Transcript for Episode #305:  “Learning Curve”

TEASER

ORBAN GATE ROOM
Numerous children are doing archaeological work.  A CHILD climbs a ladder to a platform where DANIEL is working and offers him some water.

DANIEL (to the CHILD) :
Thank you.  (to another child)  That’s perfect, JAREN, just like that.

The Stargate starts dialing and chevrons engage.

DANIEL (to the children) :
It’s okay.  It’s just my friends returning.

O’NEILL and TEAL’C exit the Stargate.  DANIEL descends from the platform to meet them.

O’NEILL:
Hello, children.  DANIEL?  No child labor laws here on Orban?

DANIEL:
No, these are Urrone.  They’re like, uh, apprentices to the adults.  They’re…everywhere.  It’s just kind of the way they do things.  Look at this.  (DANIEL shows O’NEILL a bracelet.)  Chalchihuitlicue, the Aztec goddess of water.  I mean, they don’t even know what they’ve got here; who knows what we’re going to uncover?  That is, if General HAMMOND said yes.  He did say…?

O’NEILL:
He said yes.

KALAN enters, accompanied by MERRIN, who is carrying a dark metal box.

KALAN:
Colonel O’NEILL, you are most punctual.  Both MERRIN and I are eager to participate in this exchange between our worlds.

O’NEILL:
Major Carter’s eager as well.  She’s really looking forward to it.  So’s TEAL’C.

TEAL’C:
I will share my knowledge of the Goa’uld freely.

O’NEILL:
TEAL’C’s eager on the inside.

KALAN:
Then, if you are ready to leave?

O’NEILL:
KALAN, I was under the impression we were bringing back one of your Naquada reactors.

KALAN gestures to the metal box MERRIN is carrying.

KALAN:
This is the device.

O’NEILL:
That little thing?  Okay.  DANIEL, have fun…I know you will.  TEAL’C, make friends, as always.

TEAL’C dials the Stargate and the wormhole opens.

O’NEILL:
Folks, to Earth.

SGC CORRIDOR
SAM and HAMMOND are walking toward the Gate Room.

SAM:
They’re one of the most impressive societies we’ve ever come across, sir.  They’ve managed to accomplish in a few decades what it took humans over a century to achieve.

HAMMOND:
Sounds like these people might make good allies.

SAM:
I think so.  They’re not quite up to the Goa’uld level of technology yet, but given a few years…

She stops as O’NEILL, KALAN, and MERRIN exit the Stargate.  KALAN makes some sort of gesture with his hands in greeting and bows.

KALAN:
Thank you for this exchange, General HAMMOND.  I’m sure it will be fruitful for both of our worlds.  Major Carter, please allow MERRIN to present you with this Naquada reactor.

MERRIN hands SAM the Naquada reactor.

KALAN:
You may study it for the duration of our exchange.

SAM:
Thank you.

HAMMOND (to KALAN) :
If you will allow, I would like to offer a tour of…

KALAN:
The exchange has been made.  We will return to Orban now.

O’NEILL:
You just got here.

SAM:
You can’t leave.  Someone needs to teach me how to use this thing.

KALAN and MERRIN look confused.

KALAN:
Please explain what you mean by this.

SAM:
Teaching?  Uh, explaining how the reactor functions, its components, its construction.

KALAN:
I do not have this knowledge.

MERRIN (to SAM) :
I will…teach you.

END TEASER – OPENING CREDITS

SGC ELEVATOR
HAMMOND, O’NEILL, and SAM are walking MERRIN to the infirmary.

HAMMOND (to MERRIN) :
Major Carter will show you the lab.  But before you get started, MERRIN, I’d like you to visit our infirmary.

SAM:
It’s standard procedure – nothing to be afraid of.

MERRIN:
You must screen newcomers for potential pathogens.  Of course.

O’NEILL and SAM exchange looks.  All four exit the elevator and walk through a corridor.

O’NEILL:
So, MERRIN, I understand you’re a reactor expert.

MERRIN:
Yes.

O’NEILL:
How old are you?

MERRIN:
I am eleven.  How old are you?

SAM smiles and O’NEILL looks at her.

O’NEILL:
So, MERRIN, I understand you’re a reactor expert.

ORBAN GATE ROOM
TEAL’C is moving boxes while DANIEL unveils a half-covered mosaic surrounding the DHD.  KALAN enters with a young boy.

KALAN:
This is my son, TOMIN.  He is also Urrone.  TEAL’C, you will please tell him of the Goa’uld.

TOMIN (to TEAL’C) :
You are most generous to offer your knowledge, TEAL’C.

DANIEL:
KALAN, there was, uh, an apprentice here earlier, ZARIN.  Do you know where she went?

KALAN:
ZARIN is not here.  It was past her time to experience her Ovarium.

DANIEL:
Ovarium?  Is that like a graduation?

KALAN:
That is an approximate definition.  Dr. Jackson, you expressed an interest in viewing the city.  It is advantageous to see the Pyramid of Suns in daylight.

DANIEL:
Yes, absolutely.

KALAN:
TEAL’C, you will please remain here with TOMIN.

KALAN and DANIEL exit.  TOMIN looks at TEAL’C oddly.

TEAL’C:
What is your purpose?

TOMIN:
I am making an observation of your physical characteristics.  Dr. Jackson tells us you were once a warrior in the service of the Goa’uld.

TEAL’C:
That is correct.

TOMIN:
I think I understand now why the Goa’uld are so feared.

SGC INFIRMARY
Dr. FRAISER takes a blood sample from MERRIN.

FRAISER (to MERRIN) :
Hurts a little bit, huh?

MERRIN nods.

FRAISER:
You are being very brave.

O’NEILL enters.

O’NEILL:
How’s our little rocket scientist doing?

FRAISER:
We are almost done, Colonel.

MERRIN:
I am not a rocket scientist.

SAM:
Uh, I think what Colonel O’NEILL means is that you’re very smart.

MERRIN:
You find my intelligence level unusual?

O’NEILL:
No, there are lots of intelligent people around here.  Just not as young as you.

MERRIN:
You mean you were not always as smart as you are now?

FRAISER:
No.  We spent a long time in school to get to this point.

MERRIN:
Please explain what ‘school’ is.

SAM:
Uh, school is a place where you go to learn.  A teacher gives you information and you take different classes to learn different subjects.

MERRIN:
So, this is how you and Dr. FRAISER became scientists?  (to O’NEILL)  You aren’t a scientist?

O’NEILL:
Oh, no.

MERRIN:
Then, you are not as smart as Major Carter and Dr. FRAISER.

SAM tries to hide a smile, but fails.

O’NEILL:
Well, it depends on what you mean by…okay, no, I’m not.  But while they were stuck in school, I was out doing other things.  Like…having fun.

MERRIN looks confused.

O’NEILL:
You do know what fun is, don’t you?

MERRIN slowly shakes her head.

O’NEILL:
Okay, fun is…what you do to make yourself happy.  Like music, games.  It’s whatever you do when you’re not learning to be a rocket scientist.

MERRIN:
I am here to…‘teach’ Major Carter about the reactor.

SAM:
Sounds like fun to me!

O’NEILL:
Whatever.  Yeah, go ahead, knock yourself out.

SAM:
Come on, MERRIN, I’ll show you the lab.

ORBAN GATE ROOM
TEAL’C and TOMIN are sitting on the steps in front of the Stargate, talking.

TOMIN:
But you have found hosts for other Goa’uld in the past as First Prime to the Goa’uld leader.

TEAL’C:
I have vowed to battle the Goa’uld and to free my people.  If I allow this symbiote that I carry to be implanted, I would be perpetuating all that I oppose.

TOMIN:
What happens if you do not find a host for this Goa’uld?

TEAL’C:
It will die.

TOMIN:
If the Goa’uld dies, then you will die as well?  (TEAL’C nods.)  That would be unfortunate.

ORBAN
A large pyramid can be seen off in the distance.  DANIEL and KALAN return to the Gate Room.

DANIEL (excitedly) :
I should have known by the murals, but the construction of your pyramid confirms it.

KALAN:
But Dr. Jackson, I – I do not understand.

DANIEL:
Teotihucan.  It was a city in pre-Colombian South America, even bigger than Ancient Rome…which…wouldn’t mean anything to you, but it is significant.

KALAN:
But you said we are Aztec.

DANIEL:
No, these people pre-dated the Aztecs.

ORBAN GATE ROOM
DANIEL hurries over to the half-covered mosaic surrounding the DHD.

DANIEL (to KALAN) :
These pictures form a narrative.  Now, whatever is under this platform may tell us exactly how your people came to be on Orban.

KALAN:
You will explain this to TOMIN.

TOMIN and TEAL’C join them at the DHD.

DANIEL (to TOMIN) :
Okay.  Teotihucan flourished for centuries as a religious and economic mecca before suffering a great upheaval in 750 A.D.  Now, I think your people could be the descendants of that civilization.

TOMIN:
Do you believe the arrival of the Goa’uld caused Teotihucan’s downfall?

DANIEL (surprised) :
Yes.

SGC LAB
The Naquada reactor is hooked up to a computer.  MERRIN is explaining how it works to SAM.

SAM:
Okay, the carocev, that’s the converter, right?

MERRIN:
The heating element.

SAM:
What?  When did we talk about the heating element?

MERRIN:
In the very beginning when I described the fodiner.

SAM:
Oh, man.  It can’t be this hard.

MERRIN:
I will begin again.

SAM:
No, no, wait.  Let’s try this a different way.  How about we break everything down into its most basic components?  Let’s start with the reactor casing.  What’s it made of?

MERRIN:
The fodiner attaches to…

SAM:
No, I’m sorry, MERRIN, we’ll get to that in a minute.  Right now, I just need to know what materials make up the reactor casing.

MERRIN doesn’t answer.

SAM:
It’ll have to block radiation, so we’ll make it lead-lined.  See?  This is easy.  And the casing material would have to measure…

SAM takes out a ruler and starts to measure the reactor’s dimensions.  Dr. FRAISER enters.

FRAISER:
Major?  If you don’t mind, I’d like to see MERRIN in the infirmary again.  Just a couple of follow-up tests.

Dr. FRAISER smiles, but SAM knows there is something wrong.

SAM:
Okay.

SAM and MERRIN exit with Dr. FRAISER.

The shot cuts to the entrance to the mountain, where an airman is patrolling.

SGC INFIRMARY
Dr. FRAISER moves the computer’s monitor so HAMMOND, O’NEILL, and SAM can see the screen, displaying MERRIN’s blood.

FRAISER:
MERRIN’s blood work shows trace levels of silicon, trinium, and some other element I have never seen before.  Now, I think it’s a mineral, but it is definitely not found on Earth.

O’NEILL:
Okay, even I know that’s bad.

FRAISER:
Well, I found out what’s responsible.

Dr. FRAISER hits a key and the screen changes.  An object is seen floating in the blood.

O’NEILL:
What?

SAM:
A nanite.

HAMMOND:
She’s got nanites in her blood?

FRAISER:
Yes.  However, it still didn’t explain MERRIN’s abnormally high neural-peptide levels.  So I did a computer-enhanced MRI.  You ready for this one?

Dr. FRAISER hits another key and the image switches to MERRIN’s MRI scan, which shows large amounts of nanites.

FRAISER:
There’s millions of them.  They’ve infested that little girl’s brains.

SGC INFIRMARY

HAMMOND (to FRAISER) :
I’ve put the base on a threat Com Bravo.  Doctor, get blood samples from everyone.  I want to know how far those nanites have spread.

MERRIN, sitting on an infirmary bed, overhears them.

MERRIN:
My nano-processors are harmless to you.

O’NEILL:
MERRIN, we’ve run into these little buggers before.  And they’re anything but harmless.

SAM:
We encountered a civilization in which the Goa’uld used a similar method, nanocites, to accelerate the age of a population.  Colonel O’NEILL was…adversely affected.

MERRIN:
These nanites were created by Orbanians, in an Orbanian laboratory 49 years ago.  All of my people have them.  It is a way we acquire knowledge.

FRAISER:
Wait a minute.  So, you’re saying, MERRIN, that all Orbanians’ brains look like this?

MERRIN:
Each citizen receives a nanite after every Ovarium.  Urrone children are given millions more nanites at birth because we are required to learn vast amounts of information very quickly.  This must be done at infancy, before the neural-pathways are established.

SAM:
So, these nanites act as additional synapses?

MERRIN:
Yes.  But that is all they do.  They do not age us and cannot leave the brain.

FRAISER:
But, MERRIN, we found one of these nanites in your blood.

MERRIN:
Well, if a nanite malfunctions, it is programmed to disconnect from the brain and be absorbed into the blood stream.  Those are inactive and incapable of harming others.  I’m sorry if I have alarmed you, and I understand if you wish me to return to Orban.

SAM:
Oh, I don’t think that that would be necessary…do you, General?

HAMMOND:
If you think it’s safe, Major Carter, then you can continue to work.  But I still want those blood samples, Doctor.

FRAISER:
Yes, sir.

SAM and MERRIN exit.

ORBAN GATE ROOM
KALAN is looking at the mosaic around the DHD when TOMIN confronts him.

TOMIN:
Father, I wish to undergo the Ovarium immediately.

KALAN:
TOMIN, it is six months until you turn twelve.

TOMIN:
I am concerned by what TEAL’C has told me of these Goa’uld.  If they learn of our existence, they will destroy us.  The studies I have made about new defense technologies must now be put to use, so that Orban can begin preparations.

KALAN:
I will notify the elders.  You have learned well, my son.  I am proud.

SGC LAB
MERRIN picks up one of SAM’s plants.

MERRIN:
Do you study botany as well, Major?

SAM:
Oh, no, those are just decoration.

MERRIN returns the plant to the shelf and looks at the Naquada reactor SAM has drawn.

MERRIN:
That does not look like a Naquada reactor core.

SAM:
Yeah.  Well, I had to improvise since we’re only using a microscopic amount of Naquada.  How about you sketch it for me?

MERRIN:
What?

SAM:
Draw me your reactor core.  Give me an idea of what it looks like.

MERRIN:
I don’t draw.

SAM:
You don’t draw?  Everyone draws.

MERRIN:
No.  It is not something I am required to do.  I’ve never had to ‘draw’ before.

SAM:
Well, it’s, uh, pretty easy.

SAM draws a stick figure on a pad.

SAM:
See?

MERRIN:
What is that?

SAM:
It’s a picture of me.

MERRIN looks at the picture and then back at SAM.

SAM:
Well, I know it doesn’t exactly look like me, but it’s just a basic representation.  That’s all I need from you is just a basic representation of the reactor’s core.

MERRIN (reluctantly) :
All right.  But this paper is not large enough.

SAM gets a large pad out of a cupboard.

SAM:
How’s this?

MERRIN:
It will do.

MERRIN starts sketching.

ORBAN GATE ROOM
DANIEL is uncovering the last of the mosaic around the DHD as TEAL’C enters.

TEAL’C:
Kel’nel, DANIEL Jackson.

DANIEL overturns a piece of concrete, revealing a drawing of a Serpent Guard.

DANIEL:
Look at this.  This proves the Goa’uld were here sometime in the last few hundred years.  Now, we just need to figure out why they left.

KALAN and a boy enter.  KALAN puts down a bag of tools near DANIEL.

KALAN:
Dr. Jackson, I’ve got the tools you asked.  TEAL’C, you will please tell SOLEN methods to fight the Goa’uld, which weapons and strategies have been effective in their defeat.  Also, anything in your experience as First Prime to Apophis that would be of assistance.

SOLEN:
It is an honor to accept your knowledge, TEAL’C.

TEAL’C (to KALAN) :
Perhaps it would be better for TOMIN to return.

KALAN:
He is unavailable.  SOLEN will learn now.

TEAL’C:
TOMIN is already familiar with the subject.

KALAN:
He has given us his knowledge.  Please, you will talk to SOLEN.

DANIEL:
Well, TEAL’C has a point.  I mean, if they’ve already established a rapport…

KALAN:
I have told you it is impossible for TOMIN to be here.  He has gone through the Ovarium.

TEAL’C and DANIEL look at each other.

KALAN:
Please, TEAL’C, begin.

TEAL’C:
I would like to see TOMIN immediately.

SGC LAB
MERRIN is standing on a chair, trying to reach a high cabinet, when O’NEILL enters.

O’NEILL:
MERRIN.  What are you doing?  Get down.

O’NEILL lifts her up and puts her back on the floor.

MERRIN:
Colonel O’NEILL, I need fifteen sheets of paper, at least 48 centimeters by 23 centimeters.

O’NEILL:
Well, that’s fine, why don’t you just ask…?

O’NEILL sees SAM asleep at a desk.

O’NEILL (to MERRIN) :
Excuse me.  (to SAM)  Major Carter!

SAM jolts awake.

SAM:
Oh, MERRIN, I am so sorry.

SAM looks at the complex drawings MERRIN has made.

SAM:
Wow.  These are amazing.

MERRIN:
I cannot represent the reactor core in a three-dimensional plane, so I depicted several layers of the reactor’s interior.  With additional supplies, I can finish the remaining layers.

SAM:
Cross-sections.  Of course!  If I scan these into the computer, I can come up with a three-dimensional representation of the reactor’s interior.

O’NEILL:
All right!  Will you two give it a rest?  Both of you.  You’ve been at this for 24 hours.  You need rest.

MERRIN:
I do not need to.  Urrone children require little sleep.

SAM:
Okay, now I am jealous.

O’NEILL:
All right, Carter, you sleep.  (to MERRIN)  Young lady, if not sleep…fun.

MERRIN:
No, I need fifteen sheets of paper, at least 43 centimeters by 28 centimeters.

O’NEILL:
Fifteen?

MERRIN:
Colonel O’NEILL?  I require some of these ‘pencils’ as well.

O’NEILL exits to get MERRIN’s supplies.

CHILDREN’S HOME ON ORBAN
TOMIN is sitting on top of a bed, fidgeting, as TEAL’C and DANIEL stand in front of him.

TEAL’C (to TOMIN) :
Do you not recognize me?  It is TEAL’C.

TOMIN doesn’t respond.

TEAL’C:
KALAN!  Explain this Ovarium.

KALAN:
It is the ceremony in which an Urrone’s nanites are removed and then distributed.  Each adult and each non-Urrone child then receives an injection containing one nanite, which becomes part of his or her synaptic network, adding to those nanites received from previous Ovariums.

DANIEL:
So, when you say he gave you his knowledge, you meant it literally.

KALAN:
It was a beautiful ceremony.  Now you have seen.  We must resume our work, Dr. Jackson.

TEAL’C:
What will become of TOMIN?

KALAN:
He stays here with the other past Urrone.

DANIEL:
That’s it?  You’re…don’t you play with him?

KALAN:
Well, what is play?

DANIEL:
Interacting with him, teaching him new things.

KALAN:
These children cannot be taught.

DANIEL:
Have you ever tried?

KALAN:
Oh, yes, but past Urrone children cannot receive new nanites.  The brain rejects them.

DANIEL:
Well, have you ever tried teaching him without nanites?

KALAN looks confused.

KALAN:
What do you mean?

DANIEL and TEAL’C share a concerned look.

KALAN:
There is no need for concern.  These children are well cared for.

DANIEL:
KALAN…this is your son.

KALAN:
My son…  (KALAN points to his own head)  …is here now.

SGC BRIEFING ROOM
TEAL’C, HAMMOND, SAM, O’NEILL, and Dr. FRAISER are conferencing.

TEAL’C:
KALAN says that TOMIN is not brain-damaged.  Clearly, he was not himself.

FRAISER:
Well, if the nanites have taken over the learning process and prevented the brain from developing a normal amount of synapses, then there’s a good chance that they’re removal would make these children…infant-like.

O’NEILL:
What’s the difference if they keep them locked up in a room?

HAMMOND:
So, once MERRIN returns to Orban, she will undergo this Ovarium and her nanites will be removed?

FRAISER:
Yes.

O’NEILL:
Then maybe she won’t return to Orban.

HAMMOND:
Colonel…

O’NEILL:
General!  She’s going back to get her brains sucked out, and I dare anybody to phrase it more delicately.

SAM (to O’NEILL) :
Sir, I agree with you.  But we can’t just keep MERRIN here, can we?

O’NEILL:
Why not?  We’d be saving her life.

FRAISER:
Okay, why don’t we just simply try asking KALAN not to harvest MERRIN’s nanites?

TEAL’C:
I do not believe the Orbanians would understand the reason for your request.  They do not see this as wrong.

O’NEILL:
Well, then we need to make them understand.

HAMMOND:
TEAL’C, return to Orban.  (to O’NEILL)  Colonel, before we risk an interplanetary incident, I’d like to try the diplomatic route first.

ORBAN GATE ROOM
KALAN enters angrily, TEAL’C and DANIEL hot on his heals.

KALAN:
How can you make this demand?

DANIEL:
KALAN, no one is demanding anything.

TEAL’C:
We do not believe the Ovarium would be in MERRIN’s best interest.

KALAN:
It is most certainly in her best interest, for her and her people.

DANIEL:
Okay, you see, in our culture, we don’t believe in doing anything that results in harming a child.

KALAN:
We do not harm our children, Dr. Jackson!  You have seen Tomin.  You have seen how well he is cared for!

DANIEL:
Okay, I think we can work this out.  We just need to sit down and discuss some alternatives.

KALAN:
There are no alternatives!  MERRIN must undergo the Ovarium.  You will return her immediately.

KALAN storms off.

SGC LAB
SAM and O’NEILL are attempting to persuade MERRIN to ask for asylum.

MERRIN:
The Ovarium is a great honor.

O’NEILL:
MERRIN, I know that’s what the adults have told you.  But when they pick out these…nanite things, they also take out everything that makes you…you.

MERRIN:
My people will have my knowledge.

O’NEILL:
But you won’t.

MERRIN:
I do not understand why you are so concerned.

SAM:
MERRIN, we just don’t think you realize what you’d be giving up by going through the Ovarium.

MERRIN:
It is a great honor to be chosen.

O’NEILL:
Will you please stop saying that?

HAMMOND and TEAL’C appear into the doorway.

HAMMOND:
Colonel, a word please.

O’NEILL joins them.

O’NEILL:
TEAL’C?

TEAL’C:
KALAN refused our request.  DANIEL Jackson remained behind to attempt to alter his position.

O’NEILL:
Good.  It’ll give us a chance to make MERRIN understand.

HAMMOND:
She’s already refused amnesty, Colonel.

O’NEILL:
General, it’s obvious that little girl’s been brainwashed.  We can’t send her back without at least trying.

HAMMOND:
TEAL’C, do you foresee any danger to Dr. Jackson if he stays on Orban?

TEAL’C:
I do not believe DANIEL Jackson will be harmed.

HAMMOND:
I’ll give it 48 hours.

O’NEILL returns to SAM and MERRIN.

O’NEILL:
MERRIN.  It looks like you’re gonna be spending a little more time with us.

MERRIN:
Please return me to Orban.

O’NEILL:
You do understand we’re trying to help, right?

MERRIN:
I don’t need your help.

ORBAN GATE ROOM
KALAN is dialing Earth on the Stargate, but DANIEL stops him.

DANIEL:
KALAN, you can’t do this.

KALAN:
If you will not return MERRIN to us, I will retrieve her myself.

DANIEL:
If you don’t transmit a special code, they will close the iris and you won’t get through.  You will die.

KALAN gestures SOLEN forward.

SOLEN (to DANIEL) :
Please explain this iris.

DANIEL (to KALAN) :
I will explain it, but only to you.

KALAN:
If you will not explain it, then transmit the code.

DANIEL:
I’m sorry.

KALAN:
You claim to love knowledge, yet when you find something you don’t like, you demand that we change to please you.

DANIEL:
No, it is not to please me.  You are an incredibly advanced society.  Why can’t you find a better way to educate your people?

KALAN:
There is no better way than the Ovarium.

DANIEL:
Even if that means giving up your son?

KALAN:
It was the happiest day of my life when TOMIN was selected to be Urrone.  I knew, even before he was born, that he would make an incredible contribution to our society.

DANIEL:
And you never once thought otherwise.

KALAN:
Not once!  And neither did TOMIN.

DANIEL:
And what if MERRIN does?

KALAN:
MERRIN…is one of only a few Urrone children.  And the only one to have spent ten years learning the Naquada technology.  Without her Ovarium, the people who are awaiting her knowledge to continue their research, they will have to wait twelve years for another Urrone to learn.

DANIEL:
Well, I didn’t know that.

KALAN:
MERRIN does.  She does not question her duty.  It is you, Dr. Jackson, who are misguided to think you can convince her otherwise.

SGC LAB
SAM still can’t get the Naquada reactor to work.

SAM:
Come on!  Why, why, why aren’t you working?

An AIRMAN enters with MERRIN.

AIRMAN:
She insisted on seeing you, Major.

SAM:
It’s all right, thanks.

The AIRMAN exits and MERRIN approaches SAM.

SAM:
Hey.

MERRIN:
Major Carter, I need your assistance.  You must tell General HAMMOND to let me return to Orban.  As a scientist, you would understand.

SAM:
MERRIN, you’re only eleven.  Half the interesting things in my life didn’t happen until I turned fifteen.

MERRIN:
What kind of interesting things?

SAM:
Oh, just, um…stuff.

MERRIN:
If it were possible, I would give you one of my nanites.  And then you would know that it’s all right.

SAM:
Thank you, but I don’t think that would make a difference.

MERRIN (refering to the reactor) :
You are finished.

SAM:
Almost.  Once I ran a computer simulation based on your sketches, I thought I could adapt the design to my materials.  But the current is being diverted before it reaches the core.  I think the shielding might be diverting power.

MERRIN looks at the reactor.

MERRIN:
M-Major Carter, I…

SAM:
Unless – hey, hey, hey, the trinium is absorbing the current.

MERRIN:
Correct, but…

SAM:
Wait, wait, sorry, let me.  Okay, by reversing the polarity…

SAM modifies the reactor and it turns on.

SAM:
That’s it!  We’re in business.

MERRIN:
Why wouldn’t you let me give you the solution?

SAM:
What would have been the fun in that?

MERRIN:
Fun?

SAM:
Well, yeah.  Figuring something out on my own, especially if it’s been eluding me a while.  It’s far more satisfying than having the answer given to me.

MERRIN:
But not as efficient.

HAMMOND’S OFFICE
O’NEILL knocks.

HAMMOND:
Come in.

O’NEILL:
You…

O’NEILL pauses when he sees KALAN and DANIEL in the chairs opposite HAMMOND.

O’NEILL:
You wanted to see me, sir?

HAMMOND:
KALAN has come to escort MERRIN back to Orban.  Before you say anything, know that I’ve already granted his request.

DANIEL:
I don’t like it either, Jack, but…you don’t know the effect this is having on the Orbanians.

O’NEILL:
What about the effect it’s having on MERRIN?

KALAN:
Your Dr. Jackson has come to realize MERRIN’s importance to her people.

O’NEILL:
Her importance as a vegetable?

HAMMOND:
Colonel!

KALAN rises and faces O’NEILL.

KALAN:
If you would try to understand…

O’NEILL:
No!  I won’t.  The way you treat your children is absurd.  You don’t deserve them.

HAMMOND:
Colonel O’NEILL!

O’NEILL (to HAMMOND) :
Request permission to be excused, sir.

O’NEILL exits without waiting for permission.

SGC LAB
SAM is preparing to start up the reactor.

SAM:
Okay, clear?

SAM and MERRIN don goggles.  The reactor starts up and fires a burst of energy, setting off the base alarms.

SAM:
We did it!  I’m gonna record these readings.

O’NEILL enters.

O’NEILL:
What the heck was that?

MERRIN:
The reactor worked.

The telephone rings and SAM answers it.  O’NEILL gestures for MERRIN to follow him as he exits.

SAM (into the phone) :
Carter.  (Pause.)  Yes, sir, we’re fine.  (Pause.)  Yeah, it was just the reactor.  (Pause.)  No, sir, just an energy pulse.  There’s no threat to the base.

SGC ELEVATOR
O’NEILL and MERRIN enter.

MERRIN:
You are taking me to the surface?

O’NEILL:
Yes.  Look, you came here to learn, right?  There’s something I have to show you, but I have to take you off the base for it.

MERRIN:
You do not have permission, do you?

O’NEILL:
No, I don’t.

HAMMOND’S OFFICE
HAMMOND is on the phone with SAM.

HAMMOND (into the phone) :
In the future, Major, before you activate any device that includes the word reactor, I would appreciate it if you would notify me.

SAM (over the phone) :
Of course, sir.  It won’t happen again.

HAMMOND:
Good.  Now, I’d like you to bring MERRIN to my office.

SAM:
Oh, uh, Colonel O’NEILL just left with her.

HAMMOND:
Thank you, Major.

HAMMOND disconnects and dials another number.

HAMMOND:
This is HAMMOND.  If Colonel O’NEILL attempts to leave, you’re ordered to…  (Pause.)  How long ago?  (Pause.)  I see.

HAMMOND hangs up and looks at DANIEL and KALAN.

SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
O’NEILL and MERRIN walk to the playground.

MERRIN:
This is a school?

O’NEILL:
Part of it.  We call this the playground.

MERRIN:
What is it for?

A bell rings and children pour out of the building.

O’NEILL:
Oh, just watch.  (to the children)  Bambinos!  Pizzeria!  Mama Mia!

Some of the children run over to them.

KID:
Colonel Jack, what are you doing here?

O’NEILL:
Playin’ hooky.  Kids, I want you to meet my friend.  Her name’s MERRIN.  Think you can show her around while I talk to MRS. STUART?

The kids lead MERRIN away.  MERRIN looks at O’NEILL helplessly.  One kid throws a ball to her, but she doesn’t catch it.

MRS. STUART:
Colonel O’NEILL!  The kids have been asking when you’re coming back to see us.  How’s CASSANDRA enjoying junior high?

O’NEILL:
Oh, she’s doing fine.  She loves it.  Listen, do you have room for another student this afternoon?

MERRIN is with the other children, and now she is attempting to catch the ball.

O’NEILL:
She’s visiting, from out of town.

MRS. STUART:
Well, we have Art scheduled after recess.

O’NEILL:
That’s perfect.

SCHOOL ART ROOM
MERRIN is examining the blue paint on her paintbrush.

MRS. STUART:
Your assignment is to paint something you love.  Now, it could be a person, or an object – just use your imaginations.

O’NEILL is wandering around the room, looking at the children’s drawings.  One girl has painted a picture of him.

O’NEILL (whispering in the girl’s ear) :
I look fat.

The girl giggles.  O’NEILL walks over to MERRIN and sees that she has painted a picture of the Naquada reactor.

MERRIN:
Colonel O’NEILL.  This brush is too wide to accurately render the wires.

O’NEILL tears off the picture and crumples it into a ball.

O’NEILL:
Okay, let’s try this again.  Something you love.  Something that’s not a machine, okay?  Remember those flowers in Major Carter’s lab?  The ones on the desk?  Paint one of those.  Go ahead.

MERRIN begins to paint a very small picture in one corner of the paper.

O’NEILL (whispering) :
Bigger.

Most of the other children are done drawing their pictures when O’NEILL checks on MERRIN’s progress.  She has drawn the outer leaves of the plant.

MERRIN:
There’s no purple.

O’NEILL:
Use red.

MERRIN:
If I could have another cup, I could mix the blue with the red…

O’NEILL:
Make the flower red.

MERRIN (frustrated) :
Those flowers were purple.  You ask me to draw a flower, but you do not give me the means to do this accurately.

O’NEILL:
MERRIN, listen to me.  It doesn’t have to be exact.  Paint me a flower!  I don’t care what it looks like.  Here:  use this.

O’NEILL takes away her paintbrush and gives her a bigger one.

O’NEILL:
And don’t stop with one.  Paint the whole garden.

MERRIN:
But…

O’NEILL:
Ah!  Paint.

MERRIN paints.  After the rest of the class has finished and the other children are gone, MERRIN takes her picture to O’NEILL, who is sitting on the windowsill.  She has drawn a picture full of plants and trees and a stick figure in one corner.

O’NEILL:
Nice.  (refering to the stick figure)  Who’s that?

MERRIN:
It’s a representation of Major Carter.

O’NEILL:
Of course it is.

MERRIN:
Is it right?

O’NEILL:
Oh, yeah.  It’s way more than right.

MERRIN:
Thank you, Colonel O’NEILL, for teaching this to me.

O’NEILL:
MERRIN, all you have to do is ask.  I’ll find a way to make it happen.

MERRIN:
I have a duty to my people.  My knowledge is important to them.  You did promise.

SGC CORRIDOR
HAMMOND, SAM, and MERRIN are walking to the control room.

SAM:
Unfortunately, the test used up the last of Naquada, but we’ll find more.

HAMMOND:
At least we’ve got a working prototype.  Colonel?

O’NEILL is waiting in the control room.

O’NEILL (to HAMMOND) :
I’m not here to cause trouble, sir.

MERRIN:
Colonel O’NEILL?

O’NEILL (to MERRIN) :
I have something for you.

O’NEILL hands her a box of Crayola crayons.

MERRIN (opening the box) :
They’re beautiful.  Thank you.  You are mad at me for not staying.

O’NEILL:
No.  No, I’m not.

MERRIN:
Then, you understand?

O’NEILL doesn’t reply.

HAMMOND:
Major Carter, please take MERRIN down to the Gate Room.  I’ll be there momentarily.

SAM:
Yes, sir.

SAM and MERRIN exit.

HAMMOND (to O’NEILL) :
You’ve already given me more than enough reasons for a court martial.

O’NEILL:
General, for a few hours today, I got to show that little girl how to be a kid.  If you want to punish me, go ahead.

HAMMOND walks away.

SGC GATE ROOM
KALAN leads MERRIN up the ramp.  They stop at the end, turning back to the Gate Room.  MERRIN makes a sign with her hands and bows.

MERRIN:
On behalf of the citizens of Orban, I’d like to thank you for the experience you have given me and my people.  I have learned much in my time here.

SAM:
So have we.

Before entering the wormhole, MERRIN glances back and smiles at O’NEILL.

SGC CONTROL ROOM
HAMMOND meets SG-1 as they enter.

HAMMOND:
We just received a transmission from Orban.  KALAN asked for all of you to go there right away.

DANIEL:
Something wrong?

HAMMOND:
You’ll find out when you get there.

ORBAN GATE ROOM
SG-1 exits the wormhole and KALAN is waiting for them.

KALAN:
Thank you for coming.

DANIEL:
What’s wrong?

KALAN:
Oh, nothing is wrong.  I will show you.

CHILDREN’S HOME ON ORBAN
Former Urrone children can be seen playing all around.

KALAN:
Come.  Look.  Isn’t it wonderful?

KALAN interrupts TOMIN playing hop-scotch with two other children to introduce him to O’NEILL.

KALAN:
Colonel O’NEILL, this is my son, TOMIN.  I am teaching him.  All of the past Urrone children will now learn, in the old-fashioned way, as you might say.  He will know all that you have done for Orban.

KALAN produces a piece of paper and gives it to O’NEILL.

KALAN:
Oh, and I drew this for you, to express my gratitude.

O’NEILL looks at it.  It is a picture of a stick figure with blond hair.

SAM:
Isn’t that…?

KALAN:
Me!

DANIEL:
KALAN, when did all this start?

KALAN:
Last night, after MERRIN’s Ovarium.

SAM:
She must have known this would happen once her nanites were transferred.

O’NEILL:
This…is what she learned.

SAM sees MERRIN drawing on a nearby wall and gestures to her.

SAM:
Colonel.

O’NEILL approaches MERRIN and TEAL’C bends down to TOMIN, who touches TEAL’C’s face in curiosity.  O’NEILL stands beside MERRIN as she draws with the crayons he gave her.

O’NEILL:
Hi, MERRIN.

MERRIN looks up, but doesn’t seem to recognize him.  O’NEILL sits down beside her.

O’NEILL:
Okay.  I guess we’ll just have to get to know one another all over again.

O’NEILL takes a crayon and starts to draw.  MERRIN smiles as she scribbles it out.

O’NEILL:
You’re right.  What was I thinking?  You ever seen a dog?  Dogs are my favorite people.  Some have tails, some don’t.  I like that about dogs.

END CREDITS

Previous Transcript:  “Legacy” (#304)	Back to “Episode Transcripts”	Next Transcript:  “Point of View” (#306)