Stargate: Atlantis s04e04 Episode Script

What are we doing? Exploring the Pegasus Galaxy.
It's what we do.
You know what I meant.
There certainly doesn't appear to be anything here that would help in our fight against the Wraith or the Replicators.
McKAY: Come on, you guys kill me.
Planets are huge, you know.
Usually you're the one complaining.
Yes, this enthusiasm is most unlike you, Rodney.
Well, I'm turning over a new leaf.
We did a standard fly-over in the Jumper, scanned for life-signs.
Nothing.
You can't fly around for 10 minutes and decide there's nothing here.
Yes, I can.
McKAY: I'm getting strange energy readings.
- Yeah? From where? - I can't pinpoint the source.
The jungle's pretty thick, though.
It could be hiding just about anything.
I don't know.
It's almost as if somebody in a warm cozy room typing at their computer sent us here for their own amusement.
You don't really think Zelenka would do that.
If he did, he's going to be sorry.
Do you have any idea how many gate addresses there are in the Ancient database that have no accompanying description? Forty-two.
- No, I think it's a little more than that.
Look, I don't really remember.
That's not the point.
Nothing.
No information at all.
I say that has to mean something.
Maybe it means there was nothing worth writing about on those planets.
Or there is, but the Ancients are trying to hide it.
From themselves? A lot of time has passed since the Ancients were around.
You know, things change.
Maybe there's something here they didn't know about.
- You have a bet riding on this, don't you? - What makes you say that? All right, that's it.
I'm calling this one.
Everyone back to the Jumper.
- Aw, come on.
- Face it, McKay, you lost this one.
Oh! Oh, hello.
What's that, then, huh? Looks like some kind of natural crystalline growth.
I think this might be what's causing the energy readings.
Pretty.
Looks like one of those toys you play with when you're a kid.
- A Commodore 64? - Triple-barrel shotgun? A kaleidoscope.
- You realize what this means? - We discovered an alien fungus that glows.
How about a power source that literally grows on trees? But admittedly, these energy readings are pretty low-level, but if these crystals could be cultivated, then Whoa, whoa, wait.
What are you doing? - Are you all right? - Yeah, I'm fine.
Just a little shock.
That could have been dangerous! I told you it was giving off energy.
Honestly, I I don't know why I did that.
- Well, you killed it.
- Oh, really? - Well, it's not giving off energy anymore.
- Well, maybe he just scared it.
- You don't even know if it was alive.
- Seriously, why would you touch it? I don't know! I said that, okay? I just did.
Now, will you leave it at that? Okay, well, there's got to be more of them around here.
I'm going to recommend sending a science team back here to check it out.
I am a science team.
Okay, fine, let's desert a potentially significant discovery just because you guys don't want me to win a bet with Zelenka? All your scans are clear, blood tests are normal.
- As far as I can tell, you're in perfect health.
- See? I told you.
- Thanks, Doc.
- No more touching strange things.
Well, that's good advice.
I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted.
- It's been a long day.
- Well, thanks for hanging out.
- Just wanted to be sure.
- I'm fine.
Get some sleep.
Good night, John.
This is pretty good.
What is it? I knew you two were going to eventually hook up.
We are not hooking up.
It's just dinner.
I'm telling you, there's something in here giving off a strange energy reading.
- John, what are you doing? - Colonel Carter doesn't trust you.
- No one does but me.
- What are you talking about? What's wrong with you? What do you mean? Nothing.
You've never been the same since you got into the mind of that Wraith Queen.
What? Teyla! Father! I cannot even begin to tell you how bizarre it was.
- Please, you want bizarre? Let me tell you - You know what? Don't.
Morning.
- What? - Teyla had a dream about you last night.
- Rodney - Really? What was it about? Actually, it was more of a nightmare, and I'd rather not talk about it.
Was I the dashing hero saving you from a big bad monster? Actually, you were the big bad monster.
- Really? - Like I said, I'd rather not talk about it.
Where are you going? I'm sorry.
I have a headache.
I did not sleep well last night.
Is she really mad at me? I can't control what's in her dreams.
Really? You think you can't control a person's dreams? My father read me Moby Dick when I was seven years old.
I mean, seriously, what was the man thinking? You have any idea how long I had nightmares about being eaten by a whale? - They haven't stopped, have they? - No.
It's coming from outside.
I go to the opening, I hear Darts.
I pull open the tent, and he comes inside.
I know it's not really Colonel Sheppard, but I can't help but feel different towards him.
Do you think it's my subconscious trying to tell me something? If there is something real going on between you and Colonel Sheppard that you feel you need to address, you definitely should.
Otherwise, don't let it bother you.
I've had horrible nightmares before of my father being taken when I was a little girl, the cullings since, but none of them have felt like this.
When I woke up, I could barely catch my breath.
I know it sounds silly, but I think I'm actually afraid of falling asleep.
Well, physically, there's nothing wrong with you other than the symptoms you've described, which can all be attributed to lack of sleep.
These should help for the short term, but if the problem persists, you definitely need to come back.
You have no idea how good the thought of a solid night's sleep - makes me feel at this point.
- Oh, I think I do.
I'm not sure I've had one since I got here.
- Thank you.
- Don't mention it.
Have a good night.
You, too.
Dr.
Keller, we have a medical emergency.
Dr.
Keller, please report immediately to the infirmary.
What's wrong? - It's Teyla.
She's in severe abdominal distress.
Says you gave her some medication? I prescribed some Ambien to help her sleep.
Teyla? In the mess for a late-night snack.
She started complaining about her stomach and then she just doubled over.
I thought you were going to bed.
Did you take one of those pills I gave you? - No.
- Okay, just try to relax.
Here, let me have a look.
Hold her for me.
Oh, my God.
Doctor, do something.
Uh, okay, we We need to sedate her, and, uh Oh, God.
Can you believe this? - Sorry, Doc.
Didn't mean to scare you.
- We were sparring.
I got in a lucky shot.
- It's the middle of the night.
- Maybe for you.
Sit down, let me have a look.
You're going to need stitches.
- I guess I taught him too much, huh? - Yeah, I guess so.
You know, you don't need to stick around.
I'm fine.
- You sure? - Yeah.
- I want a rematch tomorrow, though.
- Yeah, that's what I was afraid of.
- Good night.
- See you tomorrow.
- Something wrong? - Hmm? No, nothing.
I don't think he's seeing anyone, you know.
Oh! Oh, no.
No, that's That's quite all right.
You know, this would be easier if you lay down.
Okay.
Hello! Is anyone here? Anyone? Hey, buddy, what are you running from? I don't know.
Come on.
I'm really sorry.
Did I Did I hurt you? No, no.
I'm I'm sorry.
- I didn't mean to - You fell asleep.
- I was having the strangest dream.
- You sure you're okay? Yeah.
Go ahead.
I'm almost done.
It was terrifying.
There you were with this disgusting alien bug crawling out of your stomach, and Colonel Sheppard was acting like it was the coolest thing he'd ever seen.
- That sounds like that movie.
- Yeah, Alien.
Have you seen it? Colonel Sheppard speaks of it often.
I still remember the first time I saw it.
I certainly did not think it was cool.
One time in med school I made the mistake of confiding to my partner in biology class that it had caused my all-time worst nightmares.
He actually planted a live snake inside a cadaver I was working on.
Well, I never saw it as a kid.
I knew from the poster it was going to be too scary.
No, I was 16 when a neighborhood theater had a horror revival festival.
And I thought, "Great," you know, "date movie.
" So Jocelyn Rutger, third period science.
Bit of geek, but she had a great Anyway, you know how girls get all scared and curl up on your shoulder? - Your planet has some truly strange rituals.
- Anyway, I eat when I get nervous.
- Really? I hadn't noticed.
- Mmm.
So, very tense, working like a charm.
Jocelyn's all freaked out beside me, I'm packing away the Goobers and the popcorn, and then the alien bursts out of John Hurt.
- You didn't.
- Mmm.
Puked all over her.
I have got to see this movie.
Don't you think it's strange that each of us has had incredibly vivid nightmares with Colonel Sheppard being somehow an integral part? Acting most unlike Colonel Sheppard.
- Not me.
- Have you had any nightmares recently? Not a night goes by.
Last night I dreamt that Colonel Carter invited me to her quarters for dinner.
Maybe you shouldn't be telling us this, Rodney.
Yeah, I said nightmare, not delusional male fantasy.
Wait and listen.
Turns out she was serving lemon chicken.
I mean, lemon, and the only reason she invited me to dinner was to tell me she was promoting Zelenka over me.
That's it? Then I was eaten by a whale.
Don't ask how that happened.
Okay, do you guys really think I'm crazy? I realize they're just dreams, but first it was Teyla, and then right after you came to see me, I had one.
And that's when mine stopped.
Those pills you gave me knocked me out cold.
And then Ronon had one while I was working on him.
What's the big deal? It's like you said, it's just a few bad dreams, right? I probably shouldn't have bothered you with this.
I probably shouldn't have bothered you with this.
I know I don't really have any hard evidence.
Believe me, I've seen a good hunch go a long way in some pretty crazy circumstances.
I'd always rather you were on your toes, especially with anything that seems suspicious.
I know a few bad dreams isn't that significant.
It's only natural given what we face on a daily basis, but this was different.
It really rattled me.
Coupled with the sequential pattern, first Teyla, then me, then Ronon, all with Colonel Sheppard being a significant negative presence in our dreams.
Do you have any idea what's behind it? No, I don't know.
Thing is, it started right after Colonel Sheppard touched that crystal on M3X-387.
- I thought you cleared him medically.
- I did Excuse me.
There's an emergency situation at crew quarters atrium.
Security was called for and has been dispatched.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
Put down the gun, Major.
Let's talk this out.
Someone, get an ARG.
Now.
Shoot him with it.
Major, talk to me.
Tell me what's going on.
Just do it! Okay, what's the harm? I mean, if he's human, it won't hurt him, right? - John, what is he talking about? - Don't talk to him.
Colonel Sheppard is a Replicator.
Look, Lorne, I don't know what's gotten into you Me? No, no, no, it's not me.
- Major, how about you lower your weapon? - He's a Replicator! What, you don't believe me? Okay, I'll shoot him, you'll see.
Whoa, whoa, that won't be necessary.
I've got my hands up in a very non-threatening way.
I've called for an ARG.
- You believe him? - Of course not, but it won't hurt you, and it might help him to lower his gun.
You're one of them, too.
Look, don't just stand there.
Shoot them.
Shoot both of them! I take it I don't have to shoot either of you with this? - I'm so glad no one was hurt.
- And you don't remember anything? No, honestly.
I haven't had a sleepwalking incident since I was, like, 10.
It's quite common for someone suffering from somnambulism to perform complex activities in their sleep and remember nothing upon waking.
So you think this has something to do with the crystal I touched? That's when it seemed to start.
Major Lorne's not the only one.
In each case, the person being affected reports you being a significant negative presence in the nightmare.
- Well, I can't control that.
- No, but maybe something is.
What? You think someone's impersonating me in their dreams? Look, I've seen more than my share of alien entities that are capable of this.
Colonel O'Neill was once knocked unconscious by an energy being that lived in crystal form.
It took on his appearance for a while.
I read at one point you were taken over by an alien entity.
Yeah.
Not a personal highlight.
- The question is, what's the point? - Maybe it's feeding on our fear.
- I'll shut up.
- No, no, it's not that big a leap.
It's just We don't have any proof.
First it was Teyla, I was next, and then Ronon after I treated him.
Well, I'm the one who touched the crystal, and I've never had a bad dream.
Maybe that's why you're appearing in everyone's dreams.
Whatever's doing this imprinted your image onto itself.
Now that I think about it, it's possible whatever this is, its spread may be limited by touch.
Okay, anyone who's had contact with Major Lorne since the incident needs to be isolated.
If this is some sort of alien influence, we have to find a way to detect it.
- Sit down, Rodney.
- I'm good right here, thank you.
All offworld teams have been contacted and instructed not to return for the time being.
Gate travel will be restricted to an as-needed basis, and until further notice, all non-essential expedition members will be restricted to quarters.
Come on, is this really necessary? It's just a few bad dreams, right? The fact is, we don't really know what we're dealing with.
We may have an alien entity on our hands capable of moving from person to person at will.
And so far, the only behavior we have to evaluate suggests a certain malice.
Now, based on what's been described to me, the personification of Colonel Sheppard in everyone's dreams is behaving much like a sociopath.
Did I have a goatee? Right now, all it's doing is causing some nightmares, but we don't know if that's the limit of its capability.
You're saying this is only the beginning.
I've never profiled anything like this before.
It will likely progress, try to drive up the stakes, seek bigger thrills.
Now, even if it's limited to manipulating the host's subconscious, it may be able to put someone in serious jeopardy.
So, what are we talking, Freddy Krueger here? Oh, come on! We don't have a single shred of hard evidence here.
I mean, until we do, this thing is just a bogeyman.
Exactly why you're going back to the planet where Colonel Sheppard touched the crystal.
What? Why would we do that? Well, just as you said, to gather some hard evidence, see if there are anymore of these things.
We need to find out exactly what they are and how they work, and if possible, how to detect if there really is something inside Lorne right now.
Thank you.
But you said no more gate travel.
I thought that was a wise decision.
I said on an as-needed basis, McKay.
I think this qualifies.
Yeah, but don't you think a science team would be better suited for You are a science team, remember? Okay, fine, but it's a big planet, you know.
We could really use some more manpower.
I still can't believe you're making me do this.
McKAY: Ah, you lost the bet.
There's definitely something on this planet.
Yes, but I distinctly said "of value.
" I hardly call this particular discovery valuable.
Over here.
There you go.
Better get started.
- Rodney.
- Hmm? Don't look in it, and whatever you do, don't touch it.
I wasn't even thinking about it.
Radek, we got a live one here.
- It could be useful to compare the two.
- That's just what I was thinking.
But be careful.
It could be dangerous to try to harvest one with an active entity in it.
Mmm.
Once again, you've read my mind.
However, when you're finished there, I say you give it a shot.
Yeah, give it a shot.
You really think it was safe to bring a live one back? Well, those containment tanks are non-conductive.
We believe it needs conductive material in order to travel.
And having an active crystal allows us to calibrate these hand-held sensors to detect the energy signatures associated with it.
Hopefully, we'll be able to determine if someone is actually carrying one of these creatures around inside of them.
As long as it doesn't know what we're up to.
Otherwise, you'd think it would just transfer out of somebody before we could scan them.
You're assuming, of course, they're not only capable, but they're conscious and aware at all times.
McKAY: It's demonstrated some pretty sophisticated intelligence so far.
It could have basic avoidance skills.
We're gonna have to modify our scanners to operate at a range large enough to Wait a minute.
We could calibrate the citywide life-signs detector McKAY: Oh, yes, Mr.
Wizard, we're just going to snap our fingers and What are you doing? I don't know, it's It's mesmerizing.
- You said it was safe.
- We said we think.
Still I don't know what I was doing.
I can't believe it.
I was suddenly overcome by the compulsion to want to touch it.
Yeah, we think that's how it ropes in its victims.
It's not in him.
You said the entity needed conductive material to travel, right? Well, based on the It's the power conduits.
They run pretty much through the entire city.
It could be in anyone.
Kate, what are you doing? - I don't want to die.
- Good.
Come down from there.
I can't.
Why not? Help me, please! John, stop it.
Stop it.
I have to help her! What are you doing? - John, get out of the way! - Teyla! - Teyla! - Kate! She did not report for duty, and I can't wake her up.
She's dead.
This is Colonel Carter.
If I could have your attention, please.
I'm very sorry to have to tell you that we have lost a valuable member of the expedition today.
Dr.
Kate Heightmeyer meant a great deal to all of us.
Her death is nothing short of tragic.
I'm also sorry to have to report that the threat we face is still in our midst, and until further notice, the full lockdown protocol will remain in effect.
Try to remain calm.
We are doing everything we can to ensure everyone's safety and to resolve this situation quickly.
Thank you.
That was good.
I mean, horrible, obviously.
Terrifying and horrible, but I just I meant you sounded strong.
I'm sure they were at least a little reassured hearing your voice, but you don't need me to tell you that.
A day like this, it doesn't hurt.
Thanks.
I was just about to come to see you, but I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me.
Colonel Carter? Excuse me.
I think I've managed to calibrate the citywide sensors.
I mean, if it is working properly.
We had some trouble with the We have a positive reading.
Do we know who that is? What do you need me for? What's with the rubber walls? I'm sorry, Rodney.
I have to go.
Oh, you've got to be kidding.
It's in Rodney? The isolation room has been lined with insulating material to prevent the entity from transferring out of him and into someone else.
If we're right, we've got it trapped.
Yeah, well, that doesn't help McKay much, does it? If this thing kills people in their sleep No.
We've got to find a way to get it out of him.
Someone want to get me some coffee? I'm already feeling a little tired here.
I could give him something to keep him awake for a while, but it will only work for so long before we start putting him at risk of pulmonary failure.
Yeah, believe it or not, I've been there before, too.
Do what you can.
We'll try to come up with something.
Hang in there, McKay! Oh, thanks.
Like I have much choice.
- Do you think it knows it's trapped? - I don't know.
Why? Maybe there's a way to I don't know, reason with it.
Being in Dr.
Weir's old office made you think of that, didn't it? Normally I just shoot the bad guys.
- We just heard.
- There must to be something we can do.
That's what we're talking about.
Okay, let's say for a second that you could somehow communicate with it.
- What were you planning on saying? - I don't know, I hadn't gotten that far.
It strikes me that if it feeds on fear, or worse, likes the thrill of killing its host, then - Well, it would take the last chance it had.
- To kill McKay.
What about survival? It's trapped.
Will it die without a living host to transfer to? I was hoping not to find out.
We could give it a chance to leave.
Go home.
- Back into the crystal.
Yeah, sure, why not? Send it through the gate back to its planet.
I've heard of people being talked through waking dreams before.
Maybe Maybe McKay can be hypnotized into a state where he could somehow communicate with it.
He has successfully meditated into an altered state before.
Yeah, that was after he was genetically altered.
I'm sorry, what? You want McKay to ask this thing to leave? We are talking about McKay.
Scary things are not exactly his strength.
And he is up against a creature apparently capable of manipulating his subconscious.
I wish there was a way for one of us to get in there.
Into McKay's dreams? Yeah, you know, help him out, give him a little moral support.
Come on, all the things you've seen, you've never come across a way for one person to get into another person's dreams? Where's she going? What's going on? I don't know, but I think I'm about to see a side of McKay I never wanted to see.
- It does not have to be you.
- Yeah, well, it's my bad idea.
What was? What We first encountered the technology 10 years ago on a planet where the survivors of a holocaust were living entirely in a virtual world created in their minds.
Since then, we've managed to modify it for use in the VR training of SG team members.
It only took some minor calibrations to tune it in to subconscious activity.
So Sheppard is actually going to see McKay's dreams? Well, to be honest, the technology is untested for use in this manner.
Dreams are much more random than conscious thought.
It may be difficult for the system to translate what's going on in McKay's brain so that Colonel Sheppard can understand it.
I'm just hoping that the two of them will be able to interact somehow.
- You sure about this? - Not really.
- I'm pretty screwed up.
- You're telling me.
We're ready if you are.
- Thanks.
- I haven't done anything yet.
For trying, and don't say I didn't warn you.
Administering sedative.
- Nothing's happening here.
- He's not dreaming yet.
Oh, boy.
Nice whale.
Nice whale, you're my friend.
You don't want to eat me.
Give up.
You'll never make it.
You're too weak.
Oh, thank you.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Way to help out! Why would I want to help you? - Because I thought you - That's not me, Rodney.
Don't listen to him.
You're pathetic.
You might as well jump in.
Don't be afraid.
Oh, God, I have to get back.
I have to get back.
That's my only chance.
- You're going to die out here.
- Shut up! Don't listen to him, Rodney.
That's easy for you to say! Why don't you help me row? You know, this really isn't as strange as you led me to believe.
Oh, yeah? What about that? I hate clowns.
You can paddle all you want.
You're not going anywhere.
He's right! I'm going to die out here! He wants you to be afraid.
Don't give him what he wants! - He can't really hurt you.
- That's where you're wrong.
- What happened? - Clear.
He's in cardiac arrest.
I'm sorry.
I've done all I can.
He's dead.
This is all your fault, John.
If you hadn't touched that stupid rock, McKay would still be alive right now.
- I thought you were going to help him.
- I tried.
Some friend you are.
Colonel, you've been compromised.
I'm relieving you of duty.
Son of a bitch.
Clear.
Oh, it's okay.
It's okay.
Just try to relax.
- What's going on? - You were in cardiac arrest.
- The entity - It's in Colonel Sheppard.
- You can quit now.
I'm not afraid of you.
- Oh, yes, you are.
I'm the one thing you are afraid of.
You failed your friends.
You brought this on them, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
His heart rate is dangerously high.
Can you wake him up? I could try, but in his physical state, that could make things worse.
Yes, and the entity would still be in him.
Hook me up to him again.
Get up.
Come on, John.
- Fight! - No.
That's what you want.
It's your fault Heightmeyer's dead.
Your fault McKay is dead! I'm not dead.
You can't win.
Yes, we can.
You're vulnerable to electric shock.
That's why I'm still alive.
You left before you could finish the job! What the hell was that? Which one are you? Me.
- Good you or bad you? - Me me.
Is that you you? I think so.
Thanks.
- Okay, this is really weird.
- You're telling me.
I thought there'd be more hot girls.
Yeah.
Hmm.
McKAY: Hey, I have an idea.
How about we get out of here? Sounds like a plan.
- Couldn't sleep.
- Yeah, me, too.
- Thought I'd have a little snack before I - Yeah, we couldn't sleep either.