Babylon (episode)

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

Synopsis
Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell is ambushed and captured by a group of legendary rebel Jaffa known as the Sodan. However, because he supposedly killed one of their own before he was captured, he is challenged to Kel shak lo, a Sodan battle to the death.

Plot
SG-1 goes in search of the Sodan, a lost tribe of rebel Jaffa predating Teal'c's defection by thousands of years. In an ambush by cloaked Sodan warriors, Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell manages to shoot one Sodan warrior who also wounds him. Mitchell is taken captive for killing the warrior while the fallen Sodan warrior, Volnek, is taken to Stargate Command so that he may recover and be interrogated as to the location of Mitchell.

Mitchell later awakens in the Sodan camp. They have tended to his wounds and work to restore him to health and prepare him for a match to the death. In the process, Mitchell learns that the Sodan regard the Ancients as their gods. One of his captors, Jolan, trains Mitchell in the Sodan fighting technique of Kel shak lo in preparation for the match, but, during his training, Mitchell witnesses a Prior visiting the Sodan, and learns that the Sodan leader, Lord Haikon, is considering converting to the way of Origin. Mitchell and the man come to respect one another during the training, and the warrior listens to Mitchell's warnings that the Ori should not be worshiped because of their power; it is what they would do with their power that makes them worthy of worship.

Meanwhile at the SGC, Dr. Carolyn Lam and her team save Volnek's life after a long operation. He recovers thanks to Tretonin, but refuses to tell them anything, even when interrogated by Teal'c. He refuses to believe the Ori are not true gods, even in front of evidence.

Back on the Sodan planet, Mitchell and Jolan end up fighting in the match because Jolan is Volnek's brother. Jolan apparently kills Mitchell, but it turns out to be a ruse. The two of them fake Mitchell's death with a powerful elixir made by Jolan, who vows that he will tell his fellow Sodan of the threat the Ori pose to their people. Mitchell returns to Earth and a still unconvinced and resentful Volnek is allowed to return to his planet.

Notable Quotes
(After waking from a drug induced state)

Mitchell: So, did it work?

Jolan: The ruse was most effective. They believe you are dead.

Mitchell: Well done, Bones.

Harriman: Receiving an IDC code, Sir. It's Colonel Mitchell.

Jackson: You're kidding!

Harriman: I would never do that, Sir.

Volnek: You shot me!

Mitchell: You shot me first!

Volnek: But I will have vengeance!

Volnek: You are fortunate my brother drugged you. You would never have survived a true Kel shak lo.

Mitchell: Dunno. Took you down pretty good.

Volnek: You were lucky.

Mitchell: Lucky is good.

(Jolan shoots the staff weapon to Mitchel during the training)

Jolan: Faster!

Mitchell: Bastard

In other languages

 * French: Pour l'Honneur (For the Honnor)
 * Italian: Il Vero Nemico (The True Enemy)
 * Spanish: Babilonia (Babylon)
 * Czech: Babylon