Stargate: Atlantis s01e18 Episode Script

(gasps) (growls) Major Sheppard.
Major! (Teyla groans) (Teyla groans) - Continue.
- Going easy on me, huh? I assure you, Major, I am not.
Continue.
You OK? - Yes.
- Are you sure? It's usually me picking my butt up off the mat.
I have not been sleeping much.
I've been having nightmares about the Wraith.
You're not the only one.
It has not been so bad since my father was taken.
According to Dr Zelenka's calculations, we have less than one week before the Wraith arrive.
- I want options.
- Besides crying ourselves to sleep? Not me.
I haven't slept in days.
What do you have to show for your sleepless nights? We've uncovered defensive weapons systems beyond the shield - Our best option is the control chair.
- I was gonna say that.
- You were taking too long.
- It may not be our best chance.
- Gentlemen.
- Power will be our biggest problem.
We haven't initialised the chair yet, let alone determined if we have the power.
OK.
Keep me posted.
Sergeant Bates, where are we with our Alpha site? We've completed the security sweep and are ready to establish base camp.
Awaiting inspection by Major Sheppard.
- Right after lunch.
- Good.
Are the Athosians prepared for an evacuation? Yes, but many believe there is no other world safe from the Wraith.
- They want to stay? - There are cullings all over the galaxy.
We have spent our lives hiding.
The difference here being we do intend to destroy the city rather than let it fall into the hands of the Wraith.
Anyone left on the mainland will be cut off from the Stargate for good.
Thanks to Rodney's discovery of the control crystal, we can take that with us and hopefully use it to access Earth in the future.
We understand that, Dr Weir.
I'm sorry The people of Athos wish you to know that they too will help defend the city.
- That is very honourable, but - (Kavanagh) Please! We can't possibly stay and fight.
I disagree.
I think it's entirely within the realm of possibility.
There are tens of thousands of life-sucking aliens in advanced spaceships on their way to destroy us, and we have 200 people, mostly scientists who've never even fired a gun before.
Shockingly, for the first time ever, I have to agree with Kavanagh.
All I'm saying is let's not give up just yet.
What was that we were supposed to all remember? Something important.
- The Alamo.
- Granted, you guys are scientists.
No one will put you on the front line, but science can turn the tide of war.
- Look at the A-bomb.
- Not exactly our proudest moment.
The Wraith aren't here yet, and until then remain focused on what you do best.
Like I said off the top, if there are any options, I want them.
That's all.
Teyla? Hi.
Kate Heightmeyer.
Yes, right.
I knew that.
I'm sorry.
No problem.
Mind if I join you? No, of course not.
Strange how the memory just goes away when we're tired.
- You are a doctor, right? - Psychologist, actually.
And that is different than Dr Beckett? Quite, yes.
I deal with the mind.
I help people with emotional problems like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic distress.
Needless to say, I've been pretty busy since we got here.
I can imagine.
I'm sure you do a lot of the same things that I do for your people, but it must be very hard on you, always having to keep such a brave face.
From strength comes hope.
Without hope, my people would be lost.
You must feel you have to be outwardly strong for us as well.
I know that your value and your loyalty have been questioned by a few in the past.
What I'm trying to say to you is if you ever need to talk, I'm here.
Did Major Sheppard ask you to speak with me? - Yes, he may have - I'm sorry.
I do not mean to be rude, but I'm fine.
Really.
I appreciate your concern.
Major.
- Teyla.
- What did you tell Dr Heightmeyer? What you told me, that you couldn't sleep because you were having nightmares.
- I confided in you.
- You're in my team, so my responsibility.
And I only told one person, whose job is to deal exactly with this sort of thing.
- There is nothing wrong with my mind.
- Nobody said there was.
It's hard enough with your people without them thinking I'm crazy.
- Nobody thinks you're crazy.
- That is not the point.
Look, Teyla, you may wanna sit this one out.
- What do you mean? - Rodney's staying back.
Ford and I are gonna check out the Alpha site before we move in.
My people will be forced to that planet as well.
And I'll make sure it's safe for everyone.
Look, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with you, God forbid, but you admitted that you were a little off your game.
You snapped at Dr Weir for no good reason.
Now you're biting my head off for caring that it's three days since you slept.
I'm sorry, but I do not need any help.
The Wraith are coming.
I need to do something.
OK.
Good.
I suggest you take a nap.
- Teyla.
- Dr McKay.
I was just We're seeing each other.
You and Dr Heightmeyer? Well, you know how much I love women with great minds.
Just don't say anything to anyone.
- Your secret is safe with me.
- Right.
Very good.
Excellent.
- Dr Heightmeyer? - Teyla.
Come in.
I'm sorry to bother you.
- Is it all right if I? - Of course.
Please, have a seat.
I guess I'm not really sure how this is supposed to work.
Just relax.
Tell me whatever's on your mind.
I have been having bad dreams.
I feel Everyone is afraid.
I do not know why I'm bothering you Could you always sense the Wraith? Yes.
Since I can remember.
What does it feel like? It feels like a deep cold that comes from within.
I first felt it when I was a girl.
I could not breathe, and I did not know why, and then we heard the darts.
Do you feel that way now? I have had a knot inside me for some time now.
As I understand, their ships are still a great distance from Atlantis.
Can you really sense them from so far away? This feeling is a little different than in the past.
Perhaps it is because it is always there now.
I am getting used to it.
Never before in my lifetime have so many Wraith been awake.
Do many of your people have this ability? Some.
Among those few, some can sense the Wraith stronger than others.
I am among the first to know they are coming.
That makes you special.
How does that make you feel? - I have not given it much thought.
- Why not? Why do some people have blue eyes and others brown? Tell me about your nightmares.
It was me.
You were standing over yourself? It was me, but it was not me.
I was a Wraith.
People waste a lot of time trying to interpret their dreams.
They're just another way our brain thinks.
There are no hidden meanings.
We forget most everything we dream about.
Our conscious mind is capable of deciding what's most important to us.
The fact that, on some level, I see myself as a Wraith is very disturbing to me.
I think this special ability you have, this talent for sensing the Wraith, connects you to them in your mind, maybe in a way you would like to deny.
You said you hadn't given it much thought.
I don't think that's true.
What am I supposed to do? I cannot change it.
Probably not, but the unknown frightens us.
We all like to feel in control, even though most of the time our power over most things is just an illusion, but I find the more we know about something, the more we can convince ourselves we are in control of it.
I ran every test I could on all of you.
You and your people are the same as we are.
I have no explanation for your special superpowers.
- I only have one.
- I've seen you fight, my dear.
This ability is something that is passed on through family lineage.
- Does that not make it biological? - It would seem so.
But without samples from everyone in your family, I would have little chance of identifying what causes the anatomical response.
It'd be difficult.
Any chance you would have time to fly me over to the mainland? If you're willing to take your life into your own hands.
I'd love a break.
You've changed, Teyla.
- My hair is shorter.
- It's more than your hair, dear.
I can still see the little girl who used to paint me beautiful pictures while she sang the songs of the Ancients.
I have not been her in a long time, Charin.
No, but even Teyla, leader of the Athosians, always found the time to come and visit with poor old Charin.
I have missed your tuttleroot soup.
But I suspect it's more than my soup that has brought you here.
You've come to pluck me from my tent and take me to yet another world.
Not yet, but it seems we may have to evacuate again soon, at least temporarily.
Did you allow yourself to expect differently? I still believe that we can one day be free of the Wraith.
You can save such stories for those whose bones aren't failing them.
Charin, do you know why I can sense the Wraith coming? You were born to it.
There have been a few in every generation.
I know, but has no one ever wondered how that is possible? Some believe it was a gift from the Ancestors.
And you? Your father asked me not to tell you.
My father is not here any more.
No other living Athosian knows of this, for good reason.
Please, tell me anyway.
My grandfather used to tell a story, no one has ever heard the like before or since, about the few who once returned.
Returned? There was a planet.
As was expected, every so often, the Wraith came, villagers were taken.
But there, on this particular planet, on several occasions, the taken came back.
Some believed the Ancestors had returned their loved ones, that they had been blessed with a gift that made them unwanted by the Wraith.
Others even told tales of how the taken had somehow vanquished the Wraith, but soon the taken began to be feared.
- Why? - They spoke of hearing voices.
Many began to behave strangely.
Some became violent, even murderous.
Well, it doesn't sound like the Ancients were responsible for that.
The villagers turned on the taken.
It was a massacre.
All but a few were killed.
The rest were ostracised and sent away.
After that, no others that were taken from that village ever returned again, but those few who survived, they are the ones who Charin believes passed on the gift.
- And one of the taken that survived was - My lineage.
I have the address to the planet.
Charin says the village is long gone.
All that is left are ruins.
- Still I wish to go there.
- Now? I believe this must be coming to light now for a reason.
Maybe we can find evidence of what really happened.
There are a lot of things we need to get done.
Maybe there is a way to fight the Wraith we have yet to discover.
Perhaps my ancestors were simply not enlightened enough to recognise their gift for what it was.
Doesn't hurt to take a look around.
- Sir, there's nothing here.
- I know.
- It's dark.
Shouldn't we be getting back? - Just give her a minute.
- Sir - I need her to put this behind her, sleep.
We all do, so whatever it takes.
- Rodney? - I've got something here.
- Really? - I don't know.
I've got a little You've got a little what? Hey, McKay, you've got a little what? What? - It's OK when you guys make fun of me.
- Rodney? Picking up a faint energy signal.
It's getting stronger.
- It's coming from here.
- There's nothing here.
- The magic Ancient device hasn't lied yet.
- It's solid.
- There's definitely something weird here.
- Weird how? - How about that? - Teyla! Teyla! Maybe if you got a good running start, really slam into it.
- How'd you do that? - I do not know.
I was just looking for a way out.
- Looks like the inside of a Wraith ship.
- What the hell were they doing here? - Rodney.
- Elizabeth.
You found a Wraith laboratory? Looks that way.
Some sort of hidden secret facility.
It's obviously been abandoned for a very long time.
I pulled this data recorder from one of the computer consoles.
The Wraith were experimenting on the people? - No idea.
Hoping this will tell us.
- Why the secrecy? The Wraith can take people at will and do whatever they want with them.
Here we go.
There.
Now that means absolutely nothing to me.
Last time I saw one of these, it showed a galactic positioning system for ships.
- More pictures than symbols.
- I wonder Just so you know, you didn't finish that sentence out loud.
- Well, this is obviously a language.
- Wraith language? That would make sense.
I'd love to have a look through this.
Knock yourself out.
I gotta get back to the control chair anyway.
- Why could only you access the doorway? - I don't know.
Only a Wraith can enter a Wraith facility? - I'm not a Wraith.
- What does it feel like to be a Wraith? I feel hungry.
(gasps) Remember what happened last time I sat in one? - There's nowhere near enough power.
- Then why bother? It's quite late.
We are trying to determine how much power is required to operate the systems.
- And it needs to be on.
- You have the gene now.
I can't analyse the data while keeping the damn thing activated.
- You analyse it.
- Rodney doesn't think - Gentlemen, how's it coming? - Well, not good.
- This won't help.
Carson, I need you.
- Thank God.
- We're using him.
- Is someone hurt? - You were right.
- Lovely.
About what? Your theory of the Wraith evolving after the Ancients arrived in Pegasus.
- Pay up.
- How do you know? - Wraith language is derived from Ancient.
- That doesn't Rodney, please.
That's not why I need to see you.
I've been able to translate the first part of the log.
Really? - We'll try Dr Kusanagi again.
Now.
- OK.
Thank you.
Good morning.
You look like I feel.
Well, we've been up all night.
You wanted to see me? - You'd better sit down.
- What is it? Well, I translated the first part of the log you brought back and Are you sure you don't wanna have a seat? The Wraith were conducting experiments on your ancestors.
It was just one Wraith, actually.
He was doing it against the wishes of the other Wraith, in secret.
What was he doing? I think he was trying to make their food source more compatible with their species.
- I do not understand.
- It was very easy to miss.
I couldn't even make the comparison necessary to isolate the specific strand.
We needed Wraith cells, which we got, but also a mapping of the genetic code which wasn't 50% complete Please.
Tell me.
You have some Wraith DNA in your genetic make-up.
- Teyla is part Wraith? - A very small part.
She's as different from us as you because of your Ancient gene.
- And some other things.
- Bates is gonna go nuts.
- Let's keep this one under our hat.
- Teyla is concerned how we will react.
You think this Wraith scientist was trying to make humans more tasty? The log indicates that he wanted to make the feeding more efficient.
You said they had genetic characteristics similar to humans.
They do, but they're still closer to the bug that attacked Major Sheppard than us.
- We weren't gonna mention that again.
- Sorry.
Also interesting is the fact that the Wraith language appears to be a derivative of Ancient, which suggests that the Wraith evolved after the Ancients arrived in Pegasus.
The Ancients unwittingly allowed humans to evolve on a planet with insects on it.
At some point, the insects fed on humans and incorporated our DNA into theirs.
The Wraith are an evolution of that.
So you're saying the Ancients actually created the Wraith? - By accident.
- Or negligence.
It doesn't matter.
The more we know about Wraith physiology, the closer we get to a weapon that can attack them and leave us unharmed.
Yes, but all we know is that the Ancients might have created the Wraith, and why Teyla can sense them coming.
Fabulous, mystery solved, but that doesn't stop them from coming.
Rodney's right.
Let's get back to work.
Thank you.
I know it is not my fault.
There's nothing I can do.
The fact is, I'm really no different now than I was yesterday or last week.
But you feel different.
Yes.
The thing that I am most worried about is how people will perceive me.
My father told people that it was a gift, I was special, but in a good way.
I could help my people by warning them of the Wraith's approach.
He did it to protect me, but I think that it is why they first turned to me as a leader.
As you said, you're no different than you were yesterday.
Yes, but now they have reason to fear me.
Even with Major Sheppard in the chair, we weren't able to What? What is that? Something you said made me wonder - There are more important - Why did that Wraith stop experimenting? - What did I say? - I don't remember.
It's a good point.
I'm just wondering what I said.
What have you got? At first I thought the other Wraith caught him.
- They didn't? - He stopped on his own.
Why didn't the Wraith want these experiments taking place? - Exactly.
- They were intended to improve things.
- That's it.
- I just said it.
- Will you stop? - (Weir) Here's the most interesting part.
The Wraith communicate using a telepathic network.
I noticed that.
Thankfully, they can't seem to read the minds of humans, though.
What does this have to do with the experiments? By combining even small amounts of Wraith DNA with humans, the scientist was giving the humans Wraith mental abilities.
The subjects of his experiments could hear the Wraith communications.
The voices that the people heard were Were Wraith.
Exactly.
It must have driven them mad.
The Wraith scientist couldn't find a way around it, so he gave up.
Why let them back into the general population? He thought that interbreeding with normal humans might dilute the effect.
Before he realised, it was too late.
When the other Wraith did find out what he had done, they wiped out all the people on the planet.
But not before several test subjects had been ostracised and forced to leave.
How does this help us? Teyla may have more than just the ability to sense the Wraith coming.
You think Teyla might be able to tap into this Wraith psychic network? If she can, we'll be able to gather all the intel we ever needed about them.
I have never been able to hear the thoughts of the Wraith.
According to the notes, those who were given the Wraith DNA had the ability.
You've never actually tried before.
You didn't know you could read Wraith minds.
Who would want to? I would not even consider asking you to do this if I didn't think it could provide us with vital information.
I just do not know what to do.
Dr Heightmeyer has a theory.
I think it's possible that through several generations, people have developed a mental barrier to the thought projections of the Wraith, a self-defence mechanism.
- If we can get past that - How? We have a process called hypnosis.
Dr Heightmeyer can lead you through it and Dr Beckett will remain on hand at all times to monitor your physiology.
The Wraith are far away, are they not? Yes, and McKay has some doubts about the range of this telepathy.
But, as you said, you can sense the Wraith now.
If that's a bleed-through effect of a greater latent ability, then it may be worth trying to break the barrier.
It's not something I would ever recommend doing under any other circumstances.
But these are far from normal circumstances that we're in, Teyla.
If I can somehow provide us with something, their strategy, a weakness I see no other choice.
OK, I think we're ready.
Are you? OK, I want you to breathe nice and deeply, and try to relax.
Dr Beckett's going to administer a mild sedative.
We should still be able to communicate.
We can wake you at any time using a low-grade electrical current.
It won't hurt at all.
Just say "out" and we'll end it.
Now, focus on this light as I speak.
The feeling you get from the Wraith is a cold, dark feeling deep inside you.
I want you to think about that.
Look for it in your mind.
Now, close your eyes and listen to it.
Don't resist.
Go to that place where it lives.
What do you hear? Nothing.
Your father was taken by the Wraith.
Do you remember sensing it that day? - Yes.
- Think back to that feeling.
Now listen.
What do you hear? Noise.
Voices, so many voices, whispering.
Listen closely.
Listen for one.
- I can see.
- Tell us what you see, Teyla.
I am on a ship.
- I am walking.
- She can see what's happening? The Wraith's thoughts may include what they're seeing.
There are other Wraith, and they do not notice me.
I am in a room full of people being preserved so that they can be fed upon.
Aargh! I am feeding.
I am killing him! Stop.
Beckett, stop.
It's OK.
It's OK.
You're here, in Atlantis.
Teyla, I I had no right to ask you to do this.
- Get these things off of me.
- Settle down.
I have to take this off.
I can't put her through this.
It's too much to ask.
You might feel differently once the hive ships show up.
- Why did you make them stop? - Excuse me? I was on one of the hive ships headed here.
I could hear them.
I could see.
It was working.
- You were watching them feed.
- Yes.
I actually felt one of them feed, but I can handle it.
- I can help us.
- I never should've I am going to try again.
I am walking through the ship.
I am in some sort of control room.
(breathes deeply) Er You are all so pathetic.
Something tells me that's not Teyla talking.
Nothing can stop us.
Wake her up.
- You are all going to die.
- Now! (gasps) What happened? Dr Beckett has her sedated.
I would like some time to let what she's been through sink in.
She may be in shock.
I have no idea what the long-term effect will be.
She said she could see some type of control room.
- She just needs to get a better look.
- You were there.
A Wraith had control of her.
(alarm) Incoming wormhole.
Sergeant Bates' IDC.
It's the Alpha site.
This is Sergeant Bates.
Code red.
We're under attack! Lower the shields.
Move it, move it! - That's it, we're clear! - Raise the shield! Is everybody OK? All off-world personnel accounted for.
That planet isn't safe any more.
They dropped a device by the gate as we were leaving.
They're tagging the planet.
If we evacuate, we need a new place to go.
It was uninhabited.
Why did the Wraith want it? I don't know.
It's almost like they knew we were there.
I was close.
I was so close.
I really think if I had another chance You don't have to prove anything.
I think this could make a difference.
I saw a hologram.
I think it was a map, maybe a battle plan.
Their battle plan is to wipe us out.
I'm not so sure that is true.
They want something from us.
- Yeah, they wanna eat us.
- No, something more.
- They are desperate.
- Really? Yes, it is surprising.
They are confident in their dominance over us, but mainly because there are so many of them; too many to sustain for long.
They have all awakened early and there is not enough food to go around.
It was just a feeling.
The voices were so hard to separate.
You don't remember one speaking through you? No, but I remember the feeling just before it happened.
- Next time - Dr Weir won't let there be a next time.
If that's true, chances are it was Teyla who gave away our location to the Wraith.
- There wasn't time.
- Maybe they had a ship in the area.
I admit asking Teyla to connect with the Wraith may have been a mistake.
With respect, there's no doubt about that.
Take it easy, Sergeant.
It's not like she wilfully gave away our position.
She wants to try again.
She was close to something big she's convinced we need to know.
I'm sorry.
I'm not sure Teyla's thinking about what's best for herself.
She could compromise us further.
We have more to gain from the Wraith than they do from us.
She wants to do it.
There may be nothing we can do to stop her trying, so isn't it better if we're all there? OK.
Close your eyes and relax and listen for the voices.
(growls) Teyla? - Break the connection.
- It's not working.
- No! - Teyla! (Weir) I hope we haven't caused her psychological damage.
Teyla's strong.
She's been able to hold it together after what she's been through.
There you are.
Major, Dr Weir.
Carson, how are you feeling? Doozy of a headache, but I'll be fine.
Teyla's awake.
She wants to see both of you.
Teyla, can I get you some water? No.
I am so sorry.
- I thought I could prevent - It's all right.
Everyone's fine.
We are concerned the Wraith can connect at will.
It has never happened before.
No, I am sure I have to connect with them first.
I saw their plans, the route their ships are taking to get here.
- That's good.
- (Teyla) There's more.
They do not just want Atlantis.
- They know about you.
- What do you mean? Sumner.
The female Wraith wasn't just feeding on him.
- She was interrogating him.
- That is why they're all waking up.
That is why they are coming here.
They know that Atlantis is the only way to get to a new, rich feeding ground.
Earth.