Sacrifices

Sacrifices is the ninth episode of the eighth season of Stargate SG-1.

Plot
Teal'c and Bra'tac return from a visit with the Hak'tyl resistance, the former in a foul mood. He has just discovered that Rya'c is in love and has pledged to marry a young Hak'tyl woman in three days time. Teal'c not only believes that he is far too young, but that Rya'c did not consult his father makes him angrier.

Ishta arrives through the Stargate with urgent news: Hak'tyl may be compromised. She requests that haste be made to locate a new world for her people before Moloc finds out about the resistance. In the interim, General O'Neill agrees for their entire population to take up temporary residence at the SGC

Rya'c and Kar'yn, his bride-to-be, arrive with the scores of Hak'tyl, announcing to Col. Carter and Dr. Jackson that relocation will not change their wedding plans: they intend to marry among friends at the base.

Teal'c believes Ishta has been avoiding him, but she says that he must have no respect for her because Rya'c is marrying a warrior that is not worthy of his father's respect. Teal'c makes it clear that he simply believes he has too much life ahead to make such a rash decision so early, but Ishta argues that as Teal'c had no choice but to break away from his family to serve, he should not have authority for Rya'c not to do the same. Their opinions also differ on how to proceed in the war against the Goa'uld.

Carter reports that they have scouted a planet Ishta may be comfortable with, but that it will take about a week to set up a livable camp, meaning the wedding will still proceed on-base. Therefore, Bra'tac begins preparations, including a practice session of the ceremony. It is then that Rya'c and Kar'yn's beliefs are revealed to differ considerably. Kar'yn refuses to kneel before her would-be husband, and Rya'c is unable to put up with her aversions from the old ways.

Ishta receives a communication from Jaffa resistant to Moloc to convene in a summit on the new home world, as it will be the most secure location from the Goa'uld. In preparation for this meeting, she speaks to Kar'yn about the importance of the Jaffa men to make the war their priority above all other things. Bra'tac does the same with Rya'c.

At the summit the Jaffa soldiers report that the numbers of loyalists to their cause are growing too large to conceal. In order to prevent the risk of exposure prior to the fact, Moloc must be defeated soon. As Teal'c attempts to dissuade them from acting prematurely, their tent is swarmed with dozens of plasma blasts. Moloc's Imperial Guard have been alerted. Only Teal'c, Ishta and a Jaffa named Aron manage to escape in time.

As night falls, the three warriors spy Moloc's encampment. It is not yet known if he has joined his troops, but it is clear that survivors are being tortured for information, their cries piercing the darkness. They move off to a safe distance to rest. While alone, Teal'c and Ishta discuss the possibility that Aron might be the infiltrator who told Moloc of the meeting. Teal'c encourages her to rest and takes first watch.

When daylight comes Aron wakes Teal'c and asks where Ishta has gone. But it is too late. She has been captured and now faces Moloc. Aron believes Teal'c is weak for carrying feelings for Ishta and wants to take Moloc immediately. To insure that he cannot betray him, Teal'c zats him and takes his staff weapon.

While Ishta is tortured by Moloc's hand device, S.G.C. makes plans to send a UAV to the planet to drop tretonin for Teal'c and target the Jaffa back at the Stargate. However, it is shot from the sky, five hundred meters from his location. When he arrives he gathers the tretonin, but it is soon obvious that he has been tracked by the Imperial Guard. After a failed attempt to prove to them their freedom, Aron arrives as a distraction, enabling Teal'c to free himself. Teal'c thanks him, and they continue toward the Stargate.

Ishta is now too weak to stand. Moloc learns that 2,000 Jaffa have gathered against his temple on Gor'mek. When he prepares to depart, Earth makes contact with the planet, sending missiles through. Aron, possessing a targeting device for the missiles, aims the weapons straight at Moloc, killing him and his battalion. Meanwhile, Teal'c saves Ishta from Moloc's First Prime, Cha'ra.

At their ceremony, Rya'c and Kar'yn give their vows and Bra'tac completes the joining. Later, Teal'c tells Rya'c that he could not have made a better decision for a companion, and that Drey'auc would have been equally proud. He wishes both of them well as they depart to another planet that the SGC has managed to locate. Unfortunately, Moloc's defeat has opened his dominion to Ba'al. Eager to meet again, Teal'c and Ishta embrace before she and the rest of her people depart.

Quotes
Jack O'Neill: Look, T, I'm not gonna tell you how to raise your kid … but I've always found that sticking your fingers in your ears and humming loudly solves a whole slew of problems.