The Gift/Transcript

Episode Guide
The Gift" Episode Guide

Transcript
TEASER

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, NIGHT

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GATE ROOM

[A crewman guards the inactive 'gate.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Crewmen sit idle at their stations.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS GANGWAY

[A guard patrols.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS LAB

[McKay sips from a metal cup as he works.]

INT&mdash;FORD'S QUARTERS

[Ford rolls over in his sleep.]

INT&mdash;SHEPPARD'S QUARTERS

[Sheppard sleeps.]

INT&mdash;TEYLA'S QUARTERS

[Teyla sleeps.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[A Wraith walks down the corridor.]

INT&mdash;TEYLA'S QUARTERS

[The Wraith enters, raises its hand, and starts to feed on Teyla. She wakes and tries to fight it off. Suddenly it disappears. Teyla wakes from the seeming nightmare, shaken. She rushes out of her quarters.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[Teyla rushes through the corridor to the door to Sheppard's quarters.]

TEYLA Major Sheppard. Major!

[She activates the controls and enters. Sheppard is covered by blankets. She throws them back, revealing a Sheppard that's been fed upon by Wraith and is now aged and dead. Teyla gasps and turns to face the Wraith.]

INT&mdash;TEYLA'S QUARTERS

[Teyla wakens from the nightmare and sits up more slowly. Her skin glistens with sweat.]

END TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS EXERCISE ROOM

[Teyla and Sheppard spar with Athosian fighting sticks. Sheppard gets the best of her after a parry, and they regroup and start again. Sheppard hits Teyla and seems surprised by that.]

TEYLA Ah! Continue.

SHEPPARD Going easy on me, huh?

TEYLA I assure you, Major, I am not. Continue.

[They spar again. Sheppard throws Teyla to the floor.]

SHEPPARD You okay?

TEYLA Yes.

SHEPPARD Are you sure? Because it's usually me picking my butt up off the mat.

TEYLA Truthfully, I have not been sleeping much. And when I do, I've been having nightmares about the Wraith.

[He helps her up.]

SHEPPARD Well, you're not the only one.

TEYLA It has not been so bad since my father was taken.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, NIGHT

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS BRIEFING ROOM

[Weir briefs the staff.]

WEIR According to Dr. Zelenka's calculations, we have less than one week before the Wraith arrive. I want options.

MCKAY You mean besides crying ourselves to sleep? Well, not me. I haven't slept in days.

WEIR And what do you have to show for your sleepless nights, Rodney?

MCKAY Since we got here, we've uncovered a number of defensive weapons systems beyond the shield&mdash;

ZELENKA We think our best option is the control chair.

MCKAY I was going to say that.

ZELENKA Yes, but you were taking too long, as usual.

MCKAY Yes, but the point is this may not be our best chance.

ZELENKA Name a better one.

WEIR Gentlemen.

MCKAY Of course, like the shield, power will be our biggest problem.

ZELENKA We haven't even been able to initialize the chair yet, much less determine whether we can meet the power requirements to run it.

WEIR Okay. Keep me posted. Sergeant Bates, where are we with our Alpha site?

BATES We've completed the ground and aerial security sweep and are ready to begin establishing base camp. We're just awaiting final inspection by Major Sheppard.

SHEPPARD Right after lunch.

WEIR Good. Teyla, are the Athosians getting prepared for an evacuation?

TEYLA Yes, but many believe there is no other world that is safe from the Wraith.

WEIR They want to stay?

TEYLA As we have heard from our allies and seen for ourselves, there are cullings happening all over the galaxy. My people have spent their lives hiding from the Wraith.

WEIR Yes, well, the difference here being we do intend to destroy the city rather than let it fall into the hands of the Wraith. And, if it comes to that, anyone left on the mainland will be cut off from the Stargate for good. Now, thanks to Rodney's discovery of the gate's control crystal, we at least know we'll be able to take that with us and hopefully use it to access Earth again some time in the future.

TEYLA We understand that, Dr. Weir.

WEIR I'm sorry, I&mdash;

TEYLA I am merely saying that the people of Athos wish you to know that if we are going to stay and fight, they too will help defend the city of the Ancestors.

WEIR Well, that is very honorable, but I&mdash;

KAVANAUGH Oh, please! We can't possibly consider staying and fighting.

SHEPPARD Well, I disagree. I think it's entirely within the realm of possibility.

KAVANAUGH There are tens of thousands of life-sucking aliens in highly advanced spaceships on their way here to destroy us and we have what, two hundred people, most of whom are scientists who've never even fired a gun before?

MCKAY Shockingly, for the first time ever, I find myself having to agree with Kavanaugh.

SHEPPARD All I'm saying is let's not give up&hellip;just yet.

MCKAY What was that we were supposed to all remember? Something important. Oh, yes, that's right&mdash;the Alamo.

SHEPPARD Granted, you guys are scientists. No one's considering putting you guys on the front line, but science can turn the tide of war. Look at the&hellip;A-bomb.

ZELENKA Not exactly our proudest moment.

WEIR The fact is, the Wraith aren't here quite yet, and until that moment, I would like everyone to remain focused on what it is they do best. Like I said off the top, if there are any options, I want them. That's all.

INT&mdash;MESS HALL

[Teyla sits at a table with a tray of food. Heightmeyer approaches.]

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Teyla?

TEYLA Hi.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Kate&hellip;Heightmeyer.

TEYLA Yes. Right. I knew that. I'm sorry.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER No problem. Mind if I join you?

TEYLA No, of course not.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Strange how the memory just goes away when we're tired.

TEYLA You are a doctor, right?

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Psychologist, actually.

TEYLA And that is different than Dr. Beckett?

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Quite, yes. Um, I deal with the mind. I try and help people deal with emotional problems like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic distress. Well, needless to say, I've been pretty busy since we got here.

TEYLA I can imagine.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER I'm sure that you do a lot of the same things that I do for your people, but it must be very hard on you, always having to keep such a brave face.

TEYLA From strength comes hope. Without hope, my people would be lost.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER You must feel you have to be outwardly strong for us, as well. Teyla, I know that your value and your loyalty have been questioned by a few here in the past. What I'm trying to say to you is if you ever need to talk, I'm here.

TEYLA Did Major Sheppard ask you to speak with me?

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Yes, he may have&mdash;

TEYLA I'm sorry. I do not mean to be rude, but I'm fine. Really. I appreciate your concern.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR OUTSIDE GATEROOM

[Teyla finds Sheppard.]

TEYLA Major.

SHEPPARD Teyla.

TEYLA What did you tell Dr. Heightmeyer?

SHEPPARD Exactly what you told me. That you couldn't sleep because you were having nightmares.

TEYLA I confided in you.

SHEPPARD You're a member of my team, which makes you my responsibility, And I only told one person, whose job, by the way, is to deal exactly with this sort of thing.

TEYLA There is nothing wrong with my mind.

SHEPPARD Nobody said there was.

TEYLA (angry) I have a hard enough time getting your people to respect me without them thinking I'm crazy.

SHEPPARD Nobody thinks you're crazy, and everybody respects you.

TEYLA That is not the point.

SHEPPARD Look, Teyla, you may want to sit this one out.

TEYLA What do you mean?

SHEPPARD Well, Rodney's staying back, and Ford and I are just going to check out the Alpha site one last time before we have to move in.

TEYLA Should we evacuate, my people will be forced to that planet as well.

SHEPPARD And I'll make sure it's safe for everyone. Look, Teyla, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with you, God forbid, but you yourself admitted that you were a little off your game. You snapped at Dr. Weir this morning in the briefing room for no good reason. Now you're biting my head off for caring that you might need help dealing with the fact that it's been three days since you've had any sleep.

TEYLA I'm sorry, but I do not need any help. The Wraith are coming. What I need is to do something!

SHEPPARD Okay. Good. I suggest you take a nap.

[Sheppard walks into the Gate room. Frustrated, Teyla heads the other way.]

INT&mdash;TEYLA'S QUARTERS

[Having taken off her gear, Teyla lies down on her bed. After a moment she sighs and gets up.]

INT&mdash;HEIGHTMEYER'S OFFICE

[Teyla comes to Heightmeyer's office. McKay is standing in the doorway.]

MCKAY Teyla.

TEYLA (surprised) Dr. McKay.

MCKAY (uncomfortable) I was just, um&hellip; (secretively) We're seeing each other.

TEYLA You and Dr. Heightmeyer?

MCKAY Well, you know how much I love women with great, um&hellip;minds. Just don't say anything to anyone.

TEYLA Your secret is safe with me.

MCKAY Right. Very good. Excellent.

[McKay walks away.]

TEYLA Dr. Heightmeyer?

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Teyla. Come in.

TEYLA I'm sorry to bother you. Is it all right if I&hellip;

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Of course. Please, have a seat.

TEYLA I guess I'm not really sure how this is supposed to work.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Just relax. Tell me whatever's on your mind.

TEYLA I have been having bad dreams. I feel&hellip; Everyone on this base is probably afraid. I do not know why I'm bothering you&mdash;

[She gets up to leave.]

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Have you always been able to sense the Wraith?

TEYLA Yes. Since I can remember.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Well, what does it feel like?

[Teyla sits back down.]

TEYLA It feels like a deep cold that comes from within. I first felt it when I was a girl. I could not breathe, and I did not know why. And then we heard the darts.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Do you feel that way now?

TEYLA I have had a knot inside me for some time now.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER As I understand, though, their ships are still a great distance from Atlantis. Can you really sense them from so far away?

TEYLA This feeling is a little different than in the past. Perhaps it is because it is always there now. I am getting used to it. Never before in my lifetime have so many Wraith been awake.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Do many of your people have this ability?

TEYLA Some. Among those few, some can sense the Wraith stronger than others. I have always been among the first to know they are coming.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER That makes you special. How does that make you feel?

TEYLA I do not know. I suppose I have not given it much thought.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Why not?

TEYLA Why do some people have blue eyes and others brown?

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Tell me about your nightmares.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

[A Wraith walks the corridor. It enters Teyla's quarters. It has Teyla's face. Teyla wakes up from the nightmare, in her bed.]

INT&mdash;HEIGHTMEYER'S OFFICE

TEYLA It was me.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER You were standing over yourself?

TEYLA It was me&hellip;but it was not me. I was a Wraith.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER The truth is, people waste a lot of time trying to interpret their dreams. They're really just another way our brain thinks when we're asleep. There are no hidden meanings. In fact, we tend to forget most everything we dream about. Our conscious mind is capable of deciding what's most important to us.

TEYLA Well, the fact that, on some level, I see myself as a Wraith is very disturbing to me.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER I think this special ability you have, this talent for sensing the Wraith, connects you to them in your mind&hellip;maybe in a way you would like to deny. You said you hadn't really given it much thought in the past. I don't think that's true.

TEYLA What am I supposed to do? I cannot change it.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Probably not. But the unknown frightens us. We all like to feel in control even though most of the time our power over most things is just an illusion. But I find, the more we know about something, the more we can convince ourselves we are in control of it.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Teyla visits Beckett.]

BECKETT I ran every test I could on all of you from the get-go. Physiologically, you and your people are the same as we are. I have no explanation for any of your special super powers.

TEYLA I only have one.

BECKETT I've seen you fight, my dear.

TEYLA I have previously traced this ability as something that is passed on through family lineage. Does that not make it biological?

BECKETT It would seem so, but without genetic samples from everyone in your family tree, I would have little to no chance of identifying the specific characteristic that causes the anatomical response. (off her confusion) It'd be difficult.

TEYLA Any chance you would have time to fly me over to the mainland?

BECKETT If you're willing to take your life into your own hands. I'd love a break.

EXT&mdash;ABOVE OCEAN SURFACE, DAY

[The Puddle Jumper flies over the ocean.]

EXT&mdash;MAINLAND VILLAGE, DAY

[The village consists of many Earth-built tents in a clearing. There are multiple camp fires burning.]

INT&mdash;CHARIN'S TENT

[Charin serves soup to Teyla.]

CHARIN You've changed, Teyla.

TEYLA My hair is shorter.

CHARIN It's more than your hair, dear. I can still see the little girl who used to paint me beautiful pictures while she sang the songs of the Ancients.

TEYLA I have not been that girl in a long time, Charin.

CHARIN No, but even Teyla, leader of the Athosians, always found the time to come and visit with poor, old Charin.

TEYLA I have missed your tuttleroot soup.

CHARIN But I suspect it's more than my soup that has brought you here. You've come to pluck me from my tent and take me to yet another world.

TEYLA Not yet. But it seems we may have to evacuate again soon, at least temporarily.

CHARIN Did you allow yourself to expect differently?

TEYLA I still believe that we can one day be free of the Wraith.

CHARIN You can save such stories for those whose bones aren't failing them.

TEYLA Charin, do you know why I can sense the Wraith coming?

CHARIN You were born to it. There have been a few in every generation.

TEYLA I know, but has no one ever wondered how that is possible?

CHARIN Some believe it was a gift from the Ancestors.

TEYLA And you?

CHARIN Your father asked me not to tell you.

TEYLA My father is not here anymore.

CHARIN No other living Athosian knows of this, for good reason.

TEYLA Please. Tell me anyway.

CHARIN My grandfather used to tell a story&mdash;no one has ever heard the like, before or since&mdash;about the few who once returned.

TEYLA Returned?

CHARIN There was a planet&hellip; As was expected, every so often, the Wraith came. Villagers were taken. But there, on this particular planet, on several occasions, the taken came back.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

[Teyla recounts the story to Weir and Sheppard.]

TEYLA Some believed that the ancestors had returned their loved ones to them that they had been blessed with a gift that made them unwanted by the Wraith. Others even told tales of how the taken had somehow vanquished the Wraith. But soon, the taken began to be feared.

WEIR Why?

TEYLA They spoke of hearing voices. Many began to behave strangely. Some became violent, even murderous.

WEIR Well, it doesn't sound like the Ancients were responsible for that.

TEYLA No. The villagers turned on the taken. It was a massacre. All but a few were killed. The rest were ostracized sent away. After that, no others that were taken from that village ever returned again. But those few who survived, they are the ones who Charin believes passed on the gift.

SHEPPARD And one of the taken that survived was&hellip;

TEYLA My lineage. I have the address to the planet where this happened. Charin says the village is long gone. All that is left are ruins, but still, I wish to go there.

WEIR Now?

TEYLA I believe this must be coming to light now for a reason. Maybe we can find evidence of what really happened.

WEIR Look, Teyla, there are a lot of things that we need to get done.

TEYLA Maybe there is a way to fight the Wraith that we have yet to discover. Perhaps my ancestors were simply not enlightened enough to recognize their gift for what it was.

SHEPPARD Doesn't hurt to take a look around.

EXT&mdash;PLANET OF THE TAKEN, NIGHT

[The team explores ruins on the dark, foggy planet.]

FORD Sir, there's nothing here.

SHEPPARD I know.

FORD Well, it's dark. Shouldn't we be getting back?

SHEPPARD Just give her a minute.

[There is thunder.]

FORD Sir&hellip;

SHEPPARD Ford, I need her to put this behind her, get some sleep. We all do, so whatever it takes.

[McKay examines readings on his hand-held sensor.]

SHEPPARD Rodney?

MCKAY I've got something here.

FORD Really?

MCKAY I don't know. I've got a little&hellip;

[McKay starts to walk away, following the signals.]

FORD (joking) You've got a little what? Hey, McKay, you've got a little what? What? Oh, it's okay when you guys make fun of me.

SHEPPARD Rodney?

[They gather at a rock wall.]

MCKAY Picking up a faint energy signal. It's getting stronger. Coming from here.

FORD There's nothing here.

MCKAY Well, the magic Ancient device hasn't lied yet.

SHEPPARD It's solid.

MCKAY Well, there's definitely something weird here.

SHEPPARD Weird how?

[Teyla touches the rock and falls through it, as if it is not solid.]

FORD How about that?

SHEPPARD Teyla! Teyla!

[Sheppard touches the rock, but it's now solid again.]

MCKAY Maybe if you got a good running start. You know, really slam into it.

[Sheppard touches it gently. Suddenly the wall disappears, revealing Teyla standing at the entrance to a chamber.]

SHEPPARD How'd you do that?

TEYLA I do not know. I was just looking for a way out.

[They all go inside.]

FORD Looks like the inside of a Wraith ship.

MCKAY What the hell were they doing here?

[They hear a clanging sound in the distance.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS LAB

[McKay works at a computer. Weir enters.]

WEIR Rodney.

MCKAY Elizabeth.

WEIR Sheppard said you think you found a Wraith laboratory.

MCKAY Certainly looks that way. Some sort of hidden, secret facility. It's obviously been abandoned for a very long time. I was able to pull this data recorder from one of the computer consoles.

[He holds up the unit.]

WEIR You think the Wraith were experimenting on the people of that planet?

MCKAY I have no idea. I'm hoping this thing will tell us.

WEIR Why their need for secrecy? The Wraith can take people at will and do whatever they want with them.

[Strange symbolic writing appears on the screen.]

MCKAY Here we go. There. Now, that, uh&hellip; That means absolutely nothing to me. The last time I saw the contents of one of these, it showed a galactic positioning system for ships. It was more, um&hellip;pictures than symbols.

WEIR I wonder&hellip;

MCKAY Just so you know, you didn't actually finish that sentence out loud.

WEIR Well, this is obviously a language.

MCKAY Wraith language?

WEIR That would make sense. I'd love to have a good look through this.

MCKAY Knock yourself out. I have to get back to the control chair anyway.

[McKay leaves.]

INT&mdash;HEIGHTMEYER'S OFFICE

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Why do you think you could access the doorway when no one else could?

TEYLA I don't know.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Is it because only a Wraith can enter a secret Wraith facility?

TEYLA I'm not a Wraith.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER (aggressively) Tell me&hellip;what does it feel like to be a Wraith?

[Teyla has the face of a Wraith.]

TEYLA I feel hunger.

INT&mdash;TEYLA'S QUARTERS

[Teyla wakes up, very upset.]

INT&mdash;CONTROL CHAIR ROOM

[Beckett, McKay and Zelenka are there.]

BECKETT Don't you remember what happened last time I sat in one of those?

MCKAY There's nowhere near enough power in the thing to do anything.

BECKETT Then why bother? Gentlemen, it's quite late.

ZELENKA We are trying to determine exactly how much power is required to operate the systems that are controlled by the chair.

MCKAY And in order to do that, it needs to be on.

BECKETT You have the gene now.

MCKAY Yeah, but I can't be trying to analyze the feedback data while I'm concentrating on keeping the damn thing activated.

BECKETT Why don't you analyze it?

ZELENKA Well, I could analyze it, but Rodney doesn't think that&mdash;

[Weir arrives.]

WEIR Gentlemen, how's it coming?

MCKAY Well, not good.

WEIR Well, I'm sorry. This won't help. Carson, I need you.

BECKETT Oh, thank God.

MCKAY Yeah, but we're using him.

BECKETT What is it? Is someone hurt?

WEIR You were right.

BECKETT Lovely. About what?

WEIR Your theory of the Wraith evolving after the Ancients arrived in the Pegasus galaxy.

MCKAY You've got to be kidding me.

ZELENKA Pay up.

BECKETT How do you know?

WEIR The Wraith language is a derivative of Ancient.

MCKAY Well, that doesn't categorically mean&mdash;

WEIR Rodney, please. That's not why I need to see you. I've been able to translate the first part of the log from the Wraith data device.

BECKETT Really?

[Weir and Beckett leave.]

MCKAY All right, we'll try Dr. Kusanagi again.

ZELENKA Kusanagi again.

MCKAY Now.

ZELENKA Okay.

MCKAY Thank you.

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, MORNING

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS LAB

[Teyla enters, finding Weir and Beckett working at a laptop.]

TEYLA Good morning. You look like I feel.

WEIR Well, we've been up all night.

TEYLA You wanted to see me?

BECKETT You'd better sit down.

TEYLA What is it?

WEIR Well, I translated the first part of the log you that brought back, and&hellip; are you sure you don't want to have a seat? The Wraith were conducting experiments on your ancestors. It was just one Wraith, actually, and he was doing it against the wishes of the other Wraith, which is why he was doing it in secret.

TEYLA What was he doing?

BECKETT I think he was trying to make their food source more compatible with their species.

TEYLA I do not understand.

BECKETT It was very easy to miss. In fact, I couldn't even make the kind of comparison necessary to isolate the specific strand. We needed Wraith cells, which we eventually got, but then we needed a full mapping of the genetic code contained within those cells, which wasn't even 50% complete&mdash;

TEYLA Please. Tell me.

BECKETT You have some Wraith DNA in your genetic makeup.

[Teyla is shocked.]

INT&mdash;BRIEFING ROOM

SHEPPARD You're saying Teyla is part Wraith?

BECKETT A very small part.

WEIR Which makes her about as different from us as you, because of the Ancient gene you possess.

MCKAY Well, and some other things.

FORD Still, Bates is going to go nuts over this.

SHEPPARD Let's just keep this one under our hat.

WEIR Well, obviously, Teyla is very concerned about how everyone will react.

MCKAY What, so you think this Wraith scientist was trying to make humans what, more tasty?

WEIR The log seems to indicate that he was looking for a way to make the feeding process more efficient.

MCKAY I thought you already said they had a number of genetic characteristics similar to humans.

BECKETT They do, but they're still much closer to the bug creature that attacked Major Sheppard than to us.

SHEPPARD Hey, I thought we weren't going to mention that anymore.

BECKETT Sorry.

WEIR Also interesting is the fact that the Wraith language appears to be a derivative of Ancient, which seems to suggest that the Wraith evolved after the Ancients arrived in Pegasus.

BECKETT My theory is that the Ancients unwittingly allowed humans to evolve on a planet with&hellip;insect species on it. At some point, the insects fed on humans and somehow incorporated our DNA into theirs. The Wraith are an evolution of that combination.

FORD So what you're saying is the Ancients actually created the Wraith?

BECKETT By accident.

MCKAY Or negligence.

WEIR Well, either way, it doesn't matter.

BECKETT Ultimately, the more we know about Wraith physiology, the closer we get to a biological weapon that can attack the Wraith and leave humans unharmed.

MCKAY Yes, but for the moment, all we know is that the Ancients might have accidentally created the Wraith, and why Teyla can sense them coming. I mean, fabulous, mystery solved, but neither of which that help, in any way, stop them from coming.

WEIR Rodney's right. Let's get back to work.

MCKAY Thank you.

INT&mdash;HEIGHTMEYER'S OFFICE

TEYLA I know that it is not my fault. There's nothing I can do about it. The fact is, I am really no different now than I was yesterday or last week.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER But you feel different.

TEYLA Yes. I think the thing that I am most worried about is how people will perceive me. My father told people that it was a gift. I was special, but in a good way. I could help my people by warning them of the Wraith's approach. He did it to protect me, but in many ways, I think that it is why they first turned to me as a leader.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER As you just said, you're no different than you were yesterday.

TEYLA Yes, but now they have reason to fear me.

INT&mdash;WEIR'S OFFICE

MCKAY All right, even with Major Sheppard in the chair, we weren't able to, uh&hellip;

[Weir holds up a finger as she looks at her laptop.]

MCKAY What? What is that?

WEIR Something you said made me wonder&hellip;

MCKAY I thought we decided there were more important things&mdash;

WEIR Why did the Wraith scientist stop the experiments?

MCKAY What would I have said that would make you think that?

WEIR I don't remember.

MCKAY Well, it's just&hellip; It's a good point. I'm just wondering what I said 'cause&hellip; Sorry. What have you got?

WEIR Well, at first I thought it was because the other Wraith caught him.

SHEPPARD They didn't?

WEIR No, according to this, he stopped on his own.

MCKAY See, now you've got me wondering why the rest of the Wraith didn't want these experiments taking place in the first place.

WEIR Exactly.

MCKAY Especially since they were supposed to be intended to improve things for everyone.

WEIR Yeah. That's what I'm saying.

MCKAY I just said it.

SHEPPARD Will you stop?

WEIR Okay, here's the most interesting part. The Wraith communicate with each other using some sort of telepathic network.

SHEPPARD I noticed that.

WEIR Thankfully, they can't seem to read the minds of humans, though.

SHEPPARD That's good, but what does this have to do with the Wraith stopping the experiments?

WEIR Because, by combining even small amounts of Wraith DNA with humans, the scientist was giving the humans Wraith mental abilities. The subjects of his experiments were able to hear the Wraith communications.

SHEPPARD In the stories that Teyla told, the voices that the people heard were&hellip;

WEIR Were Wraith. Exactly. It must have driven them mad. The Wraith scientist couldn't find a way around it, so eventually he gave up.

MCKAY I don't understand. I mean, why let them back into the general population, then?

WEIR Well, it seems he thought that interbreeding with normal humans might dilute the effect.

MCKAY Before he realized he was wrong, it was too late.

WEIR When the other Wraith did find out what he had done, they wiped out all the people on the planet&hellip; But not before several of the test subjects had already been ostracized and forced to leave.

MCKAY Okay, so how does this help us?

WEIR Teyla may have more than just the ability to sense the Wraith coming.

MCKAY What? You're saying you think Teyla might be able to&hellip;tap into this Wraith psychic network?

SHEPPARD If she can, we'll be able to gather all the intel we ever needed about them.

INT&mdash;HEIGHTMEYER'S OFFICE

TEYLA I have never been able to hear the thoughts of the Wraith before.

WEIR According to the notes all the test subjects who were given the Wraith DNA, they had the ability.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER It's possible it's because you've never actually tried before.

WEIR You didn't know you could read Wraith minds, and quite frankly, who would want to? Look, Teyla, I would not even consider asking you to do this if I didn't think it could potentially provide us with some vital information.

TEYLA I just do not know what to do.

WEIR Well, Dr. Heightmeyer has a theory.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER I think it's possible that, over time, through several generations people with your ability have developed a mental barrier to the thought projections of the Wraith. Sort of a self-defense mechanism. If we can get past that&hellip;

TEYLA How?

DR. HEIGHTMEYER We have a treatment process called hypnosis.

WEIR Dr. Heightmeyer can lead you through it and Dr. Beckett will remain on hand at all times to monitor your physiology.

TEYLA The Wraith are still very far away, are they not?

WEIR Yes, they are, and McKay, he does have some doubts about the range of this telepathy.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER But as you've said, you can sense the Wraith now. If that's merely a bleed-through effect into your consciousness of a greater latent ability, then it may be worth trying to break the barrier. To be perfectly honest, it's not something I would ever recommend doing under any other circumstances.

WEIR But these are far from normal circumstances that we're in, Teyla.

TEYLA If I can somehow provide us with something&mdash;their strategy, a weakness&mdash;I see no other choice.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Teyla lies on an infirmary bed. Beckett adjusts her I.V.]

BECKETT Okay, I think we're ready.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Are you? Okay, I want you to breathe&hellip;nice and deeply, and try to relax. Dr. Beckett's going to administer a mild sedative. Now, if this works, we should still be able to communicate with each other.

[Beckett injects the sedative into the I.V. port.]

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Remember, we can wake you at any time, using a very low-grade electrical current. It won't hurt at all. Just say, "Out," and we'll end it. Now, focus on this light as I speak.

[She holds up a pen light, pointed at Teyla's face.]

DR. HEIGHTMEYER You told me that the feeling that you get from the Wraith is a cold, dark feeling deep inside you. I want you to think about that. Look for it in your mind. Now, close your eyes and listen to it. Don't resist. Go to that place where it lives. What do you hear?

TEYLA Nothing.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER You told me that your father was taken by the Wraith. Do you remember sensing it that day?

TEYLA Yes.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Think back to that feeling. Now listen. What do you hear?

TEYLA Noise. Voices. So many voices whispering.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Listen closely. Listen for one.

TEYLA I can see.

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Tell us what you see, Teyla.

TEYLA I am on a ship. I am walking.

SHEPPARD She can actually see what's happening?

DR. HEIGHTMEYER If the Wraith can project their thoughts, then that may include what they're seeing.

TEYLA There are other Wraith. And they do not notice me. I am in a room full of people being preserved so that they can be fed upon. I am feeding. I am killing him.

[As she speaks, scenes of what she is seeing appear. She is feeding on a young man trapped in a Wraith pod.]

WEIR Stop. Beckett, stop.

[Teyla wakes up.]

DR. HEIGHTMEYER It's okay. It's okay. You're here, in Atlantis.

WEIR Teyla, I&hellip;I had no right to ask you to do this.

[Weir and Sheppard leave.]

TEYLA (agitated) Get these things off of me.

BECKETT All right, settle down, Teyla. I have to take this off.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CORRIDOR

WEIR I can't put her through this, John. I know it was my idea, but it's too much to ask.

SHEPPARD You might feel differently once the hive ships show up.

TEYLA Dr. Weir. Why did you make them stop?

WEIR Excuse me?

TEYLA I was on one of the hive ships that is headed here. I could hear them. I could see. It was working.

WEIR You were watching them feed.

TEYLA Yes. I actually felt one of them feed. But I can handle it. I can help us, I know it.

WEIR Teyla, I never should've&mdash;

TEYLA I am going to try again.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Teyla narrates what she is seeing.]

TEYLA I am walking through the ship. I am in some sort of control room.

[Teyla opens her eyes and looks around, then gives an evil grin.]

TEYLA You are all so pathetic.

SHEPPARD Something tells me that's not Teyla talking.

TEYLA Nothing can stop us.

WEIR Wake her up.

[Beckett delivers a shock.]

TEYLA You are all going to die.

WEIR Now!

[He delivers another one. Teyla arches and falls back to the bed.]

TEYLA What happened?

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS CONTROL ROOM

[Weir, Sheppard, and Heightmeyer walk through to Weir's office.]

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Dr. Beckett has her sedated, and she's resting comfortably. She seems fine, but I would like some time to let what she's been through sink in. She may still be in shock. I have no idea what the long-term psychological effect will be.

SHEPPARD She said she could see some type of control room&mdash;maybe a map, an attack plan. She just needs to get a better look.

WEIR John, you were there. A Wraith had control of her.

[The 'gate alarm sounds. They rush back to the control room.]

TECHNICIAN Incoming wormhole. We're getting Sergeant Bates' I.D.C. It's the Alpha site.

BATES (over radio) This is Sergeant Bates. Code red. We're under attack and coming in hot!

WEIR Lower the shield.

[Sheppard grabs a gun from a guard and rushes down the stairs. Bates comes through, followed by his team. Weapons fire comes through as well.]

BATES Move it, move it! That's it, we're clear.

SHEPPARD Raise the shield!

[The 'gate shuts down.]

WEIR Is everybody okay?

BATES All off-world personnel accounted for.

SHEPPARD I guess that planet isn't safe anymore.

BATES They showed up by ship, and dropped some sort of device by the gate as we were leaving.

SHEPPARD I've seen it before. They're tagging the planet.

BATES If we're going to evacuate Atlantis, we're going to need a new place to go.

WEIR That planet was supposed to be uninhabited. What did the Wraith want with it?

BATES I don't know. It's almost like they knew we were there.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

[Ford visits Teyla.]

TEYLA I was close. I was so close. I really think if I had another chance&hellip;

FORD Hey, you don't have to prove anything to anyone around here.

TEYLA I think this could make a difference. I saw a hologram. I think it was a map, maybe even a battle plan.

FORD We know their battle plan. They're coming to wipe us out.

TEYLA I'm not so sure that is true. They want something from us.

FORD Yeah. Yeah, they want to eat us.

TEYLA No, something more. They are desperate.

FORD Really?

TEYLA Yes, it is surprising. They are confident in their dominance over us, but mainly because there are so many of them&mdash;too many to sustain for long. They have all awakened early, and there is not enough food to go around. It was just a feeling. The voices were so hard to separate.

FORD You don't remember one of them speaking through you?

TEYLA No, but I remember the feeling just before it happened. Next time&mdash;

FORD I don't think Dr. Weir is going to let there be a next time.

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS BRIEFING ROOM

[Bates is briefed by Weir and Sheppard.]

BATES If what you're saying is true, then chances are it was Teyla who gave away the location of our Alpha site to the Wraith.

SHEPPARD I don't think there was time.

BATES You don't know that they didn't have a ship in the general area.

WEIR Look, I admit, in retrospect asking Teyla to connect with the Wraith, it may have been a mistake.

BATES With all due respect, I don't think there's much doubt about that.

SHEPPARD Take it easy, Sergeant. It's not like she willfully gave away our position.

[Ford enters.]

FORD She wants to try again. Look, she says she was getting close to something big, something she's convinced we need to know.

WEIR No. I'm sorry. The problem is, I'm not sure Teyla's thinking about what's best for herself.

BATES Or that she could compromise us further.

SHEPPARD At this point, we have more to gain from the Wraith than they do from us.

FORD She wants to do it. Fact is, there may not be anything we can do to stop her from trying, so isn't it better if we're all there?

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Okay. Close your eyes and relax, and listen for the voices.

[Teyla imagines walking through the ship. She sees a hologram and sees the Wraith indicate a feeding ground.]

DR. HEIGHTMEYER Teyla?

WEIR Break the connection.

[Beckett hits the shock button.]

BECKETT It's not working.

TEYLA No!

BECKETT Teyla!

[Teyla wakes up an slugs Beckett. She grabs the I.V. pole and hits a computer with it, then hits Sheppard. She tosses Ford across the room. She approaches Weir, but falls when Bates enters and shoots her twice with a stunner. Everyone rushes to tend to her.]

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS, DAY

EXT&mdash;ATLANTIS BALCONY, DAY

WEIR I can only hope we haven't caused her psychological damage.

SHEPPARD Teyla's one of the strongest people I know. The fact that she's been able to hold it together until now after what she's been through in her life&hellip;

[Beckett arrives, a bandage on his face.]

BECKETT Oh, there you are. Major, Dr. Weir.

WEIR Carson, how are you feeling?

BECKETT Doozy of a headache, but I'll be fine. Teyla's awake. She wants to see both of you.

[They leave.]

INT&mdash;ATLANTIS INFIRMARY

BECKETT Teyla, are you thirsty? Can I get you some water?

TEYLA No. I am so sorry. I really thought I could prevent&mdash;

SHEPPARD It's all right. Everyone's fine.

WEIR We are concerned that the Wraith can connect to you at will, though.

TEYLA It has never happened before. No, I am sure I have to connect with them first. I saw their plans, the route their ships are taking to get here.

WEIR That's good.

TEYLA There's more. They do not just want Atlantis. They know about you.

WEIR What do you mean?

SHEPPARD Sumner. The female Wraith wasn't just feeding on him. She was interrogating him.

TEYLA That is why they're all waking up. That is why they are coming here. They know that Atlantis is the only way to get to a new, rich feeding ground.

SHEPPARD Earth.

FADE OUT

END CREDITS

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