The Secret of Strand Hill (Episode 113)

 

The monolithic Strand Hill ruins in Ireland was one of Earth's most revered historical sites. Local tour guide and roustabout Tim O'Malley (Chris Wiggins) lead a group around the stone circle, then down into a passage grave. As he told the tourists the local legend of a mystical king, the ground suddenly rocked by a blast from nearby construction. As the groups fled, O'Malley saw a startling mosaic uncovered by a crumbling wall. He pocketed a fragment that had broken loose. Word spread to the Taelons about the mosaic, which they believed was a marker for the grave of Ma'el, a Taelon scout sent to Earth thousands of years ago. The Taelon Synod ordered Da'an (Leni Parker) to step up the search for Ma'el's datalog of research, which they had so far been unable to find. The datalog's contents would determine whether the Taelons would continue to remain on Earth or move on to another planet. Da'an was forced to accept the help of his nemesis Zo'or (Anita La Selva), who the Synod appointed as Companion Representative to the United Nations. As O'Malley schemed about selling the mosaic artifact, Siobhan Beckett (Kari Matchett), the security Implant of the United Kingdom's Companion, burst into the White Horse Tavern to arrest him. His bar mates refused to reveal O'Malley's hiding place, but Beckett promised to return. Captain Lili Marquette (Lisa Howard), William Boone (Kevin Kilner) and Agent Sandoval (Von Flores) arrived at Strand Hill and began the search for Ma'el's tomb. They examined the mosaic, which showed images of Christ, Buddha and other religious leaders of the past, plus ancient Taelon writing. Boone asked Da'an to interpret the writing while plotting to find Ma'el's datalog for the Resistance, knowing it would provide invaluable insight to the Taelon's agenda on Earth. But they find that O'Malley's missing piece holds the key to the Taelon riddle. Sandoval and Beckett began excavations with a sophisticated seismic survey, determined to find Ma'el's final resting place.

Boone and Lili stepped up the search for O'Malley and staged a drinking contest in the White Horse Tavern. If Boone won, the bar patrons would lead him to O'Malley and since his CVI prevents him from becoming intoxicated, O'Malley's hiding place under the bar was revealed. Boone retrieved the missing piece of the mosaic, enabling him to decipher the last of Ma'el's riddle. Meanwhile, Sandoval and Beckett were sidetracked by an ancient Celtic grave, thinking that it was Ma'el's. But Boone and Lili found the real Taelon tomb under the White Horse Tavern. When they opened the casket, they found the datalog and a hologram of Ma'el appeared. The Ma'el hologram spoke in Taelon, and Boone translated for Lili as the alien scout urged the Synod to leave Earth alone. Ma'el stated that humans are not the cruel and aggressive beings the Taelons had believed and that given time, they would be the aliens' equals. As Lili and Boone tried to comprehend Ma'el's message, Sandoval and Beckett arrived and took the datalog to Da'an and Zo'or. Da'an and Zo'or met with Quo'on and the Taelon Synod, where it is revealed that Ma'el has destroyed his centuries of research. After consultation, and despite Da'an's dissent, the Synod decided to proceed with their hidden agenda and their occupation of Earth.