The episode opens on the embarkation room where a slightly restless Colonel O'Neill, together with Daniel Jackson and Teal'c - all geared up and ready to leave - is waiting for Captain Carter. Daniel tries to explain to Jack why Sam isn't present yet, but after some ahem-ing he finally has to admit that he hasn't really understood her explanation. Daniel: "I wasn't paying any attention really." - Jack: "Really?" Next Jack turns around and calls Carter who is still at a computer console in the control room, trying to adjust the programme to allow for the expected "gravitational space time warping" (Carter) from the sun. "We knew that." (O'Neill), (oh, sure, everybody knew that you knew, Jack *G*) She seems to have completed her computations successfully and tells the technicians to load the programme and start the dialling. When she is about to leave the control room she encounters General Hammond who notices a nasty looking wound on her hand. Next he gives her a folded note and asks her to keep it in the breast pocket of her vest. Explanations will come later. The general does sound a bit strange and mysterious and Sam is understandably baffled, but she complies.

The wormhole opens and with a worriedly (we can't help wondering why) onlooking General Hammond SG 1 leave...

... to arrive back in the Stargate room, only it isn't their Stargate room anymore. While they are still trying to figure out where they are, the Stargate suddenly sort of wavers and disappears. The whole room changes with it and glancing upwards, SG 1 are looking into what Jack recognises as the "butt end of a Titan missile" - worse - one that is about to be launched for a test burn at any moment, given the countdown that they can clearly overhear through the speakers. (This will obviously leave a very well toasted SG 1 in its wake - SG 1 extra crispy.) So they get busy trying to alert the personnel of wherever they are to their plight - without any luck, of course. Sam, Jack and Daniel cower against the walls of the missile silo in a futile attempt to escape the fire. The countdown reaches zero and ... nothing happens. At the last moment Teal'c has solved the problem by coolly firing his Zat gun into the burners of the missile, thus effectively stopping it. Jack: "How did you know that would work?" - Teal'c: "I did not." This however accomplishes what their earlier shouting didn't - military guards appear and arrest them - as Soviet spies as we find out later.

The soldiers are less than thrilled to find four strangers in the midst of a top secret US facility, - Sam: "Sir, we are still on Cheyenne Mountain." - , which does not make for a friendly conversational tone. Jack's request to see their CO brings him into close - and painful - contact with the end of an MP.

Next we see two soldiers examining the truly impressive array of SG 1's weapons and possessions, with the orders to stow everything away for transport and forget what they've seen.. One of them - a young blond lieutenant - appears to be very interested in the curious objects. Suddenly he finds the note in the breast pocket of a vest. When he reads the name "George" on the outside of it, he unfolds it completely, to find the words "help them" and two dates inside.

Meanwhile SG 1 are confined in a cell and Sam Carter explains that they have obviously "travelled back in time, roughly about 30 years". While Sam is embarrassed that her programming didn't work - "Jack: "A little bump in calculations?" - Sam: "I'm sorry, sir. I don't know what to say." -, Daniel is highly fascinated. His archaeologist's mind immediately sees the possibilities of watching all the great events of history. Sam, however, quickly alerts them to the incredible dangers of changing history and thus even extinguishing their very own existence ("the grandfather paradox"). Their most pressing problem at the moment is how to explain not only their own presence - with Teal'c and his larva being an additional complication - but also their advanced weapons and technology without doing to much damage to their time line.

Before they can decide on a course of action, three soldiers enter the cell. One of them addresses Daniel with a question in Russian, asking whether they are Russian spies, to which Daniel (master of the many languages, linguist extraordinary) automatically answers with "Njet." (Oops! A very big OOPS!)

Jack then gets taken away for questioning. His interrogator, Major Robert Thornbird, - complete with the obligatory cigarette - is not impressed when Jack introduces himself as "Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise"

Thornbird: "Your dog tags say otherwise." - Jack: "They're lying." (In the late sixties Star Trek didn't have the fame it has today) Busily puffing away, Thornbird appears to be very interested in the strange weapon that interrupted the missile test, but Jack feigns ignorance (He's soooo good at it *G*.), Thornbird: "Some sort of state secret?" - Jack: "No, just difficult to pronounce." (which takes us back to the episode in which Teal'c introduced the Zatniquel to SG 1). They exchange some more *pleasantries* and finally Jack admits that he lied about his name. Jack: "I'll be honest with you, Bob. My name is not Kirk. It's Skywalker, Luke Skywalker." (Some people have speculated that this has been the one instance in which SG 1 has definitely influenced the future. Years later Major Thornbird may have mentioned the name of his strange captive to a certain film producer and so one of the greatest heroes in the history of Sci-Fi movies got his name. A nice little time paradox.)

Back at the SGC we see a lone General Hammond holding vigil at the big window overlooking the Stargate room. An approaching technician informs him that there is still no sign of SG 1 on P2X555, whereupon the general orders SG 5 to complete the mission. To the technician's inquiry what to do about SG 1, Hammond answers: "They are out there somewhere. Hopefully they'll find their way back.", adding that "this is one mission that they are on their own." The technician doesn't understand, but he follows his orders and leaves. (To anyone who does not know the end of the episode, General Hammond's behaviour must seem very strange indeed. The man who usually moves heaven and earth to help his teams come back safely from a mission, suddenly appears to abandon his best unit. Leaving SG 1 "out there" without doing anything from his end to ascertain their safe return, is so out of character that we are forced to ask ourselves what Hammond knows that we don't at this moment.)

Back in the past SG 1 are taken away (we never find out where the journey was supposed to go) in a military truck. (As a side shot we see the truck passing a sign saying "BREATHE DEEPLY FOLKS, be soon in Albuquerque - visit Mike's Leather Emporium" - one of the endearing little, funny details this episode is so rich with.) In the back of the van SG 1 are discussing their options. Sam can only see the one solution, to escape and "live out the rest of our lives without affecting history" to which Jack adds an "or?". When Sam answers that she can't see any "or" he retorts: "Captain, where there's a will there is always an *or*." (A great scene, for once Sam gives up and Jack has to remind her that anything is possible if you try hard enough.)

A blown front tire suddenly stops the transport. While two soldiers try to change the tire, the third, the young blond lieutenant, draws a handgun and enters the prisoner section of the van, ostensibly to "keep an eye" on them. Once inside he admits to arranging for the unscheduled stop and informs an utterly surprised SG1 that he wants to know more before he "can even think about what's asked of me in the note." Specifically, he wants to know who they are and who gave them that note. (The only one who knows about any note at that moment is Sam Carter, which explains the puzzled looks of the three men.)

When Sam's glance falls on the lieutenant's name tag, which reads "Hammond", she immediately surmises the meaning of the mysterious note. She introduces herself and explains to the bewildered young man that *he* gave her the note. Predictably she now has to explain everything not only to him, but also to Jack and the others that *General* Hammond gave her the note just prior to their departure with the orders to keep it in her vest pocket. The lieutenant adds to the mystery by telling them that the note is addressed to himself and furthermore written in his own handwriting, asking him to "help them". Lt. Hammond: "And seeing as helping you will undoubtedly lead to court martial, I'd like to know why I would do that" - Sam: "Because it's your idea." - Jack: "Albeit one you won't have for 30 years." Things get a little muddled now, as Hammond is not prepared to believe that these strangers are from his future. He turns to leave, but Daniel stops him with the assurance that they can prove their case. Learning the exact date from Hammond, August 4th, 1969, the first thing that comes to mind is the moon landing, but as Hammond rightfully points out, "the whole world knows about that." So it proves nothing. What Jack adds, though, does. Jack: "But not too many people know that you watched it from your father's bedside in his hospital room after his first heart attack." Hammond is flabbergasted. How can they know that? Jack then reminds him of the purpose of the note, "Are you gonna listen to yourself or not?" Hammond is convinced. He puts away his gun and uncuffs them, scraping over Sam's injured hand in the process. He apologises and gets a good look at the wound. (Aha!)

Lieutenant Hammond then produces a Zat gun for them to knock out the other soldiers. With the Zat they also destroy most of their gear and weapons. After borrowing some cash from Hammond, Jack knocks him out as well, so he won't get in trouble later.

On the hike through the woods to find the Interstate Highway, Jack explains the plan to the others. Daniel: "So what's the plan?" - Jack: "Find the Stargate." - Daniel: "Find the Stargate? That's the plan?" - Jack: "Elegant in its simplicity." With the help of the Stargate (if necessary the one in Antarctica) and General Hammond's note, Jack is sure they can get home again. Unfortunately, Sam has to disappoint him. The note doesn't give them any specifics. They don't have to ponder about the meaning of the cryptic two dates. Daniel: "It just means that something is going to happen on August, 10th at 9.15 a.m.. - Sam: "and going to happen again the next day at 6.03. We'll just have o figure out what that something is." A view of Jack's face shows that now he is not a happy camper anymore.

They reach the highway and while the men wait in the ditch for Sam to successfully stop a car, Daniel comes up with another part of the plan. They ought to look up Catherine Langford, as she will probably be the only person who can tell them the location of the Stargate. To keep the time line intact, they will go in disguised as foreigners. Jack: "How are ya gonna do that?" - Daniel: "Well, I speak 23 different languages, pick one!"

When Sam's attempts at hitch hiking stay futile, Teal'c takes the initiative. Teal'c: "This method appears to be ineffective." He simply steps out onto the road and into the path of the next vehicle, a colourful bus/van/camper, driven by a hippie couple, Jenny and Michael, who are on their way to a festival at Woodstock. Afterwards Michael will probably cross into Canada to avoid being drafted. They offer to take SG 1 to New York.

SG 1 in their green military uniforms stick out like sore thumbs, so at the next opportunity they change their clothes. (Whoa - they do make some fabulous hippies, Sam's great in beads, vest, long, wide skirt and reddish tinted glasses, Daniel in striped jeans, turtle neck sweater and jacket even now manages to look bookish, Jack is his usual gorgeous self in a white t-shirt, jeans, black leather jacket and a cute skull cap, and Teal'c - with head band, *hair* (!) - very nice in what we used to call *afro-look* - and pinkish shirt and matching vest is a perfect example of a late sixties black *brother*.)

On an overnight stop near Philadelphia the four of them are sitting around a camp fire, with Sam watching the flames, when a stick of wood gives off a burst of sparks. And suddenly she knows how they have managed to land in the past. Sam: "Flare!" - Jack: "What?" - Sam: "That's the only explanation. We have to have been sent back because of a solar flare." Her subsequent explanations about solar flares, sling shot movements and time travel make them finally realise that the two dates the general gave them must mark the next solar flares which will enable them to go back home.

Their conversation is overheard by Jenny and Michael, who now get a bit wary and want to know what is going on. When they won't let themselves be fobbed off, Jack tells them that he and his friends came from another planet a long time ago to hide on Earth, but that now they want to go home. Again the Zat gets into action to demonstrate to the two doubting hippies that these curious strangers are indeed aliens. (The whole idea is very much in accord with the general feeling of universal brotherhood of the sixties, so it is not too difficult to get Michael and Jenny to get along with it.)

At an observatory Jack and Teal'c want to check out the first of the dates in Hammond's note. (The strange thing is that said observatory just sits there without any personnel or locked doors and waits for our heroes to come by and use it - ah, well, let's chalk it up to creative license.)

Meanwhile Sam and Daniel visit Catherine. Daniel has introduced himself as the son of a German archaeologist colleague of Catherine's father and tells her he wants to discuss one of their finds. (His fake German accent is the funniest thing I have heard in long time. Sorry, but I'm German and no one speaks English like that - his German I can easily excuse, after all it is MS speaking and not Daniel who would certainly have made a better job of it. *G*) From Catherine they learn that the Stargate is "in some old military armoury, gathering dust."

For Jack and Teal'c at the observatory the great moment is almost upon them. After looking through the telescope for a few seconds and watching the sun erupt as promised, Jack announces: "Brother Teal'c, ... at precisely 6.03 p.m. tomorrow ... we go home." It almost draws a smile from the Jaffa.

Next they all set off for Washington D.C.. Sam is driving the bus and Jack is in the back, trying to express their thanks to Jenny and Michael and to convey to them that their paths must part now. "Jack: "It's too dangerous for you." To avoid being sent to Vietnam and having to kill people, Michael asks to be taken with SG 1 instead of going to Canada. Jack wants to offer some advice, but again Sam has to warn him not to influence the time line. So, in the end they part and Jenny and Michael have to deal with whatever they decide for themselves..

In the armoury, SG 1 find a crated Stargate, among lots of military vehicles. (Don't ask what an old artefact like the Stargate is doing in the midst of lots of jeeps and army trucks - at least they will come in very useful soon.) Teal'c and Daniel free the gate from its packaging and Sam explains the procedure. She has confidence in General Hammond's choice of an appropriate flare to send them back to the future. With the help of lots of car batteries (See - what would they have done had the gate been stowed away with lots of other useless things?) the Stargate is activated, Daniel and Teal'c hand-dial the address and soon we see the usual watery-blue surface of the wormhole. All the noise and activity finally (And high time, too! What were they doing all the time?) alert the guards, who immediately start shooting at the intruders. Because of this interference SG 1 enter the wormhole a few seconds early. Sam: "Sir, the timing has to be exact, just a few more seconds." - Jack: "It's gonna have to be close enough. GO!" They - and a couple of bullets that have followed them through the wormhole - land in another deserted Stargate room. All the gear and machinery is packed up or tarp-covered. The gate obviously isn't in use anymore.

Suddenly the door opens and an older woman in a long, white dress enters, greeting each of them by name. Our friends are understandably baffled. Jack: "Do.. ahem ... do we know you?" The woman just smiles and states that: "Sam will recognise me." - Sam: "Oh, my God! Cassandra!" The two women hug. Jack is even more confused now, the Cassie he knows is thirteen years old. Cassandra: "Not anymore, Jack." She then explains that because they entered the Stargate too soon, they have been transported "far into the future". Cassandra will rectify the situation. Cassandra: "I've come to send you back where you belong." She has known about this meeting all her life, because Sam told her about it as soon as she was old enough to understand. Sam would like to question Cassandra about the future, but the other woman reminds her of why she can't disclose anything. All she is willing to tell them is: "Your journey's just beginning." With the help of a hand-device (very cool!) Cassandra activates the Stargate and SG 1 leave again ...

... to finally arrive back home. Descending the ramp, checking the gate room (or rather thanking heaven?) Jack does not hide his relief. Jack: "Yes!" Awaiting them at the foot of the ramp is a smiling General Hammond. Jack throws him a jaunty salute. Jack: " We're home. ... Thanks to one sparky, young *Lieutenant* Hammond." Hammond tells them that he has expected this to happen ever since they met and that he knew it was the right time to give Sam the note when he saw her injured hand. (AHA again!) Hammond's last remark is a reminder to Jack that "with interest you owe me 539 dollars and 50 cents." Jack (smiling):" Yes, sir."

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