Ep 12. Collateral Damage

The episode "Collateral Damage" of Stargate SG1 season 9 revolves around the aftermath of an accidental shooting by Colonel Mitchell in which a civilian is killed. The incident leads to an investigation that threatens to destroy the reputation of the SG1 team and their relationships with their allies.

The episode begins with SG1 embarking on a mission to a peaceful planet to negotiate a trade agreement. Colonel Mitchell, who is in charge of the mission, is in a hurry to finish the negotiations so that he can make it to his high school reunion. While on the mission, a jumpy Mitchell accidentally fires his drone weapon, killing a civilian. The death creates an international outcry, and the SG1 team is ordered to return home immediately to face an inquiry.

Back at SGC, Mitchell is interrogated by an IOA official named Barrett, who is determined to hold him accountable for the civilian's death. Mitchell tries to explain that it was an accident, but Barrett doesn't believe him and seems to have a personal vendetta against the SG1 team. General Landry, the commander of the SGC, tries to defend Mitchell, but even he can't sway Barrett's opinion. The situation becomes more complicated when SG1's allies begin to question their reputation and whether or not they can continue to trust the team.

The SG1 team is allowed to continue with their duties, but they are not allowed to go on any off-world missions until the inquiry is resolved. This causes frustration for the team, especially Mitchell, who feels like he's being punished for something that was not his fault. Meanwhile, Barrett continues to investigate and finds some suspicious evidence that suggests Mitchell may have had a motive for the shooting.

As the inquiry continues, the SG1 team desperately tries to clear Mitchell's name. They piece together a theory that implicates an unknown group of aliens that have been manipulating events on Earth. The team believes that the aliens caused the accidental shooting to occur as part of a larger plan to discredit the SG1 team and create chaos on Earth. The team takes a huge risk and decides to go on a rogue mission to find evidence that will prove their theory and exonerate Mitchell.

The team manages to obtain the evidence they need, but are caught and arrested by SGC security. However, the evidence they present is enough to convince Barrett of their theory and exonerates Mitchell. The team's reputation is saved, and their allies once again trust them. The episode ends with SG1 back on active duty and Mitchell finally making it to his high school reunion.

Overall, "Collateral Damage" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the theme of accountability in an unpredictable world. The episode puts the SG1 team in a difficult position, where they must fight to defend their reputation and relationships with their allies. The episode is filled with tension, drama, and action, and showcases the exceptional writing and acting that Stargate SG1 is known for.