It's Good to Be King

"It's Good to Be King" is the thirteenth episode of the eighth season of Stargate SG-1.

Synopsis
The System Lord Ares plans on taking back his old territories to reinforce himself against Ba'al. One of his planets happen to be the new home of Harold Maybourne. SG-1 comes to warn him, but find out that he has become king, and apparently knows this is going to happen.

Plot
SG-1 receives intelligence that the Goa'uld are now beginning to return to previously abandoned planets with the intent to turn them into new strongholds and hideouts. Even worse, they discover that the System Lord Ares is preparing to invade the planet which former Colonel Harold Maybourne has retired to. Brigadier General Jack O'Neill sends SG-1 to bring Maybourne back to Earth.

Upon arriving at the planet, the team discover that Maybourne has been proclaimed 'King Arkhan the First', much to their chagrin. When Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter tries to bring Maybourne up to speed, he reveals that he already knows the Goa'uld are on their way. He shows them a set of stone pillars inscribed with Ancient writings, which appear to be a historical record of things that have yet to occur. Maybourne had already translated it, and had used the knowledge of the future to help the people of the planet. Most shocking of all is the prophecy that "the oppressors of old" - the Goa'uld - would return, and that a team of warriors - SG-1 - would save them and defeat the invaders.

Carter says that SG-1 can't help and tells Maybourne that they have to take him back now. But Maybourne refuses to go; he enjoys living with the civilization here and is confident that the prophecy will be fulfilled.

Dr. Daniel Jackson's and Teal'c's further investigation of the surrounding forest turns up the most interesting find of all: a Puddle Jumper that seems to be capable of time travel. But the ship requires the pilot to have the ATA gene. The only person they know of who has the gene is General O'Neill.

O'Neill arrives on the planet to much fanfare from Maybourne and his minstrels, and proceeds to the ship after a tense reunion. Carter's repair attempts fail, and O'Neill can't even get the ship off the ground. With no other options, Maybourne steps down as king and is forced to reveal to his people that he's not a prophet like he claimed, and that the prophecies are written on the pillars for all to read. He tells them all that they must leave or risk being killed or captured.

But the townspeople refuse to accept Maybourne's resignation, saying that the prophecy will come true like all the others and holding other, non-prophecy related achievements (introducing irrigation, crop rotation, a new legal code) as examples of his great leadership. As a career bureaucrat and later a NID mole, Maybourne has always been a thief, a liar, a scoundrel; in short, an object of scorn, even by his supposed allies. But on this world, no matter how selfish his reasons, he has helped people, and been praised for that help. Maybourne is struck speechless by their loyalty, and the SGC team is struck just as speechless by the concept that Maybourne just might be a good man. O'Neill is too bewildered by the whole affair, and decides to pull out. However, it is too late; Ares's First Prime Trelak and several Jaffa have arrived.

While the Jaffa take control over the small village, O'Neill and Carter hide out in the ship while Daniel and Teal'c hide out amongst the townsfolk. But both are quickly discovered; Daniel and Teal'c are captured, and O'Neill is forced to defend the ship until Carter can get it working again. When she finally does, O'Neill takes the ship up into orbit, where a Goa'uld Ha'tak has arrived.

Some of the village warriors attack the Jaffa in the village, allowing Daniel and Teal'c to escape and help fight and kill the few remaining Jaffa. In orbit, O'Neill uses the ship's limited, but immensely powerful weapons (the same Drone weapons, which he used in the episode "Lost City, Part 2") on the Ha'tak, severing some vital systems and causing the ship to explode. Ares, who was on board, is killed - as the prophecy predicted.

As SG-1 leave, O'Neill offers Maybourne a chance to return to Earth, but Maybourne declines; he'd miss his people, his new home...his wives...

Notable Quotes
Carter: The Tok'ra have their hands full with more pressing matters. They strongly suggest that we get to Maybourne before the Goa'uld do.

Teal'c: If we do not retrieve him, Harry Maybourne faces certain capture. (O'Neill remains impassive.) Torture. Interrogation. Perhaps even death.

O'Neill: Alright, fine. Go get him.

Maybourne: Where's Jack?

Carter: General O'Neill is back at the SGC.

Maybourne: No kidding. "General O'Neill". That doesn't sound right. Still, good for Jack. Nice to hear he's doing so well for himself.

Teal'c: As, evidently, are you.

(Explaining the Ojen fruit)

Maybourne: It's sort of a cross between a guava and a mango.

Jackson: Sort of a "guango"?

Maybourne: I like that. (Stands on the table) People. Henceforth, ojen fruit shall be called guango!

Maybourne: Jack. Great to see you. How long has it been?

O'Neill: Oh, since you got us stranded off-world and tried to kill me.

Maybourne: That takes me back. I guess congratulations are in order. You made General.

O'Neill: You made King.

O'Neill: Nice ride.

Jackson: Yeah, Ancients liked to fly in style.

O'Neill: You're going to have to help me out here, Carter. Got any quarters?

Carter: Unfortunately, I can't help you with this one, sir. You're on your own.

O'Neill: Fine. How do we know we're not gonna end up back at the Alamo?

Carter: Um, well, for one thing, that was on Earth, but more importantly, I've separated the time device from the control circuits, I think...Concentrate on powering up the engines.

O'Neill: Concentrate? Got nothing.

Trelak: Lord Ares has just arrived!

Nominations

 * Nominated Leo for "Dramatic Series: Best Cinematography" (Jim Menard)
 * Nominated Leo for "Dramatic Series: Best Costume Design" (Christine Mooney)
 * Nominated Leo for "Dramatic Series: Best Supporting Performance by a Male" (Tom McBeath)

In other languages

 * French: Une Vieille Connaissance (An Old Acquaintance)
 * Italian: È Bello Essere Re (It's Good to Be King)
 * Spanish: El Rey Arkhan (The Arkhan King)
 * Czech: Byl jednou jeden král (Once upon a time there was a king)
 * German: König Arkhan (King Arkhan)
 * Hungarian: Királynak lenni jó (It's Good to Be King)