Ep 15. Pretense

In this episode of Stargate SG1, entitled "Pretense," the team travels to the planet of the Tollans to attend a summit between their peoples and the Nox. The Tollans are incredibly advanced and have been hesitant to share their knowledge with Earth, but they have finally agreed to meet with their fellow advanced civilization.

As they arrive on the planet, the team discovers that the Tollans have a unique ritual to determine the outcome of disputes. This ritual involves the use of a "triad," in which representatives from each party present their cases to a neutral third party - in this case, a member of the Nox. The Nox are known for their peaceful ways and extraordinary abilities, and the team is impressed by their presence at the summit.

The triad is interrupted, however, when a familiar face shows up on the planet. Skaara, the brother of team member Daniel Jackson, has arrived unexpectedly and is acting very strangely. He seems to have no memory of his past and is behaving erratically, causing concern among the group.

As the triad continues, it becomes clear that there is a deeper power struggle at play. The representatives from each civilization are not just arguing over a minor dispute, but rather are trying to establish dominance over each other. The Tollans, particularly, are very guarded about their advanced technology and do not want to become embroiled in conflict with Earth.

As tensions rise, it is revealed that Skaara is actually being controlled by an alien entity who is attempting to seize control of the Tollan's technology for nefarious purposes. The team must race against time to stop this entity and save Skaara before it is too late.

Throughout the episode, themes of trust, diplomacy, and power are explored. The team must navigate a delicate balance between diplomacy and defense as they attempt to prevent a potential disaster. They also must grapple with the question of whether they can trust their former ally Skaara, despite his strange behavior.

In the end, the team comes together to thwart the alien entity and prevent it from stealing the Tollan's technology. The Tollans begin to open up to the team and share more of their advanced knowledge, paving the way for future collaboration between the two civilizations. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with the team returning home to Earth - but not before discussing the profound impact that their encounters with advanced civilizations have had on their understanding of the universe.