4.06 "Window Of Opportunity" Transcript

4.06 "Window Of Opportunity"

Episode Guide

• 4.06 "Window Of Opportunity" Episode Guide

Précis

After SG-1 visits a strange planet in the middle of a geomagnetic storm, they find themselves repeating the same day over and over again. The team must utilize their accumulated knowledge to stop the time loop before there are disastrous consequences across the universe.

Guide | Transcript

Transcript

TEASER

FADE IN

EXT—ALIEN PLANET

[The planet's sun is extremely bright. A roll of thunder is heard in the distance. O'Neill, Carter and Teal'c are near the Stargate. Teal'c and Carter are setting up some equipment while O'Neill keeps guard. O'Neill checks his watch and walks over to Carter. He looks at the sun through a filter and sees that there are flares all around it.]

O'NEILL
Is this supposed to be doing that?

CARTER
It's a corona mass emission, like a giant solar flare.

[O'Neill looks through the filter again and back at Carter.]

O'NEILL
But it's safe, right?

CARTER
Judging from the planet's magnetic field, it might cause a significant increase in the surface radiation.

O'NEILL
But it's safe, right?

CARTER
As long as we don't stay here too long, yes, sir.

O'NEILL
Anybody explain that to Daniel?

[He turns round to look at Daniel, who is with another man. He is excitedly taking rubbings of the writing on the ruins by a large pedestal.]

DANIEL

(to the man)

I've encountered this script before. It's err…similar in pronunciation to a language on our planet called Latin. Now, as near as I can tell, the main body of the text represents a kind of planetary history.

MALIKAI
I agree. But isn't it time for you to return through the Stargate?

DANIEL
But I don't understand of what the significance of this is. (He indicates the pedestal)
. It could be some sort of control mechanism. It's obviously still in working order compared to the rest of the ruin. I wonder if that's significant?

[While Daniel is talking about the pedestal, the man looks nervous and takes a device out of his bag. He looks at Daniel who is still fascinated by the pedestal.]

MALIKAI
The storm is approaching, Dr Jackson. The radiation may be dangerous for you and your team.

DANIEL
Oh yes, Major Carter will let us know when we have to leave. Now this line recurs several times: 'Dommo waitus, westol notibilium.'

MALIKAI
Conqueror of time.

DANIEL
No, in this context I'd say more like 'master of the uncertain past.'

MALIKAI
You're a skilled linguist, Dr Jackson.

DANIEL
Oh…thank you. Actually I had the opportunity to hear the language spoken aloud a year or two ago.

[The device in Malikai's hands bleeps and Malikai looks towards the sky. Daniel looks puzzled.]

DANIEL
What's that?

MALIKAI
The geomagnetic disturbance is reaching its peak. I have to act now.

[Daniel looks to SG-1 whilst Malikai retrieves a weapon from his bag and aims at Daniel.]

DANIEL

(shocked)

I don't understand!

[Malikai shoots Daniel with the energy weapon and he falls to the ground, unconscious. Malikai runs to him and pulls Daniel off to one side, out of sight. He then goes to the pedestal and starts pushing at the stones on it. The mechanism on the pedestal activates.]

EXT—STARGATE IN THE TEMPLE

[Carter and Teal'c are finishing setting up the research equipment.]

CARTER
All set up, sir.

O'NEILL

Good. Let's hit it.
(He stands and activates his radio)

Daniel, let's go home.

[There is no response.]

O'NEILL
Daniel?

[They look to where Malikai is and hear an energy buildup.]

TEAL'C
O'Neill.

O'NEILL
Yeah, I hear it.

[Suddenly the pillars in the temple start to arc energy between themselves powerfully and the chevrons on the Stargate flicker on and off. SG-1 look around alarmed as the Gate activates, and throw themselves on the floor to avoid the vortex.]

INT—SGC CONTROL ROOM

[The sound of the Gate activating is heard and the alarms are going off.]

TECHNICIAN
Incoming wormhole.

[Hammond walks over to him and stares at the Gate. Suddenly the same arcing energy from the alien planet appears over the iris. Hammond looks alarmed.]

HAMMOND
What is that?

TECHNICIAN
I have no idea, sir.

[They both stare at the Gate.]

EXT—ALIEN PLANET

[O'Neill, Carter and Teal'c have their weapons ready. The energy is still around the Gate.]

O'NEILL

(shouting to Malikai)

Are you doing this?

[Malikai turns round as they approach him.]

MALIKAI
Stay away!

[O'Neill and Carter notice Daniel unconscious on the floor. Carter runs to him.]

CARTER
Daniel!

O'NEILL
What the hell are you doing?

[He runs and grabs Malikai with Teal'c.]

MALIKAI
Stay back!

[They try to move him away from the pedestal but are engulfed in a bright light. Carter looks up from tending to Daniel in surprise.]

CARTER
Colonel!

[The light intensifies…]

INT—SGC COMMISSARY

[Daniel is sitting opposite O'Neill, who is eating fruit loops. Carter is next to Daniel. They are all eating breakfast. Daniel is talking excitedly to O'Neill.]

DANIEL
Anyway I'm sorry but that just happens to be how I feel about it. What do you think?

[O'Neill looks up, surprised, just before he eats his spoonful of fruit loops. He stares at Daniel and Carter, confused.]

O'NEILL
What?

[Daniel looks at Carter, frustrated.]

DANIEL
What do you think?

[O'Neill looks around.]

CARTER
Colonel, is something wrong?

O'NEILL
Maybe!

[He looks at his fruit loops and back at Daniel and Carter.]

END OF TEASER

INT-COMMISSARY

[O'Neill, Carter and Daniel are sitting around the table eating breakfast as before. O'Neill looks confused.]

O'NEILL
Weren't we just somewhere else?

[Carter looks at him, then at Daniel, confused]

DANIEL
Where?

O'NEILL
Some planet.

DANIEL
When?

O'NEILL
Just now.

DANIEL
No.

O'NEILL
You sure?

DANIEL
Yeah.

[O'Neill looks around, very confused, and puts his spoonful of fruit loops down.]

O'NEILL
Everything just changed.

CARTER
Sir, we've been sitting in the commissary for the past half-hour.

O'NEILL
Really?

DANIEL

(sarcastically)

Well, it is understandable how you could have gotten the two places confused.

[Carter looks amused, then looks at her watch and stands up.]

CARTER
We're going to be late for the briefing.

O'NEILL
Briefing?

[Daniel and Carter look at each other.]

DANIEL
Are you ok? Or are you just trying to avoid answering my question?

O'NEILL
I'm fine…What question?

[He gets up and leaves, followed by Carter and Daniel.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM

[Hammond and SG-1 are there. Carter is standing up in front of a large screen with a sun's schematic on it.]

CARTER
Two weeks ago SG-15 took these images of solar activity on P4X-639. Analysis of the data indicates a steady increase in the intensity. Now if I'm right the explosions that we're witnessing here are just the precursor for an exponentially greater violent ejection.

TEAL'C
Major Carter, have we not previously been briefed concerning this matter?

O'NEILL
I was just going to say that.

CARTER

(puzzled)

Sir?

O'NEILL
You wanna go to the planet and set up some kind of remote observatory.

[Daniel and Hammond look at O'Neill.]

CARTER
Yes.

O'NEILL
We just did that.

DANIEL
No we didn't.

TEAL'C
I believe we did, Daniel Jackson.

HAMMOND
No, Teal'c, that's what this briefing is about.

O'NEILL
I distinctly remember sitting here listening to Carter prattle on about solar activity and err corona something.

CARTER
Corona mass emission. I was just about to bring it up.

O'NEILL

(gesturing to Carter)

There you go. How would I know that?

CARTER
Maybe you read my report?

[Daniel taps his file on the table and speaks sarcastically to Carter…]

DANIEL
Maybe he read your report?

[O'Neill gives Daniel an annoyed look.]

O'NEILL
I'm telling you guys, we've done this before.

[Daniel looks skeptical.]

TEAL'C
I am in agreement with O'Neill. I am experiencing a great deal of familiarity with these events.

[Suddenly the sound of the Gate opening is heard and the sirens go off.]

TECHNICIAN

(via intercom)

Unscheduled off world activation.

[They all leave the briefing room to go down to the control room.]

INT—CONTROL ROOM

[The technician is at the control computer as Hammond and SG-1 enter.]

TECHNICIAN
We have an unscheduled incoming traveler, sir.

O'NEILL
It's SG-12.

HAMMOND
They're not due back for days.

TECHNICIAN
Receiving GDO transmission…

[The computer readout verifies that it is SG-12 coming through the Gate.]

TECHNICIAN
It's SG-12.

[Daniel and Carter look at O'Neill, who just smirks.]

HAMMOND
Open the iris.

[The sound of the iris opening is heard.]

TEAL'C
One of them will be injured.

[O'Neill nods at this comment.]

[SG-12 walk through the Gate. One member is hobbling and is being supported by another. Hammond looks at O'Neill, stunned. O'Neill just raises his eyebrows.]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR NEAR INFIRMARY

[Carter and Hammond are walking along it discussing the situation.]

HAMMOND
What do you make of all this?

CARTER
Well, sir, I'm not sure.

HAMMOND
SG-12's early return was the result of an accident. One of the team fell and broke his ankle. How could Teal'c and Colonel O'Neill know that was going to happen?

CARTER
Both of them claim to have memories of SG-1's mission to P4X-639.

HAMMOND
A mission that isn't scheduled to start for another six hours.

INT—IMFIRMARY

[Fraiser is shining a light in O'Neill's eyes. He squints at her. Daniel is standing to the side and Teal'c is in the background being examined by a nurse.]

DANIEL
Ok so…Sam was setting up instruments and…where was I?

O'NEILL
You were by the altar deal with the guy.

DANIEL
Right, you're going to need to be a bit more specific.

TEAL'C
Malikai.

[The nurse puts a thermometer in Teal'c's mouth.]

DANIEL
That's the alien archaeologist that SG-15 met on the first survey. I was looking forward to meeting him.

O'NEILL
You did! You got along swell. Anyway at some point a beam shot out from the ruins around the altar and in the Stargate.

[Teal'c removes the thermometer from his mouth.]

TEAL'C
There was a blinding flash of light.

O'NEILL
Then I was back in the commissary eating my fruit loops.

[Fraiser looks at him, startled that he would eat fruit loops. Carter and Hammond enter the infirmary.]

FRAISER

(to Hammond)

Well, sir, I can't find anything wrong with either of them. Now, we'll have to wait for the lab results to be sure but they both appear to be in perfect health.

CARTER
Except for the fact that they're remembering events that haven't even happened yet.

DANIEL
Yes, but why Jack and Teal'c and not us?

HAMMOND
I'm not taking any chances. Until we figure out what's going on I'm postponing your mission to P4X 639.

EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[O'Neill is walking down a corridor. He looks at his watch just as Daniel jogs round the corner after him carrying a bundle of papers. O'Neill taps his watch as if he were expecting Daniel.]

DANIEL
Jack, wait up.

[O'Neill turns to face Daniel, who stops to let an airman past.]

DANIEL
I was thinking about what you said about…err…a beam coming out of the altar. Now SG-15 took digital images of the carvings on the ruins.

[He hands O'Neill some images to look at.]

DANIEL
I was thinking that there might be some sort of a clue in here about what's going on. Unfortunately it's the equivalent of about 400 pages of alien text. But if you could give me more details about the layout of the alien ruins it might be useful…

[Suddenly Sgt Siler comes jogging around the corner and runs straight into Daniel, knocking him to the floor. All of the images scatter everywhere.]

SILER
Gee, sorry, Dr Jackson.

[Siler and another airman help Daniel to his feet.]

O'NEILL
Should have seen that coming.

INT-COMMISSARY

[O'Neill is sitting drinking a cup of coffee, looking bored, as Carter walks in. She looks at him expectantly and rests her hands on the table.]

CARTER
So?

[O'Neill looks up at her.]

O'NEILL
So?

[Carter sits down at the table.]

CARTER
Don't you know what I'm going to say?

[O'Neill looks at his watch.]

O'NEILL
Actually, by this time we were on the planet. It's all different now.

CARTER
Oh, well, I was thinking about what you said, about a beam hitting the Stargate.

[O'Neill looks at her apparently without interest.]

O'NEILL
What about it?

[He distractedly removes a particle from his cup and flicks it away.]

CARTER
After the flash you found yourself back here. And then you were basically reliving the moments up to the mission. Maybe you're not remembering future events. Maybe you were sent back in time.

O'NEILL
For what, 6 hours?

CARTER
Well, it wouldn't be the first time we've seen something like this. I mean the Stargate did send us back to 1969.

O'NEILL

(smiling)

Good year.

CARTER
So I was wondering. Could this beam you mentioned be a means to access the Gate's subspace field in order to create some kind of time inversion outside of subspace?

[O'Neill looks at her for a moment.]

O'NEILL
I knew you were going to say that.

[Carter laughs softly at him.]

CARTER
I guess I was just thinking out loud…I'm going to go run a few simulations.

[She gets up and leaves O'Neill to finish his coffee.]

O'NEILL
You run…simulate…let me know how it turns out…keep me posted.

[He puts his cup down.]

O'NEILL
Keep me apprised.

[He closes his eyes.]

INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE

[Hammond is standing, reading a report on O'Neill and Teal'c, who are standing awaiting the results. Hammond looks up and speaks to them.]

HAMMOND
The lab results confirm Dr Fraiser's original assessments. You're both in perfect health. Any more of these premonitions?

TEAL'C
Not for some time.

O'NEILL
Can we go back to work now, General, please?

HAMMOND
I have no objection as long as…

[Suddenly the sound of the Gate activating is heard and the alarms go off.]

TECHNICIAN

(on intercom)

Unscheduled off world activation.

[Hammond exits his office followed by O'Neill and Teal'c.]

O'NEILL
D'oh!

INT—GATE ROOM

[The iris is closed as the Gate opens and the energy arcing effect is seen again.]

INT-CONTROL ROOM

[The computer display shows an unknown error to the Gate as Hammond, Teal'c and O'Neill enter. They all stare at the Gate.]

HAMMOND
What is that?

TECHNICIAN
I'm not sure sir. I've never seen anything like it.

O'NEILL
We have.

[He looks to Teal'c as they are enveloped in a blinding light again.. ..]

INT—COMMISSARY

[O'Neill, Carter and Daniel are all at breakfast. O'Neill is eating fruit loops as before.]

DANIEL
Anyway I'm sorry but that just happens to be how I feel about it. What do you think?

[O'Neill puts his spoon down, shocked, sits back in his chair and looks at his watch. Carter and Daniel stare at him, puzzled.]

CARTER
Colonel, something wrong?

[O'Neill looks at her.]

O'NEILL
Oh yeah, something.

[He looks to the side, annoyed.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM

[Hammond and SG-1 are in the room. Carter is standing in front of a large screen with a sun's schematic on as before.]

CARTER
Two weeks ago, SG-15…

O'NEILL

(interrupting)

We've done this!

[He closes his folder and drops it on the table. Carter, Hammond and Daniel stare at him.]

DANIEL

(sarcastically)

We do this every day.

[Daniel resumes reading through the mission notes. O'Neill looks at him irritated.]

O'NEILL
I'm not talking about briefings in general, Daniel. I'm talking about this briefing. I'm talking about this day!

[He looks around at the others, who seem confused. Teal'c is quietly considering the situation.]

TEAL'C
Colonel O'Neill is correct. Events do appear to be repeating themselves.

DANIEL
Since when?

O'NEILL
Since we went to P4X 639.

CARTER
We haven't been to P4X 639.

O'NEILL

Yes we have…
(He points at Daniel)

No we haven't. That's what you were going to say.

DANIEL
Of course that's what I was going to say.

O'NEILL

(shaking his head)

Ok, bad example.

HAMMOND
Colonel, I'm not sure what to make of all of this.

CARTER
If we've had this meeting before sir…

O'NEILL
Why are Teal'c and I the only ones who remember it? I know, that's what you said last time.

[He looks around.]

O'NEILL
Well, I'll venture a guess that it has something to do with that planet.

[The others look unconvinced.]

O'NEILL

And you'll all believe me
(He looks at his watch)

when SG-12 come through that Gate in four…three…two…one…

[He raises his finger expectantly but nothing happens. The others look at him and O'Neill taps at his watch.]

HAMMOND
SG-12 isn't due back for 3 days.

[The Gate activates, sirens go off.]

TECHNICIAN

(on intercom)

Unscheduled off world activation.

[O'Neill looks triumphant and balls his hands into fists.]

O'NEILL
So close!

[They all head for the control room.]

INT—INFIRMARY

[Fraiser is once again examining O'Neill and Teal'c. She shines a penlight into O'Neill's eyes.]

O'NEILL
You're not going to find anything.

FRAISER
Why don't we wait for the lab results before we jump to any conclusions?

TEAL'C
The results will be negative.

FRAISER
Humor me.

[Hammond and Carter enter.]

FRAISER

(to Hammond)

Well sir…

[O'Neill raises his hand and interrupts.]

O'NEILL
General, I know you're thinking of postponing the mission but there's no point. We tried it last time and it didn't work.

[Hammond looks to Daniel, who doesn't know what to say. A nurse puts a thermometer in Teal'c's mouth and he sighs.]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[As before, O'Neill is walking down a corridor. Instead of looking at his watch he is just counting the seconds until Daniel jogs round the corner after him carrying a bundle of papers.]

DANIEL
Jack, wait up.

[O'Neill raises his arms and turns to face Daniel.]

DANIEL
Err…I was thinking about what you said about a beam coming from the altar…

[O'Neill points at the papers that Daniel is carrying.]

O'NEILL
Four hundred pages of alien text.

[Daniel is shocked.]

DANIEL
Right, SG-15 took digital images of the carvings on the ruins.

[He hands the papers to O'Neill who looks at them.]

O'NEILL
Looks familiar.

DANIEL
It should, it's something that you spoke for a few days. It's a variation of the writings used by the Ancients.

O'NEILL
Well, if you're looking for help translating it you're barking up the wrong genius.

[He hands the papers back to Daniel.]

DANIEL
No, I realize that the Asgards returned you to normal, which is…fortunate I suppose. But err if you could give me more details about the layout of the ruins it might be useful…

[Sgt Siler again comes jogging around the corner and runs straight into Daniel, knocking him to the floor. The pages scatter everywhere.]

SILER
Gee, sorry, Dr Jackson.

[Siler and another airman help Daniel to his feet.]

O'NEILL
Ooops.

EXT-CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ENTRANCE—DAY

INT—HAMMOND'S OFFICE

[O'Neill knocks at the door. Teal'c is with him.]

HAMMOND
Come in.

[They enter the office. Hammond is sitting at his desk.]

O'NEILL
Any word from Fraiser?

HAMMOND
She's still waiting for the lab results.

TEAL'C
If we delay any longer it will be too late.

HAMMOND
Too late for what?

O'NEILL
To stop this day from happening again!

HAMMOND
You realize that this is a little difficult for me to accept.

O'NEILL
Hey, if it were just me I'd agree. But what about Teal'c? Come on, is this the face of a crazy man?

[He points to Teal'c who stares at Hammond. Hammond looks at O'Neill.]

O'NEILL
Bad example.

HAMMOND
What do you want?

O'NEILL
We wanna go back to 639.

[Hammond considers the request.]

EXT—P4X 639

[The sun is still acting strangely and distant thunder is heard. The Stargate is seen opening in the distance.]

EXT—RUINS ON P4X 639 [SG-1 step through the Gate with their weapons ready. Carter looks at a small instrument in her hand.]

CARTER
A geomagnetic storm is building up, we shouldn't stay long.

[O'Neill points towards the platform.]

O'NEILL
That's the machine right there.

[They walk towards the pedestal.]

CARTER
I wonder how it works?

O'NEILL
Subspace fields and time inversions.

[Carter looks at O'Neill surprised.]

O'NEILL
It's what you said.

[They see Malikai and O'Neill aims his weapon at him, followed by Carter.]

MALIKAI
Hello.

[He raises his arms in the air.]

DANIEL
Woah, easy guys!

O'NEILL
That's the guy, that's the one who started all this.

MALIKAI
I don't understand.

O'NEILL
Whatever you did, I want you to undo it.

MALIKAI
I did nothing!

CARTER
Colonel, I don't think he knows what you're talking about.

TEAL'C
Perhaps he has no memory, O'Neill.

O'NEILL
Oh, he remembers. He's the one who was pushing all of those buttons.

[Malikai walks towards the pedestal.]

MALIKAI
Please, I'm an archaeologist. I've been trying to translate these alien symbols. I…I told the others that came before you.

DANIEL
SG-15?

MALIKAI
Yes, but they didn't point weapons at me. I can show you my notes.

[He reaches for his bag but O'Neill yells and moves towards him.]

MALIKAI
I've been making periodic visits to this planet for some time now. My research is almost complete.

[O'Neill searches through Malikai's bag. He finds the weapon.]

O'NEILL
What kind of archaeologist carries a weapon?

DANIEL

(stepping forward)

Err…I do.

O'NEILL
Bad example.

[O'Neill takes another object out of the bag and activates it. It shows a photograph of a smiling woman.]

O'NEILL
What's this?

MALIKAI
If you must know, it's my wife.

[Suddenly the pedestal activates again and the stones on it move. The energy buildup starts again and SG-1 step back, alarmed.]

O'NEILL
What did you do?

CARTER
I didn't do anything. It engaged on its own.

O'NEILL
Turn it off.

CARTER
How?

MALIKAI
It's drawing energy from the ionization in the atmosphere. There's nothing Major Carter can do.

O'NEILL
Excuse me? How'd you know her name?

MALIKAI
You told me.

O'NEILL
No I didn't. Not this time around.

[Malikai knows he has been discovered and drops his hands.]

MALIKAI
It doesn't matter. You're too late.

O'NEILL
How do you shut this thing off?

[The energy buildup increases.]

MALIKAI
Even if I knew I wouldn't tell you.

CARTER
Sir, it's building up some kind of charge.

O'NEILL
Daniel, you know how to read this stuff. Get up here and shut it off.

DANIEL
What?

[He walks up to the pedestal and stares at it.]

DANIEL
Are you kidding me? I wouldn't even know where to begin, I mean it would take years to translate. I don't even have enough…

[The energy buildup, the Stargate activates and they are enveloped in a blinding light…]

INT—COMMISSARY

[O'Neill, Carter and Daniel are all at breakfast. O'Neill is eating fruit loops as before.]

DANIEL
Anyway I'm sorry but that just happens to be how I feel about it. What do you think?

[O'Neill drops his spoon into the bowl and grabs his forehead in frustration. Carter looks at him, shocked.]

DANIEL
It was just a question.

[O'Neill takes his hand away from his head and stares at them.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM

[Hammond and SG-1 are there. Carter is standing in front of a large screen with a sun's schematic on as before. She is about to start speaking when O'Neill interrupts. He and Teal'c are standing behind their chairs.]

O'NEILL

All right, here's the deal. We're all stuck in a time loop of some kind. However Teal'c and I seem to be the only ones who realize it. Now there's this alien device on six thirty nine. It shoots a beam at the Stargate which…err subspace something…
(He looks at Teal'c)

What?

[Hammond, Daniel and Carter stare at him.]

TEAL'C
Accesses the subspace field the Stargate is capable of generating. It is powered by ionization.

[Carter walks towards them, intrigued.]

O'NEILL

In the atmosphere, right. Which is caused by…
(He points at Teal'c)
I know this one…
(He thinks about it)

Magnets!

TEAL'C
The geomagnetic storm.

O'NEILL
Of course. Anyway I don't know why none of you remember this. But I do know for a fact there's no point in having old Doc Fraiser examining us again!

[He looks around at the others who all seem very puzzled.]

INT—INFIRMARY

[Fraiser is once again shining the penlight into O'Neill's eyes. He seems fed up and annoyed.]

O'NEILL
I ask you. What could possibly be in my eye that could explain this?

[The nurse puts the thermometer in Teal'c's mouth again and he sighs, looking at the nurse.]

EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ENTRANCE—DAY

INT—SGC CORRIDOR NEAR INFIRMARY

[Carter and Hammond are once again walking along it discussing the situation.]

HAMMOND
What do you make of all this?

CARTER
Well sir, when was the last time you heard Colonel O'Neill use terms like subspace field and geomagnetic storm?

HAMMOND
Good point.

CARTER
And he actually used them correctly…for the most part.

HAMMOND
You believe him?

CARTER
Well I'm considering the possibility, sir. I mean the more I think about it, if he's right the ramifications are huge.

HAMMOND
And the next time loops we'll forget this conversation even happened.

CARTER
Yes, sir.

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[Daniel is gathering the photographs of the writings from P4X 639 to take to show O'Neill. Just as he is about to leave the room O'Neill enters, followed by Teal'c.]

O'NEILL
You're better off in here.

DANIEL
I was just coming to look for you.

O'NEILL
I know.

[Daniel puts the papers on a table]

DANIEL
Err…I've managed to translate a section of the west wall.

[He taps a touch sensitive computer screen to show the section of the wall.]

DANIEL
It appears to be some sort of planetary history.

O'NEILL
Daniel, that's very nice, but focus on the altar.

DANIEL
Why?

TEAL'C
Malikai initiated the time loop by manipulating the symbols on the surface.

O'NEILL
Figure out the symbols, figure out how to stop this!

DANIEL
Just because someone can recognize symbols on a keyboard doesn't mean they can run a computer. If I can translate the rest of the text I can put the device in a proper context and figure out what it's supposed to do.

O'NEILL

(loudly)

We know what it does! It's a time loop machine.

DANIEL
Err…Think about it. Who would build a device that loops time every ten hours?

O'NEILL
Who knows? But that's what it does.

DANIEL
Yes, but maybe that's not what it's supposed to do. I mean for all we know that's just an accidental by-product of its true function.

[The phone rings and Daniel picks it up.]

DANIEL

Hello…Ok we're on our way.
(He puts the phone down)

Sam has something.

[They leave Daniel's office.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM

[There is a schematic of a galaxy on the computer screen. Carter steps forward to begin talking to Hammond and the rest of SG-1.]

CARTER
According to Colonel O'Neill, in the first loop he and Teal'c witnessed a beam striking the Stargate on P4X 639. Then the Gate became energized somehow. But now in the second loop at the exact same moment they witnessed a similar effect in our own Gate room here on Earth.

O'NEILL
Sounds about right.

CARTER
Ok, so if we really are under the influence of an alien technology then the effect is clearly being translated to Earth via the Stargate. In which case the solution is simple.

[She looks at the others to see if they realize.]

DANIEL
We dial out.

CARTER
Exactly, a few minutes before this is set to begin again we establish an outgoing wormhole to, I don't know…say the Tollan home world, and anyone or anything trying to dial in from P4X 639 will get a busy signal.

[O'Neill looks to Hammond, who nods.]

HAMMOND
Let's do it.

INT—GATE ROOM

[The Gate is dialing out. Base alarms are going off.]

INT—CONTROL ROOM

[SG-1, Hammond and a technician are gathered around the console.]

TECHNICIAN
Chevron five locked.

[A computer screen shows the dial out sequence progressing.]

TECHNICIAN
Chevron six locked.

[The Gate continues to spin. The seventh chevron slides into place but doesn't light up. They all stare at the Gate.]

TECHNICIAN
Chevron seven will not engage.

CARTER

(surprised)

What?

TECHNICIAN
It won't lock. I can't establish a connection.

CARTER
I'm running a diagnostic.

[Suddenly the Gate begins to spin.]

TECHNICIAN
Incoming wormhole.

HAMMOND
Close the iris.

[The iris closes. Armed guards take up position in front of the Gate. O'Neill sighs and looks at Teal'c.]

O'NEILL
Oh crap!

CARTER
This doesn't make any sense, there's nothing wrong on our end. We should have been able to dial out.

[The Gate opens and the energy arcs again. Carter looks to O'Neill, who just waves his hand, as the light engulfs them all and the loop starts again…]

INT—COMMISSARY

[O'Neill, Carter and Daniel are all at breakfast. O'Neill is eating fruit loops as before.]

DANIEL
Anyway I'm sorry but that just happens to be how I feel about it. What do you think?

[O'Neill just puts his spoon down and sits back in his chair.]

O'NEILL
Ask me tomorrow.

[Daniel looks confused, as does Carter. O'Neill closes his eyes for a moment and then looks off to the side, very fed up.]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[Daniel is looking at a computer screen with the images that SG-15 took, with O'Neill and Teal'c.]

DANIEL
…Just because someone can recognize the symbols on a keyboard doesn't mean they can run a computer…

[O'Neill waves his hands for Daniel to stop.]

O'NEILL
We've been over this!

[Daniel stops and looks at O'Neill.]

O'NEILL

I'm telling you, the only way to stop this loop…
(He touches the screen to bring up images of the pedestal)

…is to figure out how to run that stuff.

[Daniel looks at the screen.]

DANIEL
If we really have had this conversation before then I probably pointed it out to you that there's no way I can translate this entire text in less than a day.

O'NEILL

Oh, I am so ahead of you.
(He retrieves a tape recorder from the table)

I put the whole thing on tape last time so you don't have to start from scratch.

[He presses play, but nothing is heard. Daniel looks at him. O'Neill hits the recorder onto the table in frustration, to get it working.]

DANIEL
If what you say is true, then when the loop started again then your recording wouldn't have happened…yet

O'NEILL
Right.

[O'Neill puts the tape recorder down.]

TEAL'C
Did I not say that your plan would be unsuccessful?

[O'Neill raises a finger at Teal'c to shut him up.]

O'NEILL

Careful…be careful.
(To Daniel)

What about notes? Indelible ink?

[Daniel just looks at him.]

DANIEL
Look, if you guys are the only ones with memories of previous loops, then you're going to have to help me by learning and remembering.

O'NEILL

Fine.
(He picks up one of the images)

How hard can it be?

[Daniel takes it from him, turns it the right way around and gives it back to O'Neill.]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM

[Carter and Hammond are standing in front of a schematic on the display, discussing the situation.]

CARTER
According to Colonel O'Neill, in a previous loop we attempted to block the connection with P4X 639 but we were unable to dial out. I think what's happened is that the Earth has become in a sense out of sync with the rest of the Gate system, making it impossible for us to establish contact with these worlds.

HAMMOND
What about SG-12, they managed to Gate in?

CARTER
I realize that, so we ran a sequence of random dialings and this is what we found.

[She begins the display. It shows some Gate locations lighting up.]

CARTER
These were the worlds we were able to contact, including Alaris, the planet where SG-12 was doing its survey. At the center of this group is P4X 639. I believe that the alien device is establishing a simultaneous connection with all of these gates, creating a kind of subspace bubble, and that everything within the bubble is cut off from the normal flow of time.

HAMMOND
What are the implications of this?

CARTER
Well sir, we could be reliving the same day over and over maybe thousands of times and we'd never know it.

HAMMOND
What can we do?

CARTER
Unfortunately not much. By the next time this loop starts we won't even remember we had this conversation. It's up to Teal'c and Colonel O'Neill.

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[O'Neill is looking bored and reading a book entitled 'Latin for the Novice' by Joseph Mallozzi Ph.D. Teal'c is next to him, also studying.]

O'NEILL
Poteramus, pottera, protarat, cram, eras, crat, cramus…

[Daniel is writing on a chalkboard, translating some of the text. O'Neill puts the book down and puts his hands up to his head.]

O'NEILL
This is a bad idea.

TEAL'C
It would appear we have no choice.

[The alarms go off and the technician is heard over the intercom.]

TECHNICIAN
Unscheduled off world activation.

[O'Neill sighs and looks at Teal'c.]

O'NEILL
You know the worst part about this? Every time we loop Daniel asks me a question and…I wasn't listening the first time.

TEAL'C
You are not the only one who must endure some discomfort, O'Neill.

[The light envelops them and the loop begins again.]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[Teal'c is walking along the corridor when an airman opens a door in front of him and hits him in the face.]

AIRMAN
Sorry sir, I didn't realize you were there!

TEAL'C

(annoyed)

You have said that on many occasions.

AIRMAN
I…

TEAL'C
Perhaps next time I will not be so forgiving.

[Teal'c walks off, leaving the airman staring after him.]

[There is another flash of light and another loop starts…]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[O'Neill and Teal'c are sitting at the desk facing Daniel who is translating. They both look very bored and O'Neill is playing with two scrunched up balls of paper.]

DANIEL
Section twenty three ends with a reference to perennial inventus.

O'NEILL
We've been over this.

[Daniel turns around surprised.]

TEAL'C
I believe it means the approaching disaster.

DANIEL
Good.

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[O'Neill and Teal'c are again helping as Daniel translates onto the chalkboard. Teal'c is staring at his hands, evidently very bored.]

DANIEL
…On the machine itself. With recurring use the machine surrenders to the rigors of time…

TEAL'C
That is incorrect, Daniel Jackson.

[Daniel turns around and looks at them.]

O'NEILL

(casually)

The word abiceerum means to give up, not surrender.

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[This time O'Neill is spinning around on his chair in boredom and Teal'c is reading while Daniel is explaining the same thing to them.]

DANIEL
Ok, this section of the text seems to deal primarily with their arrival on P4X 639…

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[Daniel walks towards the chalkboard.]

DANIEL

Ok, now this section of the text seems to deal primarily with their arrival on P4X 639
(He points at a symbol)

Now this word here, deductavum, is a derivation of devuctum.

[O'Neill begins to juggle with some scrunched up balls of paper as he sits in his chair. Teal'c looks at him.]

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[O'Neill is standing, expertly juggling three balls of paper.]

DANIEL
Ok, this section of the text seems to deal primarily with their arrival on P4X 639.

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[This time O'Neill is sitting down looking at Teal'c, who is juggling balls of paper.]

DANIEL
…Appears to be a reference to the gradual degeneration of the machine itself…

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[Daniel is looking at the chalkboard.]

DANIEL
…Foundation of a colony.

[He turns around and sees both O'Neill and Teal'c expertly juggling, and stares at them in disbelief.]

DANIEL
Guys, are you getting this, 'cause this is important?

[The sirens start and the technician is heard on the intercom.]

TECHNICIAN
Unscheduled off world activation.

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—COMMISSARY

[O'Neill is sitting with his legs up on the table looking bored. There is an empty plate in front of him and he is holding containers of ketchup and mustard. He looks up as Teal'c enters.]

TEAL'C
O'Neill, should we not be assisting Daniel Jackson with the translation?

[O'Neill starts to draw on the plate with the ketchup and mustard.]

O'NEILL
I'm taking this loop off.

[Teal'c considers this and sits down.]

O'NEILL
I'm telling you, Teal'c. If we don't find a way out of this soon I'm going to lose it.

[Teal'c stares at him.]

O'NEILL

Lose it…it means go crazy, nuts, insane, bonzo, no longer in possession of one's faculties,
(He continues drawing on the plate with the condiments.)

three fries short of a happy meal…WACKO!

[He lifts up the plate to show Teal'c that he has drawn a smiling face.]

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—DANIEL'S OFFICE

[O'Neill is writing the translation on the chalkboard as Daniel and Teal'c watch. O'Neill finishes a line and walks towards Teal'c.]

O'NEILL
Teal'c?

TEAL'C
Thank you, O'Neill.

O'NEILL
No, no, thank you Teal'c.

[He hands Teal'c the chalk and sits down as Teal'c takes over. O'Neill leans back in the chair and puts his hands to his face in frustration.]

DANIEL
Exactly how many of these loops have you…have we been through?

O'NEILL
I've lost track.

DANIEL
That must be frustrating.

O'NEILL

(sarcastically)

Err…yeah!

DANIEL
On the other hand it's kind of an opportunity.

O'NEILL
How's that?

DANIEL
Well think about it, I mean if you know in advance that everything is always going to go back to the way it was then…you could do anything for as long as you want without having to worry about the consequences.

[O'Neill looks at him, then at Teal'c. They consider what he has said. O'Neill stands up.]

O'NEILL
Excuse me.

[He leaves quickly, followed by Teal'c. Daniel just stares after them, surprised.]

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—ROOM AT SGC

[O'Neill is working at a potter's wheel, practicing his modeling. The clay pot falls apart, and he looks at it.]

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[A Gate room technician is standing in the corridor. He hears a bicycle bell. He turns round in surprise and sees O'Neill cycling down the corridor.]

O'NEILL
How's the wife?

TECHNICIAN
Fine…sir!

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—GATE ROOM

[The Gate is open. O'Neill and Teal'c are playing golf through the Gate. They are both dressed in golf outfits and have set up some astro turf at the foot of the ramp. Teal'c takes a shot through the Gate.]

O'NEILL
Oh yeah! That's how to play.

[He walks up to take a shot.]

O'NEILL
How far is Alaris anyway?

TEAL'C
Several billion miles, O'Neill.

O'NEILL
That's got to be a record!

[He takes his shot too.]

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—ROOM AT SGC

[O'Neill is working at a potter's wheel again, practicing his modeling. This time the clay pot is perfect.]

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—GATE ROOM

[O'Neill and Teal'c are again playing golf through an open wormhole. O'Neill is just about to take a shot when…]

HAMMOND
Colonel O'Neill, what the hell are you doing?

O'Neill looks up and turns around to face the control room angrily.

O'NEILL

(angrily and animatedly)

In the middle of my back swing!

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[Once again the Airman opens the door into Teal'c as he walks down the corridor.]

AIRMAN
Sorry sir, I didn't see you there.

[Teal'c calmly slams the door shut on the airman, smiles and walks down the corridor.]

INT-CONTROL ROOM

[O'Neill walks in wearing civilian clothing and carrying a piece of paper. He walks up to Hammond.]

O'NEILL
Excuse me, George.

[He hands Hammond the paper.]

HAMMOND
Colonel, what are you doing out of uniform?

[O'Neill looks at his watch.]

O'NEILL
Handing you my resignation.

[Hammond looks at him, shocked. Carter stands up.]

CARTER
Resigning, what for?

O'NEILL

So I can do…
(he checks his watch again)

…this.

[He grabs Carter and gives her a big kiss in front of a shocked Hammond.]

[There is another flash of light and another loop…]

INT—BRIEFING ROOM

[Carter is looking at O'Neill, who is resting his head in his hand casually, and smiling.]

CARTER
What are you smiling at?

O'NEILL

(still smiling)

Nothing.

[Daniel is standing at the front of the table in front of the computer display of the images from P4X 639. He is reading some notes. Hammond sits at the table reading the briefing papers.]

HAMMOND
What have you got for us, Dr Jackson?

DANIEL

Err…with the help of Teal'c and…
(He points at O'Neill and raises his eyebrows)

…Jack, I've managed to complete the translation.

[O'Neill and Teal'c look up.]

DANIEL
As I originally suspected, P4X 639 was once a colony of the Ancients. They thrived there for thousands of years, until they were struck by some sort of unspecified cataclysm, perhaps a disease, but we'll never really know for sure. In any case, facing certain destruction, they built a time machine.

O'NEILL
They were going to go back and change their history, to avoid their fate.

DANIEL
Right, but it didn't work. Instead of sending a team of scientists back to the key moment in their history, the device caused a short term continuous loop. Just like the one we've been experiencing. They experienced the same day dozens, perhaps hundreds, of times, trying to get the machine to work, but in the end they gave up, they shut it down and…let the end come.

HAMMOND
So the loop can be broken?

[O'Neill nods silently at Hammond. Daniel walks over to the computer screen.]

DANIEL
Err…there's a section of text on the altar that deals specifically with the geomagnetic storms that power the device. Apparently they recur every fifty or so years which is why, incidentally…

[O'Neill interrupts frustrated.]

O'NEILL
Yes sir! The loop can be broken.

[He looks at Daniel, who has stopped talking.]

DANIEL
I was getting to that. When we activate the symbols on the altar in the right sequence I think we can shut it down.

HAMMOND
Colonel, have your team geared up and ready to embark in thirty minutes.

O'NEILL
Yes sir!

[He gets up to leave.]

EXT—P4X 639

[SG-1 exit the Stargate. Carter reads her instruments.]

O'NEILL
The geomagnetic storms are building up. We shouldn't stay long.

[Carter looks at him, shocked.]

O'NEILL
Lucky guess.

[He shrugs his shoulders. They make their way cautiously over to the altar and Malikai.]

O'NEILL
Malikai!

CARTER
I don't see anyone, sir.

O'NEILL
He's around here somewhere and he knows we're on to him.

[He gives a hand signal for them to fan out in their approach. Teal'c approaches the altar area first and is suddenly thrown back by a force field, unconscious.]

O'NEILL
Teal'c!

[They all rush over to him. Carter kneels beside him to help and O'Neill moves towards the force field. We see Malikai approach the altar and take his sunglasses off calmly.]

MALIKAI
I'm sorry, but you've come to break the time loop and I'm afraid I can't let you do that.

[O'Neill watches as Malikai works at the altar.]

O'NEILL
Get away from that thing!

[Malikai looks up but doesn't do anything. O'Neill picks up a stone. He throws it but it just rebounds off the barrier, narrowly missing O'Neill and Daniel.]

CARTER
It's no good, sir. It looks like a variation of a Goa'uld force shield.

MALIKAI
In fact it is, Major. I had to trade several rare artifacts for the field generator but it was well worth it.

[He continues working at the altar. Daniel approaches the force field.]

DANIEL
Malikai, we have to reset those controls or the loop is going to restart itself again.

MALIKAI
I'm counting on it. I need more time. Once I've correctly deciphered the symbols on the altar I will be able to master the time device.

O'NEILL
Why, so you can be king of Groundhog Day?

[Malikai looks up.]

MALIKAI

Do you think I would do this for personal power? She…
(he stops what he is saying)

…You wouldn't understand.

O'NEILL
What happened?

[Malikai considers the situation.]

MALIKAI
She died…twelve years ago. When I found this place and discovered its true purpose I dedicated myself to unlock its mysteries.

CARTER
So you could go back and save her.

[Teal'c awakens and is helped to his feet.]

MALIKAI
No, that would be quite impossible. She died from a congenital heart weakness. Not even the ability to travel time could change that.

O'NEILL
Then why are you doing this?

[He takes his sunglasses off.]

MALIKAI
To be with her once more.

[He returns to his work at the altar. Daniel also takes his sunglasses off.]

DANIEL
Malikai, the device doesn't work.

[Malikai looks up suddenly.]

DANIEL
It never did.

MALIKAI
It never did? You're living proof.

DANIEL
We finished translating the text on these ruins. The Ancients who built this place never got it to work. They tried over and over again, just like you. But in the end they just gave up. Why do you think this place has been deserted for so long? They couldn't save themselves.

MALIKAI
You're wrong. There must be some other explanation. I can make this work!

DANIEL
You can't! They proved it can't be done. You're just going to go on like this forever. You'll be trapped!

TEAL'C
Along with billions of innocent others.

CARTER
This device activates fourteen Stargates simultaneously. That's fourteen worlds re-living the same day over and over.

[Malikai considers the situation.]

MALIKAI
I err…I didn't realize.

[He looks down at his equipment as it signals the coming of the storm.]

MALIKAI
But it doesn't matter. Once I am able to input the correct time coordinates the loop will be broken.

O'NEILL
The people who made that machine are the same ones who made the Stargates and they couldn't get the damn thing to work. And even if you could, just for the sake of arguing,…you can't change what happened to her.

MALIKAI
I can touch her face again and talk with her, hear her laugh.

O'NEILL
Like you remember?

MALIKAI

(emotionally)

Yes.

O'NEILL
And then what'll happen?

MALIKAI
She'll die.

O'NEILL
And then what? You'll start over?

[Malikai looks down. The altar suddenly activates for the next loop and the energy builds up again.]

O'NEILL
Listen to me, I know what it's like.

MALIKAI
You can't!

O'NEILL

(angrily)

I lost my son, I know…and as much as I…I could never live that over again.

[Malikai looks at O'Neill sadly.]

O'NEILL
Could you?

MALIKAI

(sadly)

No.

O'NEILL
Let her go.

[Malikai reaches forward slowly and deactivates the altar. The energy buildup stops and the force field is lowered. O'Neill walks towards Malikai and takes the photograph of Malikai's wife from his bag. He hands it to Malikai who looks at it sadly then at O'Neill.]

INT—GATE ROOM

[The Gate is active and the iris is open. SG-1 step through. Hammond enters the Gate room.]

HAMMOND
Well, we're still here, Colonel. I assume you were successful?

O'NEILL
Well, General, you know what they say. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try, try again.

[He follows the rest of SG-1 out of the Gate room.]

INT—COMMISSARY

[O'Neill is eating a giant spoonful of oatmeal from a large bowlfull. Daniel and Carter are staring at him.]

DANIEL
I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy oatmeal so much.

O'NEILL
When you've been eating fruit loops for who knows how long, a little variety helps.

CARTER
We got a message from the Tok'ra. Apparently they've been trying to contact us for over three months.

[O'Neill looks up, not surprised.]

O'NEILL
Really?

CARTER
Who knows when they first realized that we were cut off? I mean, there's really no telling how much time passed.

DANIEL
Let me ask you something. In all the time that you were…err…looping, were you ever tempted to do something crazy?

[O'Neill looks up. Carter seems interested in the answer.]

DANIEL
I mean…you could do anything without worrying about the consequences.

O'NEILL
You know, it's funny. You asked me that before.

DANIEL
And?

[O'Neill just looks at Carter with a small smile on his face. Carter looks at Daniel, puzzled. O'Neill takes another big spoonful of oatmeal and eats it.]

FADE OUT

THE END

Transcribed by Andrea-T for Stargatefan

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--Kylie Lee 18:20, 19 Jul 2004 (PDT)