Rules of Engagement is episode 9 of season 3 of Stargate SG-1, first aired in 1999.
On a training world, young Jaffa play at war while waiting for the return of Apophis, whom they still believe to be alive. SG-1 gets caught up in their maneuvers, somewhere between scout camp and military indoctrination, and discovers that the game's ammunition can kill. Teal'c will have to shatter their illusions by showing them the truth.
Why it matters to the mythology
A demonstration that the Goa'uld empire regenerates through its children: killing a god isn't enough, you have to kill the faith.
The review
A tight military episode, mostly worth it for its subtext: these kids raised to worship a dead god are indoctrination at its most mundane and most chilling. The final solution, playing the recording of Apophis's defeat like opening a window, is disarmingly simple. Not unforgettable, but honest and consistent with the Jaffa arc.
Written by Sebastian
Founder and editor-in-chief of Stargate Initiative
Gallery · 2
Stills from the episode, via TMDb.
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