Holiday

US Airdate : 12 February 1999

UK Airdate : 13 January 1999

Summary

Marcello, an eccentric alien switches bodies with Daniel, leaving Daniel trapped in his dying body.

Synopsis by Katana

The episode opens with a great shot of the Stargate Kawoosh from above and our team enters a seemingly deserted room. Sam finds a hand-held device that displays some unknown symbols. An old man appears whom Teal'c recognises as Machello, a known fugitive from the Gou'ald system lords. The man denies this. Daniel introduces himself and the old man repeats his words. Sam asks if he has any technologies to fight the Goa'uld, he uncovers a box device with handles on each end. Daniel and Machello grab the handles and there is some sort of electric shock. Daniel is fine if a little dazed; Machello has collapsed, they decide to take him back to the SGC.

Dr Frasier checks Daniel out, he's fine but she suggests he takes it easy for a few days and doesn't drive until the effects wear off. Machello however is in a bad way; he's dying.

The briefing has begun without Daniel, Sam is describing the device, she doesn't understand the symbols but pressing them brings up some sort of schematic diagram. Daniel joins the briefing and she asks him if he recognises any of the symbols, he says no. He asks the General if he can leave, Hammond agrees.

Daniel is driven to his apartment 1152 Mainland Street, Colorado Springs. (I noticed there was a loft to rent in the building I want to move in *g*) However he doesn't enter, instead he follows a woman down the street.

Back in the infirmary, Machello is awake and trying to convince everyone that he is in fact Daniel; the machine somehow switched their consciousness. After a couple of questions they realise he is Daniel.

Meanwhile Machello/Daniel is walking around talking to everyone he meets but is ignored until he meets the down and out Fred. He offers to buy him a meal.

In the SGC briefing they discuss the situation and decide that they must go back to P9R-427 to retrieve the device. On the planet, Sam finds a different device, which she reckons, is some kind of life support machine, but has no idea how to work it. Jack and Teal'c grab the handles of Machello's switching device with insulating blocks but there is another jolt and they are switched. They return home.

Sam is upbeat and optimistic about this, she can experiment on them so that they will be ready when they find Daniel, they try different combinations of holding the handles but nothing works. Jack/Teal'c begins to feel unwell Teal'c/Jack explains that it probably because he has an illness that the Gou'ald symbiote needs to heal he must perform a deep mediation Kel-no-ream or he will die.

Machello and Fred go into a Diner. Machello flirts with the waitress and using Daniel's credit card says he would like everyone to feast on him to celebrate life.

Jack/Teal'c struggles with the meditation but Teal'c/Jack helps him.

Sam and Daniel are working together trying to decipher the symbols, when his condition worsens; he has slipped into a coma.

Machello and Fred have ordered Ice cream. Fred questions him, asking him if he served in the Gulf, Yes he was a solider, he explains he fought to save him but Saddam is a system lord he is unfamiliar with. During the conversation, Machello is shovelling ice cream in his mouth, savouring every moment. He wants to enjoy life, Fred suggests that all good things come to an end, no insists Machello only bad things come to an end.

By now Jack/Teal'c has successfully completed the Kel-no-ream, "Sweet." But is horrified to find Teal'c/Jack at the mirror with a pair of scissors about to shave the hair off Jack's head. They argue.

General Hammond informs Jack/Teal'c that they have located Machello because of the credit card transaction; the local police will arrest him. Jack/Teal'c wants to help with the search but Hammond refuses, after all he's not exactly himself!

As Machello walks down the street with Fred, asking how to court a wife, he is arrested by the police.

Daniel is still out of it, Sam is visibly distressed and begs him to hold on as they have found Machello. Daniel stirs briefly and manages a joke. Sam tenderly kisses his forehead.

Machello says he cannot reverse what has happened. The machine is set up as one way only. Even if he could reprogram it, the necessary technology is not available on Earth. They lock him in a holding cell. He tries to negotiate with Hammond and Sam, Daniel's body for the translation of the symbols on the hand-held device. What is one archaeologist's life worth compared to that? Sam says he should get to know his casualty and takes him to the infirmary.

Machello has no remorse, he argues that he has earned it because of the sacrifices he and his people have made. Like Daniel he lost his wife to the Gou'ald. Daniel accuses him of being no better than the parasitic race. After an impassioned plea that yes he will find Sha're his heart stops. Janet manages to revive him.

Sam has worked out how to get everyone back in the right body. It gets a bit complicated here. At one point, Daniel is in Jack and Vice versa but eventually everyone is where he should be.

Machello thanks Daniel for his Holiday and dies.

Review

For Daniel Droolers the scene in the diner with the ice cream is wonderful visually but the dialogue is very intense it is not quite the light-hearted scene it first appears. Michael Shanks' acting throughout is superb, he is totally unlike Daniel as Machello and the short time as Jack was great too, the finger gestures and the "Dannyboy" were just right. He also played the aged Machello. Christopher Judge playing Jack was spot on; I particularly noticed the way he strolled into Hammond's office with his hands in his pockets. RDA as Teal'c got the stony face just right and the short time as Daniel he stood just like him with his arms folded.