Sunday/Transcript

Episode Guide
Sunday" Episode Guide

Transcript
EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Teyla and Doctor Hewston walk down a corridor. Both are dressed in workout clothes. The corridor is crowded with people out of uniform walking around.]

TEYLA I could never just say that to him.

HEWSTON Why not? You like him, don't you?

TEYLA That is not the point.

HEWSTON I think that's exactly the point, actually.

TEYLA The ways of my people are&hellip;different. I would never&mdash;

HEWSTON Uh, he's not going to make the first move.

TEYLA Uh, we shall see.

HEWSTON Look, you know him better than I do&hellip;

TEYLA (primly) I would hope so.

HEWSTON But&hellip;I wouldn't be surprised if he was oblivious to the whole situation.

TEYLA It bears no further discussion.

HEWSTON All right&hellip; I'm just saying, if you want me to have somebody drop some hints, I could&mdash;

TEYLA (interrupting) Can you remember the last time so many people had the day off?

HEWSTON Yeah, it's all Heightmeyer's doing. She insisted that the brass order some sort of "mandatory rest day". I guess downtime here doesn't really happen organically. Hey, and don't think I haven't realized you've changed the subject.

TEYLA My people have a day of rest every four nights.

HEWSTON (intrigued) Ooh, now, that is civilized.

TEYLA Yes.

HEWSTON Hey, want to grab a late lunch?

TEYLA I would like that. (stopping short) I forgot my bantos rods at the gym.

HEWSTON Oh.

TEYLA Can I meet you there?

HEWSTON Sure.

TEYLA Okay.

[They part ways. Teyla starts walking back. As she turns the corner, a fireball explosion rips through the corridor from behind, knocking Teyla to the floor.]

TEYLA Oh!

[The hallway is filled with smoke and flames. People scream in pain and fear as a klaxon blares overhead. One man runs down the hall; he is aflame. Teyla moans, gasping for air. A piece of shrapnel is imbedded in her abdomen. She falls unconscious.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

THREE HOURS EARLIER

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

[Branton walks into Weir's office. Weir works at her computer.]

BRANTON Hi.

WEIR (distracted) Hi.

BRANTON What are you, uh, what are you doing here?

WEIR (smiling) I work here.

BRANTON But it's our day off.

WEIR Well, shouldn't you be enjoying your leisure time, then?

BRANTON I got a little behind on my research this week. Just wanted to drop off some results for the next Earth transmission.

WEIR Right. Good.

[She goes back to typing.]

BRANTON I was thinking about grabbing some food. Care to join?

WEIR (uncomfortable) I can't, I've&mdash;

BRANTON You're not capable of having lunch?

WEIR (laughing, self-conscious) Yes, I'm capable.

BRANTON Are you planning on eating today?

WEIR Of course.

BRANTON Great. Eat with me.

WEIR Look, it's nothing personal, but I make it a point to not have relationships with people who work for me.

BRANTON I don't work for you.

WEIR I'm your boss. Hmm?

BRANTON Well, you're my boss's&hellip;boss, actually.

WEIR Still, however indirectly&hellip;

BRANTON Yeah, but with that thinking, everyone on this entire planet works for you. You’re not going to be friends with any of them?

WEIR Friends is one thing&hellip;

[Nervously, she goes back to typing.]

BRANTON Oh, you think&hellip;oh, wait a second. I-I see what's happening here. You think I'm asking you out on a date. No, no, no, no, th-this isn't a date. This is-this is lunch. (sitting) This is the&mdash;the mandatory refueling of our bodies. This is you know, putting food in your mouth and chewing it, and having something more engaging than a wall sitting across from you. That's all it is. I mean, come on. You've got to admit&mdash;I am much more appealing than a wall, no?

[Weir smiles with an arced eyebrow.]

BRANTON No, you don't have to&hellip;admit it, but it would be a massive blow to my ego if you thought otherwise.

WEIR You are more appealing&hellip;than a wall.

BRANTON Great. Now, what say we go grab some grub?

WEIR Oh, I still have an hour of work to do, and&mdash;

BRANTON (cutting her off) An hour, then. I'll see you in the mess hall.

[He leaves. Weir sighs in obvious uncertainty.]

INT&mdash;TEYLA'S QUARTERS

[The doorbell chimes. Teyla goes to answer it and finds Weir standing in her doorway.]

TEYLA Elizabeth, you're early! Just give me a moment.

WEIR Um, how set on lunch were you today?

TEYLA (rolling her eyes) Why?

WEIR Well, something's come up.

TEYLA (sighing, frustrated) Elizabeth, surely whatever work it is you feel you must get done can wait.

WEIR I was invited to lunch by Mike Branton.

TEYLA (with sly grin) Oh, really?

WEIR You and I, we had plans, and&mdash;

TEYLA (interrupting) My friend, Dr. Hewston, just radioed me. She wants me to teach her some bantos fighting this afternoon, so&hellip;do not worry. I will have something to occupy my time.

WEIR Okay&hellip;Are you sure?

TEYLA (firmly) Yes.

WEIR Okay. Hmph.

[Weir opens the door and looks back at Teyla with a nervous smile. Teyla giggles.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Weir encounters Beckett near the gate room and they walk towards the steps together. Weir has changed out of her uniform into a green low cut top and pants. Beckett wears a fishing vest over his long-sleeved t-shirt.]

BECKETT Hello. Oh! Don't you look lovely.

WEIR Thank you, Carson.

BECKETT It's the first time I've seen you out of your base uniform in quite some time now.

WEIR No, I don't-don’t know about that.

BECKETT Off somewhere special?

WEIR No, just getting some lunch.

BECKETT Ah&hellip; Rodney and I are going fishing on the mainland this afternoon.

WEIR I know, I cleared the use for the jumper.

BECKETT Care to join us? Who knows what kind of wonderful fish we'll find?

WEIR That's very kind, but some other time, maybe.

[He stops her with a hand on her arm.]

BECKETT (teasing) Oh! What, do you have a hot date?

WEIR (flustered) What? Who told you that?

BECKETT (grinning) No one. I was joking. I was right. Who is it?

[Weir glares at him.]

BECKETT None of my business. Have a lovely afternoon, Elizabeth.

WEIR Thank you.

[She starts jogging up the stairwell, leaving Beckett down below.]

BECKETT (teasing) You smell good, too!

WEIR (sing-song) Shut up!

[Beckett chuckles.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MESS HALL

[Weir and Branton sit across from each other at a table.]

BRANTON Do you believe that?

WEIR Yes.

BRANTON Truly and in your heart, you believe that?

WEIR I do.

BRANTON (scoffing) Oh!

WEIR What?

BRANTON I just don't know that I can ever respect you again.

WEIR Come on.

BRANTON You think When Harry Met Sally is better than Annie Hall? You're a crazy person.

WEIR It is.

BRANTON Okay&hellip; When Harry Met Sally is essentially a remake, a cheap imitation, a bad cover-song version of Annie Hall. You realize that, right?

WEIR (shrugging, mouth full) I disagree.

BRANTON I know you do, but that's what makes you crazy.

WEIR Well, I guess this will never work out, then.

BRANTON This?

WEIR (nervous) Lunch?

BRANTON Ah. Now does that mean that&mdash;that you don't believe that men and women can be friends?

WEIR I never said that.

BRANTON Mm, you didn't have to say it. Any lady that likes When Harry Met Sally that much thinks men and women can't be friends.

WEIR Fine. Maybe I do.

[She smiles flirtatiously before taking a drink of water.]

BRANTON So where does that leave me?

WEIR I guess that leaves you at lunch.

[He stands and beckons with his head.]

BRANTON Come on.

WEIR Where?

BRANTON If lunch is all I get, I'm going to get as much bang for my buck as possible.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS ALCOVE, DAY

[Weir and Branton sit on a bench overlooking the water. Their water bottles are with them.]

WEIR It really is beautiful here, isn't it?

BRANTON Yeah. All done?

[Weir takes a last swig of her water bottle.]

WEIR All done.

BRANTON (sighing) I guess lunch is over.

WEIR I guess it is.

BRANTON I should have brought dessert. It would've lasted longer.

[He stares at her. She holds his gaze for a moment, then looks away.]

WEIR I should really get back anyway.

BRANTON Well, what are you doing tomorrow?

WEIR Mike&mdash;

BRANTON No, I like you, and I'm extremely charming. Heh. I'd like to see you spin those into negatives.

WEIR I just don't think&mdash;

BRANTON (interrupting) It's probably best you don't think.

WEIR Would you stop interrupting me? You have a tendency to do that.

BRANTON (laughing) I do not.

WEIR Yes, you do. I hate it when people interrupt me.

BRANTON Well, if I hadn't interrupted you, we would never have had lunch. Life needs a little interrupting every now and again.

WEIR All right, I don't completely disagree.

[Branton kisses Weir. She returns the kiss, then leans back.]

BRANTON (nervous) Was that&hellip;way out of line?

[She stares at him and stands.]

WEIR I can't do this.

BRANTON Just because we work together?

WEIR This would split my focus.

BRANTON Give it a chance, see if it&mdash;

WEIR (cutting him off) I'm sorry. I-I shouldn't have done this in the first place. I thought maybe I&mdash;

TECHNICIAN (over intercom) Dr. Weir, please report to the control room immediately.

[She shrugs and leaves.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Weir enters. Everyone is moving frantically around, trying to restore order.]

WEIR What's going on?

CHUCK There's been an explosion at the base of the tower, near the gym. Early reports have at least three dead, and there's about a dozen or so that are severely injured.

WEIR An explosion? Was there some sort of equipment malfunction?

CHUCK No, we're still going over the data logs, but we're pretty sure it wasn't a malfunction.

WEIR So it could have been a bomb?

[Chuck nods.]

FIVE HOURS EARLIER

[Teyla walks down a corridor. Sheppard and Ronon spot her. Sheppard wears a black polo shirt and khaki slacks, and carries a golf club.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

SHEPPARD Oh, hey, there you are. Been looking all over for you.

TEYLA Oh?

SHEPPARD What, did you forget?

TEYLA Uh, no.

SHEPPARD (affronted) You forgot!

TEYLA You were going to teach Ronon and myself how to play golf.

SHEPPARD (smiling) That's the plan.

TEYLA I'm afraid I have made other plans.

SHEPPARD What other plans?

TEYLA Having lunch with Elizabeth.

SHEPPARD Well, you've still got time.

TEYLA (thinking quickly) Yes, true. However, I am afraid I have been&hellip;quite delinquent in filing my mission reports. I had hoped to get caught up before I met with Elizabeth.

[Sheppard and Ronon exchange skeptical looks.]

SHEPPARD Okay.

TEYLA If you would like, I could cancel&hellip;

SHEPPARD No. No, no, no. She could use a little time out of the office. Some other time.

TEYLA Some other time.

[Teyla slaps Ronon on the arm as she passes. Ronon watches her leave enviously.]

RONON You know, uh, John, I got mission reports, too&hellip;

SHEPPARD Nice try. It's going to be fun.

RONON (dubious) Fun? Uh-huh.

[He follows Sheppard slowly out of the area.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

[A golf ball lands in the water near the base.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS DRIVING RANGE, DAY

[Sheppard has set up a driving range off one of the piers of Atlantis. He and Watson each are using the tees. Ronon stands at the back of the room, leaning on Sheppard's golf bag.]

WATSON Nice shot.

SHEPPARD Thank you&hellip;Jim. It was pretty nice, though, huh?

[Watson drives a ball.]

RONON (bored) So that's the sport? You just hit a little ball as far as you can?

SHEPPARD First, it's a game, and, no, it's a little more complicated than that. See, there are eighteen holes, all made up of varying lengths and dimensions. First goal is to hit the ball through a series of water and sand hazards until you land on the green, then you putt the ball into the hole.

[Ronon flexes a club and steps up to where Watson was standing. Sheppard has driven another ball while he's been talking.]

RONON (indicating the ocean) So, this is a water hazard?

SHEPPARD Well, uh, we don't have a course yet. All we have for now is driving range, where you&mdash;

RONON Just hit a little ball?

SHEPPARD (reluctantly) Pretty much, yeah.

RONON What's so hard about that?

[Sheppard hits another ball into the water.]

SHEPPARD Well&hellip; I make it look easy, but I've been playing since I was six.

RONON (unimpressed) Uh-huh.

SHEPPARD So, although it seems simple, developing a sweet swing like mine takes years&mdash;

[Ronon swings his club one-handed. The ball flies out an immense distance.]

WATSON Whoa.

RONON (grinning) Like that?

SHEPPARD (dismissive) That was okay.

WATSON Okay?! You can't even see where it landed.

SHEPPARD Well&hellip;it's not a distance game, it's an accuracy one.

RONON Well, pick a spot, I'll hit it there.

SHEPPARD First off, your grip. It's all wrong.

[Beckett enters.]

BECKETT Ah, yes, of course. There you are.

WATSON Hey, Doc, I wanted to come see you. I've been having this weird pain&mdash;

[He starts to indicate a spot on his abdomen, but Beckett shakes his head and puts up his hand.]

BECKETT (interrupting) Hold on, sorry. Let me stop you right there. It's the first day I've had off in over a month. Doctor Cole is in the infirmary and would be more than glad to help you out.

WATSON Okay. Fair enough.

BECKETT Right.

[Watson leaves.]

SHEPPARD What's up, Carson?

BECKETT Fishing.

RONON What?

BECKETT (enthusiastic) Rodney and I are heading to the mainland to catch a fish that seems to be just like a trout. Care to join us? Sport of kings.

SHEPPARD I thought horse racing was the "sport of kings."

BECKETT (scornfully) For the boring kings, maybe.

SHEPPARD Carson, you're Scottish. This is your game. Wouldn't you rather be on the driving range?

BECKETT Ach, it was never my thing. Come on, last chance.

[Sheppard and Ronon exchange unenthusiastic looks.]

SHEPPARD I think we're going to pass.

BECKETT All right. But don't be jealous when I return with a record-breaking space trout. Thank you.

[He spreads his arms wide to indicate a large fish while grinning excitedly.]

SHEPPARD We'll try to contain ourselves.

BECKETT Oh, aye. Ha.

[Beckett leaves. Ronon off-handedly strikes another ball one handed into the distance, and drops the club.]

RONON Time for a real sport. Come on.

[He leaves. Sheppard tries to copy Ronon's movement. His drive barely gets the ball off the tee, letting it plop unceremoniously in the water close to the dock. Annoyed, he follows.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS WORKOUT ROOM

[Sheppard has changed into a t-shirt and workout pants. Ronon hands him a stick and blue cloth. He has his own blue cloth and places his own blue cloth to hang out the waistband of the back of his pants.]

SHEPPARD Grab the other guy's flag, huh? That's it?

RONON That's it.

[Sheppard tucks his flag into the back of his pants.]

SHEPPARD No penalties and stuff?

RONON What?

SHEPPARD Well, if the other guy pulls your hair or tries to bite you?

RONON Bite back.

SHEPPARD Right.

RONON You ready?

SHEPPARD Ready as I'll ever be.

[They duel with the sticks, Ronon easily spinning Sheppard and nicking his flag as they pass.]

RONON That's one for me.

[Sheppard sighs in frustration and snatches his flag back from Ronon's hand.]

SHEPPARD Two out of three.

[They get back into position.]

RONON Round two. One-handed.

[He places his left hand behind his back.]

SHEPPARD What?

RONON After every round, the level of difficulty is increased. It's to simulate battle. After every encounter, there's the possibility of injury. Round two&mdash; one-handed.

SHEPPARD Why don't you let me get better at round one before we move on to the harder part?

[Ronon looks at him unmoving, with a predatory smile.]

SHEPPARD Okay, round two.

[They battle again, this time with their left hands behind their backs. Sheppard holds his own until Ronon knees him in the gut, making Sheppard double over in pain and groan. Ronon grabs his flag as he collapses.]

RONON Uh, that's two for me.

SHEPPARD (breathlessly) Three out of five.

RONON You know, I could do this all day. Haven't even broken a sweat yet.

SHEPPARD (still hoarse) Yeah, yeah, yeah.

RONON Round three.

[Ronon places his right foot behind his left knee and balances with his left arm behind his back.]

SHEPPARD Oh, come on. Oh, you are making this stuff up. This is not a traditional Satedan sport. This is an excuse to make me look dumb and kick my ass.

RONON (shrugging) If you want to quit&hellip;

[Sheppard sighs, puts his hand behind his back and awkwardly balances on one leg. They duel again. Sheppard actually gets a couple blows in with his shoulder, but Ronon counters. Sheppard collapses flat onto his back, although this time, Ronon did not take his flag.]

RONON Ah, sorry.

SHEPPARD (wheezing) This game sucks.

RONON Well, you need to focus.

SHEPPARD I don't know if that's going to be possible again. Here, help me get up. I got an idea.

[Ronon pulls him up. Sheppard groans. When upright, he smacks Ronon in the shoulder with a stick.]

RONON Ow!

SHEPPARD Yeah, it hurts, doesn't it?

INT&mdash;SHEPPARD'S QUARTERS

[Ronon grunts as he smashes an empty beer can into his forehead, end on.]

RONON Like that?

SHEPPARD Yeah, you got to hit it&hellip;boopm, straight on, hard as you can.

RONON Okay.

[Ronon sits on a chair. Sheppard lounges on a chaise. They're both snacking on popcorn and drinking beer. Sheppard's laptop plays a mellow tune.]

SHEPPARD You know, this is what I'm talking about. This is how you spend a day off. Kick back, eat some junk food, listen to some tunes.

RONON You like this music?

SHEPPARD What, you don't?

[Sheppard holds a ice-gel pack to his cheekbone for a moment.]

RONON It's fine.

[Sheppard browses through a surfing magazine.]

SHEPPARD I'm going to stick to golf. Your game's a little too much like my day job. So, how long have you been here now? A year?

RONON Year and a half.

SHEPPARD Year and a half? You ever hang out with anyone else besides me and Teyla? I'm not saying we're sick of you or anything. I'm&hellip; I don't know. Are you dating anyone?

RONON You mean like a woman?

SHEPPARD Or a man?

RONON No. I'm not ready yet.

SHEPPARD Not ready yet? Did you leave somebody behind on Sateda?

[Ronon nods.]

SHEPPARD Wife?

RONON Close enough.

SHEPPARD Sorry.

RONON What about you?

SHEPPARD (chuckling wryly) Yeah? What about me?

RONON When are you getting married?

SHEPPARD I've already done that. Not very good at it. Besides&hellip; there really isn't anyone here that&hellip;eh, you know.

RONON See, I always thought you and Teyla would, um&hellip; you know.

SHEPPARD (smirking) Really?

RONON (smiling) Yeah. Why not?

SHEPPARD (noncommitally) Mmm&hellip;

[The room shakes as a distant explosion is heard. Klaxons begin to wail. Sheppard and Ronon leap to their feet, alert, and head for the door.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Beckett directs medics to carry out Wilson, who's strapped to a gurney, badly injured. The corridor is dark and still with smoke.]

BECKETT Bright lights. Go. Go, move it.

MAN All right, let's get these two to the O.R. right away.

[Ronon and Sheppard rush in.]

RONON What happened here?

BECKETT Some sort of explosion. At least three dead, maybe a dozen or so severely injured.

MEYERS Doc!

[The three hurry over. They see medics carrying out Teyla, who is unconscious, on oxygen, and bleeding from her wound.]

BECKETT Oh, lord. Teyla.

SHEPPARD Is she going to be okay, Doc?

BECKETT She's lost a great deal of blood. I need you to get her to the infirmary STAT.

SHEPPARD (worried) Is she going to be all right?!

[Beckett glances at Sheppard, but doesn't respond to him.]

BECKETT (to medics) Let's go! Let's move!

SHEPPARD What the hell happened here, Radek?

ZELENKA There was an explosion.

SHEPPARD I get that, but why?

ZELENKA Well, I'm not sure yet. I wasn't allowed on the scene until the emergency crews cleared the floor. What took you so long?

[Ronon grabs an extinguisher and puts out a latent fire nearby.]

SHEPPARD Transporters are down. There's a lot of stairs.

ZELENKA Oh, yeah. McKay is in his lab. He thinks he might have a lead.

SHEPPARD What kind of lead?

ZELENKA He didn't say. The good news is, though, the structure is intact, so there's no danger of the tower falling down. There is, however, something very odd.

RONON What?

ZELENKA Well, the few eyewitness reports that we have say Dr. Hewston just&hellip;blew up.

SHEPPARD What the hell does that mean?

RONON It's not even possible.

ZELENKA Yeah, normally I would agree with you, but from what we can tell, she was standing right in the middle of the hall here, and just exploded.

SHEPPARD So, what? A suicide bomb?

ZELENKA Well, see, no, that's what I thought too, originally, but I've scanned the area with my equipment, and there isn't even the slightest trace of explosive residue. We have no idea what we're dealing with here.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, NIGHT

FOURTEEN HOURS EARLIER

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Watson and Hewston stand while McKay, in his bathrobe, paces in front of them. Beckett is nearby, checking things on his computer.]

MCKAY You know. I think I am a pretty easy guy to work for. I am usually too busy doing all the really important stuff to micro-manage all the little things I need you people to be doing. Now, because of that, you have a fair amount of freedom. That does not, however, mean you can do whatever the hell you please. There are rules, there are protocols in place, not only to protect this city, but your sorry little existences.

HEWSTON Look, If-if I could just&mdash;

MCKAY Oh, no, you cannot. You cannot interrupt me, okay? I was having a perfectly wonderful dream before I got this call, so you can just stand there and listen. You were sent on a routine cataloging of one of the abandoned Ancient labs, and you activate some alien device without having the first clue what it was?

WATSON We thought it was a&mdash;

MCKAY (interrupting) Yes! Well, you thought wrong.

HEWSTON Yeah, but just the other week you did the exact same thing, so I don’t&mdash;

MCKAY But I am me. If I make a mistake, I can fix it. You are you, and when you make mistakes, you don't have to fix them. I do.

HEWSTON (defensively) The second we realized it was emitting radiation, we turned it off.

MCKAY So what? What, you want a medal? Look, my four-year-old niece could figure out to turn something off if it was emitting radiation. That does not make you smart; that just makes you a little less stupid.

BECKETT (sighing) Rodney, be nice.

MCKAY So? Are they going to live? More importantly, can I go back to bed?

BECKETT Well, according to their body scan and blood tests, they'll be all right, yes. Although you should check back in the next twenty-four hours. We'll run some more tests, just to be certain.

MCKAY Well, you were lucky, because we are in a place where something as simple as flipping a switch could domino out into thousands of people dying. You need to be more careful. (toning down his ire) Okay, just&hellip;take tomorrow off, all right?

HEWSTON We already have tomorrow off. It's the mandatory rest day.

MCKAY (worried) It is? Already?

[Beckett clears his throat. McKay looks back to see him smiling and miming fishing, while pointing between them.]

MCKAY (muttering) Oh, great.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS BOTANY LAB

[McKay checks his breath and grooming before opening the door and walking into the lab.]

MCKAY Katie? Hello? Katie?

[He finds Katie near some plants.]

KATIE Rodney!

MCKAY There you are.

KATIE What are you doing here?

MCKAY Hey, it's your day off. What are you doing here?

KATIE Well, I'm nursing these little baby ferns we found on M4L-279. At this nascent stage, they're very fragile, and if I leave them for too long, they'll&hellip; they'll die.

MCKAY (blithely) Ah&hellip;so what? They're ferns.

[Katie stares at him, scandalized.]

MCKAY Oh&hellip;which is to say, you know, you need time off, just-just like everyone else does.

KATIE I-I know, it's just that they produce this special enzyme that we think might cure leukemia.

MCKAY (impressed) What? These guys? Really?

KATIE (speaking over him) Yeah. So, what are you doing with your day off? I thought you had plans.

MCKAY Oh, I do, with Beckett. That's, um, that's kind of why I'm here.

KATIE Oh?

MCKAY Yeah, I need, um, an excuse to break those plans.

KATIE Um, why's that?

MCKAY Well, because we're going fishing. Yeah, and to be honest, I cannot think of a more torturous way of spending a day than, you know, up to my&hellip;hips in water trying to get worms on hooks and, uh, having all the time in the world to listen to Carson's many views on what I'm sure are a vast number of impossibly boring subjects. I mean, it is unappealing in&hellip;every way.

KATIE (amused) Then why did you say yes in the first place?

MCKAY Well, because he said "You want to go fishing next month?" It sounded so far away, I figured something would come up, I'd be able to get out of it, but, uh, here we are, a month later, and, uh&hellip;

KATIE Nothing's come up.

MCKAY Exactly. So I figured if I told him we finally had an afternoon where I could, uh, take you out to lunch or&hellip;something, then he'd have no choice but to let me out of it.

KATIE I can't. I need to baby-sit the ferns.

MCKAY Right. Well&hellip;if I had a nickel for every time a girl used that line&hellip;

[Katie giggles.]

MCKAY (inspired) You know what? Let me bring lunch to you. We can eat here.

KATIE Rodney, you want to baby-sit ferns with me?

MCKAY Hey, in the battle between ferns versus fish, ferns continuously win a decisive victory.

KATIE That would be lovely.

MCKAY Great. Okay. I’ll, um&hellip;be right back.

KATIE Okay.

MCKAY Hmm.

[Katie smiles to herself as McKay leaves.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MESS HALL

[McKay carries two trays with sandwiches and other items. He spots Weir lunching with Branton and considers this new development. As he grabs some water bottles, Beckett enters.]

BECKETT Oh, would you look at that? Great minds think alike. I thought I'd pick us up some snacks as well.

MCKAY Yes. Um. About that.

BECKETT (threateningly) Rodney.

MCKAY Look&hellip;here's the thing. You know I would love to go with you.

BECKETT No&hellip;I don't.

MCKAY I would. I do. I just, um&mdash;I ran into Katie Brown, and, uh, she started to lay the guilt on, you know, how I never get to see her and how the one day I get off, I'm jet-setting off to the coast to, uh, sport-fish with my best buddy. I mean, she and I see so little of each other, I'm not sure we even count as a couple. Anyways, look. Um, long story short&hellip;

BECKETT (rolling his eyes) Too late.

MCKAY I told Katie I would spend the day with her.

BECKETT Oh&hellip;All right.

MCKAY Hey, you know if it was anybody else&hellip;

BECKETT No, no. I understand.

MCKAY Yeah, next week. I'm-I'm one hundred percent there.

BECKETT (studying him) You promise?

MCKAY Absolutely.

BECKETT Okay.

MCKAY And it's still early, so I'm sure you'll find someone else to go with you.

[He grabs an orange, sandwich, and a water bottle.]

BECKETT Oh, you can bet on that. Well, tell Katie I said hello.

MCKAY Mm. Will do.

BECKETT Enjoy. I will.

[He nods and jogs away.]

MCKAY (to himself) Yes!

[McKay glances back and observes the close body language of Weir and Branton.]

MCKAY Hmm!

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS BOTANY LAB

[Katie and McKay sit on stools by a table.]

KATIE This is lovely.

MCKAY It is, yes.

KATIE I got to say, after all the Cadman craziness last year, I-I figured there was no chance for us.

MCKAY (nervously) Oh? Huh. Why's that?

KATIE Well, you had another consciousness in your body, one that took over during our first date, and made you kiss me&hellip; I mean, it was&hellip;awkward. And so you ignored me for a few months.

MCKAY I did not.

KATIE Yeah. Yes, you did. I mean, it-it's okay, I guess. I can't imagine going through something like that, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be reminded of it either.

MCKAY Yes, well&hellip;it was a-a little weird there for a bit.

KATIE But for the last little while, you've really made an effort to make time for me. And it has been lovely.

[McKay appears touched.]

MCKAY It's funny, you know. As much as I hate to admit it, seeing my little sister so happy with her&hellip;family, I-I just, uh&hellip;well, it kind of made me realize that, uh&hellip;well&hellip;I'd like to get married.

KATIE You would?

MCKAY Oh, no, not to you.

KATIE Oh.

MCKAY Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no. Not not to you.

KATIE (speaking over him) No, I—I think&hellip;

MCKAY (speaking over her) Look, I was just&mdash; I mean—no, no, no, that was not a proposal. I was just-I was just talking.

KATIE Right.

MCKAY You know what I mean? I just don't want you to get the wrong&mdash; It's not that I wouldn't be interested in-in-in getting married to someone- I mean, someone like you&hellip; I mean, someone just like you&hellip;you, even, maybe, one day. I just, uh&mdash;

KATIE I know, I know. It's okay.

MCKAY I like you a lot. I mean, I do.

KATIE I-I know you do, and I like you a lot too.

MCKAY I know. And to be honest, I-I-I find that just&hellip; baffling.

KATIE Oh come on, now.

MCKAY No, no, no, it's other people too. They find it baffling, too.

KATIE I guess they just don't know you like I know you.

MCKAY Yeah, but you see, that's what scares me. I mean, at some point, you're going to know me the way they know me&mdash;

KATIE (speaking over him) Rodney, I think I know you pretty well. There's not a lot of sub-text with you.

[McKay stands and approaches her.]

MCKAY I am really sorry that I ignored you all that time.

KATIE I bet you are.

[They bend closer; the explosion rocks the room and klaxons blare.]

KATIE What was that?

MCKAY I don't know. Look, I got to go.

[He races away.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

SHEPPARD So, what? A suicide bomb?

ZELENKA See, no, I thought so too, originally, but I-I've scanned the area with my equipment now, and there isn't even the slightest trace of explosive residue. I have no idea what we're dealing with here.

MCKAY (over radio) Zelenka, do you read?

ZELENKA (into radio) Yes, McKay, I'm here with Sheppard and Ronon. What have you got?

MCKAY (over radio) You're all going to want to see this.

[They leave.]

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[Ronon, Sheppard, and Zelenka join McKay in his lab.]

MCKAY All right. I'm digesting this as I go, so, uh, forgive the rough edges.

SHEPPARD What do you got?

[McKay stands in front of large monitor with images that illustrate what he is talking about.]

MCKAY Now, last night, Dr. Hewston and her partner, Dr. Watson, were cataloging a new Ancient lab we uncovered. They&hellip;inadvertently activated this machine&hellip; Now, it started to emit a very odd type of radiation, but they were able to turn it off right away. Now, Doctor Beckett examined them that night and gave them a clean bill of health, so with no immediate "apparent" danger, we, um, decided to figure out what the device was, uh, well, whenever we had time. That was a mistake.

SHEPPARD What is it?

MCKAY Well, the science of it is, uh, well, it’s spectacularly complicated, but, um, it appears to be a weapon&mdash;one created by the Ancients to battle the Wraith, and one that was abandoned fairly early on as it affected everyone in proximity, including Ancients and humans.

ZELENKA Affected them how?

MCKAY Ah, well, long story short: it creates&hellip;explosive tumors.

RONON Explosive tumors?

ZELENKA What?

RONON Are you kidding me?

[McKay punches up more displays, showing a human body.]

MCKAY Yeah, I wish. It's actually quite ingenious. Look, the device emits millions of irradiated particles that have been genetically programmed to enter into our systems and gather behind the lungs. Now, as they go, they collect trace elements from our body that they need to, um, complete an explosive compound, which, once in place, the tumor reaches critical mass&hellip;and explodes.

SHEPPARD So, wait. This guy, Watson&mdash;

MCKAY (interrupting) Has almost definitely been exposed, yes, look, we need to find him before the tumor ignites, which could be any minute now.

INT&mdash;INFIRMARY SURGICAL WARD

[Beckett, Marie and others prepare a patient for surgery.]

BECKETT Well, it's not good, but it's not awful. We need to start right away&hellip; What's his name?

MARIE Um&hellip; James. James Watson.

[The unconscious Watson lies on the bed, about to undergo surgery.]

TWO HOURS EARLIER

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS MESS HALL

[Weir and Branton eat lunch at a table as McKay makes his excuses to a disappointed Beckett.]

MCKAY Next week, I am there.

BECKETT You promise?

MCKAY Absolutely.

BECKETT Okay.

MCKAY And besides it's still early. I'm sure you'll find someone else to go with you.

BECKETT Oh, you can bet on that. Well, tell Katie I said hello.

MCKAY Yeah. Will do.

BECKETT Enjoy. I will.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR, DAY

[Beckett passes tables of chess players to reach one where Zelenka is playing another man.]

OPPONENT Son of a bitch! Stop that.

ZELENKA Stop what? Winning?

OPPONENT (muttering) You haven't won yet.

[Zelenka notices Beckett and stands up to greet him.]

ZELENKA Carson! You've come to join the chess club?

BECKETT Uh, not quite.

ZELENKA You've come to watch?

BECKETT Well, uh, no, actually, Radek, I'm looking for someone to come fishing with me. Rodney bailed at the last minute.

ZELENKA Surprise, surprise.

BECKETT I know. Any interest?

ZELENKA I would, but we're playing for trades today, you know? Heh. No one can really beat me, so I've already won a desk fan, Doctor Mallozzi's anime DVD collection, and I got a coupon for a free Swedish massage from Doctor Ambrose.

MCKAY Ouch.

ZELENKA Perhaps we can go fishing next week?

BECKETT Okay, all right, well, best of luck to you.

[Beckett heads away.]

ZELENKA Oh, I don't need luck. Checkmate.

[He moves his final piece.]

OPPONENT Son of a bitch!

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS OUTER PIER, DAY

[Lorne paints the towers of Atlantis on a canvas. Beckett arrives.]

BECKETT You paint?

LORNE Hey, Doc. Yeah. I paint.

BECKETT And you're good, too.

LORNE Well, my mom was an art teacher. It's what we did on weekends. I stopped for a while. Didn't really have time for it during basic training and the first couple of years on duty, but I've been picking it up again. Hard not to, with views like that, huh?

BECKETT Aye. I don't suppose there's any chance you'd like to come fishing with me on the mainland, is there?

LORNE If you'd got to me earlier, maybe, but, um, you know, I kind of want to finish this up.

BECKETT Ach, it looks done to me.

LORNE That&hellip;is why I am the painter and you are the doctor.

BECKETT Very good point. Enjoy the rest of your day, Major.

LORNE Oh, you can count on it.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CREW QUARTERS

[Beckett appears looking for someone. He spots Biro sitting on her bed, looking at a book. She sees him come to the door way.]

DOCTOR BIRO Oh, hey there, sir.

BECKETT Hello. I was just&mdash;

DOCTOR BIRO (over enthusiastic) You know what's crazy? I was just thinking about you. Does that ever happen to you? You know, you're thinking about something, and then boom&hellip;there it is? It's not that I'm psychic or anything, but, who knows?

BECKETT (awkwardly) Well, actually&mdash;

DOCTOR BIRO (interrupting) You know what? I am sorry. You were going to say something, and I interrupted you.

BECKETT (firmly) Enjoy your day off, Doctor Biro.

DOCTOR BIRO Absolutely.

BECKETT Bye-bye.

[He turns and leaves, looking relieved to escape.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Beckett enters. Cole sits at a station.]

BECKETT Slow day?

COLE (surprised) Carson. What the hell are you doing here? It's supposed to be your day off.

BECKETT Well, my fishing trip is officially a bust, so I figured I'd come in here and actually catch up on some paperwork for the first time in over a year.

COLE Well, that's a shame.

BECKETT Aye, it is.

[Cole turns back, wincing and groaning as she leans over her computer.]

BECKETT You all right?

COLE No, a migraine. It's a bad one, actually. I-I took some stuff, but, you know, I can't take any more, being the on-call, and everything.

BECKETT You should have radioed me.

COLE You kidding? There was no way in hell I was going to let you miss that fishing trip. It's all you've been talking about for two weeks.

BECKETT Well, I'm not going now, so off you go. I'll cover your shift.

COLE You sure?

BECKETT Aye, there's nothing happening here anyway. You go take a horse pill and rest.

COLE (sighing in relief) Oh, you're a lifesaver.

BECKETT I know.

COLE Thanks, Carson. Thanks.

[She hugs Beckett.]

BECKETT You're welcome.

LATER

[Beckett wraps an ACE bandage around the ankle of an attractive female marine.]

BECKETT If you're going to play volleyball, you're going to need proper gym shoes.

MARINE I know. I've put an order in for a pair, but it takes forever to get things from Earth that aren't vital to the success of the missions.

BECKETT Well, you, young lady, are vital to the success of the missions, so don't play sports in sandals, okay?

MARINE Okay, Doc.

BECKETT All right, we're all done here. We'll fix you up some crutches and, uh&mdash;

[The room shakes from the explosion, and klaxons blare. Beckett instantly springs into action, turning to a nearby medic.]

BECKETT Meyers, call in every available nurse and doctor immediately. You and you, grab two field kits and a couple of stretchers and follow me.

[He grabs a field medical kit and starts to leave.]

BECKETT (into radio) This is Beckett. What happened and where do you need me?

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Beckett holds a flashlight while supervising the removal of injured as Ronon and Sheppard arrive.]

RONON What happened here?

BECKETT Some sort of explosion. At least three dead maybe a dozen or so severely injured.

MEYERS Doc!

[Beckett walks with Teyla's stretcher as they lead her to the infirmary. She regains consciousness sluggishly.]

BECKETT Teyla&hellip;

TEYLA Carson&hellip;

[She reaches for his hand, and he grabs it.]

BECKETT I'm here. You've been in an explosion, Teyla, and a piece of debris has impacted your side. We're heading to the infirmary to take it out and patch you up. Easy-peasy. I can do this one in my sleep.

[Teyla passes out again.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY SURGICAL WARD

[Beckett finishes Teyla's surgery.]

BECKETT All right, all set? Thank you.

MARIE I can't believe you got the artery cleaned up.

BECKETT (self-deprecatingly) Well, they typically don't make you head surgeon if you're all thumbs.

MARIE You have another patient waiting for you. He got his leg cut up pretty bad in the blast.

BECKETT All right, we're all done here. Let's get her down to recovery level and get him in here.

MARIE Okay.

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[McKay briefs Zelenka, Sheppard, and Ronon.]

MCKAY Long story short&hellip;it creates explosive tumors.

RONON Explosive tumors? Are you kidding me?

MCKAY I-I wish I was.

SHEPPARD So, wait, this guy Watson&mdash;

MCKAY Has almost definitely been exposed, yes. Look, we need to find him before that tumor ignites, which could be any minute now.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY SURGICAL WARD

[Beckett examines Watson's leg injury.]

BECKETT Well, it's not good but it's not awful. We need to start right away. What's his name?

[Marie checks her chart.]

MARIE Uh, James&hellip; James Watson.

BECKETT (surprised) Watson? Poor lad was in here last night. Looks like he's had a run of bad luck.

MCKAY (over intercom) Dr. Watson, Dr. James Watson, report your whereabouts immediately.

BECKETT Well, aren't you popular? (To Marie) Go see what that's about, please.

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

MCKAY (into radio) He's in the O.R. right now? I need you to get Beckett back on his radio.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY SURGICAL WARD

[Marie tabes Beckett's headset around his surgical hat and plastic mask.]

MARIE It's Dr. McKay.

[She activates the headset as Beckett starts his surgery.]

BECKETT (into radio, impatient) What is it, Rodney? I'm a little busy right now.

[The ensuing conversation switches between McKay's lab and the infirmary.]

MCKAY (into radio, panicked) Carson! The man you are working on right now has been infected with an explosive tumor. We think it's what killed Hewston and caused the explosion.

BECKETT What are you talking about? That's not&mdash;

MCKAY It is possible, Carson. Look, you need to get you and your team out of there. Sheppard has an ordnance disposal crew on the way.

BECKETT Well, he's too fragile to move right now.

MCKAY He doesn't have to move. You do.

[Beckett takes a deep breath, processing this.]

BECKETT (to surgical staff) All right, listen up. I need everyone to clear the floor right now. I'm enacting a Protocol Seven for this entire level. Move it, people! (to Marie, pointing to Watson) Right, he stays, you go.

MARIE Wh-what about you?

BECKETT I'm staying put.

MARIE Well, then, so am I.

BECKETT Look, I don't have time to fight about this right now.

MARIE Then don't. You can't do this on your own.

[Beckett goes to a computer and enacts a Protocol Seven Lockdown. Klaxons begin to blare. He turns to Marie and clasps her by the shoulders.]

BECKETT Thank you. All right, let's get the scanner in place. We have a tumor to remove.

INT&mdash;MCKAY'S LAB

[Sheppard studies a schematic of Atlantis that shows a red light on one level of the main tower.]

SHEPPARD He's used his authorization code to seal off the whole level. We can't get to him.

[The ensuing conversation switches between McKay's lab and the infirmary.]

MCKAY (into radio) Carson, you cannot seriously be considering operating on this guy.

BECKETT Exactly how much time do we think I have?

MCKAY There is no way to know for sure. Look, Hewston was infected at the same time that Watson was, and her tumor's already exploded.

BECKETT (sighing) No time to waste, then. Making first incision.

MCKAY Okay, look, this is all very brave and all, but&mdash;

SHEPPARD (interrupting) What if the explosion causes structural damage? What if the tower comes down with everyone in it?

MCKAY Exactly!

BECKETT Sending him to the other side of the city and just leaving him there is tantamount to murder, Colonel.

MCKAY The man is already dead!

BECKETT Like hell he is.

SHEPPARD Carson, I can't order you to stand down, but&mdash;

BECKETT (interrupting) That's right, you can't. Have your men standing by. I'll open access to the floor once I've extracted the tumor. Beckett out.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

[Sheppard and McKay brief Weir.]

WEIR How long has he been at it?

SHEPPARD About ten minutes. I got emergency crews standing by. Either way, we're covered.

WEIR Can't you bypass his access code?

MCKAY Yeah, but that'll take half an hour. Look, if he's not done removing it by then, then&mdash;

WEIR (frustrated) This is crazy!

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY SURGICAL WARD

[Beckett removes the tumor with forceps and carefully places it in an organ transplant cooler.]

BECKETT (into radio) Colonel Sheppard&hellip;I've extracted the tumor, and I'm opening up the O.R. level.

[He starts typing on his computer.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[A bomb expert waits with a sealed unit outside the sealed doors to the level. Once they have opened, he starts to wheel the container down the corridor as fast as he can.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Beckett stares at the cooler.]

SHEPPARD (over radio) He's on his way. Sit tight.

[Beckett tears off his surgical scrubs.]

BECKETT Damn it. Tell him I'll meet him half way.

SHEPPARD (over radio) Just stay put, Doc.

[He carefully picks up the cooler.]

BECKETT The sooner I get this thing out my sight, the better. (to Marie) If you'll finish in closing him up, please, I'll be right back.

[Marie nods, and watches worriedly as he leaves.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Beckett delicately moves down the corridor.]

BECKETT Easy&hellip; Easy&hellip;

[The bomb expert arrives. He signals Beckett to stay put as he stops wheeling the containment chamber. He takes the cooler from Beckett's hands and nods.]

BECKETT Thank you.

[Beckett turns and walks swiftly back to the infirmary.]

BECKETT (into radio) We just made the hand-off.

[The explosion happens before the bomb expert can open the containment chamber. The ensuing fireball engulfs Beckett.]

FADE TO WHITE

INT&mdash;BECKETT'S QUARTERS

[McKay is dressed in shirt and tie as he sadly packs Beckett's personal belongings. He pauses and stares at a framed picture of himself with Beckett offworld. The door opens, and Ronon enters. McKay lowers the picture.]

RONON Hey.

MCKAY (swallowing) Hey.

RONON You okay?

MCKAY Hmm&hellip;uh&hellip;not really.

RONON You need some help?

MCKAY (somberly) No. No, I'm almost done. He didn't have a lot of stuff here.

RONON You sending it all back home to his family?

MCKAY Yeah. Well, I mean, we-we will. They don't know yet. We're going to send, uh&hellip; the body back to Earth, and, uh&hellip;I'm going to tell his mother&hellip; I should have just gone fishing with him.

RONON Don't.

MCKAY No, if I'd gone fishing, if I had checked the machine, if I hadn't assigned two junior guys to catalog the lab&mdash;

RONON (interrupting) Rodney, what's done is done.

MCKAY (voice breaking) I know&hellip;and, uh&hellip;that's what's killing me.

[McKay starts to pack again. Ronon leaves him.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Teyla tries to maneuver herself out of bed, but she is still very weak. Watson lies unconscious on a bed nearby. Sheppard enters, dressed in his Class A uniform, and sees Teyla's movements.]

SHEPPARD Where do you think you're going?

TEYLA I would like to go to the memorial.

SHEPPARD I don't think you should be going anywhere.

TEYLA I am fine.

[Her gasp of pain belies that statement as she tries to shift her body.]

SHEPPARD All right. I'll get a wheelchair.

TEYLA (weakly) No. I would like to stand&hellip;as a testament to him.

[She stares at Sheppard.]

TEYLA How are you doing?

SHEPPARD Me? Fine, but I didn't get major surgery two days ago.

TEYLA That is not what I meant.

SHEPPARD Well, it hasn't hit me yet. I'm not looking forward to it when it does.

TEYLA I feel a great sadness. He&hellip;I feel a great sadness.

[She sighs.]

SHEPPARD Here, I got you.

[He helps her up and out of the infirmary.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[The Gate Room is crowded with personnel, including all of Sheppard's team, Lorne, Cole, and Zelenka. Weir stands beside a coffin draped in the Scottish flag.]

WEIR We've said goodbye to a lot of friends today. Our mission is a dangerous one. We lose people, a fact we're all painfully aware of. But Carson was&hellip;I can't remember anyone coming to me with a complaint against him. Ever. He was a kind soul. He was-he was a healer&hellip;and he will be very deeply missed. George Fabricius said: "Death comes to us all, but great achievements, they build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold." Every single life Carson saved is a monument to him&hellip;and that gives me great comfort.

[Weir composes herself and nods to the balcony. A musician begins to play the bagpipes, and Chuck dials the Stargate. Once the wormhole is active, Cole, Lorne, Zelenka, Sheppard, Ronon, and McKay act as pallbearers and bring the coffin home. Weir stands by Teyla as they watch them leave.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, SUNSET

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS EAST PIER

[McKay stands alone on the pier, looking out at the ocean. Beckett shows up beside him.]

BECKETT How'd it go back on Earth?

MCKAY It was, um&hellip;it was awful. Your family was amazing, though.

BECKETT (grinning) Aye, they are. Good turnout?

MCKAY Oh, packed the church.

BECKETT Oh, that's good to hear.

MCKAY It's not going to be the same around here without you.

BECKETT Oh, you're telling me.

MCKAY You know&hellip;the universe is a big place. Who knows? Maybe we'll&hellip;bump into each other again.

BECKETT Aye. Who knows?

[There is a pregnant silence.]

MCKAY You were the closest thing to a best friend I ever had. I'm really, really sorry. I should have just&mdash;

BECKETT Hey, this isn't your fault.

MCKAY You're just telling me what I want to hear.

BECKETT Well, that's what best friends do sometimes. And in this case, it also happens to be true. Take care of yourself, Rodney.

MCKAY (voice breaking) Goodbye, Carson.

[Beckett disappears as McKay stands alone on the pier.]

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

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