1.07 "Cold Lazarus" Transcript

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1.07 "Cold Lazarus"

Episode Guide

Précis

A strange crystal strikes down O'Neill, replacing him with a double that returns with the SG-1 team to Earth to find the cause of O'Neill's private grief—his son's death. But the crystalline entity double is dangerously unstable as O'Neill's bewildered wife Sara soon discovers. Can O'Neill return to the SGC in time to save everyone and prevent chaos?

Guide | Transcript

Transcript

TEASER

EXT—PLANET—DAY

TEAL'C walks into view against a bright blue sky, wearing sunglasses.

TEAL'C
Colonel O'Neill.

[O'NEILL walks up behind TEAL'C, also wearing sunglasses.]

O'NEILL
What've we got here, Teal'c?

TEAL'C
I do not know.

[TEAL'C and O'NEILL stand overlooking a pit. The ground around them is bright yellow sand. In the center of the pit are crystal growths, the same bright shade of blue as the sky. DANIEL and CARTER join TEAL'C and O'NEILL. They are also wearing sunglasses; apparently the combination of sun and yellow sand is quite blinding. All three humans are also wearing gloves; O'NEILL'S are fingerless.]

CARTER
Wow.

DANIEL
It may indicate a…uh, civilization of some kind…

O'NEILL
Well, let's spread out and take a look.

CARTER
I think there's a way down over here…

[The team descends toward the FRED and the crystals at the bottom of the pit.]

EXT—CRYSTAL PIT —DAY

[While DANIEL films the landscape and the crystals, CARTER kneels beside one of the bigger clusters to examine it.]

CARTER
Crystals…Granite…not volcanic. I don't see any that aren't broken.

[DANIEL squats beside another cluster and picks up two shards. They almost seem to be glowing.]

DANIEL
These pieces might fit together.

[DANIEL spots something. He puts down the two pieces of crystals he's holding and moves to another cluster.]

DANIEL
Here's a whole one.

[CARTER joins DANIEL beside a crystal that seems to be more complete than the others. DANIEL brushes the yellow sand off it. The exposed crystal is about twelve inches long, and three or four inches in diameter. It's multifaceted.]

CARTER
Looks like they've been blasted apart by something.

DANIEL
It's damaged.

[Close up, small flecks of blue crystal are visible in the yellow sand. So is a large crack in the seemingly complete crystal.]

CARTER
Hmm…I don't see any other whole ones, do you?

[While DANIEL continues to clear sand from the largest crystal, CARTER gets up to examine other clusters. TEAL'C is watching CARTER and DANIEL from an area near the FRED.]

O'NEILL
Teal'c.

[TEAL'C looks down at O'NEILL, who is several feet below him, on the side of an even deeper pit. O'NEILL gestures to TEAL'C to let him know he is going to look below. O'NEILL walks away from his team, toward another area where slightly larger crystals are clustered. They too, are broken, but the pieces remaining seem to be larger than the crystals DANIEL and CARTER found. In the middle of the broken crystals, one large, complete one stands alone…it seems to be almost three feet tall, and about eight inches in diameter. It is surrounded by shards of smaller crystals. O'NEILL cautiously approaches it.]

[Though a blue-tinted perspective, O'NEILL looks down at something. It's as though someone is looking from within the large crystal. O'NEILL squats down beside the crystal and takes off his sunglasses to examine it. He reaches out… From within the blue-tinted vision, O'NEILL'S hand comes closer and closer… Suddenly, O'NEILL cries out as he is sent flying backward. He loses his weapon and hits the ground. He falls, unconscious, on the yellow sand.]

EXT—CRYSTAL PLANET—DAY

[On the rise between the two pits, TEAL'C stands guard between the divided SG-1. CARTER and DANIEL climb to meet him.]

EXT—CRYSTAL PLANET—DAY

[As O'NEILL lies unconscious on the yellow sand, someone stands over him. It's a second O'NEILL. He looks both puzzled and concerned as he gazes down at the unconscious form beneath him. The ALIEN O'NEILL picks up O'NEILL'S hat, looks at it, and looks down at O'NEILL again.]

EXT—CRYSTAL PLANET—DAY

DANIEL
(to Teal'c)

Where's the Colonel?

[TEAL'C points to where O'NEILL disappeared.]

DANIEL

(over radio)

Jack, we've finished our recon, loaded up FRED and we're ready to head back to the Gate. Is this…am I using this right?

[Over by the unconscious O'NEILL, the ALIEN O'NEILL ignores DANIEL'S transmission as he picks up O'NEILL'S weapon.]

CARTER

(yelling)

We're ready to head out, sir!

[The ALIEN O'NEILL looks to where the shouts are coming from. He looks back down at O'NEILL, still lying unconscious on the ground.]

DANIEL

(yelling)

Colonel!

[The ALIEN O'NEILL seems to come to a decision. He heads toward the team, leaving O'NEILL lying on the ground.]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM—DAY

[DANIEL, TEAL'C and CARTER walk through the Gate back into the SGC, followed by the ALIEN O'NEILL, who pauses at the top of the ramp, looking at everything with amazement. At the bottom of the ramp, an airman with some kind of radiation monitor waves a wand over him.]

AIRMAN
Radiation level check…all clear.

[O'NEILL looks up. Watching their arrival, HAMMOND stands with the technicians in the Control Room.]

HAMMOND

(over the intercom)

Welcome back, SG-1. Debriefing will commence at oh-nine-hundred. As CARTER, TEAL'C and DANIEL leave the Gate Room, the ALIEN O'NEILL takes off his sunglasses and gazes around at his new surroundings.

END TEASER

ROLL CREDITS

INT—SGC BRIEFING ROOM—DAY

[TEAL'C, CARTER, HAMMOND, and DANIEL are seated around the table. CARTER is talking. TEAL'C is looking at some notes. DANIEL seems to be looking at a book. An Airman is standing guard by the door.]

CARTER
The samples we brought back are being analyzed, and we explored a ten kilometer radius around the Gate without finding any sign of recent Goa'uld mining activity. In fact, there's no indication that Goa'ulds or anyone else have been through that Gate in a thousand years.

[ALIEN O'NEILL is standing with his back to the room, looking through the observation window at the Gate Room below.]

HAMMOND
Tell me about these crystals.

DANIEL
Uhm, we found thousands in a pit near the Stargate. Since we didn't find them anywhere else on the planet, it's likely that they were gathered and put there.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL flashes back to the moment the real O'NEILL stood over the crystal.]

HAMMOND
Why?

DANIEL
Early Greek cultures valued crystals and gemstones; perhaps the pit has some religious…or ceremonial…significance.

[ALIEN O'NEILL flashes back to O'NEILL reaching out to touch the crystal, then his subsequent shock and unconscious landing.]

HAMMOND
Your report doesn't mention any local population.

DANIEL
There's no evidence of a developed culture; no roads, villages, settlements, nothing…

[The ALIEN O'NEILL rejoins the group at the table.]

CARTER

I'm with Daniel… (indicates a photo of the damaged crystal she and DANIEL found, displayed on a computer monitor)

We didn't find any unbroken crystals but we have this one and pieces of a few larger ones back in decon right now.

HAMMOND
Flag this one, Colonel. SG-1 is on stand down until your next mission comes up. Dismissed.

[HAMMOND leaves the room. SG-1 pack up their things.]

INT—SGC LOCKER ROOM—DAY

[ALIEN O'NEILL runs his fingers over the nametag on O'NEILL'S locker. He opens the door and takes out a leather jacket, pulling it on over his civilian clothing. Looking down, the ALIEN O'NEILL notices a Van Dyck cigar box on the bottom of the locker. He pulls it out and sits on the bench to open it. Inside are a wedding ring, a leather key case, and a pile of photographs. There's one of O'NEILL as a young soldier, several of a small child, and finally, one of O'NEILL and CHARLIE with a trophy.]

[The ALIEN O'NEILL remembers throwing a ball in the air and catching it— CHARLIE hitting the ball with a bat—CHARLIE jumping with excitement. Obviously, this ALIEN has some of the real O'NEILL'S memories.]

[The ALIEN O'NEILL pauses at a photo of the real O'NEILL, SARA and CHARLIE standing in front of a large blue house, just as CARTER enters the locker room.]

CARTER
Hey, Colonel.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL looks up at CARTER, then looks down at the letters he's just reached at the bottom of the box. The top one is addressed to HQ US Airforce, Att Col. Jack O'Neill, 890 AF Pentagon. The return address is Sara O'Neill, 842 Cranbroke Lane, Winter Park, CO 80310.]

CARTER

Uh, listen, no offense, Colonel, but this becomes the women's locker room in…
(she looks at her watch)
uh, now. You know how I hate those sandy planets.
(CARTER smiles and looks over at the ALIEN O'NEILL, who doesn't appear to have heard her. She looks impatient)

You don't have to hurry on my account.

[CARTER notices what he's holding and walks a little closer, sort of peering over his shoulder.]

CARTER
Nice…You have a family.

ALIEN O'NEILL
Yes.

CARTER

(nods)

I'm an auntie myself. My brother moved to San Diego, so I don't get to see them much…He has two kids now, boy and a girl. I miss 'em like hell; don't get there near enough.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL rises, puts the box back in the locker and closes the door, paying no attention to her. CARTER looks at him, smiling and nodding.]

CARTER
I can see you feel the same way.

ALIEN O'NEILL
Goodbye, Sam.

CARTER
Bye.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL exits the Locker Room, almost running into DANIEL on his way in. DANIEL does a little dance step to avoid him. CARTER looks at DANIEL with surprise as he enters the locker room.]

DANIEL
Jack seems very…focused.

CARTER
Yeah. He was looking at pictures of his family. He must be in a hurry to get home. I didn't even know he was married.

DANIEL

Oh, he isn't. (off CARTER's astonished look)

Um…he was but they separated after his son…died.

[CARTER blinks, speechless, and DANIEL exits the locker room.]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[The ALIEN O'NEILL walks down a busy corridor. He turns to look at TEAL'C, who intercepts him at a crossover.]

TEAL'C
Colonel O'Neill. You are departing?

ALIEN O'NEILL
Yes.

TEAL'C
You said one day you would show me your world. I would like to see it now.

ALIEN O'NEILL
Another time.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL walks away. TEAL'C looks after him, blinking in apparent puzzlement.]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR—DAY

CARTER and DANIEL are walking, deep in conversation.

CARTER
I've known the man for months and he doesn't say word one about a life outside this place and I'm thinking he just doesn't have one. What else don't I know about him?

DANIEL
Well, he doesn't really tell you much until he gets to know you.

CARTER
Yeah, that's an understatement.

[DANIEL and CARTER arrive at the lab. They enter and approach a young female scientist, who is working with the damaged crystal they found.]

CARTER
All right, what do we have here?

SCIENTIST
Passed all the decontamination protocols; but I noticed it's got a low-level EM field you should check out. Either that or my fridge magnets fell of the wall by themselves.

[CARTER and the SCIENTIST chuckle.]

DANIEL

(to the scientist)

I'm sorry…EM?

CARTER

Electromagnetic energy. (to scientist)

Thanks.

[The SCIENTIST nods and walks away. CARTER wheels the table with the crystal closer to a counter where several smaller crystals have been placed. She slips on gloves.]

CARTER
So um…tell me more about the Colonel. What happened to his son?

[DANIEL looks at CARTER, looks away, and frowns.]

DANIEL
Charlie…accidentally killed himself with Jack's personal gun.

CARTER
Oh, God. That's horrible.

DANIEL
Jack never forgave himself. He holed up and turned his back on the world for uh…a long time.

CARTER

I can imagine. I don't know what I'd do.
(turns to examine the crystal through a magnifying glass)

What about his wife?

DANIEL
Sara? I don't think they've seen each other since he joined SG-1. He hasn't said anything about a visit but like I said…

Carter

(nodding)

He doesn't tell you much.

DANIEL
Right.

CARTER
Right. Look at this…

[She runs her fingers over the edge of the large crystal. DANIEL bends down to look.]

CARTER
See the edge of this crystal here? How it's glassy, like its been melted?

DANIEL
Can you tell what did it? For me, it might shed a little light on what the significance of the pit was and who…put them there.

CARTER
It would take extreme temperatures to melt quartz crystal.

DANIEL
Lightning?

CARTER

Maybe…but it's too precise, too clean. (CARTER looks up suddenly)

I think I've seen a cut like this before. Here, in this facility.

EXT—SARA O'NEILL'S HOME—DAY

[The ALIEN O'NEILL is looking at the photo of O'NEILL, SARA and CHARLIE, comparing it to the house he is standing in front of. The front door opens, and SARA walks out.]

SARA
Dad, I left some ice tea in there for you.

ALIEN O'NEILL

(trying out different intonations)

Hello, Sara. Hello, Sara.

EXT—SARAH O'NEILL'S HOME—DAY

[SARA has her sleeves rolled up, working on the engine of an old Mustang.]

SARA
It may be time to face facts, Dad. This old thing has seen better days.

[SARA'S father, MIKE, carries a pallet of plants into view.]

MIKE
A girl shouldn't be so quick to give up on the aged…makes a father worry.

[MIKE enters the house. SARA doesn't notice, she keeps talking.]

SARA
Come on, Dad, I'm serious. If I keep…

[SARA stops midsentence as she walks around the far side of the car and sees the ALIEN O'NEILL standing awkwardly in the driveway.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
Hello, Sara.

SARA
Been there long?

ALIEN O'NEILL
Yes.

SARA
Could've said something.

ALIEN O'NEILL
I did.

SARA

(sighs)

Right…you did.

[SARA returns to the car. The ALIEN O'NEILL walks awkwardly to join her. He stares into her face, then looks down at the engine.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
Something wrong?

SARA
I think it's the ignition…But you didn't come about the car.

ALIEN O'NEILL
No.

SARA
So,…what? You decided you'd just…show up? Waltz back into my life? Is that it?

[The ALIEN O'NEILL looks around. Through a blue haze, he notices Charlie's bike and basketball hoop.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
Yes.

[SARA releases a burst of air and shakes her head. She sighs.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
I need to find Charlie. Is he here?

[SARA looks at the ALIEN O'NEILL, shocked.]

SARA
Charlie?

[SARA sounds shaken. She takes a step toward the ALIEN O'NEILL, frowning with worry as she searches his face. The ALIEN O'NEILL grasps SARA by the arms. His gaze becomes intent.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
I need Charlie. That's his bicycle, isn't it?

SARA
I kept some of his things.

ALIEN O'NEILL
Yes. I know.

SARA

(slowly)

Jack, what are you doing? You're scaring me.

ALIEN O'NEILL

It's important, Sara.
(without breaking their gaze, he shouts out)

Charlie?

SARA
Don't! Let go of me.

[SARA shakes him off. She slowly backs away from the ALIEN O'NEILL.]

SARA
What the hell is wrong with you? Is this your idea of a joke? Just get away from me.

[SARA turns and runs into the house.]

ALIEN O'NEILL

Sara! (to himself)

I don't understand.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL stares at the bicycle again. He is startled by MIKE coming out of the house behind him.]

MIKE
Son, if upsetting her is your way of trying to win a woman's heart, it's a stupid one. Anyone ever tell you that?

ALIEN O'NEILL
I think you just did.

MIKE

(shakes his head)

Come on in here.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL follows him inside.]

INT—SGC—TEAL'S QUARTERS—DAY

[The room is very bare and utilitarian. An exposed lightbulb in a wire cage illuminates the room. A bed stands against one wall; a TV set is on a cart in the corner of the room. A desk on the side contains a few books and a desk lamp. TEAL'C enters.]

TECHNICIAN

(over loudspeaker)

Attention! All new personnel, report to the Auditorium, sublevel one, for orientation at fourteen-thirty hours.

[TEAL'C stares at the blank television in what seems to be surprise, then picks up the remote and turns it on. The first program is a news report. On the screen, people run around in confusion.]

FIRST NEWS ANNOUNCER
…after last night's rally turned ugly. Protestors clashed with police, and police have announced that a dusk to dawn curfew is now in effect. No word yet on any casualties.

[TEAL'C stares at the television. A second announcer takes over.]

SECOND NEWS ANNOUNCER
In financial news, the bull was annihilated today with bears leaving a sea of red behind them…

[TEAL'C changes the channel, finding a music video. A figure outlined in fire throws an object at the camera. TEAL'C frowns as he touches his ear. He changes the channel to another news station.]

THIRD NEWS ANNOUNCER
…for the third straight day. And no one on either side could say how it started in the first place.

[CARTER and DANIEL rush in, slightly out of breath. TEAL'C turns off the television set.]

DANIEL
Teal'c! We need your help.

TEAL'C
Your world is a strange place.

[CARTER nods.]

DANIEL

(stops, gives Teal'c an odd, puzzled look)

So is yours.

CARTER
Listen, uh…We need to stop by the armory and sign out your staff weapon.

TEAL'C
Are we being deployed?

CARTER
No! No, it's okay. Come on.

[TEAL'C puts down the remote and follows DANIEL and CARTER.]

INT—SARA O'NEILL'S HOME—DAY

[The ALIEN O'NEILL and MIKE are in CHARLIE'S old room. The ALIEN O'NEILL is touching various toys, looking around at awards, artwork, photographs…the remnants of CHARLIE.]

MIKE
Parents shouldn't outlive their children. It isn't natural.

[MIKE studies the ALIEN O'NEILL, who turns away. He remembers CHARLIE running toward him, laughing.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
He loved to laugh.

MIKE

(chuckles)

Yeah. Sometimes I can still hear him laughing at one of my bad jokes. Sara kept all his things…like that bike outside. I guess it's her way of keeping him around awhile.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL has a memory of CHARLIE smiling and giving a 'thumbs-up' signal.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
I thought I would find Charlie here.

MIKE
Look around, you still might.

ALIEN O'NEILL
He's gone. What do I do?

[MIKE looks at the ALIEN O'NEILL with concern.]

MIKE
Sara comes up here and talks to him sometimes and it helps her. If it helps you, I'm…I'm glad you're here.

[MIKE steps out of the doorway and into the room as the ALIEN O'NEILL moves around, touching a model rocket.]

MIKE

You know, Jack, for an Irishman you never were much of a talker but…that never mattered. I'll give you that much…you married my daughter. (MIKE frowns, watching the ALIEN touch CHARLIE'S things)

Say what you need to Charlie if that's all you come here for, but Sara is not over you yet, so…You break her heart again and, God help you, I'll make you wish you never did.

[MIKE leaves the ALIEN O'NEILL alone in CHARLIE'S room. The ALIEN O'NEILL picks up a baseball and remembers pitching the ball to CHARLIE, who swings at it and hits it, cheering as the ball goes flying.]

[The ALIEN O'NEILL puts the ball back, and picks up a picture of CHARLIE. He remembers O'NEILL running to SARA, who is sitting on a picnic table behind the house. O'NEILL wraps her in a hug and kisses her. Both are laughing.]

O'NEILL
How was your day?

SARA
Fine…Oh, look what came home from school today.

[SARA reaches down and pulls out CHARLIE'S school pictures—the same picture that triggered the flashback.]

O'NEILL
Ah…Is Charlie about ready?

SARA
Yeah, he was running around here a few minutes ago…

[SARA looks around the yard. Suddenly, there is an explosive sound. A gunshot. O'NEILL and SARA look up at the bedroom window, fear in their faces. O'NEILL stands, then runs for the house.]

SARA

(screams)

Charlie!

[The memory ends.]

[The ALIEN O'NEILL is huddled on CHARLIE'S bed, rocking with a pillow wrapped in his arms. SARA walks by the open door, and stops when she sees him. She looks in with concern, then quietly walks away.]

INT—SGC—GATE ROOM —DAY

[TEAL'C aims and fires his staff weapon at a cluster of the strange blue crystals in a box. The crystals shatter. As alarms go off, CARTER and DANIEL approach the pieces of blasted crystal. TEAL'C follows.]

CARTER
Here's a good one.

[DANIEL picks up a chunk of fused crystal with large tongs.]

TECHNICIAN

(over loudspeaker)

What's going on in there?

TEAL'C
You received permission for me to fire my staff weapon in the Gate Room?

[DANIEL and CARTER look shifty.]

CARTER
Oh yeah.

DANIEL
Absolutely.

[TEAL'C nods as DANIEL and CARTER walk away. Technicians in the Observation Room are running around looking alarmed.]

INT—SGC LAB —DAY

[DANIEL places the crystal in a scanner while CARTER is examines one of the shards on the work table. TEAL'C watches them.]

CARTER
Now, I noticed that the glassy edge where the crystal was melted looked a lot like the walls of the Gate room after Apophis and his serpent guards came and shot up the place. Take a look at this. We did a complete study trying to figure out what they used. We kept a few pieces and that gave me the idea.

[DANIEL and TEAL'C follow CARTER as she walks over and sits at a computer.]

DANIEL
Since your energy weapons are the same as the ones Apophis used, we can compare the blast marks on the two crystals.

CARTER
Now, I'm telling the computer to build a simulation model. We should see if the energy signatures are the same or not.

[CARTER inputs the new data. As the monitor shows the results, the crystal behind them seems to glow.]

CARTER
Hmm. Matches up.

TEAL'C
It was Goa'uld technology that destroyed the crystals.

CARTER
Yeah, I'd say a whole mess of the staff weapons did it.

[TEAL'C frowns.]

INT—SARA O'NEILL'S HOME—DAY

[The ALIEN O'NEILL descends the staircase. SARA calls to him as he passes the living room. He stops at the doorway, looking at her.]

SARA
We haven't talked about Charlie since he died. Why now? What were you doing up there?

ALIEN O'NEILL
Do you remember how much fun Charlie used to have playing that…game?

SARA

(frowns)

Baseball?

ALIEN O'NEILL

Baseball. He loved that game. SARA

He loved playing…with you.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL stares at SARA. Dropping his eyes, he turns and starts to walk away.]

SARA
Jack?

ALIEN O'NEILL
I have to get back to the Stargate.

SARA
Back to what?

[The ALIEN looks at SARA; she stares at him blankly.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
Stargate. It's…a…big…round…metal…object…A ring…of energy…

SARA

(Looks away, disgusted)

You always could spin a line of bull to avoid talking to me.

ALIEN O'NEILL

(enters the room and sits down, staring at SARA with concern)

What's wrong?

SARA
I've been crying, that's what's wrong. What's with you? Upstairs…I've never seen you like that before. For a second, I thought you were going to cry. Where's all that O'Neill military bravado?

ALIEN O'NEILL

(searching)

I don't think I have it.

[SARA smiles, the ALIEN O'NEILL smiles back. He turns, as if looking for something.]

SARA
What?

ALIEN O'NEILL
Smoke?

SARA
Oh, my God! Mike left a casserole in for me…

[SARA runs to the kitchen; the ALIEN O'NEILL follows her.]

INT—SGC LAB—DAY

CARTER
The energy signature looks like some kind of gas plasma laser. Wow, I'd love to get this into the spectrometer at Stanford.

TEAL'C
What is a Stanford?

[CARTER grins and looks back at TEAL'C. Across the room, DANIEL is looking at the largest fragment of crystal.]

DANIEL
Hey, did you see this thing inside of it? I didn't think that was there before…

[Inside the crystal, something moves. Then, quickly, the crystal pulses and grows outward, forming a face that resembles DANIEL'S for a second before returning to its original state.]

DANIEL

Whoa! (he jumps back, startled)

Ja…uh, Captain Doctor! Teal'c!

[CARTER and TEAL'C rush to DANIEL's side.]

CARTER
Yeah?

DANIEL

(Bouncing nervously, looking almost frightened)

Uh…Uh…That…was…me. It was me…

CARTER

(Looking at him)

Are you okay?

DANIEL

Just… (motioning towards the crystal)

Look…

CARTER steps closer to the crystal and peers in.

CARTER
My reflection…so?

DANIEL

(standing well back)

Closer…

[The crystal pulses, and grows again.]

CARTER
Holy Hannah!

[She jumps back, startled. A face remarkably similar to CARTER'S forms in the crystal…and then it speaks with multiple voices.]

CRYSTAL
Help us.

CARTER
Oh my God.

[The crystal returns to its former state.]

INT—STARGATE CONTROL ROOM —DAY

[There is a mug of coffee sloshing around beside the dialing computer. Beyond the coffee, the Stargate is moving, chevrons engaging.]

DAVIS
Why's it spinning up? No one's due back.

INT—SGC LABORATORY—DAY

[TEAL'C, CARTER and DANIEL are all standing around the crystal, staring at it in amazement.]

DANIEL
It was trying to communicate with us.

[DANIEL and CARTER move closer to the crystal, bending down to look at the spot where the face appeared. Behind them, TEAL'C looks on, a bit more cautious.]

CARTER
I don't know the magic password. Do you?

[Alarm claxons go off.]

CARTER

(standing)

That's the Gate…incoming.

DAVIS

(over the intercom)
Off world activation. This is not a drill! DANIEL

I didn't think anyone was due back.

[DANIEL and CARTER run from the lab.]

TEAL'C
No one is…

[TEAL'C runs after them.]

DAVIS

(over the intercom)

Off world activation…this is not a drill! All units report to stations. This is not a drill!

[In the SGC corridors, troops respond. Gathering weapons, they arrive in the Gate Room and take up positions in front of the spinning Stargate.]

INT—CONTROL ROOM—DAY

[GENERAL HAMMOND runs down the stairs from his office, arriving in the Control Room just as DANIEL, TEAL'C and CARTER run in from the corridor. The wormhole engages.]

CARTER
Where's the iris?

HAMMOND
Someone used a remote.

DANIEL
Who? We're all here.

HAMMOND

Well, whoever it is has our codes. (Into the microphone)

Heads up people!

[In the Gate Room, soldiers aim their weapons at the wormhole. Tension rises in both the Gate Room and the Control Room, until O'NEILL flies through the middle of the Gate. He catches himself and runs a few steps down the ramp.]

O'NEILL

(waves his arms and yells angrily)

Hey, what're you guys doing leaving without me?

[In the Control Room, everyone stares in stunned silence. In the Gate Room, O'NEILL looks around at the soldiers pointing guns at him. He takes off his sunglasses and walks down the ramp, gesturing towards them.]

O'NEILL
What's with all the ordinance?

HAMMOND

(over the microphone)

Who are you?

[O'NEILL comes to a halt, staring up at him.]

O'NEILL

What do you mean, who am I? (He looks around, sounding slightly alarmed)

What the heck's going on here?

HAMMOND
Good question. Take him into custody.

[Two Airmen take a surprised O'NEILL by the arms and lead him away.]

INT—SGC BRIEFING ROOM—DAY

[A computer monitor shows O'NEILL pacing in an observation cell.]

O'NEILL

(looking up at camera)

Come on, get me out of here!

[HAMMOND, CARTER, TEAL'C, DANIEL and an Airman stand expressionless, watching the monitor.]

O'NEILL

Tell you what, let me put it nicely… (He grabs a chair, stands on it and puts his face in the camera, and yells)

Get me the hell out of here!

[TEAL'C lifts one eyebrow and CARTER grins.]

HAMMOND
If that isn't O'Neill, I want to know who the hell we're looking at.

AIRMAN
We're searching the facility now, sir.

[In the Observation Room, O'NEILL, enraged, picks a pillow off the bunk and throws it at the camera.]

EXT—A PARK—DAY

[SARA and ALIEN O'NEILL are sitting on a picnic table. Between them are the remnants of a meal. SARA is still nibbling, watching the ALIEN O'NEILL from the corner of her eye.]

SARA
I'm waiting for you to say I'm sorry…or…I want to get back together or just…whatever's on your mind, anything, just talk to me.

ALIEN O'NEILL
The first time we were together…is this where we came?

[SARA frowns, with seeming puzzlement.]

O'NEILL
You're angry.

SARA
Angry…at you? No, I'm not angry.

ALIEN O'NEILL
Good. You were.

SARA
When?

ALIEN O'NEILL
When Charlie died. That's why I left.

SARA

(makes a startled exclamation, and shakes her head)

You son of a bitch. You walked out on me back then because you thought I was mad at you? You trying to tell me it's my fault?

ALIEN O'NEILL
No.

SARA
Why didn't you talk to me? Why didn't you ask?

ALIEN O'NEILL
I should have…but I didn't. So, you were angry?

SARA

No. Yes. What did you expect? (her voice rises in distress)
It happened in our house. It was your gun. (She stops, and calms herself)
I know you blamed yourself. But if you just opened up for once and let me through that armor of yours…We could have helped each other. I needed you.

(Her voice shakes with emotion)

ALIEN O'NEILL

(looks at her calmly)

I know.

SARA
You know? And you can say it? Just like that? After all this time.

ALIEN O'NEILL
I'm sorry it took so long. It should've been said sooner.

SARA
Is that what you came to tell me?

ALIEN O'NEILL
There's no way to make you understand what I came here to do. You couldn't understand.

SARA
Try me.

ALIEN O'NEILL
I thought if I could bring Charlie back through the Stargate…

SARA

(angrily)

Just shut up about that, would you! Charlie is gone, Jack. And we should be talking about us and what happened and not…

[The ALIEN O'NEILL gets up, walking away from the picnic table. Rays of blue energy play over his body. He flinches.]

SARA
Jack? My God.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL collapses, seeming to be struck down by blue bolts of energy from within. SARA watches, horrified, as he writhes in pain. When the blue charge seems to have subsided, she approaches cautiously, clearly worried.]

SARA
Jack? Jack? What is that? What's happened to you? We've got to get you to the hospital.

[SARA helps the ALIEN O'NEILL get to his feet and supports him as they move toward the car.]

INT—SGC OBSERVATION CELL —DAY

[DR. FRAISER is leafing through a medical report. O'NEILL is sitting on a bunk, his feet up, his back against the wall. HAMMOND is listening to FRAISER.]

FRAISER

The MRI was negative. The DNA screen matches what we have on file. Uh, physical examination of the body shows some trauma…otherwise he seems perfectly healthy.

HAMMOND

Healthy doesn't cut it.

FRAISER
Well, the evidence says he's Colonel Jack O'Neill.

O'NEILL
Thank you, Doctor.

HAMMOND
Then how do you explain the other one?

O'NEILL

What other one? (Looking from HAMMOND to FRAISER)

What?

INT—SGC LABORATORY—DAY

[HAMMOND, O'NEILL, TEAL'C and CARTER are clustered around a computer monitor. DANIEL is standing near the door. On the screen is a playback of SG-1's return to the SGC…with the ALIEN imitating O'NEILL.]

O'NEILL
Okay, so that's not possible. I didn't come back with you guys.

CARTER works the remote, zooming in on the image of ALIEN O'NEILL. TEAL'C and HAMMOND watch O'NEILL as he leans forward, examining the screen with a frown.

O'NEILL
What the hell is that thing?

CARTER
The EM energy in the one intact crystal we brought back from P3X-562 may hold the key to this.

HAMMOND
Explain.

CARTER
The electromagnetic energy in the crystal has the ability to mimic things. It recreated Daniel and I. It cloned us electronically, at…at least part of us. It seemed to read our thoughts and speech and mimic them too. Now, what if the other O'Neill is energy just like the thing Daniel and I found in the crystal…only a more powerful, more evolved form of it? One powerful enough to copy a whole person, not just faces.

HAMMOND
Is that what we're looking at?

CARTER
Could be.

HAMMOND
And it tried to communicate with you?

DANIEL
It asked for our help.

[O'NEILL rubs his forehead, as if it aches. They turn and approach the crystal on the other side of the lab.]

CARTER
This may not work.

[CARTER approaches the damaged crystal, leaning so that her face is close to the center of it.]

CARTER
Hello?

[The crystal moves, and again, a copy of CARTER's face appears.]

CRYSTAL
Hello.

[The voice is also a copy of CARTER'S, although the resonance is slightly different. Surprise fills the faces of HAMMOND and O'NEILL, who have not seen this before. CARTER looks delighted.]

CARTER
What are you?

CRYSTAL
Energy. Unity. You would describe me thus.

CARTER
You asked for help.

CRYSTAL
If I remain here, my energy will disintegrate. I must return.

DANIEL
Why did you not speak before?

CRYSTAL
Fear.

O'NEILL
Fear of what?

CRYSTAL
The Goa'uld came to our planet long ago. We were not afraid then and we tried to greet them. One of them touched us as you did and was destroyed by our energy.

O'NEILL
Well, that's some kind of welcome wagon you got there.

[HAMMOND and CARTER turn to quickly glare at O'NEILL.]

O'NEILL

(off their looks)

Well, it almost killed me.

DANIEL
The Goa'ulds must have come through the Gate exploring…

CARTER
That's why it was afraid. We look just like them.

DANIEL
One of the Goa'ulds was killed?

CRYSTAL
They gathered all the Unity in one place…and ended it.

CARTER
We confirmed Goa'uld energy weapons did it.

DANIEL
Then that pit wasn't a ceremonial place at all. It was some kind of…mass grave?

CRYSTAL
I can no longer sustain this form.

[CARTER'S face is reabsorbed into the crystal as it returns to its previous state.]

O'NEILL
What was that? Any ideas? Any theories? Explanations? Uh…uh…anything?

DANIEL
If…you thought that your entire race was destroyed by the Goa'ulds as punishment for harming one of them, what would you do if you thought it was going to happen again?

[They all stare at DANIEL. O'NEILL stares at the crystal, his expression thoughtful and worried.]

INT—SGC BRIEFING ROOM—EVENING

[The members of SG-1 are seated around the Briefing table. HAMMOND is approaching his seat at the head when an AIRMAN walks in.]

AIRMAN

Sir. O'Neill… (he looks at the real O'NEILL)

…the other guy…is nowhere in the mountain.

[HAMMOND dismisses the AIRMAN, who pivots and leaves the room. He passes CARTER as ascending the staircase as he descends.]

CARTER
Okay…we've got a problem. I ran some tests on the crystals in the lab. Whatever the energy inside the crystal is, it's starting to decay. It's ionizing particle radiation.

DANIEL

(rises to his feet, alarmed)

Nuclear radiation?

CARTER

It's not constant and the amounts are not dangerous; but if (she draws quotation marks in the air)

O'Neill…It…starts breaking down like the energy in the crystals and it's more powerful than what we have here…then anyone nearby could get a lethal dose of radiation.

HAMMOND
If that's true, we have a very serious problem on our hands. Let's hope it's not.

CARTER
Uh, something else. I've been thinking about where it went. Sir, it was in your locker looking through your personal stuff. Pictures of your family…

[O'NEILL jumps to his feet and races to the phone. They all watch as he dials it.]

O'NEILL
Come on, Sara, come on.

[SARA'S answering machine picks up.]

SARA'S VOICE
Hi. Can't take your call right now, so please leave a message.

[O'NEILL slams down the receiver, whirling around.]

O'NEILL
I've got to get there.

[He runs down the stairs. CARTER and DANIEL follow.]

INT—SGC CORRIDOR—EVENING

[CARTER, DANIEL and TEAL'C follow O'NEILL through the corridors. The team is dressed in camouflage fatigues.]

CARTER
The lab's running tests but I'm pretty sure it's breaking down because Earth's electromagnetic field is stronger than the one on P3X-562. The difference is tearing it apart.

DANIEL
Can we stop it?

CARTER
I don't know.

[HAMMOND meets them.]

HAMMOND
We checked with the local police. No one's at your wife's house. One of the local hospitals admitted a J. O'Neill less than an hour ago.

[HAMMOND notices TEAL'C'S staff weapon.]

HAMMOND
Teal'c, you'll have to leave that here.

TEAL'C
I have seen your world. I will need it.

HAMMOND

Can't let you take your weapon, Teal'c. (He reaches out and removes the staff weapon, handing it to the Airman behind him.)

You—all of you—will be operating in public so you can't do or say anything that reveals the existence of the SGC or the Stargate.

[With a nod, HAMMOND pulls something from his pocket. He hands TEAL'C a baseball cap with "Chicago" inscribed across the front.]

TEAL'C
Chicago. The windy city. Home of the Black Hawks, the Bulls and the White Sox.

O'NEILL
Don't forget the Cubs.

[The elevator opens, and SG-1 steps on board.]

HAMMOND
Heads up Colonel. Good luck.

INT—HOPSPITAL—NIGHT

[The ALIEN O'NEILL is in the far corner of a large multi-bed Emergency Ward. His eyes are closed; his fists are clenched on his chest. SARA is at his bedside, looking away. A monitor beeps. Suddenly, the ALIEN'S eyes fly open.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
Charlie…

[SARA turns quickly to look him. The ALIEN turns on his side, gazing back at her. He looks ill; pale and in pain.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
This is the place we brought him.

SARA
Yes, it is.

[The ALIEN sits up; his eyes focused on the past.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
He died here.

SARA
Yes, he did. Jack, what's happening to you?

ALIEN O'NEILL
I have to get to the Stargate. Can we do that?

SARA
Jack, I know you want to get to the Stargate…but…

[A blast of energy flashes between them, and the ALIEN O'NEILL slams back to the bed, in agony. The power flows through him, then seems to leave. SARA approaches him, reaching out tentatively to help. The energy flares between them and she pulls back, stuck by the electronic pulse, hurt and frightened.]

[The ALIEN O'NEILL cries out as the energy runs through him, causing pain and disruption. SARA, Nurses and patients scream and back away as the power flows over the ALIEN, moving into the area around him. Electrical shorts and explosions start disrupting the equipment, lights and monitors throughout the hospital. The ALIEN falls off the bed, the energy becoming worse. All around the ward, medical professionals and patients cower and flee.]

[SARA runs from the room, trying to escape the electrical charges blowing out lights and other electrical equipment.]

EXT—HOSPITAL—NIGHT

[Chaos and panic fill the air as people are evacuated from the hospital. Police are trying to control the crowd. Medical personnel and patients mill around ambulances. Local news Channel 8 is trying to cover the scene.]

POLICE OFFICER

(over his radio)
All right, people! I need buses up here! (To another officer)
Help this news van get in through the crowd. (Shouting)

I want these people out of here now! Come on! Move! Move!

[The POLICE OFFICER approaches a Hospital ADMINISTRATOR.]

POLICE OFFICER
As soon as Colonel O'Neill's team gives the signal, I want you to start shutting the power down inside. All right?

ADMINISTRATOR
All right.

[The OFFICER moves back through the crowd.]

POLICE OFFICER

(hitting the news van)

Move back!

INT—HOSPITAL CORRIDOR—NIGHT

[A nurse is winding a bandage around SARA'S hand. People pass them, moving rapidly through the corridor.]

SARA
Thanks…

[A light flares and flickers, buzzing menacingly. Both women look up.]

SARA
Go. I'm all right…go.

NURSE
I'm almost finished.

[SARA looks up as she hears a familiar voice.]

O'NEILL

(in the distance)

All right…keep moving, folks. Everybody out! I need everybody out of here now! Let's go!

[SARA stares in disbelief as O'NEILL runs into sight. He seems to be searching every face he passes. He is followed by DANIEL, CARTER, and TEAL'C.]

SARA

(shocked)

Jack?

[O'NEILL grabs SARA by the shoulders, looking at her intently.]

O'NEILL
Sara! Are you all right?

[SARA looks at O'NEILL, her mouth opening and closing in wordless shock. She turns to look back to the room where the ALIEN O'NEILL is, then turns back to the real O'NEILL. He hugs her tightly.]

O'NEILL
It's me. This is me, baby.

SARA
Jack.

[They hold the embrace, then O'NEILL pulls back. He kisses SARA, then cups her face in his hands.]

O'NEILL
Are you all right?

SARA
Yeah.

O'NEILL
Okay. I want to hear all about it…but not now. Are you okay?

SARA
Yeah.

O'NEILL

(to Nurse)

What room?

NURSE
Room three.

O'NEILL
Okay.

[O'NEILL turns and moves down the corridor.]

DANIEL
Colonel!

[O'NEILL turns, and DANIEL throws him the hazmat hood. Surges of electrical power cause light and noise in the room at the end of the hall. O'NEILL jogs toward the room, followed by TEAL'C. CARTER takes SARA by the shoulder and escorts her and the NURSE in the opposite direction. DANIEL stares after O'NEILL and TEAL'C, then turns and follows CARTER.]

CARTER
It's okay.

INT—HOSPITAL CORRIDOR OUTSIDE ROOM THREE—NIGHT

[As O'NEILL and TEAL'C approach the room, the power is shut off. O'NEILL pulls on the hazmat hood; TEAL'C takes flashlights out of the bag has. He hands one to O'NEILL and turning them on, they enter Room Three. Bursts of blue energy still run over the equipment. They spot the ALIEN, crumpled on the floor beside the bed. Blue energy runs over him.]

[DANIEL and CARTER run down the corridors with flashlights, following their teammates' route. CARTER is carrying a radiation detector. They join O'NEILL and TEAL'C in Room Three.]

CARTER

Listen Colonel; it's buried in the red. (into the radio)

How we doing with the power?

ADMINISTRATOR

(over the radio)

I turned off as much of the grid as possible.

CARTER
They've shut down all they can.

[O'NEILL turns to look at the ALIEN. He moves across the room, approaching him cautiously. Looking afraid, the ALIEN sits up, leaning against a cabinet. He moves with jerky motions, and looks even worse than before. When he speaks, his words are halting, and delivered with great effort.]

O'NEILL

It's all right. (he pulls out his pistol and places it on the ground)

I'm not going to hurt you.

ALIEN O'NEILL
Please…stay back. I…do not want to…harm you…again. My energy…is…about to…

[The ALIEN screams as sizzling energy bolts bursts forth, throwing O'NEILL and the others back. O'NEILL hits a rack of supplies, and falls to the ground. His teammates hit a wall. They stagger to their feet. CARTER picks up the radiation detector.]

CARTER
Radiation has dropped off.

TEAL'C
O'Neill…are you all right?

O'NEILL
Yeah, I'm okay.

[They look up as the lights come back on.]

CARTER

(into radio)

What's happening?

ADMINISTRATOR

(over radio)

We've got twenty percent emergency power.

CARTER
Radiation's low enough. We should be all right.

[SG-1 pull off the hazmat headgear. O'NEILL looks at the ALIEN.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
You have come to destroy me.

O'NEILL

No. That's not true. (He gets to his feet and walks to the ALIEN)
I know you weren't trying to kill me back on the planet. (He kneels in front of the ALIEN, speaking gently)

The Goa'ulds—the people who destroyed your race—they're our enemies too.

ALIEN O'NEILL
I…understand…Thank you.

O'NEILL
Why did you come here?

[Throughout his speech, the ALIEN flashes back to the moment of their first meeting, when O'NEILL touched the crystal, and was sent flying. When he stood over his unconscious form and reached a decision. The moment when SARA and O'NEILL heard the gunshot.]

ALIEN O'NEILL
When my energy hurt you…I tried…to heal you. But I did not understand your…injury. So I looked in…to your mind. I saw the mind…of a warrior. I feared it, as I feared those who destroyed my race. I tried to make you well…before my mistake was discovered; before the others returned to…destroy me. I understand now. Your deepest pain was not the physical…injury I had caused. Your pain was from an empty place in your heart where Charlie once was. I thought if I could bring Charlie to you, it would make you well. I did not understand his death meant he could no longer exist as flesh and blood. Physical death…does not have the same meaning…to us.

O'NEILL
Are you dying now?

ALIEN O'NEILL
Yes. I could not bring Charlie to you.

O'NEILL
Charlie's gone.

ALIEN O'NEILL
No…He's…in here.

[The ALIEN O'NEILL reaches out a hand to touch O'NEILL'S heart. By the time the hand reaches O'NEILL, the ALIEN has become a copy of CHARLIE. O'NEILL stares at him in disbelief.]

O'NEILL
Charlie?

[O'NEILL looks stunned. Around him, DANIEL, CARTER and TEAL'C look on with concern.]

ALIEN CHARLIE
You cannot change what happened that day, just as I cannot change the day that the Goa'uld destroyed my world. I am showing you what of Charlie is still there…inside you.

[O'NEILL and the ALIEN CHARLIE stare at each other in a moment of silent communication.]

DANIEL

(softly)

Jack…Jack….

CARTER
Radiation's still low, but I don't know for how long.

O'NEILL

(to Charlie)

We have to go.

ALIEN CHARLIE

(smiling)

Is Sara O'Neill still here?

O'NEILL
Yes.

[The ALIEN CHARLIE grins as O'NEILL'S eyes travel over his face.]

INT—HOSPITAL CORRIDOR—NIGHT

[O'NEILL and the ALIEN CHARLIE walk hand in hand down the hospital hallway. CARTER, TEAL'C and DANIEL follow.]

VOICE OVER THE RADIO
Delta Five Point Bravo, our ETA is five minutes.

CARTER
Chopper's inbound.

O'NEILL
You guys go ahead.

[O'NEILL and the ALIEN CHARLIE approach SARA, who is standing alone in front of the Hospital exit. She stares at the small form of the ALIEN CHARLIE in shock. He looks up at her with trust.]

O'NEILL
Sara.

SARA
Oh my God…

O'NEILL
It's not Charlie.

[The ALIEN CHARLIE looks up at him, then over to SARA.]

O'NEILL
Sara…

SARA
Shh…

[The ALIEN CHARLIE holds out a hand, and SARA takes it with her bandaged one. They hold hands for a moment, SARA blinking away tears as she drinks in the sight of the boy's face. The ALIEN CHARLIE pulls his hand back gently.]

O'NEILL
Sara…I have to get him back.

SARA

(nods)

To the Stargate?

O'NEILL
Yeah.

[SARA holds back tears and O'NEILL wraps her in his arms while the ALIEN CHARLIE looks on, his expression sympathetic.]

SARA

(against O'NEILL'S neck)

Whatever that is. The other guy…You know what he said?

O'NEILL

(softly)

I have a pretty fair idea.

SARA
We were pretty great together, weren't we?

O'NEILL
We were the greatest.

[O'NEILL kisses her neck as SARA blinks back more tears. Finally, they pull apart. O'NEILL caresses her face with one hand while she watches him, then breaks contact. He takes the ALIEN CHARLIE'S hand and walks through the door, leaving SARA standing there. She turns to watch them depart.]

SARA

(whispering)

Take care of yourself, Jack.

SGC—GATE ROOM—NIGHT

[O'NEILL and the ALIEN CHARLIE stand in front of the active Stargate. DANIEL, CARTER and TEAL'C are watch from the bottom of the ramp. O'NEILL walks up the ramp, stopping in front of the wormhole to look at them with a small smile.]

O'NEILL
Keep the lights on. I'll be back.

[O'NEILL reaches out for the ALIEN CHARLIE'S hand. CHARLIE puts his hand in O'NEILL's and together, they walk through the wormhole.]

END

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--Kylie Lee 19:19, 5 Oct 2004 (PDT)