsel; the Jedi Master urges Anakin not to fear death, to let go of the things he is afraid to lose. It is the one piece of advice the young Jedi can not take.
With Grievous’s escape, the war continues. The Senate prepares to transfer more emergency power to the chancellor, who has stayed past the end of his term of office to deal with the crisis. The Jedi, including Obi-Wan, distrust the politician; Palpatine, in turn, fears the Jedi may be acting to subvert the Republic. He appoints Anakin as his special representative to the Council – an appointment the Council reluctantly accepts, although Anakin’s seat on the Council will not come with the title of Jedi Master. This wound to his pride is only inflamed when Obi-Wan tells him, out of session, that the Council wants him to report on Palpatine’s activities. Palpatine senses the pull between Anakin’s loyalties, and offers criticism of the Council’s shortsightedness in not trusting him. Perhaps the Jedi and the Sith are not so unlike after all, he muses – both seeking to maintain their power. But at least the Sith are willing to fully explore the potential of the Force – including the ability to stop people from dying.
Grievous has retreated to the Utapau system, where the Sith Lord Darth Sidious commands him to send the Separatist leaders to the lava world of Mustafar for their safety. The clone armies intercept Grievous’s location, and Palpatine shares the intelligence with Anakin, offering his hope that the Council will send him to defeat the general. Instead, the Council decides that a Master’s experience is necessary. With Yoda already on Kashykkk aiding the Wookiees, the assignment falls to Obi-Wan. He and Anakin wish each other a fond farewell, with Obi-Wan assuring Anakin that the Council will soon see what he does: that Anakin has become a greater Knight even than Obi-Wan, and deserves the rank of Master. Obi-Wan and clone troops led by Commander Cody engage Grievous’s forces on Utapau; when Cody reports this to Mace Windu, the Jedi sends Anakin to tell Palpatine, hoping to learn something of the chancellor’s intentions through his reaction.
The plan works, but not in the way anyone foresaw. Palpatine urges Anakin to learn about the Dark Side of the Force from him – to gain the only knowledge that can save Padme. Anakin realizes the truth – Palpatine is the Lord of the Sith the Jedi have sought. He rushes to tell Mace, who assembles a group of Jedi to arrest the chancellor and tells Anakin – whose conflict and confusion are palpable – to remain in the Council chambers. As Palpatine awaits the Jedi’s arrival, he telepathically reminds Anakin that if the Jedi kill him, all hope of saving Padme dies with him. Finally, Anakin can wait no longer. He takes a speeder and rushes to the Chancellor’s office. By the time he arrives, Palpatine has managed to kill each of the Jedi except Mace, who kicks Palpatine’s saber out of a window. Palpatine begs for Anakin’s help; when he hesitates, Palpatine attacks Mace with Force lightning. As Mace blocks it, the feedback seems to wither the Sith Lord, whose face shrivels into a pale, worn shadow of itself. Despite Sidious’s protests of weakness, Mace believes he is too dangerous to be kept alive – but Anakin can not face that loss. As Mace prepares to deliver the killing blow, Anakin slices off his hand, giving Sidious – powerful as ever – the opportunity to destroy the Jedi Master. A horrified Anakin declares that he will do anything to save Padme – even pledge himself to the Dark Lord. Sidious christens his new apprentice Darth Vader, and declares that the time has come to wipe out all of the Jedi – even Obi-Wan.
On Utapau, Obi-Wan succeeds in killing Grievous. He meets briefly with Cody and sets off to lead the troops to higher ground. But at that moment, the clone commander receives a transmission from Lord Sidious, implementing Order 66. Cody orders his men to shoot down Obi-Wan, who plunges to the water below. Across the galaxy, clone troopers turn on their Jedi generals. In the Jedi Temple, Vader leads the clone troopers in their assault, destroying even the Jedi younglings. Senator Organa discovers the catastrophe, and desperately brings his cruiser into space to try and warn off and rescue as many Jedi as he can. But other than Obi-Wan, only Yoda has escaped, thanks to the assistance of the Wookiee general Tarfful and Chewbacca. The pair of Jedi return to the Temple and discover the horrifying truth – the Chosen One of prophecy has joined the Sith.
In the Senate chamber, Organa joins Padme just in time to see Palpatine declare the Jedi enemies to be destroyed, and reorganize the Republic into the Galactic Empire – all to thunderous applause. Later, in her apartment, Obi-Wan reveals Anakin’s treachery and asks if she knows where he is. The disbelieving senator lies and says no, even though Anakin revealed to her that Palpatine was sending him to Mustafar to end the war. Lord Vader does so, by destroying all of the Separatist leaders and deactivating their droid armies. Padme flies to Mustafar, accompanied only by C-3PO, to confront her husband, and discovers to her horror that Obi-Wan was right. Vader eagerly describes how he will save her life with his newfound power, and eventually overthrow the Emperor so that he and Padme can rule the galaxy and set things right. Horrified, Padme begs him to come with her, to run away and hide while they still can, but Vader refuses to listen – especially when Obi-Wan appears, having stowed away in Padme’s ship. The enraged Vader uses the Force to choke his wife to unconsciousness before he and his former master draw their lightsabers. “I will do what I must,” says Obi-Wan. “You’ll try,” Vader replies . . . and the duel begins.
On Coruscant, Yoda brushes aside two of the Emperor’s royal guards to confront Sidious in his office. Sidious gains the upper hand, but Yoda will not give up so easily. Soon, their sabers clash and they quickly make their way into the Senate chambers, leaping from pod to pod in search of any advantage. Sidious sends Yoda falling to the bottom of the chamber, and the Jedi Master barely escapes from a mass of clone troopers with Bail Organa’s help. Having failed to destroy the Emperor, Yoda readies himself for a life in exile. Sidious orders his troops to search for Yoda, but his attention turns elsewhere. He orders a shuttle readied, for his senses tell him that Lord Vader is in danger.
On Mustafar, the Dark Lord’s concern seems misplaced. Vader is stronger than Obi-Wan, and attacks relentlessly. Obi-Wan manages to parry the blows, but can not gain the upper hand. The battle rages out of the command center, and soon the two combatants are floating down a river of lava, using any available platform or footing to stay out of the burning flow. As Vader presses the attack, Obi-Wan manages to leap from his platform onto higher ground. He warns Vader not to try to follow him; Vader warns Obi-Wan not to underestimate his power. The Jedi’s warning turns out to be more prescient; as Vader leaps to the river bank, Obi-Wan slices off both legs and Vader’s undamaged hand. Vader screams his hatred, while the heartbroken Jedi picks up Vader’s lightsaber and walks away – unable to look as Vader’s body catches fire and is consumed by flames.
Obi-Wan brings the still unconscious Padme to the medical facility at Polis Massa. Medical droids discover that while her body is physically fine, her spirit is fading – she has apparently lost the will to live. Obi-Wan stands by Padme as her twin children are born. She names then Luke and Leia; then with her final breath turns to Obi-Wan and insists that somewhere, there is still good in the heart of the man who was once Anakin Skywalker.
On Mustafar, Sidious finds Vader, barely alive, and brings him to Coruscant, where droids attach new mechanical limbs and place his body in a life support suit. As a skull-like mask is placed on Vader’s head, the sounds of mechanical breathing echo through the room. His first words ask of Padme’s fate; his master tells him that she is dead, at his hand. The Sith Lord’s grief and rage wreaks havoc on the chamber. Eventually he emerges to the bridge of an Imperial cruiser to stand beside Sidious and observe the initial stages of construction of an immense battle station.
As Padme is laid to rest on Naboo, Bail Organa and the two remaining Jedi plan their next move. Organa places C-3PO and R2-D2 in the care of Alderaan’s Captain Antilles, and orders that the protocol droid’s memory be wiped. He and his wife will adopt Leia. Obi-Wan will bring Luke to Tatooine, to live with his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru while Obi-Wan watches over him. Yoda will head into exile until the time is right. Until that time, Yoda has made a discovery – the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, killed over a decade ago, has found a way to retain his identity even as he became one with the Force after his death. He will share that knowledge with Yoda, who will share it with Obi-Wan. And together, they will wait for the time when a new hope emerges for freedom and justice in the galaxy.
written by George Lucas
directed by George Lucas
music by John WilliamsCast: Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Natalie Portman (Padme Amidala), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious), Jimmy Smits (Bail Organa), Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Christopher Lee (Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus), Frank Oz (voice of Yoda), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Matthew Wood (voice of General Grievous), James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader)
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
The members of SG-1 have moved on to new assignments – Carter is now working at Stargate R&D full time. Teal’c has his hands full with the internal politics of the new Jaffa nation. Daniel Jackson is preparing to join the Daedalus on its trip to Atlantis. The SGC itself has a new leader, General Hank Landry. Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell arrives to join SG-1, eager to work with “the best of the best.” Critically injured leading the fighter squadron that protected SG-1 during Anubis’s assault in Antarctica, Mitchell was promised his choice of assignments by General O’Neill. But it falls to Landry to provide the details that O’Neill left out: Mitchell isn’t at SGC to join the existing team. He’s there to form and lead the new SG-1.
A disappointed Mitchell tries to convince the original team to reunite. Despite their gratitude and respect for Mitchell, he is unsuccessful – at least until Daniel’s old acquaintance Vala returns, claiming to have stolen a tablet that leads to an Ancient treasure. In order to ensure that she profits from the venture, Vala uses Goa’uld bracelets to link Daniel and her – neither can go very far from the other without falling ill. Having missed his trip on the Daedalus, Daniel turns his attention to the tablet. It suggests that the legend of Merlin and King Arthur has some link to the Ancients. The Prometheus‘ scanners find a large underground network of tunnels in England, hidden from Earth surveys by Ancient technology. Mitchell, Daniel, Vala and a visiting Teal’c ring into the complex and soon face a sword in a stone and a holographic message that their knowledge and character will be tested. And the consequence for failure is grave indeed.
Season 9 Regular Cast: Ben Browder (Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell), Amanda Tapping (Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter), Christopher Judge (Teal’c), Beau Bridges (General Hank Landry), Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson)
written by Robert C. Cooper
directed by Andy Mikita
music by Joel Goldsmith
excerpts written by Robert C. Cooper & Brad Wright
main theme adapted from music by David ArnoldGuest Cast: Claudia Black (Vala), Richard Dean Anderson (General Jack O’Neill), Obi Ndefo (Rak’nor), Gary Jones (Sgt. Walter Harriman), Bill Dow (Dr. Lee), Matthew Walker (Merlin), Tyler McClendon (Lt. Banks), Mar Andersons (Air Force Official), Claude Knowlton (Doctor), Wendy Russell (Nurse), Donna White (Crying Mother), Penelope Corrin, Alistair Abell, Robert Clarke (Science Candidates), Jason Benson, Sean Arnfinson (Military Candidates), Scott Owen (Technician), Michael Jonsson (F-302 Pilot)
Appearing in footage from “Lost City, Part 2”: Tony Amendola (Bra’tac), Don S. Davis (General Hammond)
Notes: Mitchell was injured in the seventh-season finale Lost City, Part 2; his flashbacks are a combination of excerpts from that episode and new footage. Jackson first encountered Vala in the eighth season episode Prometheus Unbound. Sam Carter’s reduced role in this episode is due to Amanda Tapping taking some time off after the birth of her daughter. Beginning with this episode, the opening title sequence was cut to a brief 10-second clip with the actor credits over the episode itself during Sci Fi’s broadcasts. The series’ producers prepared a full one-minute title sequence for syndication and other uses.
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
Daniel solves the riddle contained in his chamber, allowing him to escape with Vala and provide Mitchell the hint that lets him solve his own puzzle. Having passed this test, Mitchell removes the sword from the stone – at which point an energy construct of a knight forms and begins dueling the colonel. Teal’c attempts to come to Mitchell’s aid, but the sword passes through his hands – no one else can wield it. The knight gets the best of Mitchell, but when Teal’c attempts to lift him up in order to evacuate him, Mitchell recalls his rehabilitation and refuses to surrender until his enemy is vanquished. The chamber itself then begins to crumble, until Mitchell returns everything to its rightful place and the treasure of Avalon appears.
In addition to the usual gold and buried loot, the vault includes an old text which suggests that the race that evolved into the Ancients was once called the Alterans, and traveled to Earth from a distant world. The team also finds an Ancient device which appears to work with the communication stones such as those that once linked Jack O’Neill’s consciousness with another man. Daniel theorizes that when used with the new device, the stones might allow someone to contact the original home world of the Ancients’ forebearers. He and Vala place the two stones into the device and quickly fall unconscious. Dr. Lam, the SGC’s new chief doctor, reports to General Landry that the two appear to be in something resembling a dream state. When Landry asks the doctor how she’s adjusting to her new position, she admits that it takes some getting used to – even moreso because it involves serving under Landry.
Teal’c returns to Dakara to find that a Jaffa named Gerak is close to cementing his hold on the High Council. Teal’c’s friend Rak’nor wonders why he continues to risk losing his influence by spending so much time with the humans. Teal’c responds that beyond his understanding that the humans played a major role in helping the Jaffa win their freedom, there is the strategic fact that knowledge of the Ancients proved vital in defeating the Goa’uld and the Replicators and will likely continue to be useful going forward. Whatever the merits of the argument might be, they aren’t enough to stop Gerak’s ascension to leadership.
In another galaxy, Daniel and Vala find that their consciousnesses now inhabit the bodies of a married couple, Harrid and Sallis, on a world whose technology and culture resemble medieval Earth – a far cry from their expectations. Their first instinct is to try to fit in to their surroundings, so they join their fellow villagers during a lengthy worship service to the native’s deities, the Ori. A fellow worshipper named Fannis invites them to a secret meeting in hushed tones – their first sign that their “hosts” are not ordinary villagers. Another comes when Vala finds two communications stones hidden in the bedroom. And yet another comes when Fannis shows up at their door, obviously worried about all their safety. Daniel and Vala explain the truth behind their strange behavior, and in turn Fannis explains that all three of them are members of a secret groups of researchers, looking for clues as to their people’s past and evidence that the sacred texts passed down by the Ori are not completely accurate. Daniel and Vala’s odd behavior has already begun to draw suspicion to them – and when Vala fails to observe the proper rituals, the situation quickly spirals out of control. Daniel must watch as Sallis is sentenced to trial by flames; as her body is consumed, the doctors at SGC are unable to save Vala’s physical body or retrieve her consciousness. But more powerful forces may yet intervene.
directed by Andy Mikita
music by Joel GoldsmithGuest Cast: Claudia Black (Vala), Bill Dow (Dr. Lee), Lexa Doig (Dr. Lam), Obi Ndefo (Rak’nor), Stephen Park (Harrid), April Amber Telek (Sallis), Paul Moniz de Sa (Fannis), Greg Anderson (Administrator), Mark Houghton (Prior Or Ori), Gary Jones (Sgt. Walter Harriman), Silya Wiggens (Therapist), Brahm Taylor (Villager), Nick Harrison (Knight)
Notes: O’Neill and the SGC discovered the nature of the communications stones in the eighth-season episode Citizen Joe.
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
Vala’s rescuer reveals himself as a Prior of the Ori, and uses alabaster rings to bring her and Daniel to Celestis, a city in the sky. There Daniel has time to study the Book of Origin and attempt to convine the Prior that they’re explorers and not really in the market for a new belief system. The Prior appears to be more interested in the idea that there are more unbelievers where they came from. Daniel manages to arrange an audience with the Doci, the enahnced human who ranks above the Priors. There he realizes that like the Anicents, the Ori have ascended to a higher level of existance. Unlike the Ancients, they want to guide other races there. Rather forcefully, if necessary. The Ancients had apparently hidden the existence of life in our galaxy from the Ori. But thanks to Daniel and Vala’s visit, the veil has been lifted. And the Ori are determined that all will be rescued from evil and led to enlightenment – or destroyed, lest they corrupt others.
At Stargate Command, General Landry interrupts Mitchell’s vigil over Daniel and Vala to ask him to investigate a report from an Earth anthropologist of an unknown missionary appearing through the Stargate on another planet. Mitchell and Landry discuss their concerns that in the power vacuum left behind by the Goa’uld, unscrupulous individuals might try to take advantage of the situation. Similar concerns motivate Landry to invite Gerak to a conference on Earth. Teal’c agrees to relay the invitation and shares his misgivings about Gerak. The Jaffa asceneded to leadership of his troops after an ally of Bra’tac and Teal’c, who shared their vision of a democratic Jaffa nation, mysteriously disappeared. There is no evidence linking Gerak to the disappearance . . . but Teal’c can not help but wonder.
Mitchell assumes his best down-home manner and introduces himself to the missionary – another Prior. When he mentions Earth, the Prior responds with Daniel’s name, prompting Mitchell to bring the Prior back to SGC at the same time that Landry’s meeting with Gerak is going not altogether smoothly. The Jaffa requests the opportunity to meet and possibly challege this would-be prophet, as they are understandably leery of anyone claiming godhood.
Daniel and Vala are returned to their village, presumably to lead the Ori to other nonbelievers. Reluctant to do so, they must nonetheless try to find another Ancient communication device in order to warn Earth. They resolve to set off alone, but Fannis insits on helping them, despite the risks. They are able to make contact with Stargate Command, but only briefly – then the Prior and the townspeople arrive to recapture them. This time both Harrid and Sallis are sentenced to perish in the flames – and unless Mitchell and Teal’c can find a way to disrupt the connection, Daniel and Vala will share their fate.
directed by Brad Turner
music by Joel GoldsmithGuest Cast: Claudia Black (Vala), Richard Dean Anderson (Maj. Gen. Jack O’Neill), Bill Dow (Dr. Lee), Lexa Doig (Dr. Lam), Louis Gossett, Jr. (Gerak); Gardiner Milla (Yat’yir), Mark Houghton (Prior Or Ori), Julian Sands (Doci), Larry Cedar (Prior #2), Paul Moniz De Sa (Fannis), Greg Anderson (Administrator), Gary Jones (Sgt. Walter Harriman), Stephen Park (Harrid), April Amber Telek (Sallis), Penelope Corrin (Dr. Lindsay)
Notes: This episode is considered the third part of a three-part episode, along with Avalon Parts 1 and 2.
LogBook entry by Dave Thomer
