Cor-ai (episode)

Cor-ai is the fifteenth episode of the first season of Stargate SG-1.

Plot
SG-1 arrives on a grassy, mountainous planet and ventures forth into what looks like the central building to a village. Shortly after entering they are surrounded by villagers with crossbows. After Daniel attempts to communicate with them, one of them notices Teal'c, screaming "Jaffa!" Col. O'Neill tries to explain that Teal'c is a good guy, when the enraged villager claims Teal'c killed his father. Teal'c is willingly taken prisoner, but the rest of SG-1 are allowed to roam free.

While sitting outside Teal'c's cell, Jack, Sam, and Daniel question Teal'c about the incident. Teal'c does not remember the man, but admits he killed many people under the service of Apophis. The villagers have a custom called Cor-ai, which is a kind of court trial where the accuser acts as prosecutor, judge and jury. This comes from the belief that only the victim can deal an appropriate punishment, as only they know their own feelings. It is also apparent that dishonesty does not exist in their culture. During the Cor-ai, the villager who accused Teal'c (Hanno) explains that when he was a boy, the Goa'uld came and Teal'c killed his father. Teal'c remembers and admits his guilt. Each member of SG-1 then makes a plea for Teal'c, explaining that he is not the Jaffa he once was. Jack tells how Teal'c saved him and his team and the people of Abydos for the cause of freedom. Daniel explains that despite Teal'c being the one that took his wife, Sha're, to become host to a Goa'uld, he is a good friend of Teal'c because he knows that people can change. Hanno is not satisfied, saying that this Jaffa's good acts cannot bring his father back. Teal'c is sentenced to die the next day.

While talking with the rest of SG-1, Teal'c reveals the reason for killing Hanno's father. The villagers on the planet had no defenses from the Goa'uld, so they always ran to nearby caves to hide from them. No one was left behind, so the whole could only move as fast as the slowest member. Apophis ordered Teal'c to kill one of the villagers, and Teal'c being as compassionate as possible, chose Hanno's father, who was crippled, because it would allow the group to escape more quickly next time.

The next day, before the execution, the planet is again attacked by Apophis. Teal'c saves the people from the Jaffa including saving Hanno himself. Hanno looks at Teal'c and says he was mistaken and that Teal'c is not the Jaffa that killed his father. Teal'c, wanting to give restitution for his crimes, insists that he is the one. "No," Hanno says, "that Jaffa is dead. You have killed him." In the end, SG-1 offers the villagers defenses to protect them from the Goa'uld and returns home safely.