2.19 "One False Step" Transcript

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2.19 "One False Step"

Episode Guide

Précis

On a routine reconnaissance mission, the SG-1 team discover a civilization of friendly, innocent aliens, but suddenly the aliens begin to fall ill. A plague, somehow caused by the team, sweeps across the planet and Jack O'Neill and Daniel Jackson are infected too. Can the team save themselves and an entire civilization?

Guide | Transcript

Transcript

TEASER

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[The Stargate whooshes to life. Within the Gate room, technicians and Captain Carter are going through some last minute checks on a UAV poised for launch. Carter looks upon it one last time then exits the Gate room. Panning to the windows, Colonel O'Neill is watching the proceedings along with a technician. Carter joins them at the console. Hammond enters the control room.]

CARTER
The UAV is a go for launch, sir.

HAMMOND

(looking on approvingly)

Launch.

[The UAV takes off and flies through the wormhole.]

INT—SGC CONTROL ROOM

[O'Neill points at the wormhole, while Carter takes a seat at the computer.]

O'NEILL
That never gets old. I love that.

TECHNICIAN
UAV will arrive at PJ2-445 in three…two…one.

[O'Neill moves away from the window and goes over to stand behind Carter to check the read-out from the UAV on the computer.]

CARTER
Automatic Terrain Radar System is functioning. You know, lf this new technology works out, Sirs, we'll be able to do more long-range reconnaissance.

O'NEILL
Cool.

CARTER
Sensors are indicating sporadic spots of heat.

[The display on the monitor show a digital depiction of the topography with intermittent red pulsing spots.]

HAMMOND
What are they?

CARTER
When we were there yesterday, sir, we didn't get this far from the Gate. It could be anything. Air vents, warm-water springs…

O'NEILL
Perhaps…life forms?

CARTER
Motion detectors don't indicate any movement, sir.

[The picture blinks to static a few times.]

TECHNICIAN
Losing signal.

CARTER
What? That shouldn't be happening.

[Carter types in commands on the keyboard.]

CARTER
Switching to manual control.

[Live video feed of the planet's terrain is now seen. Hammond joins O'Neill behind Carter. Using joysticks to control the UAV, the video shows that the unmanned craft is descending towards a huge white mass in the ground.]

O'NEILL
Come on, Captain. Pull it up.

CARTER
I can't, sir.

[The UAV continues its uncontrolled descent and in a moment, the picture turns to static.]

TECHNICIAN
We've lost signal. Trying to re-establish.

CARTER
This doesn't any make sense. This UAV was specially designed for exactly this type of radio control.

HAMMOND

(To O'Neill)

What was that it crashed into?

[O'Neill merely shrugs.]

CARTER
I'm no botanist, sir, but it looked like some sort of plant life.

TECHNICIAN
We have visual contact re-established.

[Carter's monitor shows a stilted camera angle. The white plant is laying on its side, a gash is leaking a bright green fluid onto the ground.]

O'NEILL

(Sheepishly to Hammond)

Uh, we didn't…need that UAV, did we, sir?

[Hammond purses his lips, unamused.]

CARTER
Uh…I need the flight recorder, sir, to determine why the controls failed. Estimated distance from the Gate is 10 miles.

O'NEILL
Oy. Six hours there and back.

[On the monitor, they see a being run across the screen. The three at the SGC blink their surprise, when the humanoid being returns and kneels down in full view of the camera and studies the fallen UAV.]

CARTER
That would confirm the presence of life forms on PJ2-445.

[Alien #1 stands and moves out of camera range. Next, the video display tilts, straighten and begins moving as itappearstheUAVisbeingdraggedaway.]

O'NEILL
Well…I guess that changes the priority of this mission, eh, sir?

[Hammond looks at O'Neill for a moment, then nods.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

EXT—ALIEN PLANET PJ2-445

[The Stargate is active and the four members of SG-1 exit the wormhole. The Stargate is located in a clearing, short trees dot the landscape surrounding the Gate platform. The team look around nd start to move down the platform stairs.]

DANIEL
Déjà vu.

TEAL'C
I am unfamiliar with that term.

DANIEL
Um, it means I feel like I've been here before.

TEAL'C
That is correct, Daniel Jackson. Yesterday. When we first arrived on this planet.

DANIEL

(Sheepishly, as his little joke fell flat)

Right. What was I thinking? Ahchoo!

O'NEILL
Bless.

CARTER
I'm not picking up the locating beacon on the UAV, but the crash site should be this way.

[Carter starts to head in that direction. The others follow her.]

DANIEL
You know, I thought the alien on the video looked fairly docile—more curious than harmful.

O'NEILL
I thought it looked…bald, white, and naked.

EXT—ALIEN PLANET PJ2-445

[The team continue to trudge its way to the UAV's last position.]

TEAL'C
Since it is their planet, is it not we who are the aliens?

DANIEL
The word 'alien' refers to anything characteristic of a very different place or culture. Anything really strange relative from our own perspective.

O'NEILL
Think we call you alien because you're from Chulak? Ha!

EXT—ALIEN PLANET PJ2-445

[The damaged plant lies on the ground. It continues to leak the bright green fluid. Carter kneels down to take a sample as the team look around the area.]

O'NEILL
Kinda weird, huh?

[He notices Carter taking the sample.]

O'NEILL
Captain, why don't you start…

CARTER
Sir, plant life on Earth accounts for more than 80% of our medicinal resources. We should really check it out.

O'NEILL
Check it out.

[Daniel is taking video of a smaller white plant budding close to the ground.]

DANIEL
These other ones must not be full-grown, I guess. Ah-choo!

O'NEILL
Bless.

DANIEL
Oh, boy.

[Daniel reaches into a vest pocket and pulls out a blister pack of antihistamines.]

TEAL'C
The UAV was dragged in that direction.

[Teal'c moves off in that direction as O'Neill watches.]

O'NEILL
And that direction it is.

[O'Neill follows Teal'c, just as Carter finishes bagging the sample. She joins the team.]

EXT—ALIEN PLANET PJ2-445—OUTSIDE ALIEN VILLAGE

[Viewing structures presumed to be dwellings through binoculars, O'Neill scans the village for the aliens. The smaller forms of the white plant are scattered near the dwellings.]

DANIEL
Dwellings.

O'NEILL
Lots of 'em.

[Carter looks to her left, Alien #1 from the UAV stands up from behind a shrub, blinking innocently at them. Carter reaches over and pats Daniel, who looks in her direction and sees the little man standing there. Slowly, Daniel turns to O'Neill who is still looking through his binoculars. Daniel lightly touches O'Neill's arm.]

DANIEL

(softly)

Um, Jack.

O'NEILL

(from behind his binoculars)

Yeah?

[Daniel pinches O'Neill jacket sleeve and tugs at it, then clears his throat when he fails to get his attention. O'Neill lowers his binoculars and looks at Daniel, mildly impatient.]

O'NEILL
What?

[O'Neill sees Alien #1. He brings the binoculars to his eyes and looks at it. Alien #1 mimics O'Neill's stance with the binoculars, and O'Neill lowers them in mild surprise. Teal'c cocks his head.]

DANIEL

(Raising a hand in greeting.)

Hi.

[Startled, Alien #1 runs off toward the village, making a strange shrieking noise. O'Neill pulls the binoculars up to his eyes again and follows the creature's progress towards the village.]

DANIEL
Well, I guess that was the wrong thing to say.

[Through the binoculars, Alien #1 is seen entering the village still emitting the shriek. Other aliens are observed leaving their dwellings to see what is wrong.]

O'NEILL
What do you think, Daniel? Are they…friendly spirits?

DANIEL
I guess we should go find out.

[The team leave the hill and cross the expanse to the village.]

EXT—ALIEN PLANET PJ2-445—ALIEN VILLAGE

[The aliens anxiously observe the team as it enters the village. They are smaller humans with white streaks adorning their nude bodies. Carefully, the team walk to the center and cautiously, Daniel raises a hand in greeting. They all mimic the hand gesture.]

DANIEL
Hello. I'm Daniel Jackson.

[The aliens including Alien #1 move their mouths in imitation, but do not speak. Daniel then smiles easily.]

DANIEL

(to the rest of the team)

Try smiling.

[Teal'c looks upon the creatures nearest him and smiles stiffly. Reluctantly O'Neill half-smiles, as Carter does the same. Again, the beings mimic them.]

O'NEILL
This is bizarre.

[The aliens have been standing around, but now they are moving in closer, encircling the team.]

CARTER

(Alarmed)

Uh, Daniel…

[The aliens continue moving forward, their arms outstretched as if wanting to touch.]

DANIEL
Keep smiling. Don't move.

[The team are being touched by them. Teal'c, Carter and O'Neill are uncomfortable with the touching.]

TEAL'C
I am not fond of this.

O'NEILL
Me neither.

DANIEL
They just wanna see what we feel like.

[The aliens continue to touch, and a young one pulls Daniel's knife from its sheath.]

DANIEL
Oh, hey! Wait!

O'NEILL
What?

[Trying not to rile the natives, Daniel smiles easily.]

DANIEL
One of them got my knife.

CARTER
I got it.

[Slowly, she moves past them and reaches the boy who is studying the knife.]

CARTER
Hey, there. Hi. That's not for you. It's very dangerous. Could I have it back, please?

[She gently holds out her hand. Reluctantly, the young one starts to return it.]

DANIEL
Ah-choo!

[Stunned by the noise, the boy jerks back, and accidentally cuts Carter's hand before dropping it.]

CARTER
Agh!

[The aliens all start back away, fearful.]

DANIEL
It…It's just a sneeze.

[They continue to retreat from them.]

O'NEILL
Carter, how's your hand?

CARTER
It'll be all right, sir.

TEAL'C
I have never before encountered such a species.

DANIEL

(Taking off his vest)

I'm going to try and communicate again.

O'NEILL
Want some company?

DANIEL
I think it'll be less intimidating if I go alone.

O'NEILL
All right. Find out what you can about the UAV.

DANIEL
OK.

INT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel heads into one of the dwellings carrying his pack, carefully watched by the aliens. A ritual in progress, which he has interrupted; young alien being 'painted' in white streaks by someone presumed to be a shaman. They all watch Daniel approach. Slowly, Daniel sits on the ground near the shaman who watches Daniel closely.]

DANIEL
So…

[The aliens looks at each other, then Daniel points to himself.]

DANIEL
Daniel.

[The shaman mimics the pointing behavior, as does the boy and the others standing around. The shaman looks closely at Daniel.]

DANIEL
You don't…You don't speak at all, do you?

[They stare at him.]

DANIEL
OK.

[Daniel starts drawing a stick figure in the loose dirt on the ground. The creatures move in closer to see. He finishes.]

DANIEL
That's…

[He points to himself.]

[The others all start to draw in the dirt, but they are only lines and squiggles. In frustration, Daniel takes off his glasses and sighs. Suddenly, the shaman raises his finger and paints a line from the tip of his nose across his right cheek. The creature dips his finger again and runs the paint from Daniel's left cheek to his chin. Puzzled, Daniel nods]

DANIEL
Thank you.

EXT—ALIEN PLANET PJ2-445—OUTSIDE THE DWELLING

[O'Neill is seated on the ground leaning up against the wall of the dwelling, his weapon balanced across his knees. Carter is seated across from him and Teal'c is standing nearby. One of the aliens walks by and O'Neill half waves to it but it ignored. He casts an eye at Carter who merely shrugs.]

O'NEILL
You got to wonder what they're talking about in there.

INT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel is jogging around the perimeter of the room, arms outstretched and making motor sounds in imitation of the UAV. The aliens all watch him as he slows to a halt and finally stops. He gazes at them to see if there is any recognition, but the aliens look at each other then back at Daniel.]

EXT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel walks out of the dwelling and joins his companions.]

DANIEL
Well, they're not naked. They're covered with something.

[He sits down next to O'Neill and rubs at the paint on his face.]

DANIEL
Look, it's, uh, it's some sort of body paint that hardens into a second skin when it dries. Well, I have to admit this is one of the stranger cultures I've ever seen. As far as I can tell, they're communal, but there's very little sign of actual of social communication. I haven't seen any tools or signs of a functional civilization.

O'NEILL
So they're a little less evolved than we are.

DANIEL
Well, we don't wanna jump to any conclusions. Remember the Nox.

CARTER

(Nodding)

And they did build these…homes.

O'NEILL
That's a kind appraisal.

[One of the aliens steps out of the dwelling and looks at them.]

O'NEILL
What about the UAV?

[Daniel watches the aliens file out of the dwelling]

DANIEL
Well, I've tried everything I know about rudimentary communication. And, to be honest, I've had more successful conversations with dogs.

[O'Neill cocks his head at Daniel and holds out his hands]

O'NEILL
So…

DANIEL

(Conceding)

So they're probably a little less evolved than we are.

[O'Neill looks past Teal'c and sees the aliens hauling the UAV to where they are, and the team rise to their feet and go to where they set it down on the ground.]

DANIEL

(Excitedly smiling)

Yes!

[Alien #1 stretches his arms out.]

DANIEL
Yes! The…the…the…the…

[Daniel briefly raises his arms to his side again.]

DANIEL
Yes! Thank you. This…

[One of the aliens who'd been carrying the UAV is rubbing at a black residue on his hand.]

DANIEL
This is a major breakthrough. Ah choo!

[Aliens are startled again by the sneeze.]

DANIEL
I'm sorry. This is, uh…This is nothing to worry about.

[The alien with the black residue on his hand suddenly collapses. SG-1 look at each other and Carter goes over to the alien and feels for a pulse.]

DANIEL

(Worried)

Of course, I could be wrong.

CARTER
I can't find a pulse, but I don't know if that means anything. He's still breathing.

[O'Neill warily eyes the aliens who've gathered around them]

O'NEILL
Captain, why don't we back off for now, huh?

DANIEL
I really hope this isn't because I sneezed on him.

TEAL'C
This one appeared to have lubricant from the UAV on his hands. Perhaps that is what has made him ill.

O'NEILL
Could be their national pastime for all we know. Maybe they got low blood sug…

[The aliens look up, eyes closed, and suddenly begin singing a strange chord.]

CARTER
They're singing.

O'NEILL
Is that what that is?

DANIEL

(Looking around at them)

Some…Native American as well as African and Aboriginal tribes believe that music and chants have medicinal powers.

CARTER
The sound is incredible.

[Another alien falls to its knees, then topples over.]

DANIEL
Well, I guess it didn't work quite like they hoped.

INT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel and Carter are observing as the aliens are trying to care for one of their fallen. Teal'c carries in the other with O'Neill following him in. The healthier aliens help Teal'c to set the alien on the ground O'Neill looks on.]

TEAL'C
O'Neill, should we not leave now?

DANIEL

(Looks at Teal'c)

What?

TEAL'C
Our presence here may make more of them ill.

CARTER
I was wondering the same thing, Daniel. What if we're causing this?

DANIEL
Well, look at them. I don't think they know what's happening, much less how to help themselves.

O'NEILL
Hey, we don't even know what's happening, much less how to help them.

[Another alien collapses.]

DANIEL
Well, whatever it is, it's turning into an epidemic.

EXT—STARGATE—PLANET PJ2-445

[The wormhole is active, and three members of the SGC appear in biohazard gear and holding equipment. O'Neill and Teal'c are waiting at the DHD.]

FRAISER

(From inside her suit)

Now, this is a house call. Let's go.

O'NEILL
Straightaway, boys.

[The medical team follow O'Neill and Teal'c.]

EXT—ALIEN VILLAGE—PLANET PJ2-445

[Aliens observer the new arrivals as Dr. Fraiser and her team enter the village. Carter is there to greet them.]

FRAISER
Captain Carter.

CARTER
Dr Fraiser.

FRAISER
What's the situation?

CARTER
We're up to 14 afflicted. They seem to just double over in pain and pass out. From there, they remain unconscious.

[Frasier follows Carter into the dwelling.]

INT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel is standing there, hands in pockets.]

CARTER
We've introduced a number of foreign substances that could be responsible.

[The rest of SG-1 enter.]

FRAISER
OK. Let's set up over here.

O'NEILL
And the UAV ran into that…plant thing I showed you.

DANIEL
I've been sneezing like crazy ever since we got here.

CARTER
Yeah, and I cut my hand, and one of the aliens could have come in contact with my blood.

TEAL'C
One of the aliens had lubricant from the UAV on his hands.

FRAISER

(Rising up from her medical equipment)

OK, look. The fact is, it could be somebody's aftershave. Now, how are they going to react if I want to run some tests?

DANIEL
The behavior of the group indicates serious agitation and concern. This is obviously unusual to them. They're worried, but so far, they've been very passive and willing to let us try to help.

INT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Frasier exits the dwelling and approaches SG-1. The team is standing except for O'Neill who is squatting on the ground.]

FRAISER
Your tests are all clean.

DANIEL
What about them?

FRAISER
I'm pretty limited here. I mean, they may look similar to us, but they are definitely very different.

O'NEILL

(Knowingly)

You don't know what's wrong, do you?

FRAISER
No. I recommend we take one of them back to Earth where I can run more extensive tests. Under Level 2 quarantine conditions, it should be perfectly safe.

DANIEL

(To O'Neill)

I'd like to stay.

O'NEILL
What for?

DANIEL
Keep trying to communicate with them. Reassure them we're trying to help.

FRAISER
I don't see any danger, sir.

O'NEILL
We're not making things worse by being here?

FRAISER
No, I think the damage is probably already done. Quarantine the sick, in case this problem is contagious amongst them. I also suggest you check out the other villages in the distance. If this illness is present there, it just may rule us out as the origin.

O'NEILL
Okay. Carter, you go back with Frasier. Report to General Hammond, and get your hand looked at. Daniel, Teal'c, and I'll stick around.

EXT—PLANET PJ2-445 STARGATE

[Carter is dialing the Stargate, and Frasier is next to her. One of the aliens is on a stretcher, which is being lifted by Frasier's med team. The rest of SG-1 and two of the healthy aliens, including Alien #1, look on. The healthy aliens pat the sick one on the stretcher. They watch worriedly as their friend is being taken away.]

DANIEL
It's OK.

[The med team, Carter and Frasier disappear into the wormhole.]

DANIEL
Everything's going to be fine.

[The shaman and the other alien are still worried, as is O'Neill. Daniel tries to smile reassuringly.]

EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ENTRANCE

INT—SGC CORRIDOR

[The afflicted alien lies awake as his gurney is carted through the hallways. He is agitated. Frasier places a resuscitation bag over his nose and mouth as she and Carter escort the gurney through the halls and into the isolation room.]

MEDIC
On three.

[They lift the backboard and transfer it to the table.]

CARTER
All right. You're going to be OK.

FRAISER
Get this out of here.

[The medics remove the gurney from the room.]

FRAISER
It's OK.

[Nurses gather around, one of them checks the alien's eyes. To the nurse.]

FRAISER
Give me your stethoscope when you're done.

[The alien reaches for Carter's arm and holds onto it.]

CARTER
When he first got sick, they all gathered around him and started making this incredible sound. It was like music.

[The alien wheezes as he loosens his grasp of Carter's arm. They continue to assess his condition.]

EXT -PLANET PJ2-445—SUNRISE

[Cut to Teal'c and O'Neill walking along from presumably other villages.]

TEAL'C
Do you not believe we are responsible, O'Neill?

O'NEILL
Yes, I believe we are…not. We should check it out either way.

TEAL'C
It is possible an alien went to warn others and spread the disease.

O'NEILL
Yeah. I guess.

[O'Neill's legs buckle and he falls to the ground.]

O'NEILL
Whoa! Whoa!

[Teal'c grabs his arm and tries to help him. O'Neill pulls his arm from Teal'c's hold.]

O'NEILL
I got it.

TEAL'C

(Alarmed)

Are you all right, O'Neill?

O'NEILL

(Getting to his feet)

I'm fine. Look…Teal'c, I know this might be tough for you, but would…would you mind if we just walked without talking for a while?

TEAL'C
Do you feel an illness?

O'NEILL
A little headache. I'll be fine.

[He resumes walking under Teal'c's watchful eye.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY—ISOLATION ROOM

[The alien is hooked to monitors and Frasier (in scrubs)
is working with some equipment as Carter walks in wearing a surgical gown.]

CARTER
How's it going?

FRAISER
Nothing conclusive yet. I'm just about to do an ultrasound to see if I can get a clear picture of their internal organs.

[The alien awakens. Janet turns on the ultrasound machine and the alien suddenly emits a high-pitched shrieking. Fraiser and Carter look on alarmed. Carter is stroking the distressed alien's head.]

FRAISER
Maybe I'll try another way.

INT—SGC INFIRMARY—MRI ROOM

[The alien is lying on the table as the machine rolls his body into the MRI. He watches warily.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY—OBSERVATION ROOM OVERLOOKING MRI

[Fraiser is at a computer while Carter stands watching the alien's progress through the window.]

FRAISER
There are a number of common elements in their blood — red and white cells, glucose, protein.

CARTER
But you're working with a human frame of reference on the test results.

FRAISER
Exactly. How am I supposed to know what's normal for these guys?

[The computer monitor beeps and pulsates. A red mass is seen in the abdominal area of the scanned 3-D image. It appears to be a heart. The image turns on screen.]

CARTER
Uh…That's not exactly normal, is it?

FRAISER
Not from any anatomy I've learned. Look at this.

[They both stare at the image, fascinated.]

EXT—ALIEN VILLAGE—PLANET PJ2-445

INT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel moves from room to room in the alien's dwelling and looks in on the sick aliens as they are watched over by the others. Concerned, he walks out.]

EXT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel walks out of the dwelling and comes across Alien #1. One of the white plants has grown tall, then suddenly it shrinks back into the ground, only its mushroom-like caps remain on the surface. Daniel is stunned.]

DANIEL
Whoa!

[He walks over to Alien #1 standing next to the plant, pointing.]

DANIEL
What…uh…what…What just happened?

[The alien squats down, showing Daniel.]

DANIEL
Right.

[Daniel gives him a thumbs-up as O'Neill and Teal'c walk up to them.]

DANIEL
Good impression.

O'NEILL
What's up?

DANIEL
Uh, the plant. Or, at least, it was.

O'NEILL
What?

DANIEL

Well, i-it had grown to over six feet tall, and when I came up to it, it just shrank back down into the ground.
(O'Neill looks at him)

I'm going to back up again, see if it does it again.

[Daniel backs up and looks at the plant as does the alien. O'Neill looks at Daniel as if he's gone crazy. The plant does nothing.]

O'NEILL

(Sarcastically)

Witness if you will…squat.

DANIEL

Well, you…
(pointing to Alien #1)
…you saw it, too.
(the alien squats down again)

See? Just…like that.

TEAL'C
Many aliens in nearby villages are ill.

DANIEL
OK…

[Putting his hands on his head, he takes a deep breath through gritted teeth.]

DANIEL
What are we going to do?

O'NEILL
How should I know?

DANIEL
Well, we need to do something.

O'NEILL
I agree with you. But I haven't had the brilliant revelations you seem to have had.

DANIEL

(Looking at O'Neill)

Maybe you could try something a little bit better than inappropriate sarcasm.

O'NEILL
You want sarcasm? Nice to meet you.

[Alien #1 walks up to O'Neill smiling, then turns to Daniel smiling.]

O'NEILL
What's he smiling at?

TEAL'C

He appears to be bothered by the tone you have taken towards each other.
(O'Neill and Daniel look at each other)

As am I.

[Alien #1 stops smiling.]

O'NEILL
Uh, Teal'c…go head back to the Gate. Get a message to General Hammond. Let him know what's going on here.

TEAL'C
And the two of you will be fine?

O'NEILL
Yeah. Yeah. We'll be OK. I'm going to stick around and work on this quarantine thing with Plant Boy here.

[Daniel gives him a look. Teal'c also fixes O'Neill with a stare, to which O'Neill seemingly can't find the words to explain why he'd said what he just said. Daniel nods imperceptibly, but there's a questioning look on his face.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY ISOLATION

[Carter is patting the alien's arm like the others had, while Frasier is in the observation room overlooking the isolation room. Hammond enters the observation room. Carter leaves the alien's side and heads for observation.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY ISOLATION OBSERVATION ROOM

[Frasier looks out over the patient as Carter enters.]

HAMMOND
We just got a report from Teal'c. The sick now number over a hundred, that's only among the aliens that they could count. The disease does not appear to be local to the village you encountered.

FRAISER
The muscle that I've identified as the alien's heart is beating more and more erratically.

HAMMOND
So whatever he's got is going to kill him?

FRAISER
I don't know how much longer I can keep this one alive, sir. I'm afraid to administer drugs because it could make him worse.

CARTER
Sir, if you don't mind, what are you thinking?

HAMMOND
Captain, I am thinking that the unfortunate reality is that this scenario was not totally unexpected.

FRAISER
Actually, sir, the surprising thing is it hasn't happened more often. We think it may be because there are so many transplanted humans from Earth on other planets that most of the contagions we carry are already out there.

CARTER
Yeah, well, not in this case.

HAMMOND
Unfortunately, there's only so much time and so many resources that this facility can devote to this situation.

FRAISER
Sir, I didn't say it was hopeless.

CARTER
They didn't ask for this. They're clearly unable to help themselves. We just can't keep trampling through the galaxy with no regard for the damage that we can do.

FRAISER
Sir, we need more time.

CARTER
A lot more time.

HAMMOND

(Moving closer)

How much time you've got is not up to me.

CARTER
Sir?

HAMMOND
You said it yourself, doctor. They are dying.

[They all look upon the alien lying in the bed below.]

EXT—ALIEN VILLAGE—PLANET PJ2-445

EXT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel is working with his video camera as O'Neill is in the dwelling with the aliens.]

O'NEILL
Ah-ah-ah. Get back. Come on. Get back.

[The aliens are running out of the dwelling, not heeding O'Neill.]

O'NEILL
Fine. Knock yourself out. Go ahead. Go play in the street. Don't forget your sunblock.

[He walks out of the dwelling and up to Daniel.]

O'NEILL

(Irritably)

Why aren't you helping me?

DANIEL
It's no use. They don't understand. They want to be with each other.

O'NEILL
Well, we're not going to stand around doing nothing.

DANIEL
We're not doing nothing.

O'NEILL
You're videotaping a plant.

DANIEL
Well, I think this might be important.

O'NEILL
Well, I think you might be losing what's left of your mind.

DANIEL
What's that supposed to mean?

O'NEILL
It means that on a good day you can be a little flaky.

DANIEL
And on a good day you can be a little ignorant and condescending.

O'NEILL
Not condescending. You're obviously misreading a basic philosophical difference of opinion on how to handle a crisis.

DANIEL
Oh, please! We have a difference of opinion on just about everything.

O'NEILL
Give me an example.

DANIEL
I don't know. Pick something. How about mythology?

O'NEILL
Rumors? Lies? Fairytales?

DANIEL
You see?

[Daniel spins around bouncing animatedly waving his hands.]

DANIEL
See? See? See? See? See?

[Alien #1 toddles up to them, as Daniel starts yelling.]

DANIEL
Mythology is one of the primary motivation for cultural development!

O'NEILL

(yelling)

Maybe it is, what's that got to do with filming a plant?!

DANIEL

(yelling)

Exactly!

O'NEILL

(yelling)

What does that mean?!

DANIEL

(yelling)

I don't know!

[Alien #1 looks from O'Neill to Daniel and back, blinking his confusion. O'Neill seems to realize they have crossed the line.]

O'NEILL

(More quietly)

OK…what was that?

DANIEL
I don't know. I don't feel so good.

O'NEILL

(Holding his neck)

I've got a headache.

DANIEL
Maybe we're getting whatever they have.

[They both watch Alien #1 pass out. Daniel crouches over him.]

INT—ALIEN DWELLING—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel and O'Neill are carrying Alien #1 into the dwelling. They lay him down gently as the others appear to help. O'Neill and Daniel sit down, exhausted, and O'Neill clutches his neck. Daniel observes this.]

DANIEL
Getting worse?

O'NEILL
Yeah. Kinda.

[Daniel nods, and Teal'c walks in observing them closely, then the afflicted aliens.]

O'NEILL
Hey, Teal'c.

TEAL'C
Dr Frasier and Captain Carter have had little success in healing the alien.

O'NEILL

(Looking at Daniel)
Well, I think Daniel and I are coming down with something, too.
(To Teal'c)

How are you doing?

TEAL'C
I remain unaffected.

O'NEILL

(To Daniel)

I think we should probably go back and get checked out, huh?

[Daniel doesn't answer.]

TEAL'C
I will remain.

[O'Neill nods.]

EXT—ALIEN VILLAGE—PLANET PJ2-445

[Daniel exits the dwelling, followed by O'Neill then Teal'c.]

O'NEILL
All right, Teal'c. If we're not back in twelve hours, come on home.

[Daniel sets his pack down. He kneels over the video camera, which has been set up to observe the plant.]

DANIEL

(To Teal'c)

Would you do me a favour?

[He slides a fresh tape in the camera.]

DANIEL

(To Teal'c)

Could you keep an eye on this plant thing for me?

TEAL'C
I will keep both of my eyes on it, Daniel Jackson.

DANIEL
Thank you.

[Daniel rises and walks over to O'Neill. They start walking to the Stargate, and O'Neill notices that Daniel's gait is a little off.]

O'NEILL
Are you going to make this?

[Daniel stops, turns to look back at the village. O'Neill pats him on the shoulder, encouragingly.]

O'NEILL
Come on.

[They resume walking.]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[Klaxons sound as Hammond and Carter enter the Gate room. Daniel and O'Neill exit the wormhole a bit unsteadily.]

CARTER
Are you OK?

DANIEL
We started to feel sick.

CARTER
What kind of sick?

O'NEILL
Headaches. Brutal headaches.

DANIEL
But now I feel fine.

HAMMOND
Colonel, are you okay?

O'NEILL
I'm feeling better, actually.

[Daniel looks at O'Neill, who returns his puzzled gaze. Carter and Hammond exchange glances.]

INT—INFIRMARY

[O'Neill and Daniel are seated side-by-side on a bed, both gazing at the floor.]

O'NEILL
Listen. I, uh…

DANIEL
No, no. Um…Sorry. You were going to say?

O'NEILL
No, it's just that, uh…Well…You know.

DANIEL
No, I know. I know. You know that I…

O'NEILL
I know. It's obvious there's something…

DANIEL
…wrong with us.

DANIEL/O'NEILL

(together)

Physically.

[Frasier walks in cheerily.]

FRAISER
Well, there's nothing wrong with you.

DANIEL
What?

FRAISER
I've run every test, short of exploratory brain surgery, and you are both in perfect health.

O'NEILL

(Pondering, then…)

Huh.

[They are all silent for a moment.]

MEDIC

(over P.A. System)

Dr Frasier to critical care, stat.

[Frasier rushes off, leaving the two men to sit awkwardly.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY ISOLATION ROOM

[Frasier rushes into the room. Carter is there with nurses who are trying to resuscitate him. One is bagging him, while the other does check compressions. The heart monitor is sounding.]

CARTER
He's flatlining!

FRAISER

(Running around the bed)

Normally, I'd defibrillate, but I don't know what it'll do in this case. One milligram epinephrine. Start a lidocaine IV. Go!

[Frasier takes over chest compressions, while the nurse runs off to fill the orders.]

EXT—ALIEN VILLAGE—PLANET PJ2-445

[Teal'c is standing outside one of the dwellings. Behind him, one of the plants begins to grow. Then two more grow. He looks at them, and when he tries to move closer to touch one of them, it shrinks from him. He takes a step to the other two, and they shrink. Teal'c stands there curious. Kneeling, he takes out his knife and scrapes at the surface of the soil. A white root system is exposed and when he digs his hands into the soil, he touches a bright green substance. Suddenly, Teal'c gasps in pain. Clutching his head, he lies down on the ground, grunting in pain, the green liquid still on his fingers. He loses consciousness.]

EXT—CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ENTRANCE

INT—SGC INFIRMARY ISOLATION—OBSERVATIOIN ROOM

[O'Neill and Daniel are watching Janet minister to the alien as Carter walks in, still wearing surgical scrubs.]

CARTER
He's stable for now.

DANIEL

(Quietly)

If he's going to die, shouldn't we at least let him be with his own kind?

[O'Neill looks at him, sympathetically, as does Carter. Daniel then leaves the room, O'Neill watches him.]

INT—SGC—DANIEL'S LAB

[O'Neill enters the room. Daniel is watching the original videotape of the plant that had been hit by the UAV.]

O'NEILL
What are you looking for?

DANIEL
I don't know. Something. Anything.

[He drops the remote in disgust, gets up from his desk and goes over to his table looking through a set of mini tapes. O'Neill watches him, concerned.]

O'NEILL
Daniel, we can't always expect things to go the way we want them to.

[Daniel stops what he's doing and glares at O'Neill.]

DANIEL
To go the way we want them to? I mean, one wrong move, one false step, and a whole fragile world gets wiped out?

[Angrily, Daniel shoves all his papers off the lab table and shouts.]

DANIEL
We are killing a whole race of people here! How can I not care?!

[Daniel stops and stares off.]

O'NEILL
What?

[Daniel closes his eyes and sighs.]

DANIEL
My head hurts again.

[Daniel walks out of his lab, leaving O'Neill standing there. O'Neill then follows him.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY

[Frasier shines a penlight in Daniel's eyes, as O'Neill and Carter look on.]

FRAISER
Well, your pupils look fine.

DANIEL
This is the strangest thing. I feel fine again.

FRAISER
OK. So, then, when did this start?

DANIEL
Well, it was probably while I was watching…

[He looks at Frasier. After a beat, she shakes her head puzzled.]

DANIEL
Excuse me.

[He leaves the infirmary passing O'Neill and Carter at the door. Frasier shrugs.]

INT—SGC—DANIEL'S LAB

[Daniel walks in to his lab, putting his glasses back on. O'Neill and Carter follow him in.]

DANIEL
There has to be something the camera recorded. Something we can't see.

[Daniel hits the remote again, and the monitor displays the plant footage again.]

CARTER
Or hear.

[Daniel looks at her.]

CARTER
Give me the tape.

[Daniel hands her the tape and she leaves his lab. Daniel follows her, and O'Neill follows Daniel.]

INT—SGC CONTROL ROOM

[Carter heads up the stairs. Dr. Frasier is there, with Daniel and O'Neill on their heels. Carter sits down at a computer as the others gather around her, and she inserts the videotape.]

O'NEILL
Carter, what are you doing?

CARTER
I'm looking for something that we can't hear.

[She enters a command. The monitor displays an audio spectrum analysis being performed.]

CARTER
Here. In the long-amplitude waves. Isolating and amplifying.

[A low droning can be heard now, as the readout spike in the red zone. O'Neill grimaces.]

CARTER
See? This was under everything you recorded with the camera. The sound was present the entire time we were on the planet. We just couldn't hear it.

O'NEILL

(Over the noise)

It's kind of annoying.

[Absently, Carter nods.]

O'NEILL
Why don't you turn it down?

[Carter turns down the volume.]

FRAISER
Actually, it's more than annoying, sir. It's also responsible for the symptoms you were describing.

DANIEL
It is?

FRAISER
Long-term exposure to certain sounds have been documented to cause serious physical side effects: your headaches, nausea, severe irritability. The longer you're exposed to it, the worse it gets.

CARTER
I'll bet this is what was interfering with our remote control on the UAV.

DANIEL
So this is what's making the aliens sick?

FRAISER
No. See, you felt better when you got back here, but the alien we brought here just keeps getting worse.

CARTER
And the sound that was causing your symptoms isn't here on the base. Except on this tape.

DANIEL
So this isn't what's making the aliens sick?

[Klaxons begin sounding.]

TECHNICIAN
Colonel, incoming wormhole.

[The main console monitor displays signal and code accepted.]

TECHNICIAN
SG-1 code verified.

O'NEILL
Open the iris.

[O'Neill heads out of the control room, followed by Carter, Daniel, and Frasier.]

INT—SGC GATE ROOM

[The iris opens, and O'Neill, Daniel, Carter and Frasier enter the Gate room. SFs take up positions as they wait for Teal'c. Moments later, Teal'c comes through, staggering. All rush up the ramp to assist him. They help him down the ramp.]

O'NEILL
You all right?

TEAL'C
My condition is improving.

O'NEILL
Sit down.

[Teal'c sits at the base of the ramp, and Frasier examines him. The others gather around.]

DANIEL
Well, I guess Jaffa aren't completely impervious after all.

TEAL'C
What has led you to that assumption?

O'NEILL
Well, there's…some kind of bad sound on that planet.

DANIEL
It's what made us sick. I guess it just took you a little longer to cave in.

TEAL'C
I believe it to be the organism that was somehow attacking me.

CARTER
What organism?

TEAL'C
I made a discovery while observing your plants, Daniel Jackson.

DANIEL
You saw them grow?

TEAL'C
Indeed. I saw several of them rise. When I approached, they retracted into the ground. I removed the dirt from around the retracted plants. It appears they are all connected.

CARTER
And you say it attacked you?

TEAL'C
As I drew near the organism, I became disoriented. My head was overcome with great pain. Movement became very difficult.

DANIEL

(comprehending)

That's it.

[Daniel starts to leave the Gate room.]

O'NEILL
What? Where are you going?

[Daniel turns back and walks in the room again.]

DANIEL

(Distractedly)

Come on.

[The team look at him, puzzled. They then follow him.]

INT—SGC CONTROL ROOM

[Daniel hustles into the room. O'Neill, Carter, Teal'c and Frasier join him at the main console where the technician is seated.]

DANIEL
Did we record audio from the UAV's air run over PJ2-445?

TECHNICIAN
Sure.

DANIEL
Do you have a tape?

TECHNICIAN
It's still in the hard-drive data bank.

CARTER

Okay. Run it though an audio spectrum analysis, amplify the low end and replay it though the speakers.
(To Daniel)

I think I know where you're going.

[The monitor displays the analysis of the sound, with low spikes showing on the meter.]

DANIEL
Now, fast-forward to after the UAV crashed.

[The technician fast-forwards and there is a change in the sound.]

DANIEL
When the UAV crashed on the plant, the sound changed.

[Carter nods her agreement.]

O'NEILL

(Incredulous)

The plant is making that sound?

CARTER
Sir, it's an alien organism on another planet.

O'NEILL
Good point.

DANIEL
We accidentally changed the sound the organism naturally makes.

TEAL'C
Why would the sound change?

DANIEL
It's alive. We…hurt it.

CARTER
Maybe the aliens are affected by the sound in totally different ways than you were. They could need the sound to be at a certain frequency.

TEAL'C
For what reason?

CARTER
To live. They don't even have the same internal organs that we do.

FRAISER
The ultrasound. Do you remember the way the alien reacted when I tried to do the ultrasound? That organ that we couldn't identify must be sound-sensitive.

[Carter nods.]

INT—SGC INFIRMARY—ISOLATION

[Daniel inserts the videotape into the player. It is hooked up to speakers. He presses the play button. Hammond is in the observation room along with O'Neill and Teal'c.]

HAMMOND
So this inaudible sound made you sick, but not in the same way it was affecting the aliens? They need the sound to live, but we altered it by harming the organism that makes the sound?

O'NEILL

(uncertain)

Sounds right.

[Hammond frowns at O'Neill. Daniel goes over to the alien's bed and stands next to Carter. Frasier is on the other side of the bed.]

FRAISER
His pulse is getting stronger.

[The alien opens his mouth and emits a high tone. He wakes and sees Fraiser and Daniel smile at him. He returns the smile.]

EXT—ALIEN VILLAGE—PLANET PJ2-445

[Carter is working on solar-powered panels, while O'Neill watches her progress.]

CARTER
Frequency emitters are operational, sir.

[Carter rises from her position and goes over to see Daniel, who is with the aliens.]

CARTER
Daniel, we should, uh, we should get out of here.

DANIEL

(Reluctant)

Well, don't you wanna stay and see if it works?

CARTER
Yeah, but we can watch from the ridge over there. I have a hunch, and I think we might be in the way.

[Daniel looks at her, then back at the aliens. She looks meaningfully at Daniel, then she and O'Neill move off leaving Daniel with the aliens.]

DANIEL

(Raising his hand)

Goodbye.

[Alien #1 and another alien raise their hands, too. And Daniel joins Teal'c as they follow O'Neill and Carter. Daniel and Teal'c both turn back, raising their hands. Again, the aliens return the gesture. Watching from the ridge, SG-1 stand and wait. Teal'c is watching through binoculars.]

DANIEL

(To Carter)

How much longer, do you think?

CARTER
I don't know.

O'NEILL
Care to let us in on this hunch?

CARTER
Not yet, sir.

[Viewing the village from the ridge, they see the aliens moving out among the dwellings, the aliens begin singing.]

TEAL'C
There.

[He tosses the binoculars to O'Neill, who deftly catches it.]

TEAL'C
The plants are growing.

[Daniel looks on, and O'Neill puts the binoculars to his eyes. Through the lenses, he sees the plants start growing.]

DANIEL

(To Carter, curiously)

That was your hunch?

CARTER
I had a feeling there was some sort of symbiotic relationship between the aliens and the organism. They probably don't even realise it.

DANIEL
Well, how did you realise it?

[Carter opens her mouth, but doesn't say anything.]

O'NEILL
Captain?

[Carter glances around nervously.]

CARTER
I…I talk to my plants, OK?

[The team just look at her, but say nothing. Across the expanse, the plants are growing everywhere, bright pink blossoms bursting open at the tops.]

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

Transcribed by Marcia for Solutions, 16 Nov 03

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--Kylie Lee 08:33, 30 Aug 2004 (PDT)